Maddy summarySF 3437 clarifies what constitutes disability discrimination by public accommodations in Minnesota. It specifically adds that denying closed-captioning for deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals when TV services are provided, and failing to provide accessible medical equipment (like adjustable exam tables, transfer boards, or lifts) for people with mobility disabilities, are discriminatory practices. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes §363A.11 to explicitly include these examples under existing prohibitions against discrimination. It directly affects businesses, hospitals, and other public accommodations that serve the public. The law aims to make clear the specific requirements for accessibility under current disability rights protections.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-year grant program administered by Minnesota's Department of Health to prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases (like measles) in communities with low vaccination rates. It provides funding for community health boards and nonprofit organizations serving these areas to conduct culturally appropriate vaccine education, combat misinformation, and help residents access vaccines. Grant recipients must use funds for activities such as community outreach, multilingual materials, and connecting people to free or low-cost vaccination services. The program is funded by a one-time appropriation for fiscal years 2026-2027, targeting geographic areas or populations at risk of outbreaks due to low vaccination coverage.
Maddy summarySF 3425 establishes a monthly excise tax on social media platform businesses that collect consumer data from Minnesota residents. It directly affects large social media companies (defined as those collecting data from over 100,000 Minnesota residents monthly), imposing tiered rates based on user counts: $0 for under 100,000 users, $0.10 per user above 100,000 up to 500,000, and higher fixed/variable rates for larger user bases. The tax applies specifically to data collection activities, with Minnesota residents counted based on address or IP data, and companies must report payments to the state revenue commissioner. Revenues from this tax will fund Minnesota's general fund.
Maddy summarySF 1807 requires social media platforms operating in Minnesota to display a mental health warning label every time a user accesses the platform. The label must warn users about potential negative mental health impacts and provide access to crisis resources, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and cannot be hidden or disabled except by exiting the platform or acknowledging the warning. Additionally, platforms must show a pop-up timer notification every 30 minutes (customizable up to 60 minutes) reminding users of their daily usage time. The law applies to all social media platforms in Minnesota and takes effect July 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurance plans from requiring prior authorization (insurance approval) for antineoplastic cancer treatments (except for medications themselves), directly affecting cancer patients and their insurers. It also bans denials of coverage based solely on when a healthcare service was provided. Additionally, the bill mandates expedited review for prescriptions that were previously approved or covered for the same patient. These changes aim to reduce delays in accessing critical cancer care by streamlining the insurance approval process. The provisions apply to health benefit plans offered on or after January 1, 2026.
Maddy summarySF 2392 expands an existing carve-out from prior authorization requirements for specific mental health medications under Minnesota's Medicaid program. The bill directly affects Medicaid patients prescribed certain mental health drugs (like antipsychotics, antidepressants, or antianxiety medications) by preventing prior authorization barriers when: no generic equivalent exists; the drug was prescribed before July 1, 2003; or it's part of the patient's current treatment. Key provisions include automatically granting 60 days of prior authorization for brand-name mental health drugs when a generic becomes available, provided the brand was already in the patient's treatment. This reduces administrative hurdles for patients and providers while maintaining existing prior authorization rules for other medications.
Maddy summarySF 509 modifies Minnesota's health licensing rules to create a "limited license" for foreign medical graduates who practiced outside the U.S. for at least 60 months in the past decade. It requires these license holders to work in designated rural or underserved areas under collaborative agreements with U.S. physicians, submit periodic certification, and be paid at least resident-level wages. Employers must carry medical malpractice insurance for these license holders and cannot retaliate against them for reporting violations. The bill also establishes a path to a full license after two years of practice (1,692 hours annually), passing all USMLE/COMLEX exams, and providing employer recommendations. This directly affects foreign-trained doctors seeking to practice in Minnesota, particularly in underserved communities.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two grant programs to address Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) in Minnesota. The Health Department must award grants to improve education and awareness for healthcare providers, ME/CFS patients, and the public through evidence-based materials and symptom recognition training. The Human Services Department must award separate grants to create or enhance access to support services - including counseling, care coordination, transportation, and workplace accommodations - for individuals experiencing ME/CFS symptoms. Both programs require collaboration with the ME/CFS community (including patients, providers, and experts) and prioritize outreach to underserved groups like rural communities, Tribal Nations, and marginalized populations. The bill appropriates state funds to implement these initiatives.
Maddy summarySF 2322 establishes the Minnesota Health Care Workforce Advisory Council to address state-wide health workforce challenges. The council, composed of 16 members including legislative appointees, state agency representatives, and governor-appointed experts with diverse expertise, will provide objective research, advise on legislation, and recommend policies. It specifically focuses on health equity, rural workforce needs, and key areas like nursing, behavioral health, and workforce data analysis. The council must collaborate with existing entities like the governor’s Workforce Development Board and issue annual reports to the legislature, with no compensation for members beyond expense reimbursement.
Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates certain sales and use tax exemptions and imposes a new 2% gross receipts tax on specific business-to-business services in Minnesota. It directly affects businesses providing professional services (like legal, accounting, consulting, and repair services) to other businesses, requiring them to pay tax on their gross receipts from these transactions. The tax applies to 18 service categories listed in the bill, including management consulting, computer services, and automotive repair. Businesses may collect the tax from their clients but are not required to do so, and the tax is in addition to existing state taxes. The bill repeals several existing tax exemptions to implement this change.