Minnesota Session Laws - 2026 Regular Session

CHAPTER 88--S.F.No. 4244

An act

relating to legislative enactments; making miscellaneous technical corrections to laws and statutes; correcting erroneous, obsolete, and omitted text and references; removing redundant, conflicting, and superseded provisions;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 3.9215, subdivision 4; 3.9741, subdivision 1; 13.202, subdivision 11; 13.3806, subdivision 22; 13.461, subdivision 7a; 13.55, subdivision 1; 13.825, subdivision 2; 34.02; 43A.34, subdivision 3; 52.09, subdivision 2; 60D.18, subdivision 5; 62A.318, subdivision 5; 65A.35, subdivision 5; 65B.133, subdivision 1; 65B.15, subdivision 1; 66A.16, subdivision 2; 80E.13; 115.48, subdivision 2; 115A.28, subdivision 2; 118A.09, subdivision 3; 120B.234, subdivision 2; 120B.303, subdivision 1; 121A.15, subdivisions 3b, 11; 121A.425, subdivision 1; 124D.03, subdivision 3; 124D.094, subdivision 2; 124D.096; 124D.59, subdivision 2; 125A.76, subdivision 2f; 126C.05, subdivision 1; 126C.17, subdivision 9; 126C.40, subdivision 5; 135A.15, subdivision 1; 136A.031, subdivision 3; 136A.1241, subdivision 2; 136A.829, subdivision 3; 136A.84, subdivision 1; 142A.03, subdivision 32; 142A.05; 142A.604, subdivision 2; 142B.01, subdivision 8; 142B.03, subdivisions 1, 2; 142B.05, subdivisions 7, 8; 142B.10, subdivision 1; 142B.12, subdivision 4; 142B.41, subdivision 3; 142D.08, subdivisions 5, 6; 142D.20, subdivision 2; 142D.32, subdivision 2; 142E.16, subdivision 2; 142G.22, subdivision 1; 142G.25; 142G.40, subdivision 1; 142G.57, subdivisions 2, 4; 144E.28, subdivision 8; 145.882, subdivision 5a; 145.8821; 148B.59; 148F.165, subdivision 2; 148F.205, subdivision 5; 148F.2051; 151.72, subdivision 2; 152.29, subdivision 5; 157.22; 169.223, subdivision 4; 169.99, subdivision 1; 181.211, subdivision 10; 204B.06, subdivision 9; 211B.04, subdivision 3; 214.06, subdivision 1a; 216B.16, subdivisions 6b, 6c; 216B.2411, subdivisions 1, 2; 216B.2425, subdivision 7; 216B.2427, subdivisions 1, 2; 216C.437, subdivision 19; 216I.06, subdivision 2; 240A.03, subdivision 6; 245A.03, subdivisions 6, 7; 245A.07, subdivision 2a; 245D.03, subdivision 2; 245F.03; 245G.11, subdivision 1; 245G.22, subdivision 6; 253B.02, subdivision 4c; 256.017, subdivision 2; 256.043, subdivision 1; 256.9657, subdivisions 1a, 3; 256.975, subdivisions 7d, 9; 256B.04, subdivision 15; 256B.051, subdivision 7; 256B.0624, subdivision 4; 256B.0658; 256B.0911, subdivision 29; 256B.15, subdivision 1h; 256B.196, subdivision 2; 256B.1973, subdivision 1; 256B.431, subdivision 17d; 256B.69, subdivision 16; 256B.77, subdivisions 4, 5; 256B.85, subdivisions 7b, 20; 256D.01, subdivisions 1, 1e, 2; 256D.02, subdivision 1; 256D.03, subdivision 1; 256D.04; 256D.045; 256D.05, subdivision 8; 256D.06, subdivision 7; 256D.07; 256D.16; 256F.10, subdivisions 6, 7; 256I.04, subdivision 1; 256I.05, subdivision 1c; 256K.10, subdivision 3; 256S.21, subdivision 3; 257.05, subdivision 3; 257.0755, subdivision 3; 259.41, subdivision 1; 259.83, subdivision 1; 260.67, subdivision 2; 260C.001, subdivision 1; 260C.4411, subdivision 1; 260C.4412; 260E.17, subdivision 2; 260E.33, subdivision 6a; 260E.35, subdivision 3; 275.011, subdivisions 1, 2; 290.01, subdivision 19; 290.0132, subdivision 32; 290.095, subdivision 11; 295.50, subdivision 4; 295.81, subdivision 1; 296A.06, subdivision 1; 297A.9915, subdivision 5; 297I.20, subdivisions 1, 3; 298.75, subdivision 2; 309.531, subdivision 2; 321.1109; 325F.071, subdivision 1; 327B.04, subdivision 8; 332.30; 336.7-209; 336.9-317; 352.01, subdivision 2a; 353D.07, subdivision 5; 353G.18, subdivision 2; 353G.19, subdivision 6; 356.47, subdivision 3; 363A.07, subdivision 4; 363A.08, subdivision 4; 424A.05, subdivision 5; 424B.13, subdivisions 5, 6; 424B.22, subdivisions 7, 8; 458D.08; 462A.07, subdivision 20; 469.174, subdivision 10; 473.121, subdivision 5a; 473.164; 473.4057, subdivision 7; 473.755, subdivision 4; 473J.12, subdivision 2; 473J.13, subdivision 3; 491A.03, subdivision 4; 504B.361, subdivision 1; 518.10, subdivision 1; 518.175, subdivision 6; 518A.40, subdivision 1; 518A.41, subdivision 1; 518A.51; 518A.56, subdivision 11; 518C.613; 609.232, subdivision 11; 611A.37, subdivision 1; 611A.372; 624.7192; Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, sections 13.46, subdivisions 2, 4; 65B.05; 120B.117, subdivision 4; 124F.01, subdivision 2; 136A.054; 142G.01, subdivision 3; 148.6404; 148.6408, subdivision 2; 161.14, subdivision 109; 161.45, subdivision 4; 168.012, subdivision 1; 168A.01, subdivisions 18, 19, 20; 171.301, subdivision 1; 216B.1622, subdivision 2; 245A.04, subdivision 1; 245A.191; 245C.08, subdivision 1; 253B.10, subdivision 1; 254B.0507, subdivision 2; 256B.055, subdivision 12; 256B.0615, subdivision 1; 256B.0616, subdivision 1; 256B.0924, subdivision 6; 256B.0943, subdivision 9; 256B.761, subdivision 2; 257.0769, subdivision 1; 260.65; 297I.20, subdivision 7; 299C.061, subdivision 1; 353D.07, subdivision 2; 357.021, subdivision 1a; 423A.022, subdivision 2; 424A.015, subdivision 4; 473.4465, subdivision 2; 580.07, subdivisions 1, 2; Laws 2023, chapter 1, section 22, as amended; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 13.461, subdivision 16a; 137.50, subdivision 5; 142E.50, subdivisions 1, 4, 7; 256.9756, subdivision 3; 256B.092, subdivision 4b; 256R.50, subdivision 6; 257E.10, subdivision 11; 272.02, subdivision 31; 273.11, subdivisions 19, 20; 273.1315, subdivision 1; 273.1385; 289A.60, subdivision 15; 297I.15, subdivision 2; 383B.1511; 473.551; 473.552; 473.553, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13; 473.556, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17; 473.561; 473.564, subdivisions 2, 3; 473.565; 473.572; 473.581; 473.592, subdivision 1; 473.595; 473.596; 473.598; 473.599; 473.5995; 473.76; 473.763; 477A.18; 480.011; 504B.345, subdivision 2; Laws 2024, chapter 79, article 1, section 20; Laws 2025, chapter 21, sections 56; 57.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

ARTICLE 1

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 3.9215, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Appropriation.

Money appropriated for the ombudsperson for American Indian families from the general fund or the special fund authorized by section 256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph deleted text begin (o) deleted text end new text begin (n) new text end , is under the control of the ombudsperson.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 13.3806, subdivision 22, is amended to read:

Subd. 22.

Medical use of cannabis data.

Data collected under the registry program authorized under deleted text begin sections 152.22 to 152.37 deleted text end new text begin section 342.52 new text end are governed by deleted text begin sections 152.25, subdivision 1; 152.28, subdivision 2; and 152.37, subdivision 3 deleted text end new text begin section 342.59 new text end .

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 13.46, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

General.

(a) Data on individuals collected, maintained, used, or disseminated by the welfare system are private data on individuals, and shall not be disclosed except:

(1) according to section 13.05;

(2) according to court order;

(3) according to a statute specifically authorizing access to the private data;

(4) to an agent or investigator acting on behalf of a county, the state, or the federal government, including a law enforcement person or attorney in the investigation or prosecution of a criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding relating to the administration of a program;

(5) to personnel of the welfare system who require the data to verify an individual's identity; determine eligibility, amount of assistance, and the need to provide services to an individual or family across programs; coordinate services for an individual or family; evaluate the effectiveness of programs; assess parental contribution amounts; and investigate suspected fraud;

(6) to administer federal funds or programs;

(7) between personnel of the welfare system working in the same program;

(8) to the Department of Revenue to administer and evaluate tax refund or tax credit programs and to identify individuals who may benefit from these programs, and prepare the databases for reports required under section 270C.13 and Laws 2008, chapter 366, article 17, section 6. The following information may be disclosed under this paragraph: an individual's and their dependent's names, dates of birth, Social Security or individual taxpayer identification numbers, income, addresses, and other data as required, upon request by the Department of Revenue. Disclosures by the commissioner of revenue to the deleted text begin commissioner deleted text end new text begin commissioners new text end of human services new text begin and children, youth, and families new text end for the purposes described in this clause are governed by section 270B.14, deleted text begin subdivision deleted text end new text begin subdivisions new text end 1 new text begin and 24, respectively new text end . Tax refund or tax credit programs include, but are not limited to, the dependent care credit under section 290.067, the Minnesota working family credit under section 290.0671, the property tax refund under section 290A.04, and the Minnesota education credit under section 290.0674;

(9) between the Department of Human Services; the Department of Employment and Economic Development; the Department of Children, Youth, and Families; Direct Care and Treatment; and, when applicable, the Department of Education, for the following purposes:

(i) to monitor the eligibility of the data subject for unemployment benefits, for any employment or training program administered, supervised, or certified by that agency;

(ii) to administer any rehabilitation program or child care assistance program, whether alone or in conjunction with the welfare system;

(iii) to monitor and evaluate the Minnesota family investment program or the child care assistance program by exchanging data on recipients and former recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, cash assistance under chapter 142F, 256D, 256J, or 256K, child care assistance under chapter 142E, medical programs under chapter 256B or 256L; and

(iv) to analyze public assistance employment services and program utilization, cost, effectiveness, and outcomes as implemented under the authority established in Title II, Sections 201-204 of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. Health records governed by sections 144.291 to 144.298 and "protected health information" as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, section 160.103, and governed by Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, parts 160-164, including health care claims utilization information, must not be exchanged under this clause;

(10) to appropriate parties in connection with an emergency if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the individual or other individuals or persons;

(11) data maintained by residential programs as defined in section 245A.02 may be disclosed to the protection and advocacy system established in this state according to Part C of Public Law 98-527 to protect the legal and human rights of persons with developmental disabilities or other related conditions who live in residential facilities for these persons if the protection and advocacy system receives a complaint by or on behalf of that person and the person does not have a legal guardian or the state or a designee of the state is the legal guardian of the person;

(12) to the county medical examiner or the county coroner for identifying or locating relatives or friends of a deceased person;

(13) data on a child support obligor who makes payments to the public agency may be disclosed to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education to the extent necessary to determine eligibility under section 136A.121, subdivision 2, clause (5);

(14) participant Social Security or individual taxpayer identification numbers and names collected by the telephone assistance program may be disclosed to the Department of Revenue to conduct an electronic data match with the property tax refund database to determine eligibility under section 237.70, subdivision 4a;

(15) the current address of a Minnesota family investment program participant may be disclosed to law enforcement officers who provide the name of the participant and notify the agency that:

(i) the participant:

(A) is a fugitive felon fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody or confinement after conviction, for a crime or attempt to commit a crime that is a felony under the laws of the jurisdiction from which the individual is fleeing; or

(B) is violating a condition of probation or parole imposed under state or federal law;

(ii) the location or apprehension of the felon is within the law enforcement officer's official duties; and

(iii) the request is made in writing and in the proper exercise of those duties;

(16) the current address of a recipient of general assistance may be disclosed to probation officers and corrections agents who are supervising the recipient and to law enforcement officers who are investigating the recipient in connection with a felony level offense;

(17) information obtained from a SNAP applicant or recipient households may be disclosed to local, state, or federal law enforcement officials, upon their written request, for the purpose of investigating an alleged violation of the Food and Nutrition Act, according to Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 272.1(c);

(18) the address, Social Security or individual taxpayer identification number, and, if available, photograph of any member of a household receiving SNAP benefits shall be made available, on request, to a local, state, or federal law enforcement officer if the officer furnishes the agency with the name of the member and notifies the agency that:

(i) the member:

(A) is fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody or confinement after conviction, for a crime or attempt to commit a crime that is a felony in the jurisdiction the member is fleeing;

(B) is violating a condition of probation or parole imposed under state or federal law; or

(C) has information that is necessary for the officer to conduct an official duty related to conduct described in subitem (A) or (B);

(ii) locating or apprehending the member is within the officer's official duties; and

(iii) the request is made in writing and in the proper exercise of the officer's official duty;

(19) the current address of a recipient of Minnesota family investment program, general assistance, or SNAP benefits may be disclosed to law enforcement officers who, in writing, provide the name of the recipient and notify the agency that the recipient is a person required to register under section 243.166, but is not residing at the address at which the recipient is registered under section 243.166;

(20) certain information regarding child support obligors who are in arrears may be made public according to section 518A.74;

(21) data on child support payments made by a child support obligor and data on the distribution of those payments excluding identifying information on obligees may be disclosed to all obligees to whom the obligor owes support, and data on the enforcement actions undertaken by the public authority, the status of those actions, and data on the income of the obligor or obligee may be disclosed to the other party;

(22) data in the work reporting system may be disclosed under section 142A.29, subdivision 7;

(23) to the Department of Education for the purpose of matching Department of Education student data with public assistance data to determine students eligible for free and reduced-price meals, meal supplements, and free milk according to United States Code, title 42, sections 1758, 1761, 1766, 1766a, 1772, and 1773; to allocate federal and state funds that are distributed based on income of the student's family; and to verify receipt of energy assistance for the telephone assistance plan;

(24) the current address and telephone number of program recipients and emergency contacts may be released to the commissioner of health or a community health board as defined in section 145A.02, subdivision 5, when the commissioner or community health board has reason to believe that a program recipient is a disease case, carrier, suspect case, or at risk of illness, and the data are necessary to locate the person;

(25) to other state agencies, statewide systems, and political subdivisions of this state, including the attorney general, and agencies of other states, interstate information networks, federal agencies, and other entities as required by federal regulation or law for the administration of the child support enforcement program;

(26) to personnel of public assistance programs as defined in section 518A.81, for access to the child support system database for the purpose of administration, including monitoring and evaluation of those public assistance programs;

(27) to monitor and evaluate the Minnesota family investment program by exchanging data between the Departments of Human Services; Children, Youth, and Families; and Education, on recipients and former recipients of SNAP benefits, cash assistance under chapter 142F, 256D, 256J, or 256K, child care assistance under chapter 142E, medical programs under chapter 256B or 256L, or a medical program formerly codified under chapter 256D;

(28) to evaluate child support program performance and to identify and prevent fraud in the child support program by exchanging data between the Department of Human Services; Department of Children, Youth, and Families; Department of Revenue under section 270B.14, subdivision 1, paragraphs (a) and (b), without regard to the limitation of use in paragraph (c); Department of Health; Department of Employment and Economic Development; and other state agencies as is reasonably necessary to perform these functions;

(29) counties and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families operating child care assistance programs under chapter 142E may disseminate data on program participants, applicants, and providers to the commissioner of education;

(30) child support data on the child, the parents, and relatives of the child may be disclosed to agencies administering programs under titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act, as authorized by federal law;

(31) to a health care provider governed by sections 144.291 to 144.298, to the extent necessary to coordinate services;

(32) to the chief administrative officer of a school to coordinate services for a student and family; data that may be disclosed under this clause are limited to name, date of birth, gender, and address;

(33) to county correctional agencies to the extent necessary to coordinate services and diversion programs; data that may be disclosed under this clause are limited to name, client demographics, program, case status, and county worker information; or

(34) between the Department of Human Services and the Metropolitan Council for the following purposes:

(i) to coordinate special transportation service provided under section 473.386 with services for people with disabilities and elderly individuals funded by or through the Department of Human Services; and

(ii) to provide for reimbursement of special transportation service provided under section 473.386.

The data that may be shared under this clause are limited to the individual's first, last, and middle names; date of birth; residential address; and program eligibility status with expiration date for the purposes of informing the other party of program eligibility.

(b) Information on persons who have been treated for substance use disorder may only be disclosed according to the requirements of Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, sections 2.1 to 2.67.

(c) Data provided to law enforcement agencies under paragraph (a), clause (15), (16), (17), or (18), or paragraph (b), are investigative data and are confidential or protected nonpublic while the investigation is active. The data are private after the investigation becomes inactive under section 13.82, subdivision 7, clause (a) or (b).

(d) Mental health data shall be treated as provided in subdivisions 7, 8, and 9, but are not subject to the access provisions of subdivision 10, paragraph (b).

For the purposes of this subdivision, a request will be deemed to be made in writing if made through a computer interface system.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 13.46, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Licensing data.

(a) As used in this subdivision:

(1) "licensing data" are all data collected, maintained, used, or disseminated by the welfare system pertaining to persons licensed or registered or who apply for licensure or registration or who formerly were licensed or registered under the authority of the commissioner of human services or the commissioner of children, youth, and families;

(2) "client" means a person who is receiving services from a licensee or from an applicant for licensure; and

(3) "personal and personal financial data" are Social Security numbers, identity of and letters of reference, insurance information, reports from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, health examination reports, and social/home studies.

(b)(1)(i) Except as provided in paragraph (c), the following data on applicants, license holders, certification holders, and former licensees are public: name, address, telephone number of licensees, email addresses except for family child foster care, date of receipt of a completed application, dates of licensure, licensed capacity, type of client preferred, variances granted, record of training and education in child care and child development, type of dwelling, name and relationship of other family members, previous license history, class of license, the existence and status of complaints, and the number of serious injuries to or deaths of individuals in the licensed program as reported to the commissioner of human services; the commissioner of children, youth, and families; the local social services agency; or any other county welfare agency. For purposes of this clause, a serious injury is one that is treated by a physician.

(ii) Except as provided in item (v), when a correction order, an order to forfeit a fine, an order of license suspension, an order of temporary immediate suspension, an order of license revocation, an order of license denial, or an order of conditional license has been issued, or a complaint is resolved, the following data on current and former licensees and applicants are public: the general nature of the complaint or allegations leading to the temporary immediate suspension; the substance and investigative findings of the licensing or maltreatment complaint, licensing violation, or substantiated maltreatment; the existence of settlement negotiations; the record of informal resolution of a licensing violation; orders of hearing; findings of fact; conclusions of law; specifications of the final correction order, fine, suspension, temporary immediate suspension, revocation, denial, or conditional license contained in the record of licensing action; whether a fine has been paid; and the status of any appeal of these actions.

(iii) When a license denial under section deleted text begin 142A.15 deleted text end new text begin 142B.15 new text end or 245A.05 or a sanction under section 142B.18 or 245A.07 is based on a determination that a license holder, applicant, or controlling individual is responsible for maltreatment under section 626.557 or chapter 260E, the identity of the applicant, license holder, or controlling individual as the individual responsible for maltreatment is public data at the time of the issuance of the license denial or sanction.

(iv) When a license denial under section deleted text begin 142A.15 deleted text end new text begin 142B.15 new text end or 245A.05 or a sanction under section 142B.18 or 245A.07 is based on a determination that a license holder, applicant, or controlling individual is disqualified under chapter 245C, the identity of the license holder, applicant, or controlling individual as the disqualified individual is public data at the time of the issuance of the licensing sanction or denial. If the applicant, license holder, or controlling individual requests reconsideration of the disqualification and the disqualification is affirmed, the reason for the disqualification and the reason to not set aside the disqualification are private data.

(v) A correction order or fine issued to a child care provider for a licensing violation is private data on individuals under section 13.02, subdivision 12, or nonpublic data under section 13.02, subdivision 9, if the correction order or fine is seven years old or older.

(2) For applicants who withdraw their application prior to licensure or denial of a license, the following data are public: the name of the applicant, the city and county in which the applicant was seeking licensure, the dates of the commissioner's receipt of the initial application and completed application, the type of license sought, and the date of withdrawal of the application.

(3) For applicants who are denied a license, the following data are public: the name and address of the applicant, the city and county in which the applicant was seeking licensure, the dates of the commissioner's receipt of the initial application and completed application, the type of license sought, the date of denial of the application, the nature of the basis for the denial, the existence of settlement negotiations, the record of informal resolution of a denial, orders of hearings, findings of fact, conclusions of law, specifications of the final order of denial, and the status of any appeal of the denial.

(4) When maltreatment is substantiated under section 626.557 or chapter 260E and the victim and the substantiated perpetrator are affiliated with a program licensed under chapter 142B or 245A; the commissioner of human services; commissioner of children, youth, and families; local social services agency; or county welfare agency may inform the license holder where the maltreatment occurred of the identity of the substantiated perpetrator and the victim.

(5) Notwithstanding clause (1), for child foster care, only the name of the license holder and the status of the license are public if the county attorney has requested that data otherwise classified as public data under clause (1) be considered private data based on the best interests of a child in placement in a licensed program.

(c) The following are private data on individuals under section 13.02, subdivision 12, or nonpublic data under section 13.02, subdivision 9: personal and personal financial data on family day care program and family foster care program applicants and licensees and their family members who provide services under the license.

(d) The following are private data on individuals: the identity of persons who have made reports concerning licensees or applicants that appear in inactive investigative data, and the records of clients or employees of the licensee or applicant for licensure whose records are received by the licensing agency for purposes of review or in anticipation of a contested matter. The names of reporters of complaints or alleged violations of licensing standards under chapters 142B, 245A, 245B, 245C, and 245D, and applicable rules and alleged maltreatment under section 626.557 and chapter 260E, are confidential data and may be disclosed only as provided in section 260E.21, subdivision 4; 260E.35; or 626.557, subdivision 12b.

(e) Data classified as private, confidential, nonpublic, or protected nonpublic under this subdivision become public data if submitted to a court or administrative law judge as part of a disciplinary proceeding in which there is a public hearing concerning a license which has been suspended, immediately suspended, revoked, or denied.

(f) Data generated in the course of licensing investigations that relate to an alleged violation of law are investigative data under subdivision 3.

(g) Data that are not public data collected, maintained, used, or disseminated under this subdivision that relate to or are derived from a report as defined in section 260E.03, or 626.5572, subdivision 18, are subject to the destruction provisions of sections 260E.35, subdivision 6, and 626.557, subdivision 12b.

(h) Upon request, not public data collected, maintained, used, or disseminated under this subdivision that relate to or are derived from a report of substantiated maltreatment as defined in section 626.557 or chapter 260E may be exchanged with the Department of Health for purposes of completing background studies pursuant to section 144.057 and with the Department of Corrections for purposes of completing background studies pursuant to section 241.021.

(i) Data on individuals collected according to licensing activities under chapters 142B, 245A, and 245C and data on individuals collected by the commissioner of human services or the commissioner of children, youth, and families according to investigations under section 626.557 and chapters 142B, 245A, 245B, 245C, 245D, and 260E may be shared with the Department of Human Rights, the Department of Health, the Department of Corrections, the ombudsman for mental health and developmental disabilities, and the individual's professional regulatory board and between the commissioners of human services and children, youth, and families when there is reason to believe that laws or standards under the jurisdiction of those agencies may have been violated or the information may otherwise be relevant to the board's regulatory jurisdiction. Background study data on an individual who is the subject of a background study under chapter 245C for a licensed service for which the commissioner of human services; the commissioner of children, youth, and families; or the Direct Care and Treatment executive board is the license holder may be shared with the commissioner and the commissioner's delegate by the licensing division. Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, the identity of a reporter of alleged maltreatment or licensing violations may not be disclosed.

(j) In addition to the notice of determinations required under sections 260E.24, subdivisions 5 and 7, and 260E.30, subdivision 6, paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f), if the commissioner of human services; commissioner of children, youth, and families; or the local social services agency has determined that an individual is a substantiated perpetrator of maltreatment of a child based on sexual abuse, as defined in section 260E.03, and the commissioner of human services; commissioner of children, youth, and families; or local social services agency knows that the individual is a person responsible for a child's care in another facility, the commissioner of human services; commissioner of children, youth, and families; or local social services agency shall notify the head of that facility of this determination. The notification must include an explanation of the individual's available appeal rights and the status of any appeal. If a notice is given under this paragraph, the government entity making the notification shall provide a copy of the notice to the individual who is the subject of the notice.

(k) All not public data collected, maintained, used, or disseminated under this subdivision and subdivision 3 may be exchanged between the Department of Human Services, Licensing Division, and the Department of Corrections for purposes of regulating services for which the Department of Human Services and the Department of Corrections have regulatory authority.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 13.461, subdivision 7a, is amended to read:

Subd. 7a.

Background studies.

(a) Access to and sharing of data for human services background studies under chapter 245C are governed by that chapter.

(b) Disqualifying records that are the subject of an order for expungement are governed by section 245C.22, subdivision 7, paragraph deleted text begin (f) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end .

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 13.825, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Data classification; court-authorized disclosure.

(a) Data collected by a portable recording system are private data on individuals or nonpublic data, subject to the following:

(1) data that record, describe, or otherwise document actions and circumstances surrounding either the discharge of a firearm by a peace officer in the course of duty, if a notice is required under section 626.553, subdivision 2, or the use of force by a peace officer that results in substantial bodily harm, as defined in section 609.02, subdivision 7a, are public;

(2) data are public if a subject of the data requests it be made accessible to the public, except that, if practicable, (i) data on a subject who is not a peace officer and who does not consent to the release must be redacted, and (ii) data on a peace officer whose identity is protected under section 13.82, subdivision 17, clause (a), must be redacted;

(3) subject to paragraphs (b) to (d), portable recording system data that are active criminal investigative data are governed by section 13.82, subdivision 7, and portable recording system data that are inactive criminal investigative data are governed by this section;

(4) portable recording system data that are public personnel data under section 13.43, subdivision 2, new text begin paragraph (a), new text end clause (5), are public; and

(5) data that are not public data under other provisions of this chapter retain that classification.

(b) Notwithstanding section 13.82, subdivision 7, when an individual dies as a result of a use of force by a peace officer, an involved officer's law enforcement agency must allow the following individuals, upon their request, to inspect all portable recording system data, redacted no more than what is required by law, documenting the incident within five days of the request, subject to paragraphs (c) and (d):

(1) the deceased individual's next of kin;

(2) the legal representative of the deceased individual's next of kin; and

(3) the other parent of the deceased individual's child.

(c) A law enforcement agency may deny a request to inspect portable recording system data under paragraph (b) if the agency determines that there is a compelling reason that inspection would interfere with an active investigation. If the agency denies access under this paragraph, the chief law enforcement officer must provide a prompt, written denial to the individual in paragraph (b) who requested the data with a short description of the compelling reason access was denied and must provide notice that relief may be sought from the district court pursuant to section 13.82, subdivision 7.

(d) When an individual dies as a result of a use of force by a peace officer, an involved officer's law enforcement agency shall release all portable recording system data, redacted no more than what is required by law, documenting the incident no later than 14 days after the incident, unless the chief law enforcement officer asserts in writing that the public classification would interfere with an ongoing investigation, in which case the data remain classified by section 13.82, subdivision 7.

(e) A law enforcement agency may redact or withhold access to portions of data that are public under this subdivision if those portions of data are clearly offensive to common sensibilities.

(f) Section 13.04, subdivision 2, does not apply to collection of data classified by this subdivision.

(g) Any person may bring an action in the district court located in the county where portable recording system data are being maintained to authorize disclosure of data that are private or nonpublic under this section or to challenge a determination under paragraph (e) to redact or withhold access to portions of data because the data are clearly offensive to common sensibilities. The person bringing the action must give notice of the action to the law enforcement agency and subjects of the data, if known. The law enforcement agency must give notice to other subjects of the data, if known, who did not receive the notice from the person bringing the action. The court may order that all or part of the data be released to the public or to the person bringing the action. In making this determination, the court shall consider whether the benefit to the person bringing the action or to the public outweighs any harm to the public, to the law enforcement agency, or to a subject of the data and, if the action is challenging a determination under paragraph (e), whether the data are clearly offensive to common sensibilities. The data in dispute must be examined by the court in camera. This paragraph does not affect the right of a defendant in a criminal proceeding to obtain access to portable recording system data under the Rules of Criminal Procedure.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 34.02, is amended to read:

34.02 LICENSES; EXCEPTIONS.

No person may manufacture, mix, or compound any soft drinks or other nonalcoholic beverage, to be sold in bottles, barrels, kegs, jars, coolers, cans, glasses or tumblers, or other containers, without first having obtained a license from the commissioner. License fees shall be established in accordance with section deleted text begin 28A.05, paragraph (c) deleted text end new text begin 28A.08, subdivision 3 new text end . Sections 34.02 to 34.11 do not apply to beverages manufactured, mixed, or compounded in quantities of one quart or less at one time.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 43A.34, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Correctional personnel exempted.

Any employee of the state of Minnesota in a covered classification as defined in section deleted text begin 352.91 deleted text end new text begin 352.905 new text end , who is a member of the special retirement program for correctional personnel established pursuant to sections 352.90 to 352.95, may elect to retire from employment in the covered correctional position upon reaching the age of 55 years.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 52.09, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Particular duties.

The directors shall manage the affairs of the credit union and shall:

(1) act on applications for membership. This power may be delegated to a membership chair who serves at the pleasure of the board of directors and is subject to its rules. An application must contain a certification signed by the membership chair or a member of the board showing the basis of membership;

(2) determine interest rates on loans and on deposits. The interest period on deposits may be on a daily, monthly, quarterly, semiannual, or annual basis, and may be paid on all deposits whether or not the deposits have been withdrawn during the interest period. Interest may be computed on a daily basis;

(3) fix the amount of the surety bond required of all officers and employees handling money;

(4) declare dividends and transmit to the members recommended amendments to the bylaws;

(5) fill vacancies in the board and in the credit committee until successors are chosen and qualify at the next annual meeting;

(6) limit the number of shares and deposits which may be owned by a member, not to exceed ten percent of the outstanding shares and deposits, or $2,000, whichever is larger, and the maximum individual loan which can be made with and without security, including liability indirectly as a comaker, guarantor, or endorser to ten percent of outstanding shares and deposits. The ten percent share and deposit limitation is not applicable to the Minnesota corporate credit union, or to credit unions insured by the National Credit Union Administration;

(7) have charge of investments including loans to members. If a credit committee is established pursuant to section 52.08 or clause (13), then the credit committee shall have charge of loans to members;

(8) fix the salaries of the treasurer and other employees, which must be on a fixed monthly or annual basis, in dollars (not percentage);

(9) designate the depository institution in which the funds of the credit union will be deposited;

(10) authorize the officers of the credit union to borrow money from any source, as provided in section 52.15;

(11) with the permission of the commissioner of commerce, suspend any member of the credit committee or supervisory committee if it deems this action necessary to the proper conduct of the credit union, and call the members together to act on the suspension within a reasonable time after the suspension. The members at the meeting may, by majority vote of those present, sustain the suspension and remove the committee members permanently or may reinstate the committee members;

(12) provide financial assistance to the supervisory committee in carrying out its audit responsibilities;

(13) if the bylaws so provide and no credit committee has been elected pursuant to section 52.08, appoint a credit manager or a credit committee of not less than three members; and

(14) deleted text begin to deleted text end establish different classes of shares.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 60D.18, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Orders and penalties.

new text begin (a) new text end If an acquisition violates the standards of this section, the commissioner may enter an order:

(1) requiring an involved insurer to cease and desist from doing business in this state with respect to the line or lines of insurance involved in the violation; or

(2) denying the application of an acquired or acquiring insurer for a license to do business in this state.

new text begin (b) new text end The order must not be entered unless there is a hearing, the notice of the hearing is issued before the end of the waiting period and not less than 15 days before the hearing, and the hearing is concluded and the order is issued no later than 60 days after the end of the waiting period. Every order must be accompanied by a written decision of the commissioner setting forth findings of fact and conclusions of law.

new text begin (c) new text end An order entered under this deleted text begin paragraph deleted text end new text begin subdivision new text end shall not become final earlier than 30 days after it is issued, during which time the involved insurer may submit a plan to remedy the anticompetitive impact of the acquisition within a reasonable time. Based upon the plan or other information, the commissioner shall specify the conditions, if any, under the time period during which the aspects of the acquisition causing a violation of the standards of this section would be remedied and the order vacated or modified.

new text begin (d) new text end An order pursuant to this subdivision does not apply if the acquisition is not consummated.

new text begin (e) new text end Any person who violates a cease and desist order of the commissioner and while the order is in effect, may after notice and hearing and upon order of the commissioner, be subject at the discretion of the commissioner to any one or more of the following:

(1) a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for every day of violation;

(2) suspension or revocation of the person's license.

new text begin (f) new text end Any insurer or other person who fails to make any filing required by this section and who also fails to demonstrate a good faith effort to comply with the filing requirement, is subject to a fine of not more than $50,000.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 62A.318, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Contents of plan of operation.

A Medicare select issuer shall file a proposed plan of operation with the commissioner, in a format prescribed by the commissioner. The plan of operation shall contain at least the following information:

(1) evidence that all covered services that are subject to restricted network provisions are available and accessible through network providers, including a demonstration that:

(i) the services can be provided by network providers with reasonable promptness with respect to geographic location, hours of operation, and after-hour care. The hours of operation and availability of after-hour care shall reflect usual practice in the local area. Geographic availability shall reflect the usual travel times within the community;

(ii) the number of network providers in the service area is sufficient, with respect to current and expected policyholders, either:

(A) to deliver adequately all services that are subject to a restricted network provision; or

(B) to make appropriate referrals;

(iii) there are written agreements with network providers describing specific responsibilities;

(iv) emergency care is available 24 hours per day and seven days per week; and

(v) in the case of covered services that are subject to a restricted network provision and are provided on a prepaid basis, there are written agreements with network providers prohibiting the providers from billing or otherwise seeking reimbursement from or recourse against an individual insured under a Medicare select policy or certificate. This section does not apply to supplemental charges or coinsurance amounts as stated in the Medicare select policy or certificate;

(2) a statement or map providing a clear description of the service area;

(3) a description of the grievance procedure to be used;

(4) a description of the quality assurance program, including:

(i) the formal organizational structure;

(ii) the written criteria for selection, retention, and removal of network providers; and

(iii) the procedures for evaluating quality of care provided by network providers, and the process to initiate corrective action when warranted;

(5) a list and description, by specialty, of the network providers;

(6) copies of the written information proposed to be used by the issuer to comply with deleted text begin paragraph (i) deleted text end new text begin subdivision 9 new text end ; and

(7) any other information requested by the commissioner.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 65A.35, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Administration.

(1) The Minnesota FAIR plan is administered by a board of nine directors, five of whom are elected by the members of the plan and four who represent the public. Public directors may include licensed insurance agents. Public directors are appointed by the commissioner. No less than two elected directors must be representatives of domestic insurers. In the election of directors, each member of the Minnesota FAIR plan is allotted votes bearing the same ratio to the total number of votes to be cast as its degree of participation in the plan bears to the total participation.

(2) Any vacancy among the elected directors must be filled by a vote of the other elected directors.

(3) If at any time the members fail to elect the required number of directors to the board, or a vacancy remains unfilled for more than 15 days, the commissioner may appoint the directors necessary to constitute a full board of directors.

(4) Vacancies among directors appointed by the commissioner must be filled by appointment by the commissioner. A person so appointed serves until the end of the term of the director the person is replacing.

(5) All public directors serve for a period of two years. The terms of all public directors begin on July 1 of the year their appointments begin.

(6) The plan of operation must provide for adequate compensation of public directors. A per diem amount and a procedure for reimbursement of expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties must be included in the plan. Private directors are not eligible for compensation.

(7) At the option of the board, employees may participate in an insurance plan administered by the commissioner of management and budget under chapter 43A, except as otherwise provided in section 43A.27, subdivision 2, clause deleted text begin (6) deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end .

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 65B.05, is amended to read:

65B.05 POWER OF FACILITY, GOVERNING COMMITTEE.

(a) The facility is authorized to: (1) issue or cause to be issued insurance policies in the name of the Minnesota automobile insurance plan to applicants for the types of insurance available under the plan, subject to limits specified in the plan of operation; (2) underwrite the insurance and adjust and pay losses with respect to the plan; and (3) retain, hire, or appoint an individual or company to perform a function under clause (1) or (2).

(b) The governing committee shall have the power to direct the operation of the facility in all pursuits consistent with the purposes and terms of sections 65B.01 to 65B.12, including but not limited to:

(1) suing and being sued in the name of the facility and deleted text begin assess deleted text end new text begin assessing new text end each member in accord with its participation ratio to pay any judgment against the facility as an entity, provided, however, that no judgment against the facility shall create any liabilities in one or more members disproportionate to their participation ratio or an individual representing members on the governing committee;

(2) delegating ministerial duties, hiring a manager, and contracting for goods and services from others;

(3) assessing members on the basis of participation ratios to cover anticipated costs of operation and administration of the facility; and

(4) imposing limitations on cancellation or nonrenewal by members of insureds covered pursuant to placement through the facility in addition to the limitations imposed by chapter 72A and sections 65B.1311 to 65B.21.

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 65B.133, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

For the purposes of this section, the terms defined in this deleted text begin section deleted text end new text begin subdivision new text end have the meanings given them.

(a) "Computed premium" means the rate in effect before the application of a surcharge.

(b) "Chargeable accident" means an accident which is taken into consideration in applying a surcharge.

(c) "Chargeable traffic violation" means a traffic violation which is taken into consideration in applying a surcharge.

(d) "Policy" means a policy providing private passenger vehicle insurance, as defined in section 65B.001, subdivision 2.

(e) "Surcharge" means any increase in premium for a policy, including the removal of an accident-free or claim-free discount, based upon an accident or a traffic violation.

(f) "Surcharge disclosure statement" means a written statement disclosing the surcharge plan of an insurer, the effective date of the surcharge plan, and the name of the insurer, and any other information which the commissioner may require to be disclosed to assist insureds in comparing surcharge plans among insurers.

(g) "Surcharge plan" means the conditions under which an insurer applies a surcharge including but not limited to: (1) the maximum dollar amount which an insurer pays due to an accident without applying a surcharge, (2) accidents which are not chargeable, (3) chargeable traffic violations, (4) the length of time that an accident or a traffic violation is chargeable, and (5) surcharge rates for the first and each successive accident or traffic violation.

(h) "Surcharge rate" means the amount of any surcharge expressed as a percentage of the computed premium rate or as a dollar amount surcharge, if a percentage surcharge is not used.

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 65B.15, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Grounds and notice.

No cancellation or reduction in the limits of liability of coverage during the policy period of any policy shall be effective unless notice thereof is given and unless based on one or more reasons stated in the policy which shall be limited to the following:

1. nonpayment of premium; or

2. the policy was obtained through a material misrepresentation; or

3. any insured made a false or fraudulent claim or knowingly aided or abetted another in the presentation of such a claim; or

4. the named insured failed to disclose fully motor vehicle accidents and moving traffic violations of the named insured for the preceding 36 months if called for in the written application; or

5. the named insured failed to disclose in the written application any requested information necessary for the acceptance or proper rating of the risk; or

6. the named insured knowingly failed to give any required written notice of loss or notice of lawsuit commenced against the named insured, or, when requested, refused to cooperate in the investigation of a claim or defense of a lawsuit; or

7. the named insured or any other operator who either resides in the same household, or customarily operates an automobile insured under such policy, unless the other operator is identified as a named insured in another policy as an insured:

(a) has, within the 36 months prior to the notice of cancellation, had that person's driver's license under suspension or revocation because the person committed a moving traffic violation or because the person refused to be tested under section 169A.20, subdivision 1; or

(b) is or becomes subject to epilepsy or heart attacks, and such individual does not produce a written opinion from a physician testifying to that person's medical ability to operate a motor vehicle safely, such opinion to be based upon a reasonable medical probability; or

(c) has an accident record, conviction record (criminal or traffic), physical condition or mental condition, any one or all of which are such that the person's operation of an automobile might endanger the public safety; or

(d) has been convicted, or forfeited bail, during the 24 months immediately preceding the notice of cancellation for criminal negligence in the use or operation of an automobile, or assault arising out of the operation of a motor vehicle, or operating a motor vehicle while in an intoxicated condition or while under the influence of drugs; or leaving the scene of an accident without stopping to report; or making false statements in an application for a driver's license, or theft or unlawful taking of a motor vehicle; or

(e) has been convicted of, or forfeited bail for, one or more violations within the 18 months immediately preceding the notice of cancellation, of any law, ordinance, or rule which justify a revocation of a driver's license; or

8. the insured automobile is:

(a) so mechanically defective that its operation might endanger public safety; or

(b) used in carrying passengers for hire or compensation, provided however that the use of an automobile for a car pool or a private passenger vehicle used by a volunteer driver, as defined under section 65B.472, subdivision 1, paragraph deleted text begin (h) deleted text end new text begin (p) new text end , shall not be considered use of an automobile for hire or compensation; or

(c) used in the business of transportation of flammables or explosives; or

(d) an authorized emergency vehicle; or

(e) subject to an inspection law and has not been inspected or, if inspected, has failed to qualify within the period specified under such inspection law; or

(f) substantially changed in type or condition during the policy period, increasing the risk substantially, such as conversion to a commercial type vehicle, a dragster, sports car or so as to give clear evidence of a use other than the original use.

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 66A.16, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Mutual casualty companies.

new text begin (a) new text end Any mutual insurance company which establishes and maintains, over and above its liabilities and the reserves required by law of a like stock insurance company, a guaranty fund available for the payment of losses and expenses at least equal to the capital stock required of a like stock insurance company may issue policies of insurance without contingent liability, and when the articles of incorporation of any mutual insurance company having this guaranty fund provide, the company may transact any and all of the kinds of business as set forth in section 60A.06, subdivision 1, clauses (1) to (15), subject to the restrictions and limitations imposed by law on a like stock insurance company, and any domestic mutual company having a guaranty fund equal to the amount of capital stock required of a like stock insurance company may insure the same kinds of property and conduct and carry on its business, subject only to the restrictions and limitations applicable to like domestic stock insurance companies.

new text begin (b) new text end Subdivision 1 shall not apply to this guaranty fund except that the guaranty fund of the company shall be invested in the same manner as is provided by law for the investment of its other funds. Every such company shall in its annual statement show as separate items the amount of the guaranty fund and the remaining divisible surplus, and the aggregate of these items shall be shown as surplus to policyholders.

new text begin (c) new text end A guaranty fund may be created, in whole or in part, in either or both of the following ways:

(1) where an existing mutual company has a surplus, the members of the company may at any regular or special meeting set aside from and out of its surplus such sum as shall be fixed by resolution to be transferred to and thereafter constitute, in whole or in part, the guaranty fund of the company; or

(2) by the issuance of guaranty fund certificates, as specified in this subdivision, the same to be issued upon the conditions and subject to the rights and obligations specified in this subdivision.

new text begin (d) new text end Any such company establishing a guaranty fund, as provided in this subdivision, may, subject to the restrictions and limitations imposed by law as to a like stock insurance company, amend its articles to provide for the doing by it of one or more of the kinds of insurance business specified in section 60A.06, subdivision 1, clauses (1) to (15).

new text begin (e) new text end The policy liability of any such mutual company issuing policies without a contingent liability shall, as to these policies, be computed upon the same basis as is applicable to like policies issued by stock insurance companies. Where any such company shall issue five-year term policies, wherein the premiums shall be payable in annual or biennial installments and no premium note is taken by the company as payment of the full term premium, the company then shall be required to maintain a reserve fund on only the portion of premiums actually collected from time to time under these term policies and no company so creating a guaranty fund shall issue policies without a contingent liability after the guaranty fund shall be impaired or reduced below the capital required of a like stock insurance company doing the same kind or kinds of insurance. Any company having a guaranty fund may insure, without a contingent liability, any kind or class of property which a like stock company may insure.

new text begin (f) new text end Any director, officer, or member of any mutual insurance company, or any other person, may advance to the company any sum of money necessary for the purposes of its business or to enable it to comply with any of the requirements of the law, including the creation, in whole or in part, of a guaranty fund to enable it to do one or more of the kinds of business specified in this subdivision, and for the creation by a company issuing policies with a contingent liability of a guaranty fund, in such amount as the board of directors shall determine, for the protection of policyholders of the company, and the moneys, together with the interest thereon as may have been agreed upon, not exceeding ten percent per annum, shall be repaid only out of the surplus remaining after providing for all reserves, if any, and other liability, and which shall not otherwise be a liability or claim against the company or any of its assets. No commission or promotion expenses shall be paid in connection with the advance of any money to the company, and the amount of the advance remaining unpaid shall be reported in each annual statement.

new text begin (g) new text end The company shall issue to each person advancing money for the creation of a guaranty fund a certificate or certificates specifying the amount advanced. These certificates may be assigned by the holder and the transfer recorded upon the books of the company. The holders of the guaranty fund certificates shall be entitled to annual interest thereon at the rate agreed upon, if the net profits of the company, after all losses, expenses, liabilities, and legal reserves, if any, have been paid or provided for, are sufficient to pay the same. If the net profits of the company in any year are insufficient to pay the full amount of interest agreed upon, the difference may be paid in any subsequent year from the net profits of the subsequent years, if approval of the commissioner is obtained before accrual for or payment of the interest.

new text begin (h) new text end The guaranty fund shall be applied to the payment of losses and expenses when necessary and, if the guaranty fund be impaired, the directors may make good the whole or any part of the impairment from future net profits of the company or by the issue and sale of additional guaranty fund certificates, but no interest shall be paid on the guaranty fund certificates while the guaranty fund is impaired. No certificate shall be issued except for money actually paid to the company, which amount shall be plainly and legibly stated therein. The company shall issue certificates only in sums of $10, or multiples thereof; it shall keep a record of the name and address of the person to whom issued and of all assignments thereof. Upon surrender of a certificate duly assigned in writing, the company shall cancel the same and issue a new certificate to the assignee.

new text begin (i) new text end Each certificate holder of record shall be entitled to one vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of the members of the company, for each $10 investment in the guaranty fund certificates.

new text begin (j) new text end The guaranty fund may be reduced or retired by vote of the board of directors of the company and the assent of the commissioner, if the net assets of the company, above its legal reserves, if any, and all other claims and obligations are sufficient therefor. The certificate holders shall be entitled to choose and elect from among their own members or from among the policyholders at least one-half of the total number of directors.

new text begin (k) new text end In case the members of any company by resolution adopted at any regular meeting or special meeting called for that purpose shall determine to wind up and liquidate the business of any such company, the assets thereof shall be applied (1) to the payment of the expense of the liquidation; (2) to the payment of any accrued liability, including losses, if any; (3) to the payment of any unearned premiums on policies in force at the time of the liquidation; (4) to the payment of guaranty fund certificates, if any, together with accrued interest thereon, if any; and (5) the residue shall be distributed according to the provisions of chapter 60B.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 80E.13, is amended to read:

80E.13 UNFAIR PRACTICES BY MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS, FACTORY BRANCHES.

