Rep. Kim Hicks

Maddy summaryHF 1309 prohibits Minnesota local governments (cities and counties) from requiring minimum parking spaces for new residential, commercial, or industrial buildings. The bill directly affects developers and property owners by removing a common zoning requirement that previously mandated a set number of parking spots. Key provisions state that political subdivisions cannot impose these minimums, though they may still require ADA-compliant disability parking or make non-binding parking space recommendations. This change aims to increase flexibility for development projects, potentially allowing more housing or commercial space without dedicated parking.

Maddy summaryHF 3077 allows vulnerable patients in Minnesota hospitals, residential hospice facilities, and birth centers to use electronic monitoring devices in their rooms for their safety. It specifically applies to patients admitted for over 24 hours who fall into defined vulnerable groups, including the elderly, young patients, neurodivergent individuals, those with disabilities, pediatric patients, and people with impaired cognition. The bill authorizes patients to place these monitoring devices in their rooms under existing rules from Minnesota Statutes section 144.6502. This policy change directly gives affected patients a new tool to address concerns about potential abuse in healthcare settings. The measure does not require facilities to provide monitoring equipment but permits patients to use their own devices.

Maddy summaryHF 3076 requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Health to issue competitive grants supporting education and outreach about myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) for healthcare professionals, patients, and the public. It also mandates the Commissioner of Human Services to award grants establishing or improving social services access for ME/CFS patients, including counseling, care coordination, transportation, and practical support. Both grant programs must consult with the ME/CFS community - including patients, providers, and experts - during development. The bill appropriates funding and requires annual reports on program implementation. This legislation directly affects Minnesotans diagnosed with or experiencing ME/CFS symptoms, aiming to improve diagnosis, treatment access, and community resource navigation.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $100,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $100,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities. The funding supports the Council's work to preserve and raise awareness about the history of Minnesotans with developmental disabilities. It will be used for activities like creating exhibits, videos, print materials, and traveling displays. The direct beneficiaries are Minnesotans with developmental disabilities and the Council's efforts to document their history. The bill makes no changes to eligibility or services, solely providing funding for historical preservation.

Maddy summaryHF 3003 requires large Minnesota employers (with over 40,000 employees in the state) to give priority placement to disabled employees for open positions they qualify for. If a disabled employee can no longer perform their current role, the employer must consider them before external candidates for any suitable open position, including with reasonable accommodations. The bill applies only to employers meeting the 40,000-employee threshold and mandates they notify employees of this right. It does not affect smaller employers or change existing disability accommodation requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 3002 modifies Minnesota's foster care benefit eligibility rules to extend support after age 18. It specifically adds youth to the eligibility pool if they had permanent legal and physical custody transferred to a relative after turning 10, rather than requiring them to be in foster care at age 18. The bill amends statutes (256B.055, 260C.212, 260C.451, 260C.452) to include these individuals for continued medical assistance and support services until age 26. This change directly affects young adults who transitioned to relative care after age 10 but were not previously covered under the existing foster care benefit rules.

Maddy summaryHF 2969 amends Minnesota law to exempt full-time graduate students employed by their educational institution under work-study programs or financial aid from being classified as "public employees." This specifically affects graduate students working in roles connected to their education, such as teaching assistantships or research positions funded through their program. The bill adds a new exemption (subdivision 14, clause 10) to Minnesota Statutes 179A.03, clarifying that these students are not considered public employees regardless of their weekly work hours. The change applies to students employed by schools (excluding the University of Minnesota Board of Regents) as part of their financial aid or work-study arrangements. This is a technical classification update, not a change to student employment conditions or benefits.

Maddy summaryHF 264, the "Larry R. Hill Medical Reform Act," requires all licensed Minnesota correctional facilities (both public and private) to meet specific medical care standards. The bill amends state law to mandate facilities implement policies covering mental health screening, suicide prevention, medication verification, discharge planning with prescribed medications, telehealth use, and death reviews. These requirements directly affect incarcerated individuals by improving access to consistent medical and mental health care while holding facilities accountable through commissioner inspections. The law aims to standardize care practices without creating new programs, focusing on operational changes to enhance safety and treatment.

Maddy summaryHF 2387 amends Minnesota Statutes § 124D.118 to establish a program allowing schools to provide free half-pint milk to students who do not participate in the full school lunch program. This directly affects public and nonpublic schools in Minnesota, enabling students to receive milk without needing to take a complete lunch, thereby reducing food waste from uneaten meals. The bill authorizes state reimbursement of 20 cents per milk serving for kindergarten students and up to 50 cents (or USDA rate) for lunch milk, with funding appropriated for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Schools must follow commissioner-established guidelines to participate, focusing on daily milk access as a nutritional supplement.

Maddy summaryHF 2325 requires Minnesota employers to pay non-exempt employees at least 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for work performed on designated holidays. The bill directly affects hourly workers in Minnesota who are scheduled to work on holidays defined under Minnesota Statutes section 645.44, subdivision 5. It amends existing law (Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 177.25) to add a new provision mandating this overtime pay rate specifically for holiday work. This changes the current standard by explicitly requiring higher pay for holiday shifts, rather than allowing employers to use alternative compensation methods. The bill does not change the definition of "holiday" but specifies the required pay rate when work occurs on those days.