Sen. Susan Pha

Maddy summarySF 1232 updates Minnesota's family child care licensing regulations by requiring the state to hire an independent consultant (preferably the National Association for Regulatory Administration) to develop new standards and a risk-based monitoring system. The bill mandates that the consultant must gather input from parents, providers, county licensors, and child development experts to create standards focused on child safety, family-friendliness, and fairness for providers. It also requires the state to submit a report with proposed changes by February 1, 2026, and implement new standards no earlier than January 1, 2027. The bill directly affects licensed family child care providers, parents, county licensors, and state agencies like Children, Youth, and Families, while ensuring all materials are available in multiple languages.

Maddy summarySF 2591 requires organizations applying for state grants under Minnesota Statutes 342.70 to include a description of their engagement with youth-centered community organizations serving youth aged 14-24 most impacted by cannabis-related usage, criminalization, or incarceration. This applies specifically to grant applicants seeking funding for community investments. The bill mandates this engagement detail as part of the grant application process, alongside other required elements like community need analysis and cost estimates. Additionally, the bill requires at least 50% of annual grants to support youth civic engagement, leadership, and health education opportunities, with priority for communities affected by cannabis-related criminalization.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's commissioner of health to establish a school-based telehealth program providing free mental and physical health services to students. It mandates contracting with a single telehealth provider meeting specific criteria (like school experience, cultural competence, and ability to bill insurers), who must offer services at no cost to all enrolled students, including waiving fees for uninsured students. Funding includes up to $22 per student annually, one-time setup costs, and program evaluation, with annual reports to legislators starting in 2027. The program applies to public and charter school districts that choose to participate, without replacing existing school health staff like nurses or counselors.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2286) limits Minnesota municipalities' ability to control zoning for certain multifamily housing developments. It requires cities to permit multifamily projects (13+ units or mixed-use with half residential space) in any zone allowing commercial use (except heavy industrial zones) without requiring new comprehensive plan amendments before 2029. It also changes the vote threshold for approving most comprehensive plan amendments from two-thirds to simple majority, while keeping the two-thirds requirement for affordable housing projects (defined as 20% units for households at or below 60% area median income). The bill directly affects local governments and developers by streamlining approval processes for eligible housing, though municipalities can still enforce health, safety, and infrastructure standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $550,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $550,000 for fiscal year 2027 from Minnesota's workforce development fund to the International Institute of Minnesota. The funds will support workforce training programs for immigrants and refugees (referred to as "New Americans" in the bill) in industries facing labor shortages. The training aims to connect these individuals with job opportunities in high-demand sectors. This is a one-time funding allocation, not an ongoing program.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health plans from removing a drug from their formulary or moving it to a higher-cost tier during a plan year for enrollees who were previously prescribed that drug. It directly affects Minnesota health plan enrollees taking specific medications throughout their coverage year. Exceptions allow changes if the FDA deems a drug unsafe, withdraws it, or if evidence shows imminent patient harm. Health plans may switch to lower-cost generic/biosimilar drugs with 60 days' notice to prescribers and enrollees. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, for new or renewed health plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $100,000 from the arts and cultural heritage fund for fiscal year 2026 to grant History Theatre a payment to produce a play celebrating Hmong arts and culture. It directly affects History Theatre as the recipient of the state funding for this specific cultural performance. The bill establishes a concrete funding mechanism for a single artistic project without altering broader policy or creating new regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund a grant for the Girl Scouts River Valleys leadership institute. The funds must support specific programs including STEM education, financial literacy, leadership development, career readiness, and healthy relationships. The grant is designated as a one-time appropriation, meaning it is not intended to be renewed annually. This directly affects the Girl Scouts River Valleys organization and its youth programs in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $2 million from the general fund to the Hmong Cultural Center of Minnesota, Inc. (a nonprofit organization) for the predesign, construction, and equipping of a facility in St. Paul. The funds will support a physical space dedicated to celebrating Hmong culture and fostering cross-cultural awareness through programming. The appropriation is one-time and available until project completion, directly benefiting the Hmong community and broader public in St. Paul.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2324) grants Minnesota's attorney general new authority to enforce laws governing common interest communities, such as homeowners associations and condominiums. It specifically allows the attorney general to investigate and prosecute violations of Chapter 515B under Minnesota Statutes, Section 8.31. The law directly affects community associations and their governing bodies by providing a state-level enforcement mechanism for compliance. The provision becomes effective January 1, 2026, and creates a specific legal pathway for the attorney general to address violations of community governance laws.