Sen. John Hoffman

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates funds for the Minnesota Department of Human Services to modernize two critical computer systems: MAXIS, which manages public assistance casework, and MMIS, which processes Medicaid health care claims and payments. The money must be used specifically to create and implement a replacement plan for these systems, with input from counties, Tribal Nations, and health plans to ensure improvements directly benefit workers and services. The appropriation is a one-time allocation for fiscal year 2026 and cannot be used for unrelated IT projects or other departmental systems. The bill takes effect the day after it is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the legal definitions for adult foster care licensing in Minnesota to clarify what services and arrangements qualify for licensing. It directly affects adult foster care providers and the Department of Human Services by updating how programs are described in state law. The changes specify that adult foster care must provide 24-hour care including food, lodging, protection, supervision, and household management, while defining a family adult foster care home as a licensed residence where the owner lives and serves as the primary caregiver. These updates aim to ensure consistency in how adult foster care services are regulated and categorized under Minnesota statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's employment laws to create specific exemptions from rest and meal break requirements for certain workers. It directly affects employees who are the sole workers at a location while providing life-sustaining services, caring for vulnerable adults, or responding to emergencies. Under the new provisions, these exempted employees would not be required to take mandated breaks, though they must still be allowed time to use the restroom and eat meals while working. The changes amend existing state statutes to clarify these exemptions without removing all break protections.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally condemns Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry while reaffirming Minnesota's commitment to religious freedom and inclusion. The bill does not create new laws or change state statutes but instead expresses the Senate's official stance on protecting the Hindu community. It encourages state agencies, schools, and law enforcement to improve their understanding of anti-Hindu bias and include the community in diversity training. As a symbolic measure, the resolution serves to highlight the importance of mutual respect and safety for religious groups within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Melissa and Mark Hortman Memorial State Park in Ramsey County, St. Paul, by designating a specific parcel of land as a state park. The park will be free for public access with no entry fees or permits required. It amends Minnesota Statutes to include the park in the state park system and allows management for historic and cultural purposes, not just natural features. The bill defines the park's boundaries and outlines management responsibilities for the commissioner of natural resources, including existing buildings and monuments within the area.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Minnesota's requirements for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) handling state employee health plan (SEGIP) pharmacy contracts. It prohibits PBMs from using "spread pricing" (charging health plans more than they pay pharmacies for drugs) and increases license application fees from $8,500 to a minimum of $15,000. The bill also imposes new fiduciary duties on PBMs, requiring them to act in good faith and disclose conflicts of interest. These changes apply specifically to PBMs operating under SEGIP pharmacy benefit contracts in Minnesota.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies how benefits are handled when counties take over state correctional services under Minnesota's Community Corrections Act. It requires counties transitioning to this program to hire displaced probation officers and other employees without reducing their salaries, while also specifying which government entity remains responsible for paying accrued benefits like vacation and sick leave. To help offset costs, the bill appropriates $150,000 in 2027 to reimburse counties for fringe benefit expenses tied to state collective bargaining agreements that were earned before the transition. The legislation also mandates that the commissioner of corrections file a resolution with the state and requires the commissioner of revenue to submit a report by January 2028 detailing how the funds were distributed.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state trust fund in Minnesota to temporarily hold federal money if the governor determines it has been unfairly suspended, delayed, or conditioned by the federal government. The fund is designed to protect state programs, local governments, and service providers from disruptions while ensuring the money remains available for its original intended purpose. Under the bill, the commissioner of management and budget can place federal funds in the trust fund with oversight from the attorney general and governor, and must release them once federal issues are resolved or holding them would risk legal noncompliance. The legislation also requires quarterly reports to the legislature detailing how much money is held, which programs are affected, and the legal reasons for holding the funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill would regulate the use of artificial intelligence in psychotherapy services in Minnesota, primarily affecting licensed mental health professionals and healthcare organizations. It defines specific terms like "therapeutic communication" and "artificial intelligence system" to clarify what activities are covered under the law. The legislation prohibits AI systems from making independent therapeutic decisions, directly interacting with clients during therapy sessions, or generating treatment plans without human review and approval. However, it allows AI to handle administrative tasks such as scheduling, billing, and analyzing anonymized client data to track progress. The bill also establishes civil penalties for violations and applies to various licensed professionals including psychologists, social workers, and counselors.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Minnesota adjusts disability waiver rates to account for inflation, directly affecting individuals receiving home and community-based waiver services and the agencies that manage them. It requires state officials to manually review and approve service agreements that exceed previous funding levels by more than legislatively enacted rate increases, ensuring increases are justified by documented changes in a person's assessed needs or evidence that prior services were insufficient. The bill also establishes a two-year update schedule for wage indices and cost components tied to the Consumer Price Index, with adjustments capped at eight percent unless specific conditions are met. These provisions are set to expire once a new waiver system called "waiver reimagine" is fully implemented.