Sen. Liz Boldon

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota counties contribute to administrative costs for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It changes state statutes to adjust the financial responsibility counties have for covering the administrative expenses associated with running SNAP programs. The legislation directly affects county agencies that manage SNAP operations and the state Department of Human Services that oversees these programs. By amending specific sections of Minnesota law, the bill establishes new requirements for how administrative cost shares are calculated and managed between state and local governments. The change aims to clarify the financial relationship between the state and counties regarding SNAP administration without altering benefit eligibility or amounts for recipients.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the range of services that Minnesota school-based health centers can provide to students, including care coordination, home visits for those unable to attend school, and additional support for social determinants of health. It also establishes a new requirement that telehealth services be paired with in-person care when possible or offered responsively when students are not physically present at school. The legislation creates stabilization grants of up to $50,000 per center for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund specific initiatives like expanding telehealth, improving electronic health records, and offering trauma recovery and grief counseling. A total of $2.7 million is appropriated each year for these grants, technical assistance, and administration, with funding continuing into fiscal years 2028 and 2029. The bill clarifies that these health services do not replace existing daily student support provided by school staff such as nurses, counselors, and social workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota school boards to establish a process for including student representation on their advisory teams. It changes the current language that merely encourages student involvement to a mandatory requirement for all school boards. The new provision applies starting with the 2026-2027 school year and affects public school districts across the state. School boards will need to create specific methods for students to participate in advising their board members on educational matters.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Minnesota Commissioner of Health to work toward joining the World Health Organization's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN). The commissioner must identify the necessary application process by September 1, 2026, and begin applying to join the network by December 1, 2026. The legislation affects the Minnesota Department of Health by requiring it to connect with an international system for tracking and responding to disease outbreaks. This change aims to integrate the state's public health infrastructure with global outbreak monitoring efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires property managers of apartment buildings, dorms, nursing homes, and other multi-unit housing to allow elected officials and campaign candidates access for official campaign activities. It mandates that officials/candidates may knock on doors and leave materials at units (except nursing homes, where materials go to a central location), with exceptions for requiring ID, health reasons in nursing homes, and reasonable time limits (9 a.m.-9 p.m.). The law applies to all elected officials (including local, state, and school district roles) during campaign efforts for offices they represent or seek to represent. Property managers may deny access for "good cause" or if residents request it, but must permit access during specified hours. The bill does not require prior appointments or override health-related restrictions in healthcare facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's Department of Human Services housing support policies to expand eligibility criteria for individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, or co-occurring conditions who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The legislation requires grantees to provide homeless outreach and case management services while allowing projects to offer clinical assessments, mental health services, substance use treatment, and housing transition assistance. It also updates general assistance eligibility rules to include additional categories such as specific learning disabilities and certain youth situations, with most changes taking effect on July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects county agencies administering human services programs and the individuals they serve through expanded support options.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's special education teacher pathway program to also include related services providers such as school counselors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and speech-language pathologists. It allows school districts and other educational entities to apply for grants to support these professionals in obtaining Tier 3 licensure through partnerships with accredited teacher preparation programs or colleges. Grant funds can be used for tuition assistance, stipends, mentoring, licensure test preparation, and recruitment, with priority given to helping current Tier 1 or Tier 2 licensed educators advance to Tier 3 status. The program requires annual reporting on participant numbers and fund usage, and includes provisions for equitable distribution of grants between greater Minnesota and metropolitan areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands paid blood donation leave eligibility to include employees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, who were previously excluded from this benefit. Under the proposed changes, these employees would receive three hours of paid leave per 12-month period to donate blood at a location away from their workplace, provided they give 14 days' notice to their supervisor. The leave would not impact their vacation time, sick leave, pension benefits, or seniority status. This amendment modifies Minnesota Statutes section 43A.187 to align state college and university employees with other state workers regarding blood donation leave provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota laws governing licensing and funding requirements for mental health and substance use disorder services, primarily affecting service providers, county boards, and clients receiving care. It mandates that emergency mental health services be free of charge and prohibits providers from delaying care based on a client's insurance or payment source, while also requiring providers to offer tobacco and nicotine educational materials to clients at the start of treatment. The legislation updates qualifications for peer recovery support services and expands client record-keeping requirements to include documentation of tobacco education alongside existing opioid education mandates. Additionally, it requires county emergency service providers to refer eligible clients to engagement services when available, aiming to improve care coordination and access.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes how health insurance plans in Minnesota must calculate an enrollee's contribution toward cost-sharing and out-of-pocket maximums. It requires health plans and pharmacy benefit managers to include all amounts paid by or on behalf of enrollees when determining these totals, including for prescription drugs covered under medical benefits. The law also specifies that these calculation rules apply only after enrollees meet their plan deductibles to avoid affecting eligibility for certain federal tax benefits. The provisions will take effect on January 1, 2027, for health plans offered, issued, or renewed on or after that date.