Sen. Clare Oumou Verbeten

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurance plans in Minnesota from covering conversion therapy for minors under 18 and vulnerable adults, effective January 1, 2027. It requires the commissioner of human rights to take actions to protect Minnesotans from conversion therapy, including investigating complaints against mental health practitioners who engage in such practices. The legislation amends existing human rights laws to expand the commissioner's authority to address discriminatory practices related to conversion therapy. Health plans offered to Minnesota residents must comply with these restrictions when renewing or issuing policies after the effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of domestic abuse in Minnesota to include behaviors like stalking, harassment, and controlling actions, while also clarifying who qualifies as a family or household member. It requires law enforcement to report specific domestic abuse case data annually and authorizes arrests for suspected nonfelony domestic abuse, with arrested individuals held in custody until their first court appearance. The legislation also establishes a task force to improve responses to domestic violence crimes and mandates annual reports on officer-involved death investigations related to domestic abuse. These changes directly affect law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts, and individuals involved in domestic abuse situations across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $20 million in state bonds to fund the design and construction of a public space over Shepard Road in St. Paul, including adjacent rail lines and related infrastructure. The funds will be provided to Ramsey County through a grant administered by the commissioner of employment and economic development. The project covers predesign, engineering, construction, and equipment for the public realm. This directly affects St. Paul residents by creating new public space and impacts Ramsey County as the recipient of the grant funds. The bill enables the state to issue bonds under existing statutes to finance this specific capital improvement.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Minnesota Department of Human Services to begin covering culturally specific health and wellness services for Medicaid enrollees, with coverage starting in 2027 or later, pending federal approval. To ensure the program meets community needs, the bill requires the state to consult with a newly created advisory task force, community leaders, and health organizations before submitting necessary waivers to the federal government. The legislation also mandates that the department report annually to the legislature on how these services affect access to care, quality, and health outcomes, with data broken down by race, ethnicity, age, and location. Additionally, the bill establishes a task force composed of service providers, community representatives, and government officials to guide the implementation and oversight of these new health services.

Maddy summarySF 2630 converts the Governor's Council on an Age-Friendly Minnesota into the permanent "Age-Friendly Minnesota Council" and codifies existing grant programs. The bill establishes a 15-member council with voting members from state agencies (like Health, Human Services, and Transportation) and six public members appointed by the governor to represent older adults, caregivers, Tribal communities, and underserved areas. The council's duties include coordinating age-friendly efforts across state agencies, reviewing grants, promoting equity for older adults of color and Indigenous communities, and making policy recommendations. The bill also appropriates funding to support the council's operations and ensures regular meetings with public participation options.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Minnesota law to limit strip searches of incarcerated individuals in state correctional facilities during visitation periods. It allows facility leaders to use body scanners or other minimally invasive screening methods to screen incarcerated persons before or after meetings with visitors. However, the bill prohibits strip searches of incarcerated persons in these situations unless there is a specific, documented security threat that justifies the more invasive procedure. The rules for implementation will be established through regulations adopted by the state commissioner.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows residential tenants in Minnesota to end their lease early if they lose their job or experience a significant drop in income that prevents them from paying rent. To exercise this right, a tenant must provide their landlord with at least 14 days' written notice along with proof of the income loss, such as a termination letter from an employer or a sworn statement if official documentation is unavailable. If the tenant follows these steps, the lease officially ends on the date specified in the notice, though they remain responsible for any rent owed before that date. The legislation also states that landlords cannot require longer notice periods or waive these rights, and the rules apply to new, renewed, or extended leases starting after the law takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the ability of Minnesota juvenile courts to impose fines on minors involved in delinquency proceedings. It directly affects youth facing court orders by removing the option for judges to mandate monetary penalties, which previously could be up to $1,000. The legislation amends existing statutes to delete the specific provision allowing these fines while preserving other dispositions like restitution for damages and counseling. By repealing the fine authority, the bill aims to reduce financial burdens on young people within the juvenile justice system.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases funding for Minnesota's Independent Use of Force Investigations Unit, which investigates police use-of-force incidents. The legislation appropriates $550,000 from the state's general fund for fiscal year 2027 to hire two additional special agents and one criminal intelligence analyst dedicated solely to this unit's work. The funding will become effective on July 1, 2026, and is intended to expand the unit's capacity to handle its existing caseload. This measure builds upon previous funding approved in 2025 for the same investigative function.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's extreme risk protection order (ERPO) laws to update how these orders are applied for, secured, and enforced. It expands who can petition for an ERPO to include attorneys' offices and allows respondents to petition on their own behalf, while clarifying definitions for family members and mental health professionals. The legislation requires courts to provide simplified forms, waives all filing and service fees, and mandates that orders be shared with law enforcement and the national background check system within specific timeframes. Additionally, it updates procedures for emergency relief petitions and clarifies the role of law enforcement in considering such requests.