Rep. Bianca Virnig

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates state money from the general fund for fiscal year 2027 to support mobile crisis services and nonemergency medical transportation providers in Minnesota. The commissioner of human services will distribute these funds as mobile crisis grants and start-up grants for protected transport. Specifically, the money can be used to purchase or configure vehicles that meet protected transport requirements. The measure impacts organizations providing crisis intervention and medical transportation services to the public.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state of Minnesota to use a lease-purchase agreement and the sale of certificates of participation to fund improvements or replacement of its MAXIS system. Under this plan, the state would lease the project from a vendor or financing source and pay for it in installments over a period of up to ten years. The legislation establishes specific rules for how the state must manage the funds, including requirements for insurance, liability, and financial reporting within a dedicated project fund. It also allows the state to transfer money from its general fund to cover expected costs before the financing proceeds are received.

Maddy summaryHF 4827 appropriates $20,000 from the state's general fund to help the city of Eagan create a memorial honoring women who served in the U.S. military since the nation's founding. The money will be given as a one-time grant to the commissioner of employment and economic development, who will then provide it to Eagan for designing and building the monument. This legislation is a procedural funding measure that does not change existing laws or create new programs beyond this specific allocation.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the number of covered physical therapy visits for children under Minnesota's medical assistance program. Currently, the limit is 14 visits per year, but the bill raises this to 30 visits for children recovering from hospital-based surgeries while keeping the 14-visit limit for other situations. The new higher limit takes effect on January 1, 2027, or later if federal approval is required. Additionally, the bill clarifies reimbursement rates for physical therapy assistants, paying them the full rate when working on-site with a therapist and 65% of that rate when working remotely under a therapist's direction.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to conduct background checks when requested by the Office of the Legislative Auditor. It amends Minnesota law to officially add the Legislative Auditor to the list of agencies authorized to request criminal history information from the Bureau. The change expands access to criminal background records for oversight purposes, allowing the Auditor to verify information related to public safety and financial matters. This provision applies specifically to the Office of the Legislative Auditor and does not alter existing background check procedures for other agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies eligibility requirements for Minnesota public television stations to receive state block grants. It updates the statute to specify that only federally licensed stations certified as eligible for community service grants through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in 2025 will qualify for these funds. The bill maintains existing provisions for equal distribution of block grants for operational costs and matching grants based on previous Minnesota-based contributions, while allowing unused grant funds to carry over into the second fiscal year of a biennium.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Minnesota's suicide prevention reporting requirements and establishes standards for the state's 988 Lifeline service. It requires the state health commissioner to conduct periodic evaluations of the suicide prevention plan and submit biennial reports to legislative committees starting in 2026. The legislation also mandates that the designated 988 Lifeline center operate 24/7, meet specific operational and clinical standards, and coordinate with emergency services, mental health providers, and community resources. Additionally, the bill requires the commissioner to develop protocols for interactions between 988 and 911 services and publish biennial reports on 988 usage data including answer rates and emergency referrals.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Direct Care and Treatment employees in Minnesota state-operated human services to be converted from unclassified to classified service positions, subject to approval from Minnesota Management and Budget. Under the bill, converted employees would follow standard employment rules including probationary periods and training requirements, and they must not experience any salary reduction during the conversion. The legislation applies specifically to workers previously placed in unclassified status under a 1997 pilot program, enabling them to gain the protections and benefits associated with classified service roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health plans in Minnesota that offer maternity benefits to cover infertility treatment and standard fertility preservation services for their enrollees. It defines infertility based on medical criteria and specifies that coverage must match the cost-sharing terms applied to maternity care, including limits on oocyte retrievals but unlimited embryo transfers. The legislation also mandates that health plans cannot impose additional restrictions, waiting periods, or benefit maximums on these services beyond what applies to maternity coverage. Additionally, the state will reimburse health plans for the costs of providing these new benefits, but only for services that would not have been covered without this law.

Maddy summaryThis bill regulates the use of artificial intelligence in psychotherapy services in Minnesota, primarily affecting licensed mental health professionals and organizations that provide therapy. It defines specific categories of AI use, prohibiting AI systems from making independent therapeutic decisions or directly interacting with clients during therapeutic communication, while allowing AI for administrative tasks like scheduling, billing, and analyzing anonymized data. The legislation also establishes civil penalties for violations and clarifies that religious counseling and peer support services fall outside these restrictions.