Sen. Erin Maye Quade

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies rules for crisis services and community-based program locations in Minnesota. It removes a requirement that crisis services must admit patients within 48 hours, making access more flexible. The bill also changes criteria that community-based programs must meet to operate, affecting service providers and people seeking mental health or developmental disability support. These changes align with the creation of a new "Direct Care and Treatment agency" referenced in the legislation. The policy changes directly impact providers of crisis services and individuals needing those services.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to Minnesota's Constitution, specifically adding a new section stating: "Marriage is a fundamental right and shall not be restricted based on gender or race." If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, this amendment would make it unconstitutional for Minnesota to restrict marriage rights based on gender or race, affecting all Minnesotans seeking marriage licenses or facing marriage-related legal challenges. The amendment would take effect January 1, 2027, if ratified. The vote question would ask voters: "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to state that marriage is a fundamental right and shall not be restricted based on gender or race?"

Maddy summarySF 2350 modifies Minnesota's training requirements for mandatory reporters who must report suspected child maltreatment. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 260E.065 to require that at least half of the training time focuses on identifying signs of maltreatment (as defined in statute), and that training covers all maltreatment types listed in section 260E.03. It also mandates that training content include input from professionals like medical staff, attorneys, and social workers. This applies directly to individuals legally required to report child maltreatment, such as teachers, healthcare workers, and child care providers. The changes aim to standardize and enhance the practical content of existing reporter training programs.

Maddy summarySF 2027 establishes early childhood literacy pilot programs to improve reading readiness in young children. It requires the commissioner of education to convene an expert panel to review literacy research and recommend evidence-based practices for family engagement, curricula, and instruction. The commissioner must then implement these pilot programs in diverse settings like public pre-K, Head Start, and childcare centers, using funds available. An independent evaluation will measure the pilots' effectiveness in improving early literacy outcomes, with annual public reviews of results. The bill also updates kindergarten entry assessment requirements to better identify literacy readiness.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's Essential Community Supports program to expand access for older adults and those with dementia. It lowers the age requirement from 65 to 60 for eligibility, removes asset limits, and adds dementia as a qualifying condition. The bill also expands allowable services to include homemaker support, chores, and personal emergency response devices, while increasing funding for caregiver respite services grants by $2 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2027. These changes directly affect Minnesotans aged 60+ or with dementia who need community-based care to avoid nursing facility placement.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurance companies in Minnesota from requiring prior authorization for antineoplastic cancer treatments that follow National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, directly affecting cancer patients and insurers. It specifically bans prior approval for non-medication cancer treatments (like certain therapies or procedures), while medications for these treatments still require prior authorization but must be processed under faster timelines. The change applies to health benefit plans offered, sold, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027. This eliminates administrative delays for covered cancer treatments, streamlining access to care without altering coverage for medication-based treatments.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund a grant for the Girl Scouts River Valleys leadership institute. The funds must support specific programs including STEM education, financial literacy, leadership development, career readiness, and healthy relationships. The grant is designated as a one-time appropriation, meaning it is not intended to be renewed annually. This directly affects the Girl Scouts River Valleys organization and its youth programs in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $100,000 from the general fund for the Direct Care and Treatment executive board to plan a new locked psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) operated by Direct Care and Treatment. It requires the board to submit a detailed report by March 1, 2026, covering location risks/benefits, build-out costs, ongoing maintenance expenses, and potential revenue from medical assistance programs. The funding is a one-time appropriation available until June 30, 2027, and applies specifically to planning the facility's construction, not the building itself. The bill directly affects the Direct Care and Treatment executive board and the state's mental health service delivery system.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's human services commissioner to regularly update lawmakers and seek federal approval for children's mental health projects, while also identifying funding gaps in residential facilities for youth. It establishes crisis stabilization facilities for immediate mental health care, creates a legislative task force to study residential facility challenges, and mandates new licensing for facilities serving youth with sexual behavior concerns. The bill also requires a financial study on residential facilities and directs the commissioner to provide reports on service coordination and screening protocols for children in protective care or juvenile justice systems. These changes directly affect county human services agencies, residential facilities, mental health providers, and children receiving these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies background check requirements for housing support providers in Minnesota. It adds a new requirement that providers must demonstrate (by July 1, 2017) that all individuals needing background checks (controlling individuals, managers, staff/volunteers with direct contact or unsupervised access) either have no disqualifications under state law or have a set-aside for disqualifications. The bill also specifically exempts supportive housing and emergency shelter providers from needing to conduct background studies under Chapter 245C. This directly affects housing support providers, particularly those operating supportive housing or emergency shelters, by altering their background check obligations.