Rep. Sydney Jordan

Maddy summaryHF 264, the "Larry R. Hill Medical Reform Act," requires all licensed Minnesota correctional facilities (both public and private) to meet specific medical care standards. The bill amends state law to mandate facilities implement policies covering mental health screening, suicide prevention, medication verification, discharge planning with prescribed medications, telehealth use, and death reviews. These requirements directly affect incarcerated individuals by improving access to consistent medical and mental health care while holding facilities accountable through commissioner inspections. The law aims to standardize care practices without creating new programs, focusing on operational changes to enhance safety and treatment.

Maddy summaryHF 2325 requires Minnesota employers to pay non-exempt employees at least 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for work performed on designated holidays. The bill directly affects hourly workers in Minnesota who are scheduled to work on holidays defined under Minnesota Statutes section 645.44, subdivision 5. It amends existing law (Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 177.25) to add a new provision mandating this overtime pay rate specifically for holiday work. This changes the current standard by explicitly requiring higher pay for holiday shifts, rather than allowing employers to use alternative compensation methods. The bill does not change the definition of "holiday" but specifies the required pay rate when work occurs on those days.

Maddy summaryHF 1607 modifies Minnesota's requirements for school instruction hours. It specifies the minimum annual hours all public schools must provide: 425 hours for kindergarten, 935 for grades 1-6, and 1,020 for grades 7-12 (not including summer school), with additional requirements for all-day kindergarten and prekindergarten. The bill clarifies what counts as "hours of instruction" (e.g., must earn credit, be available to all students, and be supervised by a qualified teacher) and allows up to five days of online instruction during weather-related closures. This bill directly affects Minnesota public schools and their compliance with state education standards.

Maddy summaryHF 2548 creates the Outdoor School for All grant program to fund immersive, multiday outdoor educational experiences for Minnesota students in grades 4-8. The program provides grants to accredited overnight outdoor schools and nonprofit learning centers meeting specific criteria, including research-based curricula, integration with school standards, skill development (like leadership and critical thinking), and accessibility for underserved students. It appropriates $2.5 million for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund. The bill directly affects public school students and providers offering equitable outdoor education, aiming to address declining outdoor engagement and access disparities.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $675,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $729,000 for fiscal year 2027 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund. The funds will support two outdoor education programs: Wilderness Inquiry's Canoemobile and Pyramid of Outdoor Engagement. These programs provide statewide, sequential outdoor educational experiences for youth and families, aligning with Minnesota graduation standards and connecting participants to the state's natural resources, outdoor traditions, and public lands. The funding directly supports these programs' operations to expand access to nature-based learning across Minnesota.

Maddy summaryHF 2707 appropriates $11.125 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to support sexually exploited youth or youth at risk of sexual exploitation under Minnesota Statutes §256K.47. At least $9 million annually must fund street outreach, emergency shelter, regional navigators, and housing services for these youth. The bill directly affects vulnerable youth in Minnesota by providing dedicated funding for critical safe harbor resources and housing support. It establishes concrete funding mechanisms without altering existing statutes or creating new requirements.

Maddy summaryHF 2718 appropriates $6.8 million from state bond proceeds to fund the design and construction of a missing trail connection for the Grand Rounds system in Minneapolis. The funds will be provided to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to complete a trail segment between East River Road and St. Anthony Parkway on the city's east side. The bill authorizes the state to issue bonds up to $6.8 million to cover this cost, following standard state bond procedures. This project directly affects Minneapolis residents and visitors who use the Grand Rounds trail system by connecting a previously unlinked section. The funding is specifically for physical trail construction, not administrative costs or other park improvements.

Maddy summaryHF 1901 requires Minnesota school districts and charter schools to provide annual violence prevention training to middle and high school students, focusing on identifying warning signs of potential violence, taking threats seriously, and using anonymous reporting systems. It mandates that schools report active shooter incidents and threats to the Minnesota Fusion Center with specific details - including how threats were communicated (e.g., social media), actions taken by school staff, and law enforcement involvement - while protecting identities. The bill appropriates funds to support anonymous threat reporting systems for schools and requires the state to maintain a publicly updated list of evidence-based violence prevention trainings for schools to adopt. These changes aim to improve school safety through education and standardized incident reporting.

Maddy summaryHF 2744 extends the deadline for the University of Minnesota Board of Regents to complete a study of St. Anthony Falls. The bill amends a 2023 law that required a geophysical study and hazard assessment of the falls area and cutoff wall, originally due by July 1, 2025. The extension moves the report submission date to July 1, 2026, for legislative committees. This change affects the University of Minnesota Board of Regents, which is conducting the study using $1 million in state funds. The bill does not alter the study's scope or funding, only the timeline for completion.

Maddy summaryHF 2326 modifies Minnesota's safe and supportive schools requirements for public school districts and schools. It mandates developmentally appropriate programming to help students identify, prevent, and respond to prohibited conduct, value diversity, and build conflict resolution skills using evidence-based social-emotional learning. The bill requires schools to train student bystanders, prevent inappropriate special education referrals for behavioral issues, and create positive school climates. It also establishes a state model policy defining prohibited conduct and outlines procedures for compliance reviews, complaint handling, and annual climate improvement planning, effective July 1, 2025.