Rep. David Gottfried

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 also requires the commissioner of human rights to take appropriate actions to protect Minnesotans from conversion therapy, including investigating complaints against mental health practitioners who engage in such practices. The legislation defines conversion therapy using existing state law definitions and directs the commissioner to prioritize investigating discriminatory practices related to this issue. Health plans offered, sold, issued, or renewed to Minnesota residents after the effective date must comply with these coverage restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a legal cause of action allowing individuals who were minors when they underwent conversion therapy to sue mental health professionals for harm caused by those practices. It defines conversion therapy as attempting to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, and specifies that psychological harm includes conditions like depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. If a lawsuit is successful, the court can award damages, order the professional to stop the practice, and require payment of at least $50,000 to the injured person or their guardian. The law also allows parents or guardians to file suits on behalf of minors or when the affected individual is deceased or unable to participate.

Maddy summaryHF 1338 creates an independent Office of the Inspector General in Minnesota to oversee state agencies and programs. The office will conduct audits and investigations into fraud, waste, and abuse of public funds, report findings publicly, and recommend improvements. It directly affects all state executive branch agencies and programs receiving taxpayer funding, requiring them to comply with oversight. Key provisions include establishing strict qualifications for the Inspector General, granting subpoena power, and mandating annual public reports. The bill also appropriates funding for the office's operations and staff.

Maddy summaryHF 3093 requires state agencies to verify that organizations receiving state loans or grants over $50,000 meet specific financial and operational standards before funding is approved. It mandates applicants to submit an oath certifying compliance with minimum requirements (Section 16C.285), and agencies must conduct a risk assessment reviewing past performance, financial documents (like tax returns or Form 990), good standing with the Secretary of State, and certification that principals have no recent felony financial convictions. This applies to both nonprofit and for-profit recipients of state funds exceeding $50,000. The bill adds these verification steps to existing state funding processes without creating new funding or altering eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill classifies domestic assault by strangulation as a violent crime under Minnesota law. It achieves this by adding a specific reference to strangulation statutes within the state's definition of violent crimes, which determines how certain offenses are categorized and potentially punished. The changes apply to cases involving crimes committed on or after August 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens penalties for violating domestic violence protection orders in Minnesota by categorizing repeat offenses and those involving weapons as more serious crimes. Under the new rules, a first violation is a misdemeanor with a minimum three-day jail sentence, while a second violation within ten years becomes a gross misdemeanor with a minimum ten-day sentence. A third violation within that same period or any violation involving a weapon or a prior felony conviction is classified as a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. The legislation also clarifies arrest procedures, requiring officers to hold violators for at least 36 hours and granting immunity from civil lawsuits to officers acting in good faith.

Maddy summaryHF 2490 establishes the Companion Animal Board in Minnesota to promote the welfare of cats, dogs, and other nonagricultural pets (including rabbits, guinea pigs, and small reptiles). The board, composed of 13 appointed members representing veterinarians, communities, animal shelters/rescues, breeders, and human welfare professionals, will administer policies related to companion animals while excluding agricultural animals, wildlife, and veterinary practice. The bill appropriates funding for the board's operations and requires it to issue reports, though it does not alter existing laws governing veterinary medicine or animal health. This is a procedural bill creating a new state board with defined scope and funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how disability benefits are reduced for Minnesota police, firefighter, and paramedic members who started receiving disability payments before July 1, 2023, when they return to work. It changes the calculation method for reducing disability benefits when these members earn income from other employment, ensuring the reduction applies consistently to those who began disability before the specified date. The legislation updates existing rules to clarify how much disability benefits decrease based on reemployment earnings, using a dollar-for-dollar reduction ratio for certain service levels and a tiered approach for others. This change affects only current disability recipients who started their benefits prior to the July 1, 2023 cutoff, while members who began receiving benefits on or after that date remain subject to previously established reduction rules.

Maddy summaryHF 3699 amends Minnesota law to require that a new state park license plate design contest must feature the North Shore and Lake Superior Agate. The bill directs the commissioner of natural resources to hold the contest under existing statute (Minnesota Statutes § 168.1295, subd. 1). This requirement specifically applies to the design of the new plate, which will be available for purchase by vehicle owners. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on the contest's design criteria, not on new funding or regulations.

Maddy summaryHF 2021 prohibits landlords in Minnesota from discriminating against tenants or prospective tenants who use government rental assistance, housing choice vouchers, or other public aid to pay rent. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 363A.09 to ban landlords from denying viewings, applications, or rentals based on a tenant's income source, or from advertising they won't rent to voucher users. It directly affects landlords and tenants utilizing federal, state, or local housing assistance programs. The law creates clear, enforceable standards to prevent unfair treatment in housing applications and rentals.