Sen. Bonnie Westlin

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Minnesota state retirement laws to officially include the local government probation and telecommunicator retirement plan in various existing statutes. It ensures that public employees earning over $425 per month are automatically enrolled in the appropriate retirement plan, which now covers probation officers and telecommunicators alongside other public sector workers. The legislation also clarifies which specific roles, such as election judges and certain temporary staff, remain excluded from mandatory participation. By amending multiple sections of the Minnesota Statutes, the bill standardizes how different government agencies reference and manage this specific retirement system.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new retirement subplan within the Minnesota State Retirement System specifically for probation officers and public safety telecommunicators. It allows these employees to retire with full benefits at age 60, which is earlier than the standard retirement age for general state employees. The cost of these additional benefits will be shared between the workers and their employers. The legislation also sets up a committee to manage the subplan and updates state laws to include these new provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new retirement plan specifically for Minnesota probation officers and public safety telecommunicators to recognize the high-stress nature of their work. Under the plan, these employees would be eligible for earlier retirement at age 60 and receive larger pension annuities than those in the standard state employee plan. The additional cost of these enhanced benefits would initially be paid by the employees themselves rather than the employers. The legislation also establishes a new retirement fund and defines which specific roles, such as those directly supervising offenders or coordinating emergency calls, qualify for coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of domestic abuse in Minnesota to include behaviors like stalking, harassment, and controlling actions, while also clarifying who qualifies as a family or household member. It requires law enforcement to report specific domestic abuse case data annually and authorizes arrests for suspected nonfelony domestic abuse, with arrested individuals held in custody until their first court appearance. The legislation also establishes a task force to improve responses to domestic violence crimes and mandates annual reports on officer-involved death investigations related to domestic abuse. These changes directly affect law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts, and individuals involved in domestic abuse situations across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts Minnesota state and local governments from participating in federal civil immigration enforcement activities, such as detaining individuals for deportation. It defines prohibited actions and clarifies that state resources should not be used for federal immigration purposes while still allowing cooperation on criminal matters. The legislation also requires hospitals to create policies for interactions with law enforcement and prohibits denying education based on immigration status.

Maddy summarySF 3893 proposes to strengthen penalties for election-related offenses in Minnesota. It upgrades criminal charges for intimidating voters or interfering with voting (currently a gross misdemeanor) to a felony and increases civil penalties from $1,000 to $10,000 per violation. The bill also allows any person injured by such interference to sue for damages and attorney fees, and expands standing for election officials to pursue civil actions. These changes directly affect individuals who disrupt voting processes or target election workers, aiming to deter interference through stricter legal consequences. The bill focuses on concrete penalty modifications without altering voting procedures.

Maddy summarySF 2634 requires all school personnel in Minnesota public, private, and charter schools (including teachers, administrators, and support staff) to have access to annual training on relationship-building and de-escalation strategies. The training must cover building positive school cultures, preventing conflicts, and responding to escalated situations using evidence-based methods, with specific components like communication skills and restorative discipline practices. Schools that implement this training may receive priority for state professional development funding. The bill also appropriates funds for grants to support school districts in implementing these programs, though staff completion is encouraged but not mandatory.

Maddy summarySF 2633 establishes a state-funded pilot program for Minnesota schools starting in 2025-2026 to improve educational outcomes, safety, and inclusion for students with disabilities. It requires participating schools to develop detailed inclusion plans addressing accessibility, reducing overrepresentation of students of color in restrictive settings, and using neurodiversity-affirming practices, with measurable goals like reducing disciplinary referrals. The program mandates collaboration with students, families, and educators, and requires two annual reports to legislators evaluating effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis. The bill appropriates funds for fiscal year 2026, with the program effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public colleges and universities in Minnesota to create rules limiting how visitors can carry firearms on campus property. Under the new provisions, institutions can require visitors to leave if they violate firearm policies, and those who refuse to comply could face a petty misdemeanor charge with a fine of up to $500 for a first offense. The legislation also clarifies that firearms carried in violation of these rules cannot be subject to forfeiture. Additionally, the bill maintains that employers and schools cannot ban firearms in parking areas, even if they have other campus-wide restrictions.

Maddy summarySF 3685 prohibits Minnesota public libraries, school libraries, and the Minitex network from entering contracts with publishers that restrict their ability to lend digital books and audiobooks. The bill bans terms that prevent libraries from loaning digital materials, including through interlibrary loans, or limit standard lending functions. It only applies after Minnesota's secretary of state confirms other states with at least 7 million combined population have enacted similar laws. This ensures libraries maintain control over digital lending without restrictive publisher terms.