Sen. Erin Maye Quade

Maddy summarySF 1289 creates criminal immunity for pregnant individuals in Minnesota, preventing charges or convictions for conduct that would not be criminal if they were not pregnant. It directly affects pregnant people who might otherwise face prosecution for actions like drug use (prescribed or not), experiencing abuse, domestic violence, or failing to maintain optimal physical health. The bill adds Section 609.077 to Minnesota Statutes, establishing that such conduct cannot form the basis of a criminal charge or conviction. This policy change shifts legal focus from punishing pregnant individuals for these circumstances to addressing the underlying issues. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety committee.

Maddy summarySF 1385 appropriates $9 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to provide grants to community-based HIV/AIDS support services providers in Minnesota. The funding, available until June 30, 2027, supports existing local organizations offering direct services to people living with HIV/AIDS. The bill establishes a base funding level of $9 million for fiscal year 2028, ensuring continued financial support for these providers. This is a straightforward funding measure with no new program requirements or eligibility changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies restrictions on Minnesota optometrists' ability to prescribe and administer certain medications. It specifically changes time limits for prescribing oral steroids (currently limited to 14 days without physician consultation), oral antivirals (10 days), and oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (7 days). The amendment would allow optometrists to prescribe these medications for longer durations under specified conditions, without requiring physician consultation for the extended periods. This directly affects licensed optometrists in Minnesota who provide eye care and prescribe medications related to eye conditions. The change is made to Minnesota Statutes section 148.56, subdivision 1, which defines optometry practice.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies the court process for changing sex designations on vital records in Minnesota. It requires applicants seeking a sex change to provide a letter from a licensed physician confirming they've received or are receiving gender transition treatment, which was not previously mandated. The court must then direct the Department of Health to update the individual's birth record or vital records. This directly affects transgender Minnesotans applying to change their sex designation on official documents like birth certificates. The bill amends existing statutes to add this physician certification requirement and specify how courts must handle such requests.

Maddy summarySF 2876 establishes a demonstration project to test a new coordinated care model for people with disabilities who are dual-eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. The bill requires the state commissioner to develop a request for applications, seeking partnerships between disability service providers, health care organizations, and managed care plans. Eligible participants must coordinate services across home care, primary care, dental, pharmacy, and crisis services while prioritizing patient choice and addressing health-related social needs. The project is funded through an appropriation and will measure outcomes like quality of care, cost savings, and access for enrolled individuals. This pilot program directly affects dual-eligible Minnesotans with disabilities and the service providers who coordinate their care.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits installing apps on another person's smartphone that collect or share their geolocation, texts, microphone, or camera data without explicit consent. It requires apps to visibly display tracking permissions and mandates two-factor authentication for installation and every 30 days to verify user identity. The law allows individuals to sue if their data was recorded or shared without consent, while exempting parents tracking minors, schools with notice, employers with written disclosure, and law enforcement under court orders. It directly affects smartphone users, app developers, and entities collecting device data, aiming to prevent unauthorized surveillance.

Maddy summarySF 1354 establishes a School Health Advisory Committee in Minnesota to advise state leaders on school health policies. The committee, composed of 16 members including nurses, doctors, school staff, parents of children with health needs, and legislators, reviews school health practices and recommends evidence-based approaches to address health barriers to learning. It must identify essential student health data, develop coordinated care models for chronic conditions (like asthma or diabetes), and suggest funding strategies for school health services. The committee will report annually to the governor and relevant legislative committees by January 15 each year, focusing on improving health outcomes for all students, particularly those with special health needs.

Maddy summaryMinnesota Senate File 1670 modifies teacher shortage reporting requirements in Minnesota. It updates the definition of "shortage area" to include regions where Indigenous and people of color teachers don't match student diversity, and requires the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to submit annual reports starting November 2025. These reports must include specific data on teacher supply and demand, such as retirement patterns, licensure, diversity gaps, and detailed field-specific shortages (e.g., special education, STEM, ESL). School districts must also provide data on unfilled teaching assignments and hires by license tier. The changes take effect July 1, 2025, with the first detailed field report due February 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySF 1242, the "Facial Recognition Technology Warrant Act of 2025," requires Minnesota law enforcement agencies to obtain a court order before using facial recognition technology for ongoing surveillance (tracking individuals in public spaces for more than 72 hours). Exceptions exist for urgent situations, but officers must seek a court order within 48 hours. The law limits surveillance to 30 days per court order (with possible 30-day extensions) and mandates minimizing data collection about people not under investigation. It also allows individuals to challenge evidence obtained in violation of these rules in court.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 2756) prohibits state-funded programs or activities from discriminating against people with disabilities by excluding them or denying equal access to benefits. It directly affects programs receiving state financial assistance, such as schools, healthcare services, or social programs, requiring state agencies to ensure compliance and adopt enforcement rules. The law explicitly states that these protections remain in effect regardless of changes to federal disability rights laws. It amends Minnesota Statutes to add a new section (363A.195) clarifying this prohibition.