It is unlawful and an unfair practice for a manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch to engage in any of the following practices directly or through an entity that it controls or is controlled by:

deleted text begin (a) deleted text end new text begin (1) new text end delay, refuse, or fail to deliver new motor vehicles or new motor vehicle parts or accessories in reasonable time and in reasonable quantity relative to the new motor vehicle dealer's facilities and sales potential in the dealer's relevant market area, after having accepted an order from a new motor vehicle dealer having a franchise for the retail sale of any new motor vehicle sold or distributed by the manufacturer or distributor, if the new motor vehicle or new motor vehicle parts or accessories are publicly advertised as being available for delivery or actually being delivered. This clause is not violated, however, if the failure is caused by acts or causes beyond the control of the manufacturer;

deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin (2) new text end refuse to disclose to any new motor vehicle dealer handling the same line make, the manner and mode of distribution of that line make within the relevant market area;

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end obtain money, goods, service, or any other benefit from any other person with whom the dealer does business, on account of, or in relation to, the transaction between the dealer and the other person, other than for compensation for services rendered, unless the benefit is promptly accounted for, and transmitted to, the new motor vehicle dealer;

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (4) new text end increase prices of new motor vehicles which the new motor vehicle dealer had ordered for private retail consumers prior to the dealer's receiving the written official price increase notification. A sales contract signed by a private retail consumer shall constitute evidence of each order if the vehicle is in fact delivered to that customer. In the event of manufacturer price reductions, the amount of any reduction received by a dealer shall be passed on to the private retail consumer by the dealer if the retail price was negotiated on the basis of the previous higher price to the dealer;

deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end offer any refunds or other types of inducements to any new motor vehicle dealer for the purchase of new motor vehicles of a certain line make without making the same offer to all other new motor vehicle dealers in the same line make within geographic areas reasonably determined by the manufacturer;

deleted text begin (f) deleted text end new text begin (6) new text end release to any outside party, except under subpoena or in an administrative or judicial proceeding involving the manufacturer or dealer, any business, financial, or personal information which may be provided by the dealer to the manufacturer, without the express written consent of the dealer or unless pertinent to judicial or governmental administrative proceedings or to arbitration proceedings of any kind;

deleted text begin (g) deleted text end new text begin (7) new text end deny any new motor vehicle dealer the right of free association with any other new motor vehicle dealer for any lawful purpose;

deleted text begin (h) deleted text end new text begin (8) new text end unfairly discriminate among its new motor vehicle dealers with respect to warranty reimbursement or authority granted its new vehicle dealers to make warranty adjustments with retail customers;

deleted text begin (i) deleted text end new text begin (9) new text end compete with a new motor vehicle dealer in the same line make operating under an agreement or franchise from the same manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch. A manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch is considered to be competing when it has an ownership interest, other than a passive interest held for investment purposes, in a dealership of its line make in this state, or in a dealership of a competing line make in this state. A manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch shall not, however, be deemed to be competing when operating a dealership, either temporarily or for a reasonable period, which is for sale to any qualified independent person at a fair and reasonable price, or when involved in a bona fide relationship in which an independent person has made a significant investment subject to loss in the dealership and can reasonably expect to acquire full ownership and full management and operational control of the dealership within a reasonable time on reasonable terms and conditions;

deleted text begin (j) deleted text end new text begin (10) new text end prevent a new motor vehicle dealer from transferring or assigning a new motor vehicle dealership to a qualified transferee. There shall be no transfer, assignment of the franchise, or major change in the executive management of the dealership, except as is otherwise provided in sections 80E.01 to 80E.17, without consent of the manufacturer, which shall not be withheld without good cause. In determining whether good cause exists for withholding consent to a transfer or assignment, the manufacturer, distributor, factory branch, or importer has the burden of proving that the transferee is a person who is not of good moral character or does not meet the franchisor's existing and reasonable capital standards and, considering the volume of sales and service of the new motor vehicle dealer, reasonable business experience standards in the market area. Denial of the request must be in writing and delivered to the new motor vehicle dealer within 60 days after the manufacturer receives the completed application customarily used by the manufacturer, distributor, factory branch, or importer for dealer appointments. If a denial is not sent within this period, the manufacturer shall be deemed to have given its consent to the proposed transfer or change. In the event of a proposed sale or transfer of a franchise, the manufacturer, distributor, factory branch, or importer shall be permitted to exercise a right of first refusal to acquire the franchisee's assets or ownership if:

deleted text begin (1) deleted text end new text begin (i) new text end the franchise agreement permits the manufacturer, distributor, factory branch, or importer to exercise a right of first refusal to acquire the franchisee's assets or ownership in the event of a proposed sale or transfer;

deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (ii) new text end the proposed transfer of the dealership or its assets is of more than 50 percent of the ownership or assets;

deleted text begin (3) deleted text end new text begin (iii) new text end the manufacturer, distributor, factory branch, or importer notifies the dealer in writing within 60 days of its receipt of the complete written proposal for the proposed sale or transfer on forms generally utilized by the manufacturer, distributor, factory branch, or importer for such purposes and containing the information required therein and all documents and agreements relating to the proposed sale or transfer;

deleted text begin (4) deleted text end new text begin (iv) new text end the exercise of the right of first refusal will result in the dealer and dealer's owners receiving the same or greater consideration with equivalent terms of sale as is provided in the documents and agreements submitted to the manufacturer, distributor, factory branch, or importer under deleted text begin clause (3) deleted text end new text begin item (iii) new text end ;

deleted text begin (5) deleted text end new text begin (v) new text end the proposed change of 50 percent or more of the ownership or of the dealership assets does not involve the transfer or sale of assets or the transfer or issuance of stock by the dealer or one or more dealer owners to a family member, including a spouse, child, stepchild, grandchild, spouse of a child or grandchild, brother, sister, or parent of the dealer owner; to a manager who has been employed in the dealership for at least four years and is otherwise qualified as a dealer operator; or to a partnership or corporation owned and controlled by one or more of such persons; and

deleted text begin (6) deleted text end new text begin (vi) new text end the manufacturer, distributor, factory branch, or importer agrees to pay the reasonable expenses, including reasonable attorney fees, which do not exceed the usual customary and reasonable fees charged for similar work done for other clients incurred by the proposed new owner and transferee before the manufacturer, distributor, factory branch, or importer exercises its right of first refusal, in negotiating and implementing the contract for the proposed change of ownership or transfer of dealership assets. However, payment of such expenses and attorney fees shall not be required if the dealer has not submitted or caused to be submitted an accounting of those expenses within 20 days after the dealer's receipt of the manufacturer, distributor, factory branch, or importer's written request for such an accounting. The manufacturer, distributor, factory branch, or importer may request such an accounting before exercising its right of first refusal. The obligation created under this deleted text begin clause deleted text end new text begin item new text end is enforceable by the transferee;

deleted text begin (k) deleted text end new text begin (11) new text end threaten to modify or replace or modify or replace a franchise with a succeeding franchise that would adversely alter the rights or obligations of a new motor vehicle dealer under an existing franchise or that substantially impairs the sales or service obligations or investments of the motor vehicle dealer;

deleted text begin (l) deleted text end new text begin (12) new text end unreasonably deny the right to acquire factory program vehicles to any dealer holding a valid franchise from the manufacturer to sell the same line make of vehicles, provided that the manufacturer may impose reasonable restrictions and limitations on the purchase or resale of program vehicles to be applied equitably to all of its franchised dealers. For the purposes of this deleted text begin paragraph deleted text end new text begin clause new text end , "factory program vehicle" has the meaning given the term in section 80E.06, subdivision 2;

deleted text begin (m) deleted text end new text begin (13) new text end except as provided in deleted text begin paragraph (n) deleted text end new text begin clause (14) new text end , fail or refuse to offer to its same line make franchised dealers all models manufactured for that line make, including alternative fuel vehicles as defined in section 216C.01, subdivision 1b. Failure to offer a model is not a violation of this section if the failure is not arbitrary and is due to a lack of manufacturing capacity, a strike, labor difficulty, or other cause over which the manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch has no control;

deleted text begin (n) deleted text end new text begin (14) new text end require a dealer to pay an extra fee, or remodel, renovate, or recondition the dealer's existing facilities, or purchase unreasonable advertising displays, training, tools, or other materials, or to require the dealer to establish exclusive facilities or dedicated personnel as a prerequisite to receiving a model or a series of vehicles. A manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch may require a dealer to comply with reasonable requirements for the sale and service of an alternative fuel vehicle or to serve an alternative fuel vehicle customer;

deleted text begin (o) deleted text end new text begin (15) new text end require a dealer by program, incentive provision, or otherwise to adhere to performance standards that are not applied uniformly to other similarly situated dealers.

A performance standard, sales objective, or program for measuring dealership performance that may have a material effect on a dealer, including the dealer's right to payment under any incentive or reimbursement program, and the application of the standard or program by a manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch must be fair, reasonable, equitable, and based on accurate information. Upon written request by any of its franchised dealers located within Minnesota, a manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch must provide the method or formula used by the manufacturer in establishing the sales volumes for receiving a rebate or incentive and the specific calculations for determining the required sales volumes of the inquiring dealer and any of the manufacturer's other Minnesota-franchised new motor vehicle dealers of the same line-make located within 75 miles of the inquiring dealer. Nothing contained in this section requires a manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch to disclose confidential business information of any of its franchised dealers or the required numerical sales volumes that any of its franchised dealers must attain to receive a rebate or incentive. An inquiring dealer may file a civil action as provided in section 80E.17 without a showing of injury if a manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch fails to make the disclosure required by this section.

A manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch has the burden of proving that the performance standard, sales objective, or program for measuring dealership performance is fair, reasonable, and uniformly applied under this section;

deleted text begin (p) deleted text end new text begin (16) new text end assign or change a dealer's area of sales effectiveness arbitrarily or without due regard to the present pattern of motor vehicle sales and registrations within the dealer's market. The manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch must provide at least 90 days' notice of the proposed change. The change may not take effect if the dealer commences a civil action within the 90 days' notice period to determine whether the manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch met its obligations under this section. The burden of proof in such an action shall be on the manufacturer or distributor. In determining at the evidentiary hearing whether a manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch has assigned or changed the dealer's area of sales effectiveness or is proposing to assign or change the dealer's area of sales effectiveness arbitrarily or without due regard to the present pattern of motor vehicle sales and registrations within the dealer's market, the court may take into consideration the relevant circumstances, including, but not limited to:

deleted text begin (1) deleted text end new text begin (i) new text end the traffic patterns between consumers and the same line-make franchised dealers of the affected manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch who are located within the market;

deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (ii) new text end the pattern of new vehicle sales and registrations of the affected manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch within various portions of the area of sales effectiveness and within the market as a whole;

deleted text begin (3) deleted text end new text begin (iii) new text end the growth or decline in population, density of population, and new car registrations in the market;

deleted text begin (4) deleted text end new text begin (iv) new text end the presence or absence of natural geographical obstacles or boundaries, such as rivers;

deleted text begin (5) deleted text end new text begin (v) new text end the proximity of census tracts or other geographic units used by the affected manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, or distributor branch in determining the same line-make dealers' respective areas of sales effectiveness; and

deleted text begin (6) deleted text end new text begin (vi) new text end the reasonableness of the change or proposed change to the dealer's area of sales effectiveness, considering the benefits and harm to the petitioning dealer, other same line-make dealers, and the manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch;

deleted text begin (q) deleted text end new text begin (17) new text end to charge back, withhold payment, deny vehicle allocation, or take any other adverse action against a dealer when a new vehicle sold by the dealer has been exported to a foreign country, unless the manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch can show that at the time of sale, the customer's information was listed on a known or suspected exporter list made available to the dealer, or the dealer knew or reasonably should have known of the purchaser's intention to export or resell the motor vehicle in violation of the manufacturer's export policy. There is a rebuttable presumption that the dealer did not know or should not have reasonably known that the vehicle would be exported or resold in violation of the manufacturer's export policy if the vehicle is titled and registered in any state of the United States; new text begin or new text end

deleted text begin (r) to implement a charge back or withhold payment to a dealer that is solely due to an unreasonable delay by the registrar, as defined in section 168.002, subdivision 29, in the transfer or registration of a new motor vehicle. The dealer must give the manufacturer notice of the state's delay in writing. Within 30 days of any notice of a charge back, withholding of payments, or denial of a claim, the dealer must transmit to the manufacturer: (1) documentation to demonstrate the vehicle sale and delivery as reported; and (2) a written attestation signed by the dealer operator or general manager stating that the delay is attributable to the state. This clause expires on June 30, 2022; or deleted text end

deleted text begin (s) deleted text end new text begin (18) new text end to require a dealer or prospective dealer by program, incentive provision, or otherwise to construct improvements to its or a predecessor's facilities or to install new signs or other franchisor image elements that replace or substantially alter improvements, signs, or franchisor image elements completed within the preceding ten years that were required and approved by the manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch, including any such improvements, signs, or franchisor image elements that were required as a condition of the dealer or predecessor dealer receiving an incentive or other compensation from the manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch.

This deleted text begin paragraph shall deleted text end new text begin clause does new text end not apply to a program or agreement that provides lump sum payments to assist dealers in making facility improvements or to pay for signs or franchisor image elements when such payments are not dependent on the dealer selling or purchasing specific numbers of new vehicles and shall not apply to a program that is in effect with more than one Minnesota dealer on August 1, 2018, nor to any renewal of such program, nor to a modification that is not a substantial modification of a material term or condition of such program.

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 115.48, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Powers vested.

Upon the assumption of powers as provided in subdivision 1, all the powers of the municipality and its governing or managing body and officers with respect to the subject matter of the order shall thereby be forthwith transferred to and vested in the agency and the commissioner, and they shall thereafter exercise the same in the name of the municipality or its governing or managing body or officers, as the case may require, until terminated as hereinafter provided. Such powers shall include, without limitation, the power to levy taxes, to certify such taxes for collection, to levy assessments on benefited property, to prescribe service or use charges, to borrow money, to issue bonds, to employ necessary assistance, to acquire necessary real or personal property, to let contracts or otherwise provide for the doing of work or the construction, installation, maintenance, or operation of facilities, and to do and perform for the municipality or its governing or managing body or officers all other acts and things required to effectuate, carry out, and accomplish the purposes of the order and which might have been done or performed by the municipality or its governing or managing body or officers. The exercise of any and all such powers by the agency and the commissioner shall have like force and effect as if the same had been exercised by the municipality or by its governing or managing body or officers. All such acts or things done or performed by the agency or the commissioner shall be prima facie lawful and valid, and it shall be presumed that all requirements of law or charter relating thereto have been complied with. Any bond pursuant to this section in the hands of a holder in good faith and for value reciting that such bond is issued for the purposes of a disposal system, or part thereof, pursuant to the order of the agency under this section shall be conclusively deemed to have been issued for such purpose and in compliance with all requirements of law relating thereto and shall be a valid and binding instrument enforceable against the municipality in accordance with its terms. The impact on a municipality of taxes or special assessments which are likely to result from compliance with an order made under section deleted text begin 115.43, subdivision 3, clause (1) deleted text end new text begin 115.03, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (5), item (ii) new text end , weighed against the urgency of the need for compliance in the light of public health and the policy and purposes of sections 115.41 to 115.53 shall be a relevant consideration in any judicial inquiry into the reasonableness of the order.

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 115A.28, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Decision paramount.

The agency's decision shall be final and shall supersede and preempt requirements of state agencies and political subdivisions and the requirements of sections 473H.02 to 473H.17; except that a facility established pursuant to the decision shall be subject to terms, conditions, and requirements in permits of state or federal permitting agencies, the terms of lease determined by the agency under new text begin Minnesota Statutes 1994, new text end section 115A.06, subdivision 4, and any requirements imposed pursuant to subdivision 3. Except as otherwise provided in this section, no charter provision, ordinance, rule, permit, or other requirement of any state agency or political subdivision shall prevent or restrict the establishment, operation, expansion, continuance, or closure of a facility in accordance with the final decision and leases of the agency and permits issued by state or federal permitting agencies.

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 118A.09, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Funds.

(a) Qualifying governments may only invest under subdivision 2 according to the limitations in this subdivision. A qualifying government under subdivision 1, new text begin paragraph (a), new text end clause (1) or (2), may only invest its funds that are held for long-term capital plans authorized by the city council or county board, or long-term obligations of the qualifying government. Long-term obligations of the qualifying government include long-term capital plan reserves, funds held to offset long-term environmental exposure, other postemployment benefit liabilities, compensated absences, and other long-term obligations established by applicable accounting standards.

(b) Qualifying governments under subdivision 1, new text begin paragraph (a), new text end clause (1) or (2), may invest up to 15 percent of the sum of:

(1) unassigned cash;

(2) cash equivalents;

(3) deposits; and

(4) investments.

(c) The calculation in paragraph (b) must be based on the qualifying government's most recent audited statement of net position, which must be compliant and audited pursuant to governmental accounting and auditing standards. Once the amount invested reaches 15 percent of the sum of unassigned cash, cash equivalents, deposits, and investments, no further funds may be invested under this section; however, a qualifying government may continue to manage the funds previously invested under this section even if the total amount subsequently exceeds 15 percent of the sum of unassigned cash, cash equivalents, deposits, and investments.

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 120B.117, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Reporting.

The Department of Education must collaborate with the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board and the Office of Higher Education to publish a summary report of each of the programs they administer and any other programs receiving state appropriations that have or include an explicit purpose of increasing the racial and ethnic diversity of the state's teacher workforce to more closely reflect the diversity of students. The report must include programs under sections 122A.59, 122A.63, 122A.635, 122A.70, 122A.73, 124D.09, 124D.861, 136A.1274, new text begin and new text end 136A.1276, deleted text begin and 136A.1791, deleted text end along with any other programs or initiatives that receive state appropriations to address the shortage of teachers of color and American Indian teachers. The commissioner must, in coordination with the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board and the Office of Higher Education, provide policy and funding recommendations related to state-funded programs to increase the recruitment, preparation, licensing, hiring, and retention of racially and ethnically diverse teachers and the state's progress toward meeting or exceeding the goals of this section. The report must include recommendations for state policy and funding needed to achieve the goals of this section, plans for sharing the report and activities of grant recipients, and opportunities among grant recipients of various programs to share effective practices with each other. The initial report must also include a recommendation of whether a state advisory council should be established to address the shortage of racially and ethnically diverse teachers and what the composition and charge of such an advisory council would be if established. The commissioner must consult with the Indian Affairs Council and other ethnic councils along with other community partners, including students of color and American Indian students, in developing the report. The commissioner must submit the report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over education and higher education policy and finance by November 3, 2025, for the initial report, and by November 3 each even-numbered year thereafter. The report must be available to the public on the commissioner's website.

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.234, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Curriculum.

School districts may consult with other federal, state, or local agencies and community-based organizations, including the Child Welfare Information Gateway website maintained by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, to identify research-based tools, curricula, and programs to prevent child sexual abuse for use under section 120B.021, subdivision 1, paragraph deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end .

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 120B.303, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Graduation requirements.

For students enrolled in grade 8 in the 2012-2013 school year and later, students' state graduation requirements, based on a longitudinal, systematic approach to student education and career planning, assessment, instructional support, and evaluation, include the following:

(1) achievement and career and college readiness in mathematics, reading, and writing, consistent with deleted text begin paragraph (k) deleted text end new text begin section 120B.307, subdivision 4, paragraph (d), new text end and to the extent available, to monitor students' continuous development of and growth in requisite knowledge and skills; analyze students' progress and performance levels, identifying students' academic strengths and diagnosing areas where students require curriculum or instructional adjustments, targeted interventions, or remediation; and, based on analysis of students' progress and performance data, determine students' learning and instructional needs and the instructional tools and best practices that support academic rigor for the student; and

(2) consistent with this paragraph and section 120B.125, age-appropriate exploration and planning activities and career assessments to encourage students to identify personally relevant career interests and aptitudes and help students and their families develop a regularly reexamined transition plan for postsecondary education or employment without need for postsecondary remediation.

Based on appropriate state guidelines, students with an individualized education program may satisfy state graduation requirements by achieving an individual score on the state-identified alternative assessments.

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.15, subdivision 3b, is amended to read:

Subd. 3b.

Child care programs.

A child care center licensed under chapter deleted text begin 245A deleted text end new text begin 142B new text end and Minnesota Rules, chapter 9503, and a family child care provider licensed under chapter deleted text begin 245A deleted text end new text begin 142B new text end and Minnesota Rules, chapter 9502, may adopt a policy prohibiting a child over two months of age from enrolling or remaining enrolled in the child care center or family child care program if the child:

(1) has not been immunized in accordance with subdivision 1 or 2 and in accordance with Minnesota Rules, chapter 4604; and

(2) is not exempt from immunizations under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), (c), (e), or (f).

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.15, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Commissioner of children, youth, and families; continued responsibilities.

Nothing in this section relieves the commissioner of children, youth, and families of the responsibility, under chapter deleted text begin 245A deleted text end new text begin 142B new text end , to inspect and assure that statements required by this section are on file at child care programs subject to licensure.

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.425, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Disciplinary dismissals prohibited.

(a) A pupil enrolled in the following is not subject to dismissals under this chapter:

(1) a preschool or prekindergarten program, including an early childhood family education, school readiness, deleted text begin school readiness plus, deleted text end voluntary prekindergarten, Head Start, or other school-based preschool or prekindergarten program; or

(2) kindergarten through grade 3.

(b) This provision does not apply to a dismissal from school for less than one school day, except as provided under chapter 125A and federal law for a student receiving special education services.

(c) Notwithstanding this subdivision, expulsions and exclusions may be used only after resources outlined in subdivision 2 have been exhausted, and only in circumstances where there is an ongoing serious safety threat to the child or others.

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.03, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Pupil application procedures.

(a) In order that a pupil may attend a school or program in a nonresident district, the pupil's parent or guardian must submit an application to the nonresident district. The pupil's application must identify a reason for enrolling in the nonresident district. The parent or guardian of a pupil must submit a signed application by January 15 for initial enrollment beginning the following school year. The application must be on a form provided by the Department of Education. A particular school or program may be requested by the parent. Once enrolled in a nonresident district, the pupil may remain enrolled and is not required to submit annual or periodic applications. If the student moves to a new resident district, the student retains the seat in the nonresident district, but must submit a new enrollment options form to update the student's information. To return to the resident district or to transfer to a different nonresident district, the parent or guardian of the pupil must provide notice to the resident district or apply to a different nonresident district by January 15 for enrollment beginning the following school year.

(b) A school district may require a nonresident student enrolled in a program under section 125A.13, or in a preschool program, except for a program under section deleted text begin 142D.07 or deleted text end 142D.08, to follow the application procedures under this subdivision to enroll in kindergarten. A district must allow a nonresident student enrolled in a program under section deleted text begin 142D.07 or deleted text end 142D.08 to remain enrolled in the district when the student enters kindergarten without submitting annual or periodic applications, unless the district terminates the student's enrollment under subdivision 12.

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.094, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Digital instruction.

(a) An enrolling district may provide digital instruction, including blended instruction and online instruction, to the district's own enrolled students. Enrolling districts may establish agreements to provide digital instruction, including blended instruction and online instruction, to students enrolled in the cooperating schools.

(b) When online instruction is provided, an online teacher as defined under subdivision 1, paragraph (h), shall perform all duties of teacher of record under Minnesota Rules, part 8710.0310. Unless the commissioner grants a waiver, a teacher providing online instruction shall not instruct more than 40 students in any one online learning course or section.

(c) Students receiving online instruction full time shall be reported as enrolled in an online instructional site under subdivision 1, paragraph (g).

(d) Curriculum used for digital instruction shall be aligned with Minnesota's current academic standards and benchmarks.

(e) Digital instruction shall be accessible to students under sections 504 and 508 of the federal Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

(f) An enrolling district providing digital instruction and a supplemental online course provider shall assist an enrolled student whose family qualifies for the education tax credit under section 290.0674 to acquire computer hardware and educational software so they may participate in digital instruction. Funds provided to a family to support digital instruction or supplemental online courses may only be used for qualifying expenses as determined by the provider. Nonconsumable materials purchased with public education funds remain the property of the provider. Records for any funds provided must be available for review by the public or the department.

(g) An enrolling district providing digital instruction shall establish and document procedures for determining attendance for membership and keep accurate records of daily attendance under section deleted text begin 120A.21 deleted text end new text begin 120A.22 new text end .

Sec. 29.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.096, is amended to read:

124D.096 ONLINE LEARNING AID.

(a) The online learning aid for an online learning provider equals the product of the adjusted online learning average daily membership for students under section deleted text begin 124D.095, subdivision 8, paragraph (d) deleted text end new text begin 124D.094, subdivision 7, paragraph (b) new text end , times the student grade level weighting under section 126C.05, subdivision 1, times the formula allowance.

(b) Notwithstanding section 127A.45, the department must pay each online learning provider the current year aid payment percentage multiplied by the amount in paragraph (a) within 45 days of receiving final enrollment and course completion information each quarter or semester. The final adjustment payment must be the amount of the actual entitlement, after adjustment for actual data, minus the payments made during the fiscal year of the entitlement. This payment must be made on September 30 of the next fiscal year.

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.59, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

English learner.

(a) "English learner" means a pupil in kindergarten through grade 12; an early childhood special education student under Part B, section 619, of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, United States Code, title 20, section 1419; or a prekindergarten student enrolled in an approved voluntary prekindergarten program under section 142D.08 deleted text begin or a school readiness plus program deleted text end who meets the requirements under subdivision 2a or the following requirements:

(1) the pupil, as declared by a parent or guardian first learned a language other than English, comes from a home where the language usually spoken is other than English, or usually speaks a language other than English; and

(2) the pupil is determined by a valid assessment measuring the pupil's English language proficiency and by developmentally appropriate measures, which might include observations, teacher judgment, parent recommendations, or developmentally appropriate assessment instruments, to lack the necessary English skills to participate fully in academic classes taught in English.

(b) A pupil enrolled in a Minnesota public school in any grade 4 through 12 who in the previous school year took a commissioner-provided assessment measuring the pupil's emerging academic English, shall be counted as an English learner in calculating English learner pupil units under section 126C.05, subdivision 17, and shall generate state English learner aid under section 124D.65, subdivision 5, if the pupil scored below the state cutoff score or is otherwise counted as a nonproficient participant on the assessment measuring the pupil's emerging academic English, or, in the judgment of the pupil's classroom teachers, consistent with section 124D.61, clause (1), the pupil is unable to demonstrate academic language proficiency in English, including oral academic language, sufficient to successfully and fully participate in the general core curriculum in the regular classroom.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b), a pupil in early childhood special education or prekindergarten under section 142D.08, through grade 12 shall not be counted as an English learner in calculating English learner pupil units under section 126C.05, subdivision 17, and shall not generate state English learner aid under section 124D.65, subdivision 5, if:

(1) the pupil is not enrolled during the current fiscal year in an educational program for English learners under sections 124D.58 to 124D.64; or

(2) the pupil has generated seven or more years of average daily membership in Minnesota public schools since July 1, 1996.

Sec. 31.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 124F.01, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Exemptions from laws and rules.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, an innovation zone partner with an approved plan is exempt from each of the following state education laws and rules specifically identified in its plan:

(1) any law or rule from which a district-created, site-governed school under section 123B.045 is exempt;

(2) any statute or rule from which the commissioner has exempted another district or charter school, as identified in the list published on the Department of Education's website under subdivision 4, paragraph (b);

(3) online learning program approval under section deleted text begin 124D.095, subdivision 7, deleted text end new text begin 124D.094 new text end if the school district or charter school offers a course or program online combined with direct access to a teacher for a portion of that course or program;

(4) restrictions on extended time revenue under section 126C.10, subdivision 2a, for a student who meets the criteria of section 124D.68, subdivision 2; and

(5) any required hours of instruction in any class or subject area for a student who is meeting all competencies consistent with the graduation standards described in the innovation zone plan.

(b) The exemptions under this subdivision must not be construed as exempting an innovation zone partner from the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments.

Sec. 32.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 125A.76, subdivision 2f, is amended to read:

Subd. 2f.

Special education homeless pupil aid.

(a) For fiscal year 2024 and later, special education homeless pupil aid must be paid to a school district that is funded for that year based on the district's fiscal year 2016 expenditures calculated under Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 125A.76 and 125A.79, as adjusted according to Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 125A.11 and 127A.47, subdivision 7, the ratio of the district's adjusted daily membership for the current fiscal year to the district's average daily membership for fiscal year 2016, and the minimum aid adjustment factor.

(b) Special education homeless pupil aid equals the greater of zero, or a district's prior year transportation costs under section 123B.92, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clause (4), items deleted text begin (ii) deleted text end new text begin (i) new text end and deleted text begin (vii) deleted text end new text begin (vi) new text end , and the additional cost of transporting a student in a shelter care facility as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 30, a homeless student in another district to the school of origin, or a formerly homeless student from a permanent home in another district to the school of origin but only through the end of the academic year; minus the fiscal year 2016 costs associated with transportation costs under section 123B.92, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clause (4), items deleted text begin (ii) deleted text end new text begin (i) new text end and deleted text begin (vii) deleted text end new text begin (vi) new text end , and the additional cost of transporting a student in a shelter care facility as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 30, a homeless student in another district to the school of origin, or a formerly homeless student from a permanent home in another district to the school of origin, but only through the end of the academic year; adjusted by the ratio of the district's adjusted daily membership for the current fiscal year to the district's average daily membership for fiscal year 2016, and the minimum aid adjustment factor.

Sec. 33.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 126C.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Pupil unit.

Pupil units for each Minnesota resident pupil under the age of 21 or who meets the requirements of section 120A.20, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), in average daily membership enrolled in the district of residence, in another district under sections 123A.05 to 123A.08, 124D.03, 124D.08, or 124D.68; in a charter school under chapter 124E; or for whom the resident district pays tuition under sections 123A.18, 123A.22, 123A.30, 123A.32, 123A.44, 123A.488, 123B.88, subdivision 4, 124D.04, 124D.05, 125A.03 to 125A.24, 125A.51, or 125A.65, shall be counted according to this subdivision.

(a) A prekindergarten pupil with a disability who is enrolled in a program approved by the commissioner and has an individualized education program is counted as the ratio of the number of hours of assessment and education service to 825 times 1.0 with a minimum average daily membership of 0.28, but not more than 1.0 pupil unit.

(b) A prekindergarten pupil who is assessed but determined not to be disabled is counted as the ratio of the number of hours of assessment service to 825 times 1.0.

(c) A prekindergarten pupil who is not included in paragraph (a) or (b) and is enrolled in an approved voluntary prekindergarten program under section 142D.08 is counted as the ratio of the number of hours of instruction to 850 times 1.0, but not more than 0.6 pupil units.

(d) A kindergarten pupil is counted as 1.0 pupil unit if the pupil is enrolled in a free all-day, every day kindergarten program available to all kindergarten pupils at the pupil's school that meets the minimum hours requirement in section 120A.41, or is counted as .55 pupil unit, if the pupil is not enrolled in a free all-day, every day kindergarten program available to all kindergarten pupils at the pupil's school.

(e) A pupil who is in any of grades 1 to 6 is counted as 1.0 pupil unit.

(f) A pupil who is in any of grades 7 to 12 is counted as 1.2 pupil units.

(g) A pupil who is in the postsecondary enrollment options program is counted as 1.2 pupil units.

deleted text begin (h) A prekindergarten pupil who: deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) is not included in paragraph (a), (b), or (c); deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) is enrolled in a school readiness plus program under section 142D.07; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) has one or more of the risk factors specified by the eligibility requirements for a school readiness plus program, deleted text end

deleted text begin is counted as the ratio of the number of hours of instruction to 850 times 1.0, but not more than 0.6 pupil units. A pupil qualifying under this paragraph must be counted in the same manner as a voluntary prekindergarten student for all general education and other school funding formulas. deleted text end

Sec. 34.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 126C.17, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Referendum revenue.

(a) The revenue authorized by section 126C.10, subdivision 1, may be increased in the amount approved by the voters of the district at a referendum called for the purpose. The referendum may be called by the board. The referendum must be conducted one or two calendar years before the increased levy authority, if approved, first becomes payable. Only one election to approve an increase may be held in a calendar year. Unless the referendum is conducted by mail under subdivision 11, paragraph (a), the referendum must be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The ballot must state the maximum amount of the increased revenue per adjusted pupil unit. The ballot may state a schedule, determined by the board, of increased revenue per adjusted pupil unit that differs from year to year over the number of years for which the increased revenue is authorized or may state that the amount shall increase annually by the rate of inflation. For this purpose, the rate of inflation shall be the annual inflationary increase calculated under subdivision 2, paragraph (b). The ballot may state that existing referendum levy authority is expiring. In this case, the ballot may also compare the proposed levy authority to the existing expiring levy authority, and express the proposed increase as the amount, if any, over the expiring referendum levy authority. The ballot must designate the specific number of years, not to exceed ten, for which the referendum authorization applies. The ballot, including a ballot on the question to revoke or reduce the increased revenue amount under paragraph (c), must abbreviate the term "per adjusted pupil unit" as "per pupil." The notice required under section 275.60 may be modified to read, in cases of renewing existing levies at the same amount per pupil as in the previous year:

"BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING TO EXTEND AN EXISTING PROPERTY TAX REFERENDUM THAT IS SCHEDULED TO EXPIRE."

The ballot may contain a textual portion with the information required in this subdivision and a question stating substantially the following:

"Shall the increase in the revenue proposed by deleted text begin (petition to) deleted text end the board of ......., School District No. .., be approved?"

If approved, an amount equal to the approved revenue per adjusted pupil unit times the adjusted pupil units for the school year beginning in the year after the levy is certified shall be authorized for certification for the number of years approved, if applicable, or until revoked or reduced by the voters of the district at a subsequent referendum.

(b) The board must deliver by mail at least 15 days but no more than 45 days before the day of the referendum to each taxpayer a notice of the referendum and the proposed revenue increase. The board need not mail more than one notice to any taxpayer. For the purpose of giving mailed notice under this subdivision, owners must be those shown to be owners on the records of the county auditor or, in any county where tax statements are mailed by the county treasurer, on the records of the county treasurer. Every property owner whose name does not appear on the records of the county auditor or the county treasurer is deemed to have waived this mailed notice unless the owner has requested in writing that the county auditor or county treasurer, as the case may be, include the name on the records for this purpose. The notice must project the anticipated amount of tax increase in annual dollars for typical residential homesteads, agricultural homesteads, apartments, and commercial-industrial property within the school district.

The notice for a referendum may state that an existing referendum levy is expiring and project the anticipated amount of increase over the existing referendum levy in the first year, if any, in annual dollars for typical residential homesteads, agricultural homesteads, apartments, and commercial-industrial property within the district.

The notice must include the following statement: "Passage of this referendum will result in an increase in your property taxes." However, in cases of renewing existing levies, the notice may include the following statement: "Passage of this referendum extends an existing operating referendum at the same amount per pupil as in the previous year."

(c) A referendum on the question of revoking or reducing the increased revenue amount authorized pursuant to paragraph (a) may be called by the board. A referendum to revoke or reduce the revenue amount must state the amount per adjusted pupil unit by which the authority is to be reduced. Revenue authority approved by the voters of the district pursuant to paragraph (a) must be available to the school district at least once before it is subject to a referendum on its revocation or reduction for subsequent years. Only one revocation or reduction referendum may be held to revoke or reduce referendum revenue for any specific year and for years thereafter.

(d) The approval of 50 percent plus one of those voting on the question is required to pass a referendum authorized by this subdivision.

(e) At least 15 days before the day of the referendum, the district must submit a copy of the notice required under paragraph (b) to the commissioner and to the county auditor of each county in which the district is located. Within 15 days after the results of the referendum have been certified by the board, or in the case of a recount, the certification of the results of the recount by the canvassing board, the district must notify the commissioner of the results of the referendum.

Sec. 35.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 126C.40, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Energy conservation.

For energy loans approved after March 1, 1998, under sections 216C.37 and 298.292 to deleted text begin 298.298 deleted text end new text begin 298.297 new text end , school districts must annually transfer from the general fund to the debt redemption fund the amount sufficient to pay interest and principal on the loans.

Sec. 36.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 135A.15, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Applicability; policy required.

(a) This section applies to the following postsecondary institutions:

(1) institutions governed by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; and

(2) private postsecondary institutions that offer in-person courses on a campus located in Minnesota and which are eligible institutions as defined in section 136A.103, new text begin subdivision 1, new text end paragraph (a), that are participating in the federal program under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, Public Law 89-329, as amended.

Institutions governed by the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota are requested to comply with this section.

(b) A postsecondary institution must adopt a clear, understandable written policy on sexual misconduct that informs victims of their rights under the crime victims bill of rights, including the right to assistance from the Crime Victims Reimbursement Board and the commissioner of public safety. The policy must apply to students and employees and must provide information about their rights and duties. The policy must apply to criminal incidents against a student or employee of a postsecondary institution occurring on property owned or leased by the postsecondary system or institution or at any activity, program, organization, or event sponsored by the system or institution, or by a fraternity or sorority, or any activity, program, organization, or event sponsored by the system or institution, or by a fraternity or sorority, regardless of whether the activity, program, organization, or event occurs on or off property owned or leased by the postsecondary system or institution. It must include procedures for reporting incidents of sexual misconduct and for disciplinary actions against violators. During student registration, a postsecondary institution shall provide each student with information regarding its policy. A copy of the policy also shall be posted at appropriate locations on campus at all times.

Sec. 37.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 136A.031, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Student Advisory Council.

(a) A Student Advisory Council (SAC) to the office is established. The members of SAC shall include: the chair of the University of Minnesota student senate; the state chair of the Minnesota State University Student Association; the president of the Minnesota State College Student Association and an officer of the Minnesota State College Student Association, one in a community college course of study and one in a technical college course of study; a student who is enrolled in a private nonprofit postsecondary institution, to be elected by students enrolled in Minnesota Private College Council institutions; a student who is enrolled in a private career school, to be elected by students enrolled in Minnesota private career schools; and a student who is enrolled in a Minnesota tribal college to be elected by students enrolled in Minnesota tribal colleges. If students from the private career schools or tribal colleges do not elect a representative, the commissioner must appoint a student representative. If students from the Minnesota Private College Council institutions do not elect a representative, the Minnesota Private College Council must appoint the private nonprofit representative. A member may be represented by a student designee who attends an institution from the same system that the absent member represents. The SAC shall select one of its members to serve as chair.

(b) The office shall inform the SAC of all matters related to student issues under consideration. The SAC shall report to the office quarterly and at other times that the SAC considers desirable. The SAC shall determine its meeting times, but it shall also meet with the office within 30 days after the commissioner's request for a meeting.

(c) The SAC shall:

(1) bring to the attention of the office any matter that the SAC believes needs the attention of the office;

deleted text begin (2) fulfill the requirements under section 135A.137, subdivision 2; deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) deleted text end new text begin (2) new text end make recommendations to the office as it finds appropriate; and

deleted text begin (4) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end approve student appointments by the office for each advisory group as provided in subdivision 4.

Sec. 38.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 136A.054, is amended to read:

136A.054 CONSOLIDATED COMPETITIVE GRANT AND STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM REPORTING.

(a) The commissioner of the Office of Higher Education shall report annually by February 15 to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher education on the details of programs administered under sections deleted text begin 136A.1789, 136A.1791, deleted text end 136A.1794, 136A.1795, 136A.861, and 136A.915 including the following, where applicable:

(1) organizations receiving grant awards;

(2) grant award amounts and utilization rates;

(3) grant program activities, goals, and outcomes;

(4) grant matching sources and funding levels;

(5) number and amount of loan repayment awards disbursed; and

(6) demographic data of loan repayment program participants.

(b) The commissioner must report any additional data and outcomes relevant to the evaluation of programs administered under sections deleted text begin 136A.1789, 136A.1791, deleted text end 136A.1794, 136A.1795, 136A.861, and 136A.915 as evidenced by activities funded under each program.

Sec. 39.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 136A.1241, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Definitions.

(a) For purposes of this section, the terms in this subdivision have the meanings given.

(b) "Adoption" means adoption of an individual who has been in the care and custody of a responsible social services agency or Tribal social services agency and in foster care.

(c) "Eligible institution" means an eligible public institution or an eligible private institution.

(d) "Eligible private institution" or "private institution" means an institution eligible for state student aid under section 136A.103, new text begin subdivision 1, new text end paragraph (a), clause (2).

(e) "Eligible public institution" or "public institution" means an institution operated by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities or the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota.

(f) "Foster care" has the meaning given in section 260C.007, subdivision 18.

(g) "Foster grant" means a grant under this section.

(h) "Office" means the Office of Higher Education.

(i) "Recognized cost of attendance" means the amount calculated under subdivision 4.

(j) "Responsible social services agency" has the meaning given in section 260C.007, subdivision 27a.

(k) "Tribal social services agency" has the meaning given in section 260.755, subdivision 21.

Sec. 40.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 136A.829, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Powers and duties.

The office shall have (in addition to the powers and duties now vested therein by law) the following powers and duties:

(a) To negotiate and enter into interstate reciprocity agreements with similar agencies in other states, if in the judgment of the office such agreements are or will be helpful in effectuating the purposes of Laws 1973, chapter 714;

(b) To grant conditional private career school license for periods of less than one year if in the judgment of the office correctable deficiencies exist at the time of application and when refusal to issue private career school license would adversely affect currently enrolled students;

(c) The office may upon its own motion, and shall upon the verified complaint in writing of any person setting forth fact which, if proved, would constitute grounds for refusal or revocation under Laws 1973, chapter 714, investigate the actions of any applicant or any person or persons holding or claiming to hold a license or permit. However, before proceeding to a hearing on the question of whether a license or permit shall be refused, revoked or suspended for any cause enumerated in subdivision 1, the office shall grant a reasonable time to the holder of or applicant for a license or permit to correct the situation. If within such time the situation is corrected and the private career school is in compliance with the provisions of sections 136A.82 to 136A.834, no further action leading to refusal, revocation, or suspension shall be taken.

(d) To grant a private career school a probationary license for periods of less than three years if, in the judgment of the office, correctable deficiencies exist at the time of application that need more than one year to correct and when the risk of harm to students can be minimized through the use of restrictions and requirements as conditions of the license. Probationary licenses may include requirements and restrictions for:

(1) periodic monitoring and submission of reports on the school's deficiencies to ascertain whether compliance improves;

(2) periodic collaborative consultations with the school on noncompliance with sections 136A.82 to 136A.834 or how the institution is managing compliance;

(3) the submission of contingency plans such as teach-out plans or transfer pathways for students;

(4) a prohibition from accepting tuition and fee payments prior to the add/drop period of the current period of instruction or before the funds have been earned by the school according to the refund requirements of section 136A.827;

(5) a prohibition from enrolling new students;

(6) enrollment caps;

(7) the initiation of alternative processes and communications with students enrolled at the school to notify students of deficiencies or probation status;

(8) the submission of a surety under section 136A.822, subdivision 6, paragraph (b), deleted text begin clause (1), deleted text end that exceeds ten percent of the preceding year's net revenue from student tuition, fees, and other required institutional charges collected; or

(9) submission of closure information under section 136A.8225.

Sec. 41.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 136A.84, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Authorization.

The commissioner shall administer the direct admissions program in consultation with stakeholders, including Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the University of Minnesota, the Student Advisory Council under section 136A.031, the Minnesota Department of Education, the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals, and the Minnesota School Board Association, to automatically offer conditional admission into an eligible public or nonprofit institution as defined under section 136A.103, new text begin subdivision 1, new text end paragraph (a), located in Minnesota, to Minnesota high school seniors based on a student's high school grade point average, high school and college transcript information, standardized tests, statewide assessments, and other measures as determined by stakeholders.

Sec. 42.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142A.03, subdivision 32, is amended to read:

Subd. 32.

Duties of commissioner of children, youth, and families.

It shall be the duty of the commissioner of children, youth, and families to promote the enforcement of all laws for the protection of children with developmental disabilities and dependent, neglected, and delinquent children, to cooperate to this end with juvenile courts and all reputable child-helping and child-placing agencies of a public or private character, and to take the initiative in all matters involving the interests of such children where adequate provision therefor has not already been made. The commissioner may appoint a chief executive officer and such assistants as shall be necessary to carry out the purposes of this section deleted text begin and section 257.33 deleted text end .

Sec. 43.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142A.05, is amended to read:

142A.05 RULEMAKING.

(a) The commissioner may use the procedure in section 14.386, paragraph (a), to adopt rules necessary to implement the responsibilities transferred under this article or through section 16B.37. Section 14.386, paragraph (b), does not apply to these rules.

(b) The commissioner must amend Minnesota Rules to make conforming changes related to the transfer of responsibilities under Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 12, or through section 16B.37. The commissioner must obtain the approval of the commissioners of human services, education, health, and public safety for any amendments to or repeal of rules in existence on July 1, 2024, and administered under the authority of those agencies.

(c) The time limit in section 14.125 is extended to 36 months for rulemaking under paragraphs (a) and (b). The commissioner must publish a notice of intent to adopt rules or a notice of hearing within 36 months of the effective date reported under section deleted text begin 142A.05 deleted text end new text begin Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 12, section 30 new text end , subdivision 1, paragraph (c).

(d) The commissioner may adopt rules for the administration of activities related to the department. Rules adopted under this paragraph are subject to the rulemaking requirements of chapter 14.

Sec. 44.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142A.604, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Placement in foster care.

To be eligible for foster care benefits under this section, the child must be in placement away from the child's legal parent, guardian, or Indian custodian as defined in section 260.755, subdivision 10, and must meet one of the criteria in clause (1) and either clause (2) or (3):

(1) the legally responsible agency must have placement authority to place the child with: (i) a voluntary placement agreement or a court order, consistent with sections 260B.198, 260C.001, and 260D.01, or consistent with section 260C.451 for a child 18 years old or older and under age 21 who maintains eligibility for foster care; or (ii) a voluntary placement agreement or court order by a Minnesota tribe that is consistent with United States Code, title 42, section 672(a)(2); and

(2) the child is placed with a licensed child foster parent who resides with the child; or

(3) the child is placed in one of the following unlicensed child foster care settings:

(i) an emergency relative placement under tribal licensing regulations or section 142B.06, with the legally responsible agency ensuring the relative completes the required child foster care application process;

(ii) a licensed adult foster home with an approved age variance under section 245A.16 for no more than six months where the license holder resides with the child;

(iii) for a child 18 years old or older and under age 21 who is eligible for extended foster care under section 260C.451, an unlicensed supervised independent living setting approved by the agency responsible for the child's care; or

(iv) a preadoptive placement in a home specified in section deleted text begin 245A.03 deleted text end new text begin 142B.05 new text end , subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause deleted text begin (9) deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end , with an approved adoption home study and signed adoption placement agreement.

Sec. 45.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142B.01, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Controlling individual.

(a) "Controlling individual" means an owner of a program or service provider licensed under this chapter and the following individuals, if applicable:

(1) each officer of the organization, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer;

(2) the individual designated as the authorized agent under section 142B.10, subdivision 1, paragraph (b);

deleted text begin (3) the individual designated as the compliance officer under section 256B.04, subdivision 21, paragraph (g); deleted text end

deleted text begin (4) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end each managerial official whose responsibilities include the direction of the management or policies of a program;

deleted text begin (5) deleted text end new text begin (4) new text end the individual designated as the primary provider of care for a special family child care program under section 142B.41, subdivision 4, paragraph (d); and

deleted text begin (6) deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end the president and treasurer of the board of directors of a nonprofit corporation.

(b) Controlling individual does not include:

(1) a bank, savings bank, trust company, savings association, credit union, industrial loan and thrift company, investment banking firm, or insurance company unless the entity operates a program directly or through a subsidiary;

(2) an individual who is a state or federal official, or state or federal employee, or a member or employee of the governing body of a political subdivision of the state or federal government that operates one or more programs, unless the individual is also an officer, owner, or managerial official of the program; receives remuneration from the program; or owns any of the beneficial interests not excluded in this subdivision;

(3) an individual who owns less than five percent of the outstanding common shares of a corporation:

(i) whose securities are exempt under section 80A.45, clause (6); or

(ii) whose transactions are exempt under section 80A.46, clause (2);

(4) an individual who is a member of an organization exempt from taxation under section 290.05, unless the individual is also an officer, owner, or managerial official of the program or owns any of the beneficial interests not excluded in this subdivision. This clause does not exclude from the definition of controlling individual an organization that is exempt from taxation; or

(5) an employee stock ownership plan trust, or a participant or board member of an employee stock ownership plan, unless the participant or board member is a controlling individual according to paragraph (a).

(c) For purposes of this subdivision, "managerial official" means an individual who has the decision-making authority related to the operation of the program, and the responsibility for the ongoing management of or direction of the policies, services, or employees of the program. A site director who has no ownership interest in the program is not considered to be a managerial official for purposes of this definition.

Sec. 46.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142B.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Record retention; license holder requirements.

(a) A license holder must maintain and store records in a manner that will allow for review by the commissioner as identified in section 142B.10, subdivision deleted text begin 5 deleted text end new text begin 12 new text end . The following records must be maintained as specified and in accordance with applicable state or federal law, regulation, or rule:

(1) service recipient records, including verification of service delivery, must be maintained for a minimum of five years following discharge or termination of service;

(2) personnel records must be maintained for a minimum of five years following termination of employment; and

(3) program administration and financial records must be maintained for a minimum of five years from the date the program closes.

(b) A license holder who ceases to provide services must maintain all records related to the licensed program for five years from the date the program closes. The license holder must notify the commissioner of the location where the licensing records will be stored and the name of the person responsible for maintaining the stored records.

(c) If the ownership of a licensed program or service changes, the transferor, unless otherwise provided by law or written agreement with the transferee, is responsible for maintaining, preserving, and making available to the commissioner on demand the license records generated before the date of the transfer.

(d) In the event of a contested case, the license holder must retain records as required in paragraph (a) or until the final agency decision is issued and the conclusion of any related appeal, whichever period is longer.

Sec. 47.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142B.03, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Electronic records; license holder use.

A license holder's use of electronic record keeping or electronic signatures must meet the following requirements:

(1) use of electronic record keeping or electronic signatures does not alter the license holder's obligations under state or federal law, regulation, or rule;

(2) the license holder must ensure that the use of electronic record keeping does not limit the commissioner's access to records as specified under section 142B.10, subdivision deleted text begin 5 deleted text end new text begin 12 new text end ;

(3) upon request, the license holder must assist the commissioner in accessing and copying all records, including encrypted records and electronic signatures; and

(4) the license holder must establish a mechanism or procedure to ensure that:

(i) the act of creating the electronic record or signature is attributable to the license holder, according to section 325L.09;

(ii) the electronic records and signatures are maintained in a form capable of being retained and accurately reproduced;

(iii) the commissioner has access to information that establishes the date and time that data and signatures were entered into the electronic record; and

(iv) the license holder's use of electronic record keeping or electronic signatures does not compromise the security of the records.

Sec. 48.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142B.05, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Excluded school-age programs; right to seek or continue licensure.

Nothing in this section shall prohibit a school-age program that is excluded from licensure under subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause deleted text begin (27) deleted text end new text begin (17) new text end , from seeking a license or continuing to be licensed under this chapter.

Sec. 49.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142B.05, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Excluded providers seeking licensure.

Nothing in this section shall prohibit a program that is excluded from licensure under subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause deleted text begin (26) deleted text end new text begin (16) new text end , from seeking licensure. The commissioner shall ensure that any application received from such an excluded provider is processed in the same manner as all other applications for child care center licensure.

