All Titles by Chapter Number - New Laws 2013

Medical Assistance expands to cover more Minnesotans
An estimated 40,000 additional low-wage earners and their families may qualify for Medical Assistance coverage as a result of a new law.HF0009/SF0005/CH1 (view full story)

Workers in five of the state’s labor unions will receive a 2 percent across-the-board pay increase retroactive to Jan. 2, 2013, through June 30, 2013, under a new law.
Pay increases, higher co-pays effective for several bargaining groupsSF0058/HF0095/CH2 (view full story)

Early action taken on 2012 tax conformity issues
New law conforms Minnesota’s individual income tax and corporate franchise tax to most of the federal changes for tax year 2012 only.HF0006/SF0119/CH3 (view full story)

New definitions and process clarifications enacted.
Changes made to drainage lawsHF0066/SF0113/CH4 (view full story)

The county where a victim resides will become an eligible venue for cases when a vulnerable adult is financially exploited.
Vulnerable adult financial protections enhancedHF0090/SF0187/CH5 (view full story)

Regulation of global money transfers becomes law
New law ensures that Minnesota law applies to electronic money transfers.HF0365/SF0336/CH6 (view full story)

Ensuring safe storage, while providing for public access, has been a concern to the gatekeepers of the state’s most important documents.
Safe storage for state’s most important documentsHF0278/SF0157/CH7 (view full story)

Requirements eased for critical access hospitals
Hospitals and other providers of advanced diagnostic imaging services must be accredited by one of three national accreditation organizations to be eligible for payment when they provide the service.HF0582/SF0493/CH8 (view full story)

Online service to aid consumers seeking health insurance
Minnesota Insurance Marketplace creates online health insurance exchange for consumers.HF0005/SF0001/CH9 (view full story)

Chances increase that tax statement will go to rightful owner
When a property owner dies, there is sometimes a problem with making sure that property tax statements are sent to the rightful survivor.HF0087/SF0249/CH10 (view full story)

Construction restrictions remain on radiation facilities
The moratorium on non-hospital radiation therapy facilities, which was set to expire in the Twin Cities metro area next year has been extended through the year 2020.HF0164/SF0118/CH11 (view full story)

Advanced EMT added as permitted ambulance staff
Effective Aug. 1, 2013, advanced emergency medical technicians will be a new certification level allowed to serve as advanced life support ambulance staff.SF0166/HF0201/CH13 (view full story)

Service animals clarified as dogs
A new law will delete a provision, currently in statute, that requires service animals to be properly identified as being trained.SF1086/HF1181/CH14 (view full story)

Ensuring adequate funds in workers compensation account
How the Workers Compensation Reinsurance Association charges premiums to its members and self-insurers could change.HF0504/SF0372/CH15 (view full story)

State could see more funds recovered from fraud claims
When whistleblowers bring fraudulent claims to the attention of the government, the state could get a bigger chunk of the money recovered.HF0290/SF0281/CH16 (view full story)

Loopholes used by scammers, some lenders to be closed
A new law will require the same regulations for foreclosure consultants to also apply to mortgage originators.HF0129/SF0294/CH17 (view full story)

More training for paramedics required
Community paramedics will be required to take 12 more clinical education hoursHF0075/SF0039/CH18 (view full story)

Water supply advisory group to keep working
The Metropolitan Area Water Supply Advisory Committee will continue its mission until December 2016.HF0834/SF0515/CH19 (view full story)

New law to toughen penalties for fake 911 calls
The list of acts that constitutes criminal conduct related to emergency telephone calls will expand.SF1168/HF1043/CH20 (view full story)

American Indian veterans to get a memorial on Capitol grounds
A plaque honoring Minnesota’s American Indian veterans will be placed among other veteran plaques in the Court of Honor on the Capitol grounds.HF0143/SF0087/CH22 (view full story)

Power of attorney form will see changes
New law will help ensure users understand their roles, and it also clarifies the gifting powers of the attorney-in fact.HF0232/SF0327/CH23 (view full story)

