Sen. Erin Maye Quade

Maddy summarySF 756 amends Minnesota Statute 346.021 to require finders of lost animals (estrays) to give notice to the owner within seven days if the owner is known, or to file a public notice within ten days if the owner is unknown. It directly affects individuals who find lost animals by imposing a legal obligation to provide this notice. The key provision creates civil liability for finders who fail to comply, making them liable for double the damages the owner suffers due to the lack of notice. This change aims to streamline the process for owners to reclaim lost animals while clarifying consequences for non-compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota state agencies to spend at least 50% of their advertising budget on local news organizations starting July 1, 2025. It defines "local news organizations" as Minnesota-based media (print, digital, or broadcast) with local journalists, offices, and content focused on Minnesota communities. Agencies must report annually on their advertising spending, including the percentage spent through local news organizations and local newspapers, excluding ads targeting out-of-state residents. The law applies to most state departments but excludes Minnesota State Colleges and universities.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $8,550,000 from state bond proceeds to fund upgrades at Burnsville's water treatment plant. It directly affects the city of Burnsville, providing funds for specific infrastructure improvements including electrical component replacement, water line upgrades, and surface water treatment process enhancements. The mechanism involves the state selling bonds up to the requested amount, with the funds granted to Burnsville via the Public Facilities Authority. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, focused solely on financing the plant's physical renovations. The appropriation is effective upon final enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $11.125 million annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the general fund to Minnesota's commissioner of human services. The funds are specifically designated to support sexually exploited youth and youth at risk of sexual exploitation under Minnesota Statutes §256K.47. At least $9 million each year must be used for street outreach, emergency shelter, regional navigation services, and housing programs. The bill directly affects vulnerable youth by funding immediate safety and housing resources through existing state human services programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota public schools to include overdose recognition, prevention, and response education in health classes for students in grades 6 through 12. It amends Minnesota Statutes section 120B.215 to add this specific curriculum requirement to statewide health education standards. The change applies to all public school districts and directly affects students in middle and high school. The bill updates existing health education standards without creating new funding or programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's required instructional hours for public schools. It increases kindergarten instructional hours from 425 to 850 hours annually for all-day programs, while maintaining 935 hours for grades 1-6 and 1,020 hours for grades 7-12. The bill clarifies that up to five days of online instruction due to weather may count toward these totals, provided they follow existing protocols. It also ensures districts cannot deny required services like special education, and requires the Department of Education to update policies to support flexible instructional models. The changes directly affect all Minnesota public school districts serving K-12 students.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a refundable sales tax exemption for construction materials used in building Burnsville's new city hall. It covers materials purchased between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, and applies to all construction activities (new build, renovation, etc.). The city will pay sales tax upfront but receive a refund through the state's standard process, with refunds starting after June 30, 2025. The state appropriates funds from the general revenue fund to cover these refunds, effective retroactively for purchases made after December 31, 2024. This directly benefits Burnsville and contractors supplying materials for the city hall project.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's teacher licensure requirements related to the Read Act by requiring school districts to adopt annual literacy plans focused on foundational reading skills. It directly affects school districts, K-3 classroom teachers, reading intervention staff, and special education teachers by mandating evidence-based reading instruction and structured literacy training. Key provisions include annual submission of literacy plans detailing student assessments, intervention strategies, staff training completion, and curriculum use - streamlined through a new commissioner-developed template. Districts must report teacher training status and student progress data (including dyslexia identification and grade-level reading) to the state by specific deadlines. The bill aims to standardize literacy planning while reducing administrative burden on educators.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health professionals to obtain written informed consent before performing sensitive examinations (such as pelvic, breast, urogenital, or rectal exams) on anesthetized or unconscious patients. Exceptions include cases where the exam is part of a previously consented procedure, necessary for immediate treatment, or court-ordered for evidence. Violations are punishable as a gross misdemeanor and may lead to disciplinary action by health licensing boards. The law applies to all health professionals, including trainees, and takes effect August 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's foster care rules for relatives caring for children. It expands the definition of "related" to include important friends with significant relationships to the child or family. Relatives seeking foster care must now complete infant safety training within 30 days of licensure (previously only required for non-relatives), and county agencies must provide information about licensing options through private agencies. The bill also updates background check requirements for household members and ensures caregivers receive training on preventing sudden infant death and abusive head trauma.