This is a summary only. To receive full legislative updates on a biweekly basis, you must be a member of MNAAP. The emails provide additional details about legislative issues that are not posted on our website and are for members only.
- An effort to combat childhood obesity by investing in the transportation infrastructure around schools remains in play for funding in the bonding bill. The program, known as Safe Routes to School, provides grant-based funding for local school districts and groups to build and maintain sidewalks, bike paths, and trails near schools. Funds have been provided under the bonding proposals from both the House and Governor. The Senate is expected to announce its bonding proposal soon, and differences in the bills will be negotiated following passage by each body.
- Over 100 pediatricians from around the state gathered at the Capitol on March 26 for the annual “Pediatricians Day at the Capitol.” A day of fellowship, education, and advocacy, pediatricians and pediatricians-in-training learned about the key issues before legislators in 2014 from MNAAP physician leaders. The group was also joined by two key legislative leaders, Sen. Scott Dibble, the Senate author of the Safe Schools for All anti-bullying bill and Rep. Nick Zerwas, a key House leader on newborn screening. The group was later surprised by a special guest: MDH Commissioner and fellow pediatrician Ed Ehlinger, MD, joined the group, sharing comments on the importance of promoting public health as pediatricians with those in attendance.
- The MNAAP’s efforts to restore the state’s newborn screening program cleared its final committee hurdles in recent days. With help from MNAAP members and impacted parents’ powerful and moving testimony, the bills were passed out of the House Civil Law Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee and referred to the floor of each legislative body. The language of the bill was included in the House HHS Policy Omnibus, which also awaits action on the floor. The next steps for the bill will include votes by the entire House and Senate and – potentially – a conference committee to reconcile differences in the two proposals.
