Rep. Jess Hanson

Maddy summaryHF 265, also known as "Brent's Law," requires Minnesota 911 call centers to identify mental health crisis calls and prioritize mental health crisis teams as primary responders when available. It mandates that 911 telecommunicators receive specific training or mental health staff screen calls to recognize crises, and establishes protocols for public safety answering points to comply. The bill also creates a civil lawsuit option for individuals or families harmed by violations, allowing claims for damages, attorney fees, and up to $15,000 in punitive damages for willful violations. This directly affects all Minnesota public safety answering points and the government entities operating them.

Maddy summaryHF 217 appropriates $8.55 million in bond proceeds to fund upgrades for Burnsville's water treatment plant. The city of Burnsville directly receives this grant to cover specific improvements, including electrical component replacement, water line upgrades, and surface water treatment process enhancements. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds up to $8.55 million to cover this appropriation, as required by Minnesota law. This funding supports the physical infrastructure of Burnsville's public water system.

Maddy summaryHF 159 provides a refundable sales and use tax exemption for construction materials used in building Burnsville's new city hall. It exempts materials purchased between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, from Minnesota's sales tax, with the city reimbursed for taxes paid upfront. Refunds are processed after June 30, 2025, funded from the state general fund. The exemption applies retroactively to purchases made after December 31, 2024, directly benefiting Burnsville for its new municipal building project.

Maddy summaryHF 956 modifies Minnesota's marriage record procedures by updating how marriage data is collected and reported. It requires marriage license applicants to provide Social Security numbers (though they won't appear on the license) and adds new disclosures for applicants with felony convictions regarding name changes. The bill also establishes a registration process for civil marriage officiants and amends application forms to include specific personal and marital history details. These changes affect marriage applicants, county registrars, and officiants handling civil ceremonies, while repealing outdated sections of law. The bill focuses on administrative updates to marriage documentation standards.

Maddy summaryHF 682 establishes clear standards for basic medical care for people confined in Minnesota correctional facilities and jails, directly affecting incarcerated individuals and the facilities that house them. It defines "basic medical care" to include emergency treatment, ongoing care for pre-existing conditions, mental health/substance use treatment, prescriptions, medical devices, and dental care. The bill requires licensed medical personnel - not facility staff - to make care decisions, mandates a standardized "Hardel Sherrell Act Release of Medical Information Form" for health information sharing at intake, and requires all correctional staff to use portable recording systems for all interactions with incarcerated people. The bill also appropriates funds for facility compliance and imposes fines of $5,000-$25,000 per violation for facilities failing to meet these standards.

Maddy summaryHF 681 requires correctional authorities to notify crime victims when an offender submits a letter of apology, but only if the victim has previously requested this notification in writing. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 611A.02 (to add victim notification rights) and adds new Section 611A.06, Subdivision 3b. Authorities must make a "good faith effort" to notify victims within 90 days of an apology letter being filed, provided the victim submitted a written request to the county correctional facility or the Department of Corrections. This directly affects crime victims who have formally requested such notifications, ensuring they are informed about offender apologies without requiring automatic disclosure.

Maddy summaryHF 501 proposes a constitutional amendment to guarantee equal rights under Minnesota law and prohibit state discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, or sex - including pregnancy decisions, gender identity, and sexual orientation. If approved by voters in 2026, it would add a new section to the Minnesota Constitution requiring state actions to use the least restrictive means to achieve compelling government interests. The amendment would directly apply to all Minnesotans and state agencies, ensuring equal protection in all state laws and programs. It requires voter approval at the 2026 general election, with the question asking whether the state constitution should include these equal rights protections.

Maddy summaryHF 262 prohibits employers from paying people with disabilities less than the state minimum wage, effective August 1, 2025 for new hires and August 1, 2027 for all current employees, ending the use of federal or state special certificates that allow subminimum wages. It requires providers of home and community-based services to report data on individuals currently paid subminimum wages by August 1, 2027, including personal details and employment metrics. The bill appropriates $38,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $75,000 in fiscal year 2027 to enhance the MnCHOICES system with employment-related resources. These changes directly affect employers, service providers, and people with disabilities working in supported employment programs across Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 37 proposes adding a new constitutional guarantee to Minnesota's state constitution, stating that "Elections shall be free, fair, and equal. No civil or military power shall, at any time, interfere with the free exercise of the right to vote." If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, this amendment would take effect January 1, 2027, directly affecting all Minnesotans participating in elections by establishing this fundamental principle. The bill specifies the exact wording for the constitutional amendment and the ballot question voters would see. It does not create new election procedures but enshrines this standard into the state constitution.

Maddy summaryHF 257 establishes a formal review process for individuals denied or having reduced access to long-term services and supports in Minnesota. It requires lead agencies (like human services departments) to provide a 10-day notice before denying eligibility for services such as home care, personal assistance, or community support programs, and to allow individuals or their representatives 10 days to respond. During the review, agencies must hold an interactive meeting within 5 days of a request, continue services until the decision is finalized, and provide clear written notice explaining the outcome. This bill directly affects Minnesotans relying on state-funded long-term care services who face eligibility denials. It does not change existing appeal rights under Minnesota law.