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.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill allows Lake of the Woods County to issue temporary liquor licenses for the Baudette Arena Association, bypassing a specific legal restriction in Minnesota Statutes section 340A.412, subdivision 4, paragraph (a), clause (7). It directly affects the Baudette Arena Association by enabling temporary liquor service at their premises without meeting that particular statutory requirement. The provision becomes effective after county board approval and compliance with standard administrative procedures.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $15 million grant program to expand capacity in Minnesota's accredited dental assisting and hygiene education programs. The grants fund specific projects like upgrading clinic facilities, creating new classrooms, offering student scholarships, improving faculty pay, and purchasing equipment. Higher education programs must apply for funding, with priority given to those that best increase student enrollment and workforce pipeline capacity. The funds are a one-time appropriation available until June 30, 2027, for programs accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Maddy summarySF 1732 establishes a state grant program to fund family permanent supportive housing for vulnerable households. It provides $15,000 per family to nonprofit organizations or Tribal governments operating housing that is affordable (at or below 30% of area median income), non-time-limited, and offers specialized services like child education, mental health referrals, job training, and 24/7 on-site staffing. The program requires grantees to serve 60% of families in the seven-county metro area and 40% outside it, with at least 10% served by Tribal Nations. Funds are a one-time appropriation for fiscal year 2026, available until June 2027, and grantees must report annually on families served and services provided.
Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Minnesota's electric-assisted bicycle rebate program (Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 289A.51). It removes a program that provided rebates of up to $1,500 for eligible residents purchasing new e-bikes and qualifying accessories, based on income thresholds (e.g., 75% rebate for incomes under $50,000 for joint filers). The repeal eliminates the entire program, including income-based rebate calculations and the requirement for applicants to submit adjusted gross income documentation. This affects residents who previously qualified under the program but no longer have access to this specific state financial incentive.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires background checks for managers and owners of medical assistance vendors (such as clinics and healthcare providers receiving government payments) to ensure they aren't disqualified from working with vulnerable populations. It also mandates the Department of Human Services and Department of Children, Youth, and Families to create an automated fraud detection system that flags suspicious payments for investigation. Vendors must prove all required individuals pass background checks before receiving payments, and the departments must report annually on the system's effectiveness. The bill directly affects healthcare providers in Minnesota's Medicaid-like programs and state agencies managing these funds.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's licensing standards for child care centers by updating requirements for staff qualifications, ratios, and group sizes. It establishes specific education and experience options for directors (e.g., 24 quarter credits for some credentials), requires all staff to be at least 16 years old, and mandates that substitutes and unsupervised volunteers complete training and background checks. The bill repeals existing Minnesota Rules about staff ratios and group size standards while preserving the core structure for child care center operations. These changes directly affect licensed child care centers, their directors, and all staff members providing direct care to children.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's tax credit for stillbirths, allowing eligible parents to claim a $2,000 credit against their state income tax for each stillbirth. It directly affects residents and certain nonresident spouses of military/UN personnel who experienced a stillbirth, defined as a birth requiring a fetal death report under state law. Key changes clarify eligibility (including out-of-state birth certificates), specify the credit applies only in the year of the stillbirth, and make the amendment retroactive to 2016. The bill also extends the deadline for claiming refunds for eligible past tax years (2016-2021) until January 1, 2026.
Maddy summaryThis bill transfers responsibility for the Old Williams School property from Lake of the Woods County to the Commissioner of Natural Resources, who must manage its maintenance and use. It requires the Commissioner, in consultation with the Pollution Control Agency, to submit a report by February 1, 2026, detailing cleanup, maintenance, and usage options for the site. The bill directly affects Lake of the Woods County (removing its management duty) and state agencies managing the property. It does not alter land use policies but clarifies administrative oversight for this specific site.
Maddy summarySF 1267 repeals a state law that authorized the commissioner of commerce to apply for a federal waiver under the Affordable Care Act to establish a Minnesota public option health care plan. The bill removes the state agency’s authority to submit this waiver application and eliminates related funding, including $2.5 million for actuarial analyses and $21 million for implementation. This directly affects the Minnesota public option health care plan initiative, halting its federal approval path. The changes take effect immediately upon enactment, reducing state budget allocations tied to this specific policy approach.