Sec. 50.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142B.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Application for licensure.

(a) An individual, organization, or government entity that is subject to licensure under section 142B.05 must apply for a license. The application must be made on the forms and in the manner prescribed by the commissioner. The commissioner shall provide the applicant with instruction in completing the application and provide information about the rules and requirements of other state agencies that affect the applicant. An applicant seeking licensure in Minnesota with headquarters outside of Minnesota must have a program office located within 30 miles of the Minnesota border. An applicant who intends to buy or otherwise acquire a program or services licensed under this chapter that is owned by another license holder must apply for a license under this chapter and comply with the application procedures in this section and section deleted text begin 142B.11 deleted text end new text begin 142B.15 new text end .

The commissioner shall act on the application within 90 working days after a complete application and any required reports have been received from other state agencies or departments, counties, municipalities, or other political subdivisions. The commissioner shall not consider an application to be complete until the commissioner receives all of the required information.

When the commissioner receives an application for initial licensure that is incomplete because the applicant failed to submit required documents or that is substantially deficient because the documents submitted do not meet licensing requirements, the commissioner shall provide the applicant written notice that the application is incomplete or substantially deficient. In the written notice to the applicant the commissioner shall identify documents that are missing or deficient and give the applicant 45 days to resubmit a second application that is substantially complete. An applicant's failure to submit a substantially complete application after receiving notice from the commissioner is a basis for license denial under section 142B.11.

(b) An application for licensure must identify all controlling individuals as defined in section 142B.01, subdivision 8, and must designate one individual to be the authorized agent. The application must be signed by the authorized agent and must include the authorized agent's first, middle, and last name; mailing address; and email address. By submitting an application for licensure, the authorized agent consents to electronic communication with the commissioner throughout the application process. The authorized agent must be authorized to accept service on behalf of all of the controlling individuals. A government entity that holds multiple licenses under this chapter may designate one authorized agent for all licenses issued under this chapter or may designate a different authorized agent for each license. Service on the authorized agent is service on all of the controlling individuals. It is not a defense to any action arising under this chapter that service was not made on each controlling individual. The designation of a controlling individual as the authorized agent under this paragraph does not affect the legal responsibility of any other controlling individual under this chapter.

(c) An applicant or license holder must have a policy that prohibits license holders, employees, subcontractors, and volunteers, when directly responsible for persons served by the program, from abusing prescription medication or being in any manner under the influence of a chemical that impairs the individual's ability to provide services or care. The license holder must train employees, subcontractors, and volunteers about the program's drug and alcohol policy.

(d) An applicant and license holder must have a program grievance procedure that permits persons served by the program and their authorized representatives to bring a grievance to the highest level of authority in the program.

(e) The commissioner may limit communication during the application process to the authorized agent or the controlling individuals identified on the license application and for whom a background study was initiated under chapter 245C. Upon implementation of the provider licensing and reporting hub, applicants and license holders must use the hub in the manner prescribed by the commissioner. The commissioner may require the applicant, except for child foster care, to demonstrate competence in the applicable licensing requirements by successfully completing a written examination. The commissioner may develop a prescribed written examination format.

(f) When an applicant is an individual, the applicant must provide:

(1) the applicant's taxpayer identification numbers including the Social Security number or Minnesota tax identification number, and federal employer identification number if the applicant has employees;

(2) at the request of the commissioner, a copy of the most recent filing with the secretary of state that includes the complete business name, if any;

(3) if doing business under a different name, the doing business as (DBA) name, as registered with the secretary of state;

(4) if applicable, the applicant's National Provider Identifier (NPI) number and Unique Minnesota Provider Identifier (UMPI) number; and

(5) at the request of the commissioner, the notarized signature of the applicant or authorized agent.

(g) When an applicant is an organization, the applicant must provide:

(1) the applicant's taxpayer identification numbers including the Minnesota tax identification number and federal employer identification number;

(2) at the request of the commissioner, a copy of the most recent filing with the secretary of state that includes the complete business name, and if doing business under a different name, the doing business as (DBA) name, as registered with the secretary of state;

(3) the first, middle, and last name, and address for all individuals who will be controlling individuals, including all officers, owners, and managerial officials as defined in section 142B.01, subdivision 8, and the date that the background study was initiated by the applicant for each controlling individual;

(4) if applicable, the applicant's NPI number and UMPI number;

(5) the documents that created the organization and that determine the organization's internal governance and the relations among the persons that own the organization, have an interest in the organization, or are members of the organization, in each case as provided or authorized by the organization's governing statute, which may include a partnership agreement, bylaws, articles of organization, organizational chart, and operating agreement, or comparable documents as provided in the organization's governing statute; and

(6) the notarized signature of the applicant or authorized agent.

(h) When the applicant is a government entity, the applicant must provide:

(1) the name of the government agency, political subdivision, or other unit of government seeking the license and the name of the program or services that will be licensed;

(2) the applicant's taxpayer identification numbers including the Minnesota tax identification number and federal employer identification number;

(3) a letter signed by the manager, administrator, or other executive of the government entity authorizing the submission of the license application; and

(4) if applicable, the applicant's NPI number and UMPI number.

(i) At the time of application for licensure or renewal of a license under this chapter, the applicant or license holder must acknowledge on the form provided by the commissioner if the applicant or license holder elects to receive any public funding reimbursement from the commissioner for services provided under the license that:

(1) the applicant's or license holder's compliance with the provider enrollment agreement or registration requirements for receipt of public funding may be monitored by the commissioner as part of a licensing investigation or licensing inspection; and

(2) noncompliance with the provider enrollment agreement or registration requirements for receipt of public funding that is identified through a licensing investigation or licensing inspection, or noncompliance with a licensing requirement that is a basis of enrollment for reimbursement for a service, may result in:

(i) a correction order or a conditional license under section 142B.16, or sanctions under section 142B.18;

(ii) nonpayment of claims submitted by the license holder for public program reimbursement;

(iii) recovery of payments made for the service;

(iv) disenrollment in the public payment program; or

(v) other administrative, civil, or criminal penalties as provided by law.

Sec. 51.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142B.12, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

License fee for certain programs.

(a) Child care centers shall pay an annual nonrefundable license fee based on the following schedule:

	Licensed Capacity	Child Care Center License Fee
	1 to 24 persons	$200
	25 to 49 persons	$300
	50 to 74 persons	$400
	75 to 99 persons	$500
	100 to 124 persons	$600
	125 to 149 persons	$700
	150 to 174 persons	$800
	175 to 199 persons	$900
	200 to 224 persons	$1,000
	225 or more persons	$1,100

(b) A private agency licensed to provide foster care and adoption services under Minnesota Rules, parts 9545.0755 to deleted text begin 9545.0845 deleted text end new text begin 9545.0835 new text end , shall pay an annual nonrefundable license fee of $875.

Sec. 52.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142B.41, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Conditional license.

Until such time as the commissioner adopts appropriate rules for conditional licenses, no license holder or applicant for a family or group family day care license is required to spend more than $100 to meet fire safety rules in excess of those required to meet Group "R" occupancies under the Uniform Building Code, chapter 12, as incorporated by reference in Minnesota Rules, part deleted text begin 1305.0100 deleted text end new text begin 1305.0011 new text end .

When the commissioner determines that an applicant or license holder of a family or group family day care license would be required to spend over $100 for physical changes to ensure fire safety, the commissioner may issue a conditional license when all of the following conditions have been met:

(a) The commissioner shall notify the license holder or applicant in writing of the fire safety deficiencies.

(b) The commissioner shall notify the license holder or applicant in writing of alternative compliance standards that would correct deficiencies, if available.

(c) The license holder or applicant agrees in writing to notify each parent, on a form prescribed by the commissioner that requires the signature of the parent, of the fire safety deficiencies, and the existence of the conditional license.

Sec. 53.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142D.08, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Application process; priority for high poverty schools.

(a) To qualify for program approval for fiscal year 2026, a district or charter school must submit an application to the commissioner by January 30, 2025. Thereafter, the commissioner must accept applications and approve programs every four years. To qualify for program approval after fiscal year 2026, a school district or charter school must submit an application to the commissioner by January 30 of the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year in which the program will be implemented. The application must include:

(1) a description of the proposed program, including the number of hours per week the program will be offered at each school site or mixed-delivery location;

(2) an estimate of the number of eligible children to be served in the program at each school site or mixed-delivery location; and

(3) a statement of assurances signed by the superintendent or charter school director that the proposed program meets the requirements of subdivision 2.

(b) The commissioner must review all applications by March 1 of the fiscal year in which the applications are received and determine whether each application meets the requirements of paragraph (a).

(c) The commissioner must divide all applications for new or expanded voluntary prekindergarten programs under this section meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) deleted text begin and school readiness plus programs deleted text end into five groups as follows: the Minneapolis school district; the St. Paul school district; other school districts located in the metropolitan equity region as defined in section 126C.10, subdivision 28; school districts located in the rural equity region as defined in section 126C.10, subdivision 28; and charter schools. Within each group, the applications must be ordered by rank using a sliding scale based on the following criteria:

(1) concentration of kindergarten students eligible for free or reduced-price meals by school site on October 1 of the previous school year. A school site may contract to partner with a community-based provider or Head Start under subdivision 3 or establish an early childhood center and use the concentration of kindergarten students eligible for free or reduced-price meals from a specific school site as long as those eligible children are prioritized and guaranteed services at the mixed-delivery site or early education center. For school district programs to be operated at locations that do not have free and reduced-price meals concentration data for kindergarten programs for October 1 of the previous school year, including mixed-delivery programs, the school district average concentration of kindergarten students eligible for free or reduced-price meals must be used for the rank ordering;

(2) presence or absence of a three- or four-star Parent Aware rated program within the school district or close proximity of the district. School sites with the highest concentration of kindergarten students eligible for free or reduced-price meals that do not have a three- or four-star Parent Aware program within the district or close proximity of the district shall receive the highest priority, and school sites with the lowest concentration of kindergarten students eligible for free or reduced-price meals that have a three- or four-star Parent Aware rated program within the district or close proximity of the district shall receive the lowest priority; and

(3) whether the district has implemented a mixed delivery system.

Sec. 54.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142D.08, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Participation limits.

(a) Notwithstanding section 126C.05, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), the pupil units for a voluntary prekindergarten program for an eligible school district or charter school must not exceed 60 percent of the kindergarten pupil units for that school district or charter school under section 126C.05, subdivision 1, paragraph (d).

(b) In reviewing applications under subdivision 5 and allocating seats under subdivision 5a, the commissioner must limit the total number of participants in the voluntary prekindergarten deleted text begin and school readiness plus programs under section 142D.07, deleted text end new text begin program new text end to not more than deleted text begin 7,160 participants for fiscal year 2024 and deleted text end 12,360 participants deleted text begin for fiscal year 2025 and later deleted text end .

Sec. 55.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142D.20, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Grants.

(a) The commissioner shall distribute money provided by this section through grants to one or more nonprofit corporations to plan, develop, and finance early childhood education and child care sites. A nonprofit corporation must have demonstrated the ability to analyze financing projects, have knowledge of other sources of public and private financing for child care and early childhood education sites, and have a relationship with regional resource and referral programs. The board of directors of a nonprofit corporation must include members who are knowledgeable about early childhood education, child care, development and improvement, and financing.

(b) The commissioners of the Departments of deleted text begin Human Services, deleted text end new text begin Children, Youth, and Families; new text end Employment and Economic Development deleted text begin , deleted text end new text begin ; new text end and the Housing Finance Agency shall advise the boards of any nonprofit corporations that use the grant money provided under this section for loan programs as described in subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (4). All loans made by a nonprofit corporation under this section must comply with section 363A.16.

Sec. 56.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142D.32, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Definitions.

(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given.

(b) "Apprentice" means an employee participating in an early childhood registered apprenticeship program.

(c) "Early childhood registered apprenticeship program" means an organization holding the TEACH license with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families that is registered with the Department of Labor and Industry under chapter 178.

(d) "Early childhood signatory employer" means an employer that participates in an early childhood registered apprenticeship program and employs an apprentice and that is:

(1) a licensed child care center under Minnesota Rules, chapter 9503;

(2) a licensed family and group family child care provider under Minnesota Rules, chapter 9502;

(3) an early childhood family education program under section 142D.10; a school readiness program under section 142D.05; a voluntary prekindergarten program under section 142D.08; new text begin or new text end a special education program under chapter 125A; deleted text begin or a school readiness plus program under section 142D.07; deleted text end

(4) a Head Start program under United States Code, title 42, section 9801, et seq.;

(5) a certified license-exempt child care center under chapter 142C; or

(6) a Tribally licensed child care program.

(e) "Mentor" means an early childhood registered apprenticeship program journeyworker under section 178.011, subdivision 9, who has a career lattice step of nine or higher.

Sec. 57.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142E.16, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Background study required.

(a) This subdivision only applies to legal, nonlicensed family child care providers.

(b) Prior to authorization, the commissioner of deleted text begin children, youth, and families deleted text end new text begin human services new text end shall perform a background study on individuals identified under section 245C.02, subdivision 6a.

(c) After authorization, a background study must also be performed when an individual identified under section 245C.02, subdivision 6a, joins the household. The provider must report all family changes that would require a new background study.

(d) At each reauthorization, the commissioner of children, youth, and families must ensure that a background study through NETStudy 2.0 has been performed on all individuals in the provider's household for whom a background study is required under paragraphs (b) and (c).

(e) Prior to a background study through NETStudy 2.0 expiring, another background study must be completed on all individuals for whom the background study is expiring.

(f) The commissioner of deleted text begin children, youth, and families deleted text end new text begin human services new text end shall forward the background study determination to the commissioner of children, youth, and families, who shall grant or deny authorization as a legal nonlicensed family child care provider based on the commissioner of human service's determination.

Sec. 58.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 142G.01, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Relationship to other statutes and rules.

MFIP replaces eligibility for families with children and pregnant women under the general assistance program, governed by sections 256D.01 to deleted text begin 256D.21 deleted text end new text begin 256D.17 new text end and Minnesota Rules, parts 9500.1200 to 9500.1261.

Sec. 59.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142G.22, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Determination of eligibility.

(a) A county agency must determine MFIP eligibility prospectively based on assessing income and the county agency's best estimate of the circumstances that will exist in the payment month.

(b) A county agency must calculate the amount of the assistance payment using prospective budgeting. To determine MFIP eligibility and the assistance payment amount, a county agency must apply countable income, described in sections 142G.31, subdivisions 5 to 12, and 256P.06, received by members of an assistance unit or by other persons whose income is counted for the assistance unit, described under sections 142G.31, subdivisions 1 to 4, and 256P.06, subdivision 1.

(c) This income must be applied to the MFIP standard of need or family wage level subject to this section and sections deleted text begin 142G.30, deleted text end 142G.32 deleted text begin , deleted text end and 142G.33. Countable income as described in section 256P.06, subdivision 3, received must be applied to the needs of an assistance unit.

(d) An assistance unit is not eligible when the countable income equals or exceeds the MFIP standard of need or the family wage level for the assistance unit.

Sec. 60.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142G.25, is amended to read:

142G.25 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

The commissioner of children, youth, and families, in cooperation with the commissioner of employment and economic development, shall develop reporting requirements for county agencies and employment and training service providers according to section 256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph deleted text begin (p) deleted text end new text begin (o) new text end . Reporting requirements must, to the extent possible, use existing client tracking systems and must be within the limits of funds available. The requirements must include summary information necessary for state agencies and the legislature to evaluate the effectiveness of the services.

Sec. 61.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142G.40, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Time limit.

(a) Except as otherwise provided for in this section, an assistance unit in which any adult caregiver has received 60 months of cash assistance funded in whole or in part by the TANF block grant in this or any other state or United States territory, or from a tribal TANF program, MFIP, the AFDC program formerly codified in sections 256.72 to 256.87, or the family general assistance program formerly codified in sections 256D.01 to deleted text begin 256D.23 deleted text end new text begin 256D.17 new text end , funded in whole or in part by state appropriations, is ineligible to receive MFIP. Any cash assistance funded with TANF dollars in this or any other state or United States territory, or from a tribal TANF program, or MFIP assistance funded in whole or in part by state appropriations, that was received by the unit on or after the date TANF was implemented, including any assistance received in states or United States territories of prior residence, counts toward the 60-month limitation. Months during which any cash assistance is received by an assistance unit with a mandatory member who is disqualified for wrongfully obtaining public assistance under section 256.98, subdivision 8, counts toward the time limit for the disqualified member. The 60-month limit applies to a minor caregiver except under subdivision 4. The 60-month time period does not need to be consecutive months for this provision to apply.

(b) The months before July 1998 in which individuals received assistance as part of the field trials as an MFIP, MFIP-R, or MFIP or MFIP-R comparison group family are not included in the 60-month time limit.

Sec. 62.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142G.57, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Responsibility for assessment and employment plan.

For caregivers who are under age 18 without a high school diploma or its equivalent, the assessment under subdivision 1 and the employment plan under subdivision 3 must be completed by the social services agency under section deleted text begin 257.33 deleted text end new text begin 142A.03, subdivision 34 new text end . For caregivers who are age 18 or 19 without a high school diploma or its equivalent who choose to have an employment plan with an education option under subdivision 3, the assessment under subdivision 1 and the employment plan under subdivision 3 must be completed by the job counselor or, at county option, by the social services agency under section deleted text begin 257.33 deleted text end new text begin 142A.03, subdivision 34 new text end . Upon reaching age 18 or 19 a caregiver who received social services under section deleted text begin 257.33 deleted text end new text begin 142A.03, subdivision 34 new text end new text begin , new text end and is without a high school diploma or its equivalent has the option to choose whether to continue receiving services under the caregiver's plan from the social services agency or to utilize an MFIP employment and training service provider. The social services agency or the job counselor shall consult with the participant's school in developing the educational plan.

Sec. 63.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142G.57, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

No appropriate educational option.

If the job counselor determines that there is no appropriate educational option for a caregiver who is age 18 or 19 without a high school diploma or its equivalent, the job counselor must develop an employment plan, as defined in section 142G.50, subdivision 4, for the caregiver. If the county social services agency determines that school attendance is not appropriate for a caregiver under age 18 without a high school diploma or its equivalent, the county agency shall refer the caregiver to social services for services as provided in section deleted text begin 257.33 deleted text end new text begin 142A.03, subdivision 34 new text end .

Sec. 64.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 144E.28, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Reinstatement.

(a) Within four years of a certification expiration date, a person whose certification has expired under subdivision 7, paragraph (d), may have the certification reinstated upon submission of:

(1) evidence to the director of training equivalent to the continuing education requirements of subdivision 7 or, for community paramedics, evidence to the director of training equivalent to the continuing education requirements of subdivision 9, paragraph (c); and

(2) a director-approved application form.

(b) If more than four years have passed since a certificate expiration date, an applicant must complete the initial certification process required under subdivision 1.

deleted text begin (c) Beginning July 1, 2024, through December 31, 2025, and notwithstanding paragraph (b), a person whose certification as an EMT, AEMT, paramedic, or community paramedic expired more than four years ago but less than ten years ago may have the certification reinstated upon submission of: deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) evidence to the director of the training required under paragraph (a), clause (1). This training must have been completed within the 24 months prior to the date of the application for reinstatement; deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) a director-approved application form; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) a recommendation from an ambulance service medical director. deleted text end

deleted text begin This paragraph expires December 31, 2025. deleted text end

Sec. 65.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 145.882, subdivision 5a, is amended to read:

Subd. 5a.

Nonparticipating community health boards.

If a community health board decides not to participate in maternal and child health block grant activities under subdivision 3 or the commissioner determines under section deleted text begin 145A.131 deleted text end new text begin 145A.03 new text end , subdivision 7, not to fund the community health board, the commissioner is responsible for directing maternal and child health block grant activities in that community health board's geographic area. The commissioner may elect to directly provide public health activities to meet the statewide outcomes or to contract with other governmental units or nonprofit organizations.

Sec. 66.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 145.8821, is amended to read:

145.8821 ACCOUNTABILITY.

(a) Coordinating with accountability measures outlined in section 145A.131, subdivision deleted text begin 7 deleted text end new text begin 3 new text end , each community health board that receives money under section 145.882, subdivision 3, shall select by February 1, 2005, and every five years thereafter, up to two statewide maternal and child health outcomes.

(b) For the period January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2005, each community health board must work toward the Healthy People 2010 goal to reduce the state's percentage of low birth weight infants.

(c) The commissioner shall monitor and evaluate whether each community health board has made sufficient progress toward the selected outcomes established in paragraph (b).

(d) Community health boards shall provide the commissioner with annual information necessary to evaluate progress toward selected statewide outcomes and to meet federal reporting requirements.

Sec. 67.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 148.6404, is amended to read:

148.6404 SCOPE OF PRACTICE.

(a) The practice of occupational therapy means the therapeutic use of everyday life occupations with individuals, groups, or populations for the purpose of enhancing or enabling participation in those occupations. The practice of occupational therapy promotes health and well-being through the use of occupational therapy services that includes screening, evaluation, intervention, and consultation to develop, recover, and maintain a client's:

(1) sensory integrative, neuromuscular, motor, emotional, motivational, cognitive, or psychosocial components of performance;

(2) daily living skills;

(3) feeding and swallowing skills;

(4) play and leisure skills;

(5) educational participation skills;

(6) functional performance and work participation skills;

(7) community mobility; and

(8) health and wellness.

(b) Occupational therapy services include but are not limited to:

(1) designing, fabricating, or applying rehabilitative technology, such as selected orthotic and prosthetic devices, and providing training in the functional use of these devices;

(2) designing, fabricating, or adapting assistive technology and providing training in the functional use of assistive devices;

(3) adapting environments using assistive technology such as environmental controls, wheelchair modifications, and positioning;

(4) applying physical agent, manual, and mechanical modalities in preparation for or as an adjunct to purposeful activity to meet established functional occupational therapy goals; and

(5) educating and training individuals, deleted text begin including deleted text end families, caregivers, groups, and populations.

(c) Occupational therapy services must be based on nationally established standards of practice.

Sec. 68.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 148.6408, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Qualifying examination score required.

(a) An applicant must achieve a qualifying score on the certification examination for occupational deleted text begin therapist deleted text end new text begin therapists new text end .

(b) The board shall determine the qualifying score for the certification examination for occupational deleted text begin therapist deleted text end new text begin therapists new text end as recommended by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, or other national certification organization approved by the board.

(c) Applicants for licensure must:

(1) make arrangements to take the certification examination for an occupational deleted text begin therapist deleted text end new text begin therapists new text end ;

(2) bear all expenses associated with taking the examination; and

(3) submit an application and other materials as required by the board under section 148.6420.

Sec. 69.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 148B.59, is amended to read:

148B.59 DISCIPLINARY ACTION; RESTORATION OF LICENSE.

(a) The board may impose disciplinary action as described in paragraph (b) against an applicant or licensee whom the board, by a preponderance of the evidence, determines:

(1) has violated a statute, rule, or order that the board issued or is empowered to enforce;

(2) has engaged in fraudulent, deceptive, or dishonest conduct, whether or not the conduct relates to the practice of licensed professional counseling, that adversely affects the person's ability or fitness to practice professional counseling;

(3) has engaged in unprofessional conduct or any other conduct which has the potential for causing harm to the public, including any departure from or failure to conform to the minimum standards of acceptable and prevailing practice without actual injury having to be established;

(4) has been convicted of or has pled guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or other crime, an element of which is dishonesty or fraud, or has been shown to have engaged in acts or practices tending to show that the applicant or licensee is incompetent or has engaged in conduct reflecting adversely on the applicant's or licensee's ability or fitness to engage in the practice of professional counseling;

(5) has employed fraud or deception in obtaining or renewing a license, or in passing an examination;

(6) has had any counseling license, certificate, registration, privilege to take an examination, or other similar authority denied, revoked, suspended, canceled, limited, or not renewed for cause in any jurisdiction or has surrendered or voluntarily terminated a license or certificate during a board investigation of a complaint, as part of a disciplinary order, or while under a disciplinary order;

(7) has failed to meet any requirement for the issuance or renewal of the person's license. The burden of proof is on the applicant or licensee to demonstrate the qualifications or satisfy the requirements for a license under deleted text begin the Licensed Professional Counseling Act deleted text end new text begin sections 148B.50 to 148B.75 new text end ;

(8) has failed to cooperate with an investigation of the board;

(9) has demonstrated an inability to practice professional counseling with reasonable skill and safety to clients due to any mental or physical illness or condition;

(10) has engaged in fee splitting. This clause does not apply to the distribution of revenues from a partnership, group practice, nonprofit corporation, or professional corporation to its partners, shareholders, members, or employees if the revenues consist only of fees for services performed by the licensee or under a licensee's administrative authority. Fee splitting includes, but is not limited to:

(i) dividing fees with another person or a professional corporation, unless the division is in proportion to the services provided and the responsibility assumed by each professional;

(ii) referring a client to any health care provider as defined in sections 144.291 to 144.298 in which the referring licensee has a significant financial interest, unless the licensee has disclosed in advance to the client the licensee's own financial interest; and

(iii) paying, offering to pay, receiving, or agreeing to receive a commission, rebate, or remuneration, directly or indirectly, primarily for the referral of clients;

(11) has engaged in conduct with a client that is sexual or may reasonably be interpreted by the client as sexual, or in any verbal behavior that is seductive or sexually demeaning to a client;

(12) has been subject to a corrective action or similar action in another jurisdiction or by another regulatory authority; or

(13) has been adjudicated as mentally incompetent, mentally ill, or developmentally disabled or as a chemically dependent person, a person dangerous to the public, a sexually dangerous person, or a person who has a sexual psychopathic personality by a court of competent jurisdiction within this state or an equivalent adjudication from another state. Adjudication automatically suspends a license for the duration thereof unless the board orders otherwise.

(b) If grounds for disciplinary action exist under paragraph (a), the board may take one or more of the following actions:

(1) refuse to grant or renew a license;

(2) revoke a license;

(3) suspend a license;

(4) impose limitations or conditions on a licensee's practice of professional counseling, including, but not limited to, limiting the scope of practice to designated competencies, imposing retraining or rehabilitation requirements, requiring the licensee to practice under supervision, or conditioning continued practice on the demonstration of knowledge or skill by appropriate examination or other review of skill and competence;

(5) censure or reprimand the licensee;

(6) refuse to permit an applicant to take the licensure examination or refuse to release an applicant's examination grade if the board finds that it is in the public interest; or

(7) impose a civil penalty not exceeding $10,000 for each separate violation, the amount of the civil penalty to be fixed so as to deprive the applicant or licensee of any economic advantage gained by reason of the violation charged, to discourage similar violations or to reimburse the board for the cost of the investigation and proceeding, including, but not limited to, fees paid for services provided by the Office of Administrative Hearings, legal and investigative services provided by the Office of the Attorney General, court reporters, witnesses, reproduction of records, board members' per diem compensation, board staff time, and travel costs and expenses incurred by board staff and board members.

(c) In lieu of or in addition to paragraph (b), the board may require, as a condition of continued licensure, termination of suspension, reinstatement of license, examination, or release of examination grades, that the applicant or licensee:

(1) submit to a quality review, as specified by the board, of the applicant's or licensee's ability, skills, or quality of work; and

(2) complete to the satisfaction of the board educational courses specified by the board.

The board may also refer a licensee, if appropriate, to the health professionals services program described in sections 214.31 to 214.37.

(d) Service of the order is effective if the order is served on the applicant, licensee, or counsel of record personally or by mail to the most recent address provided to the board for the licensee, applicant, or counsel of record. The order shall state the reasons for the entry of the order.

Sec. 70.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 148F.165, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Client bill of rights.

The client bill of rights required by section 144.652 shall be prominently displayed on the premises of the professional practice or provided as a handout to each client. The document must state that consumers of alcohol and drug counseling services have the right to:

(1) expect that the provider meets the minimum qualifications of training and experience required by state law;

(2) examine public records maintained by the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy that contain the credentials of the provider;

(3) report complaints to the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy;

(4) be informed of the cost of professional services before receiving the services;

(5) privacy as defined and limited by law and rule;

(6) be free from being the object of unlawful discrimination while receiving counseling services;

(7) have access to their records as provided in sections deleted text begin 144.92 deleted text end new text begin 144.292 new text end and 148F.135, subdivision 1, except as otherwise provided by law;

(8) be free from exploitation for the benefit or advantage of the provider;

(9) terminate services at any time, except as otherwise provided by law or court order;

(10) know the intended recipients of assessment results;

(11) withdraw consent to release assessment results, unless the right is prohibited by law or court order or was waived by prior written agreement;

(12) a nontechnical description of assessment procedures; and

(13) a nontechnical explanation and interpretation of assessment results, unless this right is prohibited by law or court order or was waived by prior written agreement.

Sec. 71.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 148F.205, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Insurers.

Each insurer authorized to sell insurance described in section 60A.06, subdivision 1, clause (13), and providing professional liability insurance to alcohol and drug counselors or the deleted text begin Medical deleted text end Joint Underwriting Association under chapter deleted text begin 62F deleted text end new text begin 62I new text end , shall submit to the board quarterly reports concerning the alcohol and drug counselors against whom malpractice settlements and awards have been made. The report must contain at least the following information:

(1) the total number of malpractice settlements or awards made;

(2) the date the malpractice settlements or awards were made;

(3) the allegations contained in the claim or complaint leading to the settlements or awards made;

(4) the dollar amount of each settlement or award;

(5) the address of the practice of the alcohol and drug counselor against whom an award was made or with whom a settlement was made; and

(6) the name of the alcohol and drug counselor against whom an award was made or with whom a settlement was made.

The insurance company shall, in addition to the information in clauses (1) to (6), submit to the board any information, records, and files, including clients' charts and records, it possesses that tend to substantiate a charge that a licensed alcohol and drug counselor may have engaged in conduct violating this chapter.

Sec. 72.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 148F.2051, is amended to read:

148F.2051 FAILURE TO REPORT.

deleted text begin On or after August 1, 2012, deleted text end Any person, institution, insurer, or organization that fails to report as required under deleted text begin Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 148C.095, subdivisions 2 to 5, deleted text end new text begin section 148F.205 new text end shall be subject to civil penalties for failing to report as required by law.

Sec. 73.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 151.72, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Scope.

(a) This section applies to the sale of any product that contains cannabinoids extracted from hemp and that is an edible cannabinoid product or is intended for human or animal consumption by any route of administration.

(b) This section does not apply to any product dispensed by a registered medical cannabis manufacturer pursuant to sections 152.22 deleted text begin to 152.37 deleted text end new text begin and 152.29 new text end .

(c) The office must have no authority over food products, as defined in section 34A.01, subdivision 4, that do not contain cannabinoids extracted or derived from hemp.

Sec. 74.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 152.29, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Distribution to Tribal medical cannabis program patient.

(a) A manufacturer may distribute medical cannabis in accordance with subdivisions 1 to 4 to a Tribal medical cannabis program patient.

(b) Prior to distribution, the Tribal medical cannabis program patient must provide to the manufacturer:

(1) a valid medical cannabis registration verification card or equivalent document issued by a Tribal medical cannabis program that indicates that the Tribal medical cannabis program patient is authorized to use medical cannabis on Indian lands over which the Tribe has jurisdiction; and

(2) a valid photographic identification card issued by the Tribal medical cannabis program, a valid driver's license, or a valid state identification card.

(c) A manufacturer shall distribute medical cannabis to a Tribal medical cannabis program patient only in a form allowed under section deleted text begin 152.22, subdivision 6 deleted text end new text begin 342.01, subdivision 52 new text end .

Sec. 75.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 157.22, is amended to read:

157.22 EXEMPTIONS.

This chapter does not apply to:

(1) interstate carriers under the supervision of the United States Department of Health and Human Services;

(2) weddings, fellowship meals, or funerals conducted by a faith-based organization using any building constructed and primarily used for religious worship or education;

(3) any building owned, operated, and used by a college or university in accordance with health regulations promulgated by the college or university under chapter 14;

(4) any person, firm, or corporation whose principal mode of business is licensed under sections 28A.04 and 28A.05, is exempt at that premises from licensure as a food or beverage establishment; provided that the holding of any license pursuant to sections 28A.04 and 28A.05 shall not exempt any person, firm, or corporation from the applicable provisions of this chapter or the rules of the state commissioner of health relating to food and beverage service establishments;

(5) family day care homes and group family day care homes governed by sections 142B.01 to 142B.79;

(6) nonprofit senior citizen centers for the sale of home-baked goods;

(7) fraternal, sportsman, or patriotic organizations that are tax exempt under section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6), 501(c)(7), 501(c)(10), or 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or organizations related to, affiliated with, or supported by such fraternal, sportsman, or patriotic organizations for events held in the building or on the grounds of the organization and at which home-prepared food is donated by organization members for sale at the events, provided:

(i) the event is not a circus, carnival, or fair;

(ii) the organization controls the admission of persons to the event, the event agenda, or both; and

(iii) the organization's licensed kitchen is not used in any manner for the event;

(8) food not prepared at an establishment and brought in by individuals attending a potluck event for consumption at the potluck event. An organization sponsoring a potluck event under this clause may advertise the potluck event to the public through any means. Individuals who are not members of an organization sponsoring a potluck event under this clause may attend the potluck event and consume the food at the event. Licensed food establishments other than schools cannot be sponsors of potluck events. A school may sponsor and hold potluck events in areas of the school other than the school's kitchen, provided that the school's kitchen is not used in any manner for the potluck event. For purposes of this clause, "school" means a public school as defined in section 120A.05, subdivisions 9, 11, 13, and 17, or a nonpublic school, church, or religious organization at which a child is provided with instruction in compliance with sections 120A.22 and 120A.24. Potluck event food shall not be brought into a licensed food establishment kitchen;

(9) a home school in which a child is provided instruction at home;

(10) school concession stands serving commercially prepared, nonpotentially hazardous foods, as defined in Minnesota Rules, chapter 4626;

(11) group residential facilities of ten or fewer beds licensed by the commissioner of human services under Minnesota Rules, chapter 2960, provided the facility employs or contracts with a certified food new text begin protection new text end manager under Minnesota Rules, part deleted text begin 4626.2015 deleted text end new text begin 4626.0033 new text end ;

(12) food served at fundraisers, community events or fellowship meals conducted in the building or on the grounds of a faith-based organization, provided that a certified food manager or volunteer trained in a food safety course, trains the food preparation workers in safe food handling practices. Food prepared during these events is allowed to be made available for curbside pickup or delivered to members of the faith-based organization or the community in which the faith-based organization serves. This exemption does not apply to faith-based organizations at the state agricultural society or county fairs or to faith-based organizations that choose to apply for a license;

(13) food service events conducted following a disaster for purposes of feeding disaster relief staff and volunteers serving commercially prepared, nonpotentially hazardous foods, as defined in Minnesota Rules, chapter 4626;

(14) chili or soup served at a chili or soup cook-off fundraiser conducted by a community-based nonprofit organization, provided:

(i) the municipality where the event is located approves the event;

(ii) the sponsoring organization must develop food safety rules and ensure that participants follow these rules; and

(iii) if the food is not prepared in a kitchen that is licensed or inspected, a visible sign or placard must be posted that states: "These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection."

Foods exempt under this clause must be labeled to accurately reflect the name and address of the person preparing the foods; and

(15) a special event food stand or a seasonal temporary food stand provided:

(i) the stand is located on private property with the permission of the property owner;

(ii) the stand has gross receipts or contributions of $1,000 or less in a calendar year; and

(iii) the operator of the stand posts a sign or placard at the site that states "The products sold at this stand are not subject to state inspection or regulation." if the stand offers for sale potentially hazardous food as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 4626.0020, subpart 62.

Sec. 76.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 161.14, subdivision 109, is amended to read:

Subd. 109.

Elmstrand * Finseth * Ruge Heroes Memorial Bridge.

The bridge on Burnsville Parkway over marked Interstate Highway 35W in the city of Burnsville is designated as "Elmstrand * Finseth * Ruge Heroes Memorial Bridge." Subject to section 161.139, the commissioner must adopt a suitable design to mark this deleted text begin highway deleted text end new text begin bridge new text end and erect appropriate signs.

Sec. 77.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 161.45, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

High voltage transmission; placement in right-of-way.

(a) For purposes of this subdivision and subdivisions 5 to 7, "high voltage transmission line" has the meaning given in section 216I.02, subdivision 8.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision 1, paragraph (a), high voltage transmission lines under the laws of this state or the ordinance of any city or county may be constructed, placed, or maintained across or along any trunk highway, including an interstate highway and a trunk highway that is an expressway or a freeway, except as deemed necessary by the commissioner of transportation to protect public safety or ensure the proper function of the trunk highway system.

(c) If the commissioner denies a high voltage deleted text begin electric deleted text end new text begin transmission new text end line colocation request, the reasons for the denial must be submitted for review within 90 days of the commissioner's denial to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over energy and transportation, the Public Utilities Commission executive secretary, and the commissioner of commerce.

Sec. 78.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 168.012, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Vehicles exempt from tax, fees, or plate display.

(a) The following vehicles are exempt from the provisions of this chapter requiring payment of tax and registration fees, except as provided in subdivision 1c:

(1) vehicles owned and used solely in the transaction of official business by the federal government, the state, or any political subdivision;

(2) vehicles owned and used exclusively by educational institutions and used solely in the transportation of pupils to and from those institutions;

(3) vehicles used solely in driver education programs at nonpublic high schools;

(4) vehicles owned by nonprofit charities and used exclusively to transport disabled persons for charitable, religious, or educational purposes;

(5) vehicles owned by nonprofit charities and used exclusively for disaster response and related activities;

(6) vehicles owned by ambulance services licensed under section 144E.10 that are equipped and specifically intended for emergency response or providing ambulance services; and

(7) vehicles owned by a commercial driving school licensed under section 171.34, or an employee of a commercial driving school licensed under section 171.34, and the vehicle is used exclusively for driver education and training.

(b) Provided the general appearance of the vehicle is unmistakable, the following vehicles are not required to register or display number plates:

(1) vehicles owned by the federal government;

(2) fire apparatuses, including fire-suppression support vehicles, owned or leased by the state or a political subdivision;

(3) police patrols owned or leased by the state or a political subdivision; and

(4) ambulances owned or leased by the state or a political subdivision.

(c) Unmarked vehicles used in general police work, liquor investigations, or arson investigations, and passenger automobiles, pickup trucks, and buses owned or operated by the Department of Corrections or by conservation officers of the Division of Enforcement and Field Service of the Department of Natural Resources, must be registered and must display appropriate license number plates, furnished by the registrar at cost. Original and renewal applications for these license plates authorized for use in general police work and for use by the Department of Corrections or by conservation officers must be accompanied by a certification signed by the appropriate chief of police if issued to a police vehicle, the appropriate sheriff if issued to a sheriff's vehicle, the commissioner of corrections if issued to a Department of Corrections vehicle, or the appropriate officer in charge if issued to a vehicle of any other law enforcement agency. The certification must be on a form prescribed by the commissioner and state that the vehicle will be used exclusively for a purpose authorized by this section.

(d) Unmarked vehicles used by the Departments of Revenue and Labor and Industry, fraud unit, in conducting seizures or criminal investigations must be registered and must display passenger vehicle classification license number plates, furnished at cost by the registrar. Original and renewal applications for these passenger vehicle license plates must be accompanied by a certification signed by the commissioner of revenue or the commissioner of labor and industry. The certification must be on a form prescribed by the commissioner and state that the vehicles will be used exclusively for the purposes authorized by this section.

(e) Unmarked vehicles used by the deleted text begin Division of Disease Prevention and Control of the deleted text end Department of Health new text begin Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division new text end must be registered and must display passenger vehicle classification license number plates. These plates must be furnished at cost by the registrar. Original and renewal applications for these passenger vehicle license plates must be accompanied by a certification signed by the commissioner of health. The certification must be on a form prescribed by the commissioner and state that the vehicles will be used exclusively for the official duties of the Division of Disease Prevention and Control.

(f) Unmarked vehicles used by staff of the Gambling Control Board in gambling investigations and reviews must be registered and must display passenger vehicle classification license number plates. These plates must be furnished at cost by the registrar. Original and renewal applications for these passenger vehicle license plates must be accompanied by a certification signed by the board chair. The certification must be on a form prescribed by the commissioner and state that the vehicles will be used exclusively for the official duties of the Gambling Control Board.

(g) Unmarked vehicles used in general investigation, surveillance, supervision, and monitoring by the Office of Inspector General's staff, including, but not limited to, county fraud prevention investigators, must be registered and must display passenger vehicle classification license number plates, furnished by the registrar at cost. Original and renewal applications for passenger vehicle license plates must be accompanied by a certification signed by the commissioner of human services. The certification must be on a form prescribed by the commissioner and state that the vehicles must be used exclusively for the official duties of the Office of Special Investigations' staff and the Office of the Inspector General's staff, including, but not limited to, contract and county fraud prevention investigators.

(h) Unmarked vehicles used in general investigation, surveillance, supervision, and monitoring by the Direct Care and Treatment Office of Special Investigations' staff and unmarked vehicles used by the Minnesota Sex Offender Program's executive director and the executive director's staff must be registered and must display passenger vehicle classification license number plates, furnished by the registrar at cost. Original and renewal applications for passenger vehicle license plates must be accompanied by a certification signed by the Direct Care and Treatment executive board. The certification must be on a form prescribed by the commissioner and state that the vehicles must be used exclusively for the official duties of the Minnesota Sex Offender Program's executive director and the executive director's staff, including but not limited to contract and county fraud prevention investigators.

(i) Each state hospital and institution for persons who are mentally ill and developmentally disabled may have one vehicle without the required identification on the sides of the vehicle. The vehicle must be registered and must display passenger vehicle classification license number plates. These plates must be furnished at cost by the registrar. Original and renewal applications for these passenger vehicle license plates must be accompanied by a certification signed by the hospital administrator. The certification must be on a form prescribed by the Direct Care and Treatment executive board and state that the vehicles will be used exclusively for the official duties of the state hospital or institution.

(j) Each county social service agency may have vehicles used for child and vulnerable adult protective services without the required identification on the sides of the vehicle. The vehicles must be registered and must display passenger vehicle classification license number plates. These plates must be furnished at cost by the registrar. Original and renewal applications for these passenger vehicle license plates must be accompanied by a certification signed by the agency administrator. The certification must be on a form prescribed by the commissioner and state that the vehicles will be used exclusively for the official duties of the social service agency.

(k) Unmarked vehicles used in general investigation, surveillance, supervision, and monitoring by tobacco inspector staff of the Department of Human Services' Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division for the purposes of tobacco inspections, investigations, and reviews must be registered and must display passenger vehicle classification license number plates, furnished at cost by the registrar. Original and renewal applications for passenger vehicle license plates must be accompanied by a certification signed by the commissioner of human services. The certification must be on a form prescribed by the commissioner and state that the vehicles will be used exclusively by tobacco inspector staff for the duties specified in this paragraph.

(l) All other motor vehicles must be registered and display tax-exempt number plates, furnished by the registrar at cost, except as provided in subdivision 1c. All vehicles required to display tax-exempt number plates must have the name of the state department or political subdivision, nonpublic high school operating a driver education program, licensed commercial driving school, or other qualifying organization or entity, plainly displayed on both sides of the vehicle. This identification must be in a color giving contrast with that of the part of the vehicle on which it is placed and must endure throughout the term of the registration. The identification must not be on a removable plate or placard and must be kept clean and visible at all times; except that a removable plate or placard may be utilized on vehicles leased or loaned to a political subdivision or to a nonpublic high school driver education program.

Sec. 79.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 168A.01, subdivision 18, is amended to read:

Subd. 18.

Secured party.

"Secured party" means a secured party as defined in section deleted text begin 336.9-102, paragraph (a), clause (73), deleted text end new text begin 336.9-102(a)(73) new text end having a security interest in a vehicle.

Sec. 80.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 168A.01, subdivision 19, is amended to read:

Subd. 19.

Security agreement.

"Security agreement" means a security agreement as defined in section deleted text begin 336.9-102, paragraph (a), clause (74) deleted text end new text begin 336.9-102(a)(74) new text end .

Sec. 81.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 168A.01, subdivision 20, is amended to read:

Subd. 20.

Security interest.

"Security interest" means a security interest as defined in section deleted text begin 336.1-201, paragraph (b), clause (35) deleted text end new text begin 336.1-201(b)(35) new text end . A security interest is "perfected" when it is valid against third parties generally, subject only to specific statutory exception.

Sec. 82.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.223, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Headlight requirement.

The provisions of section 169.974, subdivision 5, paragraph deleted text begin (k) deleted text end new text begin (l) new text end , apply to motorized bicycles that are equipped with headlights. A new motorized bicycle sold or offered for sale in Minnesota must be equipped with a headlight.

Sec. 83.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 169.99, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Form.

(a) Except as provided in subdivision 3; section 169.147, subdivision deleted text begin 8 deleted text end new text begin 10 new text end ; and section 169.999, subdivision 3, there shall be a uniform ticket issued throughout the state by the police and peace officers or by any other person for violations of this chapter and ordinances in conformity thereto. Such uniform traffic ticket shall be in the form and have the effect of a summons and complaint. Except as provided in paragraph (b), the uniform ticket shall state that if the defendant fails to appear in court in response to the ticket, an arrest warrant may be issued. The uniform traffic ticket shall consist of four parts, on paper sensitized so that copies may be made without the use of carbon paper, as follows:

(1) the complaint, with reverse side for officer's notes for testifying in court, driver's past record, and court's action, printed on white paper;

(2) the abstract of court record for the Department of Public Safety, which shall be a copy of the complaint with the certificate of conviction on the reverse side, printed on yellow paper;

(3) the police record, which shall be a copy of the complaint and of the reverse side of copy (1), printed on pink paper; and

(4) the summons, with, on the reverse side, such information as the court may wish to give concerning the Traffic Violations Bureau, and a plea of guilty and waiver, printed on off-white tag stock.

(b) If the offense is a petty misdemeanor, the uniform ticket must state that a failure to appear will be considered a plea of guilty and waiver of the right to trial, unless the failure to appear is due to circumstances beyond the person's control.

Sec. 84.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 171.301, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Conditions of issuance.

(a) The commissioner may issue a reintegration driver's license to any person:

(1) who is 18 years of age or older;

(2) who has been released from a period of at least 180 consecutive days of confinement or incarceration in:

(i) an adult correctional facility under the control of the commissioner of corrections or licensed by the commissioner of corrections under section 241.021;

(ii) a federal correctional facility for adults; or

(iii) an adult correctional facility operated under the control or supervision of any other state; and

(3) whose license has been suspended or revoked under the circumstances listed in section 171.30, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (4), for a violation that occurred before the individual was incarcerated for the period described in clause (2).

(b) If the person's driver's license or permit to drive has been revoked under section 169.792 or 169.797, the commissioner may only issue a reintegration driver's license to the person after the person has presented an insurance identification card, policy, or written statement indicating that the driver or owner has insurance coverage satisfactory to the commissioner.

(c) If the person's driver's license or permit to drive has been suspended under section 171.186, the commissioner may only issue a reintegration driver's license to the person after the commissioner receives notice of a court order provided pursuant to section 518A.65, paragraph (h), showing that the person's driver's license or operating privileges should no longer be suspended.

(d) If the person's driver's license has been revoked under section 171.17, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (1) or (2), the commissioner may only issue a reintegration driver's license to the person after the person has completed the applicable revocation period.

(e) The commissioner must not issue a reintegration driver's license:

(1) to any person described in section 171.04, subdivision 1, clause (7), (8), (10), or (11);

(2) to any person described in section deleted text begin 169A.55, subdivision 5 deleted text end new text begin 171.178, subdivision 6 new text end ;

(3) if the person has committed a violation after the person was released from custody that results in the suspension, revocation, or cancellation of a driver's license, including suspension for nonpayment of child support or maintenance payments as described in section 171.186, subdivision 1; or

(4) if the issuance would conflict with the requirements of the nonresident violator compact.

(f) The commissioner must not issue a class A, class B, or class C reintegration driver's license.

Sec. 85.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 181.211, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Worker organization.

"Worker organization" means an organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code, that is not dominated or interfered with by any nursing home employer within the meaning of United States Code, title 29, section deleted text begin 158a(2) deleted text end new text begin 158(a)(2) new text end , and that has at least five years of demonstrated experience engaging with and advocating for nursing home workers.

Sec. 86.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.06, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Multiple affidavits of candidacy.

Notwithstanding subdivision 1, new text begin paragraph (a), new text end clause (2):

(1) a candidate for soil and water conservation district supervisor in a district not located in whole or in part in Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, or Washington County may also have on file an affidavit of candidacy for:

(i) mayor or council member of a statutory or home rule charter city of not more than 2,500 population contained in whole or in part in the soil and water conservation district; or

(ii) town supervisor in a town of not more than 2,500 population contained in whole or in part in the soil and water conservation district; and

(2) a candidate for school board member may also have on file an affidavit of candidacy for town board supervisor, unless that town board is exercising the powers of a statutory city under section 368.01 or an applicable special law.

Sec. 87.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211B.04, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Material that does not need a disclaimer.

(a) This section does not apply to fundraising tickets, business cards, personal letters, or similar items that are clearly being distributed by the candidate.

(b) This section does not apply to an individual or association that is not required to register or report under chapter 10A or 211A.

(c) This section does not apply to the following:

(1) bumper stickers, pins, buttons, pens, or similar small items on which the disclaimer cannot be conveniently printed;

(2) skywriting, wearing apparel, or other means of displaying an advertisement of such a nature that the inclusion of a disclaimer would be impracticable; and

(3) online banner ads and similar electronic communications that link directly to an online page that includes the disclaimer.

deleted text begin (d) This section does not modify or repeal section 211B.06. deleted text end

Sec. 88.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 214.06, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a.

