Sen. Clare Oumou Verbeten

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new "public safety radio and crime victims account" funded by a 50-cent monthly fee on wireless and wire-line telecommunications services (excluding prepaid wireless). The fee applies to each customer access line or basic service, with proceeds deposited into the account to cover two specific purposes: purchasing interoperable public safety radio equipment for Minnesota's statewide emergency response system, and providing grants to crime victim service providers. The bill amends existing telecom fee statutes to create this dedicated funding stream and requires annual reporting on how the funds are used. It does not change the existing 95-cent fee for general 911 service maintenance.

Maddy summaryHF 1082 establishes the Minnesota Victims of Crime Account, funded by increased fees/penalties from criminal cases and additional general fund transfers. It appropriates specific funds for fiscal years 2026-2027 to provide grants to organizations that received crime victim service grants in 2024. These grants must support direct services for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, and general crime - including client assistance, housing supports, culturally responsive programming, and prevention efforts like restorative justice. The bill requires services to prioritize underserved communities and reflect Minnesota’s diversity, with up to 10% of funds allowed for grant administration.

Maddy summarySF 3871 requires judges to ask during plea hearings whether victims have been notified about the plea agreement and sentencing. It expands victim notification rights by informing victims about eligibility for automatic expungement of their offense and protecting minor victims' identities in court documents. The bill also adds protections against employer retaliation for stalking victims and strengthens confidentiality for victim information in prosecutors' petitions. These changes directly affect victims in criminal cases, courts, and prosecutors handling plea agreements and sentencing.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the commissioner of corrections to explore partnerships with outside groups, such as dental schools and mobile clinics, to enhance dental care in Minnesota's correctional facilities. The commissioner must evaluate these options and submit a report by January 15, 2027, which should include recommendations on specific partnerships, funding, and any additional laws needed to improve services. The legislation also mandates that the state increase access to preventative, restorative, and emergency dental treatments for inmates. Additionally, the bill authorizes the appropriation of funds from the general fiscal year 2027 budget to support these improvements and the required evaluation process.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates state funds in fiscal year 2027 to pay specific settlement claims against the state. It allocates money to compensate three individuals under the Imprisonment and Exoneration Remedies Act for damages related to their incarceration and exoneration. Additionally, the bill provides a separate payment to Mark Carroll for permanent injuries sustained while incarcerated. The legislation directs these funds to the commissioner of management and budget and the commissioner of corrections for distribution by June 30, 2027.

Maddy summarySF 962 clarifies the scope of practice for licensed athletic trainers in Minnesota. It defines "athletic training" to include specific actions like injury prevention, emergency care, assessment, rehabilitation, and wellness promotion, performed within the trainer's expertise. The bill requires athletic trainers to work under a primary physician's direction, establish annual treatment protocols with the physician, and limits initial independent treatment of athletes to 30 days (or less as specified by the physician). It also clarifies that athletic trainers cannot practice medicine, physical therapy, or other licensed health professions without the appropriate additional license. This directly affects licensed athletic trainers, primary physicians, and healthcare facilities employing them.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's eviction notice requirements for nonpayment of rent, directly affecting landlords and residential tenants. It requires landlords to provide written notices specifying the total amount due, a detailed accounting of rent and fees, and specific statements about legal aid resources and financial assistance programs. The notice must now give tenants 30 days (instead of 14) to pay or vacate before eviction action, aligning with the state's effective date of July 1, 2026. Landlords must deliver notices personally or by mail to the tenant's address at the leased premises.

Maddy summarySF 3600 establishes a lifetime ban on firearm possession for individuals convicted of certain misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor domestic assault offenses in Minnesota. The bill directly affects people found guilty of these specific domestic violence-related assaults, prohibiting them from owning or possessing firearms for life. It amends Minnesota Statutes to implement this ban, changing existing law to require that such convictions automatically trigger the firearm prohibition. The law applies to offenses classified as misdemeanors or gross misdemeanors under Minnesota's domestic assault statutes, not felony domestic violence cases. This is a substantive policy change to restrict firearm access for a specific category of domestic violence offenders.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 3565) requires landlords in Minnesota to give prospective tenants the right to view a rental unit before signing a lease. Landlords must notify tenants of this option and allow either in-person visits or remote electronic viewings upon request. The law voids any lease agreement that waives this right, and tenants can recover triple damages (or $1,000, whichever is greater) plus attorney fees for violations. It directly affects landlords and renters in Minnesota housing transactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill reclassifies incarcerated individuals in Minnesota correctional facilities as employees under state labor laws, thereby extending protections such as minimum wage, overtime pay, and whistleblower rights to them. By explicitly including these individuals in the definitions of "employee" within the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Public Employee Labor Relations Act, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the legislation ensures they are covered by existing labor standards. The measure also mandates a report to track the implementation of these changes, aiming to formalize the labor relationship between the state and its incarcerated workforce.