Rep. Bianca Virnig

Maddy summaryHF 671 establishes two new grant programs to improve children's mental health services in Minnesota. It creates a competitive grant for training direct care staff in residential facilities and day treatment programs (via the "youth care professional grant"), requiring trauma-informed curricula and a registry for trained staff. It also launches a "high-fidelity wraparound grant" to fund comprehensive, family-driven mental health support for children with serious challenges, prioritizing evidence-based models. The bill modifies rates for certain children's mental health services, establishes a working group for psychiatric residential facilities, and appropriates funding for these initiatives. These changes primarily affect licensed residential facilities, day treatment programs, community service providers, and counties delivering children's mental health services.

Maddy summaryHF 2459 appropriates $150,000 for the 2026 fiscal year and $150,000 for 2027 to the Metro Deaf School. The funding provides services specifically for young children with deafness, deafblindness, or hard-of-hearing disabilities who do not qualify for existing state funding under Minnesota Statutes §124E.11(h). This is a one-time appropriation, directly supporting the school's ability to serve this specific student population. The bill does not change eligibility rules but provides dedicated funding for an underserved group.

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 1611 appropriates $1 million from the general fund for the 2026 fiscal year to fund a "Lawns to Lunch" pilot program. The program provides financial and technical assistance to help residents and communities convert lawns into food gardens featuring vegetables, fruits, pollinator plants, and other edibles. It prohibits using funds for commercial food sales, greenhouses, or buildings, and the money must be spent by June 30, 2030. This one-time funding supports local food gardening efforts without creating new regulations.

Maddy summaryHF 2555 establishes a pilot program (2026-2030) for Minnesota's state employee health insurance plan, comparing retrospective utilization review (evaluating care after it's provided) against prior authorization (evaluating care before it's provided). It requires health carriers to use retrospective review for state employee coverage during the pilot, while still allowing prior authorization if needed, and mandates quality audits to track impacts on care access and costs. The program directly affects state employees covered under the group insurance plan and health care providers billing them. The commissioner must report annually on cost, access, and quality impacts to lawmakers, with final recommendations due by 2031.

Maddy summaryHF 958 requires Minnesota's medical assistance program to cover psychiatric collaborative care services for eligible clients. This model, defined as an evidence-based integrated approach involving primary care teams with psychiatric consultants, must be billed using specific codes (99492-99494, G2214, G0512). The bill mandates coverage for this service delivery method, which includes structured care management and regular clinical assessments. It takes effect July 1, 2025, or upon federal approval, whichever is later.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's restrictions on lead and cadmium in consumer products by specifically removing the prohibition on artist paint containing cadmium. It amends the definition of "covered product" to exclude cadmium-containing paint and pastels from the ban, which previously applied to art supplies. The change directly affects manufacturers and sellers of art supplies, particularly those producing traditional cadmium-based paints used by artists. The bill maintains existing restrictions on cadmium and lead in other products like toys, jewelry, and children's items.

Maddy summaryHF 669 modifies Minnesota's children's mental health grant programs to expand services for students. It allows schools and providers to use funds for telehealth services, family support, school staff training, and student transportation to mental health appointments when school isn't in session. The bill requires grantees to seek third-party reimbursement (excluding public schools) but ensures services are available regardless of a student's insurance or ability to pay. It also clarifies rules for nonemergency medical transportation providers under Minnesota health care programs. The legislation appropriates state funds to support these expanded services for children and families.

Maddy summaryHF 2180 modifies Minnesota's open meeting law to allow local government bodies (like city councils or school boards) greater flexibility for remote participation in public meetings. The bill requires that all participants be visible and audible to each other and the public, mandates at least one member be physically present at the meeting location, and requires roll-call voting for transparency. It permits remote participation for members serving in the military or with medical restrictions, but limits this to three times per year per member. The law also requires public notice of any remote participation locations, except for those covered by the military/medical exceptions.

Maddy summaryHF 1458 modifies Minnesota's requirements for becoming a certified public accountant (CPA). It extends current standards (150 college credits plus one year of relevant work experience) until July 1, 2030, after which new applicants will need either a master's degree plus one year of experience or a bachelor's degree plus two years of experience. The bill also establishes reciprocity, allowing CPAs licensed in other states with comparable requirements to practice in Minnesota without additional exams. This directly affects current and future CPA applicants in Minnesota and out-of-state CPAs seeking to practice in the state.