Health occupations licensing account.

(a) Fees received by the commissioner of health or health-related licensing boards must be credited to the health occupations licensing account in the state government special revenue fund. The commissioner of management and budget shall ensure that the revenues and expenditures of each health-related licensing board are tracked separately in the health occupations licensing account.

(b) The fees collected must be used only by the boards identified in section 214.01, subdivision 2, and only for the purposes of the programs they administer. The legislature must not transfer money generated by these fees from the state government special revenue fund to the general fund. deleted text begin Surcharges collected by a health-related licensing board under section 16E.22 are not subject to this subdivision. deleted text end

Sec. 89.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 216B.16, subdivision 6b, is amended to read:

Subd. 6b.

Energy conservation improvement.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, all investments and expenses of a public utility new text begin , new text end as defined in section deleted text begin 216B.241, subdivision 1, paragraph (h) deleted text end new text begin 216B.2402, subdivision 11 new text end , incurred in connection with energy conservation improvements shall be recognized and included by the commission in the determination of just and reasonable rates as if the investments and expenses were directly made or incurred by the utility in furnishing utility service.

(b) The commission shall not include investments and expenses for energy conservation improvements in determining (i) just and reasonable electric rates for retail electric service provided to large customer facilities whose electric utilities have been exempted by the commissioner under section 216B.241, subdivision 1a, paragraph (b), with respect to those large customer facilities; or (ii) just and reasonable gas rates for large energy facilities, large customer facilities whose natural gas utilities have been exempted by the commissioner under section 216B.241, subdivision 1a, paragraph (b), or commercial gas customer facilities whose natural gas utilities have been exempted by the commissioner under section 216B.241, subdivision 1a, paragraph (c).

(c) The commission may permit a public utility to file rate schedules providing for annual recovery of the costs of energy conservation improvements. These rate schedules may be applicable to less than all the customers in a class of retail customers if necessary to reflect the requirements of section 216B.241. The commission shall allow a public utility, without requiring a general rate filing under this section, to reduce the electric rates applicable to large customer facilities that have been exempted by the commissioner under section 216B.241, subdivision 1a, paragraph (b), and to reduce the gas rate applicable to a large energy facility, a large customer facility or commercial customer facility that has been exempted by the commissioner under section 216B.241, subdivision 1a, paragraph (b) or (c), or by the commission under section 216B.241, subdivision 2, by an amount that reflects the elimination of energy conservation improvement investments or expenditures for those facilities. In the event that the commission has set electric or gas rates based on the use of an accounting methodology that results in the cost of conservation improvements being recovered from utility customers over a period of years, the rate reduction may occur in a series of steps to coincide with the recovery of balances due to the utility for conservation improvements made by the utility on or before December 31, 2007.

(d) Investments and expenses of a public utility shall not include electric utility infrastructure costs as defined in section 216B.1636, subdivision 1, paragraph (b).

Sec. 90.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 216B.16, subdivision 6c, is amended to read:

Subd. 6c.

Incentive plan for energy conservation and efficient fuel-switching improvement.

(a) The commission may order public utilities to develop and submit for commission approval incentive plans that describe the method of recovery and accounting for utility conservation and efficient fuel-switching expenditures and savings. For public utilities that provide electric service, the commission must develop and implement incentive plans designed to promote energy conservation separately from the plans designed to promote efficient fuel-switching. In developing the incentive plans the commission shall ensure the effective involvement of interested parties.

(b) In approving incentive plans, the commission shall consider:

(1) whether the plan is likely to increase utility investment in cost-effective energy conservation or efficient fuel switching;

(2) whether the plan is compatible with the interest of utility ratepayers and other interested parties;

(3) whether the plan links the incentive to the utility's performance in achieving cost-effective conservation or efficient fuel switching;

deleted text begin (4) whether the plan is in conflict with other provisions of this chapter; deleted text end

deleted text begin (5) deleted text end new text begin (4) new text end whether the plan conflicts with other provisions of this chapter; and

deleted text begin (6) deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end the likely financial impacts of the conservation and efficient fuel-switching programs on the utility.

(c) The commission may set rates to encourage the vigorous and effective implementation of utility conservation and efficient fuel-switching programs. The commission may:

(1) increase or decrease any otherwise allowed rate of return on net investment based upon the utility's skill, efforts, and success in improving the efficient use of energy through energy conservation or efficient fuel switching;

(2) share between ratepayers and utilities the net savings resulting from energy conservation and efficient fuel-switching programs to the extent justified by the utility's skill, efforts, and success in improving the efficient use of energy; and

(3) adopt any mechanism that satisfies the criteria of this subdivision, such that implementation of cost-effective conservation or efficient fuel switching is a preferred resource choice for the public utility considering the impact of conservation or efficient fuel switching on earnings of the public utility.

(d) Any incentives offered to electric utilities under this subdivision for efficient-fuel switching projects expire December 31, 2032.

Sec. 91.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 216B.1622, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Tariff or energy supply agreement.

The commission may approve, modify, or reject a tariff or electric service agreement proposed between a public utility and a very large customer establishing the terms and conditions under which the utility will provide electric service to the customer. As it evaluates a tariff or agreement under this section, the commission must consider how best to achieve the following required outcomes:

(1) all costs attributable to the utility's very large customers not exempt under subdivision 3 are assigned to the very large customer class or subclass determined by the commission under deleted text begin paragraph (a) deleted text end new text begin subdivision 1 new text end ;

(2) the electricity to be provided by the utility to a very large customer achieves each quantitative benchmark of the state's electricity standards under section 216B.1691, as demonstrated by a plan submitted by the utility to serve the additional load without recourse to requesting a delay or modification of these standards;

(3) the tariff or agreement contains protections necessary to ensure that other customers of the public utility are not placed at risk for paying stranded costs associated with the utility serving the very large customer; and

(4) any other outcome deemed important by the commission to ensure the tariff or agreement is in the public interest.

Sec. 92.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 216B.2411, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Generation projects.

(a) Any municipality or rural electric association providing electric service and subject to section 216B.241 may, and each public utility may, use five percent of the total amount to be spent on energy conservation improvements under section 216B.241, on:

(1) projects in Minnesota to construct an electric generating facility that utilizes eligible renewable energy sources as defined in subdivision 2, such as methane or other combustible gases derived from the processing of plant or animal wastes, biomass fuels such as short-rotation woody or fibrous agricultural crops, or other renewable fuel, as its primary fuel source;

(2) projects in Minnesota to install a distributed generation facility of ten megawatts or less of interconnected capacity that is fueled by natural gas, renewable fuels, or another similarly clean fuel; or

(3) projects in Minnesota to install a qualifying solar energy project as defined in subdivision 2.

(b) A municipality, rural electric association, or public utility that offers a program to customers to promote installing qualifying solar energy projects may request authority from the commissioner to exceed the five percent limit in paragraph (a), but not to exceed ten percent, to meet customer demand for installation of qualifying solar energy projects. In considering this request, the commissioner shall consider customer interest in qualifying solar energy and the impact on other customers. A municipality, rural electric association, or public utility may not participate in a qualifying solar energy project on a property unless it is provided evidence that all reasonable cost-effective conservation investments have previously been made to the property.

(c) For a municipality, rural electric association, or public utility, projects under this section must be considered energy conservation improvements new text begin , new text end as defined in section deleted text begin 216B.241 deleted text end new text begin 216B.2402, subdivision 6 new text end .

Sec. 93.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 216B.2411, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Definitions.

(a) For the purposes of this section, the terms defined in this subdivision and section deleted text begin 216B.241, subdivision 1 deleted text end new text begin 216B.2402 new text end , have the meanings given them.

(b) "Eligible renewable energy sources" means fuels and technologies to generate electricity through the use of any of the resources listed in section 216B.1691, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), except that the incineration of wastewater sludge is not an eligible renewable energy source, "biomass" has the meaning provided under paragraph (c), and "solar" must be from a qualified solar energy project as defined in paragraph (d).

(c) "Biomass" includes:

(1) methane or other combustible gases derived from the processing of plant or animal material;

(2) alternative fuels derived from soybean and other agricultural plant oils or animal fats;

(3) combustion of barley hulls, corn, soy-based products, or other agricultural products;

(4) wood residue from the wood products industry in Minnesota or other wood products such as short-rotation woody or fibrous agricultural crops;

(5) landfill gas;

(6) the predominantly organic components of wastewater effluent, sludge, or related by-products from publicly owned treatment works; and

(7) mixed municipal solid waste, and refuse-derived fuel from mixed municipal solid waste.

(d) "Qualifying solar energy project" means a qualifying solar thermal project or qualifying solar electric project.

(e) "Qualifying solar thermal project" means a flat plate or evacuated tube that meets the requirements of section 216C.25 with a fixed orientation that collects the sun's radiant energy and transfers it to a storage medium for distribution as energy to heat or cool air or water, but does not include equipment used to heat water at a residential property (1) for domestic use if less than one-half of the energy used for that purpose is derived from the sun or (2) for use in a hot tub or swimming pool.

(f) "Qualifying solar electric project" means:

(1) solar electric equipment that: (i) meets the requirements of section 216C.25; (ii) has a peak generating capacity of 100 kilowatts or less; and (iii) is used to generate electricity for use in a residential, commercial, or publicly owned property or facility; and

(2) if applicable, equipment that is used to store the electricity generated by a qualified solar electric project under clause (1) and that is located proximate to the property or facility using the electricity.

(g) "Residential property" means the principal residence of a homeowner at the time the solar equipment is placed in service.

Sec. 94.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 216B.2425, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Transmission needed to support renewable resources.

deleted text begin (a) deleted text end Each entity subject to this section shall determine necessary transmission upgrades to support development of renewable energy resources required to meet objectives under section 216B.1691 and shall include those upgrades in its report under subdivision 2.

deleted text begin (b) MS 2008 [Expired] deleted text end

Sec. 95.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 216B.2427, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) For the purposes of this section and section 216B.2428, the following terms have the meanings given.

(b) "Biogas" means gas produced by the anaerobic digestion of biomass, gasification of biomass, or other effective conversion processes.

(c) "Carbon capture" means the capture of greenhouse gas emissions that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.

(d) "Carbon-free resource" means an electricity generation facility whose operation does not contribute to statewide greenhouse gas emissions, as defined in section 216H.01, subdivision 2.

(e) "Disadvantaged community" means a community in Minnesota that is:

(1) defined as disadvantaged by the federal agency disbursing federal funds, when the federal agency is providing funds for an innovative resource; or

(2) an environmental justice area, as defined under section 216B.1691, subdivision 1.

(f) "District energy" means a heating or cooling system that is solar thermal powered or that uses the constant temperature of the earth or underground aquifers as a thermal exchange medium to heat or cool multiple buildings connected through a piping network.

(g) "Energy efficiency" has the meaning given in section deleted text begin 216B.241, subdivision 1, paragraph (f) deleted text end new text begin 216B.2402, subdivision 7 new text end , but does not include energy conservation investments that the commissioner determines could reasonably be included in a utility's conservation improvement program.

(h) "Greenhouse gas emissions" means emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride emitted by anthropogenic sources within Minnesota and from the generation of electricity imported from outside the state and consumed in Minnesota, excluding carbon dioxide that is injected into geological formations to prevent its release to the atmosphere in compliance with applicable laws.

(i) "Innovative resource" means biogas, renewable natural gas, power-to-hydrogen, power-to-ammonia, carbon capture, strategic electrification, district energy, and energy efficiency.

(j) "Lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions" means the aggregate greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the production, processing, transmission, and consumption of an energy resource.

(k) "Lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions intensity" means lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions per unit of energy delivered to an end user.

(l) "Nonexempt customer" means a utility customer that has not been included in a utility's innovation plan under subdivision 3, paragraph (f).

(m) "Power-to-ammonia" means the production of ammonia from hydrogen produced via power-to-hydrogen using a process that has a lower lifecycle greenhouse gas intensity than does natural gas produced from conventional geologic sources.

(n) "Power-to-hydrogen" means the use of electricity generated by a carbon-free resource to produce hydrogen.

(o) "Renewable energy" has the meaning given in section 216B.2422, subdivision 1.

(p) "Renewable natural gas" means biogas that has been processed to be interchangeable with, and that has a lower lifecycle greenhouse gas intensity than, natural gas produced from conventional geologic sources.

(q) "Solar thermal" has the meaning given to qualifying solar thermal project in section 216B.2411, subdivision 2, paragraph (d).

(r) "Strategic electrification" means the installation of electric end-use equipment in an existing building in which natural gas is a primary or back-up fuel source, or in a newly constructed building in which a customer receives natural gas service for one or more end-uses, provided that the electric end-use equipment:

(1) results in a net reduction in statewide greenhouse gas emissions, as defined in section 216H.01, subdivision 2, over the life of the equipment when compared to the most efficient commercially available natural gas alternative; and

(2) is installed and operated in a manner that improves the load factor of the customer's electric utility.

Strategic electrification does not include investments that the commissioner determines could reasonably be included in the natural gas utility's conservation improvement program under section 216B.241.

(s) "Thermal energy network" means a project that provides heating and cooling to multiple buildings connected via underground piping containing fluids that, in concert with heat pumps, exchange thermal energy from the earth, underground or surface waters, wastewater, or other heat sources.

(t) "Total incremental cost" means the calculation of the following components of a utility's innovation plan approved by the commission under subdivision 2:

(1) the sum of:

(i) return of and on capital investments for the production, processing, pipeline interconnection, storage, and distribution of innovative resources;

(ii) incremental operating costs associated with capital investments in infrastructure for the production, processing, pipeline interconnection, storage, and distribution of innovative resources;

(iii) incremental costs to procure innovative resources from third parties;

(iv) incremental costs to develop and administer programs; and

(v) incremental costs for research and development related to innovative resources;

(2) less the sum of:

(i) value received by the utility upon the resale of innovative resources or innovative resource by-products, including any environmental credits included with the resale of renewable gaseous fuels or value received by the utility when innovative resources are used as vehicle fuel;

(ii) cost savings achieved through avoidance of purchases of natural gas produced from conventional geologic sources, including but not limited to avoided commodity purchases and avoided pipeline costs; and

(iii) other revenues received by the utility that are directly attributable to the utility's implementation of an innovation plan.

(u) "Utility" means a public utility, as defined in section 216B.02, subdivision 4, that provides natural gas sales or natural gas transportation services to customers in Minnesota.

Sec. 96.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 216B.2427, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Innovation plans.

(a) A natural gas utility may file an innovation plan with the commission. The utility's plan must include, as applicable, the following components:

(1) the innovative resource or resources the utility plans to implement to contribute to meeting the state's greenhouse gas and renewable energy goals, including those established in section 216C.05, subdivision 2, clause (3), and section 216H.02, subdivision 1, within the requirements and limitations set forth in this section;

(2) research and development investments related to innovative resources the utility plans to undertake;

(3) total lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions that the utility projects are reduced or avoided through implementing the plan;

(4) a comparison of the estimate in clause (3) to total emissions from natural gas use by utility customers in 2020;

(5) a description of each pilot program included in the plan that is related to the development or provision of innovative resources, and an estimate of the total incremental costs to implement each pilot program;

(6) the cost-effectiveness of innovative resources calculated from the perspective of the utility, society, the utility's nonparticipating customers, and the utility's participating customers compared to other innovative resources that could be deployed to reduce or avoid the same greenhouse gas emissions targeted for reduction by the utility's proposed innovative resource;

(7) for any pilot program not previously approved as part of the utility's most recent innovation plan, a third-party analysis of:

(i) the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions intensity of the proposed innovative resources; and

(ii) the forecasted lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reduced or avoided if the proposed pilot program is implemented;

(8) an explanation of the methodology used by the utility to calculate the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions avoided or reduced by each pilot program included in the plan, including descriptions of how the utility's method deviated, if at all, from the carbon accounting frameworks established by the commission under section 216B.2428;

(9) a discussion of whether the plan supports the development and use of alternative agricultural products, waste reduction, reuse, or anaerobic digestion of organic waste, and the recovery of energy from wastewater, and, if it does, a description of the geographic areas of the state in which the benefits are realized;

(10) a description of third-party systems and processes the utility plans to use to:

(i) track the innovative resources included in the plan so that environmental benefits produced by the plan are not claimed for any other program; and

(ii) verify the environmental attributes and greenhouse gas emissions intensity of innovative resources included in the plan;

(11) projected local job impacts resulting from implementation of the plan and a description of steps the utility and the utility's energy suppliers and contractors are taking to maximize the availability of construction employment opportunities for local workers;

(12) a description of how the utility proposes to recover annual total incremental costs of the plan;

(13) steps the utility has taken or proposes to take to reduce the expected cost of the plan on low- and moderate-income residential customers and to ensure that low- and moderate-income residential customers benefit from innovative resources included in the plan;

(14) a report on the utility's progress toward implementing the utility's previously approved innovation plan, if applicable;

(15) a report of the utility's progress toward achieving the cost-effectiveness objectives established by the commission with respect to the utility's previously approved innovation plan, if applicable; and

(16) collections of pilot programs that the utility estimates would, if implemented, provide approximately 50 percent, 150 percent, and 200 percent of the greenhouse gas reduction or avoidance benefits of the utility's proposed plan.

(b) The commission must approve, modify, or reject a plan. The commission must not approve an innovation plan unless the commission finds:

(1) the size, scope, and scale of the plan produces net benefits under the cost-benefit framework established by the commission in section 216B.2428;

(2) the plan promotes the use of renewable energy resources and reduces or avoids greenhouse gas emissions at a cost level consistent with subdivision 3;

(3) the plan promotes local economic development;

(4) the innovative resources included in the plan have a lower lifecycle greenhouse gas intensity than natural gas produced from conventional geologic sources;

(5) the systems used to track and verify the environmental attributes of the innovative resources included in the plan are reasonable, considering available third-party tracking and verification systems;

(6) the costs and revenues projected under the plan are reasonable in comparison to other innovative resources the utility could deploy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, considering other benefits of the innovative resources included in the plan;

(7) the total amount of estimated greenhouse gas emissions reduction or avoidance to be achieved under the plan is reasonable considering the state's greenhouse gas and renewable energy goals, including those established in section 216C.05, subdivision 2, clause (3), and section 216H.02, subdivision 1; customer cost; and the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions reduction or avoidance achieved under the utility's previously approved plans, if applicable; and

(8) any renewable natural gas purchased by a utility under the plan that is produced from the anaerobic digestion of manure is certified as being produced at an agricultural livestock production facility that has not and does not increase the number of animal units at the facility solely or primarily to produce renewable natural gas for the plan.

(c) In seeking to recover costs under a plan approved by the commission under this section, the utility must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the commission that the actual total incremental costs incurred to implement the approved innovation plan are reasonable. Prudently incurred costs under an approved plan, including prudently incurred costs to obtain the third-party analysis required in paragraph (a), clauses (6) and (7), are recoverable either:

(1) under section 216B.16, subdivision 7, clause (2), via the utility's purchased gas adjustment;

(2) in the utility's next general rate case; or

(3) via annual adjustments, provided that after notice and comment the commission determines that the costs included for recovery through rates are prudently incurred. Annual adjustments must include a rate of return, income taxes on the rate of return, incremental property taxes, incremental depreciation expense, and incremental operation and maintenance expenses. The rate of return must be at the level approved by the commission in the utility's last general rate case, unless the commission determines that a different rate of return is in the public interest.

(d) The commission may not approve a utility's initial plan filed under this section unless:

(1) 50 percent or more of the utility's costs approved by the commission for recovery under the plan are for the procurement and distribution of renewable natural gas, biogas, hydrogen produced via power-to-hydrogen, and ammonia produced via power-to-ammonia; and

(2) the utility's costs approved by the commission for recovery for any pilot program to facilitate the development, expansion, or modification of district energy systems, as required under subdivision 9, represent no more than 20 percent of the total costs approved by the commission for recovery under the plan.

(e) Upon approval of a utility's plan, the commission shall establish cost-effectiveness objectives for the plan based on the cost-benefit test for innovative resources developed under section 216B.2428. The cost-effectiveness objective for each plan must demonstrate incremental progress from the previously approved plan's cost-effectiveness objective.

(f) A utility operating under an approved plan must file annual reports to the commission on work completed under the plan, including:

(1) costs incurred;

(2) lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reductions or avoidance achieved;

(3) a description of the processes used to track and verify the innovative resources and to retire the associated environmental attributes;

(4) an assessment of the degree to which the lifecycle greenhouse gas accounting methodology is consistent with current science;

(5) the economic impact of the plan, including job creation;

(6) the utility's progress toward achieving the cost-effectiveness objectives established by the commission; and

(7) modifications to elements of the plan proposed by the utility.

(g) When evaluating a utility's annual report, the commission may:

(1) approve the continuation of a pilot program included in the plan, with or without modifications;

(2) require the utility to file a new or modified pilot program or plan; or

(3) disapprove the continuation of a pilot program or plan.

(h) An innovation plan has a term of five years. A subsequent innovation plan must be filed no later than four years after the previous plan was approved by the commission so that, if approved, the new plan takes effect immediately upon expiration of the previous plan.

(i) For purposes of this section and the commission's lifecycle carbon accounting framework and cost-benefit test for innovative resources under section 216B.2428, any required analysis of lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reductions or avoidance, or lifecycle greenhouse gas intensity:

(1) must include but is not limited to estimates of:

(i) avoided or reduced greenhouse gas emissions attributable to utility operations;

(ii) avoided or reduced greenhouse gas emissions from the production, processing, and transmission of fuels prior to receipt by the utility; and

(iii) avoided or reduced greenhouse gas emissions at the point of end use;

(2) must not count any unit of greenhouse gas emissions avoidance or reduction more than once; and

(3) may, where direct measurement is not technically or economically feasible, rely on emissions factors, default values, or engineering estimates from a publicly accessible source accepted by a federal or state government agency, provided that the emissions factors, default values, or engineering estimates can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the commission to produce a reasonable estimate of greenhouse gas emissions reductions, avoidance, or intensity.

(j) deleted text begin Strategic electrification implemented in a plan approved by the commission under this section is not eligible for a financial incentive under section 216B.241, subdivision 2c. deleted text end Electric end-use equipment installed under a plan approved by the commission under this section is the exclusive property of the building owner.

Sec. 97.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 216C.437, subdivision 19, is amended to read:

Subd. 19.

Right to rescind a residential PACE loan contract.

(a) A homeowner shall have the right to rescind, without penalty or obligation, a residential PACE loan contract until midnight on the third calendar day following execution of the contract by the homeowner. For the purposes of this subdivision, the rescission period begins at 12:01 a.m. of the day following the day the contract was executed by the homeowner.

(b) The homeowner shall notify the offering party of the rescission by:

(1) mail or other written communications delivered to the offeror's physical address; or

(2) deleted text begin by deleted text end electronic means if the residential PACE administrator or residential PACE contractor has previously communicated with the homeowner via electronic means. Service by mail is effective upon deposit in the United States mail.

(c) Any payments made by the homeowner in connection with the residential PACE loan or a home improvement contract for cost-effective energy improvements financed with a residential PACE loan must be returned to the homeowner within 20 business days after receipt by the administrator or the contractor by any means of notification of rescission.

(d) When more than one homeowner in a transaction has the right to rescind, the exercise of the right by one consumer shall be effective as to all homeowners.

Sec. 98.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 216I.06, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Public hearing.

(a) No sooner than 15 days after the date the draft environmental impact statement is published, the commission must hold a public hearing on an application for a large energy infrastructure facility site or route permit. A hearing held to designate a site or route must be conducted by an administrative law judge from the Office of Administrative Hearings.

(b) The commission may designate a portion of the hearing to be conducted as a contested case proceeding under chapter 14.

(c) The commission must provide notice of the hearing at least ten days before but no earlier than 45 days before the date the hearing commences. The commission must provide notice by (1) publishing in a legal newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the public hearing is to be held, (2) mailing to chief executives of the regional development commissions, counties, organized towns, townships, and incorporated municipalities in which a site or route is proposed, and (3) new text begin mailing to new text end Tribal governments, as defined by section 10.65, subdivision 2.

(d) Any person may appear at the hearings and offer testimony and exhibits without the necessity of intervening as a formal party to the proceedings. The administrative law judge may allow any person to ask questions of other witnesses.

(e) The administrative law judge must hold a portion of the hearing in the area where the large energy infrastructure facility's location is proposed.

(f) The commission and administrative law judge must accept written comments for at least 20 days after the public hearing's date.

Sec. 99.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 245A.03, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Right to seek certification.

Nothing in this section shall prohibit a residential program licensed by the commissioner of corrections to serve children deleted text begin , deleted text end that is excluded from licensure under subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause deleted text begin (10) deleted text end new text begin (9) new text end , from seeking certification from the commissioner of human services under this chapter for program services for which certification standards have been adopted.

Sec. 100.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 245A.03, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Licensing moratorium.

(a) The commissioner shall not issue an initial license for child foster care licensed under Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.3000 to 2960.3340, which does not include child foster residence settings with residential program certifications for compliance with the Family First Prevention Services Act under section 245A.25, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), or adult foster care licensed under Minnesota Rules, parts 9555.5105 to 9555.6265, under this chapter for a physical location that will not be the primary residence of the license holder for the entire period of licensure. If a child foster residence setting that was previously exempt from the licensing moratorium under this paragraph has its Family First Prevention Services Act certification rescinded under section 245A.25, subdivision 9, or if a family adult foster care home license is issued during this moratorium, and the license holder changes the license holder's primary residence away from the physical location of the foster care license, the commissioner shall revoke the license according to section 245A.07. The commissioner shall not issue an initial license for a community residential setting licensed under chapter 245D. When approving an exception under this paragraph, the commissioner shall consider the resource need determination process in paragraph (h), the availability of foster care licensed beds in the geographic area in which the licensee seeks to operate, the results of a person's choices during their annual assessment and service plan review, and the recommendation of the local county board. The determination by the commissioner is final and not subject to appeal. Exceptions to the moratorium include:

(1) a license for a person in a foster care setting that is not the primary residence of the license holder and where at least 80 percent of the residents are 55 years of age or older;

(2) foster care licenses replacing foster care licenses in existence on May 15, 2009, or community residential setting licenses replacing adult foster care licenses in existence on December 31, 2013, and determined to be needed by the commissioner under paragraph (b);

(3) new foster care licenses or community residential setting licenses determined to be needed by the commissioner under paragraph (b) for the closure of a nursing facility, ICF/DD, or regional treatment center; restructuring of state-operated services that limits the capacity of state-operated facilities; or allowing movement to the community for people who no longer require the level of care provided in state-operated facilities as provided under section 256B.092, subdivision 13, or 256B.49, subdivision 24; new text begin or new text end

(4) new foster care licenses or community residential setting licenses determined to be needed by the commissioner under paragraph (b) for persons requiring hospital-level care deleted text begin ; or deleted text end new text begin . new text end

deleted text begin (5) new community residential setting licenses determined necessary by the commissioner for people affected by the closure of homes with a capacity of five or six beds currently licensed as supervised living facilities licensed under Minnesota Rules, chapter 4665, but not designated as intermediate care facilities. This exception is available until June 30, 2025. deleted text end

(b) The commissioner shall determine the need for newly licensed foster care homes or community residential settings as defined under this subdivision. As part of the determination, the commissioner shall consider the availability of foster care capacity in the area in which the licensee seeks to operate, and the recommendation of the local county board. The determination by the commissioner must be final. A determination of need is not required for a change in ownership at the same address.

(c) When an adult resident served by the program moves out of a foster home that is not the primary residence of the license holder according to section 256B.49, subdivision 15, paragraph (f), or the adult community residential setting, the county shall immediately inform the Department of Human Services Licensing Division. The department may decrease the statewide licensed capacity for adult foster care settings.

(d) Residential settings that would otherwise be subject to the decreased license capacity established in paragraph (c) must be exempt if the license holder's beds are occupied by residents whose primary diagnosis is mental illness and the license holder is certified under the requirements in subdivision 6a or section 245D.33.

(e) A resource need determination process, managed at the state level, using the available data required by section 144A.351, and other data and information must be used to determine where the reduced capacity determined under section 256B.493 will be implemented. The commissioner shall consult with the stakeholders described in section 144A.351, and employ a variety of methods to improve the state's capacity to meet the informed decisions of those people who want to move out of corporate foster care or community residential settings, long-term service needs within budgetary limits, including seeking proposals from service providers or lead agencies to change service type, capacity, or location to improve services, increase the independence of residents, and better meet needs identified by the long-term services and supports reports and statewide data and information.

(f) At the time of application and reapplication for licensure, the applicant and the license holder that are subject to the moratorium or an exclusion established in paragraph (a) are required to inform the commissioner whether the physical location where the foster care will be provided is or will be the primary residence of the license holder for the entire period of licensure. If the primary residence of the applicant or license holder changes, the applicant or license holder must notify the commissioner immediately. The commissioner shall print on the foster care license certificate whether or not the physical location is the primary residence of the license holder.

(g) License holders of foster care homes identified under paragraph (f) that are not the primary residence of the license holder and that also provide services in the foster care home that are covered by a federally approved home and community-based services waiver, as authorized under chapter 256S or section 256B.092 or 256B.49, must inform the human services licensing division that the license holder provides or intends to provide these waiver-funded services.

(h) The commissioner may adjust capacity to address needs identified in section 144A.351. Under this authority, the commissioner may approve new licensed settings or delicense existing settings. Delicensing of settings will be accomplished through a process identified in section 256B.493.

(i) The commissioner must notify a license holder when its corporate foster care or community residential setting licensed beds are reduced under this section. The notice of reduction of licensed beds must be in writing and delivered to the license holder by certified mail or personal service. The notice must state why the licensed beds are reduced and must inform the license holder of its right to request reconsideration by the commissioner. The license holder's request for reconsideration must be in writing. If mailed, the request for reconsideration must be postmarked and sent to the commissioner within 20 calendar days after the license holder's receipt of the notice of reduction of licensed beds. If a request for reconsideration is made by personal service, it must be received by the commissioner within 20 calendar days after the license holder's receipt of the notice of reduction of licensed beds.

(j) The commissioner shall not issue an initial license for children's residential treatment services licensed under Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.0580 to 2960.0700, under this chapter for a program that Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services would consider an institution for mental diseases. Facilities that serve only private pay clients are exempt from the moratorium described in this paragraph. The commissioner has the authority to manage existing statewide capacity for children's residential treatment services subject to the moratorium under this paragraph and may issue an initial license for such facilities if the initial license would not increase the statewide capacity for children's residential treatment services subject to the moratorium under this paragraph.

Sec. 101.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 245A.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Application for licensure.

(a) An individual, organization, or government entity that is subject to licensure under section 245A.03 must apply for a license. The application must be made on the forms and in the manner prescribed by the commissioner. The commissioner shall provide the applicant with instruction in completing the application and provide information about the rules and requirements of other state agencies that affect the applicant. An applicant seeking licensure in Minnesota with headquarters outside of Minnesota must have a program office located within 30 miles of the Minnesota border. An applicant who intends to buy or otherwise acquire a program or services licensed under this chapter that is owned by another license holder must apply for a license under this chapter and comply with the application procedures in this section and section 245A.043.

The commissioner shall act on the application within 90 working days after a complete application and any required reports have been received from other state agencies or departments, counties, municipalities, or other political subdivisions. The commissioner shall not consider an application to be complete until the commissioner receives all of the required information. If the applicant or a controlling individual is the subject of a pending administrative, civil, or criminal investigation, the application is not complete until the investigation has closed or the related legal proceedings are complete.

When the commissioner receives an application for initial licensure that is incomplete because the applicant failed to submit required documents or that is substantially deficient because the documents submitted do not meet licensing requirements, the commissioner shall provide the applicant written notice that the application is incomplete or substantially deficient. In the written notice to the applicant the commissioner shall identify documents that are missing or deficient and give the applicant 45 days to resubmit a second application that is substantially complete. An applicant's failure to submit a substantially complete application after receiving notice from the commissioner is a basis for license denial under section deleted text begin 245A.043 deleted text end new text begin 245A.05 new text end .

(b) An application for licensure must identify all controlling individuals as defined in section 245A.02, subdivision 5a, and must designate one individual to be the authorized agent. The application must be signed by the authorized agent and must include the authorized agent's first, middle, and last name; mailing address; and email address. By submitting an application for licensure, the authorized agent consents to electronic communication with the commissioner throughout the application process. The authorized agent must be authorized to accept service on behalf of all of the controlling individuals. A government entity that holds multiple licenses under this chapter may designate one authorized agent for all licenses issued under this chapter or may designate a different authorized agent for each license. Service on the authorized agent is service on all of the controlling individuals. It is not a defense to any action arising under this chapter that service was not made on each controlling individual. The designation of a controlling individual as the authorized agent under this paragraph does not affect the legal responsibility of any other controlling individual under this chapter.

(c) An applicant or license holder must have a policy that prohibits license holders, employees, subcontractors, and volunteers, when directly responsible for persons served by the program, from abusing prescription medication or being in any manner under the influence of a chemical that impairs the individual's ability to provide services or care. The license holder must train employees, subcontractors, and volunteers about the program's drug and alcohol policy before the employee, subcontractor, or volunteer has direct contact, as defined in section 245C.02, subdivision 11, with a person served by the program.

(d) An applicant and license holder must have a program grievance procedure that permits persons served by the program and their authorized representatives to bring a grievance to the highest level of authority in the program.

(e) The commissioner may limit communication during the application process to the authorized agent or the controlling individuals identified on the license application and for whom a background study was initiated under chapter 245C. Upon implementation of the provider licensing and reporting hub, applicants and license holders must use the hub in the manner prescribed by the commissioner. The commissioner may require the applicant, except for child foster care, to demonstrate competence in the applicable licensing requirements by successfully completing a written examination. The commissioner may develop a prescribed written examination format.

(f) When an applicant is an individual, the applicant must provide:

(1) the applicant's taxpayer identification numbers including the Social Security number or Minnesota tax identification number, and federal employer identification number if the applicant has employees;

(2) at the request of the commissioner, a copy of the most recent filing with the secretary of state that includes the complete business name, if any;

(3) if doing business under a different name, the doing business as (DBA) name, as registered with the secretary of state;

(4) if applicable, the applicant's National Provider Identifier (NPI) number and Unique Minnesota Provider Identifier (UMPI) number; and

(5) at the request of the commissioner, the notarized signature of the applicant or authorized agent.

(g) When an applicant is an organization, the applicant must provide:

(1) the applicant's taxpayer identification numbers including the Minnesota tax identification number and federal employer identification number;

(2) at the request of the commissioner, a copy of the most recent filing with the secretary of state that includes the complete business name, and if doing business under a different name, the doing business as (DBA) name, as registered with the secretary of state;

(3) the first, middle, and last name, and address for all individuals who will be controlling individuals, including all officers, owners, and managerial officials as defined in section 245A.02, subdivision 5a, and the date that the background study was initiated by the applicant for each controlling individual;

(4) if applicable, the applicant's NPI number and UMPI number;

(5) the documents that created the organization and that determine the organization's internal governance and the relations among the persons that own the organization, have an interest in the organization, or are members of the organization, in each case as provided or authorized by the organization's governing statute, which may include a partnership agreement, bylaws, articles of organization, organizational chart, and operating agreement, or comparable documents as provided in the organization's governing statute; and

(6) the notarized signature of the applicant or authorized agent.

(h) When the applicant is a government entity, the applicant must provide:

(1) the name of the government agency, political subdivision, or other unit of government seeking the license and the name of the program or services that will be licensed;

(2) the applicant's taxpayer identification numbers including the Minnesota tax identification number and federal employer identification number;

(3) a letter signed by the manager, administrator, or other executive of the government entity authorizing the submission of the license application; and

(4) if applicable, the applicant's NPI number and UMPI number.

(i) At the time of application for licensure or renewal of a license under this chapter, the applicant or license holder must acknowledge on the form provided by the commissioner if the applicant or license holder elects to receive any public funding reimbursement from the commissioner for services provided under the license that:

(1) the applicant's or license holder's compliance with the provider enrollment agreement or registration requirements for receipt of public funding may be monitored by the commissioner as part of a licensing investigation or licensing inspection; and

(2) noncompliance with the provider enrollment agreement or registration requirements for receipt of public funding that is identified through a licensing investigation or licensing inspection, or noncompliance with a licensing requirement that is a basis of enrollment for reimbursement for a service, may result in:

(i) a correction order or a conditional license under section 245A.06, or sanctions under section 245A.07;

(ii) nonpayment of claims submitted by the license holder for public program reimbursement;

(iii) recovery of payments made for the service;

(iv) disenrollment in the public payment program; or

(v) other administrative, civil, or criminal penalties as provided by law.

Sec. 102.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 245A.07, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Immediate suspension expedited hearing.

(a) Within five working days of receipt of the license holder's timely appeal, the commissioner shall request assignment of an administrative law judge. The request must include a proposed date, time, and place of a hearing. A hearing must be conducted by an administrative law judge within 30 calendar days of the request for assignment, unless an extension is requested by either party and granted by the administrative law judge for good cause. The commissioner shall issue a notice of hearing by certified mail or personal service at least ten working days before the hearing. The scope of the hearing shall be limited solely to the issue of whether the temporary immediate suspension should remain in effect pending the commissioner's final order under section 245A.08, regarding a licensing sanction issued under subdivision 3 following the immediate suspension. For suspensions under subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (1), the burden of proof in expedited hearings under this subdivision shall be limited to the commissioner's demonstration that reasonable cause exists to believe that the license holder's actions or failure to comply with applicable law or rule poses, or the actions of other individuals or conditions in the program poses an imminent risk of harm to the health, safety, or rights of persons served by the program. "Reasonable cause" means there exist specific articulable facts or circumstances which provide the commissioner with a reasonable suspicion that there is an imminent risk of harm to the health, safety, or rights of persons served by the program. When the commissioner has determined there is reasonable cause to order the temporary immediate suspension of a license based on a violation of safe sleep requirements, as defined in section 245A.1435, the commissioner is not required to demonstrate that an infant died or was injured as a result of the safe sleep violations. For suspensions under subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (2), the burden of proof in expedited hearings under this subdivision shall be limited to the commissioner's demonstration by a preponderance of the evidence that, since the license was revoked, the license holder committed additional violations of law or rule which may adversely affect the health or safety of persons served by the program.

(b) The administrative law judge shall issue findings of fact, conclusions, and a recommendation within ten working days from the date of hearing. The parties shall have ten calendar days to submit exceptions to the administrative law judge's report. The record shall close at the end of the ten-day period for submission of exceptions. The commissioner's final order shall be issued within ten working days from the close of the record. When an appeal of a temporary immediate suspension is withdrawn or dismissed, the commissioner shall issue a final order affirming the temporary immediate suspension within ten calendar days of the commissioner's receipt of the withdrawal or dismissal. Within 90 calendar days after an immediate suspension has been issued and the license holder has not submitted a timely appeal under subdivision 2, paragraph (b), or within 90 calendar days after a final order affirming an immediate suspension, the commissioner shall determine:

(1) whether a final licensing sanction shall be issued under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clauses (1) to deleted text begin (6) deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end . The license holder shall continue to be prohibited from operation of the program during this 90-day period; or

(2) whether the outcome of related, ongoing investigations or judicial proceedings are necessary to determine if a final licensing sanction under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clauses (1) to deleted text begin (6) deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end , will be issued and whether persons served by the program remain at an imminent risk of harm during the investigation period or proceedings. If so, the commissioner shall issue a suspension order under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause deleted text begin (7) deleted text end new text begin (6) new text end .

(c) When the final order under paragraph (b) affirms an immediate suspension, or the license holder does not submit a timely appeal of the immediate suspension, and a final licensing sanction is issued under subdivision 3 and the license holder appeals that sanction, the license holder continues to be prohibited from operation of the program pending a final commissioner's order under section 245A.08, subdivision 5, regarding the final licensing sanction.

(d) The license holder shall continue to be prohibited from operation of the program while a suspension order issued under paragraph (b), clause (2), remains in effect.

(e) For suspensions under subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (3), the burden of proof in expedited hearings under this subdivision shall be limited to the commissioner's demonstration by a preponderance of the evidence that a criminal complaint and warrant or summons was issued for the license holder that was not dismissed, and that the criminal charge is an offense that involves fraud or theft against a program administered by the commissioner.

Sec. 103.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 245A.191, is amended to read:

245A.191 PROVIDER ELIGIBILITY FOR PAYMENTS FROM THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FUND.

(a) When a substance use disorder treatment provider licensed under this chapter, and governed by the standards of chapter 245G or Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.0430 to 2960.0490, agrees to meet the applicable requirements under sections deleted text begin 245B.0505 deleted text end new text begin 254B.0505 new text end and 254B.0507 to be eligible for enhanced funding from the behavioral health fund, the applicable requirements under sections 254B.0501 to 254B.0507 are also licensing requirements that may be monitored for compliance through licensing investigations and licensing inspections.

(b) Noncompliance with the requirements identified under paragraph (a) may result in:

(1) a correction order or a conditional license under section 245A.06, or sanctions under section 245A.07;

(2) nonpayment of claims submitted by the license holder for public program reimbursement;

(3) recovery of payments made for the service;

(4) disenrollment in the public payment program; or

(5) other administrative, civil, or criminal penalties as provided by law.

Sec. 104.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 245C.08, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Background studies conducted by Department of Human Services.

(a) For a background study conducted by the Department of Human Services, the commissioner shall review:

(1) information related to names of substantiated perpetrators of maltreatment of vulnerable adults that has been received by the commissioner as required under section 626.557, subdivision 9c, paragraph (j);

(2) the commissioner's records relating to the maltreatment of minors in licensed programs, and from findings of maltreatment of minors as indicated through the social service information system;

(3) information from juvenile courts as required for studies under this chapter when there is reasonable cause;

(4) information from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, including information regarding a background study subject's registration in Minnesota as a predatory offender under section 243.166;

(5) except as provided in clause (6), information received as a result of submission of fingerprints for a national criminal history record check, as defined in section 245C.02, subdivision 13c, when the commissioner has reasonable cause for a national criminal history record check as defined under section 245C.02, subdivision 15a, or as required under section 144.057, subdivision 1, clause (2);

(6) for a background study related to a child foster family setting application for licensure, foster residence settings, children's residential facilities, a transfer of permanent legal and physical custody of a child under sections 260C.503 to 260C.515, or adoptions, and for a background study required for family child care, certified license-exempt child care, child care centers, and legal nonlicensed child care authorized under chapter 142E, the commissioner shall also review:

(i) information from the child abuse and neglect registry for any state in which the background study subject has resided for the past five years;

(ii) information received from a national criminal history record check, if authorized for the study; and

(iii) when the background study subject is 18 years of age or older or a minor under section 245C.05, subdivision 5a, paragraph (d), for licensed family child care, certified license-exempt child care, licensed child care centers, and legal nonlicensed child care authorized under chapter 142E, information obtained using non-fingerprint-based data including information from the criminal and sex offender registries for any state in which the background study subject resided for the past five years and information from the national crime information database and the national sex offender registry;

(7) for a background study required for family child care, certified license-exempt child care centers, licensed child care centers, and legal nonlicensed child care authorized under chapter 142E, the background study shall also include, to the extent practicable, a name and date-of-birth search of the National Sex Offender Public website; and

(8) for a background study required for treatment programs for sexual psychopathic personalities or sexually dangerous persons, the background study shall only include a review of the information required under deleted text begin paragraph (a), deleted text end clauses (1) to (4).

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, notwithstanding expungement by a court, the commissioner may consider information obtained under paragraph (a), clauses (3) and (4), unless:

(1) the commissioner received notice of the petition for expungement and the court order for expungement is directed specifically to the commissioner; or

(2) the commissioner received notice of the expungement order issued pursuant to section 609A.017, 609A.025, or 609A.035, and the order for expungement is directed specifically to the commissioner.

The commissioner may not consider information obtained under paragraph (a), clauses (3) and (4), or from any other source that identifies a violation of chapter 152 without determining if the offense involved the possession of marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinol and, if so, whether the person received a grant of expungement or order of expungement, or the person was resentenced to a lesser offense. If the person received a grant of expungement or order of expungement, the commissioner may not consider information related to that violation but may consider any other relevant information arising out of the same incident.

(c) The commissioner shall also review criminal case information received according to section 245C.04, subdivision 4a, from the Minnesota court information system that relates to individuals who have already been studied under this chapter and who remain affiliated with the agency that initiated the background study.

(d) When the commissioner has reasonable cause to believe that the identity of a background study subject is uncertain, the commissioner may require the subject to provide a set of classifiable fingerprints for purposes of completing a fingerprint-based record check with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Fingerprints collected under this paragraph shall not be saved by the commissioner after they have been used to verify the identity of the background study subject against the particular criminal record in question.

(e) The commissioner may inform the entity that initiated a background study under NETStudy 2.0 of the status of processing of the subject's fingerprints.

Sec. 105.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 245D.03, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Relationship to other standards governing home and community-based services.

(a) A license holder governed by this chapter is also subject to the licensure requirements under chapter 245A.

(b) This chapter does not apply to corporate or family child foster care homes that do not provide services licensed under this chapter.

(c) A family adult foster care site controlled by a license holder providing services governed by this chapter is exempt from compliance with Minnesota Rules, parts 9555.6185; 9555.6225, subpart 8; 9555.6245; deleted text begin 9555.6255; deleted text end and 9555.6265. These exemptions apply to family adult foster care homes where at least one resident is receiving residential supports and services licensed according to this chapter. This chapter does not apply to family adult foster care homes that do not provide services licensed under this chapter.

(d) A license holder providing services licensed according to this chapter in a supervised living facility is exempt from compliance with section 245D.04.

(e) A license holder providing residential services to persons in an ICF/DD is exempt from compliance with sections 245D.04; 245D.05, subdivision 1b; 245D.06, subdivision 2, clauses (4) and (5); 245D.071, subdivisions 4 and 5; 245D.081, subdivision 2; 245D.09, subdivision 7; 245D.095, subdivision 2; and 245D.11, subdivision 3.

(f) A license holder providing homemaker services licensed according to this chapter and registered according to chapter 144A is exempt from compliance with section 245D.04.

(g) Nothing in this chapter prohibits a license holder from concurrently serving persons without disabilities or people who are or are not age 65 and older, provided this chapter's standards are met as well as other relevant standards.

(h) The documentation required under sections 245D.07 and 245D.071 must meet the individual program plan requirements identified in section 256B.092 or successor provisions.

Sec. 106.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 245F.03, is amended to read:

245F.03 APPLICATION.

(a) This chapter establishes minimum standards for withdrawal management programs licensed by the commissioner that serve one or more unrelated persons.

(b) This chapter does not apply to a withdrawal management program licensed as a hospital under sections 144.50 to 144.581. A withdrawal management program located in a hospital licensed under sections 144.50 to 144.581 that chooses to be licensed under this chapter is deemed to be in compliance with section 245F.13.

deleted text begin (c) Minnesota Rules, parts 9530.6600 to 9530.6655, do not apply to withdrawal management programs licensed under this chapter. deleted text end

Sec. 107.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 245G.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

General qualifications.

deleted text begin (a) deleted text end All staff members who have direct contact must be 18 years of age or older.

Sec. 108.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 245G.22, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Criteria for unsupervised use.

(a) To limit the potential for diversion of medication used for the treatment of opioid use disorder to the illicit market, medication dispensed to a client for unsupervised use shall be subject to the requirements of this subdivision. Any client in an opioid treatment program may receive their individualized take-home doses as ordered for days that the clinic is closed for business, on one weekend day (e.g., Sunday) and state and federal holidays, no matter their length of time in treatment, as allowed under Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, deleted text begin part deleted text end new text begin section new text end 8.12 (i)(1).

(b) For take-home doses beyond those allowed by paragraph (a), a practitioner must review and document the criteria in the Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, deleted text begin part deleted text end new text begin section new text end 8.12 (i)(2), when determining whether dispensing medication for a client's unsupervised use is safe and it is appropriate to implement, increase, or extend the amount of time between visits to the program.

(c) The determination, including the basis of the determination must be documented by a practitioner in the client's medical record.

Sec. 109.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 253B.02, subdivision 4c, is amended to read:

Subd. 4c.

County of financial responsibility.

(a) "County of financial responsibility" has the meaning specified in chapter 256G. This definition does not require that the person qualifies for or receives any other form of financial, medical, or social service assistance in addition to the services under this chapter. Disputes about the county of financial responsibility shall be submitted for determination to the executive board through the commissioner of human services in the manner prescribed in section 256G.09.

(b) For purposes of proper venue for filing a petition pursuant to section deleted text begin 253B.064, subdivision 1, paragraph (a); deleted text end 253B.07, subdivision 1, paragraph (a) deleted text begin ; deleted text end new text begin , new text end or 253D.07, where the designated agency of a county has determined that it is the county of financial responsibility, then that county is the county of financial responsibility until a different determination is made by the appropriate county agencies or the commissioner pursuant to chapter 256G.

Sec. 110.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 253B.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Administrative requirements.

(a) When a person is committed, the court shall issue a warrant or an order committing the patient to the custody of the head of the treatment facility, state-operated treatment program, or community-based treatment program. The warrant or order shall state that the patient meets the statutory criteria for civil commitment.

