Rep. Tom Dippel

Maddy summaryHF 1434 requires commercial websites sharing material harmful to minors (defined as content with sexual depictions lacking artistic value for minors) to verify users are 18+ if 25% or more of the site’s pages contain such material. It mandates age verification using approved methods like commercial databases, prohibits retaining user identifying information, and creates a private right of action for parents to sue violators. The Minnesota Attorney General can enforce the law through civil actions, and commercial entities face $25,000 penalties per violation. This bill directly affects websites meeting the 25% harmful content threshold and targets operators of commercial platforms accessible to Minnesota residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Human Services and related agencies to compare actual spending against their budget forecasts and notify the legislative auditor when spending deviates by a specified amount. It mandates that the legislative auditor conduct audits of human services programs, managed care organizations, and children and family services to verify compliance and identify reasons for spending variances. The legislation also establishes rules for how agencies must account for potential program cancellations when preparing future budget forecasts and requires quarterly public reporting of actual expenditures on department websites. These changes aim to improve budget oversight and accountability for state human services programs.

Maddy summaryHF 2372 creates a voluntary "Minnesota Civic Seal" designation for high school students who complete specific civics requirements. To earn the seal, students must complete approved civics coursework, complete a project-based civic assessment, participate in at least one civic activity outside class (like voting in student elections or community service), and demonstrate civic dispositions. School districts may choose to participate but cannot charge students fees, must provide information about the program to all students, and must affix the seal to diplomas and transcripts for qualifying graduates. The program begins for students graduating in 2027 or later, with the Department of Education developing the insignia and guidelines to ensure equitable access for all students.

Maddy summaryHF 2689 modifies Minnesota's physical therapy practice rules, primarily affecting licensed physical therapists, their assistants, and students in physical therapy programs. The bill clarifies supervision requirements: physical therapists must have direct patient contact during at least every second treatment session when supervising student physical therapists or student physical therapist assistants, and telecommunications (except within a facility) cannot satisfy "on-site supervision" for students. It repeals outdated sections of the law (148.65, subd. 9 and 148.77) and updates definitions for "physical therapy" and student roles. The bill does not specify the nature of the new criminal penalties mentioned in its title.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota state legislators and legislative employees to contribute 50 percent of the premium cost for the state's Paid Leave Law through wage deductions. The provision adds a new requirement to existing statutes that currently allows employers to pay at least half of the annual premiums while employees cover the remainder. By mandating that legislators and their staff split the premium cost equally with the state, the bill ensures they participate in the same paid leave funding structure as other employers and employees. This change directly affects the financial obligations of lawmakers and legislative workers, aligning their contributions with the broader paid leave system.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota courts to recognize the fundamental right to the parent-child relationship when making child custody and parenting time decisions. It mandates that courts uphold specific legal precedents and protect this right for both fit parents unless there is clear and convincing evidence of harm. The legislation ensures that marital status alone cannot limit a parent's custody rights and requires courts to apply appropriate judicial scrutiny before restricting these rights. This change directly affects family court proceedings involving custody disputes and standardizes how courts evaluate parental rights in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Minnesota's social studies standards to include information about the dangers and perils of communism and socialism, specifically during the 2030-2031 review and revision of state academic standards. The legislation mandates that the state commissioner incorporate details about estimated lives lost and negative outcomes associated with these ideologies into the updated curriculum. It directly affects Minnesota public school systems by setting a specific requirement for future social studies education content. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and does not change current curriculum requirements but establishes a mandate for future revisions.

Maddy summaryHF 2334 requires dental insurance organizations in Minnesota to maintain a minimum 85% loss ratio, meaning they must pay at least 85% of premium revenue in claims to policyholders. If organizations fail to meet this ratio, they must provide remediation to enrollees through direct rebates, increased benefit limits, or other approved methods. The bill also mandates annual reporting of loss ratios and financial details to the Department of Commerce, with this data published online for public comparison. This applies specifically to dental insurance plans, not general health insurance, and takes effect between 2026 and 2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's custody and parenting time laws to establish a rebuttable presumption that joint legal and physical custody is in the best interests of the child, unless domestic abuse has occurred between the parents. It requires courts to make detailed findings on each relevant factor when deciding custody cases and prohibits decisions based solely on parental gender or disability. The legislation also clarifies that joint physical custody does not require equal time division and removes the previous presumption against joint physical custody. These changes apply to proceedings beginning on or after August 1, 2026, and directly affect families seeking custody arrangements in Minnesota courts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires a mandatory waiting period before new education funding changes take effect, directly impacting Minnesota school districts and charter schools. It establishes that any substantive changes to K-12 education funding programs enacted after March 1 must wait until July 1 of the following year to become effective. Additionally, the bill mandates that laws significantly affecting school district duties cannot take effect until a local impact note from the Legislative Budget Office is completed and posted online. The provisions will become effective on July 1, 2027.