Sen. Liz Boldon

Maddy summarySF 4020 expands Minnesota's guaranteed issuance of Medicare supplement policies to cover residents who lose coverage due to involuntary termination (like employer plan changes) or an insurer's insolvency. It requires insurers to offer these policies without denying coverage, charging higher premiums based on health status, or excluding preexisting conditions. This directly affects Minnesota Medicare supplement enrollees facing unexpected coverage loss, such as those whose plan provider becomes insolvent or whose employer health plan terminates. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to ensure these individuals can obtain new coverage without barriers during specified transition periods.

Maddy summarySF 1204 requires dental insurance organizations in Minnesota to pay out at least 85% of premiums as claims (a "loss ratio" of 85%). If they fail to meet this, they must provide rebates or improved benefits to policyholders. Dental organizations must annually report their loss ratios and financial details to the Commerce Department by March 1, starting in 2027, with the data published online for public comparison. This directly affects dental insurers and their enrollees (policyholders) by increasing accountability for how premiums are used. The bill takes effect between 2026 and 2028, depending on the provision.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota teacher licensure rules by requiring two hours of dyslexia-specific professional development for all teachers renewing their licenses. It directly affects licensed educators renewing credentials under sections 122A.181-122A.184, mandating training on dyslexia’s effects on reading skills, effective instructional strategies, and related mental health considerations. The training must be provided at no cost to teachers or districts, developed with input from dyslexia specialists, and completed once during initial licensure or renewal. The requirement applies to all licenses issued on or after July 1, 2027.

Maddy summarySF 42 appropriates $2,026 from the general fund to the Minnesota Department of Health for a one-time grant to the Division of Indian Work. The funds will support developing and piloting a culturally specific suicide prevention curriculum for Native American youth. The curriculum must cover mental health, emotional intelligence, depression, and suicide prevention to help students understand mental wellness and learn practical support tools. This bill directly affects Native American youth in Minnesota through targeted educational programming.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Minnesota Migration Act Account to fund a study and provide reparation grants for American descendants of chattel slavery residing in Minnesota. It creates a dedicated account in the state treasury, appropriates funds to the commissioner of human rights for administering grants, and requires a report on the study's findings. The bill directly affects eligible Black Minnesotans who are descendants of enslaved people, aiming to address historical racial disparities. Key mechanisms include the grant program administration by the commissioner of human rights and the mandatory study to inform future reparations. The bill also includes a formal state apology for historical injustices against Black Minnesotans, as detailed in its findings.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 3553) requires Minnesota public school districts and charter schools to allow students in grades 9-12 to possess and administer opiate antagonists (like naloxone) to other students experiencing a suspected opioid overdose. It directly affects high school students and school staff by expanding access to life-saving overdose reversal medication during school hours. The law amends statute 121A.224 to mandate this policy, ensuring students have legal protection under section 604A.04 when using these medications appropriately. The bill focuses on concrete policy change: making naloxone available to students in schools without requiring additional permissions.

Maddy summarySF 3595 allocates $9 million to provide direct grants to Minnesota housing providers who received federal Continuum of Care funding but face budget gaps due to expired contracts before December 2026. The bill allows noncompetitive awards to existing federal grantees to cover these shortfalls without competitive bidding, supporting permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, and transitional housing programs. Recipients must report quarterly on fund usage and people served, with reports shared with lawmakers and the public. This one-time appropriation aims to maintain housing services for vulnerable residents without disrupting ongoing programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 3970) modifies Minnesota's foster care benefit rules to extend eligibility for youth aged 18-26. It specifically includes young adults who had permanent legal and physical custody transferred to a relative after turning 10, rather than requiring custody transfer before age 10. The key change amends statutes to ensure these youth qualify for continued foster care benefits (including medical assistance) until age 26, aligning with federal Medicaid rules under the Affordable Care Act. This policy directly affects youth aging out of foster care who transition to relative custody after age 10, expanding access to support services during their transition to adulthood.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's foster care placement planning requirements to ensure children in foster care have access to early childhood education and child care programs. It requires social services agencies and guardians ad litem to include specific information about available early childhood education and child care options in each child's out-of-home placement plan. The change directly affects children in foster care (particularly young children), their families, and the agencies managing their cases. The policy update adds this requirement to existing placement plan documentation, ensuring child care access is considered alongside other permanency and safety factors.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue $14.4 million in bonds to fund improvements at Rochester Community and Technical College's Heintz Center. The funds will specifically cover designing, renovating, furnishing, and equipping space for Career and Technical Education programs. The bond proceeds will be appropriated directly to the college's Board of Trustees from the state's bond proceeds fund, with the commissioner of management and budget responsible for issuing the bonds under established state procedures.