Sen. Jim Abeler

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2756) prohibits state-funded programs or activities from discriminating against people with disabilities by excluding them or denying equal access to benefits. It directly affects programs receiving state financial assistance, such as schools, healthcare services, or social programs, requiring state agencies to ensure compliance and adopt enforcement rules. The law explicitly states that these protections remain in effect regardless of changes to federal disability rights laws. It amends Minnesota Statutes to add a new section (363A.195) clarifying this prohibition.

Maddy summarySF 1313 appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to provide a grant to the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches. This funding directly supports low-income residents in Minneapolis by enabling the Council to offer walk-in support services. The grant must cover hot meals and culturally appropriate food, hygiene supplies (like toothpaste and menstrual products), weather protection items (hats, gloves, blankets), and connections to housing, employment, and social service resources. The bill creates a concrete funding mechanism for these specific community support services without changing existing laws.

Maddy summarySF 971 would grant licensed healthcare providers in Minnesota immunity from criminal liability when providing treatment within their scope of practice, directly affecting doctors, nurses, and other licensed professionals. The bill states providers cannot be held criminally liable for harm arising from their treatment, except in cases of gross negligence, willful misconduct, or intentional harm. It clarifies this immunity does not override existing legal protections or liabilities under other laws. The legislation aims to shield providers from criminal prosecution for standard care, while maintaining accountability for serious misconduct.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's regulations for commercial dog and cat breeders and animal dealers. It requires the Board of Animal Health to publicly post more information online, including lists of licensed kennels/dealers (with business names and animal counts), inspection records from the past five years, and details on expired or revoked licenses. It also updates advertising rules to mandate that all sales ads include a current license number or a link to it. These changes directly affect commercial breeders, kennels, and dealers who must now comply with new transparency requirements. The bill aims to increase public access to licensing and inspection data while updating advertising standards.

Maddy summarySF 2690 modifies Minnesota's rules for school access to epinephrine auto-injectors (used for severe allergic reactions). It requires schools to develop individualized written health plans with parents and medical providers for students prescribed epinephrine, specifying whether the student can carry the device or needs it kept nearby during school hours. The bill clarifies that schools must have written parental and medical authorization annually and ensures staff can administer epinephrine per established protocols. This directly affects students with severe allergies, their families, and school staff responsible for health emergencies. The law also provides liability protection for schools acting in good faith to implement these procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota public schools to include age-appropriate physical and sexual abuse prevention education in health curricula for all students. It mandates that school districts develop instruction covering identifying abuse, boundary violations, disclosure strategies, and bystander intervention, using culturally inclusive and developmentally appropriate methods. School staff must receive training on handling disclosures and districts must create response policies. The requirement takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year and applies to all public K-12 schools in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill implements Minnesota's Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) service delivery system. It allows eligible Minnesotans aged 55+ with care needs - such as those qualifying for Medicaid or elderly waivers - to enroll in PACE programs as an alternative to traditional home and community-based waiver services. Key provisions include enabling combined Medicare and Medicaid funding for PACE providers, requiring county approval for disability-related demonstrations, and ensuring voluntary enrollment with protections like the right to change health plans within 60 days. The bill modifies Medicaid rules to establish fair provider rates that don’t exceed current fee-for-service costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2 million from the housing development fund to Isuroon, a nonprofit serving immigrant and refugee families, for rental assistance and eviction prevention services. The funds will cover overdue rent payments to landlords, eviction prevention services, and culturally tailored outreach for Minnesota tenants facing housing instability. Isuroon must report annually by December 15 through 2027 on the number of families served, total rent assistance distributed, and eviction prevention outcomes. This is a one-time fiscal year 2026 appropriation.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's reimbursement program for volunteer ambulance attendants' education costs. It sets specific payment amounts ($1,200 for initial EMT training, $375 for continuing EMT, $600 for initial EMR, $200 for continuing EMR) and requires ambulance services to have handled 5,000 or fewer calls in the prior year to qualify. Attendants must also serve one year as active members after certification to qualify for reimbursement. The bill appropriates $100,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $100,000 for fiscal year 2027 to fund these reimbursements. It directly affects volunteer ambulance services and their attendants in Minnesota.

Maddy summarySF 1030 establishes a new dementia services program within Minnesota's Department of Health. The program coordinates state-funded dementia care, connects agencies and community groups (including area agencies on aging and Tribal Nations), and integrates early detection into public health efforts. It requires the health commissioner to collect dementia impact data, update the Alzheimer's Disease State Plan, and foster public awareness. Funding is appropriated from the general fund starting in fiscal year 2026 to support these activities.