Rep. Peggy Scott

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's "Read Act" to require literacy instruction based on "science of reading" research, emphasizing evidence-based methods like phonics and decoding while explicitly excluding the three-cueing system. It establishes a new Office of Achievement and Innovation within the Department of Education to support literacy implementation and creates a statewide school performance reporting system. The bill also allows school boards to opt out of complying with certain recently enacted state education laws or rules and authorizes fund transfers for education programs through fiscal year 2029. These changes directly affect all Minnesota public school districts, educators, and students by reshaping literacy instruction requirements and school accountability systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes security provisions for Minnesota's chief justice by authorizing the Minnesota State Patrol to provide protection in consultation with the chief justice or their designee. The legislation amends state statutes to add a new authority clause allowing State Patrol members to serve as peace officers specifically for chief justice security, granting them the same crime enforcement powers as sheriffs and police officers within their jurisdictions. Additionally, the bill appropriates $101,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2027 to finance this security arrangement, with the funding becoming part of the base budget starting in fiscal year 2028. The measure directly affects the Minnesota State Patrol, the chief justice, and state budget allocations.

Maddy summaryHF 3758 prohibits state and local registrars from issuing replacement birth records that change the sex designation for minors under 18 years old, unless the original record contained an error. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 144.218 and 144.2181 to require that sex changes on birth records for minors can only occur to correct an error in the original recording. This directly affects minors under 18 and their families seeking to update birth records, as registrars must deny requests to change the sex marker except in documented error cases. The law focuses on maintaining the sex designation from the original birth record for minors, with no exceptions for gender identity changes.

Maddy summaryHF 3759 prohibits most changes to the sex designation on birth records in Minnesota, requiring that replacement records match the sex originally recorded. It specifically prevents registrars from issuing new birth records showing a different sex unless the original record contained an error that needs correction. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to clarify that sex changes are only permitted when the original entry was incorrect, not to align with a person's gender identity. This affects individuals seeking to update their birth records and state/local registrars responsible for processing such requests.

Maddy summaryHF 2219 regulates surrogacy in Minnesota by making traditional surrogacy arrangements invalid (meaning parental rights automatically remain with the birth mother unless she voluntarily terminates them) and establishing enforceable rules for gestational surrogacy. It requires gestational surrogacy contracts to be in writing, signed by all parties including the surrogate's spouse, notarized, and accompanied by separate legal counsel for all parties and written acknowledgment of rights/obligations. The bill also creates a new criminal offense for operating a for-profit surrogacy agency (defined as entities connecting intended parents with surrogates, excluding licensed attorneys handling contracts). This directly affects intended parents, gestational surrogates, and surrogacy agencies seeking to facilitate such arrangements in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 1791 allows Minnesota school districts to use surplus funds from career and technical education (CTE) programs to provide postsecondary scholarships or grants to eligible students. Specifically, districts may allocate net proceeds (revenue exceeding program costs) to cover tuition, certificate programs, apprenticeships, or career supplies for students who complete a CTE course, apply during their senior year, and graduate from a Minnesota high school. The bill requires districts to report program finances to the Department of Education and takes effect July 1, 2025. It directly affects Minnesota school districts with CTE programs and their graduating students pursuing further education or career training.

Maddy summaryHF 3675 modifies how sensitive financial data about rental properties is handled in Minnesota property tax disputes. It ensures that data like vacancy rates, lease information, and income projections - previously classified as private - can be used in Tax Court proceedings without being blocked as confidential. The bill requires Tax Court to issue protective orders to prevent public disclosure of this data while allowing its use in legal challenges to property valuations. This directly affects property owners, assessors, and Tax Court proceedings involving income-producing properties. The change streamlines access to necessary financial information for tax disputes while maintaining privacy safeguards.

Maddy summaryHF 2809 establishes a new crime for protesting directly in front of or about a person's home (excluding homes used as businesses). It makes this a misdemeanor, escalating to a gross misdemeanor if the person has a prior conviction under this law or ignores court orders like protection orders. The bill specifically allows peaceful protests about community meetings or assemblies held at locations commonly used for public discussion. This law applies to residential properties only and takes effect August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 3529 increases safe schools funding for Minnesota school districts and expands eligibility to charter schools, cooperative school units, nonpublic schools, and Tribal contract schools. For school districts, starting in fiscal year 2026, safe schools revenue will be the greater of $32,000 or $44 multiplied by the district's adjusted pupil count. Charter schools, nonpublic schools, and Tribal contract schools will receive aid calculated as $44 multiplied by their student enrollment or pupil units, as reported to the state. Funds must be used exclusively for school safety measures, including security, drug prevention programs, and student safety initiatives.

Maddy summaryHF 2879 establishes the Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crimes Advisory Board in Minnesota to address organized retail theft. The board, composed of law enforcement officials, retail association leaders, tribal representatives, and community members, advises the Public Safety Commissioner on strategies to identify, prevent, and prosecute retail theft networks. Key provisions require the board to analyze trends, connect theft to other crimes like human trafficking, address online retail impacts, and develop statewide protocols. A statewide coordinator will oversee enforcement coordination, training, and business education efforts to combat these theft enterprises. The bill appropriates funding for this initiative but does not create new criminal penalties.