Sen. LaTonya Johnson

Maddy summarySB 726 requires the Department of Corrections to create an interactive website system that updates complaint data from state correctional facilities every 72 hours. The system must show the total number of annual complaints per facility and display all complaint details broken down by type (without personal information), making it searchable by category. The bill appropriates $70,000 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $30,000 for 2026-27 to establish and operate this reporting system. This directly affects state correctional institutions by mandating transparent, real-time public reporting of inmate and staff complaints.

Maddy summarySB 720 increases funding to hire three additional full-time caretaker positions at the state's three veterans cemeteries. The bill allocates $131,800 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $170,800 for fiscal year 2026-27 under the Department of Veterans Affairs budget. These positions will directly support the maintenance and care of veterans cemeteries, addressing staffing needs for cemetery operations. The measure makes a concrete budget adjustment without altering eligibility or benefits for veterans.

Maddy summarySB 721 adds a specific eligibility category for military funeral honors reimbursement: individuals naturalized under the federal Hmong Veterans’ Naturalization Act of 2000 who were residing in the state at the time of their death. The bill establishes that certified veterans' organizations providing military funeral honors for these individuals are eligible for reimbursement of up to $85 per funeral, adjusted annually based on the U.S. consumer price index. This directly affects Hmong veterans who gained U.S. citizenship through the 2000 federal law and their families. The reimbursement rate replaces the previous $50 limit and ensures annual updates to match inflation. The bill modifies existing statutes to clarify this eligibility and funding mechanism.

Maddy summarySB 737 creates new rules for lease-purchase agreements (where consumers pay to use personal items like furniture or electronics with an option to buy) for personal, family, or household use. It directly affects consumers who enter these agreements and businesses (lessors) that offer them. Key requirements include written agreements in clear 8-point type, mandatory disclosures of total payments, cash-sale price, ownership terms, and early purchase options, plus language matching any advertising. The bill also establishes a legal cause of action for consumers if lessors violate these requirements.

Maddy summarySB 758 restricts how social media platforms handle users under 18 in the state, directly affecting platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook that allow minors to create profiles. The bill prohibits platforms from collecting or using minors' data for personalized content recommendations, algorithmic prioritization, or targeted advertising, while requiring age verification through approved methods. Platforms must also stop showing targeted ads to minors and may only use limited data for account maintenance. Violations could result in civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation, enforced by the state department of justice or affected individuals.

Maddy summarySB 744 requires state correctional facilities and county jails to create two new systems: (1) a notification system allowing inmates to designate up to three family members to receive automatic alerts within 24 hours if they face restrictions affecting visits or communication; and (2) a public website reporting system updated every 48 hours, detailing current restrictions, solitary confinement numbers, reasons for solitary confinement, and total inmate populations at all facilities. The bill mandates that sheriffs submit weekly data to the state department to populate the public reporting system, with the system becoming operational by the 7th month after enactment. It appropriates $780,000 for the notification system in fiscal year 2025-26 and $94,200 for staff to support implementation. This directly affects inmates, their families, and the public by increasing transparency around facility restrictions and solitary confinement practices.

Maddy summarySB 743 establishes a minimum wage for inmates working in state correctional institutions and county jails, requiring facilities to pay at least the state's minimum hourly wage rate (currently $10.47/hour) for labor performed. The bill directly affects all inmates engaged in work programs within these facilities, including those in county jails under sheriff oversight. Key provisions include a $2.33/hour wage increase for existing rates and new state funding: $58.9 million for 2025-26 and $88.4 million for 2026-27 for state prison wages, plus $873,000 and $1.31 million for correctional enterprise programs. All wages must be held in trust accounts for inmates and cannot be garnished during their incarceration.

Maddy summarySB 749 changes the renewal rules for three specific "in-training" certifications: substance abuse counselor-in-training, clinical supervisor-in-training, and prevention specialist-in-training. It establishes a 2-year renewal period for these certifications and limits renewal to only two times. This directly affects individuals holding these trainee-level credentials who seek to maintain their status without full certification. The bill amends existing statute to clarify these renewal terms, overriding previous provisions for these specific trainee categories.

Maddy summarySB 727 requires state correctional facilities and county jails to provide inmates with access to essential personal hygiene products at capped prices and a monthly $25 stipend. It mandates commissaries to sell 18 standard hygiene items (like shampoo, toothpaste, and razors) at no more than 125% of the benchmark retailer’s price, plus culturally sensitive options (e.g., hair care for types 2-4 hair and cocoa-butter lotion) at no more than 100% of the benchmark price. Inmates in state facilities receive the stipend immediately, while those in county jails receive it after 90 days of confinement. The bill appropriates $6.45 million annually for these stipends, funded through state corrections and county jail budgets. This policy directly affects all inmates in state prisons and county detention facilities across the state.

Maddy summarySB 764 sets a $60 annual cap on out-of-pocket costs for two doses of epinephrine delivery systems (like EpiPens) under health insurance policies and self-insured plans. It directly affects people with severe allergies who rely on these devices and their insurers. The bill requires coverage for medically necessary epinephrine delivery systems with cost-sharing limited to $60 for two doses, regardless of device type, while allowing plans to charge less or nothing. This applies to disability insurance policies, state/local government health plans, and all health insurance plans covering these devices. The law takes effect four months after publication, with transitional rules for existing policies and collective bargaining agreements.