Sen. Jim Abeler

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota state correctional facilities and certain human services programs (like treatment facilities) to provide free voice communication services (phone calls) and other communication options (like video calls or messaging) to people under their care. It prohibits charging incarcerated or confined individuals for these services and bans facilities from profiting through communication contracts. The bill also mandates that facilities maintain in-person visitation programs, ensuring video calls cannot replace face-to-face visits unless during declared emergencies. Facilities must report annually on communication contracts, spending, and service usage to the Department of Corrections.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to Community Mediation Minnesota to administer a statewide family mediation pilot program. The funds will support services for grandparents and families facing disputes, including dispute resolution, increasing access to mediation, training mediators, and partnering with culturally specific programs. Key provisions require the program to provide family reconnection coaching, navigation services, and integrate with legal and court resources, while also evaluating program effectiveness. This is a one-time appropriation focused on expanding mediation access, not a law changing legal standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 1920) establishes a formal "Bill of Rights" for Minnesotans under legal guardianship or conservatorship. It directly affects individuals subject to these arrangements by guaranteeing specific rights, including dignity, input on medical decisions, control over daily life, privacy, communication access (with court oversight for restrictions), and the right to petition for changes. Key mechanisms require courts to enforce these rights, mandate consultation with the person about their preferences, and specify that restrictions on communication or rights must be justified, documented, and reviewed by a court. The bill also updates emergency guardianship procedures to require court-appointed legal representation for the person involved. These changes aim to strengthen autonomy and decision-making capacity for those under guardianship.

Maddy summarySF 3149 establishes a county-administered rural medical assistance program (CARMA) in Minnesota, directly affecting rural counties and medical assistance recipients. The bill requires county boards to be actively involved in developing service contracts, ensuring proposals address local community needs and access to care, and setting local public health goals for health plans. It mandates the state commissioner to seek federal waivers and sets a deadline of January 1, 2027, for counties with existing programs to transition to this county-administered model. The law also creates a mediation process to resolve disputes between counties and the state over health plan selection or contract terms.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota health insurance companies to pay outpatient behavioral health providers (like therapists and substance use treatment centers) at least 143% of the Medicare rate for covered services. It directly affects providers offering mental health and substance use disorder treatment in outpatient settings. The key provision sets a new minimum payment standard based on the annual Medicare rate published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This change applies to private insurance plans but excludes coverage for state public health programs under chapters 256B or 256L.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends cost-of-care exemptions for counties when certain committed patients (awaiting transfer between state facilities) stay in Anoka-Metro Regional Treatment Center or community behavioral health hospitals. It establishes a Priority Admissions Review Panel to evaluate transfer needs and requires a dashboard tracking Direct Care and Treatment admissions. The exemptions apply to patients awaiting transfer to correctional facilities or other state programs, with counties not responsible for costs during these waits (effective retroactively to March 30, 2025, expiring June 30, 2025). It directly affects counties, state facilities, and patients committed under mental health laws who are in transitional care. The bill modifies Minnesota Statutes sections 246.54 and 253B.10 to implement these changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 3302) amends Minnesota Statutes section 137.375 to request that the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska provide free, unlimited entry to disabled veterans certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the state commissioner of veterans affairs as having a permanent service-connected disability, plus one guest. To qualify, the veteran must present a photo ID card marked "service-connected" verifying their disability status. The provision directly affects disabled veterans with service-connected disabilities who visit the Chaska Arboretum, ensuring they and a guest receive complimentary access.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies consent requirements for electronic monitoring in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. It requires written resident consent before installing monitoring devices in private rooms, with specific safeguards: facilities must explain device types, sharing rules, and the right to decline recording. If a resident lacks capacity, their representative may consent only after confirming the resident was asked about monitoring and their medical professional assessed their understanding. Roommates must also provide written consent for shared rooms, and residents can withdraw consent at any time. (Bill: SF 1918, Minnesota Statutes 144.6502, subd. 3)

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota's medical assistance program pays birth centers for maternity services. Currently, birth centers receive 70% of hospital rates for uncomplicated births; the bill changes this to 100% of hospital rates starting January 1, 2027 (or after federal approval). It also adjusts payments for nursery care and professional services provided by licensed midwives, requiring full reimbursement for comprehensive maternal care within a birth center's scope. The changes directly affect licensed birth centers and the state's medical assistance program, which covers low-income residents' healthcare.

Maddy summarySF 2087 prohibits landlords in Minnesota from using tenant screening software that relies on nonpublic competitor data (like actual rent prices or occupancy rates from other landlords) to set rental rates. It also bans screening tools that disproportionately affect protected classes (such as race or gender) under Minnesota’s fair housing laws. The bill amends state law to make landlords liable for violations, allowing tenants to seek $1,000 or actual damages plus legal fees. It applies to all residential rental units and takes effect August 1, 2025. This directly affects landlords, property management companies, and the tenant screening software industry operating in Minnesota.