Rep. Sydney Jordan

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Minnesota's drug overdose prevention program to include eight specific strategies for addressing substance use across different populations. It requires the state health commissioner to expand services for people experiencing homelessness, improve workplace support for recovery, enhance surveillance systems, and create targeted programs for pregnant individuals and their children. The legislation also establishes a new Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative to encourage employers to adopt policies that support employees struggling with substance use disorders.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special election process for the Rochester Independent School District No. 535 school board, requiring elections to follow Minnesota Statutes chapter 205A. The legislation allows the district to choose between electing board members at large or dividing the district into separate election districts, with specific ballot formatting rules to prevent incumbent bias. The bill also clarifies how board members take office and handles transitions between different election systems, while designating the law as a special provision that applies only to this specific school district.

Maddy summaryHF 2544 establishes a Dual Enrollment Task Force to analyze Minnesota's current funding formulas for dual enrollment programs (where high school students take college courses). The task force, composed of legislators, education officials, school representatives, and student advocates, will review how funding impacts high schools, colleges, and student access - especially for rural, low-income, and marginalized students - and identify cost variations across institutions. It must submit recommendations to lawmakers by May 30, 2026, on adjusting funding, improving equity, and supporting student services like transportation and counseling. The bill appropriates funds for the task force’s work through the Department of Education.

Maddy summaryThis Minnesota bill establishes rules for artificial intelligence chatbots, requiring companies to clearly inform users they are interacting with an AI system and prohibiting chatbots from providing advice on medical, mental health, or legal matters without proper licensing. The legislation creates a legal cause of action allowing users to sue chatbot owners for damages if the AI provides unlicensed professional advice or causes harm, particularly in cases where companion chatbots encourage or enable self-harm. Companies deploying chatbots in Minnesota must display clear warnings in the same language and font size as the chatbot interface, and those operating companion chatbots must take reasonable steps to prevent self-harm while providing crisis support resources when risks are detected. The law defines specific terms like "companion chatbot" and "human-like" interaction to clarify which AI systems fall under these new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the Minnesota House of Representatives' support for Ukraine on the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion. It reaffirms the state's commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and recognizes Russia as the aggressor in the conflict. The measure also honors the Ukrainian people and Minnesota's Ukrainian American community while encouraging continued humanitarian aid. The resolution will be sent to the U.S. President, Minnesota's congressional delegation, and Ukraine's ambassador.

Maddy summaryHF 3631 bans hotels and health clubs in Minnesota from providing personal care products (like shampoo, body wash, hand soap, and disposable razors) in disposable plastic containers that guests can take home. It allows the use of refillable dispensers or non-plastic packaging and permits hotels to provide requested items. Violations result in a warning for first offenses, then daily fines up to $500 (capped at $10,000 annually). The ban takes effect January 1, 2027, for health clubs and hotels with 50+ rooms, and January 1, 2028, for smaller hotels.

Maddy summaryHF 3773 establishes Minnesota's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (MNSNAP), a state-funded program to provide food assistance to Minnesotans who would lose federal SNAP benefits due to upcoming federal restrictions. It directly affects vulnerable groups including veterans, seniors, people experiencing homelessness, foster youth aging out of care, new Americans, and working parents who lost jobs. The bill requires counties to conduct face-to-face assessments within 30 days of enrollment to determine eligibility for federal exemptions or support for meeting federal SNAP requirements. Funding of $X for fiscal year 2027 is appropriated from the general fund to operate MNSNAP, with a moratorium on benefit terminations for those lacking medical or behavioral health assessments after July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHF 3239 prohibits using "conscientiously held beliefs" as an exemption for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations in Minnesota schools and child care facilities. It directly affects parents or guardians of children aged 15 months or older who previously relied on this exemption to avoid MMR shots for enrollment. The bill requires these parents to provide either proof of vaccination (meeting medical standards) or a medical exemption statement by August 1, 2026, to keep their child enrolled in schools, preschools, or licensed child care programs. This replaces the existing personal belief exemption for MMR vaccines, which will no longer be valid after the effective date. The law amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.15, specifically adding subdivision 3c.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Minnesota's commissioner of health to award grants for peer-to-peer suicide prevention programs and training that prepares high school students to serve as peer mentors. The program targets students in grades 9 through 12 and allows grants to go to school districts, charter schools, alternative schools, and nonprofit organizations. Funded programs must be research-based and supervised by qualified adults, with trained students engaging in supportive conversations, identifying warning signs of mental health crises, and referring peers to trusted adults when needed. The bill also requires training on recognizing suicide risk, active listening skills, and how to connect students with appropriate support resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal claim in Minnesota allowing property owners to sue for trespass caused by airborne biological or chemical substances like pesticides and pollutants. It defines these substances as "intangible particulate matter" and states that liability arises when such matter interferes with a landowner's right to exclusive possession of their property. If a court finds a violation, it can award damages up to $100 per day of trespass, plus additional penalties or court orders to stop the contamination. The law applies to any person who causes these airborne substances to enter another person's land.