New law helps clarify who owns what upon a partner’s death
Minnesota will adopt the Uniform Community Property Rights at Death Act.HF0369/SF0350/CH24 (view full story)

Tribal agency social workers to have licensure eligibility
A new law fixes an omission for tribal agencies in previous legislation regarding the licensure of social workers.SF0953/HF1210/CH25 (view full story)

April designated as Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month
State will take extra steps to spread genocide awareness, educationSF0359/HF0414/CH26 (view full story)

Employee may recover unpaid wages based on contracted rates
Supreme Court ruling spurred clarifying legislation regarding wages owed.HF0748/SF0602/CH27 (view full story)

Once an agreement, no shared info allowed in court
Efforts expanded that encourage parties to settle disputes without going to court.HF0283/SF1108/CH28 (view full story)

State Council on Disability to reduce membership
New law will require 17 council members instead of 21.SF0442/HF0543/CH29 (view full story)

Law creates pathway for parents, children to reunite
The Family Reunification Act offers a way for some teenagers to return to the care of parents who had lost their legal rights.SF0422/HF0704/CH30 (view full story)

Consensus on revised nursing definitions
‘Unlicensed assistive personnel’ replaces definition of nursing assistant.SF1016/HF1124/CH31 (view full story)

Integration of new emergency technology gets go-ahead
New law allows the Statewide Radio Board to become the Statewide Emergency Communications Board.HF0669/SF0803/CH32 (view full story)

Law clerk classification change becomes law
Law clerks for each of the five Workers Compensation Court of Appeals judges will change from unclassified appeals court attorneys to classified compensation attorneys.HF1378/SF1337/CH33 (view full story)

Crime victim rights changed, stalking language clarified
Identifying information regarding a victim or other person who seeks notification of a defendant’s release from custody is one part of a new law.SF0769/HF1051/CH34 (view full story)

New law addresses common banking problem for seniors
A banking customer will be allowed to name an agent on an account, but not have ownership.HF0019/SF0084/CH36 (view full story)

Governor signs Guardian Ad Litem Board changes
Technical changes OK’d for structure, activities of the Guardian Ad Litem BoardSF0834/HF0440/CH37 (view full story)

100-year-old mining inspection policy will be updated
New law will require mine inspectors to have two years of experience.SF1291/HF1320/CH38 (view full story)

Victim rights continue even after death, in some cases
A new law provides that if a victim dies before or after a request for restitution is made their estate may request or enforce an order on the victim’s behalf.SF0345/HF0410/CH39 (view full story)

Some Hennepin County employee benefits could get clarification
New law will allow Hennepin County to negotiate terms of employment with labor groupsHF1195/SF1111/CH41 (view full story)

Home sellers must disclose radon gas testing
New MDH policies also include penalties for unlicensed tattoo artists.SF0887/HF0662/CH43 (view full story)

Medical Practice Act modified
The Board of Medical Practice licenses medical professionals and oversees complaints filed about physicians.SF0825/HF1115/CH44 (view full story)

Process for choosing solid waste collectors to change
A new law will change the way cities and towns provide for organized solid waste collectionSF0510/HF0128/CH45 (view full story)

New law seeks more open bidding process
Local governments can advertise bids for public improvement projects in a recognized industry trade journal.SF0843/HF1196/CH46 (view full story)

Domestic abuse changes signed into law
Governor gives his approval to set of four updates to domestic violence statutes.HF1400/SF1423/CH47 (view full story)

Adult learner program to be represented on governor’s council
A representative from Adult Basic Education will be added to the Governor’s Workforce Development Council.SF0380/HF0758/CH48 (view full story)

Laws separated that govern two civil commitment categories
New chapter in statute to be created pertaining to sex offenders.HF0947/SF0490/CH49 (view full story)

New law aims to prevent wire transfer scams aimed at seniors
Commerce commissioner to create “no transmit list” and may limit money transfers to certain countries.HF0194/SF0247/CH50 (view full story)

