Rep. Sandra Feist

Maddy summaryHF 2140 requires certain Minnesota municipalities to create "mixed-use housing zones" by June 30, 2027. Covered cities include those in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington counties, plus any municipality with 10,000+ residents. These zones must permit residential developments with at least three units (within 0.5 miles of certain streets) or four units (within 0.25 miles), including duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes. The bill defines "mixed-use development" as buildings where at least 50% of usable space is for residential units, and it exempts these zoning changes from requiring comprehensive plan amendments before 2029.

Maddy summaryHF 3005 appropriates $497,500 for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund home-delivered meals for veterans through Metro Meals on Wheels, plus technical assistance for member programs. The bill requires Metro Meals on Wheels to submit detailed reports by September 1, 2026 and 2027, documenting how funds were used and the number of veterans/servicemembers served. This is a one-time funding appropriation, not a recurring budget item, directly supporting veterans' access to meal services in Minnesota. The bill affects veterans receiving meals and Metro Meals on Wheels as the grant recipient.

Maddy summaryHF 1511 appropriates $5 million from the state general fund for a veteran mentorship program targeting Black youth in Minnesota. The bill directs the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs to fund an organization that will develop and run the program, where veterans mentor Black youth to prevent violence and explore military careers. The funds are allocated specifically: $1.5 million for veteran mentor salaries, $2 million for community outreach, $1 million for youth engagement, and $500,000 for program administration. This is a one-time appropriation for fiscal year 2026, directly affecting Black youth in Minnesota through mentorship and career exploration opportunities.

Maddy summaryHF 1128 requires all Minnesota public high school districts and charter schools to participate in the state's direct admissions program starting with the 2029-2030 school year. The law, effective July 1, 2025, mandates that schools must enroll students through this program rather than traditional application processes. It directly affects every public high school in Minnesota by changing how they admit students. The bill does not alter the program's existing structure but makes participation mandatory for all eligible schools.

Maddy summaryHF 101 prohibits Minnesota schools from listing parent contact information (like home addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses) as "publicly available directory information." This directly affects parents, as schools can no longer automatically share their personal contact details with the public without explicit consent. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes §13.32 by removing parent contact information from the definition of directory information, requiring schools to treat it as private data instead. Exceptions exist only for temporary sharing with school referendum committees during election periods (90 days prior to voting), with strict limits on use and destruction after elections.

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 2938 allows individuals involved in traffic collisions to access unredacted data from body cameras or other portable recording systems used in their collision investigation, rather than receiving only redacted versions. This directly affects collision victims, their representatives, and law enforcement agencies that must provide the data. The bill amends Minnesota law to require unredacted data access for collision reports under section 169.09, with limited exceptions: if access would interfere with an active investigation, the data is offensive, or it's classified non-public. Agencies denying access must provide a written explanation and information about seeking court review. This changes the default from redacted to unredacted data sharing for collision investigations.

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 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 2999 eliminates a court's authority to impose fines in specific juvenile cases. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 260B.198 by removing the provision that allowed courts to order fines up to $1,000 for youth found delinquent in traffic, water, or other offenses. This change directly affects juvenile courts and youth involved in delinquency proceedings or cases involving major water/traffic violations. The key mechanism is the deletion of the fine option from the court's available dispositions, shifting focus away from monetary penalties in these cases.