Rep. Kristin Bahner

Maddy summaryHF 1124 allows Minnesota school districts to begin the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years before Labor Day, which is currently prohibited under state law. This temporary change applies only to those two specific school years and does not alter the standard start date requirement for other years. School districts choosing this option must report their start dates to the education commissioner, who will then compile and submit a list of participating districts to legislators by January 5, 2027. The bill directly affects public school districts in Minnesota for those two school years.

Maddy summaryHF 1645 appropriates $1 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to the Minnesota Medical Association to run a "Treat Yourself First" campaign. The campaign aims to reduce stigma around mental health services, encourage healthcare workers experiencing burnout to seek help, and normalize seeking support for well-being. It specifically targets physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals. This is a one-time appropriation available until July 1, 2030.

Maddy summaryHF 1931 would give Minnesota's Attorney General the authority to enforce state laws governing common interest communities, such as homeowners associations and condominiums. The bill adds a new section to state law stating the Attorney General can investigate and prosecute violations of these community rules under existing enforcement powers. This change would take effect on January 1, 2026, and directly impacts how community governance laws are enforced across Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's definition of a "debt buyer" to clarify that businesses purchasing charged-off medical debts for collection purposes are considered debt buyers, while excluding nonprofits buying for charitable reasons. It appropriates $5 million from the general fund for a one-time grant to the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt to relieve medical debt for eligible residents who couldn't pay after hospitals completed reasonable collection efforts. The grant must be used by June 30, 2028, and Undue Medical Debt must report recipient demographics to state agencies. The bill directly affects low-income Minnesotans with unpaid medical bills and hospitals that previously pursued collections.

Maddy summaryHF 1984 creates a new grant program to support Minnesotans affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). It appropriates $1 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the commissioner of health. The commissioner must award grants to a statewide organization focused solely on FASD prevention and intervention. The grantee must develop programming providing resource navigation, individualized support, education, and social connection opportunities for people with FASD and their families/caregivers. This bill directly affects Minnesotans living with FASD and their support networks through new state-funded services.

Maddy summaryHF 2242 requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Human Services to select a single state pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) through a competitive bidding process. This PBM will handle all prescription drug claims for Minnesota's Medicaid (medical assistance) and MinnesotaCare programs, replacing the current system where multiple PBMs might be used. The bill mandates a master contract with this single PBM, specifies rules for drug coverage and reimbursement, and requires the commissioner to report on the program's operation. It also includes strict transparency requirements during procurement, such as disclosing potential conflicts of interest and financial ties between the PBM and pharmacies or drug manufacturers.

Maddy summaryHF 1479 establishes a quarterly refund system for Minnesota pharmacies that sell prescription drugs (referred to as "legend drugs") outside the state. Pharmacies can claim refunds equal to the tax they paid to distributors for those out-of-state sales, multiplied by Minnesota's tax rate, against their state tax liability. The bill requires pharmacies to file refund requests quarterly based on when they delivered drugs outside Minnesota (e.g., by July 1 for Q1 deliveries), with claims due within one year of the delivery quarter. This directly affects community pharmacies that dispense prescription drugs to patients outside Minnesota. The refund process begins for sales occurring after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota health plans and pharmacy benefit managers to include lower-cost generic or biosimilar drugs in their drug lists (formularies) when equivalent options cost less than current choices. It mandates that formulary tiers and structure must prioritize the drug with the lowest out-of-pocket cost for patients (including co-pays and coinsurance), without restricting access to that option. Health plans must immediately add newly approved generic or biosimilar drugs to their formularies if they cost less than existing covered options. This directly affects patients by reducing their medication costs and health plans/carriers by changing how they manage drug coverage.

Maddy summaryHF 1010 establishes a new licensure process for certified midwives in Minnesota through the Board of Nursing, creating a specific "Minnesota Certified Midwife Practice Act" (Chapter 148G). It amends health occupation definitions to include "licensed certified midwife," expands Medicaid coverage to include services provided by these licensed midwives, and sets civil/criminal penalties for violations. The bill directly affects certified midwives (requiring national certification plus state licensure) and Medicaid recipients who can now access midwifery care under their coverage. Key provisions define midwifery scope (including pregnancy, birth, and women's primary care) and set licensure terms, moving midwifery from an unregulated status to a licensed profession with expanded coverage.

Maddy summaryHF 1652 prohibits health plans in Minnesota from removing a drug from their formulary (list of covered drugs) or increasing a patient's cost for a previously prescribed drug during the same plan year. This directly affects patients enrolled in health plans who rely on specific medications, preventing unexpected disruptions to their treatment. Exceptions include removing drugs deemed unsafe by the FDA, withdrawn by the FDA or manufacturer, or when switching to a lower-cost FDA-approved generic or biosimilar drug with at least 60 days' notice to patients and providers. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, for health plans offered or renewed on or after that date.