Hospital nursing ratios will require monitoring
Study required in January 2015 comparing nurse staffing levels to patient health outcomes.HF0588/SF0471/CH51 (view full story)

New law will allow installment plans for funeral expenses
Preneed insurance will no longer need to be paid in full.SF0748/HF0654/CH53 (view full story)

Annuity changes become law without governor’s signature
A new law will make changes to the regulation of annuities, an insurance product typically used as a source of retirement income by senior citizens.HF0791/SF0574/CH54 (view full story)

Clarification sought regarding administrative appeal cases
Law will require only parties to a contested case to be served court documents rather than state agencies.HF1120/SF0516/CH56 (view full story)

HED Fuel adjustment clause inserted into biomass mandate law
The amended law raises the price cap for purchased energy from the Hibbing and Virginia plants from $104 to $109.20 per megawatt hour.SF0521/HF0623/CH57 (view full story)

State bans formaldehyde in children’s lotions
Products include baby shampoos, bubble bath and other lotions or gels applied to children.HF0458/SF0357/CH58 (view full story)

Showing respect for people with mental illness
DHS can share information for new grave markers at state institutions.HF0969/SF1297/CH59 (view full story)

Estate sales operators to face regulations
Estate sale operators will be required to guarantee their clients at least $20,000 prior to agreeing to conduct an estate sale.HF0131/SF0316/CH60 (view full story)

‘Ban the Box’ law expanded to private employers
Felony inquiry must be deferred until job applicant is selected for an interview.SF0523/HF0690/CH61 (view full story)

Replacing outdated terms in statute
Custom and usage terms change for persons with disabilitiesHF0760/SF0655/CH62 (view full story)

Continuing care provisions provide further protections
DHS modifies policies regarding relocation of nursing home residents.HF0767/SF0459/CH63 (view full story)

Payment options OK’d for demolition loans
Development authorities will have another way to repay redevelopment financing.SF0340/HF0368/CH64 (view full story)

Tribal rights affirmed concerning American Indian children
A new law allows for proceedings regarding adoption of American Indian children, in situations where parental rights have been terminated, to be transferred to the appropriate tribal court.SF0250/HF0252/CH65 (view full story)

Met Council redistricting plan takes effect
The Metropolitan Council has new district boundaries.SF1564/HF1684/CH66 (view full story)

New law mandates same price for fuel stored in same tank
When fuel is delivered, the delivery ticket must state the percentage of biofuel blended into gasoline.HF0634/SF1073/CH68 (view full story)

New exemptions from private detective licensing
CPAs performing services regulated under Minnesota law will not need to apply for a private detective license.SF0683/HF0817/CH69 (view full story)

PTSD coverage added as workers’ compensation benefit
Employees who experience a tragic event at work that results in post traumatic stress disorder may apply for worker’s compensation under a new law.SF1234/HF1359/CH70 (view full story)

BPA banned from baby food containers
Retailers need to remove baby food containers containing bisphenol-A from their store shelves by Aug. 1, 2015, according to a new law aimed at protecting children from toxic chemicals.HF0459/SF0379/CH71 (view full story)

Affirmative action plans will see quicker approval
New law will require the commissioner of human rights to approve or deny affirmative action plans within 15 days.SF1307/HF1182/CH72 (view full story)

DNR given land authority by new law
The Department of Natural Resources can sell, exchange and acquire lands to meet its conservation mission.HF0740/SF0886/CH73 (view full story)

Marriage no longer limited to a male and female
Minnesota will become the 12th state to legalize same-sex marriage.HF1054/SF0925/CH74 (view full story)

Cattail removal gets OK for Shaver Lake
The new law requires the Department of Natural Resources to issue the permit for the mechanical control of hybrid and narrow-leaved cattails that have disrupted the area’s natural ecology.HF0461/SF0248/CH75 (view full story)

Victim protection program expands to family members
The Safe at Home address confidentiality program, used primarily by survivors of domestic violence or stalking, could be expanded to include family members if they fear they are in danger.HF0580/SF0509/CH76 (view full story)

