Rep. Bianca Virnig

Maddy summaryHF 2410 amends Minnesota Statutes section 197.791, subdivision 4, to clarify that surviving spouses of deceased veterans retain eligibility for state education benefits even after remarrying. Previously, marital status may have impacted benefits, but this change explicitly states that remarriage does not disqualify a surviving spouse from continuing to receive these benefits. The bill directly affects surviving spouses of veterans who died due to military service, ensuring they can maintain educational assistance regardless of their marital status. This is a specific policy change to the eligibility criteria, removing a potential barrier for remarried spouses.

Maddy summaryHF 2064 modifies rules for assisted living facilities terminating contracts with residents. It requires facilities to hold meetings with residents and their chosen support people (like family or case managers) at least seven days before termination for most reasons, explaining the termination reason and offering alternatives like switching providers. Facilities must provide written termination notices 30 days in advance for contract violations (subdivision 4) or 15 days for other cases (subdivision 5), and send copies to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman and case managers for waiver program residents. The bill also clarifies that temporary interruptions in public benefits (up to 60 days) do not count as nonpayment. These changes aim to ensure residents understand termination reasons and have time to address issues before leaving a facility.

Maddy summaryHF 3001 establishes a pilot program providing direct cash grants of at least $500 monthly for 18 months to eligible low-income Minnesota residents. It directly affects individuals or families with household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level or currently receiving public benefits. The bill requires grantees (local governments, tribes, or nonprofits) to administer the payments while ensuring the stipends do not count as income for other benefits like food assistance or housing support. Grantees must collect data on participants' economic, health, and housing outcomes and submit a final report to the legislature by January 2028.

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 1005 adjusts payment rates for healthcare providers under Minnesota's medical assistance program. It increases reimbursement rates for certain residential services, sets a new statewide rate for behavioral health home services, and adjusts physician professional service rates. These changes directly affect hospitals, clinics, and care providers receiving state medical assistance payments for these specific services. The bill amends existing statutes to implement these rate adjustments while requiring budget neutrality for hospital payments. It does not create new programs but modifies existing payment structures for covered services.

Maddy summaryHF 2406 allows people receiving certain disability waiver services in Minnesota to have remote reassessments (via video or phone) instead of in-person meetings under specific conditions. It directly affects individuals enrolled in developmental disabilities, community access, brain injury, or elderly waiver programs. The bill permits remote reassessments to replace up to two consecutive in-person meetings for some programs (followed by an in-person meeting), or one for others, but requires informed consent from the person or their legal representative and verifies ongoing needs, care level, and service plan details. All remote reassessments must follow the same requirements as in-person meetings, including updates to support plans. The changes take effect January 1, 2026, or after federal approval.

Maddy summaryHF 2325 requires Minnesota employers to pay non-exempt employees at least 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for work performed on designated holidays. The bill directly affects hourly workers in Minnesota who are scheduled to work on holidays defined under Minnesota Statutes section 645.44, subdivision 5. It amends existing law (Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 177.25) to add a new provision mandating this overtime pay rate specifically for holiday work. This changes the current standard by explicitly requiring higher pay for holiday shifts, rather than allowing employers to use alternative compensation methods. The bill does not change the definition of "holiday" but specifies the required pay rate when work occurs on those days.

Maddy summaryHF 470 appropriates $96.565 million from the general fund for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund Minnesota's early learning scholarships program under Minnesota Statutes section 142D.25. This funding directly supports families with young children by providing financial assistance for early learning services. The bill establishes a specific, dedicated funding stream for the program, adding it to the base budget. It does not change eligibility criteria or program rules, only providing the necessary state funding to operate the existing scholarship program.

Maddy summaryHF 1847 appropriates $1.2 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1.2 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the Minnesota STEM Ecosystem. The funds must support STEM learning opportunities and workforce development in science and technology fields across the state. The Minnesota STEM Ecosystem can award subgrants to programs that align with statewide STEM initiatives to ensure coordinated efforts. This bill directly affects STEM education programs and workforce development organizations receiving these grants.

Maddy summaryHF 1332 appropriates $18 million from state bonds to fund forest management on Minnesota's state forest lands. The funds cover reforestation activities (like planting native seeds and trees), site preparation, and forest stand improvement, including treatment for pests like emerald ash borer and spruce budworm. The state will issue bonds up to $18 million to finance these projects, administered by the commissioner of natural resources under Minnesota Statutes. This bill directly affects state forest management operations and the use of public funds for forestry capital projects.