(b) The executive board shall prioritize civilly committed patients being admitted from jail or a correctional institution or who are referred to a state-operated treatment facility for competency attainment or a competency examination under sections 611.40 to 611.59 for admission to a medically appropriate state-operated direct care and treatment bed based on the decisions of physicians in the executive medical director's office, using a priority admissions framework. The framework must account for a range of factors for priority admission, including but not limited to:

(1) the length of time the person has been on a waiting list for admission to a state-operated direct care and treatment program since the date of the order under paragraph (a), or the date of an order issued under sections 611.40 to 611.59;

(2) the intensity of the treatment the person needs, based on medical acuity;

(3) the person's revoked provisional discharge status;

(4) the person's safety and safety of others in the person's current environment;

(5) whether the person has access to necessary or court-ordered treatment;

(6) distinct and articulable negative impacts of an admission delay on the facility referring the individual for treatment; and

(7) any relevant federal prioritization requirements.

Patients described in this paragraph must be admitted to a state-operated treatment program within the timelines specified in section 253B.1005. The commitment must be ordered by the court as provided in section 253B.09, subdivision 1, paragraph (d). Patients committed to a secure treatment facility or less restrictive setting as ordered by the court under section 253B.18, subdivisions 1 and 2, must be prioritized for admission to a state-operated treatment program using the priority admissions framework in this paragraph.

(c) Upon the arrival of a patient at the designated treatment facility, state-operated treatment program, or community-based treatment program, the head of the facility or program shall retain the duplicate of the warrant and endorse receipt upon the original warrant or acknowledge receipt of the order. The endorsed receipt or acknowledgment must be filed in the court of commitment. After arrival, the patient shall be under the control and custody of the head of the facility or program.

(d) Copies of the petition for commitment, the court's findings of fact and conclusions of law, the court order committing the patient, the report of the court examiners, and the prepetition report, and any medical and behavioral information available shall be provided at the time of admission of a patient to the designated treatment facility or program to which the patient is committed. Upon a patient's referral to the executive board for admission pursuant to deleted text begin subdivision 1, deleted text end paragraph (b), any inpatient hospital, treatment facility, jail, or correctional facility that has provided care or supervision to the patient in the previous two years shall, when requested by the treatment facility or executive board, provide copies of the patient's medical and behavioral records to the executive board for purposes of preadmission planning. This information shall be provided by the head of the treatment facility to treatment facility staff in a consistent and timely manner and pursuant to all applicable laws.

(e) Within four business days of determining which state-operated direct care and treatment program or programs are appropriate for an individual, the executive medical director or a designee must notify the source of the referral and the responsible county human services agency, the individual being ordered to direct care and treatment, and the district court that issued the order of the determination. The initial notice shall include the individual's relative priority status by quartile and contact information for the Direct Care and Treatment central preadmissions office. Detailed information on factors impacting the individual's priority status is available from the central preadmissions office upon request, consistent with section 13.04. Any interested person or the individual being ordered to direct care and treatment may provide additional information to or request updated priority status about the individual from the executive medical director or a designee while the individual is awaiting admission. Priority status information for an individual will only be disclosed to interested persons who are legally authorized to receive private information about the individual, including the designated agency and the facility to which the individual is awaiting admission. Specific updated priority status information may be withheld from the individual being ordered to direct care and treatment if, in the judgment of the physicians in the executive medical director's office, the information will jeopardize the individual's health or well-being.

(f) For any individual not admitted to a state-operated direct care and treatment program within 60 business days after the initial notice under paragraph (e), the executive medical director or a designee must provide additional notice to the responsible county human services agency, the individual being ordered to direct care and treatment, and the district court that issued the order of the determination. The additional notice must include updates to the same information provided in the previous notice.

(g) When an available bed has been identified, the executive medical director or a designee must notify the designated agency and the facility where the individual is awaiting admission that the individual has been accepted for admission to a particular state-operated direct care and treatment program and the earliest possible date the admission can occur. The designated agency or facility where the individual is awaiting admission must transport the individual to the admitting direct care and treatment program no more than 48 hours after the offered admission date.

Sec. 111.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 254B.0507, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Child care.

(a) Programs that serve parents with their children are eligible for an enhanced payment rate if the program:

(1) provides on-site child care during the hours of treatment activity that:

(i) is licensed under chapter 245A as a child care center under Minnesota Rules, chapter 9503; or

(ii) is licensed under chapter 245A and sections 245G.01 to 245G.19; or

(2) arranges for off-site child care during hours of treatment activity at a facility that is licensed under chapter deleted text begin 245A deleted text end new text begin 142B new text end as:

(i) a child care center under Minnesota Rules, chapter 9503; or

(ii) a family child care home under Minnesota Rules, chapter 9502.

(b) In order to be eligible for a higher rate under this subdivision, a program that provides arrangements for off-site child care must maintain current documentation at the substance use disorder facility of the child care provider's current licensure to provide child care services.

Sec. 112.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256.017, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Definitions.

The following terms have the meanings given for purposes of this section.

(a) "Administrative penalty" means an adjustment against the county agency's state and federal benefit and federal administrative reimbursement when the commissioner determines that the county agency is not in compliance with the policies and procedures established by the commissioner.

(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of human services for programs listed in subdivision 1, paragraph deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin (a) new text end , and the commissioner of children, youth, and families for programs listed in subdivision 1, paragraph deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (b) new text end .

(c) "Quality control case penalty" means an adjustment against the county agency's federal administrative reimbursement and state and federal benefit reimbursement when the commissioner determines through a quality control review that the county agency has made incorrect payments, terminations, or denials of benefits as determined by state quality control procedures for the aid to families with dependent children program formerly codified in sections 256.72 to 256.87, Minnesota family investment program, SNAP, or medical assistance programs, or any other programs for which the commissioner has developed a quality control system. Quality control case penalties apply only to agency errors as defined by state quality control procedures.

(d) "Quality control/quality assurance" means a review system of a statewide random sample of cases, designed to provide data on program outcomes and the accuracy with which state and federal policies are being applied in issuing benefits and as a fiscal audit to ensure the accuracy of expenditures. The quality control/quality assurance system is administered by the department. For the aid to families with dependent children program formerly codified in sections 256.72 to 256.87, SNAP, and medical assistance, the quality control system is that required by federal regulation, or those developed by the commissioner.

Sec. 113.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256.043, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Establishment.

(a) The opiate epidemic response fund is established in the state treasury. The commissioner of management and budget shall establish within the opiate epidemic response fund two accounts: (1) a registration and license fee account; and (2) a settlement account. Beginning in fiscal year 2021, for each fiscal year, the fund shall be administered according to this section.

(b) The commissioner of management and budget shall deposit into the registration and license fee account the registration fee assessed by the Board of Pharmacy under section 151.066 and the license fees identified in section 151.065, subdivision 7, deleted text begin paragraphs deleted text end new text begin paragraph new text end (b) deleted text begin and (c) deleted text end .

(c) The commissioner of management and budget shall deposit into the settlement account any money received by the state resulting from a settlement agreement or an assurance of discontinuance entered into by the attorney general of the state, or a court order in litigation brought by the attorney general of the state, on behalf of the state or a state agency, related to alleged violations of consumer fraud laws in the marketing, sale, or distribution of opioids in this state or other alleged illegal actions that contributed to the excessive use of opioids, pursuant to section 16A.151, subdivision 2, paragraph (f).

Sec. 114.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256.9657, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a.

Waiver request.

The commissioner shall request a waiver from the secretary of health and human services to: (1) exclude from the surcharge under subdivision 1 a nursing home that provides all services free of charge; (2) make a pro rata reduction in the surcharge paid by a nursing home that provides a portion of its services free of charge; and (3) limit the hospital surcharge to acute care hospitals only. If a waiver is approved under this subdivision, the commissioner shall adjust the nursing home surcharge accordingly. deleted text begin Any waivers granted by the federal government shall be effective on or after October 1, 1992. deleted text end

Sec. 115.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256.9657, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Surcharge on HMOs and community integrated service networks.

(a) deleted text begin Effective October 1, 1992, deleted text end Each health maintenance organization with a certificate of authority issued by the commissioner of health under chapter 62D and each community integrated service network licensed by the commissioner under chapter 62N shall pay to the commissioner of human services a surcharge equal to six-tenths of one percent of the total premium revenues of the health maintenance organization or community integrated service network as reported to the commissioner of health according to the schedule in subdivision 4.

(b) For purposes of this subdivision, total premium revenue means:

(1) premium revenue recognized on a prepaid basis from individuals and groups for provision of a specified range of health services over a defined period of time which is normally one month, excluding premiums paid to a health maintenance organization or community integrated service network from the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program;

(2) premiums from Medicare wraparound subscribers for health benefits which supplement Medicare coverage;

(3) Medicare revenue, as a result of an arrangement between a health maintenance organization or a community integrated service network and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the federal Department of Health and Human Services, for services to a Medicare beneficiary, excluding Medicare revenue that states are prohibited from taxing under sections 1854, 1860D-12, and 1876 of title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act, codified as United States Code, title 42, sections 1395mm, 1395w-112, and 1395w-24, respectively, as they may be amended from time to time; and

(4) medical assistance revenue, as a result of an arrangement between a health maintenance organization or community integrated service network and a Medicaid state agency, for services to a medical assistance beneficiary.

If advance payments are made under clause (1) or (2) to the health maintenance organization or community integrated service network for more than one reporting period, the portion of the payment that has not yet been earned must be treated as a liability.

(c) When a health maintenance organization or community integrated service network merges or consolidates with or is acquired by another health maintenance organization or community integrated service network, the surviving corporation or the new corporation shall be responsible for the annual surcharge originally imposed on each of the entities or corporations subject to the merger, consolidation, or acquisition, regardless of whether one of the entities or corporations does not retain a certificate of authority under chapter 62D or a license under chapter 62N.

(d) Effective June 15 of each year, the surviving corporation's or the new corporation's surcharge shall be based on the revenues earned in the previous calendar year by all of the entities or corporations subject to the merger, consolidation, or acquisition regardless of whether one of the entities or corporations does not retain a certificate of authority under chapter 62D or a license under chapter 62N until the total premium revenues of the surviving corporation include the total premium revenues of all the merged entities as reported to the commissioner of health.

(e) When a health maintenance organization or community integrated service network, which is subject to liability for the surcharge under this chapter, transfers, assigns, sells, leases, or disposes of all or substantially all of its property or assets, liability for the surcharge imposed by this chapter is imposed on the transferee, assignee, or buyer of the health maintenance organization or community integrated service network.

(f) In the event a health maintenance organization or community integrated service network converts its licensure to a different type of entity subject to liability for the surcharge under this chapter, but survives in the same or substantially similar form, the surviving entity remains liable for the surcharge regardless of whether one of the entities or corporations does not retain a certificate of authority under chapter 62D or a license under chapter 62N.

(g) The surcharge assessed to a health maintenance organization or community integrated service network ends when the entity ceases providing services for premiums and the cessation is not connected with a merger, consolidation, acquisition, or conversion.

Sec. 116.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256.975, subdivision 7d, is amended to read:

Subd. 7d.

Payment for preadmission screening.

(a) The Department of Human Services shall provide funding for preadmission screening to the Minnesota Board on Aging to cover screener salaries and expenses to provide the services described in subdivisions 7a to 7c. The Minnesota Board on Aging shall:

(1) employ, or contract with other agencies to employ, within the limits of available funding, sufficient personnel to provide preadmission screening and level of care determination services; and

(2) seek to maximize federal funding for the service as provided under section 256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph deleted text begin (aa) deleted text end new text begin (z) new text end .

(b) The Department of Human Services shall provide funding for preadmission screening follow-up to the Disability Hub for the under-60 population to cover options counseling salaries and expenses to provide the services described in subdivisions 7a to 7c. The Disability Hub shall:

(1) employ, or contract with other agencies to employ, within the limits of available funding, sufficient personnel to provide preadmission screening follow-up services; and

(2) seek to maximize federal funding for the service as provided under section 256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph deleted text begin (aa) deleted text end new text begin (z) new text end .

Sec. 117.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256.975, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Prescription drug assistance.

The Minnesota Board on Aging shall establish and administer a prescription drug assistance program to assist individuals in accessing programs offered by pharmaceutical manufacturers that provide free or discounted prescription drugs or provide coverage for prescription drugs. The board shall use computer software programs to:

(1) list eligibility requirements for pharmaceutical assistance programs offered by manufacturers;

(2) list drugs that are included in a supplemental rebate contract between the commissioner and a pharmaceutical manufacturer under section 256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph deleted text begin (u) deleted text end new text begin (t) new text end ; and

(3) link individuals with the pharmaceutical assistance programs most appropriate for the individual. The board shall make information on the prescription drug assistance program available to interested individuals and health care providers and shall coordinate the program with the statewide information and assistance service provided through the Senior LinkAge Line under subdivision 7.

Sec. 118.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.04, subdivision 15, is amended to read:

Subd. 15.

Utilization review.

(a) new text begin The commissioner must new text end establish on a statewide basis a new program to safeguard against unnecessary or inappropriate use of medical assistance services, against excess payments, against unnecessary or inappropriate hospital admissions or lengths of stay, and against underutilization of services in prepaid health plans, long-term care facilities new text begin , new text end or any health care delivery system subject to fixed rate reimbursement. In implementing the program, the state agency shall utilize both prepayment and postpayment review systems to determine if utilization is reasonable and necessary. The determination of whether services are reasonable and necessary shall be made by the commissioner in consultation with a professional services advisory group or health care consultant appointed by the commissioner.

(b) Contracts entered into for purposes of meeting the requirements of this subdivision shall not be subject to the set-aside provisions of chapter 16C.

(c) A recipient aggrieved by the commissioner's termination of services or denial of future services may appeal pursuant to section 256.045. Unless otherwise provided by law, a vendor aggrieved by the commissioner's determination that services provided were not reasonable or necessary may appeal pursuant to the contested case procedures of chapter 14. To appeal, the vendor shall notify the commissioner in writing within 30 days of receiving the commissioner's notice. The appeal request shall specify each disputed item, the reason for the dispute, an estimate of the dollar amount involved for each disputed item, the computation that the vendor believes is correct, the authority in statute or rule upon which the vendor relies for each disputed item, the name and address of the person or firm with whom contacts may be made regarding the appeal, and other information required by the commissioner.

(d) The commissioner may select providers to provide case management services to recipients who use health care services inappropriately or to recipients who are eligible for other managed care projects. The providers shall be selected based upon criteria that may include a comparison with a peer group of providers related to the quality, quantity, or cost of health care services delivered or a review of sanctions previously imposed by health care services programs or the provider's professional licensing board.

Sec. 119.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.051, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Housing support supplemental service rates.

Supplemental service rates for individuals in settings according to sections deleted text begin 144D.025, deleted text end 256I.04, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (3), and 256I.05, subdivision 1g, shall be reduced by one-half over a two-year period. This reduction only applies to supplemental service rates for individuals eligible for housing stabilization services under this section.

Sec. 120.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 256B.055, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

Subd. 12.

Children with disabilities.

(a) A person is eligible for medical assistance if the person is under age 19 and qualifies as a disabled individual under United States Code, title 42, section 1382c(a), and would be eligible for medical assistance under the state plan if residing in a medical institution, and the child requires a level of care provided in a hospital, nursing facility, or intermediate care facility for persons with developmental disabilities, for whom home care is appropriate, provided that the cost to medical assistance under this section is not more than the amount that medical assistance would pay for if the child resides in an institution. After the child is determined to be eligible under this section, the commissioner shall review the child's disability under United States Code, title 42, section 1382c(a) and level of care defined under this section no more often than annually and may elect, based on the recommendation of health care professionals under contract with the state medical review team, to extend the review of disability and level of care up to a maximum of four years. The commissioner's decision on the frequency of continuing review of disability and level of care is not subject to administrative appeal under section 256.045. The county agency shall send a notice of disability review to the enrollee six months prior to the date the recertification of disability is due. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed as affecting other redeterminations of medical assistance eligibility under this chapter and annual cost-effective reviews under this section.

(b) For purposes of this subdivision, "hospital" means an institution as defined in section 144.696, subdivision 3, new text begin or new text end 144.55, subdivision 3, deleted text begin or Minnesota Rules, part 4640.3600, deleted text end and licensed pursuant to sections 144.50 to 144.58. For purposes of this subdivision, a child requires a level of care provided in a hospital if the child is determined by the commissioner to need an extensive array of health services, including mental health services, for an undetermined period of time, whose health condition requires frequent monitoring and treatment by a health care professional or by a person supervised by a health care professional, who would reside in a hospital or require frequent hospitalization if these services were not provided, and the daily care needs are more complex than a nursing facility level of care.

A child with serious mental illness requires a level of care provided in a hospital if the commissioner determines that the individual requires 24-hour supervision because the person exhibits recurrent or frequent suicidal or homicidal ideation or behavior, recurrent or frequent psychosomatic disorders or somatopsychic disorders that may become life threatening, recurrent or frequent severe socially unacceptable behavior associated with psychiatric disorder, ongoing and chronic psychosis or severe, ongoing and chronic developmental problems requiring continuous skilled observation, or severe disabling symptoms for which office-centered outpatient treatment is not adequate, and which overall severely impact the individual's ability to function.

(c) For purposes of this subdivision, "nursing facility" means a facility which provides nursing care as defined in section 144A.01, subdivision 5, licensed pursuant to sections 144A.02 to 144A.10, which is appropriate if a person is in active restorative treatment; is in need of special treatments provided or supervised by a licensed nurse; or has unpredictable episodes of active disease processes requiring immediate judgment by a licensed nurse. For purposes of this subdivision, a child requires the level of care provided in a nursing facility if the child is determined by the commissioner to meet the requirements of the preadmission screening assessment document under section 256B.0911, adjusted to address age-appropriate standards for children age 18 and under.

(d) For purposes of this subdivision, "intermediate care facility for persons with developmental disabilities" or "ICF/DD" means a program licensed to provide services to persons with developmental disabilities under section 252.28, and chapter 245A, and a physical plant licensed as a supervised living facility under chapter 144, which together are certified by the Minnesota Department of Health as meeting the standards in Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, part 483, for an intermediate care facility which provides services for persons with developmental disabilities who require 24-hour supervision and active treatment for medical, behavioral, or habilitation needs. For purposes of this subdivision, a child requires a level of care provided in an ICF/DD if the commissioner finds that the child has a developmental disability in accordance with section 256B.092, is in need of a 24-hour plan of care and active treatment similar to persons with developmental disabilities, and there is a reasonable indication that the child will need ICF/DD services.

(e) For purposes of this subdivision, a person requires the level of care provided in a nursing facility if the person requires 24-hour monitoring or supervision and a plan of mental health treatment because of specific symptoms or functional impairments associated with a serious mental illness or disorder diagnosis, which meet severity criteria for mental health established by the commissioner and published in March 1997 as the Minnesota Mental Health Level of Care for Children and Adolescents with Severe Emotional Disorders.

(f) The determination of the level of care needed by the child shall be made by the commissioner based on information supplied to the commissioner by (1) the parent or guardian, (2) the child's physician or physicians, advanced practice registered nurse or advanced practice registered nurses, or physician assistant or physician assistants, and (3) other professionals as requested by the commissioner. The commissioner shall establish a screening team to conduct the level of care determinations according to this subdivision.

(g) If a child meets the conditions in paragraph (b), (c), (d), or (e), the commissioner must assess the case to determine whether:

(1) the child qualifies as a disabled individual under United States Code, title 42, section 1382c(a), and would be eligible for medical assistance if residing in a medical institution; and

(2) the cost of medical assistance services for the child, if eligible under this subdivision, would not be more than the cost to medical assistance if the child resides in a medical institution to be determined as follows:

(i) for a child who requires a level of care provided in an ICF/DD, the cost of care for the child in an institution shall be determined using the average payment rate established for the regional treatment centers that are certified as ICF's/DD;

(ii) for a child who requires a level of care provided in an inpatient hospital setting according to paragraph (b), cost-effectiveness shall be determined according to Minnesota Rules, part 9505.3520, items F and G; and

(iii) for a child who requires a level of care provided in a nursing facility according to paragraph (c) or (e), cost-effectiveness shall be determined according to Minnesota Rules, part 9505.3040, except that the nursing facility average rate shall be adjusted to reflect rates which would be paid for children under age 16. The commissioner may authorize an amount up to the amount medical assistance would pay for a child referred to the commissioner by the preadmission screening team under section 256B.0911.

Sec. 121.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 256B.0615, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Scope.

Medical assistance covers mental health certified peer specialist services deleted text begin , as established in subdivision 2, deleted text end if provided to recipients who are eligible for services under sections 256B.0622, 256B.0623, 256B.0624, and 256B.0632 and are provided by a mental health certified peer specialist who has completed the training under subdivision 5 and is qualified according to section 245I.04, subdivision 10.

Sec. 122.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 256B.0616, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Scope.

Medical assistance covers mental health certified family peer specialists services, deleted text begin as established in subdivision 2, deleted text end subject to federal approval, if provided to recipients who have a mental illness or serious mental illness under chapter 245, and are provided by a mental health certified family peer specialist who has completed the training under subdivision 5 and is qualified according to section 245I.04, subdivision 12. A family peer specialist cannot provide services to the peer specialist's family.

Sec. 123.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.0624, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Provider entity standards.

(a) A mobile crisis provider must be:

(1) a county board operated entity;

(2) an Indian health services facility or facility owned and operated by a tribe or Tribal organization operating under United States Code, title 325, section 450f; or

(3) a provider entity that is under contract with the county board in the county where the potential crisis or emergency is occurring. To provide services under this section, the provider entity must directly provide the services; or if services are subcontracted, the provider entity must maintain responsibility for services and billing.

(b) A mobile crisis provider must meet the following standards:

(1) ensure that crisis screenings, crisis assessments, and crisis intervention services are available to a recipient 24 hours a day, seven days a week;

(2) be able to respond to a call for services in a designated service area or according to a written agreement with the local mental health authority for an adjacent area;

(3) have at least one mental health professional on staff at all times and at least one additional staff member capable of leading a crisis response in the community; and

(4) provide the commissioner with information about the number of requests for service, the number of people that the provider serves face-to-face, outcomes, and the protocols that the provider uses when deciding when to respond in the community.

(c) A provider entity that provides crisis stabilization services in a residential setting under subdivision 7 is not required to meet the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b), but must meet all other requirements of this subdivision.

(d) A crisis services provider must have the capacity to meet and carry out the standards in section 245I.011, subdivision 5, and the following standards:

(1) ensures that staff persons provide support for a recipient's family and natural supports, by enabling the recipient's family and natural supports to observe and participate in the recipient's treatment, assessments, and planning services;

(2) has adequate administrative ability to ensure availability of services;

(3) is able to ensure that staff providing these services are skilled in the delivery of mental health crisis response services to recipients;

(4) is able to ensure that staff are implementing culturally specific treatment identified in the crisis treatment plan that is meaningful and appropriate as determined by the recipient's culture, beliefs, values, and language;

(5) is able to ensure enough flexibility to respond to the changing intervention and care needs of a recipient as identified by the recipient or family member during the service partnership between the recipient and providers;

(6) is able to ensure that staff have the communication tools and procedures to communicate and consult promptly about crisis assessment and interventions as services occur;

(7) is able to coordinate these services with county emergency services, community hospitals, ambulance, transportation services, social services, law enforcement, engagement services, and mental health crisis services through regularly scheduled interagency meetings;

(8) is able to ensure that services are coordinated with other behavioral health service providers, county mental health authorities, or federally recognized American Indian authorities and others as necessary, with the consent of the recipient or parent or guardian. Services must also be coordinated with the recipient's case manager if the recipient is receiving case management services;

(9) is able to ensure that crisis intervention services are provided in a manner consistent with sections 245.461 to 245.486 and 245.487 to 245.4879;

(10) is able to coordinate detoxification services for the recipient according to Minnesota Rules, parts deleted text begin 9530.6605 to 9530.6655 deleted text end new text begin 9530.6510 to 9530.6590 new text end , or withdrawal management according to chapter 245F;

(11) is able to establish and maintain a quality assurance and evaluation plan to evaluate the outcomes of services and recipient satisfaction; and

(12) is an enrolled medical assistance provider.

Sec. 124.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.0658, is amended to read:

256B.0658 HOUSING ACCESS GRANTS.

The commissioner of human services shall award through a competitive process contracts for grants to public and private agencies to support and assist individuals with a disability as defined in section 256B.051, subdivision 2, paragraph deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (g) new text end , to access housing. Grants may be awarded to agencies that may include, but are not limited to, the following supports: assessment to ensure suitability of housing, accompanying an individual to look at housing, filling out applications and rental agreements, meeting with landlords, helping with Section 8 or other program applications, helping to develop a budget, obtaining furniture and household goods, if necessary, and assisting with any problems that may arise with housing.

Sec. 125.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.0911, subdivision 29, is amended to read:

Subd. 29.

Support planning.

(a) The certified assessor and the individual responsible for developing the support plan must complete the assessment summary and the support plan no more than 60 calendar days after the assessment visit.

(b) The person or the person's legal representative must be provided with a written assessment summary within the timelines established by the commissioner, regardless of whether the person is eligible for Minnesota health care programs.

(c) For a person being assessed for elderly waiver services under chapter 256S, a provider who submitted information under subdivision 19, paragraph (c), must receive the final written support plan when available.

(d) The written support plan must include:

(1) a summary of assessed needs as defined in subdivision 17, paragraphs deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end and deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (f) new text end ;

(2) the individual's options and choices to meet identified needs, including all available options for:

(i) case management services and providers;

(ii) employment services, settings, and providers;

(iii) living arrangements;

(iv) self-directed services and supports, including self-directed budget options; and

(v) service provided in a non-disability-specific setting;

(3) identification of health and safety risks and how those risks will be addressed, including personal risk management strategies;

(4) referral information; and

(5) informal caregiver supports, if applicable.

(e) For a person determined eligible for state plan home care under subdivision 11, clause (7), the person or person's legal representative must also receive a copy of the home care service plan developed by the certified assessor.

Sec. 126.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 256B.0924, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Payment for targeted case management.

(a) Medical assistance and MinnesotaCare payment for targeted case management shall be made on a monthly basis. In order to receive payment for an eligible adult, the provider must document at least one contact per month and not more than two consecutive months without a face-to-face contact either in person or by interactive video that meets the requirements in section 256B.0625, subdivision 20b, with the adult or the adult's legal representative, family, primary caregiver, or other relevant persons identified as necessary to the development or implementation of the goals of the personal service plan.

(b) Except as provided under paragraph (m), payment for targeted case management provided by county staff under this subdivision shall be based on the monthly rate methodology under section 256B.094, subdivision 6, paragraph (b), calculated as one combined average rate together with adult mental health case management under section 256B.0625, subdivision 20 deleted text begin , except for calendar year 2002. In calendar year 2002, the rate for case management under this section shall be the same as the rate for adult mental health case management in effect as of December 31, 2001 deleted text end . Billing and payment must identify the recipient's primary population group to allow tracking of revenues.

(c) Payment for targeted case management provided by county-contracted vendors shall be based on a monthly rate calculated in accordance with section 256B.076, subdivision 2. The rate must not exceed the rate charged by the vendor for the same service to other payers. If the service is provided by a team of contracted vendors, the team shall determine how to distribute the rate among its members. No reimbursement received by contracted vendors shall be returned to the county, except to reimburse the county for advance funding provided by the county to the vendor.

(d) If the service is provided by a team that includes contracted vendors and county staff, the costs for county staff participation on the team shall be included in the rate for county-provided services. In this case, the contracted vendor and the county may each receive separate payment for services provided by each entity in the same month. In order to prevent duplication of services, the county must document, in the recipient's file, the need for team targeted case management and a description of the different roles of the team members.

(e) Notwithstanding section 256B.19, subdivision 1, the nonfederal share of costs for targeted case management shall be provided by the recipient's county of responsibility, as defined in sections 256G.01 to 256G.12, from sources other than federal funds or funds used to match other federal funds.

(f) The commissioner may suspend, reduce, or terminate reimbursement to a provider that does not meet the reporting or other requirements of this section. The county of responsibility, as defined in sections 256G.01 to 256G.12, is responsible for any federal disallowances. The county may share this responsibility with its contracted vendors.

(g) The commissioner shall set aside five percent of the federal funds received under this section for use in reimbursing the state for costs of developing and implementing this section.

(h) Payments to counties for targeted case management expenditures under this section shall only be made from federal earnings from services provided under this section. Payments to contracted vendors shall include both the federal earnings and the county share.

(i) Notwithstanding section 256B.041, county payments for the cost of case management services provided by county staff shall not be made to the commissioner of management and budget. For the purposes of targeted case management services provided by county staff under this section, the centralized disbursement of payments to counties under section 256B.041 consists only of federal earnings from services provided under this section.

(j) If the recipient is a resident of a nursing facility, intermediate care facility, or hospital, and the recipient's institutional care is paid by medical assistance, payment for targeted case management services under this subdivision is limited to the lesser of:

(1) the last 180 days of the recipient's residency in that facility; or

(2) the limits and conditions which apply to federal Medicaid funding for this service.

(k) Payment for targeted case management services under this subdivision shall not duplicate payments made under other program authorities for the same purpose.

(l) Any growth in targeted case management services and cost increases under this section shall be the responsibility of the counties.

(m) The commissioner may make payments for Tribes according to section 256B.0625, subdivision 34, or other relevant federally approved rate setting methodologies for vulnerable adult and developmental disability targeted case management provided by Indian health services and facilities operated by a Tribe or Tribal organization.

Sec. 127.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 256B.0943, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Service delivery criteria.

(a) In delivering services under this section, a certified provider entity must ensure that:

(1) the provider's caseload size should reasonably enable the provider to play an active role in service planning, monitoring, and delivering services to meet the client's and client's family's needs, as specified in each client's individual treatment plan;

(2) site-based programs, including day treatment programs, provide staffing and facilities to ensure the client's health, safety, and protection of rights, and that the programs are able to implement each client's individual treatment plan; and

(3) a day treatment program is provided to a group of clients by a team under the treatment supervision of a mental health professional. The day treatment program must be provided in and by: (i) an outpatient hospital accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Organizations and licensed under sections 144.50 to 144.55; (ii) a community mental health center under section 245.62; or (iii) an entity that is certified under subdivision 4 to operate a program that meets the requirements of section 245.4884, subdivision 2, and Minnesota Rules, parts 9505.0170 to 9505.0475. The day treatment program must stabilize the client's mental health status while developing and improving the client's independent living and socialization skills. The goal of the day treatment program must be to reduce or relieve the effects of mental illness and provide training to enable the client to live in the community. The remainder of the structured treatment program may include patient and/or family or group psychotherapy, and individual or group skills training, if included in the client's individual treatment plan. Day treatment programs are not part of inpatient or residential treatment services. When a day treatment group that meets the minimum group size requirement temporarily falls below the minimum group size because of a member's temporary absence, medical assistance covers a group session conducted for the group members in attendance. A day treatment program may provide fewer than the minimally required hours for a particular child during a billing period in which the child is transitioning into, or out of, the program.

(b) To be eligible for medical assistance payment, a provider entity must deliver the service components of children's therapeutic services and supports in compliance with the following requirements:

(1) psychotherapy to address the child's underlying mental health disorder must be documented as part of the child's ongoing treatment. A provider must deliver or arrange for medically necessary psychotherapy unless the child's parent or caregiver chooses not to receive it or the provider determines that psychotherapy is no longer medically necessary. When a provider determines that psychotherapy is no longer medically necessary, the provider must update required documentation, including but not limited to the individual treatment plan, the child's medical record, or other authorizations, to include the determination. When a provider determines that a child needs psychotherapy but psychotherapy cannot be delivered due to a shortage of licensed mental health professionals in the child's community, the provider must document the lack of access in the child's medical record;

(2) individual, family, or group skills training is subject to the following requirements:

(i) a mental health professional, clinical trainee, or mental health practitioner shall provide skills training;

(ii) skills training delivered to a child or the child's family must be targeted to the specific deficits or maladaptations of the child's mental health disorder and must be prescribed in the child's individual treatment plan;

(iii) group skills training may be provided to multiple recipients who, because of the nature of their emotional, behavioral, or social dysfunction, can derive mutual benefit from interaction in a group setting, which must be staffed as follows:

(A) one mental health professional, clinical trainee, or mental health practitioner must work with a group of three to eight clients; or

(B) any combination of two mental health professionals, clinical trainees, or mental health practitioners must work with a group of nine to 12 clients;

(iv) a mental health professional, clinical trainee, or mental health practitioner must have taught the psychosocial skill before a mental health behavioral aide may practice that skill with the client; and

(v) for group skills training, when a skills group that meets the minimum group size requirement temporarily falls below the minimum group size because of a group member's temporary absence, the provider may conduct the session for the group members in attendance;

(3) crisis planning to a child and family must include development of a written plan that anticipates the particular factors specific to the child that may precipitate a psychiatric crisis for the child in the near future. The written plan must document actions that the family should be prepared to take to resolve or stabilize a crisis, such as advance arrangements for direct intervention and support services to the child and the child's family. Crisis planning must include preparing resources designed to address abrupt or substantial changes in the functioning of the child or the child's family when sudden change in behavior or a loss of usual coping mechanisms is observed, or the child begins to present a danger to self or others;

(4) mental health behavioral aide services must be medically necessary treatment services, identified in the child's individual treatment plan. new text begin new text end To be eligible for medical assistance payment, mental health behavioral aide services must be delivered to a child who has been diagnosed with a mental illness, as provided in subdivision 1, paragraph deleted text begin (a) deleted text end new text begin (b) new text end . The mental health behavioral aide must document the delivery of services in written progress notes. Progress notes must reflect implementation of the treatment strategies, as performed by the mental health behavioral aide and the child's responses to the treatment strategies; and

(5) mental health service plan development must be performed in consultation with the child's family and, when appropriate, with other key participants in the child's life by the child's treating mental health professional or clinical trainee or by a mental health practitioner and approved by the treating mental health professional. Treatment plan drafting consists of development, review, and revision by face-to-face or electronic communication. The provider must document events, including the time spent with the family and other key participants in the child's life to approve the individual treatment plan. Medical assistance covers service plan development before completion of the child's individual treatment plan. Service plan development is covered only if a treatment plan is completed for the child. If upon review it is determined that a treatment plan was not completed for the child, the commissioner shall recover the payment for the service plan development.

Sec. 128.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.15, subdivision 1h, is amended to read:

Subd. 1h.

Estates of specific persons receiving medical assistance.

(a) For purposes of this section, paragraphs (b) to (j) apply if a person received medical assistance for which a claim may be filed under this section and died single, or the surviving spouse of the couple and was not survived by any of the persons described in subdivisions 3 and 4.

(b) Notwithstanding any law or rule to the contrary, the person's life estate or joint tenancy interest in real property not subject to a medical assistance lien under sections 514.980 to 514.985 on the date of the person's death shall not end upon the person's death and shall continue as provided in this subdivision. The life estate in the person's estate shall be that portion of the interest in the real property subject to the life estate that is equal to the life estate percentage factor for the life estate as listed in the Life Estate Mortality Table of the health care program's manual for a person who was the age of the medical assistance recipient on the date of the person's death. The joint tenancy interest in real property in the estate shall be equal to the fractional interest the person would have owned in the jointly held interest in the property had they and the other owners held title to the property as tenants in common on the date the person died.

(c) The court upon its own motion, or upon motion by the personal representative or any interested party, may enter an order directing the remainderpersons or surviving joint tenants and their spouses, if any, to sign all documents, take all actions, and otherwise fully cooperate with the personal representative and the court to liquidate the decedent's life estate or joint tenancy interests in the estate and deliver the cash or the proceeds of those interests to the personal representative and provide for any legal and equitable sanctions as the court deems appropriate to enforce and carry out the order, including an award of reasonable attorney fees.

(d) The personal representative may make, execute, and deliver any conveyances or other documents necessary to convey the decedent's life estate or joint tenancy interest in the estate that are necessary to liquidate and reduce to cash the decedent's interest or for any other purposes.

(e) Subject to administration, all costs, including reasonable attorney fees, directly and immediately related to liquidating the decedent's life estate or joint tenancy interest in the decedent's estate, shall be paid from the gross proceeds of the liquidation allocable to the decedent's interest and the net proceeds shall be turned over to the personal representative and applied to payment of the claim presented under this section.

(f) The personal representative shall bring a motion in the district court in which the estate is being probated to compel the remainderpersons or surviving joint tenants to account for and deliver to the personal representative all or any part of the proceeds of any sale, mortgage, transfer, conveyance, or any disposition of real property allocable to the decedent's life estate or joint tenancy interest in the decedent's estate, and do everything necessary to liquidate and reduce to cash the decedent's interest and turn the proceeds of the sale or other disposition over to the personal representative. The court may grant any legal or equitable relief including, but not limited to, ordering a partition of real estate under chapter deleted text begin 558 deleted text end new text begin 558A new text end necessary to make the value of the decedent's life estate or joint tenancy interest available to the estate for payment of a claim under this section.

(g) Subject to administration, the personal representative shall use all of the cash or proceeds of interests to pay an allowable claim under this section. The remainderpersons or surviving joint tenants and their spouses, if any, may enter into a written agreement with the personal representative or the claimant to settle and satisfy obligations imposed at any time before or after a claim is filed.

(h) The personal representative may, at their discretion, provide any or all of the other owners, remainderpersons, or surviving joint tenants with an affidavit terminating the decedent's estate's interest in real property the decedent owned as a life tenant or as a joint tenant with others, if the personal representative determines in good faith that neither the decedent nor any of the decedent's predeceased spouses received any medical assistance for which a claim could be filed under this section, or if the personal representative has filed an affidavit with the court that the estate has other assets sufficient to pay a claim, as presented, or if there is a written agreement under paragraph (g), or if the claim, as allowed, has been paid in full or to the full extent of the assets the estate has available to pay it. The affidavit may be recorded in the office of the county recorder or filed in the Office of the Registrar of Titles for the county in which the real property is located. Except as provided in section 514.981, subdivision 6, when recorded or filed, the affidavit shall terminate the decedent's interest in real estate the decedent owned as a life tenant or a joint tenant with others. The affidavit shall:

(1) be signed by the personal representative;

(2) identify the decedent and the interest being terminated;

(3) give recording information sufficient to identify the instrument that created the interest in real property being terminated;

(4) legally describe the affected real property;

(5) state that the personal representative has determined that neither the decedent nor any of the decedent's predeceased spouses received any medical assistance for which a claim could be filed under this section;

(6) state that the decedent's estate has other assets sufficient to pay the claim, as presented, or that there is a written agreement between the personal representative and the claimant and the other owners or remainderpersons or other joint tenants to satisfy the obligations imposed under this subdivision; and

(7) state that the affidavit is being given to terminate the estate's interest under this subdivision, and any other contents as may be appropriate.

The recorder or registrar of titles shall accept the affidavit for recording or filing. The affidavit shall be effective as provided in this section and shall constitute notice even if it does not include recording information sufficient to identify the instrument creating the interest it terminates. The affidavit shall be conclusive evidence of the stated facts.

(i) The holder of a lien arising under subdivision 1c shall release the lien at the holder's expense against an interest terminated under paragraph (g) to the extent of the termination.

(j) If a lien arising under subdivision 1c is not released under paragraph (i), prior to closing the estate, the personal representative shall deed the interest subject to the lien to the remainderpersons or surviving joint tenants as their interests may appear. Upon recording or filing, the deed shall work a merger of the recipient's life estate or joint tenancy interest, subject to the lien, into the remainder interest or interest the decedent and others owned jointly. The lien shall attach to and run with the property to the extent of the decedent's interest at the time of the decedent's death.

Sec. 129.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.196, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Commissioner's duties.

(a) For the purposes of this subdivision and subdivision 3, the commissioner shall determine the fee-for-service outpatient hospital services upper payment limit for nonstate government hospitals. The commissioner shall then determine the amount of a supplemental payment to Hennepin County Medical Center and Regions Hospital for these services that would increase medical assistance spending in this category to the aggregate upper payment limit for all nonstate government hospitals in Minnesota. In making this determination, the commissioner shall allot the available increases between Hennepin County Medical Center and Regions Hospital based on the ratio of medical assistance fee-for-service outpatient hospital payments to the two facilities. The commissioner shall adjust this allotment as necessary based on federal approvals, the amount of intergovernmental transfers received from Hennepin and Ramsey Counties, and other factors, in order to maximize the additional total payments. The commissioner shall inform Hennepin County and Ramsey County of the periodic intergovernmental transfers necessary to match federal Medicaid payments available under this subdivision in order to make supplementary medical assistance payments to Hennepin County Medical Center and Regions Hospital equal to an amount that when combined with existing medical assistance payments to nonstate governmental hospitals would increase total payments to hospitals in this category for outpatient services to the aggregate upper payment limit for all hospitals in this category in Minnesota. Upon receipt of these periodic transfers, the commissioner shall make supplementary payments to Hennepin County Medical Center and Regions Hospital.

(b) For the purposes of this subdivision and subdivision 3, the commissioner shall determine an upper payment limit for physicians and other billing professionals affiliated with Hennepin County Medical Center and with Regions Hospital. The upper payment limit shall be based on the average commercial rate or be determined using another method acceptable to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The commissioner shall inform Hennepin County and Ramsey County of the periodic intergovernmental transfers necessary to match the federal Medicaid payments available under this subdivision in order to make supplementary payments to physicians and other billing professionals affiliated with Hennepin County Medical Center and to make supplementary payments to physicians and other billing professionals affiliated with Regions Hospital through HealthPartners Medical Group equal to the difference between the established medical assistance payment for physician and other billing professional services and the upper payment limit. Upon receipt of these periodic transfers, the commissioner shall make supplementary payments to physicians and other billing professionals affiliated with Hennepin County Medical Center and shall make supplementary payments to physicians and other billing professionals affiliated with Regions Hospital through HealthPartners Medical Group.

deleted text begin (c) Beginning January 1, 2010, Ramsey County may make monthly voluntary intergovernmental transfers to the commissioner in amounts not to exceed $6,000,000 per year. The commissioner shall increase the medical assistance capitation payments to any licensed health plan under contract with the medical assistance program that agrees to make enhanced payments to Regions Hospital. The increase shall be in an amount equal to the annual value of the monthly transfers plus federal financial participation, with each health plan receiving its pro rata share of the increase based on the pro rata share of medical assistance admissions to Regions Hospital by those plans. For the purposes of this paragraph, "the base amount" means the total annual value of increased medical assistance capitation payments, including the voluntary intergovernmental transfers, under this paragraph in calendar year 2017. For managed care contracts beginning on or after January 1, 2018, the commissioner shall reduce the total annual value of increased medical assistance capitation payments under this paragraph by an amount equal to ten percent of the base amount, and by an additional ten percent of the base amount for each subsequent contract year until December 31, 2025. Upon the request of the commissioner, health plans shall submit individual-level cost data for verification purposes. The commissioner may ratably reduce these payments on a pro rata basis in order to satisfy federal requirements for actuarial soundness. If payments are reduced, transfers shall be reduced accordingly. Any licensed health plan that receives increased medical assistance capitation payments under the intergovernmental transfer described in this paragraph shall increase its medical assistance payments to Regions Hospital by the same amount as the increased payments received in the capitation payment described in this paragraph. This paragraph expires January 1, 2026. deleted text end

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end For the purposes of this subdivision and subdivision 3, the commissioner shall determine an upper payment limit for ambulance services affiliated with Hennepin County Medical Center and the city of St. Paul, and ambulance services owned and operated by another governmental entity that chooses to participate by requesting the commissioner to determine an upper payment limit. The upper payment limit shall be based on the average commercial rate or be determined using another method acceptable to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The commissioner shall inform Hennepin County, the city of St. Paul, and other participating governmental entities of the periodic intergovernmental transfers necessary to match the federal Medicaid payments available under this subdivision in order to make supplementary payments to Hennepin County Medical Center, the city of St. Paul, and other participating governmental entities equal to the difference between the established medical assistance payment for ambulance services and the upper payment limit. Upon receipt of these periodic transfers, the commissioner shall make supplementary payments to Hennepin County Medical Center, the city of St. Paul, and other participating governmental entities. A tribal government that owns and operates an ambulance service is not eligible to participate under this subdivision.

deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end For the purposes of this subdivision and subdivision 3, the commissioner shall determine an upper payment limit for physicians, dentists, and other billing professionals affiliated with the University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota Physicians. The upper payment limit shall be based on the average commercial rate or be determined using another method acceptable to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The commissioner shall inform the University of Minnesota Medical School and University of Minnesota School of Dentistry of the periodic intergovernmental transfers necessary to match the federal Medicaid payments available under this subdivision in order to make supplementary payments to physicians, dentists, and other billing professionals affiliated with the University of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota Physicians equal to the difference between the established medical assistance payment for physician, dentist, and other billing professional services and the upper payment limit. Upon receipt of these periodic transfers, the commissioner shall make supplementary payments to physicians, dentists, and other billing professionals affiliated with the University of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota Physicians.

deleted text begin (f) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end The commissioner shall inform the transferring governmental entities on an ongoing basis of any changes needed in the intergovernmental transfers in order to continue the payments under paragraphs (a) to deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end , at their maximum level, including increases in upper payment limits, changes in the federal Medicaid match, and other factors.

deleted text begin (g) deleted text end new text begin (f) new text end The payments in paragraphs (a) to deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end shall be implemented independently of each other, subject to federal approval and to the receipt of transfers under subdivision 3.

deleted text begin (h) deleted text end new text begin (g) new text end All of the data and funding transactions related to the payments in paragraphs (a) to deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end shall be between the commissioner and the governmental entities.

deleted text begin (i) deleted text end new text begin (h) new text end For purposes of this subdivision, billing professionals are limited to physicians, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, physician assistants, anesthesiologists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, dentists, dental hygienists, and dental therapists.

Sec. 130.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.1973, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them.

(b) "Billing professionals" means physicians, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, physician assistants, anesthesiologists, and certified registered new text begin nurse new text end anesthetists, and may include dentists, individually enrolled dental hygienists, and dental therapists.

(c) "Health plan" means a managed care or county-based purchasing plan that is under contract with the commissioner to deliver services to medical assistance enrollees under section 256B.69.

(d) "High medical assistance utilization" means a medical assistance utilization rate equal to the standard established in section 256.969, subdivision 9, paragraph (d), clause (6).

Sec. 131.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.431, subdivision 17d, is amended to read:

Subd. 17d.

Determination of rental per diem for total replacement projects.

(a) For purposes of this subdivision, a total replacement means the complete replacement of the nursing facility's physical plant through the construction of a new physical plant, the transfer of the nursing facility's license from one physical plant location to another, or a new building addition to relocate beds from three- and four-bed wards. For total replacement projects completed on or after July 1, 1992, the commissioner shall compute the incremental change in the nursing facility's rental per diem, for rate years beginning on or after July 1, 1995, by replacing its appraised value, including the historical capital asset costs, and the capital debt and interest costs with the new nursing facility's allowable capital asset costs and the related allowable capital debt and interest costs. If the new nursing facility has decreased its licensed capacity, the aggregate investment per bed limit in subdivision 3a, paragraph (c), shall apply.

(b) If the new nursing facility has retained a portion of the original physical plant for nursing facility usage, then a portion of the appraised value prior to the replacement must be retained and included in the calculation of the incremental change in the nursing facility's rental per diem. For purposes of this subdivision, the original nursing facility means the nursing facility prior to the total replacement project. The portion of the appraised value to be retained shall be calculated according to clauses (1) to (3):

(1) The numerator of the allocation ratio shall be the square footage of the area in the original physical plant which is being retained for nursing facility usage.

(2) The denominator of the allocation ratio shall be the total square footage of the original nursing facility physical plant.

(3) Each component of the nursing facility's allowable appraised value prior to the total replacement project shall be multiplied by the allocation ratio developed by dividing clause (1) by clause (2).

(c) In the case of either type of total replacement as authorized under section 144A.071 or 144A.073, the provisions of subdivisions 17 to 17f shall also apply.

deleted text begin (d) For purposes of the moratorium exception authorized under section 144A.071, subdivision 4a, paragraph (s), if the total replacement involves the renovation and use of an existing health care facility physical plant, the new allowable capital asset costs and related debt and interest costs shall include first the allowable capital asset costs and related debt and interest costs of the renovation, to which shall be added the allowable capital asset costs of the existing physical plant prior to the renovation, and if reported by the facility, the related allowable capital debt and interest costs. deleted text end

Sec. 132.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.69, subdivision 16, is amended to read:

Subd. 16.

Project extension.

Minnesota Rules, parts 9500.1450; 9500.1451; 9500.1452; 9500.1453; 9500.1454; 9500.1455; 9500.1457; 9500.1458; 9500.1459; 9500.1460; deleted text begin 9500.1461; deleted text end 9500.1462; 9500.1463; and 9500.1464, are extended.

Sec. 133.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 256B.761, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Capitation payments.

Managed care and county-based purchasing plans must reimburse providers at an amount that is at least equal to the fee-for-service rate for services under this section. The commissioner must monitor the effect of this rate adjustment on enrollee access to behavioral health services. If for any contract year federal approval is not received for this subdivision, the commissioner must adjust the capitation rates paid to managed care plans and county-based purchasing plans for that contract year to reflect the removal of this deleted text begin provision deleted text end new text begin subdivision new text end . Contracts between managed care plans and county-based purchasing plans and providers to whom this subdivision applies must allow recovery of payments from those providers if capitation rates are adjusted in accordance with this subdivision. Payment recoveries must not exceed the amount equal to any increase in rates that results from this subdivision.

Sec. 134.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.77, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Federal waivers.

The commissioner, in consultation with county authorities, shall request any authority from the United States Department of Health and Human Services that is necessary to implement the demonstration project under the medical assistance program; and authority to combine Medicaid and Medicare funding for service delivery to eligible individuals who are also eligible for Medicare, only if this authority does not preclude county authority participation under the waiver. Implementation of these programs may begin without authority to include Medicare funding. deleted text begin The commissioner may authorize county authorities to begin enrollment of eligible individuals upon federal approval but no earlier than July 1, 1998. deleted text end

Sec. 135.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.77, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Demonstration sites.

