Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura

Maddy summaryHF 3415 restricts federal immigration agents (like those from ICE, CBP, or USCIS) from entering Minnesota child care centers without specific authorization. Licensed or certified child care centers must require federal agents to present valid ID, a written purpose statement, a judicial warrant, and obtain approval from the center owner before entry. Even with these requirements, centers must limit agent access to areas where children are not present. This bill directly affects all licensed and certified license-exempt child care centers in Minnesota by establishing clear protocols for federal agent access.

Maddy summaryHF 3258 repeals two Minnesota statutes (3.226 and 16C.053) that previously prohibited state agencies and the legislature from entering contracts with vendors who discriminate against Israel or businesses operating in Israel. The bill removes the requirement to avoid such vendors, allowing state government to contract with any vendor regardless of their position on Israel-related business practices. This change applies to new contracts published or entered on or after the effective date, which is the day after enactment. The repeal affects all state procurement decisions involving vendors, eliminating the prior restrictions and exemptions for small contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a refundable sales tax exemption for construction materials and equipment used to build Minnesota's Blue Line Extension light rail transit line and its associated facilities. Under the new provision, taxes collected on these purchases will be refunded to the governmental entity responsible for the project, rather than being waived at the point of sale. The exemption applies to materials for stations, park-and-ride lots, maintenance facilities, and other transit infrastructure, with refunds available starting July 1, 2029. The measure takes effect for purchases made after June 30, 2026, and aligns the Blue Line Extension with existing refundable tax exemptions for other public infrastructure projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the operation of autonomous vehicles and on-demand autonomous vehicle networks on Minnesota public roads. It directly affects transportation companies, vehicle manufacturers, and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety by allowing these technologies to function legally within the state. The legislation establishes clear definitions for key terms like "autonomous vehicle," "automated driving system," and "minimal risk condition" to create a regulatory framework for how these vehicles operate. It also empowers state officials to create specific rules governing autonomous vehicle safety, testing, and deployment standards. The bill focuses on defining operational requirements rather than mandating immediate widespread adoption.

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 bill proposes to grant criminal immunity to pregnant individuals in Minnesota for certain actions taken while pregnant that would not be considered crimes if they were not pregnant. It directly affects pregnant people by protecting them from prosecution for drug use, abuse, exposure to violence, or failure to maintain optimal physical health during pregnancy. The law would bar charging or convicting pregnant persons for these specific behaviors, effectively creating a legal exemption tied to their pregnancy status. This measure aims to provide legal protection for pregnant individuals in situations where their conduct might otherwise be criminalized.

Maddy summaryHF 3455 renames Minnesota's State Office Building at 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in St. Paul as the "Melissa Hortman State Office Building." The bill requires the revisor of statutes to update all official references to the building in Minnesota Statutes and Rules. This is a ceremonial renaming with no policy changes or direct impact on residents or government operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new grant programs and provides funding for adult and children's mental health services in Minnesota, with specific priority given to areas affected by Operation Metro Surge. It creates culturally responsive mental health grants for adults and children, funds mobile crisis teams including vehicle purchases, and supports school-linked mental health services. The legislation also expands eligibility for various mental health services such as housing support, crisis intervention, and specialized care for youth at risk of psychosis or bipolar disorder.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's child care assistance program rules regarding how providers are reimbursed for days when enrolled children are absent. It maintains a standard limit of 25 absent days per child per year but creates exemptions for children with documented medical conditions, young parents pursuing education, and families affected by extraordinary events like natural disasters. The legislation also clarifies how partial-day absences are counted, establishes notification requirements for families about their absent day usage, and allows parents to substitute cultural or religious holidays for standard state and federal holidays.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies an existing appropriation to increase funding for Agate Housing and Services, a nonprofit organization in Minneapolis. The legislation allows the organization to use up to $5 million for designing, building, and equipping a new shelter facility for people experiencing homelessness in Minneapolis. Any remaining funds after the initial project are permitted to be used for acquiring property and developing additional shelter facilities in the same city. The changes become effective immediately upon final passage of the bill.