Rep. Krista Knudsen

Maddy summaryHF 25 establishes a state grant program administered by Minnesota's Department of Health to fund nonprofit women's pregnancy centers and maternity homes. The program provides financial support for services like housing, medical care, parenting education, and mental health resources to help pregnant women and new mothers - particularly those facing homelessness or crisis - carry pregnancies to term and care for their children. Eligible organizations must be nonprofits offering free or low-cost services without promoting abortion, providing abortion care, or referring women to abortion providers. Grant funds cannot be used for abortion-related activities, and strict privacy rules require written consent before sharing personal information about clients. The bill appropriates state funds for this program while reducing other health-related appropriations.

Maddy summaryHF 24 amends Minnesota Statutes section 145.423 to require that infants born alive during an abortion be immediately recognized as human persons under the law and receive medical care. The bill mandates that medical personnel take "all reasonable measures consistent with good medical practice" to preserve the life and health of such infants, including compiling appropriate medical records. It directly affects healthcare providers performing abortions in Minnesota by establishing specific medical care obligations for infants born alive. The proposed changes would have taken effect the day after enactment, though the bill was not passed.

Maddy summaryHF 630 extends the expiration date of Minnesota's short-call substitute teacher pilot program from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2027. The bill directly affects school districts, charter schools, and substitute teachers who qualify under the program by requiring an associate's degree or specific paraprofessional experience. Key provisions include mandating background checks, requiring districts to provide substitute training, and guaranteeing substitute teachers receive at least $200 per day or their regular pay rate. The extension allows the program to continue operating under its existing rules without changes to eligibility or requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 2363 grants residents of long-term care facilities in Minnesota the right to have one designated support person (such as a family member, partner, or close friend) physically present with them while receiving care. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 144.651 and 144G.91, requiring facilities to allow this support person unless restricted for medical reasons (like during surgery) or if the person poses a safety threat. Facilities must follow internal grievance procedures if a support person is denied. This directly affects long-term care residents and facilities, ensuring they can choose a comfort person without facility interference, except in specific safety or clinical circumstances.

Maddy summaryHF 2197 modifies Minnesota's individual income tax credits to better support families. It eliminates the "marriage penalty" by raising the income threshold at which the child credit phases out from $35,000 (married filing jointly) to $75,000, and from $29,500 to $37,500 for other filers. The bill also restricts the Working Family Credit to taxpayers with qualifying children and adjusts credit amounts based on earned income. These changes apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, with inflation adjustments starting in 2025. The bill directly affects Minnesota taxpayers with children who qualify for these credits.

Maddy summaryHF 2310 reenacts Minnesota's existing prohibition on weather modification within state boundaries, directly affecting individuals or entities attempting activities like cloud seeding. The bill defines "weather modification" as intentionally altering weather through chemical or apparatus dispersal in the atmosphere, and prohibits such actions within Minnesota's borders or airspace above them. Violations are classified as misdemeanors, with each day of continued violation considered a separate offense. This law aims to protect public safety, health, and the environment by preventing unauthorized weather-altering activities.

Maddy summaryHF 2268 creates a tax subtraction for Minnesota residents aged 65+ who receive retirement income. It allows married couples filing jointly (both 65+) to subtract up to $150,000 of retirement income, while other seniors (65+) can subtract up to $75,000, limited to actual retirement distributions received. This directly affects Minnesota seniors receiving qualified retirement plan payments (like 401(k) or IRA distributions) under federal tax code. The policy reduces taxable income for eligible retirees, effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHF 656 allows child care centers and family child care providers in Minnesota to request variances (exceptions) from certain licensing rules, such as capacity limits or staff qualification requirements, as long as health and safety are not compromised. Providers must submit a form explaining why they cannot meet a rule and how they will achieve the rule's intent through alternative measures, including a training plan for staff if applicable. For capacity variances, the center must be within 100 square feet of the required space based on staff qualifications. The commissioner can grant temporary or permanent variances, but permanent ones require reporting changes and expire if conditions alter.

Maddy summaryHF 1436 modifies Minnesota's student discipline laws to reduce exclusions, particularly for young children. It prohibits schools from dismissing students in preschool/prekindergarten or kindergarten through grade 3 (except for short-term removals or safety threats), and requires schools to first try non-exclusionary approaches before considering dismissal. School boards must establish clear policies emphasizing prevention, provide adequate alternative educational services for students during disciplinary periods, and ensure progress toward graduation standards. These changes, effective July 1, 2025, apply to all public schools and school districts in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 700 creates the "Minnesota Women's Bill of Rights" by establishing specific biological definitions for sex-related terms in all state statutes, rules, and agency policies. It defines "woman" as an adult human of female sex, "girl" as a female minor, and "sex" as biological sex assigned at birth (with only two sexes), explicitly stating gender identity cannot substitute for "sex." The bill requires state agencies, schools, and public entities to use these definitions when collecting data on sex, including in vital statistics and antidiscrimination compliance. It also prohibits using terms like "gender identity" as synonyms for "sex" in official contexts. This bill directly affects how Minnesota state government classifies individuals in all legal and administrative documents.