Agencies, departments must absorb wage increases
Eight groups of state employees will receive salary increases under a new law effective May 20, 2013.HF1069/SF1185/CH77 (view full story)

E-pull tab and other gambling regulations to change
Gross receipt threshold for requiring audits increasedSF1006/HF1060/CH79 (view full story)

Losing cash for prostitution offense
A person engaging in a prostitution or sex trafficking will lose more than just their vehicle.SF0346/HF0411/CH80 (view full story)

Non-emergency medical ride guidelines changed
DHS receives extension before implementing a single administrative structure and delivery system.SF0654/HF0820/CH81 (view full story)

Enhanced protection afforded state employee ‘whistleblowers’
New criteria has been added to the state’s “whistleblower” law.HF0542/SF0443/CH83 (view full story)

MNsure rules govern state health exchange marketplace
The rules under which health insurance carriers will operate in the new exchange marketplace called “MNsure” are contained in a new law.HF0779/SF0662/CH84 (view full story)

Public safety/judiciary law includes more than $100 million in new funding Corrections Department personnel to see pay raise of 2 percent per year — approximately $30 million of the new funding.
More than $100 million in new funding will be directed to the state’s judiciary and public safety areas.SF0671/HF0724/CH86 (view full story)

Changes for employees who have sick leave benefit
Expanded sick leave begins at four weeks, includes caring for extended family members. Fiscal impact study due to Legislature by Aug. 1, 2014.SF0840/HF0568/CH87 (view full story)

More time for sexual abuse victims to come forward
The “Child Victim Act” modifies the existing statute of limitations for civil causes of action for sexual abuse.HF0681/SF0534/CH89 (view full story)

Jury list update needed to reflect Human Rights Act
Categories added to the list are marital status and sexual orientation.HF0335/SF0041/CH90 (view full story)

Hazardous leak notification information will expand
New law aims to increase local community awareness when chemical spill or release occursHF0814/SF1033/CH92 (view full story)

Law lays out future of I-35W bridge remains
Remnant steel of bridge wreckage to be given away; first priority is to survivors.HF1451/SF1305/CH93 (view full story)

Help to secure family possessions after a crime
The state’s so-called “slayer statute,” which is in place to prevent a killer from benefiting, through inheritance, from the victim’s death, will allow for more court intervention.HF0161/SF0196/CH94 (view full story)

New law provides geospatial data sharing free of charge
Government agencies use the data for analysis, planning or other decision-making activities; flood planning or response.HF1390/SF1298/CH95 (view full story)

Concurrently vs. consecutively clarification sought
New law is designed to close release loophole for sex offenders.HF0790/SF0668/CH96 (view full story)

Physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, chiropractor and others allowed to order therapeutic therapies
Physicians are currently the only medical professionals who can authorize occupational therapists to use certain therapies, such as electrical nerve stimulation, ultrasound, hot packs, cold packs and ice.HF0215/SF0330/CH98 (view full story)

After state cuts, higher education gets new money in 2013
The capstone of the plan is a two-year tuition freeze for resident undergraduates at the University of Minnesota and for all undergraduates at the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.SF1236/HF1692/CH99 (view full story)

Protecting tenants from eviction
Penalty adds teeth to landlord’s failure to notify tenants of foreclosureHF0829/SF0967/CH100 (view full story)

Changes made Met Council’s wastewater services law
New law permits the council to allow a local unit of government to defer payment of allocated current wastewater services costs.HF0738/SF0551/CH101 (view full story)

Warning requirements changed for money transmitters
Potential fraud on money transfers usually involves the money being received by someone other than the intended recipient.HF0527/SF0544/CH103 (view full story)

Several changes to law regarding debt servicing
New evidence required for debt buyer seeking a default judgment.HF0080/SF0033/CH104 (view full story)

New law modifies PFA grant programs
The Total Maximum Daily Load grant program will expand effective Aug. 1, 2013.HF0819/SF0613/CH105 (view full story)

