Sen. Melissa Wiklund

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's administrative disqualification process for child care providers receiving public assistance funds. It requires the Department of Human Services to provide 15-day written notice detailing the violation, proposed action, and appeal rights before disqualifying a provider. Providers can appeal within 30 days, with the agency bearing the burden of proof to show intentional violations (like kickbacks or false statements) by a preponderance of evidence. Disqualification periods are set at three years for a first offense and permanent for subsequent offenses, directly affecting providers participating in child care assistance programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the cities of Minnetonka, Richfield, and St. Louis Park to use up to 25% of their tax increment financing (TIF) district funds - previously limited to 10% - for transfers to local housing trust funds. The funds must support affordable housing, with rental assistance targeting households at or below 80% of area median income and homeownership programs for households at or below 120% of area median income. The bill modifies existing TIF rules to require these housing-specific allocations and removes the transferred funds from standard TIF reporting requirements. This directly affects housing trust funds in these three cities and the low-to-moderate-income residents they serve.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Minnesota's Children's Mental Health Act by establishing new standards for case managers and case manager associates who support children with severe emotional disturbances. It requires case managers to have specific education, training, or experience (including bachelor's degrees in behavioral fields or equivalent experience), and sets annual supervision and continuing education requirements. Case manager associates must meet age, education, or work-experience criteria and complete preservice training. These changes directly affect county human services departments, mental health providers, and the children/families receiving these services.

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 summarySF 2507 modifies Minnesota's licensing rules for child care and family service programs. It changes when licenses can be issued, specifically adding conditions that prevent licensing if an applicant, owner, or controlling individual was disqualified or had a license revoked within certain timeframes (e.g., revoked within 5 years). The bill also adds provisions allowing licenses to be issued for programs that operated in compliance with rules before, and clarifies that programs may continue operating during license appeal hearings under specific conditions. This directly affects child care centers, family service providers, and their staff seeking or renewing state licenses. The changes aim to strengthen oversight while providing limited pathways for program continuity.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans in Minnesota to cover power standing systems (devices that allow wheelchair users to stand) without imposing additional costs like deductibles or co-pays. It also mandates that MinnesotaCare and medical assistance programs cover these systems starting in 2026. Insurers must report costs to the Commerce Commissioner, who will reimburse them for coverage expenses not previously provided. The law applies to all health plans offered after January 1, 2026, directly affecting wheelchair users seeking this mobility aid and state-funded health programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies how local governments can use unobligated tax increment financing (TIF) funds in Minnesota. It allows TIF authorities to transfer unused TIF funds to support private development projects that create or retain jobs (with construction starting before December 31, 2025), or to make equity investments to make such projects financially feasible. Authorities must create a written spending plan approved by the municipality after a public hearing, and all transferred funds must be spent or committed by December 31, 2027. The bill directly affects local governments managing TIF districts by extending the deadline for using these funds and clarifying permitted uses. It does not change existing TIF bond obligations but provides clearer rules for handling unobligated increments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Human Services to select a single state pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) through a competitive procurement process and enter into a master contract with that PBM. It directly affects medical assistance and MinnesotaCare enrollees, as well as health plans and county-based purchasing organizations that provide their coverage. Key provisions include prohibiting the PBM from requiring specialty drugs from affiliated pharmacies, mandating full disclosure of conflicts of interest during selection, and requiring the PBM to process all pharmacy claims under managed care contracts. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to establish these requirements and ensures the PBM operates with transparency for state healthcare programs.

Maddy summarySF 1567 establishes Minnesota's Office of Patient Protection to directly assist residents facing healthcare access or quality issues, such as denied services or restricted provider choices. The office, led by a governor-appointed director, will collect and share health plan quality and satisfaction data on its website, help consumers navigate insurance or public program concerns, and annually report to the legislature with recommendations to simplify healthcare systems. It specifically does not provide healthcare or insurance but focuses on consumer advocacy and transparency. This bill directly affects Minnesotans interacting with health insurers or providers and requires health plans to be transparent about quality metrics. The office must submit its first annual report by February 15, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's Commissioner of Children, Youth, and Families to conduct a statewide assessment of out-of-school programs for youth under age 21, including current funding, program availability, and community access barriers. The assessment must include direct input from youth, families, program providers, and experts to identify gaps and improve service quality. By February 15, 2026, the commissioner must submit a report with findings and recommendations to legislative committees. The bill appropriates one-time funding from the general fund to cover the assessment and reporting process.