Rep. Jess Hanson

Maddy summaryHF 2561 expands the authority for Minnesota state universities to offer applied doctoral degrees in specific professional fields. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to allow these universities to grant such degrees in education, business, psychology, physical therapy, audiology, nursing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and other emerging workforce areas. This change directly affects state universities (like Minnesota State universities) and students seeking professional doctoral programs in these fields. The Board of Trustees will determine additional qualifying areas, but the University of Minnesota retains its existing authority to offer all doctoral degrees.

Maddy summaryHF 2610 would allow Minnesota state universities to offer an applied doctoral degree in cybersecurity. This bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 135A.052 by adding "cybersecurity" to the list of fields where state universities may grant such degrees. It directly affects Minnesota's public universities, enabling them to develop new doctoral programs in this field. The change is limited to the statutory authorization for degree offerings and does not alter funding or program requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 1958 modifies Minnesota's individual income tax brackets for 2025 tax returns. It raises the income thresholds for each tax rate, meaning more income is taxed at lower rates before higher rates apply. For example, married couples filing jointly pay 5.35% on income up to $47,620 (up from $38,770), and 6.8% on income between $47,620 and $189,180 (up from $38,770-$154,020). The bill directly affects Minnesota residents who file state income tax returns, particularly middle-income earners whose taxable income falls within the revised brackets. The changes are effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 1584 requires healthcare providers to obtain written informed consent before performing pelvic, breast, urogenital, or rectal exams on patients who are anesthetized or unconscious. It directly affects patients under anesthesia/unconscious during medical procedures and healthcare professionals, including students and residents. The law allows exceptions when consent was already given for related surgery/diagnostic exams, the exam is medically necessary during unconsciousness, or a court orders it for evidence. Violations are classified as gross misdemeanors and may lead to disciplinary action by health licensing boards. The bill takes effect August 1, 2025.

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 2506 establishes a new premium subsidy program administered by MNsure, providing a 20% subsidy on monthly gross premiums for eligible individuals purchasing individual health insurance plans in Minnesota. This directly affects Minnesota residents enrolled in individual market plans who are not receiving federal advance premium tax credits or public coverage, as well as health insurance carriers that receive payments from MNsure. The program begins January 1, 2026, with MNsure paying health carriers directly for each eligible individual's coverage, excluding the subsidy from eligibility calculations for other state programs. The bill also ends the existing Minnesota Premium Security Plan (MPS) after December 31, 2025, and appropriates funds to support the new subsidy program.

Maddy summaryHF 1485 requires Minnesota health insurers and medical assistance programs to cover over-the-counter (OTC) contraceptive drugs, devices, and products without cost-sharing (like co-pays or deductibles). It applies directly to health plans and enrollees, mandating coverage of all FDA-approved OTC contraceptives at the point of sale without prescription requirements or quantity limits. The bill also requires health plans to list covered contraceptive services accessibly and cover provider-recommended methods based on medical necessity. This law takes effect January 1, 2026, for health plans offered, issued, or renewed after that date.

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 805 establishes a property tax refund program for nonprofit child care facilities that rent their facilities. Eligible providers - nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status operating licensed child care centers or family day care that accept state child care assistance - receive a 10% refund on cash rent paid for their facility space. To claim the refund, providers must apply annually to the commissioner by the following year, with payments made according to state schedules. The bill appropriates funds for these refunds and requires reporting, effective for rent paid in 2024 and later.