Sen. Bobby Joe Champion

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new state program in Minnesota that provides financial assistance to families with newborns, including both prenatal and ongoing monthly payments. The program would offer a one-time prenatal benefit of $1,500 and monthly payments of $750 for up to 24 months, with no requirements for income, assets, or employment status. Eligible recipients must be Minnesota residents with a legal relationship to a newborn born on or after January 1, 2028, and can include biological parents, adoptive parents, or legal guardians. The commissioner of employment and economic development would administer the program, which requires documentation from health care providers, adoption agencies, or other approved sources to verify eligibility and parentage.

Maddy summarySF 3665 amends Minnesota law to designate unemployment insurance judges and paid leave judges as "judicial officials" under privacy protections. This change directly affects these judges and their current employees within the Department of Employment and Economic Development's Unemployment Insurance and Paid Leave Divisions. The bill adds them to the existing definition of "judicial official" (Minnesota Statutes §480.40, subd. 1(5)), meaning their personal information - including home addresses, family details, and school information - will receive the same privacy safeguards as other judicial branch employees. The policy change extends current privacy protections to these specific roles without altering their duties or creating new programs.

Maddy summarySF 3607 requires employers to post accessible printed materials outlining workers' rights under Minnesota's Human Rights Act, including how to file complaints or sue for violations. It also mandates school districts to post annual website notices about student rights, coordinator contact details, and civil rights education resources for parents and students. Both provisions emphasize using plain language and encourage proactive efforts to prevent discrimination. The bill directly affects all Minnesota employers and public school districts, adding specific notice obligations to existing human rights protections. It does not change substantive rights but standardizes how rights information is communicated to workers and students.

Maddy summarySF 3570 limits federal immigration officers' access to Minnesota's public postsecondary campuses, prohibiting entry without a court order. It directly affects public colleges and universities by restricting how immigration authorities can operate on campus grounds. The bill modifies data privacy rules in Minnesota Statutes, adding a specific requirement that immigration-related data disclosures must include a judicial order, strengthening existing protections for student records. These changes aim to prevent federal immigration enforcement from disrupting campus environments while maintaining existing legal pathways for data sharing in emergencies or with proper authorization.

Maddy summarySF 3735 increases penalties for impersonating a peace officer in Minnesota. It raises the base offense from a misdemeanor to a felony (up to 2 years in prison or $4,000 fine), with higher penalties for specific acts like entering restricted buildings, directing others, or operating a vehicle marked to look like police. The bill also adds enhanced penalties for possessing a firearm while impersonating an officer (up to 10 years) or committing another crime while impersonating (e.g., a misdemeanor becomes a gross misdemeanor). It requires anyone impersonating an officer to identify their agency, name, and ID number upon request. This bill directly affects individuals falsely posing as law enforcement officers.

Maddy summarySF 3154 establishes a "Foster Youth Bill of Rights" in Minnesota, directly affecting youth in foster care under 18 (or up to 21 in extended care). It codifies specific rights, including the right to receive care at least as good as non-foster peers, protection from abuse (including verbal harassment and hate speech), clean living spaces free from pests, and culturally appropriate services. The bill prohibits excessive medication, physical discipline, group punishment, and neglect of basic needs like medical diets or belongings. It also clarifies that these rights complement existing laws like the Indian Child Welfare Act, without replacing other protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's public assistance eligibility rules for individuals convicted of certain drug offenses. It specifies that people convicted of a felony-level drug offense within the past ten years may face requirements like receiving benefits in vendor form for housing/utilities and undergoing random drug testing. If testing positive for illegal substances, counties must provide referrals to substance use disorder treatment programs. The bill explicitly excludes cannabis-related convictions from these restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Minnesota law enforcement agencies from hiring or licensing individuals who were sworn officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or U.S. Border Patrol on or after January 20, 2025. The measure applies to both current and future peace officer positions, preventing agencies from employing these federal agents and the state Peace Officer Standards and Training Board from issuing licenses to them. The law takes effect the day after final passage and specifically targets those seeking initial licensure or employment as peace officers on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $2,850,000 from the state's general fund to support the Power of People Leadership Institute in developing a new facility in North Minneapolis. The funding will cover the renovation of a warehouse property to include employment training programs, health services, and small business incubator space, along with administrative offices. This one-time appropriation is designated for fiscal year 2027 and will be managed by the commissioner of employment and economic development until the project is completed or abandoned.

Maddy summarySF 3937 appropriates $250,000 from the workforce development fund for a one-time grant to People Serving People in Minneapolis. The grant provides preemployment and job readiness services to parents and adults experiencing homelessness, including resume help, job search assistance, interview clothing, license fees, childcare, and transportation support. These services aim to help recipients overcome employment barriers, achieve financial stability, and build long-term self-sufficiency. The funding is specifically for fiscal year 2027 and cannot be used for other purposes.