The commissioner shall designate up to two demonstration sites with the approval of the county authority. Demonstration sites may include one county or a multicounty group. At least one of the sites shall implement a model specifically addressing the needs of eligible individuals with physical disabilities. deleted text begin By February 1, 1998, the commissioner and the county authorities shall submit to the chairs of the senate Committee on Health and Family Security and the house of representatives Committee on Health and Human Services a phased enrollment plan to ensure an orderly transition which protects the health and safety of enrollees and ensures continuity of services. deleted text end

Sec. 136.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.85, subdivision 7b, is amended to read:

Subd. 7b.

Services provided by parents and spouses.

(a) This subdivision applies to services and supports described in subdivision 7, clause deleted text begin (8) deleted text end new text begin (9) new text end .

(b) If multiple parents are support workers providing CFSS services to their minor child or children, each parent may provide up to 40 hours of medical assistance home and community-based services in any seven-day period regardless of the number of children served. The total number of hours of medical assistance home and community-based services provided by all of the parents must not exceed 80 hours in a seven-day period regardless of the number of children served.

(c) If only one parent is a support worker providing CFSS services to the parent's minor child or children, the parent may provide up to 60 hours of medical assistance home and community-based services in a seven-day period regardless of the number of children served.

(d) If a participant's spouse is a support worker providing CFSS services, the spouse may provide up to 60 hours of medical assistance home and community-based services in a seven-day period.

(e) Paragraphs (b) to (d) must not be construed to permit an increase in either the total authorized service budget for an individual or the total number of authorized service units.

(f) A parent or participant's spouse must not receive a wage that exceeds the current rate for a CFSS support worker, including wages, benefits, and payroll taxes.

Sec. 137.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.85, subdivision 20, is amended to read:

Subd. 20.

Participant protections.

(a) All CFSS participants have the protections identified in this subdivision.

(b) Participants or deleted text begin participant's deleted text end new text begin participants' new text end representatives must be provided with adequate information, counseling, training, and assistance, as needed, to ensure that the participant is able to choose and manage services, models, and budgets. This information must be provided by the consultation services provider at the time of the initial or annual orientation to CFSS, at the time of reassessment, or when requested by the participant or participant's representative. This information must explain:

(1) person-centered planning;

(2) the range and scope of participant choices, including the differences between the agency-provider model and the budget model, available CFSS providers, and other services available in the community to meet the participant's needs;

(3) the process for changing plans, services, and budgets;

(4) identifying and assessing appropriate services; and

(5) risks to and responsibilities of the participant under the budget model.

(c) The consultation services provider must ensure that the participant chooses freely between the agency-provider model and the budget model and among available agency-providers and that the participant may change agency-providers after services have begun.

(d) A participant who appeals a reduction in previously authorized CFSS services may continue previously authorized services pending an appeal in accordance with section 256.045.

(e) If the units of service or budget allocation for CFSS are reduced, denied, or terminated, the commissioner must provide notice of the reasons for the reduction in the participant's notice of denial, termination, or reduction.

(f) If all or part of a CFSS service delivery plan is denied approval by the lead agency, the lead agency must provide a notice that describes the basis of the denial.

Sec. 138.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256D.01, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Policy.

The objectives of sections 256D.01 to deleted text begin 256D.21 deleted text end new text begin 256D.17 new text end are to provide a sound administrative structure for public assistance programs; to maximize the use of federal money for public assistance purposes; to provide an integrated public assistance program for eligible households in the state without adequate income or resources to maintain a subsistence reasonably compatible with decency and health; and to provide services to help employable and potentially employable persons prepare for and attain self-sufficiency and obtain permanent work.

It is the policy of this state that eligible households unable to provide for themselves and not otherwise provided for by law who meet the eligibility requirements of sections 256D.01 to deleted text begin 256D.21 deleted text end new text begin 256D.17 new text end are entitled to receive grants of general assistance necessary to maintain a subsistence reasonably compatible with decency and health. Providing this assistance is a matter of public concern and a necessity in promoting the public health and welfare.

Sec. 139.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256D.01, subdivision 1e, is amended to read:

Subd. 1e.

Rules regarding emergency assistance.

The commissioner shall adopt rules under the terms of sections 256D.01 to deleted text begin 256D.21 deleted text end new text begin 256D.17 new text end for general assistance, to require use of the emergency program under MFIP as the primary financial resource when available. The commissioner shall adopt rules for eligibility for general assistance of persons with seasonal income and may attribute seasonal income to other periods not in excess of one year from receipt by an applicant or recipient. General assistance payments may not be made for foster care, community residential settings licensed under chapter 245D, child welfare services, or other social services. Vendor payments and vouchers may be issued only as authorized in sections 256D.05, subdivision 6, and 256D.09.

Sec. 140.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256D.01, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Citation.

Sections 256D.01 to deleted text begin 256D.21 deleted text end new text begin 256D.17 new text end may be cited as the "General Assistance Act."

Sec. 141.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256D.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Scope.

For purposes of sections 256D.01 to deleted text begin 256D.21 deleted text end new text begin 256D.17 new text end , the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them unless otherwise provided or indicated by the context.

Sec. 142.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256D.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

County administration.

Every county agency shall provide general assistance to persons residing within its jurisdiction who meet the need requirements of sections 256D.01 to deleted text begin 256D.21 deleted text end new text begin 256D.17 new text end . General assistance shall be administered by the county agencies according to law and rules promulgated by the commissioner pursuant to sections 14.001 to 14.69.

Sec. 143.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256D.04, is amended to read:

256D.04 DUTIES OF THE COMMISSIONER.

In addition to any other duties imposed by law, the commissioner shall:

(1) supervise according to section 256.01 the administration of general assistance by county agencies as provided in sections 256D.01 to deleted text begin 256D.21 deleted text end new text begin 256D.17 new text end ;

(2) promulgate uniform rules consistent with law for carrying out and enforcing the provisions of sections 256D.01 to deleted text begin 256D.21 deleted text end new text begin 256D.17 new text end to the end that general assistance may be administered as uniformly as possible throughout the state; rules shall be furnished immediately to all county agencies and other interested persons; in promulgating rules, the provisions of sections 14.001 to 14.69, shall apply;

(3) allocate money appropriated for general assistance to county agencies as provided in section 256D.03, subdivision 2;

(4) accept and supervise the disbursement of any funds that may be provided by the federal government or from other sources for use in this state for general assistance;

(5) cooperate with other agencies including any agency of the United States or of another state in all matters concerning the powers and duties of the commissioner under sections 256D.01 to deleted text begin 256D.21 deleted text end new text begin 256D.17 new text end ;

(6) cooperate to the fullest extent with other public agencies empowered by law to provide vocational training, rehabilitation, or similar services;

(7) gather and study current information and report at least annually to the governor on the nature and need for general assistance, the amounts expended under the supervision of each county agency, and the activities of each county agency and publish such reports for the information of the public;

(8) specify requirements for general assistance reports, including fiscal reports, according to section 256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph deleted text begin (p) deleted text end new text begin (o) new text end ; and

(9) ensure that every notice of eligibility for general assistance includes a notice that women who are pregnant may be eligible for medical assistance benefits.

Sec. 144.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256D.045, is amended to read:

256D.045 SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER REQUIRED.

To be eligible for general assistance under sections 256D.01 to deleted text begin 256D.21 deleted text end new text begin 256D.17 new text end , an individual must provide the individual's Social Security number to the county agency or submit proof that an application has been made. The provisions of this section do not apply to the determination of eligibility for emergency general assistance under section 256D.06, subdivision 2. This provision applies to eligible children under the age of 18 effective July 1, 1997.

Sec. 145.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256D.05, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Citizenship.

(a) Effective July 1, 1997, citizenship requirements for applicants and recipients under sections 256D.01 to 256D.03, subdivision 2, and 256D.04 to deleted text begin 256D.21 deleted text end new text begin 256D.17 new text end shall be determined the same as under section 142G.11. The income and assets of sponsors of noncitizens shall be deemed available to general assistance applicants and recipients according to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Public Law 104-193, title IV, sections 421 and 422, and subsequently set out in federal rules.

(b) As a condition of eligibility, each legal adult noncitizen in the assistance unit who has resided in the country for four years or more and who is under 70 years of age must:

(1) be enrolled in a literacy class, English as a second language class, or a citizen class;

(2) be applying for admission to a literacy class, English as a second language class, and is on a waiting list;

(3) be in the process of applying for a waiver from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services of the English language or civics requirements of the citizenship test;

(4) have submitted an application for citizenship to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and is waiting for a testing date or a subsequent swearing in ceremony; or

(5) have been denied citizenship due to a failure to pass the test after two attempts or because of an inability to understand the rights and responsibilities of becoming a United States citizen, as documented by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services or the county.

If the county social service agency determines that a legal noncitizen subject to the requirements of this subdivision will require more than one year of English language training, then the requirements of clause (1) or (2) shall be imposed after the legal noncitizen has resided in the country for three years. Individuals who reside in a facility licensed under chapter 144A, 144G, 245A, or 256I are exempt from the requirements of this section.

Sec. 146.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256D.06, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

SSI conversions and back claims.

(a) The commissioner of human services shall contract with agencies or organizations capable of ensuring that clients who are presently receiving assistance under sections 256D.01 to deleted text begin 256D.21 deleted text end new text begin 256D.17 new text end , and who may be eligible for benefits under the federal Supplemental Security Income program, apply and, when eligible, are converted to the federal income assistance program and made eligible for health care benefits under the medical assistance program. The commissioner shall ensure that money owing to the state under interim assistance agreements is collected.

(b) The commissioner shall also directly or through contract implement procedures for collecting federal Medicare and medical assistance funds for which clients converted to SSI are retroactively eligible.

(c) The commissioner shall contract with agencies to ensure implementation of this section. County contracts with providers for residential services shall include the requirement that providers screen residents who may be eligible for federal benefits and provide that information to the local agency. The commissioner shall modify the MAXIS computer system to provide information on clients who have been on general assistance for two years or longer. The list of clients shall be provided to local services for screening under this section.

Sec. 147.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256D.07, is amended to read:

256D.07 TIME OF PAYMENT OF ASSISTANCE.

An applicant for general assistance shall be deemed eligible if the application and the verification of the statement on that application demonstrate that the applicant is within the eligibility criteria established by sections 256D.01 to deleted text begin 256D.21 deleted text end new text begin 256D.17 new text end and any applicable rules of the commissioner. Any person requesting general assistance shall be permitted by the county agency to make an application for assistance as soon as administratively possible and in no event later than the fourth day following the date on which assistance is first requested, and no county agency shall require that a person requesting assistance appear at the offices of the county agency more than once prior to the date on which the person is permitted to make the application. Applications must be submitted according to section 256P.04, subdivision 1a. On the date that general assistance is first requested, the county agency shall inquire and determine whether the person requesting assistance is in immediate need of food, shelter, clothing, assistance for necessary transportation, or other emergency assistance pursuant to section 256D.06, subdivision 2. A person in need of emergency assistance shall be granted emergency assistance immediately, and necessary emergency assistance shall continue for up to 30 days following the date of application. A determination of an applicant's eligibility for general assistance shall be made by the county agency as soon as the required verifications are received by the county agency and in no event later than 30 days following the date that the application is made. Any verifications required of the applicant shall be reasonable, and the commissioner shall by rule establish reasonable verifications. General assistance shall be granted to an eligible applicant without the necessity of first securing action by the board of the county agency. The first month's grant must be computed to cover the time period starting with the date of application or from the date that the applicant meets all eligibility factors, whichever occurs later.

If upon verification and due investigation it appears that the applicant provided false information and the false information materially affected the applicant's eligibility for general assistance or the amount of the applicant's general assistance grant, the county agency may refer the matter to the county attorney. The county attorney may commence a criminal prosecution or a civil action for the recovery of any general assistance wrongfully received, or both.

Sec. 148.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256D.16, is amended to read:

256D.16 GENERAL ASSISTANCE TO BE ALLOWED AS CLAIM IN COURT.

On the death of any person who received any general assistance under sections 256D.01 to deleted text begin 256D.21 deleted text end new text begin 256D.17 new text end , or on the death of the survivor of a married couple, either or both of whom received general assistance, the total amount paid as general assistance to either or both, without interest, shall be allowed as a claim against the estate of such person or persons by the court having jurisdiction to probate the estate.

Sec. 149.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256F.10, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Distribution of new federal revenue.

(a) Except for portion set aside in paragraph (b), the federal funds earned under this section and section 256B.094 by providers shall be paid to each provider based on its earnings, and must be used by each provider to expand preventive child welfare services.

If a county or tribal social services agency chooses to be a provider of child welfare targeted case management and if that county or tribal social services agency also joins a local children's mental health collaborative as authorized by the 1993 legislature, then the federal reimbursement received by the county or tribal social services agency for providing child welfare targeted case management services to children served by the local collaborative shall be transferred by the county or tribal social services agency to the integrated fund. The federal reimbursement transferred to the integrated fund by the county or tribal social services agency must not be used for residential care other than respite care described under subdivision 7, paragraph (d).

(b) The commissioner shall set aside a portion of the federal funds earned under this section to repay the special revenue maximization account under section 256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph deleted text begin (o) deleted text end new text begin (n) new text end . The repayment is limited to:

(1) the costs of developing and implementing this section and section 256B.094;

(2) programming the information systems; and

(3) the lost federal revenue for the central office claim directly caused by the implementation of these sections.

Any unexpended funds from the set-aside under this paragraph shall be distributed to providers according to paragraph (a).

Sec. 150.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256F.10, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Expansion of services and base level of expenditures.

(a) Counties and tribal social services must continue the base level of expenditures for preventive child welfare services from either or both of any state, county, or federal funding source, which, in the absence of federal funds earned under this section, would have been available for these services. The commissioner shall review the county or tribal social services expenditures annually using reports required under sections 245.482 and 256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph deleted text begin (p) deleted text end new text begin (o) new text end , to ensure that the base level of expenditures for preventive child welfare services is continued from sources other than the federal funds earned under this section.

(b) The commissioner may reduce, suspend, or eliminate either or both of a county's or tribal social services' obligations to continue the base level of expenditures and to expand child welfare preventive services if the commissioner determines that one or more of the following conditions apply to that county or reservation:

(1) imposition of levy limits that significantly reduce available social service funds;

(2) reduction in the net tax capacity of the taxable property within a county or reservation that significantly reduces available social service funds;

(3) reduction in the number of children under age 19 in the county or reservation by 25 percent when compared with the number in the base year using the most recent data provided by the State Demographer's Office; or

(4) termination of the federal revenue earned under this section.

(c) The commissioner may suspend for one year either or both of a county's or tribal social services' obligations to continue the base level of expenditures and to expand child welfare preventive services if the commissioner determines that in the previous year one or more of the following conditions applied to that county or reservation:

(1) the total number of children in placement under sections 260C.212 and 393.07, subdivisions 1 and 2, has been reduced by 50 percent from the total number in the base year; or

(2) the average number of children in placement under sections 260C.212 and 393.07, subdivisions 1 and 2, on the last day of each month is equal to or less than one child per 1,000 children in the county or reservation.

(d) For the purposes of this section, child welfare preventive services are those services directed toward a specific child or family that further the goals of Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 256F.01, and include assessments, family preservation services, service coordination, community-based treatment, crisis nursery services when the parents retain custody and there is no voluntary placement agreement with a child-placing agency, respite care except when it is provided under a medical assistance waiver, home-based services, and other related services. For the purposes of this section, child welfare preventive services shall not include shelter care placements under the authority of the court or public agency to address an emergency, residential services except for respite care, child care for the purposes of employment and training, adult services, services other than child welfare targeted case management when they are provided under medical assistance, placement services, or activities not directed toward a specific child or family. Respite care must be planned, routine care to support the continuing residence of the child with its family or long-term primary caretaker and must not be provided to address an emergency.

(e) For the counties and tribal social services beginning to claim federal reimbursement for services under this section and section 256B.094, the base year is the calendar year ending at least two calendar quarters before the first calendar quarter in which the provider begins claiming reimbursement. For the purposes of this section, the base level of expenditures is the level of county or tribal social services expenditures in the base year for eligible child welfare preventive services described in this subdivision.

Sec. 151.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256I.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Individual eligibility requirements.

An individual is eligible for and entitled to a housing support payment to be made on the individual's behalf if the agency has approved the setting where the individual will receive housing support and the individual meets the requirements in paragraph (a), (b), (c), or (d).

(a) The individual is aged, blind, or is over 18 years of age with a disability as determined under the criteria used by the title II program of the Social Security Act, and meets the resource restrictions and standards of section 256P.02, and the individual's countable income after deducting the (1) exclusions and disregards of the SSI program, (2) the medical assistance personal needs allowance under section 256B.35, and (3) an amount equal to the income actually made available to a community spouse by an elderly waiver participant under the provisions of sections 256B.0575, new text begin subdivision 1, new text end paragraph (a), clause (4), and 256B.058, subdivision 2, is less than the monthly rate specified in the agency's agreement with the provider of housing support in which the individual resides.

(b) The individual meets a category of eligibility under section 256D.05, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clauses (1), (3), (4) to (8), and (13), and paragraph (b), if applicable, and the individual's resources are less than the standards specified by section 256P.02, and the individual's countable income as determined under section 256P.06, less the medical assistance personal needs allowance under section 256B.35 is less than the monthly rate specified in the agency's agreement with the provider of housing support in which the individual resides.

(c) The individual lacks a fixed, adequate, nighttime residence upon discharge from a residential behavioral health treatment program, as determined by treatment staff from the residential behavioral health treatment program. An individual is eligible under this paragraph for up to three months, including a full or partial month from the individual's move-in date at a setting approved for housing support following discharge from treatment, plus two full months.

(d) The individual meets the criteria related to establishing a certified disability or disabling condition in paragraph (a) or (b) and lacks a fixed, adequate, nighttime residence upon discharge from a correctional facility, as determined by an authorized representative from a Minnesota-based correctional facility. An individual is eligible under this paragraph for up to three months, including a full or partial month from the individual's move-in date at a setting approved for housing support following release, plus two full months. Any income received by people who meet the disabling condition criteria established in paragraph (a) or (b) is not countable for the duration of eligibility under this paragraph.

Sec. 152.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256I.05, subdivision 1c, is amended to read:

Subd. 1c.

Rate increases.

An agency may not increase the rates negotiated for housing support above those in effect on June 30, 1993, except as provided in paragraphs (a) to (f).

(a) An agency may increase the rates for room and board to the MSA equivalent rate for those settings whose current rate is below the MSA equivalent rate.

(b) An agency may increase the rates for residents in adult foster care whose difficulty of care has increased. The total housing support rate for these residents must not exceed the maximum rate specified in subdivisions 1 and 1a. Agencies must not include nor increase difficulty of care rates for adults in foster care whose difficulty of care is eligible for funding by home and community-based waiver programs under title XIX of the Social Security Act.

(c) An agency must increase the room and board rates each year when the MSA equivalent rate is adjusted for SSI cost-of-living increases by the amount of the annual SSI increase, less the amount of the increase in the medical assistance personal needs allowance under section 256B.35.

(d) An agency may increase the rates for residents in facilities meeting substantial change criteria within the prior year. Substantial change criteria exist if the establishment experiences a 25 percent increase or decrease in the total number of its beds, if the net cost of capital additions or improvements is in excess of 15 percent of the current market value of the residence, or if the residence physically moves, or changes its licensure, and incurs a resulting increase in operation and property costs.

(e) Until June 30, 1994, an agency may increase by up to five percent the total rate paid for recipients of assistance under sections 256D.01 to deleted text begin 256D.21 deleted text end new text begin 256D.17 new text end or 256D.33 to 256D.54 who reside in residences that are licensed by the commissioner of health as a boarding care home, but are not certified for the purposes of the medical assistance program. However, an increase under this clause must not exceed an amount equivalent to 65 percent of the 1991 medical assistance reimbursement rate for nursing home resident class A, in the geographic grouping in which the facility is located, as established under Minnesota Rules, parts 9549.0051 to 9549.0058.

(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision 1, an agency may increase the monthly room and board rates by $50 per month for residents in settings under section 256I.04, subdivision 2a, paragraph (b), clause (2). Participants in the Minnesota supportive housing demonstration program under section 256I.04, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (3), may not receive the increase under this paragraph.

Sec. 153.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256K.10, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Allocation of grants.

The commissioner shall allocate grants under this section to finance up to 90 percent of each county's costs for services to persons with serious and persistent mental illness. The commissioner shall promulgate permanent rules to govern grant applications, approval of applications, allocation of grants, and maintenance of financial statements by grant recipients. The commissioner shall specify requirements for reports, including quarterly fiscal reports, according to section 256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph deleted text begin (p) deleted text end new text begin (o) new text end . The commissioner shall require collection of data and periodic reports as the commissioner deems necessary to demonstrate the effectiveness of the services in helping persons with serious and persistent mental illness remain and function in their own communities.

Sec. 154.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256S.21, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Cost reporting.

(a) As determined by the commissioner, in consultation with stakeholders, a provider enrolled to provide services with rates determined under this chapter must submit requested cost data to the commissioner to support evaluation of the rate methodologies in this chapter. Requested cost data may include but are not limited to:

(1) worker wage costs;

(2) benefits paid;

(3) supervisor wage costs;

(4) executive wage costs;

(5) vacation, sick, and training time paid;

(6) taxes, workers' compensation, and unemployment insurance costs paid;

(7) administrative costs paid;

(8) program costs paid;

(9) transportation costs paid;

(10) vacancy rates; and

(11) other data relating to costs required to provide services requested by the commissioner.

(b) At least once in any five-year period, a provider must submit cost data for a fiscal year that ended not more than 18 months prior to the submission date. The commissioner shall provide each provider a 90-day notice prior to the provider's submission due date. If by 30 days after the required submission date a provider fails to submit required reporting data, the commissioner shall provide notice to the provider, and if by 60 days after the required submission date a provider has not provided the required data, the commissioner shall provide a second notice. The commissioner shall temporarily suspend payments to the provider if cost data is not received 90 days after the required submission date. Withheld payments must be made once data is received by the commissioner.

(c) The commissioner shall coordinate the cost reporting activities required under this section with the cost reporting activities directed under section 256B.4914, subdivision 10a.

(d) The commissioner shall analyze cost documentation in paragraph (a) and, in consultation with stakeholders, may submit recommendations on rate methodologies in this chapter, including ways to monitor and enforce the spending requirements directed in section deleted text begin 256S.2101, subdivision 3 deleted text end new text begin 256S.211, subdivision 4 new text end , through the reports directed by subdivision 2.

Sec. 155.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 257.05, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

International adoptions.

Subject to state and federal laws and rules, adoption agencies licensed under chapter 142B and Minnesota Rules, parts 9545.0755 to deleted text begin 9545.0845 deleted text end new text begin 9545.0835 new text end , and county social services agencies are authorized to certify that the prospective adoptive home of a child brought into the state from another country for the purpose of adoption is a suitable home, or that the home meets the commissioner's requirements for licensing of foster homes if legal adoption is not contemplated.

Sec. 156.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 257.0755, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Appropriation.

Money appropriated for each ombudsperson from the general fund or the special fund authorized by section 256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph deleted text begin (o) deleted text end new text begin (n) new text end , is under the control of each ombudsperson for which it is appropriated.

Sec. 157.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 257.0769, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Appropriations.

(a) $23,000 from the special account authorized by section 256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph deleted text begin (n) deleted text end new text begin (o) new text end , is annually appropriated to the Office of Ombudsperson for American Indian Families for the purpose of section 3.9215.

(b) $69,000 from the special account authorized by section 256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph deleted text begin (n) deleted text end new text begin (o) new text end , is annually appropriated to the Office of Ombudsperson for Families for the purposes of sections 257.0755 to 257.0768.

Sec. 158.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 259.41, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Study required before placement; certain relatives excepted.

(a) An approved adoption study; completed background study, as required under section 245C.33; and written report must be completed before the child is placed in a prospective adoptive home under this chapter, except as allowed by section 259.47, subdivision 6. In an agency placement, the report must be filed with the court at the time the adoption petition is filed. In a direct adoptive placement, the report must be filed with the court in support of a motion for temporary preadoptive custody under section 259.47, subdivision 3, or, if the study and report are complete, in support of an emergency order under section 259.47, subdivision 6. The study and report shall be completed by a licensed child-placing agency and must be thorough and comprehensive. The study and report shall be paid for by the prospective adoptive parent, except as otherwise required under section 142A.03, subdivision 2, paragraph (j), deleted text begin 259.67, deleted text end or 259.73.

(b) A placement for adoption with an individual who is related to the child, as defined by section 142B.01, subdivision 15, is subject to a background study required by subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (1), items (i) and (ii), and subdivision 3. In the case of a stepparent adoption, a background study must be completed on the stepparent and any children as required under subdivision 3, paragraph (b), except that a child of the stepparent does not need to have a background study complete if they are a sibling through birth or adoption of the person being adopted. The local social services agency of the county in which the prospective adoptive parent lives must initiate a background study unless a child-placing agency has been involved with the adoption. The local social service agency may charge a reasonable fee for the background study. If a placement is being made the background study must be completed prior to placement pursuant to section 259.29, subdivision 1, paragraph (c). Background study results must be filed with the adoption petition according to section 259.22, except in an adult adoption where an adoption study and background study are not needed.

(c) In the case of a licensed foster parent seeking to adopt a child who is in the foster parent's care, any portions of the foster care licensing process that duplicate requirements of the home study may be submitted in satisfaction of the relevant requirements of this section.

Sec. 159.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 259.83, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Services provided.

(a) Agencies shall provide assistance and counseling services upon receiving a request for current information from adoptive parents, birth parents, adopted persons aged 18 years of age and older, or adult siblings of adopted persons. The agency shall contact the other adult persons or the adoptive parents of a minor child in a personal and confidential manner to determine whether there is a desire to receive or share information or to have contact. If there is such a desire, the agency shall provide the services requested. The agency shall complete the search request within six months of the request being made. If the agency is unable to complete the search request within the specified time frame, the agency shall inform the requester of the status of the request and include a reasonable estimate of when the request can be completed.

(b) Upon a request for assistance or services from an adoptive parent of a minor child, birth parent, or an adopted person 18 years of age or older, the agency must inform the person:

(1) about the right of an adopted person to request and obtain a copy of the adopted person's original birth record at the age and circumstances specified in section deleted text begin 144.2253 deleted text end new text begin 144.2252 new text end ; and

(2) about the right of the birth parent named on the adopted person's original birth record to file a contact preference form with the state registrar pursuant to section 144.2253.

When making or supervising an adoptive placement, the agency must provide in writing to the birth parents listed on the original birth record the information required under this paragraph and section 259.37, subdivision 2, clause (7).

Sec. 160.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 260.65, is amended to read:

260.65 NONCUSTODIAL PARENTS; RELATIVE PLACEMENT.

(a) Prior to the removal of an African American or a disproportionately represented child from the child's home, the responsible social services agency must make active efforts to identify and locate the child's noncustodial or nonadjudicated parent and the child's relatives to notify the child's parent and relatives that the child is or will be placed in foster care and provide the child's parent and relatives with a list of legal resources. The notice to the child's noncustodial or nonadjudicated parent and relatives must also include the information required under section 260C.221, subdivision 2, paragraph (b). The responsible social services agency must maintain detailed records of the agency's efforts to notify parents and relatives under this section.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 260C.219, the responsible social services agency must assess an African American or a disproportionately represented child's noncustodial or nonadjudicated parent's ability to care for the child before placing the child in foster care. If a child's noncustodial or nonadjudicated parent is willing and able to provide daily care for the African American or disproportionately represented child temporarily or permanently, the court shall order the child into the home of the noncustodial or nonadjudicated parent pursuant to section 260C.178 or 260C.201, subdivision 1. The responsible social services agency must make active efforts to assist a noncustodial or nonadjudicated parent with remedying any issues that may prevent the child from being ordered into the home of a noncustodial or nonadjudicated parent.

(c) The relative search, notice, engagement, and placement consideration requirements under section 260C.221 apply under deleted text begin this act deleted text end new text begin sections 260.61 to 260.693 new text end .

Sec. 161.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 260.67, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Termination of parental rights restrictions.

(a) A court shall not terminate the parental rights of a parent of an African American or a disproportionately represented child based solely on the parent's failure to complete case plan requirements.

(b) Except as provided in deleted text begin paragraph (c) deleted text end new text begin subdivision 3 new text end , a court shall not terminate the parental rights of a parent of an African American or a disproportionately represented child in a child placement proceeding unless the allegations against the parent involve sexual abuse; egregious harm as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 14; murder in the first, second, or third degree under section 609.185, 609.19, or 609.195; murder of an unborn child in the first, second, or third degree under section 609.2661, 609.2662, or 609.2663; manslaughter of an unborn child in the first or second degree under section 609.2664 or 609.2665; domestic assault by strangulation under section 609.2247; felony domestic assault under section 609.2242 or 609.2243; kidnapping under section 609.25; solicitation, inducement, and promotion of prostitution under section 609.322, subdivision 1, and subdivision 1a if one or more aggravating factors are present; criminal sexual conduct under sections 609.342 to 609.3451; engaging in, hiring, or agreeing to hire a minor to engage in prostitution under section 609.324, subdivision 1; solicitation of children to engage in sexual conduct under section 609.352; possession of pornographic work involving minors under section 617.247; malicious punishment or neglect or endangerment of a child under section 609.377 or 609.378; use of a minor in sexual performance under section 617.246; or failing to protect a child from an overt act or condition that constitutes egregious harm.

Sec. 162.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 260C.001, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Citation; scope.

(a) Sections 260C.001 to deleted text begin 260C.637 deleted text end new text begin 260C.635 new text end may be cited as the juvenile protection provisions of the Juvenile Court Act.

(b) Juvenile protection proceedings include:

(1) a child in need of protection or services matters;

(2) permanency matters, including termination of parental rights;

(3) postpermanency reviews under sections 260C.317 and 260C.521; and

(4) adoption matters including posttermination of parental rights proceedings that review the responsible social services agency's reasonable efforts to finalize adoption.

Sec. 163.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 260C.4411, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Pre-Northstar Care for Children foster care program.

(a) For a child placed in family foster care on or before December 31, 2014, the county of financial responsibility under section 256G.02 or tribal agency authorized under section 142A.03, subdivision 9, shall pay the local share under section 142A.611, subdivision 3, for foster care maintenance including any difficulty of care as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 9560.0521, subparts 7 and 10. Family foster care includes:

(1) emergency relative placement under section 142B.06;

(2) licensed foster family settings, foster residence settings, or treatment foster care settings, licensed under Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.3000 to 2960.3340, and served by a public or private child care agency authorized by Minnesota Rules, parts 9545.0755 to deleted text begin 9545.0845 deleted text end new text begin 9545.0835 new text end ;

(3) family foster care homes approved by a tribal agency; and

(4) unlicensed supervised settings for foster youth ages 18 to 21.

(b) The county of financial responsibility under section 256G.02 or tribal social services agency authorized in section 142A.03, subdivision 9, shall pay the entire cost of any initial clothing allowance, administrative payments to child care agencies specified in section 317A.907, or any other support services it authorizes, except as otherwise provided by law.

(c) The rates for the pre-Northstar Care for Children foster care program remain those in effect on January 1, 2013, continuing the preexisting rate structure for foster children who remain with the same caregivers and do not transition into Northstar Care for Children under section 142A.604, subdivision 6.

(d) Difficulty of care payments must be maintained consistent with Minnesota Rules, parts 9560.0652 and 9560.0653, using the established reassessment tool in Minnesota Rules, part 9560.0654. The preexisting rate structure for the pre-Northstar Care for Children foster care program must be maintained, provided that when the number of foster children in the program is less than ten percent of the population in 2012, the commissioner may apply the same assessment tool to both the pre-Northstar Care for Children foster care program and Northstar Care for Children under the authority granted in section 142A.607, subdivision 2.

(e) The county of financial responsibility under section 256G.02 or tribal agency authorized under section 142A.03, subdivision 9, shall document the determined pre-Northstar Care for Children foster care rate in the case record, including a description of each condition on which the difficulty of care assessment is based. The difficulty of care rate is reassessed:

(1) every 12 months;

(2) at the request of the foster parent; or

(3) if the child's level of need changes in the current foster home.

(f) The pre-Northstar Care for Children foster care program must maintain the following existing program features:

(1) monthly payments must be made to the family foster home provider;

(2) notice and appeal procedures must be consistent with Minnesota Rules, part 9560.0665; and

(3) medical assistance eligibility for foster children must continue to be determined according to section 256B.055.

(g) The county of financial responsibility under section 256G.02 or tribal agency authorized under section 142A.03, subdivision 9, may continue existing program features, including:

(1) establishing a local fund of county money through which the agency may reimburse foster parents for the cost of repairing damage done to the home and contents by the foster child and the additional care insurance premium cost of a child who possesses a permit or license to drive a car; and

(2) paying a fee for specific services provided by the foster parent, based on the parent's skills, experience, or training. This fee must not be considered foster care maintenance.

(h) The following events end the child's enrollment in the pre-Northstar Care for Children foster care program:

(1) reunification with parent or other relative;

(2) adoption or transfer of permanent legal and physical custody;

(3) removal from the current foster home to a different foster home;

(4) another event that ends the current placement episode; or

(5) attaining the age of 21.

Sec. 164.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 260C.4412, is amended to read:

260C.4412 PAYMENT FOR RESIDENTIAL PLACEMENTS.

(a) When a child is placed in a foster care group residential setting under Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.0020 to 2960.0710, a foster residence licensed under chapter 245A that meets the standards of Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.3200 to 2960.3230, or a children's residential facility licensed or approved by a tribe, foster care maintenance payments must be made on behalf of the child to cover the cost of providing food, clothing, shelter, daily supervision, school supplies, child's personal incidentals and supports, reasonable travel for visitation, or other transportation needs associated with the items listed. Daily supervision in the group residential setting includes routine day-to-day direction and arrangements to ensure the well-being and safety of the child. It may also include reasonable costs of administration and operation of the facility.

(b) The commissioner of human services shall specify the title IV-E administrative procedures under section 142A.418 for each of the following residential program settings:

(1) residential programs licensed under chapter 245A or licensed by a tribe, including:

(i) qualified residential treatment programs as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 26d;

(ii) program settings specializing in providing prenatal, postpartum, or parenting supports for youth; and

(iii) program settings providing high-quality residential care and supportive services to children and youth who are, or are at risk of becoming, sex trafficking victims;

(2) licensed residential family-based substance use disorder treatment programs as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 22a; and

(3) supervised settings in which a foster child age 18 or older may live independently, consistent with section 260C.451.

(c) A lead contract under section 142A.07, subdivision 6, is not required to establish the foster care maintenance payment in paragraph (a) for foster residence settings licensed under chapter 245A that meet the standards of Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.3200 to 2960.3230. The foster care maintenance payment for these settings must be consistent with section 142A.609, subdivision 3, and subject to the annual revision as specified in section deleted text begin 256N.26, subdivision 9 deleted text end new text begin 142A.609, subdivision 8 new text end .

Sec. 165.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 260E.17, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Responsible social service agency.

The responsible agency shall conduct an investigation when the report alleges maltreatment in a facility required to be licensed or certified under chapter new text begin 142B, 142C, new text end 144H, 245A, new text begin or new text end 245D deleted text begin , or deleted text end deleted text begin 245H deleted text end ; under sections 144.50 to 144.58 and 241.021; in a school as defined in section 120A.05, subdivisions 9, 11, and 13, and chapter 124E; or in a nonlicensed personal care provider association as defined in section 256B.0625, subdivision 19a.

Sec. 166.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 260E.33, subdivision 6a, is amended to read:

Subd. 6a.

Notification of contested case hearing.

When an appeal of a lead investigative agency determination results in a contested case hearing under chapter new text begin 142B, new text end 245A new text begin , new text end or 245C, the administrative law judge shall notify the parent, legal custodian, or guardian of the child who is the subject of the maltreatment determination. The notice must be sent by certified mail and inform the parent, legal custodian, or guardian of the child of the right to file a signed written statement in the proceedings and the right to attend and participate in the hearing. The parent, legal custodian, or guardian of the child may file a written statement with the administrative law judge hearing the case no later than five business days before commencement of the hearing. The administrative law judge shall include the written statement in the hearing record and consider the statement in deciding the appeal. The lead investigative agency shall provide to the administrative law judge the address of the parent, legal custodian, or guardian of the child. If the lead investigative agency is not reasonably able to determine the address of the parent, legal custodian, or guardian of the child, the administrative law judge is not required to send a hearing notice under this subdivision.

Sec. 167.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 260E.35, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Classification and release of data.

(a) A written copy of a report maintained by personnel of agencies, other than welfare or law enforcement agencies, which are subject to chapter 13 shall be confidential. An individual subject of the report may obtain access to the original report as provided by paragraphs (g) to (o).

(b) All reports and records created, collected, or maintained under this chapter by a local welfare agency or law enforcement agency may be disclosed to a local welfare or other child welfare agency of another state when the agency certifies that:

(1) the reports and records are necessary to conduct an investigation of actions that would qualify as maltreatment under this chapter; and

(2) the reports and records will be used only for purposes of a child protection assessment or investigation and will not be further disclosed to any other person or agency.

(c) The local welfare agency or law enforcement agency in this state shall keep a record of all records or reports disclosed pursuant to this subdivision and of any agency to which the records or reports are disclosed. If, in any case, records or reports are disclosed before a determination is made under section 260E.24, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), or a disposition of a criminal proceeding is reached, the local welfare agency or law enforcement agency in this state shall forward the determination or disposition to any agency that has received a report or record under this subdivision.

(d) The responsible authority of a local welfare agency or the responsible authority's designee may release private or confidential data on an active case involving assessment or investigation of actions that are defined as maltreatment under this chapter to a court services agency if:

(1) the court services agency has an active case involving a common client who is the subject of the data; and

(2) the data are necessary for the court services agency to effectively process the court services agency's case, including investigating or performing other duties relating to the case required by law.

(e) The data disclosed under paragraph (d) may be used only for purposes of the active court services case described in paragraph (d), clause (1), and may not be further disclosed to any other person or agency, except as authorized by law.

(f) Records maintained under subdivision deleted text begin 4 deleted text end new text begin 6 new text end , paragraph (b), may be shared with another local welfare agency that requests the information because it is conducting an assessment or investigation under this section of the subject of the records.

(g) Except as provided in paragraphs (b), (h), (i), (o), and (p); subdivision 1; and sections 260E.22, subdivision 2; and 260E.23, all records concerning individuals maintained by a local welfare agency or agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report under this chapter, including any written reports filed under sections 260E.06 and 260E.09, shall be private data on individuals, except insofar as copies of reports are required by section 260E.12, subdivision 1 or 2, to be sent to the local police department or the county sheriff.

(h) All records concerning determinations of maltreatment by a facility are nonpublic data as maintained by the Department of Education, except insofar as copies of reports are required by section 260E.12, subdivision 1 or 2, to be sent to the local police department or the county sheriff.

(i) Reports maintained by any police department or the county sheriff shall be private data on individuals, except the reports shall be made available to the investigating, petitioning, or prosecuting authority, including a county medical examiner or county coroner.

(j) Section 13.82, subdivisions 8, 9, and 14, apply to law enforcement data other than the reports.

(k) The local welfare agency or agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report shall make available to the investigating, petitioning, or prosecuting authority, including a county medical examiner or county coroner or a professional delegate, any records that contain information relating to a specific incident of maltreatment that is under investigation, petition, or prosecution and information relating to any prior incident of maltreatment involving any of the same persons. The records shall be collected and maintained according to chapter 13.

(l) An individual subject of a record shall have access to the record according to those sections, except that the name of the reporter shall be confidential while the report is under assessment or investigation except as otherwise permitted by this section.

(m) Any person conducting an investigation or assessment under this section who intentionally discloses the identity of a reporter before the completion of the investigation or assessment is guilty of a misdemeanor. After the assessment or investigation is completed, the name of the reporter shall be confidential. The subject of the report may compel disclosure of the name of the reporter only with the consent of the reporter or upon a written finding by the court that the report was false and that there is evidence that the report was made in bad faith. This subdivision does not alter disclosure responsibilities or obligations under the Rules of Criminal Procedure.

(n) Upon request of the legislative auditor, data on individuals maintained under this chapter must be released to the legislative auditor in order for the auditor to fulfill the auditor's duties under section 3.971. The auditor shall maintain the data according to chapter 13.

(o) Active law enforcement investigative data received by a local welfare agency or agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report under this chapter are confidential data on individuals. When this data become inactive in the law enforcement agency, the data are private data on individuals.

(p) Section 13.03, subdivision 4, applies to data received by the commissioner of education from a licensing entity.

Sec. 168.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 275.011, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Determination of levy limit.

The property tax levied for any purpose under a special law that is not codified in Minnesota Statutes or a city charter provision and that is subject to a mill rate limitation imposed by the special law or city charter provision, excluding levies subject to mill rate limitations that use adjusted assessed values determined by the commissioner of revenue under deleted text begin section 124.2131 deleted text end new text begin sections 127A.48 and 275.1325 new text end , must not exceed deleted text begin the following amount for the years specified: deleted text end

deleted text begin (a) for taxes payable in 1988, the product of the applicable mill rate limitation imposed by special law or city charter provision multiplied by the total assessed valuation of all taxable property subject to the tax as adjusted by the provisions of Minnesota Statutes 1986, sections 272.64; 273.13, subdivision 7a; and 275.49; deleted text end

deleted text begin (b) for taxes payable in 1989, the product of (1) the property tax levy limitation for the taxes payable year 1988 determined under clause (a) multiplied by (2) an index for market valuation changes equal to the assessment year 1988 total market valuation of all taxable property subject to the tax divided by the assessment year 1987 total market valuation of all taxable property subject to the tax; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (c) for taxes payable in 1990 and subsequent years, deleted text end the product of (1) the property tax levy limitation for the previous year determined pursuant to this subdivision multiplied by (2) an index for market valuation changes equal to the total market valuation of all taxable property subject to the tax for the current assessment year divided by the total market valuation of all taxable property subject to the tax for the previous assessment year.

For the purpose of determining the property tax levy limitation for the taxes payable year 2014 and subsequent years under this subdivision, "total market valuation" means the estimated market value of all taxable property subject to the tax as provided under section 273.032.

Sec. 169.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 275.011, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Construction of mill rate levy limit.

A mill rate levy limitation imposed by a special law or city charter provision that is presently in effect, excluding those mill rate levy limitations that use adjusted assessed values determined by the commissioner of revenue under deleted text begin section 124.2131 deleted text end new text begin sections 127A.48 and 275.1325 new text end , shall be construed to allow no more and no less property taxes than the amount determined under this section.

Sec. 170.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 290.01, subdivision 19, is amended to read:

Subd. 19.

Net income.

(a) For a trust or estate taxable under section 290.03, and a corporation taxable under section 290.02, the term "net income" means the federal taxable income, as defined in section 63 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through the date named in this subdivision, incorporating the federal effective dates of changes to the Internal Revenue Code and any elections made by the taxpayer in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code in determining federal taxable income for federal income tax purposes, and with the modifications provided in sections 290.0131 to 290.0136.

(b) For an individual, the term "net income" means federal adjusted gross income with the modifications provided in sections 290.0131, 290.0132, and 290.0135 to 290.0137.

(c) In the case of a regulated investment company or a fund thereof, as defined in section 851(a) or 851(g) of the Internal Revenue Code, federal taxable income means investment company taxable income as defined in section 852(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, except that:

(1) the exclusion of net capital gain provided in section 852(b)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code does not apply;

(2) the deduction for dividends paid under section 852(b)(2)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code must be applied by allowing a deduction for capital gain dividends and exempt-interest dividends as defined in sections 852(b)(3)(C) and 852(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code; and

(3) the deduction for dividends paid must also be applied in the amount of any undistributed capital gains which the regulated investment company elects to have treated as provided in section 852(b)(3)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(d) The net income of a real estate investment trust as defined and limited by section 856(a), (b), and (c) of the Internal Revenue Code means the real estate investment trust taxable income as defined in section 857(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(e) The net income of a designated settlement fund as defined in section 468B(d) of the Internal Revenue Code means the gross income as defined in section 468B(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(f) The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through May 1, 2023, applies for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1996.

(g) Except as otherwise provided, references to the Internal Revenue Code in this subdivision and sections 290.0131 to 290.0136 mean the code in effect for purposes of determining net income for the applicable year.

(h) In the case of a partnership electing to file a composite return under section 289A.08, subdivision 7, "net income" means the partner's share of federal adjusted gross income from the partnership modified by the additions provided in section 290.0131, subdivisions 8 to 10, 16, deleted text begin and deleted text end 17, new text begin and 19, new text end and the subtractions provided in: (1) section 290.0132, subdivisions 9, 27, deleted text begin and deleted text end 28, new text begin and 31, new text end to the extent the amount is assignable or allocable to Minnesota under section 290.17; and (2) section 290.0132, subdivision 14. The subtraction allowed under section 290.0132, subdivision 9, is only allowed on the composite tax computation to the extent the electing partner would have been allowed the subtraction.

(i) In the case of a qualifying entity electing to pay the pass-through entity tax under section 289A.08, subdivision 7a, "net income" means the qualifying owner's share of federal adjusted gross income from the qualifying entity modified by the additions provided in section 290.0131, subdivisions 5, 8 to 10, 16, deleted text begin and deleted text end 17, new text begin and 19, new text end and the subtractions provided in: (1) section 290.0132, subdivisions 3, 9, 27, deleted text begin and deleted text end 28, new text begin and 31, new text end to the extent the amount is assignable or allocable to Minnesota under section 290.17; and (2) section 290.0132, subdivision 14. The subtraction allowed under section 290.0132, subdivision 9, is only allowed on the pass-through entity tax computation to the extent the qualifying owners would have been allowed the subtraction. The income of both a resident and nonresident qualifying owner is allocated and assigned to this state as provided for nonresident partners and shareholders under sections 290.17, 290.191, and 290.20.

Sec. 171.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 290.0132, subdivision 32, is amended to read:

Subd. 32.

Delayed net operating loss deduction.

The amount of the sum of each addition required in section 290.0131, subdivision 20, for each taxable year, except as otherwise provided, less the sum of all amounts subtracted under this subdivision in all prior taxable years, that does not exceed 80 percent of federal taxable income deleted text begin as defined in section 290.01, subdivision 19, paragraph (b) deleted text end , determined without regard to this subdivision, is a subtraction. Any excess is a delayed net operating loss deduction carryforward, the entire amount of which must be carried to the earliest taxable year. No subtraction under this subdivision is allowed after 20 taxable years from the taxable year in which an operating loss arises. The sum of the additions required under section 290.0131, subdivision 20, paragraph (a), are aggregated and assigned to the taxable year immediately succeeding the taxable year in which the operating loss arises, for purposes of determining the subtraction allowed under this subdivision in that succeeding taxable year and the amount carried forward.

Sec. 172.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 290.095, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Carryback or carryover adjustments.

(a) Except as provided in deleted text begin paragraphs deleted text end new text begin paragraph new text end (c) deleted text begin and (d) deleted text end , for individuals, estates, and trusts the amount of a net operating loss that may be carried back or carried over shall be the same dollar amount allowable in the determination of federal taxable income, provided that, notwithstanding any other provision, estates and trusts must apply the following adjustments to the amount of the net operating loss that may be carried back or carried over:

(1) Nonassignable income or losses as required by section 290.17.

(2) Deductions not allocable to Minnesota under section 290.17.

(b) The net operating loss carryback or carryover applied as a deduction in the taxable year to which the net operating loss is carried back or carried over shall be equal to the net operating loss carryback or carryover applied in the taxable year in arriving at federal taxable income provided that trusts and estates must apply the following modifications:

(1) Increase the amount of carryback or carryover applied in the taxable year by the amount of losses and interest, taxes and other expenses not assignable or allowable to Minnesota incurred in the taxable year.

(2) Decrease the amount of carryback or carryover applied in the taxable year by the amount of income not assignable to Minnesota earned in the taxable year. For estates and trusts, the net operating loss carryback or carryover to the next consecutive taxable year shall be the net operating loss carryback or carryover as calculated in clause (b) less the amount applied in the earlier taxable year(s). No additional net operating loss carryback or carryover shall be allowed to estates and trusts if the entire amount has been used to offset Minnesota income in a year earlier than was possible on the federal return. However, if a net operating loss carryback or carryover was allowed to offset federal income in a year earlier than was possible on the Minnesota return, an estate or trust shall still be allowed to offset Minnesota income but only if the loss was assignable to Minnesota in the year the loss occurred.

(c) This paragraph does not apply to eligible small businesses that make a valid election to carry back their losses for federal purposes under section 172(b)(1)(H) of the Internal Revenue Code as amended through March 31, 2009.

(1) A net operating loss of an individual, estate, or trust that is allowed under this subdivision and for which the taxpayer elects to carry back for more than two years under section 172(b)(1)(H) of the Internal Revenue Code is a net operating loss carryback to each of the two taxable years preceding the loss, and unused portions may be carried forward for 20 taxable years after the loss.

(2) The entire amount of the net operating loss for any taxable year must be carried to the earliest of the taxable years to which the loss may be carried. The portion of the loss which may be carried to each of the other taxable years is the excess, if any, of the amount of the loss over the greater of the taxable net income or alternative minimum taxable income for each of the taxable years to which the loss may be carried.

deleted text begin (d) The amount of a net operating loss carried forward must be reduced by any amounts used for the subtraction in section 290.0132, subdivision 33, in the next taxable year following the subtraction in which a net operating loss deduction is claimed. deleted text end

Sec. 173.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 295.50, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Health care provider.

