Sen. Liz Boldon

Maddy summarySF 3951 establishes Minnesota's participation in the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, a framework allowing licensed respiratory therapists from member states to practice across state lines more easily. The bill creates a system where therapists licensed in Minnesota (the "home state") could practice in other participating states ("remote states") without needing separate licenses, while preserving each state's authority to regulate therapy practice. Key provisions include standardized definitions, a shared data system for license verification, and requirements like criminal background checks. This directly affects respiratory therapists seeking multi-state work and patients in member states who may gain better access to care, particularly supporting military families relocating between states. The bill is currently in committee after its introduction on February 26, 2026.

Maddy summarySF 3803 prohibits Minnesota public schools from denying free K-12 education based on a student’s or their parent’s immigration status, aligning with the U.S. Supreme Court’s *Plyler v. Doe* ruling. It bans schools from collecting unnecessary immigration status information, threatening to disclose such details to authorities, or creating policies that effectively exclude students due to immigration concerns. The bill also establishes a civil cause of action, allowing students or families to sue if denied educational access for these reasons. It directly affects all K-12 students and families in Minnesota public schools, charter schools, and districts.

Maddy summarySF 4018 requires health insurance plans in Minnesota to reimburse clinical trainees (like psychology interns or counseling students) at the same rate paid to independently licensed mental health professionals for identical alcoholism, mental health, and chemical dependency services. This applies to all covered services provided within the trainee's scope of practice under state law. Health plans must pay at least 100% of the rate for these services, ensuring no financial disadvantage for trainees delivering care. The requirement takes effect January 1, 2027, for new or renewed health plans.

Maddy summarySF 2634 requires all school personnel in Minnesota public, private, and charter schools (including teachers, administrators, and support staff) to have access to annual training on relationship-building and de-escalation strategies. The training must cover building positive school cultures, preventing conflicts, and responding to escalated situations using evidence-based methods, with specific components like communication skills and restorative discipline practices. Schools that implement this training may receive priority for state professional development funding. The bill also appropriates funds for grants to support school districts in implementing these programs, though staff completion is encouraged but not mandatory.

Maddy summarySF 3299 requires community pharmacies in Minnesota to receive minimum reimbursement for dispensed prescriptions, directly affecting local pharmacies and the entities that reimburse them (pharmacy benefit managers and managed care organizations). The bill mandates reimbursement at or above the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) or Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC), plus a professional dispensing fee adjusted every two years based on cost surveys to cover inflation and operational expenses. It prohibits below-cost payments, negative adjustments (like transaction fees), and unequal reimbursement rates between community pharmacies and PBM-owned pharmacies. This applies to all prescriptions except those involving federal 340B program drugs, which follow separate federal/state rules.

Maddy summarySF 2633 establishes a state-funded pilot program for Minnesota schools starting in 2025-2026 to improve educational outcomes, safety, and inclusion for students with disabilities. It requires participating schools to develop detailed inclusion plans addressing accessibility, reducing overrepresentation of students of color in restrictive settings, and using neurodiversity-affirming practices, with measurable goals like reducing disciplinary referrals. The program mandates collaboration with students, families, and educators, and requires two annual reports to legislators evaluating effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis. The bill appropriates funds for fiscal year 2026, with the program effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Task Force on Early Childhood Educator Licensure in Minnesota to develop a new system for licensing early childhood educators. The task force will include representatives from legislative bodies, child care centers, family programs, public schools, Tribal communities, Head Start programs, parents, medical professionals, and researchers, with appointments required by August 1, 2026. Its primary duties are to propose a plan for individual licensure, create competency frameworks that recognize skills beyond college degrees, and identify methods for improving educator qualifications. The group will meet regularly under the supervision of the commissioner of children, youth, and families, who will provide necessary administrative support.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules for Minnesota's Formulary Committee, which oversees drug coverage decisions for state medical assistance programs. It clarifies that members with potential conflicts of interest may participate in discussions, provided they disclose the conflict and recuse themselves from voting on affected matters. The legislation also mandates that the committee seek input from the Minnesota Rare Disease Advisory Council and creates a public process for submitting comments on drug recommendations. Furthermore, it defines specific financial thresholds for personal interests and requires public disclosure of conflict forms before committee meetings.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Minnesota Board of Early Care and Education to oversee and improve quality standards for child care programs across the state. The new board will be composed of representatives from licensed centers, family homes, public schools, Tribal programs, Head Start organizations, and parents, ensuring diverse perspectives in its decision-making. Its main duties include setting rules for program quality, updating educator qualifications, and coordinating existing state support systems for early childhood development. By establishing a unified structure, the legislation aims to consolidate efforts to support children's cognitive, physical, social, and emotional growth from birth through kindergarten.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows residential tenants in Minnesota to end their lease early if they lose their job or experience a significant drop in income that prevents them from paying rent. To exercise this right, a tenant must provide their landlord with at least 14 days' written notice along with proof of the income loss, such as a termination letter from an employer or a sworn statement if official documentation is unavailable. If the tenant follows these steps, the lease officially ends on the date specified in the notice, though they remain responsible for any rent owed before that date. The legislation also states that landlords cannot require longer notice periods or waive these rights, and the rules apply to new, renewed, or extended leases starting after the law takes effect.