Sen. Liz Boldon

Maddy summarySF 2231 requires cities in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington counties, and any city with 10,000+ residents, to create "mixed-use housing zones" by June 30, 2027. These zones permit residential developments with at least three units (within 1/2 mile of a municipal state-aid street) or four units (within 1/4 mile of such a street) on a single lot. The bill also exempts these zoning changes from needing comprehensive plan amendments until December 31, 2029, streamlining approval for multi-unit housing near transit corridors.

Maddy summarySF 2670 requires Minnesota's medical assistance program to individually price phototherapy lights (along with other specific medical equipment like customized tracheostomy tubes and electric patient lifts) instead of using bulk pricing. This change applies to providers billing under Minnesota's medical assistance program for services provided on or after July 1, 2015. The bill mandates that phototherapy lights be listed as individually priced items in reimbursement rates, excluding items covered under volume purchase contracts or specific programs like the preferred diabetic testing supply program. This directly affects medical suppliers and providers who bill for these items under Minnesota's health assistance programs. The requirement is part of an amendment to Minnesota Statutes section 256B.766, specifically under subdivision 9.

Maddy summarySF 2645 modifies Minnesota's Formulary Committee, which determines which prescription drugs are covered under medical assistance programs (like Medicaid). The bill allows committee members with potential conflicts of interest to participate in communications and discussions about related drug coverage (though they must recuse from votes), requires the commissioner of human services to create a public comment process for recommendations to the committee, and mandates that the committee seek input from the Minnesota Rare Disease Advisory Council on rare disease drug coverage. These changes aim to improve transparency in decision-making and incorporate specialized expertise without altering which drugs are covered. The bill affects the committee's operations, public engagement, and use of advisory council input.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires retailers selling cigarettes to display clear, visible information about free lung cancer screenings at the point of sale (like checkout counters). The advertisement must include a website or QR code directing customers to noncommercial screening resources. It appropriates unspecified funds from the general fund to the Department of Health for implementing this requirement in fiscal year 2026. The bill directly affects retail stores that sell cigarettes, mandating they provide this health information to customers during purchases.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows certain human services programs to use external accreditation bodies (like The Joint Commission or CARF) instead of state inspections, under specific conditions. It directly affects qualified residential treatment programs, psychiatric residential facilities, and certified behavioral health clinics that maintain consistent compliance with licensing standards. To qualify, providers must have no license suspensions or maltreatment findings in five years, resolve all past violations, and hold accreditation from an approved body. The commissioner must verify that the accrediting body's standards match state requirements before approving the alternative inspection process. Approved programs still must submit survey results to the state and undergo periodic state inspections for requirements not covered by their accreditation.

Maddy summarySF 2647 modifies Minnesota's requirements for substance use disorder (SUD) assessments and treatment provider qualifications. It shortens the timeline for completing face-to-face comprehensive assessments (within 5 days for residential programs, by end of 5th day for nonresidential) and expands who can conduct them to include mental health professionals with specific addiction training, clinical trainees under supervision, and licensed nurses with addiction training. The bill also updates qualifications for treatment coordinators, requiring 30 hours of specialized training and adding pathways like a bachelor's degree with 1,000 hours experience or certification as an alcohol and drug counselor. A study on SUD treatment practice limitations is also mandated. This bill directly affects SUD treatment providers and clients receiving services under Minnesota's behavioral health system.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 2241 prohibits state and local government entities from sharing personally identifiable information (PII) with federal agencies unless the data is anonymized first. This directly affects all Minnesota government agencies, including state departments and local municipalities, that handle personal data. The bill requires anonymization before sharing but allows exceptions for compliance with state/federal law or court orders. The law aims to strengthen privacy protections for Minnesotans by limiting how personal data is shared with federal authorities.

Maddy summarySF 2681 appropriates $5 million for a manufactured home down payment assistance program and $5 million for a manufactured home park cooperative purchase program, both funded from Minnesota's housing development fund for fiscal year 2026. The down payment program provides grants to NeighborWorks Home Partners to help manufactured home buyers cover down payments, allowing combined use with other assistance. The cooperative program funds Northcountry Cooperative Foundation to help convert manufactured home parks to cooperative ownership through loans, subsidies, or guarantees, with a 30-year covenant requiring the land to remain a manufactured home park. These funds are one-time appropriations directly affecting manufactured home buyers and park owners seeking cooperative ownership.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Minnesota housing and redevelopment authorities to create public corporations to purchase, own, and operate properties converted under the federal Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. These corporations can receive funding through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) and will manage federally assisted housing properties. The bill directly affects local housing authorities and public housing residents whose properties undergo RAD conversion, enabling a new administrative structure for these properties. It amends statutes to establish this framework without changing tenant eligibility or rent structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's commissioner of health to establish a school-based telehealth program providing free mental and physical health services to students. It mandates contracting with a single telehealth provider meeting specific criteria (like school experience, cultural competence, and ability to bill insurers), who must offer services at no cost to all enrolled students, including waiving fees for uninsured students. Funding includes up to $22 per student annually, one-time setup costs, and program evaluation, with annual reports to legislators starting in 2027. The program applies to public and charter school districts that choose to participate, without replacing existing school health staff like nurses or counselors.