Sen. Judy Seeberger

Maddy summarySF 2422 amends Minnesota's Peace Officers Discipline Procedures Act to explicitly include local correctional officers under the law's disciplinary framework. The bill defines "correctional officer" as someone working in a security capacity at a local correctional or detention facility, and clarifies that "officer" includes these staff members. This change ensures local correctional facilities and their employees are covered by the same disciplinary procedures that apply to other peace officers. The bill directly affects local jails and detention centers that employ correctional staff, bringing their disciplinary processes under the standardized state framework.

Maddy summarySF 1940 makes Minnesota's paramedic scholarship program permanent, extending it beyond its 2026 expiration. The bill appropriates $3.2 million annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund up to 600 annual scholarships for students entering paramedic programs. It requires the Office of Higher Education to report yearly on scholarship distribution, program locations, paramedic workforce demand, and recipient demographics. This directly affects paramedic students in Minnesota by providing financial support for their education. The program replaces the previous temporary funding structure with ongoing legislative authorization.

Maddy summarySF 2468 amends Minnesota Statutes § 609.377 to establish mandatory minimum sentences for severe child punishment. It directly affects parents, guardians, or caretakers who cause specific harm, including head/eye injuries to children under four, multiple bruises, substantial bodily harm, or great bodily harm. The bill sets mandatory prison terms (1-10 years) and fines ($1,000-$20,000) based on harm severity: 1-5 years for substantial harm or repeat offenses, and 2-10 years for great bodily harm. These penalties apply to crimes committed on or after August 1, 2025. The law does not create new offenses but increases sentencing requirements for existing violations.

Maddy summarySF 2544 would allow retired peace officers meeting specific age and service requirements (total age plus years of service at least 85) to join Minnesota's state insurance program. It also establishes a new program enabling college degree holders to complete peace officer education and training. The bill appropriates funds to implement these changes and amends existing law to add retired peace officers to the eligibility rules for the state insurance program. These provisions directly affect retired law enforcement officers seeking health insurance coverage and college graduates pursuing peace officer certification. The bill does not change existing insurance eligibility for other retired public employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Minnesota's statewide Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) program, requiring the Commissioner of Health to create a registry for medical orders about end-of-life care. It defines "life-sustaining treatment" as medical interventions that maintain vital functions (excluding routine comfort care) and specifies that physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants can create POLST forms. The program is voluntary - patients or their representatives can choose not to have a POLST, revoke it, or exclude it from the registry at any time. The registry will be accessible to authorized healthcare providers, emergency responders, and hospice facilities, with strict privacy safeguards, and includes funding for implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for concealing a dead body under Minnesota law. It amends statute 609.502 to raise the maximum sentence for certain convictions from up to 3 years in jail or a $5,000 fine to up to 20 years in jail or a $20,000 fine. The change applies specifically to cases under subdivision 1, clause (1) of the statute. The new penalties take effect August 1, 2025, for crimes committed on or after that date. The bill does not alter the penalty for other related offenses.

Maddy summarySF 679 appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to fund mental health services and outdoor recreational activities for current and former law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel. The funds will be provided as a grant to Hometown Hero Outdoors, a Stillwater-based nonprofit organization. The bill directs the nonprofit to use these funds to promote positive mental health, longevity, and quality of life through outdoor activities and mental health service interactions. This legislation directly supports first responders by providing access to structured wellness programs through a designated nonprofit.

Maddy summarySF 2318 removes the requirement that a vehicle must be unoccupied for law enforcement to attach a tracking device in two specific situations: when a stolen vehicle is reported to police and occupied at the time of attachment, or when a vehicle is fleeing law enforcement. For stolen vehicles, officers must remove the device within 24 hours or obtain a warrant, and if the vehicle is recovered, the device must be removed with any evidence collected after return to the owner being inadmissible. The bill also mandates annual reporting by law enforcement agencies on tracking device use in stolen vehicle cases. This directly affects law enforcement procedures and privacy rights for vehicle owners in these scenarios.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $125,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $125,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the general fund to the Minnesota County Attorneys Association. The funds are specifically for prosecutorial and law enforcement training programs, including trial school and train-the-trainer courses. Starting in fiscal year 2028, $125,000 will continue as base funding for these activities annually. The bill directly supports county prosecutors and law enforcement officers across Minnesota through structured training opportunities.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota law to exclude certain mortgages from the definition of a "conventional loan" if they meet the federal Qualified Mortgage points and fees threshold (12 CFR §1026.43(e)(3)). Specifically, loans where borrower fees and points don’t exceed the federal limit will no longer be classified as conventional loans under state law. This change directly affects borrowers and lenders who originate mortgages meeting this federal standard, simplifying compliance for those specific loans. The policy adjustment aligns Minnesota’s definition with federal mortgage rules for these qualifying loans.