Despite a chaotic session end, many gains are celebrated

The Minnesota Legislature's 2024 session ended in chaos for the disability community, with the House and Senate clashing over a massive 1,430-page bill in the final hours. While some measures passed, key priorities fell short.

A bonding bill failed, delaying a range of infrastructure and accessibility improvements, and the state Equal Rights Amendment, which includes protections for people with disabilities, did not make the ballot for 2026. Efforts to phase out subminimum wages stalled in the Senate, leaving advocates to continue pushing for reform in 2025. Similarly, the medical aid-in-dying bill did not advance. Despite these setbacks, disability advocates celebrated several wins.

Measures improving personal care attendant services, standardizing accessible prescription labeling and parking signs, clarifying service animal rights, and expanding human rights protections for episodic disabilities all passed.

A first-of-its-kind law will provide teacher training on the disability justice movement and ableism, promoting cultural competence led by people with disabilities. Guardianship reforms, including repealing guardianship immunity, aim to increase protections, while the Minnesota RISE Act strengthens accessibility and rights for disabled students in higher education.

Other notable gains include targeted funding for emergency medical services in Greater Minnesota and a new Office of Emergency Medical Services to help address workforce shortages. Mental health initiatives also moved forward, and advocates began preparing for the 2025 session, focusing on budget priorities and continued reforms.

Overall, while the session ended with unfinished business, leaders emphasized both progress made and the work ahead.