SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — The Minnesota House of Representatives passed HF 4556 today, a package of COVID-19-related legislation.
“The legislation we passed today will provide needed flexibility and assistance to Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “There is clearly more work to do to safeguard the health and economic well-being of Minnesotans. We will continue working with Governor Walz and the Minnesota Senate to help Minnesotans during this public health crisis.”
“This is the fourth package of legislation we have passed in the last month to provide Minnesotans with resources and economic security during this difficult time,” said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “We are continuing to adapt to serve the public as we were elected to do.”
The legislation includes the following:
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Providing local governments with flexibility through changes to the open meeting law — expanding meeting and voting by “interactive television” through roll-call votes and allowing meeting in someplace other than the normal meeting location during a state of emergency
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Allowing a court to deem that a will has been properly executed, even if one of the statutory requirements has not been met, if a person can show by clear and convincing evidence that the will is the testator’s intent. Allowing for a will to be valid if a mistake while executing it is deemed harmless
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Allowing new Minnesota residents 60 days to use their old license before needing to obtain a new Minnesota license
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Extending the expiration date for medical examiner certificates and waivers
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Providing flexibility in new commercial driver’s licenses
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Requiring reports to Legislature from MnDOT and Met Council on powers exercised during peacetime emergency
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Authorizing the Met Council to use federal funds to purchase protective equipment for Metro Transit employees
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Ensuring Medical Assistance covers COVID-19 testing costs and is available for uninsured individuals who need testing
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Requires federal approval
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Providing authority for MDH Commissioner to set up alternative and temporary health care facilities
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Prohibiting health care providers from denying or limiting reimbursement for coverage of telemedicine services between a licensed health care provider and a patient
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Allowing respiratory therapists to be included in the list of health care providers
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Suspending deadlines in district and appellate courts, including statute of limitations
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Extending the deadline to file a motion to contest the child support cost-of-living adjustment for reasons related to COVID-19
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Allowing local governments to implement procedures to accept marriage licenses during the peacetime emergency by mail, fax, or electronic filing without the need to appear in person
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Extending the time period for those participating in the Farmer-Lender Mediation Act
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Addressing some known problems in our current vehicle registration system. These changes are based on the recommendations of the vehicle registration task force and findings from the Legislative Auditor
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Allowing coroners or medical examiners to access the criminal justice data communications network
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Technical changes and forecast adjustments in Human Services
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Increasing investments in Second Harvest Heartland to support Minnesota’s food banks
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Providing the Department of Revenue with liquor posting discretion