New law better aligns securities and franchise registration rules
Minnesota’s securities and franchise registration laws will be better aligned to federal standards.HF1243/SF1376/CH106 (view full story)

Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council created
The Department of Human Services will establish an advisory council to advise the commissioner on how to reduce racial and ethnic disparities for accessing services, according to a new law that amends department policies.HF0975/SF0872/CH107 (view full story)

New law will limit access to some juvenile court records
Public access to electronic records will be maintained in certain cases involving serious offenses, unless the prosecutor agrees otherwise.HF0392/SF0286/CH109 (view full story)

Technical changes to the secretary of state’s rules
A new law removes the tax identification number from data maintained by the secretary of state that is considered private or non-public.HF1112/SF1030/CH110 (view full story)

Contributors will pay more into pension funds
Deficiencies across several state employee pension and retiree plans have resulted in a series of benefit changes.SF0489/HF0629/CH111 (view full story)

Helping intoxicated underage drinkers do the right thing
New law will allow underage drinkers looking out for their friend’s health to avoid a minor consumption ticket.HF0946/SF0744/CH112 (view full story)

Stricter controls over dispensing methadone
New restrictions will include random drug testing and stricter criteria for take-home doses.HF1117/SF1077/CH113 (view full story)

Help for those facing foreclosures
New law prohibits simultaneous foreclosure during loan modification.SF1276/HF1377/CH115 (view full story)

Waiver of liability form language tightened
Under a new law, there is a greater chance these agreements would be deemed unenforceable in a court of law.HF0792/SF0768/CH118 (view full story)

Preventing fraud in the collectable coin industry
New law gives the Department of Commerce authority to suspend, revoke or refuse to issue or renew a dealer registration if the dealer provides false, misleading or incomplete information.HF0157/SF0382/CH120 (view full story)

License provisions changed for critically ill, disabled veterans
Game and fish bill aims for greater participation in outdoor activities.SF0796/HF0742/CH121 (view full story)

Audit changes for relief associations
The threshold asset amount for some public safety relief groups to increase.HF0853/SF0746/CH123 (view full story)

Voters to decide who sets legislators’ salaries
A proposed constitutional amendment will be put to the voters in the 2016 general election asking a council should set legislators’ salaries.HF1823/SF0533/CH124 (view full story)

Revisor bill cleans up language
A new law makes the statutory changes suggested by the Revisor.SF0827/HF0972/CH125 (view full story)

In-home care providers could unionize under new law
A controversial new law will allow labor organizing that could unionize thousands of home-based care providers.SF0778/HF0950/CH128 (view full story)

Public transit operators to get added protection
A new law will add Metro Transit and other public transit operators to the list of protected occupations and individuals under the fourth-degree assault statute.HF0590/SF1068/CH133 (view full story)

Tech agency gets a new name and other administrative changes
A new law officially changes the name of the Office of Enterprise Technology to the Office of MN.IT Services.HF1389/SF1245/CH134 (view full story)

Commerce Department typos get a fix
The law makes corrections to references that are obsolete, plus it addresses some fee changes.HF1221/SF0626/CH135 (view full story)

Bonding law funds Capitol renovations and more
Checking in at almost $176.8 million, a new law contains $109 million to keep Capitol renovations going.HF1070/SF0960/CH136 (view full story)

Omnibus legacy law distributes nearly $500 million
Governor vetoes two provisions and affirms his support for projects endorsed by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.HF1183/SF1051/CH137 (view full story)

New campaign finance limits established
Candidates may spend and receive more money under new lawSF0661/HF0863/CH138 (view full story)

Harsher wildfire arson penalties enacted
Felony penalties for wildfire arson will increase based on certain damagesHF0228/SF0614/CH139 (view full story)

Disaster assistance match made available
Funds needed to access federal help for five southwestern Minnesota counties that were declared a major disaster area after a mid-April ice storm.SF1656/HF1832/CH141 (view full story)