 Neighbors, This week, the Minnesota House continued to pass policy bills. Earlier this week, we passed the Human Services Policy Bill, to help the most vulnerable Minnesotans. The legislation clarifies, changes, and improves several items to address concerns from the disability community and others. We continue to make tangible progress for Minnesotans with disabilities, those in recovery from substance use disorder, recipients who rely on our waiver services to help them thrive, and others. This comprehensive policy legislation includes several important highlights: - Guarantees people with disabilities get to stay in their communities while they live in group homes by exempting certain facilities.
- Modernizes deaf and hard-of-hearing statutes.
- Provides for increased transparency in nursing home related party transactions.
- Modifies behavioral health licensing and eligibility.
- Ensures opioid treatment programs are responsive to workforce shortages and availability of counselors.
An amendment I worked on, modifies sober homes requirements so all residents can use medications for opioid use disorders and co-occuring mental health diagnoses. You can also watch the bill presentation and the discussion on this amendment. Read the non-partisan Session Daily news story here.  The legislation phases out the special minimum wage for persons with disabilities. Since 1938, qualified employers have been authorized to pay these workers less than the applicable minimum wage. This practice has grown out of favor, and 16 states now ban subminimum wages. In 2021, the Legislature created the Task Force on Eliminating Subminimum Wage, which recommended the Legislature “take immediate action to end the practice by Aug. 1, 2025, and to allow for a phased implementation period.” According to the Minnesota Coalition for Disability Wage Justice, the average Minnesotan under a 14C waiver makes $4.15 an hour, and in committee, we heard testimony from a person who was only being paid seven cents an hour. In principle I agree with ending this practice but acknowledge the concerns of some and am open to other changes that may be needed going forward. A provision I authored prohibits the classification of recovery peers as independent contractors, as highlighted in a series of KARE 11 news stories. We must help those on their recovery journey, instead of companies only concerned about the bottom line. Veterans Converge on the CapitolVeterans from throughout Minnesota gathered at the Capitol this week for Veterans Day on the Hill. Governor Walz greeted veterans and their supporters at a well-attended Capitol Rotunda rally. Thank you to all local veterans who made their way to St. Paul!  DEA Prescription Take Back DayOn Saturday, April 27, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is holding their annual Take Back Day, encouraging everyone to clean out their medicine cabinets and turn in unwanted prescriptions. If you don’t properly dispose of unneeded medications in your home, they might find a new one. To find out more information and a location near you, click here.  Vacancies in State Boards, Councils, and CommitteesThe Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State has released notice of vacancies for various state boards, councils and committees that are accepting applications. Minnesotans are encouraged to apply and serve in these important positions. The full list of 921 vacancies / 602 positions can be found on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website Open Positions. Stay connected with the LegislatureThe Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services offers nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication. Subscribe to receive these here. To track bills of interest through the legislative process, I encourage you to utilize the MyBills feature on the Minnesota House of Representatives’ website. You can also visit my House of Representatives website. I welcome your questions and comments anytime. You can send an email to rep.luke.frederick@house.mn.gov or call me at (651) 296-3248. Also, please visit and “like” my Facebook page for more Capitol and community updates. Thank you for the privilege of representing you in the legislature. Sincerely, Luke Frederick State Representative District 18B – rep.luke.frederick@house.mn.gov
487 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 296-3248 Committee assignments:
Vice Chair: Human Services Policy Judiciary Finance & Civil Law Agriculture Finance & Policy Elections Finance & Policy |