Legislative Advocacy

Legislative Update for March 2026

Where we are in the 2026 legislative session

  • 1st and 2nd deadlines were on Friday, March 27th. All bills that move forward (except those that need funding) needed to be heard and voted for by an appropriate committee in the House and Senate by last week.
  • The week of March 30th is the Easter and Passover Legislative Break. No hearings will be scheduled, but advocacy and negotiation on bills continues.
 

Bills we’re watching

  • HF 4212/SF 4418: Providing guardrails on restraints in assisted living facilities.
    • Restraints restrict an individual’s movement. Assisted living facilities are the only care setting (including schools and prisons) that currently do not have statutory guidance on what is and is not acceptable use of restraints. This bill provides that guidance.
    • The Consumer Advocates Coalition, providers, the Minnesota Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and other advocates have negotiated for this language for several years.
    • Both of these bills were added to the House and Senate Human Services Policy Omnibus bills last week. We’re a step closer to having this important guidance in law.
  • HF 2216/SF 2522 and HF 3935/SF 4121: Providing assistance for residents in assisted living who have a medical emergency.
    • The Consumer Advocates Coalition’s HF 2216/SF 2522 includes language to require automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR training in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Most residents and families tell advocates that they thought this kind of care was already available when they moved into an assisted living facility.
    • Elder Voice Family Advocates has sponsored HF 3935/SF 4121 to ensure facilities take action when a resident has a medical emergency beyond calling 911. This bill came from the horrible story of a resident’s death when he fell, staff called 911 but didn’t help him move, and the resident suffocated.
    • Both bills are currently in the  Senate Human Services Policy Omnibus. 
 

Getting in touch with your elected officials

  • Legislators don’t necessarily know what it’s like to live in or to have a family member live in a long-term care setting. They need to hear your story to understand what the issues are and what to do about them. Telling your story to your legislators is essential for passing bills that support residents. (HF3622/SF3844 came directly from constituents reaching out to their elected officials!)
  • Use your address to find your elected officials.
  • Phone calls, letters, emails, and visits are great ways to tell your story and build your relationship with your elected officials. If you’d like support with contacting your elected officials, contact Parichay Rudina at Parichay.rudina@state.mn.us or 651-485-3858.
 

Published: March 19, 2026

Stay Connected - Take Action!

We encourage readers to check this page regularly for updates and stay connected this legislative session. You can also find your house representatives and state legislators, how to contact them, bills they’ve introduced, and committees they serve on.