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.
- The 2014 legislative session leaped into action on February 25, and legislators wasted no time in beginning their work for the year. Shorter than most second years of a biennium in calendar days if not workload, much of the session’s media attention will focus on the budget surplus, tax policy, and the bonding bill. That said, important MNAAP priorities such as newborn screening, bullying prevention, early education, tobacco and nicotine, and cancer risks for children will likely be discussed.
- Newborn screening, the key priority for the MNAAP, took its first step towards becoming law when SF 2047 and HF 2526 were introduced at the legislature. These bills, authored by Sen. John Marty (Roseville) and Rep. Kim Norton (Rochester) would restore the state’s newborn screening program to its former nation-leading status by removing the mandated destruction of test samples and results. Also included in the legislation are provisions that would allow for new test development.
- The 2014 Pediatrician’s Day at the Capitol is set for March 26, 2014! This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the legislative issues that affect Minnesota’s young patients. An afternoon of education, advocacy, and fun, it’s a terrific to lend a hand in the MNAAP’s advocacy work at the Capitol. Make plans to join us!
