Our 2026 Legislative Agenda!

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3) Drug-Free-Zones: SF3207/ HF2980(Oumou Verbeten / Gomez)

Minnesota’s current “drug-free zone” laws allow significant sentence enhancements in large areas of our communities, often for lower-level drug offenses that have no direct connection to parks, schools, or public housing resulting in limited public safety benefits. This bill clarifies and narrows Minnesota’s “drug-free zones” by restricting the zones and granting protections to Minnesotans from misuse of the current law by certain local law enforcement agencies.

UPDATE: This remains a legislative priority; however, based on stakeholder feedback and the current legislative landscape, we are planning a more robust push in the 2027 session. In the interim, we are continuing preparatory work to ensure readiness for the next legislative cycle.

To get involved in this campaign contact our Executive Member: Will Cooley at will@mnjrc.org & Jason Urbancyzk at jason@mnhomelesscoalition.org

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4) Clarifying Drug Offenses Involving Children or Vulnerable Adults: Bill Numbers and Sponsors TBD

The current interpretation of this statute has led to over-criminalization of individuals living in multi-unit housing. To eliminate unintended criminal convictions while preserving the statute’s protective intent, this proposal clarifies that for certain drug charges involving children or vulnerable adults, the child or vulnerable adult must be present in the same apartment unit or hotel room — not possibly elsewhere in the same building or nearby area

UPDATE: We are actively working to secure chief sponsors

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5) Enhancing Good Samaritan Protections for Overdose Responses: SF3731 / HF3613 (Mohamed / Hollis)

Although Minnesota has Good Samaritan protections in place, people continue to report confusion and concern about their rights when they experience an overdose or assist someone during an overdose. This bill expands protections for people who render aid during an overdose by extending current protections from charges and prosecution to also prevent arrest for certain offenses. The bill also adds civil protections to prevent discrimination in housing, education and parental rights.

UPDATE: We continue to engage in productive conversations with legislators, have prepared bill jackets, and are actively working to secure chief sponsors.

To get involved in this campaign contact our Executive Member: Carl White at carl.white@redlakenation.org

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6) Increasing Methadone Access:

This proposal seeks to expand access to methadone, particularly in areas where distance and geography pose barriers to treatment. Impact MN will collaborate with state agency partners to identify specific proposals that build on upcoming Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) rate increases, which will inform the legislative strategy.

Update: Impact MN is collaborating with state agency partners to identify specific proposals that build on forthcoming Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) provider payment rate increases. Implementation of the rate increases will inform a legislative strategy in 2027.

To get involved in this campaign, contact our Executive Member: Sue Purchase at spurchase@harmreductionsisters.org

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7) Sustaining Opioid Settlement-Funded Programs:

Opioid settlement funds (OSF) are an important source of flexible funding for Minnesota’s response to the overdose crisis. However, the state currently lacks a plan to sustain programs supported by OSF and the funds face limited protection against being used to replace existing funding sources. In addition to OSF, Minnesota imposes a licensing fee on drug manufacturers. This funding stream does not sunset and is set aside to fund Opioid Settlement programs, offering a potential path to sustain current programs after OSF decline.

Impact MN seeks to coordinate with partners to 1) develop a long-term plan to sustain OSF-supported programs using other funding streams before OSF funds sunset, and 2) protect OSF funds from being used to supplant other funding sources as the state prepares the next two-year budget cycle in 2027 and responds to federal budget cuts.

Update: Impact MN is coordinating with state agency partners to 1) develop a long-term plan to sustain OSF-supported programs using other funding streams before OSF funds sunset, and 2) protect OSF funds from being used to supplant other funding sources as the state prepares the next two-year budget cycle in 2027 and responds to federal budget cuts.

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Impact MN 2026 Endorsement Agenda

Housing Initiatives
SF 2097 / HF 2021 (Oumou Verbeten / Howard) – Prohibits housing discrimination based on public assistance to pay rent. The purpose of public assistance is to provide access to basic goods, like housing and food, that can prevent overdose and help people achieve and maintain recovery. Evidence shows that residential eviction is associated with increased overdose. Led by Source of Income Discrimination Coalition, Clare Housing and the HIV Public Policy Coalition. 

HIV Public Policy Priorities
Decriminalize HIV – Ends laws that impose increased criminal penalties for individuals living with HIV for conduct that is either legal or less severely punished for people not diagnosed with HIV. Led by Clare Housing, Center for HIV Law and Policy, and the HIV Public Policy Coalition.