Sen. Liz Boldon

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans in Minnesota to cover pap tests and any necessary follow-up diagnostic services without cost-sharing (like copays or deductibles) for enrollees. It prohibits health plans from imposing referral requirements, utilization reviews, or quantity limits on these services. The state commissioner of commerce will reimburse insurers for the costs of this coverage starting in 2028, funded through annual appropriations from the general fund. The requirement applies to all health plans offered on or after January 1, 2027, directly affecting insurers and patients needing preventive cervical cancer screening.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's rules for using "social work" or "social worker" titles in public settings. It requires county, city, and state agency social workers who use these titles to be licensed under state law, effective July 1, 2026, unless they were hired before July 1, 2027. The bill also mandates that licensed social workers must display specific designations (like LSW or LISW) when using their titles professionally. These changes directly affect government social workers in public-facing roles, ensuring title usage aligns with licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryMinnesota's SF 4061 establishes the Minnesota Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (MNSNAP) to maintain food assistance for Minnesotans who lost federal SNAP benefits due to new restrictions after July 1, 2025. It directly affects vulnerable groups like veterans, seniors, people experiencing homelessness, foster youth aging out, and working parents who lost jobs. Key provisions require counties to conduct face-to-face assessments within 30 days of enrollment to identify barriers to federal SNAP eligibility, and transition participants back to federal benefits when they qualify. The bill also mandates a moratorium on terminating benefits for those without medical or behavioral health assessments by July 2026, ensuring continuity of support.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1 million for fiscal year 2026 and $1 million for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to support Minnesota's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Outreach Program. The funds will be administered by the commissioner of children, youth, and families to help connect eligible Minnesotans with food assistance programs. It directly affects low-income residents who may qualify for nutrition benefits but need help navigating the application process. The bill provides concrete funding for an existing outreach program under Minnesota Statutes § 142F.12, without changing eligibility rules or benefit amounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans in Minnesota to cover augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems - devices that help people with severe speech disabilities communicate - as well as related habilitation services (like speech therapy for using these devices). It mandates coverage for medically necessary AAC systems and therapy without separate financial barriers or limits, and prohibits denials based on disability. Health plans must report costs to the Commerce Commissioner, who will reimburse them for coverage added by the law (not existing coverage). The law takes effect January 1, 2026, applying to all health plans offered, issued, or renewed after that date.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 2071 prohibits health insurance plans from requiring step therapy protocols for prescription insulin drugs used to treat diabetes. This law directly affects diabetes patients (including those with type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes) and their health insurance providers. The key provision bans health plans from mandating that patients try less expensive insulin options before covering prescribed insulin, ensuring coverage isn't delayed or denied based on cost-saving protocols. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, applying to all health plans offered, issued, or renewed after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans in Minnesota to cover cancer imaging and clinical genetic testing without cost-sharing (like deductibles or copays) for specific patients. It directly affects Minnesotans with a personal or family history of cancer who need these services, as determined by evidence-based guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Health plans must cover: (1) cancer imaging for those at increased risk, and (2) genetic testing for inherited cancer mutations recommended by a doctor. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, for plans offered or renewed after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans in Minnesota to cover bowel and bladder management for spinal cord injuries without cost-sharing (such as deductibles or copays) or additional restrictions like prior authorizations. It directly affects individuals with spinal cord injuries who need these treatments, as well as health insurance companies and state programs like MinnesotaCare and medical assistance. The law mandates coverage for prescribed treatments, supplies, and medications, with the commissioner of commerce reimbursing insurers for added costs through state appropriations. The requirements take effect January 1, 2026, for new health plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Minnesota cities and towns to temporarily stop landlords from filing eviction cases when tenants cannot pay rent. The measure permits local governments to pass rules blocking eviction filings for up to 90 days during public safety emergencies, natural disasters, or humanitarian situations. These restrictions apply specifically to nonpayment of rent cases and would take effect immediately after the bill is passed. The law does not prevent other types of evictions or address rent amounts owed.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes existing deadlines that previously required special laws to be passed by June 30, 2028, for creating new special service districts and housing improvement districts in Minnesota. The legislation directly affects local governments and community organizations that may want to establish these districts to fund local improvements without needing special legislative approval. By repealing the specified statutes, the bill allows these districts to be formed through general law rather than requiring individual special laws for each new district. This change simplifies the process for local communities seeking to create these districts after the original deadline would have taken effect.