Rep. Kristin Bahner

Maddy summaryHF 2477 requires the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) to add cricket to its list of sanctioned interscholastic sports by July 1, 2025. The bill mandates MSHSL to form a cricket advisory group, launch pilot programs in at least three schools during the 2025-2026 school year, and expand participation to more schools by 2026-2027. By the 2027-2028 school year, MSHSL must finalize rules and establish a regular cricket season, preferably in the spring. This directly affects Minnesota high schools and the MSHSL governing body, as it changes which sports the league officially recognizes and regulates.

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 2626 appropriates $5 million for fiscal year 2026 and $5 million for fiscal year 2027 from the state general fund to the commissioner of health. These funds are designated for community solutions grants focused on healthy child development, as specified under Minnesota Statutes section 145.9285. The bill directly supports local organizations and programs working to improve early childhood health outcomes. It creates a concrete funding mechanism for existing grant programs without changing eligibility rules or creating new requirements. This is a straightforward budget allocation for established child development initiatives.

Maddy summaryHF 1935 raises reimbursement rates for long-term heart rhythm monitoring services provided by diagnostic testing facilities in Minnesota. Specifically, it requires the state to pay these facilities 100% of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule rate (or higher) for external cardiac patch monitoring devices worn by patients for 48+ hours to detect dangerous heart arrhythmias. This change affects diagnostic testing facilities that provide these specific cardiac monitoring services, which help diagnose conditions that could lead to stroke or cardiac arrest if undetected. The new rate takes effect on January 1, 2026, or after federal approval, whichever comes later.

Maddy summaryHF 1083 amends Minnesota law to prohibit domestic abuse advocates (such as counselors or shelter staff) from disclosing certain client information without consent. The bill specifically states that these advocates cannot share information acquired during professional services, except when the client provides written consent, a crime is involved, or the client sues the advocate. This directly affects domestic abuse survivors seeking help and the advocates who support them. The change updates Minnesota Statutes 595.02 to add this restriction, aligning with existing confidentiality rules for other professionals like social workers and counselors.

Maddy summaryHF 1165 renames the Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority to the Minnesota Health and Education Facilities Authority and authorizes it to finance health care facilities in addition to its existing role supporting higher education. The bill increases the agency's bonding capacity, allowing it to issue more bonds to fund construction and improvements for both health care and educational facilities. This directly affects health care organizations and institutions of higher education in Minnesota by expanding their access to financing for facility projects. The legislation also updates the authority's board composition requirements to include members with expertise in health care, higher education, and finance.

Maddy summaryHF 2518 appropriates $8 million from the general fund for WomenVenture to support two specific groups: child care providers (through business training, shared services, and startup materials) and women food entrepreneurs (through business expansion, technical assistance, and supply chain development). The funds can be used for leasehold improvements, equipment, working capital, and other eligible business expenses, with up to 5% allocated for WomenVenture's administrative costs. By December 15, 2028, WomenVenture must report to the legislature on how the funds were distributed, including the number of entrepreneurs assisted, county breakdowns, and details on loans versus grants. This is a one-time appropriation available until June 30, 2028.

Maddy summaryHF 1934 modifies how dental services are administered for MinnesotaCare and medical assistance recipients. It changes the start date for a new dental administrator contract from 2026 to 2030, requires the dental administrator to meet a 55% annual dental visit rate for continuously enrolled members by 2032, and establishes a task force to assess impacts on critical access dental providers. The task force must evaluate financial effects on providers, access to care, and disruptions to integrated medical-dental services. This bill directly affects dental administrators, critical access dental providers, and patients enrolled in MinnesotaCare or medical assistance programs.

Maddy summaryHF 1379 creates a formal "nonopioid directive" process in Minnesota, allowing patients (or their health care agents) to submit written instructions stating they must not receive opioids from health professionals or prescribers. Health care providers must include these directives in patient records and follow them, except in emergency hospital settings where a prescriber deems opioid use medically necessary. The bill also grants legal immunity to health professionals, facilities, and emergency medical services providers who comply with these directives in good faith. The Minnesota Department of Health will develop a standard form for these directives and post it online. This directly affects patients seeking opioid avoidance and all healthcare providers interacting with patient records.

Maddy summaryHF 856 creates a new position for a Common Interest Community Ombudsperson within Minnesota’s Department of Commerce to help resolve disputes between unit owners (like condo or HOA residents) and community associations. The ombudsperson will provide free dispute resolution services, maintain a public website with resources about rights and rules, and compile complaints - without making legal rulings or decisions. The bill classifies all personal data collected by the office as "private" or "nonpublic," requiring individual consent or court order for release. It appropriates funding for the office starting in fiscal year 2026, with the position effective July 1, 2025.