Rep. Robert Bierman

Maddy summaryHF 2689 modifies Minnesota's physical therapy practice rules, primarily affecting licensed physical therapists, their assistants, and students in physical therapy programs. The bill clarifies supervision requirements: physical therapists must have direct patient contact during at least every second treatment session when supervising student physical therapists or student physical therapist assistants, and telecommunications (except within a facility) cannot satisfy "on-site supervision" for students. It repeals outdated sections of the law (148.65, subd. 9 and 148.77) and updates definitions for "physical therapy" and student roles. The bill does not specify the nature of the new criminal penalties mentioned in its title.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals in Minnesota to receive separate reimbursement for biological products used in cell or gene therapy treatments for rare diseases, effective July 1, 2025. Under the new rules, hospitals must be paid the actual cost of acquiring these biological products when they are administered to patients in an inpatient setting. The requirement applies only if drug manufacturers enter into value-based arrangements with the state commissioner, and the reimbursement rate will be set using the same methodology used for outpatient drug administration. The law amends existing Minnesota statutes to clarify how hospitals should be compensated for these specific medical treatments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires sellers of emotional support dogs to provide written notice to buyers stating that the dog is not a service animal and does not have the special training required for service dogs. The notice must be printed in bold 12-point type and included on the purchase receipt or a separate document, informing buyers that the dog is not entitled to the legal rights and privileges granted to service animals. Additionally, the bill increases criminal penalties for intentionally misrepresenting an emotional support dog as a service dog, raising the offense from a petty misdemeanor to a gross misdemeanor for repeat violations. These changes apply to all sales of emotional support dogs and take effect on August 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 362 establishes a state licensing system for massage therapists and Asian bodywork therapists in Minnesota. It requires practitioners to meet specific educational standards (including minimum contact hours), pass a credentialing exam, and obtain a license from the Minnesota Department of Health. The bill defines both practices (e.g., Asian bodywork therapy uses techniques like pressing and stretching based on Chinese medical principles), sets application and renewal fees, and includes criminal penalties for practicing without a license. This directly affects therapists seeking to legally provide these services and ensures they meet standardized training and safety requirements, while also providing funding for implementation.

Maddy summaryHF 3279 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase Minnesota's sales tax rate by 0.375% (three-eighths of one percent) starting July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2052. The revenue would fund three dedicated housing programs: 25% to a homeownership opportunity fund for owner-occupied housing, 25% to a community and household stability fund for homelessness prevention services, and 50% to a rental opportunity fund for rental assistance and housing development. All Minnesotans purchasing taxable goods would pay the slightly higher tax, with funds specifically targeting housing stability for vulnerable households. The amendment requires voter approval at the 2026 general election before taking effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Minnesota Community Pharmacy Patient Access and Fair Reimbursement Act to protect patient access to local pharmacies by ensuring fair payment rates for prescription drugs. It requires pharmacy benefit managers to reimburse community pharmacies based on a formula that combines the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost or Wholesale Acquisition Cost with a professional dispensing fee, setting both minimum and maximum payment limits. The law applies only to commercial health plans and excludes federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid, as well as drugs purchased under the 340B program. By standardizing reimbursement rates, the bill aims to prevent pharmacy closures caused by unfair payment practices while maintaining the state's existing health plan benefit structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the issuance of up to $22 million in state bonds to fund the replacement of unsafe and undersized buildings and facilities at Dakota County regional parks. The funds will be used to upgrade infrastructure at Lebanon Hills Regional Park and Lake Byllesby Regional Park, including new swimming beach facilities with accessible restrooms and showers, improved campground lodges with storm shelters, and updated trails and amenities. The legislation directs the commissioner of employment and economic development to manage the grant process for designing and constructing these improvements, with the bond sale handled by the commissioner of management and budget.

Maddy summaryHF 3180 creates a special emergency fund within Minnesota's state treasury to support essential public health services if federal funding is unexpectedly reduced or eliminated. The fund, which receives a one-time transfer from the general fund, allows the Minnesota Department of Health (referred to as "commissioner of health") to continue critical services like disease outbreak response and waterborne disease prevention when federal support drops unexpectedly. Before using funds, the commissioner must notify legislative health committees and seek advisory review, and must submit an annual report detailing all expenditures and their justification. This bill directly affects the state health department's ability to maintain public health operations during federal funding disruptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits pharmacy benefit managers in Minnesota from using spread pricing, a practice where they charge health plans higher prices for prescription drugs than they pay pharmacies, and requires their fees to be transparent and based only on the actual cost of services provided. It also imposes fiduciary duties on these managers and limits their income sources to prevent conflicts of interest that could affect drug pricing or coverage decisions. The legislation increases license application and renewal fees for pharmacy benefit managers and requires more detailed information in their applications, including details about leadership and governance. Additionally, the bill defines key terms like "rebates" and "spread pricing" to clarify how these financial arrangements are regulated under Minnesota law.

Maddy summaryHF 3775 modifies Minnesota's requirements for school immunization exemptions based on conscientious beliefs. It requires parents or guardians seeking such exemptions to first complete an educational consultation with a healthcare provider, who must verify they reviewed a new health department education module about immunization risks and benefits. The bill also mandates the commissioner of health to develop and provide this education module, and requires exemption statements to be notarized and submitted to the health department. These changes apply to students in schools and child care facilities, while allowing temporary exclusions during disease outbreaks if the health commissioner issues a determination. The bill does not alter medical exemption rules or the existing requirement for children to be immunized against certain diseases.