Rep. Heather Keeler

Maddy summaryHF 679 increases funding for Minnesota's Innovative Service-Learning Grants program. The bill raises the maximum grant award amounts for partnerships between schools (including districts, charter schools, and tribal schools) and community organizations. These grants support K-12 student-led projects that connect classroom learning to community needs, such as addressing local issues or exploring career paths. The legislation appropriates additional state funds to expand this existing program without changing eligibility rules or application requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 2504 allocates $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to provide student mental health services at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities campuses. The funding enables the Board of Trustees to contract with independent mental health organizations to offer on-campus services at up to five state colleges. This directly affects students at participating Minnesota State campuses by expanding access to mental health support. The bill establishes a specific funding mechanism to address mental health needs without altering existing statutes.

Maddy summaryHF 1030 requires schools in Minnesota to include student attendance data in annual state assessment reports. Specifically, individual student reports must show the number and percentage of days a student was absent during the previous school year. This applies to all public schools, school districts, and charter schools that provide these assessment reports to parents and school staff. The requirement takes effect on July 1, 2025, and does not change existing attendance policies or tracking methods.

Maddy summaryHF 1589 establishes a three-year pilot program (2026-2027 to 2028-2029) in six Minnesota school districts or charter schools to increase access to advanced coursework. It requires participating schools to automatically enroll students who meet state assessment benchmarks or earn top grades in language arts, math, or science into advanced courses (like AP, dual credit, or honors), while allowing parents to opt their child out. The bill appropriates funds to cover AP exam fees, teacher training, textbooks, tutoring, and bonuses for teachers based on student AP exam pass rates. Participating districts must collect and report disaggregated data on student enrollment, retention, and outcomes, with a final report due to lawmakers by January 2030.

Maddy summaryHF 2068 allocates $89 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the state general fund to provide grants under Minnesota Statutes section 256K.45, subdivision 1. The bill directly provides funding to organizations serving homeless youth in Minnesota, supporting existing programs rather than creating new policies. This appropriation enables the commissioner of human services to distribute funds for services like shelter, counseling, and transitional housing. The bill focuses solely on funding, with no new eligibility rules or program requirements specified.

Maddy summaryHF 2195 proposes adding a new constitutional section to Minnesota's state constitution, specifically stating "Marriage is a fundamental right and shall not be restricted based on gender or race" (Sec. 18). If approved by voters, this amendment would prohibit legal restrictions on marriage based on gender or race. The amendment must be submitted to voters in the 2026 general election, with potential implementation starting January 1, 2027, if ratified. This bill directly affects marriage rights and legal protections for all Minnesotans, requiring voter approval rather than legislative passage alone.

Maddy summaryHF 1534 transfers Minnesota's Healthy Eating, Here at Home program from the Minnesota Humanities Center to the Department of Health. It establishes the Fresh Bucks pilot program, allowing SNAP and Summer EBT recipients to get a dollar-for-dollar match on fresh produce purchases (up to $20 daily/$80 monthly) at participating grocery stores and retailers. Both programs target low-income households using federal nutrition benefits, with the Healthy Eating program providing $10 vouchers for farmers' market purchases and Fresh Bucks focusing on fresh produce. The bill requires annual reports from administering nonprofits and appropriates funding for both initiatives. It amends Minnesota Statutes to clarify program administration, definitions, and reporting requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 1169 directs Minnesota's Commissioner of Children, Youth, and Families to create a plan by January 2026 to reduce paperwork in child protection cases. The plan must involve counties, local agencies, Tribal governments, and include specific changes, an implementation timeline, and ongoing input procedures to benefit foster care providers, tribes, counties, and child placement agencies. The bill also provides funding to improve the Social Services Information System and appropriates money for these efforts. This focuses on streamlining administrative processes without changing child protection standards.

Maddy summaryHF 1380 requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Human Services to set a minimum $1,800 per day rate for Clay County's psychiatric residential treatment facility. It appropriates $1 million in fiscal year 2026 for Clay County to cover equipment and remodeling costs to convert a juvenile center into an 18-bed facility for youth under 21. The bill also allocates $1 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1 million for 2027 to fund start-up and capacity-building grants for psychiatric residential treatment facilities statewide, with $200,000 specifically designated for Clay County's new facility. These are one-time appropriations, available until June 2029.

Maddy summaryHF 1579 establishes a new supplementary payment rate for specific housing providers serving vulnerable populations. It requires agencies to negotiate an additional $975 per month (capped at this amount, including inflation adjustments) for facilities providing 24/7 supervised housing to unsheltered individuals with complex health needs (including substance use, mental illness, or physical conditions). These facilities must offer private dwellings in the Twin Cities metro area (100 beds, operating since 2020) or central Minnesota (48 beds, opening after 2025), with all beds dedicated to this population. The rate applies starting July 1, 2025, and is supplemental to existing payment rates.