(a) "Health care provider" means:

(1) a person whose health care occupation is regulated or required to be regulated by the state of Minnesota furnishing any or all of the following goods or services directly to a patient or consumer: medical, surgical, optical, visual, dental, hearing, nursing services, drugs, laboratory, diagnostic or therapeutic services;

(2) a person who provides goods and services not listed in clause (1) that qualify for reimbursement under the medical assistance program provided under chapter 256B;

(3) a staff model health plan company;

(4) an ambulance service required to be licensed;

(5) a person who sells or repairs hearing aids and related equipment or prescription eyewear; or

(6) a person providing patient services, who does not otherwise meet the definition of health care provider and is not specifically excluded in clause (b), who employs or contracts with a health care provider as defined in clauses (1) to (5) to perform, supervise, otherwise oversee, or consult with regarding patient services.

(b) Health care provider does not include:

(1) hospitals; medical supplies distributors, except as specified under paragraph (a), clause (5); nursing homes licensed under chapter 144A or licensed in any other jurisdiction; wholesale drug distributors; pharmacies; surgical centers; bus and taxicab transportation, or any other providers of transportation services other than ambulance services required to be licensed; supervised living facilities for persons with developmental disabilities, licensed under Minnesota Rules, parts 4665.0100 to 4665.9900; deleted text begin housing with services establishments required to be registered under chapter 144D deleted text end new text begin assisted living facilities required to be licensed under chapter 144G new text end ; board and lodging establishments providing only custodial services that are licensed under chapter 157 and registered under section 157.17 to provide supportive services or health supervision services; adult foster homes as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 9555.5105; day training and habilitation services for adults with developmental disabilities as defined in section 252.41, subdivision 3; boarding care homes, as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 4655.0100; and adult day care centers as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 9555.9600;

(2) home health agencies as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0175, subpart 15; a person providing personal care services and supervision of personal care services deleted text begin as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0335 deleted text end new text begin under sections 256B.0625, subdivision 19a, and 256B.85 new text end ; a person providing home care nursing services as defined in Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0360; and home care providers required to be licensed under chapter 144A for home care services provided under chapter 144A;

(3) a person who employs health care providers solely for the purpose of providing patient services to its employees;

(4) an educational institution that employs health care providers solely for the purpose of providing patient services to its students if the institution does not receive fee for service payments or payments for extended coverage; and

(5) a person who receives all payments for patient services from health care providers, surgical centers, or hospitals for goods and services that are taxable to the paying health care providers, surgical centers, or hospitals, as provided under section 295.53, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clause (3) or (4), or from a source of funds that is excluded or exempt from tax under sections 295.50 to 295.59.

Sec. 174.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 295.81, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given.

(b) "Bundled transaction" means the retail sale of two or more products when the products are otherwise distinct and identifiable and the products are sold for one nonitemized price.

(c) "Cannabis flower" has the meaning given in section 342.01, subdivision 16.

(d) "Cannabis product" has the meaning given in section 342.01, subdivision 20.

(e) "Cannabis solution product" means any cartridge, bottle, or other package that contains a taxable cannabis product in a solution that is consumed or meant to be consumed through the use of a heating element, power source, electronic circuit, or other electronic, chemical, or mechanical means that produces vapor or aerosol. A cannabis solution product includes any electronic delivery system, electronic vaping device, electronic vape pen, electronic oral device, electronic delivery device, or similar product or device, and any batteries, heating elements, or other components, parts, or accessories sold with and meant to be used in the consumption of a solution containing a taxable cannabis product.

(f) "Cannabis mezzobusiness" means a cannabis business licensed under section 342.29.

(g) "Cannabis microbusiness" means a cannabis business licensed under section 342.28.

(h) "Cannabis retailer" means a cannabis business licensed under section 342.32.

(i) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of revenue.

(j) "Gross receipts" means the total amount received in money or by barter or exchange for all taxable cannabis product sales at retail as measured by the sales price. Gross receipts include but are not limited to delivery charges and packaging costs. Gross receipts do not include:

(1) any taxes imposed directly on the customer that are separately stated on the invoice, bill of sale, or similar document given to the purchaser; and

(2) discounts, including cash, terms, or coupons, that are not reimbursed by a third party and that are allowed by the seller and taken by a purchaser on a sale.

(k) "Hemp-derived consumer product" has the meaning given in section 342.01, subdivision 37.

(l) "Lower-potency hemp edible" has the meaning given in section 342.01, subdivision 50.

(m) "Lower-potency hemp edible retailer" means a cannabis business licensed under section 342.43, subdivision 1, clause (2).

(n) "Medical cannabis flower" has the meaning given in section 342.01, subdivision 54.

(o) "Medical cannabinoid product" has the meaning given in section 342.01, subdivision 52.

(p) "Medical cannabis paraphernalia" has the meaning given in section 342.01, subdivision deleted text begin 55 deleted text end new text begin 54a new text end .

(q) "Retail sale" has the meaning given in section 297A.61, subdivision 4.

(r) "Taxable cannabis product" means cannabis flower, cannabis product, cannabis solution product, hemp-derived consumer product, lower-potency hemp edible, and any substantially similar item.

(s) "Taxable cannabis product retailer" means a retailer that sells any taxable cannabis product, and includes a cannabis retailer, cannabis microbusiness, cannabis mezzobusiness, medical cannabis combination business, and lower-potency hemp edible retailer. Taxable cannabis product retailer includes but is not limited to a:

(1) retailer maintaining a place of business in this state;

(2) marketplace provider maintaining a place of business in this state, as defined in section 297A.66, subdivision 1, paragraph (a);

(3) retailer not maintaining a place of business in this state; and

(4) marketplace provider not maintaining a place of business in this state, as defined in section 297A.66, subdivision 1, paragraph (b).

Sec. 175.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 296A.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Revocation of license deleted text begin , permit, or certificate deleted text end .

If any person fails to comply with this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter, without reasonable cause, the commissioner may give the person 30 days' notice in writing, specifying the violations, and stating that based upon such violations the commissioner intends to revoke the person's license deleted text begin , permit, or certificate deleted text end . The notice shall also advise the person of the person's right to contest the revocation under this section and the general procedures for a contested case hearing under chapter 14. The notice may be served personally or by mail in the manner prescribed for service of an order of assessment. A license deleted text begin , permit, or certificate deleted text end is revoked when the commissioner serves a notice of revocation upon the person after 30 days have passed following the date of the notice of intent to revoke without the person requesting a hearing. If a hearing is timely requested and held, the license deleted text begin , permit, or certificate deleted text end is revoked after the commissioner serves an order of revocation under section 14.62, subdivision 1.

Sec. 176.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 297A.9915, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Revenue bonds.

(a) In addition to other authority granted in this section, and notwithstanding section 473.39, subdivision 7, or any other law to the contrary, the council may, by resolution, authorize the sale and issuance of revenue bonds, notes, or obligations to provide funds to (1) implement the council's transit capital improvement program, and (2) refund bonds issued under this subdivision.

(b) The bonds are payable from and secured by a pledge of all or part of the revenue received under subdivision 4, new text begin paragraph (a), new text end clause (1), and associated investment earnings on debt proceeds. The council may, by resolution, authorize the issuance of the bonds as general obligations of the council. The bonds must be sold, issued, and secured in the manner provided in chapter 475, and the council has the same powers and duties as a municipality and its governing body in issuing bonds under chapter 475, except that no election is required and the net debt limitations in chapter 475 do not apply to such bonds. The proceeds of the bonds may also be used to fund necessary reserves and to pay credit enhancement fees, issuance costs, and other financing costs during the life of the debt.

(c) The bonds may be secured by a bond resolution, or a trust indenture entered into by the council with a corporate trustee within or outside the state, which must define the revenues and bond proceeds pledged for the payment and security of the bonds. The pledge must be a valid charge on the revenues received under section 297A.99, subdivision 11. Neither the state, nor any municipality or political subdivision except the council, nor any member or officer or employee of the council, is liable on the obligations. No mortgage or security interest in any tangible real or personal property is granted to the bondholders or the trustee, but they have a valid security interest in the revenues and bond proceeds received by the council and pledged to the payment of the bonds. In the bond resolution or trust indenture, the council may make such covenants as it determines to be reasonable for the protection of the bondholders.

Sec. 177.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 297I.20, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Guaranty association assessment offsets.

(a) An insurance company or health maintenance organization may offset against its premium tax liability to this state any amount paid for assessments made for insolvencies under sections 60C.01 to 60C.22; and any amount paid for assessments under sections 61B.18 to 61B.32 as follows:

(1) Each such assessment shall give rise to an amount of offset equal to 20 percent of the amount of the assessment for each of the five calendar years following the year in which the assessment was paid.

(2) The amount of offset initially determined for each taxable year is the sum of the amounts determined under clause (1) for that taxable year.

(b)(1) Each year the commissioner shall compare total guaranty association assessments levied over the preceding five calendar years to the sum of all premium tax and corporate franchise tax revenues collected from insurance companies and health maintenance organizations, without reduction for any guaranty association assessment offset in the preceding calendar year, referred to in this subdivision as "preceding year insurance tax revenues."

(2) If total guaranty association assessments levied over the preceding five years exceed the preceding year insurance tax revenues, insurance companies and health maintenance organizations must be allowed only a proportionate part of the premium tax offset calculated under paragraph (a) for the current calendar year.

(3) The proportionate part of the premium tax offset allowed in the current calendar year is determined by multiplying the amount calculated under paragraph (a) by a fraction. The numerator of the fraction equals the preceding year insurance tax revenues, and its denominator equals total guaranty association assessments levied over the preceding five-year period.

(4) The proportionate part of the premium tax offset that is not allowed must be carried forward to subsequent tax years and added to the amount of premium tax offset calculated under paragraph (a) prior to application of the limitation imposed by this paragraph.

(5) Any amount carried forward from prior years must be allowed before allowance of the offset for the current year calculated under paragraph (a).

(6) The premium tax offset limitation must be calculated separately for (i) insurance companies subject to assessment under sections 60C.01 to 60C.22, and (ii) insurance companies or health maintenance organizations subject to assessment under sections 61B.18 to 61B.32.

(7) When the premium tax offset is limited by this provision, the commissioner shall notify affected insurance companies or health maintenance organizations on a timely basis for purposes of completing premium and corporate franchise tax returns.

(8) The guaranty associations created under sections 60C.01 to 60C.22 and 61B.18 to 61B.32 shall provide the commissioner with the necessary information on guaranty association assessments.

(c)(1) If the offset determined by the application of paragraphs (a) and (b) exceeds the insurance company's or health maintenance organization's premium tax liability under this deleted text begin section deleted text end new text begin chapter new text end prior to allowance of the credit for premium taxes, then the insurance company or health maintenance organization may carry forward the excess, referred to in this subdivision as the "carryforward credit" to subsequent taxable years.

(2) The carryforward credit is allowed as an offset against premium tax liability for the first succeeding year to the extent that the premium tax liability for that year exceeds the amount of the allowable offset for the year determined under paragraphs (a) and (b).

(3) The carryforward credit must be reduced, but not below zero, by the amount of the carryforward credit allowed as an offset against the premium tax under this paragraph. The remainder, if any, of the carryforward credit must be carried forward to succeeding taxable years until the entire carryforward credit has been credited against the insurance company's or health maintenance organization's liability for premium tax under this chapter if applicable for that taxable year.

(d) When an insurer or health maintenance organization has offset against taxes its payment of an assessment of the Minnesota Life and Health Guaranty Association, and the association pays the insurer or health maintenance organization a refund with respect to the assessment under section 61B.24, subdivision 6, then the refund reduces the insurer's or health maintenance organization's carryforward credit under paragraph (c). If the refund exceeds the amount of the carryforward credit, the excess amount must be repaid to the state by the insurers or health maintenance organizations to the extent of the offset in the manner the commissioner requires.

Sec. 178.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 297I.20, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Historic structure rehabilitation credit.

An insurance company may claim a credit against the premiums tax imposed under this chapter equal to the amount of the credit certificate issued to it, or to a person who has assigned the credit to the insurance company, under section 290.0681. If the amount of the credit exceeds the liability for tax under this chapter, the commissioner shall refund the excess to the insurance company. An amount sufficient to pay the refunds under this deleted text begin section deleted text end new text begin subdivision new text end is appropriated to the commissioner from the general fund. This credit does not affect the calculation of fire state aid under section 477B.03 and police state aid under section 477C.03.

Sec. 179.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 297I.20, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Reinsurance credit.

Beginning with taxable years after December 31, 2028, a taxpayer may claim a credit against the premiums tax imposed under this chapter equal to the amount of the assessment paid by the taxpayer under section 62E.23 in the immediately preceding calendar year. If the amount of the credit exceeds the liability for tax under this chapter, the commissioner must refund the excess to the insurance company. An amount sufficient to pay the refunds under this deleted text begin section deleted text end new text begin subdivision new text end is appropriated to the commissioner from the general fund. The credit under this subdivision does not affect the calculation of fire state aid under section 477B.03 and police state aid under section 477C.03. The commissioner of commerce must annually provide to the commissioner a list of assessments paid by taxpayers under section 62E.23 by March 1 of the calendar year following the assessment.

Sec. 180.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 298.75, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Tax imposed.

(a) deleted text begin Except as provided in paragraph (e), deleted text end A county that imposes the aggregate production tax shall impose upon every operator a production tax of 21.5 cents per cubic yard or 15 cents per ton of aggregate material excavated in the county except that the county board may decide not to impose this tax if it determines that in the previous year operators removed less than 20,000 tons or 14,000 cubic yards of aggregate material from that county. The tax shall not be imposed on aggregate material excavated in the county until the aggregate material is transported from the extraction site or sold, whichever occurs first. When aggregate material is stored in a stockpile within the state of Minnesota and a public highway, road or street is not used for transporting the aggregate material, the tax shall not be imposed until either when the aggregate material is sold, or when it is transported from the stockpile site, or when it is used from the stockpile, whichever occurs first.

(b) deleted text begin Except as provided in paragraph (e), deleted text end A county that imposes the aggregate production tax under paragraph (a) shall impose upon every importer a production tax of 21.5 cents per cubic yard or 15 cents per ton of aggregate material imported into the county. The tax shall be imposed when the aggregate material is imported from the extraction site or sold. When imported aggregate material is stored in a stockpile within the state of Minnesota and a public highway, road, or street is not used for transporting the aggregate material, the tax shall be imposed either when the aggregate material is sold, when it is transported from the stockpile site, or when it is used from the stockpile, whichever occurs first. The tax shall be imposed on an importer when the aggregate material is imported into the county that imposes the tax.

(c) If the aggregate material is transported directly from the extraction site to a waterway, railway, or another mode of transportation other than a highway, road or street, the tax imposed by this section shall be apportioned equally between the county where the aggregate material is extracted and the county to which the aggregate material is originally transported. If that destination is not located in Minnesota, then the county where the aggregate material was extracted shall receive all of the proceeds of the tax.

(d) A county, city, or town that receives revenue under this section is prohibited from imposing any additional host community fees on aggregate production within that county, city, or town.

deleted text begin (e) A county that borders two other states and that is not contiguous to a county that imposes a tax under this section may impose the taxes under paragraphs (a) and (b) at the deleted text end deleted text begin rate of ten cents per cubic yard or seven cents per ton. This paragraph expires December 31, 2024. deleted text end

Sec. 181.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 299C.061, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given.

(b) "Fraud involving state funded or administered programs or services" includes any violation of section 609.445, 609.465, 609.466, 609.52, deleted text begin 609.5523, deleted text end 609.611, 609.651, 609.7475, or 609.821 involving a state agency or state-funded or administered program or service.

(c) "Peace officer" has the meaning given in section 626.84, subdivision 1, paragraph (c).

(d) "Section" means the Financial Crimes and Fraud Section of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

(e) "State agency" has the meaning given in section 13.02, subdivision 17.

(f) "Superintendent" means the superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Sec. 182.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 309.531, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Required registration statement.

The registration statement of the professional fundraiser shall consist of the following:

deleted text begin (a) deleted text end new text begin (1) new text end If the professional fundraiser at any time has custody of or access to contributions from a solicitation, or if any person the professional fundraiser employs, obtains, or engages has custody of or access to contributions from a solicitation, the registration statement shall include a bond, in which the professional fundraiser shall be the principal obligor. The bond shall be in the sum of $20,000, with one or more responsible sureties whose liability in the aggregate as the sureties will at least equal that sum. In order to maintain the registration, the bond shall be in effect for the full term of the registration. The bond, which may be in the form of a rider to a larger blanket liability bond, shall run to the state and to any person who may have a cause of action against the principal obligor of the bond for any liabilities resulting from the obligor's conduct of any activities subject to sections 309.50 to 309.61 or arising out of a violation of the statutes or a rule adopted under the statutes.

deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin (2) new text end If the professional fundraiser, or any person the professional fundraiser employs, procures, or engages, solicits in this state, the registration statement shall include a completed "solicitation notice" on a form provided by the attorney general. The solicitation notice shall include a copy of the contract described in deleted text begin paragraph (c) deleted text end new text begin clause (3) new text end , the projected dates when soliciting will commence and terminate, the location and telephone number from where the solicitation will be conducted, the name and residence address of each person responsible for directing and supervising the conduct of the campaign, a statement as to whether the professional fundraiser will at any time have custody of contributions, and a description of the charitable program for which the solicitation campaign is being carried out. The charitable organization on whose behalf the professional fundraiser is acting shall certify that the solicitation notice and accompanying material are true and complete to the best of its knowledge.

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end The professional fundraiser shall also include, as part of the registration statement, a copy of the contract between the charitable organization and the professional fundraiser. The contract shall:

deleted text begin (1) deleted text end new text begin (i) new text end be in writing;

deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (ii) new text end contain information as will enable the attorney general to identify the services the professional fundraiser is to provide, including whether the professional fundraiser will at any time have custody of contributions; and

deleted text begin (3) deleted text end new text begin (iii) new text end if the professional fundraiser or any person the professional fundraiser employs, procures, or engages, directly or indirectly, solicits in this state, deleted text begin the contract shall deleted text end disclose the percentage or a reasonable estimate of the percentage of the total amount solicited from each person which shall be received by the charitable organization for charitable purposes.

The stated percentages required by this section and section 309.556, subdivision 2, shall exclude any amount which the charitable organization is to pay as expenses of the solicitation campaign, including the cost of merchandise or services sold or events staged.

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (4) new text end The registration statement shall also include the financial report for previous campaigns conducted by the professional fundraiser in this state as set forth in subdivision 4.

Sec. 183.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 321.1109, is amended to read:

321.1109 EFFECT OF MERGER.

(a) When a merger becomes effective:

(1) the surviving organization continues or comes into existence;

(2) each constituent organization that merges into the surviving organization ceases to exist as a separate entity;

(3) all property owned by each constituent organization that ceases to exist vest in the surviving organization;

(4) all debts, liabilities, and other obligations of each constituent organization that ceases to exist continue as obligations of the surviving organization;

(5) an action or proceeding pending by or against any constituent organization that ceases to exist may be continued as if the merger had not occurred;

(6) except as prohibited by other law, all of the rights, privileges, immunities, powers, and purposes of each constituent organization that ceases to exist vest in the surviving organization;

(7) except as otherwise provided in the plan of merger, the terms and conditions of the plan of merger take effect; deleted text begin and deleted text end

(8) except as otherwise agreed, if a constituent limited partnership ceases to exist, the merger does not dissolve the limited partnership for the purposes of article 8;

(9) if the surviving organization is created by the merger:

(A) if it is a limited partnership, the certificate of limited partnership becomes effective; or

(B) if it is an organization other than a limited partnership, the organizational document that creates the organization becomes effective; and

(10) if the surviving organization preexists the merger, any amendments provided for in the articles of merger for the organizational document that created the organization become effective.

(b) A surviving organization that is a foreign organization consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state to enforce any obligation owed by a constituent organization, if before the merger the constituent organization was subject to suit in this state on the obligation. A surviving organization that is a foreign organization and not authorized to transact business in this state appoints the secretary of state as its agent for service of process for the purposes of enforcing an obligation under this subsection. Service on the secretary of state under this subsection is made in the same manner and with the same consequences as in section 321.0117(c) and (d).

Sec. 184.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 325F.071, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given.

(b) "Child" means a person under 12 years of age.

(c) "Children's product" means a product primarily designed or intended by a manufacturer to be used by or for a child, including any article used as a component of such a product, but excluding a food, beverage, dietary supplement, pharmaceutical product or biologic, children's toys that are subject to the most recent version of the American Society for Testing and Materials F963, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety, a medical device as defined in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, United States Code, title 21, section 321(h), new text begin and new text end products listed under section 116.9405, clauses (10) and (11) deleted text begin , and products listed under sections 325F.03 and 325F.04 deleted text end .

(d) "Upholstered residential furniture" means furniture with padding, coverings, and cushions intended and sold for use in the home.

(e) "Mattress" means a mattress as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 16, section 1632.1.

(f) "Organohalogenated chemical" means any chemical that contains one or more carbon elements and one or more halogen elements, including fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine.

(g) "Residential textile" means a textile designed for use in the home as a covering on windows or walls.

Sec. 185.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 327B.04, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Limited dealer's license.

The commissioner shall issue a limited dealer's license to an owner of a manufactured home park authorizing the licensee as principal only to engage in the sale, offering for sale, soliciting, or advertising the sale of used manufactured homes located in the owned manufactured home park. The licensee must be the title holder of the homes and may engage in no more than ten sales during each year of the two-year licensure period. An owner may, upon payment of the applicable fee and compliance with this subdivision, obtain a separate license for each owned manufactured home park and is entitled to sell up to 20 homes per license period provided that only one limited dealer license may be issued for each park. The license shall be issued after:

(1) receipt of an application on forms provided by the commissioner containing the following information:

(i) the identity of the applicant;

(ii) the name under which the applicant will be licensed and do business in this state;

(iii) the name and address of the owned manufactured home park, including a copy of the park license, serving as the basis for the issuance of the license;

(iv) the name, home, and business address of the applicant;

(v) the name, address, and telephone number of one individual that is designated by the applicant to receive all communications and cooperate with all inspections and investigations of the commissioner pertaining to the sale of manufactured homes in the manufactured home park owned by the applicant;

(vi) whether the applicant or its designated individual has been convicted of a crime within the previous ten years that is either related directly to the business for which the license is sought or involved fraud, misrepresentation or misuse of funds, or has suffered a judgment in a civil action involving fraud, misrepresentation, or conversion within the previous five years or has had any government license or permit suspended or revoked as a result of an action brought by a federal or state governmental agency in this or any other state within the last five years; and

(vii) the applicant's qualifications and business history, including whether the applicant or its designated individual has ever been adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or has any unsatisfied court judgments outstanding against it or them;

(2) payment of the license fee established by subdivision 7a; and

(3) provision of a surety bond in the amount of $5,000. A separate surety bond must be provided for each limited license.

The applicant need not comply with subdivision 4, paragraph (e). The holding of a limited dealer's license does not satisfy the requirement contained in subdivision 4, paragraph (e), for the licensee or salespersons with respect to obtaining a dealer license. The commissioner may, upon application for a renewal of a license, require only a verification that copies of sales documents have been retained and payment of the renewal fees established by section 326B.092. "Sales documents" mean only the deleted text begin safety feature disclosure deleted text end new text begin notice of compliance new text end form deleted text begin defined in deleted text end new text begin under new text end section deleted text begin 327C.07, subdivision 3a deleted text end new text begin 327.32, subdivision 1a new text end , title of the home, financing agreements, and purchase agreements.

The license holder shall, upon request of the commissioner, make available for inspection during business hours sales documents required to be retained under this subdivision.

Sec. 186.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 332.30, is amended to read:

332.30 ACCELERATED MORTGAGE PAYMENT PROVIDER; BOND REQUIREMENTS.

(a) Before beginning business in this state, an accelerated mortgage payment provider, as defined in section 332A.02, subdivision 8, clause deleted text begin (9) deleted text end new text begin (10) new text end , shall submit to the commissioner of commerce an authorization fee of $250 and either:

(1) a surety bond in which the accelerated mortgage payment provider is the obligor, in an amount determined by the commissioner; or

(2) if the commissioner agrees to accept it, a deposit:

(i) in cash in an amount equivalent to the bond amount; or

(ii) of authorized securities, as defined in section 50.14, with an aggregate market value equal to the bond amount. The cash or securities must be deposited with the commissioner of management and budget.

(b) The amount of the bond required by the commissioner shall vary with the amount of Minnesota client funds held or to be held by the obligor. For new businesses, the bond must be no less than $100,000, except as provided in section 332.301. The commissioner may increase the required bond amount upon 30 days' notice to the accelerated mortgage payment provider.

(c) If a bond is submitted, it must name as surety an insurance company authorized to transact fidelity and surety business in this state. The bond must run to the state of Minnesota for the use of the state and of any person who may have a claim against the obligor arising out of the obligor's activities as an accelerated mortgage payment provider. The bond must be conditioned that the obligor will not commit any fraudulent act and will faithfully conform to and abide by the provisions of accelerated mortgage payment agreements with Minnesota residents.

(d) If an accelerated mortgage payment provider has failed to account to a mortgagor or distribute funds to the mortgagee as required by an accelerated mortgage payment agreement, the mortgagor or the mortgagor's legal representative or receiver or the commissioner shall have, in addition to any other legal remedies, a right of action in the name of the debtor on the bond or the security given pursuant to this section.

(e) Section 58A.04, subdivisions 2 and 3, apply to this section.

Sec. 187.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 336.7-209, is amended to read:

336.7-209 LIEN OF WAREHOUSE.

(a) A warehouse has a lien against the bailor on the goods covered by a warehouse receipt or storage agreement or on the proceeds thereof in its possession for charges for storage or transportation, including demurrage and terminal charges, insurance, labor, or other charges, present or future, in relation to the goods, and for expenses necessary for preservation of the goods or reasonably incurred in their sale pursuant to law. If the person on whose account the goods are held is liable for similar charges or expenses in relation to other goods whenever deposited and it is stated in the warehouse receipt or storage agreement that a lien is claimed for charges and expenses in relation to other goods, the warehouse also has a lien against the goods covered by the warehouse receipt or storage agreement or on the proceeds thereof in its possession for those charges and expenses, whether or not the other goods have been delivered by the warehouse. However, as against a person to which a negotiable warehouse receipt is duly negotiated, a warehouse's lien is limited to charges in an amount or at a rate specified in the warehouse receipt or, if no charges are so specified, to a reasonable charge for storage of the specific goods covered by the receipt subsequent to the date of the receipt.

(b) A warehouse may also reserve a security interest against the bailor for the maximum amount specified on the receipt for charges other than those specified in subsection (a), such as for money advanced and interest. The security interest is governed by article 9.

(c) A warehouse's lien for charges and expenses under subsection (a) or a security interest under subsection (b) is also effective against any person that so entrusted the bailor with possession of the goods that a pledge of them by the bailor to a good faith purchaser for value would have been valid. However, the lien or security interest is not effective against new text begin a new text end person that before issuance of a document of title had a legal interest or a perfected security interest in the goods and that did not:

(1) deliver or entrust the goods or any document of title covering the goods to the bailor or the bailor's nominee with:

(A) actual or apparent authority to ship, store, or sell;

(B) power to obtain delivery under section 336.7-403; or

(C) power of disposition under section 336.2-403, 336.2A-304(2), 336.2A-305(2), 336.9-320, or 336.9-321(c) or other statute or rule of law; or

(2) acquiesce in the procurement by the bailor or its nominee of any document.

(d) A warehouse's lien on household goods for charges and expenses in relation to the goods under subsection (a) is also effective against all persons if the depositor was the legal possessor of the goods at the time of deposit. In this subsection, "household goods" means furniture, furnishings, or personal effects used by the depositor in a dwelling.

(e) A warehouse loses its lien on any goods that it voluntarily delivers or unjustifiably refuses to deliver.

Sec. 188.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 336.9-317, is amended to read:

336.9-317 INTERESTS THAT TAKE PRIORITY OVER OR TAKE FREE OF SECURITY INTEREST OR AGRICULTURAL LIEN.

(a) Conflicting security interests and rights of lien creditors. A security interest or agricultural lien is subordinate to the rights of:

(1) a person entitled to priority under section 336.9-322; and

(2) except as otherwise provided in subsection (e), a person that becomes a lien creditor before the earlier of the time:

(A) the security interest or agricultural lien is perfected; or

(B) one of the conditions specified in section 336.9-203(b)(3) is met and a financing statement covering the collateral is filed.

(b) Buyers that receive delivery. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (e), a buyer, other than a secured party, of goods, instruments, tangible documents, or a new text begin certificated new text end security deleted text begin certificate deleted text end takes free of a security interest or agricultural lien if the buyer gives value and receives delivery of the collateral without knowledge of the security interest or agricultural lien and before it is perfected.

(c) Lessees that receive delivery. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (e), a lessee of goods takes free of a security interest or agricultural lien if the lessee gives value and receives delivery of the collateral without knowledge of the security interest or agricultural lien and before it is perfected.

(d) Licensees and buyers of certain collateral. Subject to subsections (f) through (i), a licensee of a general intangible or a buyer, other than a secured party, of collateral other than electronic money, goods, instruments, tangible documents, or a certificated security takes free of a security interest if the licensee or buyer gives value without knowledge of the security interest and before it is perfected.

(e) Purchase-money security interest. Except as otherwise provided in sections 336.9-320 and 336.9-321, if a person files a financing statement with respect to a purchase-money security interest before or within 20 days after the debtor receives delivery of the collateral, the security interest takes priority over the rights of a buyer, lessee, or lien creditor which arise between the time the security interest attaches and the time of filing.

(f) Buyers of chattel paper. A buyer, other than a secured party, of chattel paper takes free of a security interest if, without knowledge of the security interest and before it is perfected, the buyer gives value and:

(1) receives delivery of each authoritative tangible copy of the record evidencing the chattel paper; and

(2) if each authoritative electronic copy of the record evidencing the chattel paper can be subjected to control under section 336.9-105, obtains control of each authoritative electronic copy.

(g) Buyers of electronic documents. A buyer of an electronic document takes free of a security interest if, without knowledge of the security interest and before it is perfected, the buyer gives value and, if each authoritative electronic copy of the document can be subjected to control under section 336.7-106, obtains control of each authoritative electronic copy.

(h) Buyers of controllable electronic records. A buyer of a controllable electronic record takes free of a security interest if, without knowledge of the security interest and before it is perfected, the buyer gives value and obtains control of the controllable electronic record.

(i) Buyers of controllable accounts and controllable payment intangibles. A buyer, other than a secured party, of a controllable account or a controllable payment intangible takes free of a security interest if, without knowledge of the security interest and before it is perfected, the buyer gives value and obtains control of the controllable account or controllable payment intangible.

Sec. 189.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 353D.07, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Payment of benefits.

(a) A participant is entitled to receive a distribution of the participant's benefit after termination of service for any reason, disability, or death, or on or after attaining age 65 if still employed by a public employer.

(b) Unless the distribution is required under section 356.635, no distribution shall be made unless the participant has submitted an application requesting:

(1) a distribution;

(2) a direct rollover;

(3) a transfer as permitted under subdivision 3, paragraph (b); or

(4) installments as permitted under subdivision 4.

If the distribution is an eligible rollover distribution as defined in section 356.633, subdivision 1, paragraph deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end , the executive director shall provide notice to the participant or beneficiary, as applicable, of the right to elect a direct rollover.

Sec. 190.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 353D.07, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Death of a participant.

If a participant dies while employed or before the participant's account is distributed in its entirety, the account must be paid in a lump sum to the designated beneficiary or, if none, the heirs at law of the decedent. If the distribution is an eligible rollover distribution as defined in section 356.633, subdivision 1, paragraph deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end , the executive director shall provide an election form and notice of the right to elect a direct rollover.

Sec. 191.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 353G.18, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Definitions.

(a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined in this subdivision have the meanings given them unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(b) "Departing entity" means the entity seeking to terminate its participation in the plan and the coverage of its departing firefighters by the plan.

(c) "Departing firefighter" means each former firefighter of the departing entity who:

(1) is credited with one or more years of service under the plan or under the relief association previously affiliated with the departing entity;

(2) has not yet received a distribution of the firefighter's pension benefit; and

(3) is entitled to a distribution of a pension benefit under this section.

(d) "Direct rollover" means a payment described under section 356.633, subdivisions 1 and 2. Consistent with the definition of "distributee" under section 356.633, subdivision 1, paragraph deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end , a departing firefighter is a distributee for the purpose of a direct rollover election.

(e) "Distribution date" means the date as of which all assets in the entity's account are to be distributed in the form of a payment to each departing firefighter or the survivor of each deceased departing firefighter or as a direct rollover, if elected under section 356.633, subdivisions 1 and 2.

(f) "Entity" means a municipality, a firefighting corporation, or a joint powers entity that operates or had operated a fire department with firefighters who are covered by the plan.

(g) "Entity's account" means the pension plan that is a component of the plan and under which the departing firefighters have accrued lump sum pension benefits and with which the departing entity is affiliated.

(h) "Executive director" means the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association.

(i) "Termination date" means the effective date of the termination of the pension plan that is the entity's account. The termination date shall precede the distribution date.

(j) "Year of service" means a year of service credit certified by the departing entity's fire chief under section 353G.07. For purposes of determining the amount of a departing firefighter's pension benefit under this section, year of service includes any service credit earned by the departing firefighter under the relief association previously affiliated with the departing entity, which must be certified under section 424A.003 beginning January 1, 2019. Service credit ends when the departing firefighter's active service ends, notwithstanding a later termination date as defined in paragraph (i).

Sec. 192.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 353G.19, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Distribution to former volunteer firefighters in pay status.

(a) If any former volunteer firefighter or beneficiary is receiving an annuity, the executive director must determine the present value of the remaining payments to the former volunteer firefighter or beneficiary and offer the former volunteer firefighter or beneficiary:

(1) continued payments in the same monthly amount; or

(2) an immediate lump-sum distribution of the present value amount.

(b) The offer of an immediate lump-sum distribution must include an offer to the former volunteer firefighter or beneficiary to elect a direct rollover of the amount to an eligible retirement plan as permitted under section 356.633, subdivisions 1 and 2, if the distribution is an eligible rollover distribution as defined in section 356.633 subdivision 1, paragraph deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end .

Sec. 193.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 356.47, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Payment.

(a) Beginning one year after the reemployment withholding period ends relating to the reemployment that gave rise to the limitation, and the filing of a written application, the retired member is entitled to the payment, in a lump sum, of the value of the person's amount under subdivision 2, plus annual compound interest. For the general state employees retirement plan, the correctional state employees retirement plan, the general employees retirement plan of the Public Employees Retirement Association, the public employees police and fire retirement plan, the local government correctional employees retirement plan, and the teachers retirement plan, the annual interest rate is six percent from the date on which the amount was deducted from the retirement annuity to the date of payment or until January 1, 2011, whichever is earlier, and no interest after January 1, 2011. For the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, the annual interest is the rate of six percent from the date that the amount was deducted from the retirement annuity to the date of payment or June 30, 2011, whichever is earlier, and with no interest accrual after June 30, 2011.

(b) The written application must be on a form prescribed by the chief administrative officer of the applicable retirement plan.

(c) If the retired member dies before the payment provided for in paragraph (a) is made, the amount is payable, upon written application, to the deceased person's surviving spouse, or if none, to the deceased person's designated beneficiary, or if none, to the deceased person's estate.

(d) If the amount under subdivision 2 is an eligible rollover distribution as defined in section 356.633, subdivision 1, paragraph deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end , the applicable retirement plan shall provide notice and an election:

(1) to the member regarding the member's right to elect a direct rollover under section 356.633, subdivisions 1 and 2, in lieu of a direct payment; or

(2) if paragraph (c) applies and the amount is to be paid to a person who is a distributee as defined in section 356.633, subdivision 1, paragraph deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end , to the distributee regarding the distributee's right to elect a direct rollover under section 356.633, subdivisions 1 and 2, in lieu of a direct payment.

Sec. 194.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 357.021, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a.

Transmittal of fees to commissioner of management and budget.

(a) Every person, including the state of Minnesota and all bodies politic and corporate, who shall transact any business in the district court, shall pay to the court administrator of said court the sundry fees prescribed in subdivision 2. Except as provided in paragraph (d), the court administrator shall transmit the fees monthly to the commissioner of management and budget for deposit in the state treasury and credit to the general fund. $30 of each fee collected in a dissolution action under subdivision 2, clause (1), must be deposited by the commissioner of management and budget in the special revenue fund and is appropriated to the commissioner of employment and economic development for the Minnesota Family Resiliency Partnership under section 116L.96.

(b) In a county which has a screener-collector position, fees paid by a county pursuant to this subdivision shall be transmitted monthly to the county treasurer, who shall apply the fees first to reimburse the county for the amount of the salary paid for the screener-collector position. The balance of the fees collected shall then be forwarded to the commissioner of management and budget for deposit in the state treasury and credited to the general fund. In a county in a judicial district under section 480.181, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), which has a screener-collector position, the fees paid by a county shall be transmitted monthly to the commissioner of management and budget for deposit in the state treasury and credited to the general fund. A screener-collector position for purposes of this paragraph is an employee whose function is to increase the collection of fines and to review the incomes of potential clients of the public defender, in order to verify eligibility for that service.

(c) No fee is required under this section from the public authority or the party the public authority represents in an action for:

(1) child support enforcement or modification, medical assistance enforcement, or establishment of parentage in the district court, or in a proceeding under section 484.702;

(2) civil commitment under chapter 253B;

(3) the appointment of a public conservator or public guardian or any other action under chapters 252A and 525;

(4) wrongfully obtaining public assistance under section 256.98 or 256D.07, or recovery of overpayments of public assistance;

(5) court relief under chapters 260, 260A, 260B, and 260C;

(6) forfeiture of property under sections 169A.63 and 609.531 to deleted text begin 609.5317 deleted text end new text begin 609.5316 new text end ;

(7) recovery of amounts issued by political subdivisions or public institutions under sections 246.52, 252.27, 256.045, 256.25, 256B.042, 256B.14, 256B.15, 256B.37, 260B.331, 260C.331, and 518A.82, or other sections referring to other forms of public assistance;

(8) restitution under section 611A.04; or

(9) actions seeking monetary relief in favor of the state pursuant to section 16D.14, subdivision 5.

(d) $20 from each fee collected for child support modifications under subdivision 2, clause (13), must be transmitted to the county treasurer for deposit in the county general fund and $35 from each fee shall be credited to the state general fund. The fees must be used by the county to pay for child support enforcement efforts by county attorneys.

(e) No fee is required under this section from the Office of Ombudsperson for American Indian Families or any federally recognized Indian Tribe or its representative in an action for:

(1) child support enforcement or modification, medical assistance enforcement, or establishment of parentage in the district court or in a proceeding under section 484.702;

(2) civil commitment under chapter 253B;

(3) the appointment of a public conservator or public guardian or any other action under chapters 252A and 525; or

(4) court relief under chapters 256, 257, 260, 260A, 260B, 260C, 260D, and 518, and sections 524.5-201 to 524.5-317.

Sec. 195.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 363A.07, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Withdrawal from local commission.

Notwithstanding the provisions of any law or ordinance to the contrary, a person who has filed a charge with a local commission may bring a civil action as provided in section deleted text begin 363A.34 deleted text end new text begin 363A.33 new text end at the following times:

(1) within 90 days after receipt of notice that the local commission has determined that there is no probable cause to credit the allegations contained in the charge; receipt of notice is presumed to be five days from the date of service by mail of the written notice; or

(2) after 45 days from the filing of the charge if a hearing has not been held or if the local commission has not entered into a conciliation agreement to which the charging party is a signator. The charging party shall notify the local commission of an intention to bring a civil action, which shall be commenced within 90 days of giving the notice.

A charging party bringing a civil action shall mail by registered or certified mail a copy of the summons and complaint to the local commission and upon their receipt the local commission shall terminate all proceedings before the local commission relating to the charge. No charge shall be filed or reinstituted with the local commission after a civil action relating to the same unfair discriminatory practice has been brought unless the civil action has been dismissed without prejudice.

Sec. 196.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 363A.08, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Employer, employment agency, or labor organization.

(a) Except when based on a bona fide occupational qualification, it is an unfair employment practice for an employer, employment agency, or labor organization, before a person is employed by an employer or admitted to membership in a labor organization, to:

(1) require or request the person to furnish information that pertains to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, or age; or, subject to section 363A.20, to require or request a person to undergo physical examination; unless for the sole and exclusive purpose of national security, information pertaining to national origin is required by the United States, this state or a political subdivision or agency of the United States or this state, or for the sole and exclusive purpose of compliance with the Public Contracts Act or any rule, regulation, or laws of the United States or of this state requiring the information or examination. A law enforcement agency may, after notifying an applicant for a peace officer or part-time peace officer position that the law enforcement agency is commencing the background investigation on the applicant, request the applicant's date of birth, gender, and race on a separate form for the sole and exclusive purpose of conducting a criminal history check, a driver's license check, and fingerprint criminal history inquiry. The form shall include a statement indicating why the data is being collected and what its limited use will be. No document which has date of birth, gender, or race information will be included in the information given to or available to any person who is involved in selecting the person or persons employed other than the background investigator. No person may act both as background investigator and be involved in the selection of an employee except that the background investigator's report about background may be used in that selection as long as no direct or indirect references are made to the applicant's race, age, or gender; or

(2) seek and obtain for purposes of making a job decision, information from any source that pertains to the person's race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, or age, unless for the sole and exclusive purpose of compliance with the Public Contracts Act or any rule, regulation, or laws of the United States or of this state requiring the information; or

(3) cause to be printed or published a notice or advertisement that relates to employment or membership and discloses a preference, limitation, specification, or discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, or age.

(b) Any individual who is required to provide information that is prohibited by this subdivision is an aggrieved party under deleted text begin sections 363A.06, subdivision 4, and deleted text end new text begin section new text end 363A.28, subdivisions 1 to 9.

Sec. 197.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 423A.022, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Allocation.

(a) Of the total amount appropriated as supplemental state aid:

(1) 58.064 percent must be paid to the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association for deposit in the public employees police and fire retirement fund established by section 353.65, subdivision 1;

(2) 35.484 percent must be allocated and paid as required by paragraphs (b) and (c), respectively, to or on behalf of municipalities who qualify for supplemental state aid under paragraph (d); and

(3) 6.452 percent must be paid to the executive director of the Minnesota State Retirement System for deposit in the state patrol retirement fund.

(b) Supplemental state aid under paragraph (a), clause (2), must be allocated to each municipality that qualifies for supplemental state aid under paragraph (d) in the same proportion that the most recent amount of fire state aid paid under section 477B.04 for the municipality bears to the most recent total fire state aid paid under section 477B.04 for all municipalities other than municipalities solely employing firefighters with retirement coverage by one or more pension plans under chapter 353.

(c) Supplemental state aid under paragraph (a), clause (2), must be paid:

(1) to the executive director of the Public Employees Retirement Association for each municipality with a fire department that participates in the statewide volunteer firefighter plan for deposit in the fund established by section deleted text begin 352G.02 deleted text end new text begin 353G.02 new text end , subdivision 3, and credited to the fire department's account; and

(2) with the balance to the treasurer of each municipality for transmittal within 30 days of receipt to the treasurer of the applicable firefighters relief association for deposit in its special fund.

(d) A municipality qualifies for supplemental state aid under paragraph (a), clause (2), if the municipality:

(1) does not solely employ firefighters with retirement coverage provided by one or more pension plans established under chapter 353; and

(2) qualified to receive fire state aid in that calendar year.

(e) For purposes of this section, the term "municipalities" includes independent nonprofit firefighting corporations that participate in the statewide volunteer firefighter plan under chapter 353G or with subsidiary firefighter relief associations operating under chapter 424A.

Sec. 198.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 424A.015, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Right to elect a direct rollover.

A relief association must permit a member, a surviving spouse, or another distributee as defined in section 356.633, subdivision 1, paragraph deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end , to elect a direct rollover of any distribution that is an eligible rollover distribution as defined in section 356.633, subdivision 1, paragraph deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end , subject to the terms and conditions of section 356.633.

Sec. 199.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 424A.05, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Qualified domestic relations orders.

(a) A "qualified domestic relations order" means a domestic relations order that creates or recognizes the existence of an alternate payee's right to or assigns to an alternate payee the right to receive a service pension that is all or any portion of the service pension payable with respect to a member or former member of a relief association.

(b) An "alternate payee" means the former spouse of a member or former member of a relief association, including a former spouse who is a distributee as defined in section 356.633, subdivision 1, paragraph deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end .

(c) A relief association must comply with a qualified domestic relations order purporting to assign all or a portion of a service pension accrued under the retirement plan of the relief association, to the extent vested, if the payment or payments required by the order are within the limits described in section 518.58, subdivision 4, paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (4). For the purpose of applying section 518.58, subdivision 4, paragraph (a), "plan" or "pension plan" as used in paragraph (a) means the articles or bylaws of the relief association and chapter 424A, as applicable to the relief association.

(d) Notwithstanding any state law to the contrary, the bylaws of a relief association may permit distribution to an alternate payee under a qualified domestic relations order:

(1) as early as administratively practicable after the order is received by the relief association, even if the member whose service pension is being assigned to the alternate payee under the order has not yet reached age 50 or separated from active service with the fire department affiliated with the relief association; and

(2) in a lump sum, even if the relief association is a defined benefit relief association that pays monthly service pensions under section 424A.093.

(e) If the service pension is an eligible rollover distribution as defined in section 356.633, subdivision 1, paragraph deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end , the relief association must permit the alternate payee to elect a direct rollover, as provided under section 356.633, subdivisions 1 and 2.

Sec. 200.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 424B.13, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Determination of value of pension benefits and distribution to retirees in pay status.

(a) The board of trustees shall determine the present value of each participant's accrued benefit, taking into account the full vesting requirement under subdivision 2 and any increase in the lump-sum benefit or monthly pension amount approved under subdivision 4:

(1) using the method set forth in section 424A.092, subdivision 2, for determining a plan's funded status by calculating the value of each participant's accrued benefit; or

(2) as determined by an actuary retained by the relief association, who meets the definition of approved actuary under section 356.215, subdivision 1, paragraph (c).

(b) If the retirement plan pays a monthly pension, the board of trustees must determine the present value of the remaining payments to any retiree in pay status or beneficiary who is receiving an annuity. Present value must be determined by an actuary who meets the definition of approved actuary under section 356.215, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), retained by the relief association. At the discretion of the relief association, the relief association must provide the retiree in pay status or beneficiary receiving the annuity either:

(1) an immediate lump-sum distribution of an amount equal to the present value of the remaining payments as determined by the actuary and permit the retiree in pay status or beneficiary to elect a lump-sum payment or a direct rollover of the amount to an eligible retirement plan as permitted under section 356.633, subdivisions 1 and 2, if the distribution is an eligible rollover distribution as defined in section 356.633, subdivision 1, paragraph deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end ; or

(2) continued payments in the same monthly amount under an annuity to be purchased by the board of trustees from a reputable insurance company licensed to do business in the state.

Sec. 201.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 424B.13, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Allocation of surplus.

(a) If, as of the conversion effective date, the defined benefit plan has a surplus, the board of trustees shall allocate the surplus as follows:

(1) per capita method: each participant's account will receive the same dollar amount;

(2) service-based method: each participant's account will receive a share of the surplus based on the ratio of the participant's years of service to the total years of service for all participants; or

(3) participant and municipality sharing method under paragraph (b).

(b) The board of trustees may allocate the surplus using the participant and municipality sharing method in accordance with this paragraph.

(1) For this purpose, "municipality" means "municipality" or "firefighting corporation," as applicable.

(2) If the fire department is operated by more than one municipality under a joint powers agreement:

(i) any consent by the municipality under this paragraph requires consent by each municipality that is party to the joint powers agreement;

(ii) any payment of surplus to the municipality under this paragraph requires a payment of a pro rata share of surplus to each municipality that is party to the joint powers agreement; and

(iii) any restrictions on the use of surplus applies to each municipality that is party to the joint powers agreement.

(3) Under the participant and municipality sharing method:

(i) first, the municipality will receive a share of the surplus based on the ratio of the municipal contributions made to the defined benefit relief association over a specified period of years to the total of fire state aid paid and municipal contributions made to the defined benefit relief association over the same period; and

(ii) second, any remaining surplus will be allocated to accounts of participants using the per capita or service-based method.

(4) The board of trustees may impose conditions on the use of the surplus by the municipality, as follows:

(i) all or a specified portion of the surplus must be contributed back to the defined contribution relief association over a specified number of future years for allocation to the accounts of participants eligible for an allocation;

(ii) all or a specified portion of the surplus must be used by the municipality for the purposes described in section 424A.08, paragraph (a) or deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end ; or

(iii) all or a specified portion of the surplus must be used by the municipality to provide health insurance or other welfare benefits for the participants.

(c) The board of trustees shall specify whether the surplus will be allocated only to participants who are members active as of the conversion effective date or whether the surplus will be allocated to all participants, including members who are not active as of the conversion effective date.

Sec. 202.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 424B.22, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Allocation of surplus.

(a) If the retirement plan is a defined benefit plan and if, after completing the determination of assets, liabilities, and administrative expenses under subdivision 5, there is a surplus, the board of trustees shall transfer to the affiliated municipality the lesser of (1) the amount of the surplus, or (2) the sum of all required contributions, without investment earnings or interest thereon, made by the municipality to the relief association during the year in which the termination of the retirement plan occurs or during the preceding nine years.

