Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura

Maddy summaryHF 101 prohibits Minnesota schools from listing parent contact information (like home addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses) as "publicly available directory information." This directly affects parents, as schools can no longer automatically share their personal contact details with the public without explicit consent. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes §13.32 by removing parent contact information from the definition of directory information, requiring schools to treat it as private data instead. Exceptions exist only for temporary sharing with school referendum committees during election periods (90 days prior to voting), with strict limits on use and destruction after elections.

Maddy summaryHF 1010 establishes a new licensure process for certified midwives in Minnesota through the Board of Nursing, creating a specific "Minnesota Certified Midwife Practice Act" (Chapter 148G). It amends health occupation definitions to include "licensed certified midwife," expands Medicaid coverage to include services provided by these licensed midwives, and sets civil/criminal penalties for violations. The bill directly affects certified midwives (requiring national certification plus state licensure) and Medicaid recipients who can now access midwifery care under their coverage. Key provisions define midwifery scope (including pregnancy, birth, and women's primary care) and set licensure terms, moving midwifery from an unregulated status to a licensed profession with expanded coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $100,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the arts and cultural heritage fund to support a statewide Minnesota Youth Poet Laureate program. It directly affects young writers aged 13-19 through a competitive selection process modeled after the National Youth Poet Laureate program. The funds will be administered by the Minnesota Humanities Center via a grant to a nonprofit organization to operate the program, including awarding the Youth Poet Laureate and promoting the work of young writers across Minnesota. The program aims to celebrate youth literary talent and provide statewide opportunities for recognition.

Maddy summaryHF 2972 appropriates $1,000,000 from Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund for fiscal year 2026 to provide a grant to TaikoArts Midwest. The grant supports the organization's capacity building, community engagement, launch of an arts education program, and establishment of community partnerships in St. Paul's North End. It also permits capital improvements like facility upgrades and program expansion. This funding directly benefits TaikoArts Midwest and its community work in the North End neighborhood.

Maddy summaryHF 2039 allocates $4,511,000 from the general fund for the Minnesota Youth Program during fiscal year 2026. This funding is available for either year of the biennium and is added to the program's base budget. The bill directly affects the Minnesota Youth Program by providing dedicated state funding for its operations. It is a straightforward funding measure with no policy changes or new requirements.

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 99 appropriates $4 million for fiscal year 2026 and $4.5 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to support housing with services for Minnesotans with serious mental illness. The funds will be provided to the commissioner of human services to expand grants under Minnesota Statutes section 245.992, specifically increasing the availability of supported housing options. This funding is added to existing appropriations and directly affects individuals with serious mental illness who need housing combined with support services. The bill creates a concrete policy change by allocating new state funds to address housing needs for this population.

Maddy summaryHF 470 appropriates $96.565 million from the general fund for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund Minnesota's early learning scholarships program under Minnesota Statutes section 142D.25. This funding directly supports families with young children by providing financial assistance for early learning services. The bill establishes a specific, dedicated funding stream for the program, adding it to the base budget. It does not change eligibility criteria or program rules, only providing the necessary state funding to operate the existing scholarship program.

Maddy summaryHF 2505 allows local governments (cities and counties) to adopt alternative road design standards without needing state approval for projects using state-aid funding. It permits them to use specific, nationally recognized design guides (like AASHTO or NACTO standards) instead of following standard state engineering rules, eliminating the need for variance requests for these approved designs. The bill also requires the state transportation commissioner to notify legislators if a variance request is denied, establishes an advisory committee to review such requests, and specifies that certain safety-focused changes (like narrower lanes near schools) must receive special consideration. This directly affects how local road projects are designed and approved under state-aid programs, streamlining the process for communities using approved design frameworks.

Maddy summaryHF 2226 modifies Minnesota's background check process for child care providers. It requires the commissioner to submit requests every six months to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) seeking information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's Law Enforcement Services Portal regarding background study subjects. This new information can now be used to disqualify providers from direct contact roles, and the commissioner may not disclose the specific reason for disqualification if it comes from this source. The bill directly affects licensed child care centers, family child care providers, and certified license-exempt centers by changing how background check results are reviewed and applied.