Rep. Elliott Engen

Maddy summaryHF 287 would amend Minnesota law to exclude children under 13 years old from being classified as "delinquent children" or "juvenile petty offenders" for most offenses. This means children under 13 who commit acts that would typically be handled in juvenile court (like minor property crimes or underage drinking) would no longer face those proceedings. The bill changes two key legal definitions in Minnesota Statutes to set 13 as the minimum age for such classifications, effective August 1, 2026. It directly affects children under 13 who would have been processed through the juvenile justice system for minor offenses.

Maddy summaryHF 703 requires Minnesota health insurance plans to cover cancer imaging and clinical genetic testing for individuals with a personal or family history of cancer or determined to have an increased cancer risk by National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. The bill mandates that these services - defined as evidence-based imaging scans and germline multigene genetic tests for inherited cancer mutations - be provided without cost-sharing (like deductibles or co-pays). An exception applies if covering these services before meeting a deductible would make an enrollee ineligible for health savings accounts or catastrophic health plans, in which case coverage begins after the deductible is met. The requirement takes effect January 1, 2026, for all health plans offered or renewed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHF 1784 requires government entities (such as state agencies or local municipalities) to pay the legal costs - including attorney fees - of individuals or organizations they sue and lose in court. If a government entity initiates a civil lawsuit against a person and does not win, the bill mandates that the government cover all defense-related expenses incurred by the losing party. This applies to actions filed on or after August 1, 2025, and does not limit other legal remedies available to defendants. The bill aims to discourage government entities from filing meritless lawsuits by making them financially responsible for opposing legal costs.

Maddy summaryHF 15, the "Safe Haven In Every Local District (SHIELD) Act," requires all Minnesota public school districts and charter schools to include specific student and staff safety measures in their long-term facility plans by August 2025. The bill creates new grants to fund comprehensive security systems, including features like bullet-resistant doors, emergency alert systems, and staff training, with priority given to schools serving the most students. School districts must apply for these grants through the Minnesota School Safety Center, which will rank applicants and provide lists of approved vendors. The law appropriates funds from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to support these security upgrades and plan updates.

Maddy summaryHF 1052 modifies Minnesota's student discipline laws to protect younger students. It prohibits school dismissals (including suspensions) for preschool/pre-K programs and kindergarten through grade 3 students, limiting K-3 dismissals to no more than three school days. The bill requires schools to first use alternative disciplinary approaches and provide educational services before considering dismissal, and mandates districts to track student progress during any dismissal period. These changes apply to all Minnesota public schools and take effect July 1, 2025. The bill repeals outdated sections related to student discipline (121A.425 subd. 2 and 121A.611).

Maddy summaryHF 129 requires the Director of the state's child sex trafficking prevention program to submit an annual evaluation report to the legislature every odd-numbered year. This directly affects the state's child trafficking prevention program and the legislature, which will receive these evaluations for review. The key provision mandates these regular reports to assess the program's effectiveness, with the first report due in 2027. The bill became law on April 30, 2025, and takes effect August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHF 286 allows local governments (such as cities or counties) to conduct criminal background checks on individuals in specific situations, like for certain employment or licensing roles. The bill authorizes these checks under defined circumstances without requiring state-level approval. It becomes effective on August 1, 2025, after receiving gubernatorial approval on May 15, 2025. This change directly affects local government entities and the individuals subject to these background checks.

Maddy summaryHF 766 amends Minnesota Statutes section 609.2231 to increase penalties for assaulting police officers during lawful duties. It elevates simple physical assaults on peace officers to a gross misdemeanor felony (with up to 2 years in jail or $4,000 fine), and makes assaults causing bodily harm or involving bodily fluids/feces a felony (up to 3 years or $6,000 fine). The bill directly affects individuals who physically assault officers while they are performing official duties, as defined under Minnesota law. It becomes effective August 1, 2025, applying to offenses committed on or after that date. The change specifically modifies existing penalty levels without altering the definition of assault.

Maddy summaryHF 3299 establishes a $2,000 refundable Minnesota income tax credit for family members (like grandparents, aunts, uncles, or siblings) who provide unpaid child care for children under age six. To qualify, caregivers must provide at least 416 hours of care annually to enable a parent's employment, maintain specific family relationships, and not live with the child. The credit phases out for single filers earning over $50,000 or joint filers over $100,000. If the credit exceeds tax liability, Minnesota will refund the difference, effective for 2025 tax returns.

Maddy summaryHF 124 allows living public safety officers (including police, firefighters, and emergency responders) to accept certain gifts, such as money, property, plaques, or services, when a fellow officer is killed in the line of duty. The bill requires that gifts be given within 24 months of the death, honor or commemorate the fallen officer, and support team morale. This applies to officers employed by the same agency or political subdivision as the deceased officer. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to permit these gifts without violating existing gift acceptance rules.