 Neighbors, This week, legislative leaders and Gov. Walz announced a framework for a new state budget. Our second committee deadline is today, and we have been meeting all day and into the evening to meet the timeline for bills to be heard in committees. I’ve had a full week participating in committees, floor sessions, and in meetings. Committee ActionIn the Education Finance Committee, I presented my bill to allocate grants for Project Success to expand programming to high-need school districts and Greater Minnesota communities. The organization provides student support and enrichment through arts programming, college exploration, skills-based certificates, and facilitated curriculum designed to expand students’ opportunities. Also this week, my bill providing funds for workplace safety grants was heard in the Human Services Finance Committee. The grants will be utilized to increase safety measures in human services workplaces providing behavioral health care; services for children, families, and vulnerable adults; services for older adults and people with disabilities; and other social services or related care Reproductive Freedom Defense Act AdvancesOn Monday, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed HF 366, the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act. The RFDA modifies existing Minnesota laws – including those regarding medical privacy, licensure, extradition, and prosecutorial procedure – to reflect the reality that some states consider reproductive health care a crime while Minnesota explicitly does not. The bill specifies the law governing the release of health records excludes out-of-state subpoenas and court orders for records related to abortion, contraception, and other reproductive healthcare, preventing disclosure laws from being weaponized for prosecution in other states for healthcare protected under Minnesota law. Further, the bill ensures having discipline or a conviction in another state for providing reproductive health care which is lawful in Minnesota is not cause for discipline or withholding of licensure by Minnesota’s Board of Medical Practice. The bill also protects Minnesotans from laws – such as those passed in Texas –encouraging citizens to sue individuals for providing or helping someone obtain abortion care legal in Minnesota. Finally, the RFDA excludes reproductive health care related charges from our extradition act so Minnesota will not deliver a person charged with the crime of providing abortion or other reproductive care to another state under an extradition order and protects people from being arrested in Minnesota under such out-of-state laws.  Feeding Our KidsLast Friday, Gov. Walz signed the universal school meals bill into law. This is an excellent way to make sure all students are ready to learn and can thrive by providing breakfast and lunch. It looks like everyone in the photo was happy the bill is now a law!  Photo credit: Ben Hovland | MPR News The Community and The CapitolOur local Isaiah chapter representatives stopped by my office during their Day on the Hill. They were advocating for the Paid Family & Medical Leave bill working its way through the legislative process. I strongly support this measure and have heard from many district residents about the need. Paid Family & Medical Leave is an important step in helping families improve their quality of life. I look forward to voting on this bill before the full House of Representatives.  I also received a visit from Mankato Clinic physician Katie Smentek during American Academy of Pediatricians Day on the Hill.  Free Park DaysThe Minnesota DNR has announced the 2023 Free Park Days. The first of four days is April 22. You can find a park near you here.  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 here. 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 |