Sen. Jim Abeler

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 summaryThis bill (SF 1084) changes the official title of "physician assistant" to "physician associate" for licensed professionals in Minnesota. It directly affects all current and future physician assistants licensed under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 147A. The key provision clarifies that "physician associate" and "physician assistant" are synonymous terms with no change to scope of practice, and prohibits discrimination by healthcare facilities, insurers, employers, or government programs due to this title change. The bill requires state agencies and the revisor of statutes to update all relevant documents, forms, and rules to reflect the new title.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 1659 appropriates $11.95 million from state bonds to fund capital improvements at the Rum River Dam in Anoka. The funding supports safety upgrades, hydroelectric power generation enhancements, river surfing facilities, and fish passage modifications (or a lock if needed). The city of Anoka will receive a grant from the commissioner of natural resources to implement these specific dam improvements. The bill authorizes the state to sell bonds to cover the cost, effective upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's standards for out-of-home respite care services for children, allowing licensed providers to offer these services in unlicensed residential settings under specific conditions. It requires background checks for all individuals, annual assessments by case managers of the residential environment, and written authorization from a child's legal representative each year. The bill limits services to no more than four children at a time (with sibling sharing permitted), restricts service duration to 46 days per year per child, and prohibits services to adults over 21 in the same residence. Providers must maintain detailed documentation of all compliance requirements, with the changes effective January 1, 2026, or after federal approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum tax credit available for long-term care insurance premiums in Minnesota. It raises the annual credit cap from $100 (for individuals) and $200 (for married couples) to $250 (for individuals) and $500 (for married couples filing jointly). The credit remains 25% of premiums paid, but the new limits apply to each qualified beneficiary. This change directly affects Minnesotans who purchase qualifying long-term care insurance policies and file state taxes. The amendment takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $96.565 million annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families for its Early Learning Scholarships program. The funding directly supports low-income families with young children by expanding access to subsidized early childhood education. It adds this amount to the program’s existing base funding, increasing resources available for scholarships under Minnesota Statutes section 142D.25. The bill does not change eligibility rules or program structure, only providing new funding for current operations.

Maddy summarySF 1591 clarifies the age limit for Minnesota students with disabilities to receive special education services. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 125A.03 to specify that services must continue until July 1 after a child turns 22, but cannot extend beyond the completion of secondary school or its equivalent. This directly affects students with disabilities transitioning from K-12 education who would otherwise lose eligibility mid-year upon turning 22. The key provision ensures continuity of services through the end of the school year following a student's 22nd birthday, aligning with federal requirements. The change takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summarySF 1014 allocates $4 million for fiscal year 2026 and $4.5 million for fiscal year 2027 from the state general fund to the commissioner of human services. The funds will support housing with support services for people with serious mental illness through existing grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 245.992. This appropriation aims to increase the availability of such housing options by providing dedicated state funding. It directly affects the state's mental health budget and the individuals who rely on these housing services.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to the Birth Justice Collaborative to plan and develop an African-American-focused "Homeplace" model in Hennepin County. The model aims to improve access to culturally centered pregnancy and postpartum care, targeting better maternal and child health outcomes for Black mothers. The grant requires the Collaborative to report on implementation progress and outcomes by December 15, 2026, including recommendations for future expansion. The funding is available until June 30, 2028.

Maddy summarySF 1127, the Damon Leivestad Direct Care Sustainability Act, modifies Minnesota's medical assistance program to directly support employed people with disabilities aged 65 and older. It eliminates asset limits (previously $3,000 individual/$6,000 household) and medical assistance premiums for this group, while establishing new enhanced payment rates for community-based direct care services and supports. The bill also creates "employment incentives asset accounts" allowing these individuals to save up to $17,000 in nonexcluded assets without affecting eligibility. These changes aim to improve financial stability for working people with disabilities and strengthen payment structures for direct care providers. The bill affects approximately 10,000 employed Minnesotans with disabilities aged 65+ and the community care workforce serving them.