As the Minnesota Legislature finished its fourth week on March 13, 2026, the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) continued tracking the progress of health-care-related legislation. MAFP lobbyist Megan Verdeja provides updates, key dates and an overview of bills passed and heard by the Senate.
Bills not heard in all relevant policy committees by March 27 will be considered dead for the session. Activity has been brisk this week, though much of it has been partisan in nature and is unlikely to yield results.
Governor Walz Unveiled Plan to Overhaul DHS
On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Governor Walz announced a proposal to overhaul Minnesota’s human services system to make it more centralized, efficient and accountable.
Key elements of the proposal include:
- Centralizing administration
- Restructuring Medicaid delivery + administration
- Establishing state control of eligibility decisions
- Studying system structure
- Conducting and operational review
The proposal builds on recent anti-fraud initiatives and is part of a long-term effort to modernize services for children, seniors, people with disabilities and families in Minnesota, with an emphasis on improving transparency, efficiency and program integrity.
Read the entire press release for further information.
Vaccine Legislation
This week in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, three vaccine-related bills were passed through to their next committee stops, keeping them alive before the first set of legislative deadlines hits next week.
SF 3439, authored by Senator Liz Boldon (DFL), prohibits the use of the conscientiously held beliefs exemption for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine required for childcare and school enrollment. Medical exemptions authorized by a physician would remain. Parents in opposition cited religious concerns and vaccine reactions, while Republican members argued for parental rights and DFL members pointed to rising measles cases. The committee passed the bill along party lines and sent it to the Senate Education Policy Committee. Its House companion, HF3239, awaits a hearing in the House Health Finance and Policy committee.
SF 3859, authored by Senator Matt Klein (DFL), requires coverage of routine immunizations without cost-sharing. It also establishes the Minnesota Science-Based Vaccine Advisory Council to develop vaccine schedules and immunization requirements for schools, and postsecondary institutions, with one council seat appointed by the MAFP. The bill passed along party lines to the Committee on Finance. Its House Companion, HF3743, awaits a hearing in the House Health Finance and Policy Committee.
SF 4416, authored by Senator Melissa Wiklund (DFL) and put forward by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), clarifies vaccine requirements for schools, childcare and higher education. It allows MDH to consider vaccine recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians even when those organizations are not in agreement. The committee passed the bill along party lines and sent it to the Education Policy Committee. Its House companion awaits a hearing in the House Health Finance and Policy Committee.
ICE and Health Care
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard two bills on Thursday, March 12, aimed at limiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence in sensitive locations. The first bill was directed to childcare settings and would limit entry to immigration enforcement officials only if they provide a signed warrant and valid identification. The bill was passed along party lines and sent to the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, where it is scheduled to be heard on Thursday, March 19.
SF 4242, authored by Senator Alice Mann (DFL), requires health care facilities to only allow civil immigration enforcement agents on premises with a signed judicial warrant. The bill also requires facilities to develop policies on civil immigration enforcement and the release of information to law enforcement. MAFP leader, Nicole Chaisson, MD, MPH, testified in support of the bill on behalf of the MAFP. The bill passed along party lines and was sent to the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.
HCMC Financial Struggles
The current fiscal situation at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) continues to be a hot topic at the Legislature. Governor Walz announced that he was tapping former MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm to work with hospitals and health systems statewide to address financial challenges. The House Tax Committee held an informational presentation on the current situation with HCMC and safety net hospitals. Members from both parties stressed the importance of HCMC in Minnesota and the desire to find a solution to help them. So far, much of the discussion around helping HCMC has focused on looking at redirecting the stadium tax and identifying one-time funds to help cover HCMC’s current operating deficit.
Minnesota Senate Heard Multiple Gun Bills
The Senate Public Safety Committee held a marathon hearing on legislation related to gun violence on Friday, March 13, 2026, Twenty bills were calendared, including:
- Banning assault weapons/high-capacity magazines
- Creating an Office of Gun Violence Prevention
- Appropriating funds for an Extreme Risk Protection Order awareness campaign
- Reenacting the 2024 binary trigger ban
- Banning firearms from the Capitol
Firearm-related legislation continues to be a flashpoint this legislative session. Despite movements of these bills in the Senate, it remains unlikely that the House will move forward with additional gun violence prevention legislation.
First Bill Passed on House Floor Honors Speaker Emerita Hortman
The first bill passed off the floor of the Minnesota House this session renamed the state’s Community Solar Garden Program as the “Melissa Hortman Community Solar Garden Program,” in honor of former Speaker Melissa Hortman. Authored by Representative Patty Acomb (DFL), the bipartisan proposal recognizes Hortman’s lasting impact on clean energy policy in Minnesota.
Helpful Resources for Session
- Committee Schedules and Membership
- Daily Combined Legislative Schedule
- Senate Staff
- House Staff
- Who is my legislator
- MAFP legislative priorities
Need help connecting with your legislator? Reach out to MAFP staff at office@mafp.ascreative.agency for support.
