Sen. Liz Boldon

Maddy summarySF 1810 requires Minnesota's Human Services Commissioner to update state disability waiver plans by December 2025 to allow billing for certain direct care services when participants travel out of state or attend out-of-state college. Specifically, it would clarify that services like respite, night supervision, and individualized home supports without training can be authorized and billed during these temporary out-of-state stays. This directly affects disability waiver participants who travel or attend school outside Minnesota, ensuring uninterrupted access to covered services. The bill adjusts billing rules to accommodate temporary out-of-state needs without changing the services themselves.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the validity period for temporary nursing permits in Minnesota from 60 to 90 days. It directly affects nurses seeking licensure by endorsement from another state or those enrolled in refresher courses, as outlined in Minnesota Statutes section 148.212. The key change modifies the existing rule to allow these applicants 90 days (instead of 60) to complete their licensing process or complete their refresher program. This adjustment provides additional time for these nurses to meet requirements without losing their temporary practice authorization.

Maddy summarySF 1739 establishes a Prior Authorization Commission to review medications with high denial rates for prior authorization. The commission, composed of nine members representing health agencies, pharmacy benefit managers, health plans, and medical associations, will analyze the top 25 medications with the highest denial rates using criteria like cost, effectiveness, and population utilization. It will recommend specific medications for inclusion in a list where prior authorization is prohibited, requiring health plans to cover these medications without prior review. The commission must submit annual reports to the legislature starting in 2026, detailing its analysis and recommendations, directly affecting health plans, pharmacy benefit managers, and patients seeking covered medications.

Maddy summarySF 1610 modifies Minnesota's community-based first-generation homebuyers down payment assistance program. It provides up to $32,000 as a no-interest, forgivable loan (20% forgiven annually over five years) to eligible first-time homebuyers who never owned a home or lost one to foreclosure, with income at or below 100% of the area median. The loan covers down payments or closing costs and must pair with a conforming mortgage, requiring completion of homebuyer education. The bill updates the program's funding structure, sets a future maximum based on median home prices (starting in 2027), and mandates annual reporting by the administrator (MMCDC) on loan details and demographic data.

Maddy summarySF 1852 expands Minnesota's dependent care credit to make it more accessible for families. It directly affects Minnesota taxpayers with qualifying dependent care expenses, particularly parents of young children. Key provisions include establishing a new "Great Start child care credit" for infants under one year, allowing deemed expenses for care provided in licensed family day care homes operated by parents, and simplifying documentation requirements. The bill adjusts credit calculations to exclude certain support programs from dependency determinations and clarifies income thresholds for eligibility. These changes aim to increase the credit amount available for eligible families with childcare costs.

Maddy summarySF 1355 encourages Minnesota school districts and charter schools to provide age-appropriate instruction on healthy aging and dementia to students in grades 6-12. The bill requires the state education commissioner, by July 1, 2026 (and every even-numbered year after), to provide schools with resources covering brain health strategies, Alzheimer's disease information, and elder care for cognitive impairment. These resources must align with local health standards and be integrated into existing school programs. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not mandate specific curriculum changes but promotes voluntary inclusion of this education.

Maddy summarySF 1838 appropriates $600,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to construct capital improvements on low-income accessible housing units owned by Rochester Accessible Space, Inc. (a nonprofit) at two specific locations in Rochester: 1680 Eastwood Road SE and 3461 Kenosha Drive NW. The funds are a one-time grant to complete necessary construction work on these existing units. This bill directly affects the nonprofit organization and the low-income residents living in those accessible housing units.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.5 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to the Minnesota Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs. The funds must support academic assistance programs for youth, including homework help, the Exact Path personalized learning program, literacy/STEM activities, mentorship, and attendance strategies. The recipient must provide a 25% nonstate funding match, and any unused 2026 funds roll to 2027. It directly affects youth in Boys and Girls Clubs programs seeking academic support, particularly those needing targeted assistance to improve outcomes. The grant ends with no automatic funding for 2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota Medicaid to cover home birth services for low-risk pregnancies under specific conditions. It directly affects pregnant people choosing home births and eligible providers (certified midwives, nurse-midwives, physicians, or physician assistants). To qualify, recipients must be deemed low-risk with documented prenatal care, have a care plan including consent forms and hospital transfer options, and receive services from an approved provider. Coverage includes prenatal, labor, birth, and postpartum care, with providers paid at 100% of physician rates and facility services at 70% of hospital rates for uncomplicated deliveries.

Maddy summarySF 1799 amends Minnesota Statutes section 462A.37 to allow housing infrastructure bonds to fund adaptive reuse projects for supportive and permanent housing. It specifically authorizes bonds to finance the acquisition, rehabilitation, or adaptive reuse of buildings to create housing affordable for households earning at or below 50% of the area median income (AMI), as defined by HUD. The bill requires new construction or adaptive reuse projects to include accessibility features, such as roll-in showers in at least 5% of units, and prioritizes projects serving veterans or those without stable housing for 12+ months. This policy directly affects low-income households and housing developers seeking to repurpose existing structures for affordable housing.