(b) If the affiliated municipality did not make any required contributions to the relief association during the current or preceding nine years or if, after the transfer described in paragraph (a), there is surplus remaining, the relief association and the municipality will mutually agree on an allocation between them of the remaining surplus.

(c) If, within 180 days of the date of termination of the retirement plan, the municipality and relief association have not reached an agreement on the allocation of the surplus under paragraph (b), then 50 percent of the surplus shall be retained by the relief association and 50 percent of the surplus shall be transferred to the affiliated municipality.

(d) Any surplus retained by the relief association under paragraph (c) shall be allocated among all participants eligible to share in the surplus in the same proportion that the present value of the accrued benefit for each eligible participant bears to the total present value of the accrued benefits of all participants eligible to share in the surplus, and each eligible participant's benefit, as determined under subdivision 5, paragraph (a), clause (2), shall be increased by the participant's share of the surplus. The board of trustees shall determine eligibility to share in the surplus, which may include all participants and any former participants who, within the last three years or such other number of years as determined by the board of trustees, separated from active service and received their retirement benefit.

If the board of trustees decides to include former participants in the allocation of the surplus, the board of trustees shall modify the method for allocating the surplus to take into account the former participants.

(e) Any amount of surplus transferred to the affiliated municipality under this subdivision may only be used for the purposes described in section 424A.08, paragraph (a) or deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end .

Sec. 203.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 424B.22, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Immediate distribution of retirement benefits and payment of all other obligations.

(a) The board of trustees shall liquidate the assets of the special fund and pay retirement benefits and administrative expenses under the retirement plan within 210 days after the effective date of the termination of the retirement plan.

(b) If the retirement plan is a defined benefit plan that pays lump-sum benefits or a defined contribution plan, without regard to whether the participant has attained age 50, each participant and other benefit recipient shall be permitted to elect an immediate distribution or a direct rollover of the participant's benefit to an eligible retirement plan as permitted under section 356.633, subdivisions 1 and 2, if the benefit is an eligible rollover distribution as defined in section 356.633, subdivision 1, paragraph deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end .

(c) If the retirement plan is a defined benefit plan that pays monthly pension benefits, the board of trustees shall, at the election of the participant or other benefit recipient, purchase an annuity contract under section 424A.015, subdivision 3, naming the participant or other benefit recipient, as applicable, as the insured or distribute a lump-sum amount that is equal to the present value of the monthly pension benefits to which the participant or other benefit recipient is entitled. If an annuity is elected by the participant or other benefit recipient, the annuity shall provide for commencement at a date elected by the insured, to be paid as an annuity for the life of the insured. Legal title to the annuity contract shall be transferred to the insured. If a lump sum is elected, the option under paragraph (b) to take an immediate distribution or a direct rollover shall apply.

(d) The board of trustees shall complete the distribution of all assets of the special fund by making any remaining distributions or transfers as required under subdivision 9 on behalf of participants or other benefit recipients who cannot be located or are unresponsive and paying any remaining administrative expenses related to the termination of the plan.

Sec. 204.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 458D.08, is amended to read:

458D.08 BUDGET.

The board shall prepare and adopt, on or before deleted text begin December 31, 1971, and on or before deleted text end November 1 deleted text begin , 1972, and deleted text end each year deleted text begin thereafter deleted text end , a budget showing for the following calendar year or other fiscal year determined by the board, sometimes referred to in sections 458D.01 to 458D.24 as the budget year, the estimated revenue from all sources, including but not limited to, income earned in the operation of the district disposal system, federal or state grants, taxes on property, and funds on hand at the beginning of the year, and estimated expenses for:

(1) credits to each local government unit under section 458D.06, subdivision 4;

(2) deferred payments under section 458D.09, subdivision 3;

(3) costs of operation, administration and maintenance of the district disposal system;

(4) costs of acquisition and betterment of the district disposal system; and

(5) debt service, including principal and interest, on general obligation bonds and certificates issued pursuant to section 458D.14, obligations assumed under section 458D.06, subdivision 3, and any money judgments entered by a court of competent jurisdiction. Expenses within these general categories, and such others as the board may from time to time determine, shall be itemized in such detail as the board shall prescribe. The board and its officers, agents and employees shall not incur an expense for any purpose other than debt service without having set forth such expense in the budget nor in excess of the amount set forth in the budget therefor, and no obligation to incur such an expense shall be enforceable except as the obligation of the person or persons incurring it; providing that the board may amend the budget at any time by transferring from one purpose to another any revenue except for debt service and bond proceeds and by increasing expenses in any amount by which revenue during the budget year is estimated to exceed the total amounts designated in the original budget. The creation of any obligation pursuant to section 458D.14 or the award of any federal or state grant is a sufficient budget designation of the proceeds for the purpose for which it is authorized, and of the tax or other revenue pledged to pay the obligation and interest on it, whether or not specifically included in any annual budget. The budget shall contain, in addition to the provisions above, the estimated revenue from income earned in the operation of solid waste disposal sites or facilities and estimated expenses for the operation of such solid waste disposal sites or facilities. Revenues from the operation of disposal sites or facilities shall not be used to fund in whole or in part the maintenance or operation of the district disposal system as that term is defined in section 458D.02.

Sec. 205.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 462A.07, subdivision 20, is amended to read:

Subd. 20.

Eligibility for agency programs.

The agency may determine that a household or project unit meets the rent or income requirements for a program if the household or unit receives or participates in income-based state or federal public assistance benefits, including but not limited to:

(1) child care assistance programs under chapter deleted text begin 119B deleted text end new text begin 142E new text end ;

(2) general assistance, Minnesota supplemental aid, or food support under chapter 256D;

(3) housing support under chapter 256I;

(4) Minnesota family investment program and diversionary work program under chapter deleted text begin 256J deleted text end new text begin 142G new text end ; and

(5) economic assistance programs under chapter 256P.

Sec. 206.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 469.174, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Redevelopment district.

(a) "Redevelopment district" means a type of tax increment financing district consisting of a project, or portions of a project, within which the authority finds by resolution that one or more of the following conditions, reasonably distributed throughout the district, exists:

(1) parcels consisting of 70 percent of the area of the district are occupied by buildings, streets, utilities, paved or gravel parking lots, or other similar structures and more than 50 percent of the buildings, not including outbuildings, are structurally substandard to a degree requiring substantial renovation or clearance;

(2) the property consists of vacant, unused, underused, inappropriately used, or infrequently used rail yards, rail storage facilities, or excessive or vacated railroad rights-of-way;

(3) tank facilities, or property whose immediately previous use was for tank facilities, as defined in section 115C.02, subdivision 15, if the tank facilities:

(i) have or had a capacity of more than 1,000,000 gallons;

(ii) are located adjacent to rail facilities; and

(iii) have been removed or are unused, underused, inappropriately used, or infrequently used; or

(4) a deleted text begin qualifying deleted text end new text begin qualified new text end disaster area, as defined in subdivision 10b.

(b) For purposes of this subdivision, "structurally substandard" shall mean containing defects in structural elements or a combination of deficiencies in essential utilities and facilities, light and ventilation, fire protection including adequate egress, layout and condition of interior partitions, or similar factors, which defects or deficiencies are of sufficient total significance to justify substantial renovation or clearance.

(c) A building is not structurally substandard if it is in compliance with the building code applicable to new buildings or could be modified to satisfy the building code at a cost of less than 15 percent of the cost of constructing a new structure of the same square footage and type on the site. The municipality may find that a building is not disqualified as structurally substandard under the preceding sentence on the basis of reasonably available evidence, such as the size, type, and age of the building, the average cost of plumbing, electrical, or structural repairs, or other similar reliable evidence. The municipality may not make such a determination without an interior inspection of the property, but need not have an independent, expert appraisal prepared of the cost of repair and rehabilitation of the building. An interior inspection of the property is not required, if the municipality finds that (1) the municipality or authority is unable to gain access to the property after using its best efforts to obtain permission from the party that owns or controls the property; and (2) the evidence otherwise supports a reasonable conclusion that the building is structurally substandard. Items of evidence that support such a conclusion include recent fire or police inspections, on-site property tax appraisals or housing inspections, exterior evidence of deterioration, or other similar reliable evidence. Written documentation of the findings and reasons why an interior inspection was not conducted must be made and retained under section 469.175, subdivision 3, new text begin paragraph (b), new text end clause (1). Failure of a building to be disqualified under the provisions of this paragraph is a necessary, but not a sufficient, condition to determining that the building is substandard.

(d) A parcel is deemed to be occupied by a structurally substandard building for purposes of the finding under paragraph (a) or by the improvements described in paragraph (e) if all of the following conditions are met:

(1) the parcel was occupied by a substandard building or met the requirements of paragraph (e), as the case may be, within three years of the filing of the request for certification of the parcel as part of the district with the county auditor;

(2) the substandard building or the improvements described in paragraph (e) were demolished or removed by the authority or the demolition or removal was financed by the authority or was done by a developer under a development agreement with the authority;

(3) the authority found by resolution before the demolition or removal that the parcel was occupied by a structurally substandard building or met the requirements of paragraph (e) and that after demolition and clearance the authority intended to include the parcel within a district; and

(4) upon filing the request for certification of the tax capacity of the parcel as part of a district, the authority notifies the county auditor that the original tax capacity of the parcel must be adjusted as provided by section 469.177, subdivision 1, paragraph (f).

(e) For purposes of this subdivision, a parcel is not occupied by buildings, streets, utilities, paved or gravel parking lots, or other similar structures unless 15 percent of the area of the parcel contains buildings, streets, utilities, paved or gravel parking lots, or other similar structures.

(f) For districts consisting of two or more noncontiguous areas, each area must qualify as a redevelopment district under paragraph (a) to be included in the district, and the entire area of the district must satisfy paragraph (a).

Sec. 207.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473.4057, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Expenditure of funds and exercise of powers.

In carrying out its responsibilities under this section and notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the council may expend funds and exercise, both inside and outside the metropolitan area, those powers in this chapter that are necessary or convenient for those purposes. The jurisdiction of the metropolitan transit police under section deleted text begin 473.405 deleted text end new text begin 473.407 new text end extends to offenses relating to the operation, property, facilities, equipment, employees, and passengers of any commuter rail facilities and services that are subject to this section.

Sec. 208.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 473.4465, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Use of funds; Metropolitan Council.

(a) Sales tax revenue allocated to the council under section 297A.9915, subdivision 4, paragraph (a), clause (1), is available as follows:

(1) five percent for active transportation, as determined by the Transportation Advisory Board under subdivision 3; and

(2) 95 percent for transit system purposes under sections 473.371 to deleted text begin 473.452 deleted text end new text begin 473.449 new text end , including but not limited to operations, maintenance, and capital projects.

(b) The council must expend a portion of sales tax revenue under paragraph (a), clause (2), in each of the following categories:

(1) improvements to regular route bus service levels;

(2) improvements related to transit safety, including additional transit officials, as defined under section 473.4075;

(3) maintenance and improvements to bus accessibility at transit stops and transit centers;

(4) transit shelter replacement and improvements under section 473.41;

(5) planning and project development for expansion of arterial bus rapid transit lines;

(6) operations and capital maintenance of arterial bus rapid transit;

(7) planning and project development for expansion of highway bus rapid transit and bus guideway lines;

(8) operations and capital maintenance of highway bus rapid transit and bus guideways;

(9) zero-emission bus procurement and associated costs in conformance with the zero-emission and electric transit vehicle transition plan under section 473.3927;

(10) demand response microtransit service provided by the council;

(11) financial assistance to replacement service providers under section 473.388, to provide for service, vehicle purchases, and capital investments related to demand response microtransit service;

(12) financial assistance to political subdivisions and tax-exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code for active transportation; and

(13) wage adjustments for Metro Transit hourly operations employees.

Sec. 209.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 491A.03, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Quarters; supplies.

The county in which the court is established shall provide suitable quarters for the court. Except as otherwise provided by law, all expenses for necessary blanks, stationery, books, furniture, furnishings, and other supplies for the use of the court and the officers of the court shall be included in the budget for the court administrator's office provided by the county board deleted text begin pursuant to section 485.018, subdivision 6 deleted text end .

Sec. 210.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 504B.361, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Summons and writ.

The state court administrator shall develop a uniform form for the summons and writ of recovery of premises and order to vacate. The summons shall conform to the requirements enumerated under section 504B.321, subdivision deleted text begin 3 deleted text end new text begin 4 new text end . The writ for recovery of premises and order to vacate must include:

(1) the following statement: "You have the right to seek legal help. If you can't afford a lawyer, free legal help may be available. Contact Legal Aid or visit www.LawHelpMN.org to know your rights and find your local Legal Aid office."; and

(2) the following statement: "To apply for financial help, contact your local county or Tribal social services office, apply online at MNBenefits.mn.gov, or call the United Way toll-free information line by dialing 2-1-1 or 800-543-7709."

Sec. 211.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 518.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Petition.

The petition for dissolution of marriage or legal separation shall state and allege:

(a) the name and address of the petitioner and any prior or other name used by the petitioner;

(b) the name and, if known, the address of the respondent and any prior or other name used by the respondent and known to the petitioner;

(c) the place and date of the marriage of the parties;

(d) in the case of a petition for dissolution, that either the petitioner or the respondent or both:

(1) has resided in this state for not less than 180 days immediately preceding the commencement of the proceeding, or

(2) has been a member of the armed services and has been stationed in this state for not less than 180 days immediately preceding the commencement of the proceeding, or

(3) has been a domiciliary of this state for not less than 180 days immediately preceding the commencement of the proceeding;

(e) the name at the time of the petition and any prior or other name, Social Security number, age, and date of birth of each living minor or dependent child of the parties born before the marriage or born or adopted during the marriage and a reference to, and the expected date of birth of, a child of the parties conceived during the marriage but not born;

(f) whether or not a separate proceeding for dissolution, legal separation, or custody is pending in a court in this state or elsewhere;

(g) in the case of a petition for dissolution, that there has been an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage relationship;

(h) in the case of a petition for legal separation, that there is a need for a decree of legal separation;

(i) any deleted text begin temporary deleted text end new text begin transitional new text end or deleted text begin permanent deleted text end new text begin indefinite new text end maintenance, child support, child custody, disposition of property, attorneys' fees, costs and disbursements applied for without setting forth the amounts; and

(j) whether an order for protection under chapter 518B or a similar law of another state that governs the parties or a party and a minor child of the parties is in effect and, if so, the district court or similar jurisdiction in which it was entered.

The petition shall be verified by the petitioner or petitioners, and its allegations established by competent evidence.

Sec. 212.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 518.175, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Remedies.

(a) Each party must follow a court's order for custody and parenting time unless the parties have made another agreement in writing as defined by section 645.44, subdivision 14.

(b) For the purposes of this subdivision, "court-ordered parenting time" means:

(1) parenting time that a court has ordered, regardless of whether the order is temporary or permanent and whether family court or juvenile court has issued the order;

(2) an order by a parenting time consultant, parenting coordinator, special master, or other court-appointed individual who is authorized to establish or modify parenting time; or

(3) a binding agreement or decision under section 518.1751, subdivision 3.

(c) The court shall fully consider providing compensatory parenting time when a parent has intentionally made a substantial amount of court-ordered parenting time unavailable to the other parent unless providing the compensatory parenting time is not consistent with the child's best interests. The court must consider all relevant evidence to determine whether a parent has made a substantial amount of court-ordered parenting time unavailable to the other parent.

(d) If the court finds that a person has been deprived of court-ordered parenting time under paragraph (b), the court shall order the parent who has interfered to allow compensatory parenting time to the other parent. When compensatory parenting time is awarded, additional parenting time must be:

(1) at least of the same type and duration as the deprived parenting time and, at the discretion of the court, may be in excess of or of a different type than the deprived parenting time;

(2) taken within one year after the deprived parenting time; and

(3) at a time acceptable to the parent deprived of parenting time.

(e) If the court finds that a party has repeatedly and intentionally denied or interfered with court-ordered parenting time, the court must, in addition to awarding compensatory parenting time, require the party to reimburse the other party for costs incurred as a result of the party's denial of or interference with court-ordered parenting time and award reasonable attorney fees to the other party, provided that the court finds that the party from whom fees, costs, and disbursements are sought has the means to pay them. The court may:

(1) impose a sanction of up to $500 against the party who denied or interfered with parenting time that is payable to the other party;

(2) modify legal and physical custody of the child by awarding custody of the child to the party whose parenting time was denied or interfered with, in accordance with the procedures under section 518.18; or

(3) award any other remedy that the court finds to be in the best interests of the children involved.

(f) The court shall provide one or more of the remedies available in paragraph (e), clauses (1) and (2), if the court finds that a party has repeatedly and intentionally denied or interfered with court-ordered parenting time after a previous finding that the party repeatedly and intentionally denied or interfered with court-ordered parenting time.

(g) If the court makes written findings that any denial of or interference with court-ordered parenting time was necessary to protect a child's physical or emotional health, the court is not required to comply with paragraphs (d) to (f).

(h) If the court finds that a party has been denied parenting time and has incurred expenses in connection with the denied parenting time, the court may require the party who denied parenting time to post a bond in favor of the other party in the amount of prepaid expenses associated with upcoming planned parenting time.

(i) Proof of an unwarranted denial of or interference with duly established parenting time may constitute contempt of court and may be sufficient cause for reversal of custody.

(j) All parenting time orders must include notice of the provisions of this subdivision.

(k) The required notice under paragraph (j) must be substantially as follows:

"NOTICE REGARDING COMPLIANCE WITH PARENTING TIME ORDER:

The parties are expected to fully comply with the court's order unless the parties mutually agree otherwise in writing as defined by Minnesota Statutes, section 645.44, subdivision 14. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 518.175, subdivision 6, and Minnesota Statutes, section 518.131, subdivision 11, the parties are hereby notified that:

(1) The court shall award compensatory parenting time to a parent who has been prevented from exercising parenting time.

(2) Deprivation of parental rights is a FELONY crime pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section deleted text begin 609.375 deleted text end new text begin 609.26 new text end .

(3) If the court finds that one parent has repeatedly and intentionally denied or interfered with another parent's parenting time, then the court shall award attorney fees to the parent who has been denied parenting time and require the parent who has been denying or interfering with parenting time to pay the other parent for costs incurred as a result of enforcing the decision.

(4) If the court finds that one parent has repeatedly and intentionally denied or interfered with parenting time, then the court may also:

(i) transfer custody of the child to the other parent;

(ii) impose a sanction of up to $500 on the parent who repeatedly and intentionally denied or interfered with parenting time; or

(iii) award other relief as determined to be in the best interests of the children involved."

(l) An order issued under this section requiring reimbursement of costs or fees does not require a party to have direct contact with another party.

Sec. 213.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 518A.40, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Child care costs.

Unless otherwise agreed to by the parties and approved by the court, the court must order that work-related or education-related child care costs of joint children be divided between the obligor and obligee based on their proportionate share of the parties' combined monthly PICS. The amount of work-related or education-related child care costs required by this subdivision to be divided between the obligor and obligee is the total amount received by the child care provider from the obligee and any public agency for the joint child or children. Child care costs shall be adjusted by the amount of the estimated federal and state child care credit payable on behalf of a joint child. The Department of deleted text begin Human Services deleted text end new text begin Children, Youth, and Families new text end shall develop tables to calculate the applicable credit based upon the custodial parent's PICS.

Sec. 214.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 518A.41, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

The definitions in this subdivision apply to this chapter and chapter 518.

(a) "Health care coverage" means private health care coverage, including fee for service, health maintenance organization, preferred provider organization, and other types of private health care coverage. Health care coverage also means public health care coverage under which medical or dental services could be provided to a dependent child.

(b) "Private health care coverage" means a health plan that provides medical, dental, or other health care benefits and is:

(1) provided on an individual or group basis;

(2) provided by an employer or union;

(3) purchased in the private market;

(4) provided through MinnesotaCare under chapter 256L; or

(5) available to a person eligible to carry insurance for the joint child, including a party's spouse or parent.

Private health care coverage includes, but is not limited to, a health plan meeting the definition under section 62A.011, subdivision 3, except that the exclusion of coverage designed solely to provide dental or vision care under section 62A.011, subdivision 3, clause (6), does not apply to the definition of private health care coverage under this section; a group health plan governed under the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA); a self-insured plan under sections 43A.23 to deleted text begin 43A.317 deleted text end new text begin 43A.316 new text end and 471.617; and a policy, contract, or certificate issued by a community-integrated service network licensed under chapter 62N.

(c) "Public health care coverage" means health care benefits provided by any form of medical assistance under chapter 256B. Public health care coverage does not include MinnesotaCare or health plans subsidized by federal premium tax credits or federal cost-sharing reductions.

(d) "Medical support" means providing health care coverage for a joint child by contributing to the cost of health care coverage, unreimbursed health-related expenses, and uninsured health-related expenses of the joint child.

(e) "National medical support notice" means an administrative notice issued by the public authority to enforce health insurance provisions of a support order in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, section 303.32, in cases where the public authority provides support enforcement services.

(f) "Uninsured health-related expenses" means a joint child's reasonable and necessary medical and dental expenses if the joint child is not covered by private health insurance care when the expenses are incurred.

(g) "Unreimbursed health-related expenses" means a joint child's reasonable and necessary medical and dental expenses if a joint child is covered by health care coverage and health care coverage does not pay for the total cost of the expenses when the expenses are incurred. Unreimbursed health-related expenses do not include the cost of premiums. Unreimbursed health-related expenses include, but are not limited to, deductibles, co-payments, and expenses for orthodontia, and prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses, but not over-the-counter medications if provided through health care coverage.

Sec. 215.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 518A.51, is amended to read:

518A.51 FEES FOR IV-D SERVICES.

(a) When a recipient of IV-D services is no longer receiving assistance under the state's title IV-A, IV-E foster care, or medical assistance programs, the public authority responsible for child support enforcement must notify the recipient, within five working days of the notification of ineligibility, that IV-D services will be continued unless the public authority is notified to the contrary by the recipient. The notice must include the implications of continuing to receive IV-D services, including the available services and fees, cost recovery fees, and distribution policies relating to fees.

(b) In the case of an individual who has never received assistance under a state program funded under title IV-A of the Social Security Act and for whom the public authority has collected at least $550 of support, the public authority must impose an annual federal collections fee of $35 for each case in which services are furnished. This fee must be retained by the public authority from support collected on behalf of the individual, but not from the first $550 collected.

(c) When the public authority provides full IV-D services to an obligee who has applied for those services, upon written notice to the obligee, the public authority must charge a cost recovery fee of two percent of the amount collected. This fee must be deducted from the amount of the child support and maintenance collected and not assigned under section 518A.81 before disbursement to the obligee. This fee does not apply to an obligee who:

(1) is currently receiving assistance under the state's title IV-A, IV-E foster care, or medical assistance programs; or

(2) has received assistance under the state's title IV-A or IV-E foster care programs, until the person has not received this assistance for 24 consecutive months.

(d) When the public authority provides full IV-D services to an obligor who has applied for such services, upon written notice to the obligor, the public authority must charge a cost recovery fee of two percent of the monthly court-ordered child support and maintenance obligation. The fee may be collected through income withholding, as well as by any other enforcement remedy available to the public authority responsible for child support enforcement.

(e) Fees assessed by state and federal tax agencies for collection of overdue support owed to or on behalf of a person not receiving public assistance must be imposed on the person for whom these services are provided. The public authority upon written notice to the obligee shall assess a fee of $25 to the person not receiving public assistance for each successful federal tax interception. The fee must be withheld prior to the release of the funds received from each interception and deposited in the general fund.

(f) Federal collections fees collected under paragraph (b) and cost recovery fees collected under paragraphs (c) and (d) retained by the commissioner of deleted text begin human services deleted text end new text begin children, youth, and families new text end shall be considered child support program income according to Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, section 304.50, and shall be deposited in the special revenue fund account established under paragraph (h). The commissioner of deleted text begin human services deleted text end new text begin children, youth, and families new text end must elect to recover costs based on either actual or standardized costs.

(g) The limitations of this section on the assessment of fees shall not apply to the extent inconsistent with the requirements of federal law for receiving funds for the programs under title IV-A and title IV-D of the Social Security Act, United States Code, title 42, sections 601 to 613 and United States Code, title 42, sections 651 to 662.

(h) The commissioner of deleted text begin human services deleted text end new text begin children, youth, and families new text end is authorized to establish a special revenue fund account to receive the federal collections fees collected under paragraph (b) and cost recovery fees collected under paragraphs (c) and (d).

(i) The nonfederal share of the cost recovery fee revenue must be retained by the commissioner and distributed as follows:

(1) one-half of the revenue must be transferred to the child support system special revenue account to support the state's administration of the child support enforcement program and its federally mandated automated system;

(2) an additional portion of the revenue must be transferred to the child support system special revenue account for expenditures necessary to administer the fees; and

(3) the remaining portion of the revenue must be distributed to the counties to aid the counties in funding their child support enforcement programs.

(j) The nonfederal share of the federal collections fees must be distributed to the counties to aid them in funding their child support enforcement programs.

(k) The commissioner of human services shall distribute quarterly any of the funds dedicated to the counties under paragraphs (i) and (j) using the methodology specified in section 518A.84, subdivision 11. The funds received by the counties must be reinvested in the child support enforcement program and the counties must not reduce the funding of their child support programs by the amount of the funding distributed.

Sec. 216.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 518A.56, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Collections unit recoupment account.

The commissioner of deleted text begin human services deleted text end new text begin children, youth, and families new text end may establish a revolving account to cover funds issued in error due to insufficient funds or other reasons. Appropriations for this purpose and all recoupments against payments from the account shall be deposited in the collections unit's recoupment account and are appropriated to the commissioner. Any unexpended balance in the account does not cancel deleted text begin , deleted text end but is available until expended.

Sec. 217.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 518C.613, is amended to read:

518C.613 JURISDICTION TO MODIFY SUPPORT ORDER OF ANOTHER STATE WHEN INDIVIDUAL PARTIES RESIDE IN THIS STATE.

(a) If all of the parties who are individuals reside in this state and the child does not reside in the issuing state, a tribunal of this state has jurisdiction to enforce and to modify the issuing state's child support order in a proceeding to register that order.

(b) A tribunal of this state exercising jurisdiction as provided in this section shall apply sections 518C.101 to 518C.211 and 518C.601 to 518C.616 to the enforcement or modification proceeding. Sections 518C.301 to deleted text begin 518C.508 deleted text end new text begin 518C.507 new text end and 518C.701 to 518C.802 do not apply and the tribunal shall apply the procedural and substantive law of this state.

Sec. 218.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 580.07, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Postponement by mortgagee.

(a) The sale may be postponed, from time to time, by the party conducting the foreclosure. The party requesting the postponement must, at the party's expense:

(1) publish, only once, a notice of the postponement and the rescheduled date of the sale, if known, as soon as practicable, in the newspaper in which the notice deleted text begin under section 580.03 deleted text end new text begin of sale new text end was published; and

(2) send by first class mail to the occupant, postmarked within three business days of the postponed sale, notice:

(i) of the postponement; and

(ii) if known, of the rescheduled date of the sale and the date on or before which the mortgagor must vacate the property if the sheriff's sale is not further postponed, the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30, the property is not redeemed under section 580.23, or the redemption period is not reduced under section 582.032. The notice must state that the time to vacate the property is 11:59 p.m. on the specified date.

(b) If the rescheduled date of the sale is not known at the time of the initial publication and notice to the occupant of postponement, the foreclosing party must, at its expense if and when a new date of sale is scheduled:

(1) publish, only once, notice of the rescheduled date of the sale, as soon as practicable, in the newspaper in which the notice deleted text begin under section 580.03 deleted text end new text begin of sale new text end and the notice of postponement under paragraph (a) was published; and

(2) send by first class mail to the occupant, postmarked within ten days of the rescheduled sale, notice:

(i) of the date of the rescheduled sale; and

(ii) of the date on or before which the mortgagor must vacate the property if the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30 or the property redeemed under section 580.23. The notice must state that the time to vacate the property is 11:59 p.m. on the specified date.

(c) The right of a mortgagee to postpone a foreclosure sale under this section applies to a foreclosure by action taken under chapter 581.

Sec. 219.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 580.07, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Postponement by mortgagor or owner.

(a) If all or a part of the property to be sold is classified as homestead under section 273.124 and contains one to four dwelling units, the mortgagor or owner may, in the manner provided in this subdivision, postpone the sale to the first date that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday and is:

(1) five months after the originally scheduled date of sale if the original redemption period was six months under section 580.23, subdivision 1; or

(2) 11 months after the originally scheduled date of sale if the original redemption period was 12 months under section 580.23, subdivision 2. To postpone a foreclosure sale pursuant to this subdivision, at any time after the first publication of the notice of mortgage foreclosure sale deleted text begin under section 580.03 deleted text end but at least 15 days prior to the scheduled sale date specified in that notice, the mortgagor shall: (i) execute a sworn affidavit in the form set forth in subdivision 3, (ii) record the affidavit in the office of each county recorder and registrar of titles where the mortgage was recorded, and (iii) file with the sheriff conducting the sale and deliver to the attorney foreclosing the mortgage a copy of the recorded affidavit, showing the date and office in which the affidavit was recorded. Recording of the affidavit and postponement of the foreclosure sale pursuant to this subdivision shall automatically reduce the mortgagor's redemption period under section 580.23 to five weeks. The postponement of a foreclosure sale pursuant to this subdivision does not require any change in the contents of the notice of sale, service of the notice of sale if the occupant was served with the notice of sale prior to postponement under this subdivision, or publication of the notice of sale if publication was commenced prior to postponement under this subdivision, notwithstanding the service and publication time periods specified in section 580.03 new text begin or sections 550.18 and 550.19, as applicable new text end , but the sheriff's certificate of sale shall indicate the actual date of the foreclosure sale and the actual length of the mortgagor's redemption period. No notice of postponement need be published. An affidavit complying with subdivision 3 shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein, and shall be entitled to be recorded. The right to postpone a foreclosure sale pursuant to this subdivision may be exercised only once, regardless whether the mortgagor reinstates the mortgage prior to the postponed mortgage foreclosure sale.

(b) If the automatic stay under United States Code, title 11, section 362, applies to the mortgage foreclosure after a mortgagor or owner requests postponement of the sheriff's sale under this section, then when the automatic stay is no longer applicable, the mortgagor's or owner's election to shorten the redemption period to five weeks under this section remains applicable to the mortgage foreclosure.

(c) Except for the circumstances set forth in paragraph (b), this section does not reduce the mortgagor's redemption period under section 580.23 for any subsequent foreclosure of the mortgage.

(d) The right of a mortgagor or owner to postpone a foreclosure sale under this section applies to a foreclosure by action taken under chapter 581.

Sec. 220.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.232, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Vulnerable adult.

"Vulnerable adult" means any person 18 years of age or older who:

(1) is a resident inpatient of a facility;

(2) receives services at or from a facility required to be licensed to serve adults under deleted text begin sections 245A.01 to 245A.15 deleted text end new text begin chapter 245A new text end , except that a person receiving outpatient services for treatment of chemical dependency or mental illness, or one who is committed as a sexual psychopathic personality or as a sexually dangerous person under chapter 253B, is not considered a vulnerable adult unless the person meets the requirements of clause (4);

(3) receives services from a home care provider required to be licensed under sections 144A.43 to 144A.482; or from a person or organization that exclusively offers, provides, or arranges for personal care assistance services under the medical assistance program as authorized under sections 256B.0625, subdivision 19a, 256B.0651 to 256B.0654, and 256B.0659; or

(4) regardless of residence or whether any type of service is received, possesses a physical or mental infirmity or other physical, mental, or emotional dysfunction:

(i) that impairs the individual's ability to provide adequately for the individual's own care without assistance, including the provision of food, shelter, clothing, health care, or supervision; and

(ii) because of the dysfunction or infirmity and the need for assistance, the individual has an impaired ability to protect the individual from maltreatment.

Sec. 221.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 611A.37, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Scope.

For purposes of sections 611A.371 to deleted text begin 611A.375 deleted text end new text begin 611A.373 new text end , the terms defined have the meanings given them unless otherwise provided or indicated by the context.

Sec. 222.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 611A.372, is amended to read:

611A.372 DUTIES OF DIRECTOR.

In addition to any other duties imposed by law, the director, with the approval of the commissioner of public safety, shall:

(1) supervise the administration of grant payments to designated shelter facilities;

(2) collect data on shelter facilities;

(3) conduct an annual evaluation of the grant program;

(4) report to the governor and the legislature on the need for emergency secure shelter;

(5) develop an application process for shelter facilities to follow in seeking reimbursement under the grant program; and

(6) adopt rules to implement and administer sections 611A.37 to deleted text begin 611A.375 deleted text end new text begin 611A.373 new text end .

Sec. 223.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 624.7192, is amended to read:

624.7192 AUTHORITY TO SEIZE AND CONFISCATE FIREARMS.

(a) This section applies only during the effective period of a state of emergency proclaimed by the governor relating to a public disorder or disaster.

(b) A peace officer who is acting in the lawful discharge of the officer's official duties without a warrant may disarm a lawfully detained individual only temporarily and only if the officer reasonably believes it is immediately necessary for the protection of the officer or another individual. Before releasing the individual, the peace officer must return to the individual any seized firearms and ammunition, and components thereof, any firearms accessories and ammunition reloading equipment and supplies, and any other personal weapons taken from the individual, unless the officer: (1) takes the individual into physical custody for engaging in criminal activity or for observation pursuant to section deleted text begin 253B.05, subdivision 2 deleted text end new text begin 253B.051, subdivision 2 new text end ; or (2) seizes the items as evidence pursuant to an investigation for the commission of the crime for which the individual was arrested.

(c) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, no governmental unit, government official, government employee, peace officer, or other person or body acting under governmental authority or color of law may undertake any of the following actions with regard to any firearms and ammunition, and components thereof; any firearms accessories and ammunition reloading equipment and supplies; and any other personal weapons:

(1) prohibit, regulate, or curtail the otherwise lawful possession, carrying, transportation, transfer, defensive use, or other lawful use of any of these items;

(2) seize, commandeer, or confiscate any of these items in any manner, except as expressly authorized in paragraph (b);

(3) suspend or revoke a valid permit issued pursuant to section 624.7131 or 624.714, except as expressly authorized in those sections; or

(4) close or limit the operating hours of businesses that lawfully sell or service any of these items, unless such closing or limitation of hours applies equally to all forms of commerce.

(d) No provision of law relating to a public disorder or disaster emergency proclamation by the governor or any other governmental or quasi-governmental official, including but not limited to emergency management powers pursuant to chapters 9 and 12, shall be construed as authorizing the governor or any other governmental or quasi-governmental official of this state or any of its political subdivisions acting at the direction of the governor or another official to act in violation of this paragraph or paragraphs (b) and (c).

(e)(1) An individual aggrieved by a violation of this section may seek relief in an action at law or in equity or in any other proper proceeding for damages, injunctive relief, or other appropriate redress against a person who commits or causes the commission of this violation. Venue must be in the district court having jurisdiction over the county in which the aggrieved individual resides or in which the violation occurred.

(2) In addition to any other remedy available at law or in equity, an individual aggrieved by the seizure or confiscation of an item listed in paragraph (c) in violation of this section may make application for the immediate return of the items to the office of the clerk of court for the county in which the items were seized and, except as provided in paragraph (b), the court must order the immediate return of the items by the seizing or confiscating governmental office and that office's employed officials.

(3) In an action or proceeding to enforce this section, the court must award the prevailing plaintiff reasonable court costs and expenses, including attorney fees.

Sec. 224.

Laws 2023, chapter 1, section 22, as amended by Laws 2025, First Special Session chapter 13, article 9, section 9, is amended to read:

Sec. 22.

TEMPORARY ADDITIONS AND SUBTRACTIONS; INDIVIDUALS, ESTATES, AND TRUSTS.

(a) For the purposes of this section:

(1) "subtraction" has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes, section 290.0132, subdivision 1, and the rules in that subdivision apply to this section;

(2) "addition" has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes, section 290.0131, subdivision 1, and the rules in that subdivision apply to this section; and

(3) the definitions in Minnesota Statutes, section 290.01, apply to this section.

(b) The following amounts are subtractions:

(1) the amount of wages used for the calculation of the employee retention credit for employers affected by qualified disasters, to the extent not deducted from income, under Public Law 116-94, division Q, section 203, or Public Law 116-260, division EE, section 303;

(2) the amount of wages used for the calculation of the payroll credit for required paid sick leave, to the extent not deducted from income, under Public Law 116-127, section 7001, as amended by section 9641 of Public Law 117-2;

(3) the amount of wages or expenses used for the calculation of the payroll credit for required paid family leave, to the extent not deducted from income, under Public Law 116-127, section 7003, as amended by section 9641 of Public Law 117-2;

(4) the amount of wages used for the calculation of the employee retention credit for employers subject to closure due to COVID-19, to the extent not deducted from income, under Public Law 116-136, section 2301, as amended by Public Law 116-260, division EE, section 207, and Public Law 117-2, section 9651; and

(5) the amount required to be added to gross income to claim the credit in section 6432 of the Internal Revenue Code.

(c) The following amounts are additions:

(1) the amount subtracted for qualified tuition expenses under section 222 of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended by Public Law 116-94, division Q, section 104;

(2) the amount of above the line charitable contributions deducted under section 2204 of Public Law 116-136;

(3) the amount of meal expenses in excess of the 50 percent limitation under section 274(n)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code allowed under subsection (n), paragraph (2), subparagraph (D), of that section; and

(4) the amount of charitable contributions deducted from federal taxable income by a trust for taxable year 2020 under Public Law 116-136, section 2205(a).

(d) The commissioner of revenue must apply the subtractions in paragraph (b) and the additions in paragraph (c), when calculating the following:

(1) the percentage under Minnesota Statutes, section 290.06, subdivision 2c, paragraph (e);

(2) a taxpayer's alternative minimum taxable income under Minnesota Statutes, section 290.091; and

(3) "income" for the purposes of determining the tax for composite filers and the pass-through entity tax, means the partner's share of federal adjusted gross income from the partnership modified by the additions provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 290.0131, subdivisions 8 to 10, 16, 17, and 19, and the subtractions provided in (i) Minnesota Statutes, section 290.0132, subdivisions 9, 27, deleted text begin and deleted text end 28, new text begin and 31, new text end to the extent the amount is assignable or allocable to Minnesota under Minnesota Statutes, section 290.17; and (ii) Minnesota Statutes, section 290.0132, subdivision 14. The subtraction allowed under Minnesota Statutes, section 290.0132, subdivision 9, is only allowed on the composite tax computation to the extent the electing partner would have been allowed the subtraction.

(e) For the purpose of calculating property tax refunds under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 290A, any amounts allowed as a subtraction in paragraph (b) are excluded from "income," as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 290A.03, subdivision 3.

Sec. 225.

new text begin SUPERSEDING ACTS. new text end

new text begin Any amendments or repeals enacted in the 2026 session of the legislature to sections also amended or repealed in this act, supersede the amendments or repeals in this act, regardless of order of enactment. new text end

Sec. 226.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Obsolete subdivision. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 13.461, subdivision 16a, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Duplicative definitions. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142E.50, subdivisions 1, 4, and 7, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Obsolete subdivision. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256.9756, subdivision 3, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Obsolete subdivision. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.092, subdivision 4b, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Obsolete subdivision. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256R.50, subdivision 6, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Obsolete definition. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 257E.10, subdivision 11, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Obsolete subdivision. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 272.02, subdivision 31, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Obsolete subdivision. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 273.11, subdivision 19, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Obsolete subdivision. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 273.11, subdivision 20, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Obsolete subdivision. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 273.1315, subdivision 1, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Obsolete section. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 273.1385, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

new text begin Obsolete subdivision. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 289A.60, subdivision 15, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 13. new text end

new text begin Obsolete subdivision. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 297I.15, subdivision 2, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end

new text begin Obsolete section. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383B.1511, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 15. new text end

new text begin Obsolete section. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 477A.18, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 16. new text end

new text begin Obsolete section. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 480.011, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 17. new text end

new text begin Obsolete subdivision. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 504B.345, subdivision 2, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 18. new text end

new text begin Conflict resolution. new text end

new text begin Laws 2024, chapter 79, article 1, section 20, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 19. new text end

new text begin Conflict resolution. new text end

new text begin Laws 2025, chapter 21, sections 56; and 57, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

ARTICLE 2

METRODOME STATUTES CLEANUP

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 3.9741, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Metropolitan Commission.

Upon the audit of the financial accounts and affairs of a commission under section deleted text begin 473.595, deleted text end 473.604 deleted text begin , deleted text end or 473.703, the affected Metropolitan Commission is liable to the state for the total cost and expenses of the audit, including the salaries paid to the examiners while actually engaged in making the examination. The legislative auditor may bill the Metropolitan Commission either monthly or at the completion of the audit. All collections received for the audits must be deposited in the general fund.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 13.202, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Metropolitan government.

(a) Affirmative action plans. Treatment of data relating to metropolitan agency affirmative action plans is governed by section 473.143, subdivisions 5 and 7.

(b) Contracts for management services. Data relating to compensation of personnel who work under a management service contract are classified by section 473.405, subdivision 12.

(c) Arena acquisition. Certain data in connection with a decision whether to acquire a sports arena are classified under new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, new text end section 473.598, subdivision 4.

(d) Airports commission. Certain airline data submitted to the Metropolitan Airports Commission in connection with the issuance of revenue bonds are classified under section 473.6671, subdivision 3.

(e) Solid waste landfill fee. Information obtained from the operator of a mixed municipal solid waste disposal facility under section 473.843 is classified under section 473.843, subdivision 4.

(f) Metropolitan airport parking customers. Data relating to applicants for or users of automated parking facilities at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport are classified under section 473.685.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 13.55, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Not public classification.

The following data received, created, or maintained by or for publicly owned and operated convention facilities deleted text begin , deleted text end new text begin or new text end civic center authorities deleted text begin , or the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission deleted text end are classified as nonpublic data pursuant to section 13.02, subdivision 9; or private data on individuals pursuant to section 13.02, subdivision 12:

(a) a letter or other documentation from any person who makes inquiry to or who is contacted by the facility regarding the availability of the facility for staging events;

(b) identity of firms and corporations which contact the facility;

(c) type of event which they wish to stage in the facility;

(d) suggested terms of rentals; and

(e) responses of authority staff to these inquiries.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 240A.03, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Disposition of property.

The commission may sell or otherwise dispose of any real or personal property acquired by it that is no longer required for accomplishment of its purposes. The property shall be sold in the manner provided by section 469.065, insofar as practical and consistent with new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, new text end sections 473.551 to 473.595.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 352.01, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Included employees.

(a) "State employee" includes:

(1) employees of the Minnesota Historical Society;

(2) employees of the State Horticultural Society;

(3) employees of the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association;

(4) employees of the adjutant general whose salaries are paid from federal funds and who are not covered by any federal civilian employees retirement system;

(5) employees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities who are employed under the university or college activities program;

(6) currently contributing employees covered by the system who are temporarily employed by the legislature during a legislative session or any currently contributing employee employed for any special service as defined in subdivision 2b, clause (6);

(7) employees of the legislature who are appointed without a limit on the duration of their employment;

(8) trainees who are employed on a full-time established training program performing the duties of the classified position for which they will be eligible to receive immediate appointment at the completion of the training period;

(9) employees of the Minnesota Safety Council;

(10) any employees who are on authorized leave of absence from the Transit Operating Division of the former Metropolitan Transit Commission and who are employed by the labor organization which is the exclusive bargaining agent representing employees of the Transit Operating Division;

(11) employees of the Metropolitan Council, Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission, deleted text begin Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, deleted text end or Metropolitan Mosquito Control Commission unless excluded under subdivision 2b or are covered by another public pension fund or plan under section 473.415, subdivision 3;

(12) judges of the Tax Court;

(13) personnel who were employed on June 30, 1992, by the University of Minnesota in the management, operation, or maintenance of its heating plant facilities, whose employment transfers to an employer assuming operation of the heating plant facilities, so long as the person is employed at the University of Minnesota heating plant by that employer or by its successor organization;

(14) personnel who are employed as seasonal employees in the classified or unclassified service;

(15) persons who are employed by the Department of Commerce as a peace officer in the Commerce Fraud Bureau under section 45.0135 who have attained the mandatory retirement age specified in section 43A.34, subdivision 4;

(16) employees of the University of Minnesota unless excluded under subdivision 2b, clause (3);

(17) employees of the Middle Management Association whose employment began after July 1, 2007, and to whom section 352.029 does not apply;

(18) employees of the Minnesota Government Engineers Council to whom section 352.029 does not apply;

(19) employees of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority;

(20) employees of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees;

(21) employees of the Minnesota State Retirement System;

(22) employees of the State Agricultural Society;

(23) employees of the Gillette Children's Hospital Board who were employed in the state unclassified service at the former Gillette Children's Hospital on March 28, 1974;

(24) if approved for coverage by the Board of Directors of Conservation Corps Minnesota, employees of Conservation Corps Minnesota so employed on June 30, 2003; and

(25) employees of the Perpich Center for Arts Education who are covered by the general state employees retirement plan of the Minnesota State Retirement System as of July 1, 2016.

(b) Employees specified in paragraph (a), clause (13), are included employees under paragraph (a) if employer and employee contributions are made in a timely manner in the amounts required by section 352.04. Employee contributions must be deducted from salary. Employer contributions are the sole obligation of the employer assuming operation of the University of Minnesota heating plant facilities or any successor organizations to that employer.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473.121, subdivision 5a, is amended to read:

Subd. 5a.

Metropolitan agency.

"Metropolitan agency" means the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission deleted text begin , deleted text end new text begin and new text end Metropolitan Airports Commission deleted text begin , and Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission deleted text end .

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473.164, is amended to read:

473.164 deleted text begin SPORTS, deleted text end AIRPORT deleted text begin COMMISSIONS deleted text end new text begin COMMISSION new text end TO PAY COUNCIL COSTS.

Subdivision 1.

Annually reimburse.

The deleted text begin Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission and the deleted text end Metropolitan Airports Commission shall annually reimburse the council for costs incurred by the council in the discharge of its responsibilities relating to the commission. The costs may be charged against any revenue sources of the commission as determined by the commission.

Subd. 2.

Estimates, budget, transfer.

On or before May 1 of each year, the council shall transmit to deleted text begin each deleted text end new text begin the new text end commission an estimate of the costs which the council will incur in the discharge of its responsibilities related to the commission in the next budget year including, without limitation, costs in connection with the preparation, review, implementation and defense of plans, programs and budgets of the commission. deleted text begin Each deleted text end new text begin The new text end commission shall include the estimates in its budget for the next budget year and may transmit its comments concerning the estimated amount to the council during the budget review process. Prior to December 15 of each year, the amount budgeted by deleted text begin each deleted text end new text begin the new text end commission for the next budget year may be changed following approval by the council. During each budget year, the commission shall transfer budgeted funds to the council in advance when requested by the council.

Subd. 3.

Final statement.

At the conclusion of each budget year, the council, in cooperation with deleted text begin each deleted text end new text begin the new text end commission, shall adopt a final statement of costs incurred by the council for deleted text begin each deleted text end new text begin the new text end commission. Where costs incurred in the budget year have exceeded the amount budgeted, deleted text begin each deleted text end new text begin the new text end commission shall transfer to the council the additional moneys needed to pay the amount of the costs in excess of the amount budgeted, and shall include a sum in its next budget. Any excess of budgeted costs over actual costs may be retained by the council and applied to the payment of budgeted costs in the next year.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473.755, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Bylaws.

The authority shall adopt bylaws to establish rules of procedure, the powers and duties of its officers, and other matters relating to the governance of the authority and the exercise of its powers. Except as provided in this section, the bylaws adopted under this subdivision shall be similar in form and substance to bylaws adopted by the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission pursuant to new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, new text end section 473.553.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473J.12, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Other required agreements.

The NFL team or the authority shall give food, beverage, retail, and concession workers presently employed by the NFL team deleted text begin or the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission deleted text end or its vendors at the existing football stadium the opportunity to continue their employment in comparable positions at the new stadium. Workers who are presently represented under a collective bargaining agreement may seek to continue such representation in the facility and designate such, or another collective bargaining unit, as their representative.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473J.13, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Public access.

The authority will work to maximize access for public and amateur sports, community, and civic events, and other public events in type and on terms consistent with those deleted text begin currently deleted text end held at the deleted text begin existing deleted text end football stadium deleted text begin , as deleted text end defined in new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, new text end section 473.551, subdivision 9. The authority may provide that these events have exclusive use of the premises at agreed-upon times subject to the scheduling rights of the NFL team under the lease or use agreement.

Sec. 11.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Obsolete subdivision. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 137.50, subdivision 5, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Obsolete section. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473.551, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Obsolete section. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473.552, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Obsolete section. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473.553, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Obsolete section. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473.556, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, and 17, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Obsolete section. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473.561, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Obsolete section. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473.564, subdivisions 2 and 3, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Obsolete section. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473.565, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Obsolete section. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473.572, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Obsolete section. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473.581, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Obsolete section. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473.592, subdivision 1, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

new text begin Obsolete section. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473.595, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 13. new text end

new text begin Obsolete section. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473.596, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end

new text begin Obsolete section. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473.598, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 15. new text end

new text begin Obsolete section. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473.599, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 16. new text end

new text begin Obsolete section. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473.5995, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 17. new text end

new text begin Obsolete section. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473.76, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

new text begin Subd. 18. new text end

new text begin Obsolete section. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 473.763, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

Presented to the governor May 11, 2026