Sen. Jim Abeler

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Minnesota to cover home care nursing services without imposing quantity limits on the number of visits or hours provided. It directly affects individuals enrolled in health plans who also receive medical assistance, ensuring they have access to ongoing nursing care without arbitrary caps on coverage. The legislation defines home care nursing services as continuous, medically necessary care provided by licensed nurses for patients with complex medical needs that cannot be met through episodic visits. While the bill removes quantity restrictions, it maintains other standard insurance requirements like prior authorization and cost-sharing, and mandates that plans clearly label these services in their coverage documents. The changes will take effect in 2026, with specific provisions becoming active at different times throughout that year.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes funding for mobile crisis grants to support Minnesota's human services system. The money will be used to help mobile crisis teams buy and renovate vehicles for providing protected transport to individuals in crisis situations. The appropriation is scheduled for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 and comes from the state's general fund. The legislation takes effect immediately upon final passage by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal law enforcement officers performing duties in Minnesota to meet the same minimum qualifications as state-licensed peace officers. Specifically, these officers must hold an associate's or bachelor's degree and satisfy the standards set by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board for licensure in Minnesota. The law applies to federal officers from agencies such as the FBI, DEA, Secret Service, and others who are authorized to arrest individuals. Violations of these requirements would be treated as misdemeanors, with investigations handled by designated law enforcement agencies and prosecutions managed by the attorney general.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's requirements for site-governed schools, giving school boards more flexibility in approving and managing these educational models. The legislation requires school boards to review proposals that include agreements and memoranda of understanding, with proposals needing support from at least 60 percent of teachers at a site to be submitted. Key provisions allow site-governed schools to create their own governing councils, determine leadership models, set budgets, develop curricula, establish policies, and select staff through mutual consent between the site council and staff members. The agreement between the district and site council must include clear performance expectations, reporting mechanisms, and dispute resolution processes, with an initial three-year term that can automatically renew for five years if performance expectations are met. Any powers or duties not specifically delegated to the school site remain with the school board.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a regulated therapeutic program in Minnesota allowing adults aged 21 and older to use psilocybin under medical supervision for qualifying conditions such as PTSD, depression, and chronic pain. The program requires patients to be certified by a licensed physician and administered by registered facilitators who oversee preparation, administration, and integration sessions. Key provisions include creating an advisory committee, setting up data collection requirements, establishing fees, and defining criminal penalties for violations. The legislation authorizes the state health commissioner to implement rules and protections for patients, suppliers, facilitators, and healthcare practitioners involved in the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies program integrity requirements for Minnesota's medical assistance program by creating a new advisory board and updating rules for provider enrollment and audits. It expands the commissioner of human services' authority to impose sanctions on individuals or entities that commit fraud, submit false claims, or engage in other misconduct related to medical assistance payments. The legislation also clarifies grounds for sanctions, including Medicare exclusion reasons, and requires the commissioner to consider the severity of misconduct when deciding between suspending or terminating program participation. Additionally, the bill mandates minimum five-year suspensions for those convicted of health care fraud or related crimes, and allows referrals to state licensing boards regardless of sanctions imposed.

Maddy summaryMinnesota's SF 4003 requires employers to provide suitable seating - such as chairs, stools, or benches with back support - near work areas when sitting is reasonable for the job. It applies to all Minnesota employers in work environments where employees can reasonably use seats, like retail or manufacturing roles involving standing tasks. The law mandates that employers permit seat use and ensures enforcement through the state's occupational safety commissioner under existing statutes, with administrative penalties for violations. This bill directly affects businesses across Minnesota that employ workers in roles where seated breaks are feasible.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 2970 requires all Minnesota public schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to offer at least one plant-based meal option daily upon written request from students or their representatives. Plant-based meals must exclude all animal products (meat, dairy, eggs, fish) and meet federal nutrition standards, while schools must make the request process accessible to students and families. The requirement begins for the 2026-2027 school year, with schools reporting annually on implementation, including request volumes and challenges. The Minnesota Department of Education will develop implementation guidelines and monitor compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Minnesota public high school districts and charter schools to participate in the direct admissions program starting with the 2029-2030 school year. It mandates participation under existing law (Minnesota Statutes section 136A.84), which connects high schools with postsecondary institutions for streamlined college admissions. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, but the participation requirement begins in 2029. This directly affects public high schools and charter schools across Minnesota by requiring them to engage with the state's designated admissions process.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota law to allow coroners and medical examiners to charge fees for specific administrative services. It authorizes charges for cremation approval, report duplication, and other administrative functions, as well as fees for medical record reviews when death records cannot be completed by other parties. These fees must be reasonable and approved by the county board to cover actual expenses. The changes directly affect coroners, medical examiners, and the facilities or individuals involved in death record processing.