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Minnesota Legislature Update

Posted by: euser
March 15, 2007
Topic: Minnesota No-Fault Law

Two new bills have been introduced in the Minnesota Legislature in the last month regarding the Minnesota No-Fault Act. The first bill, S.F. 1309 and H.F. 1359, was introduced on February 26, 2007 by Senators Mary A. Olson (DFL - Bemidji), Dan Sparks (DFL - Austin), Dan Skogen (DFL - Hewitt), and Warren Limmer (R - Maple Grove) and Representatives Joe Atkins (DFL - Inver Grove Heights) and Joe Mullery (DFL - Minneapolis).

This bill makes several changes to the No-Fault Act. First, the bill would amend Minn. Stat. 65B.44 in several respects. Subdivision 2 would state that “medical expense benefits shall reimburse all reasonable expenses for necessary medical, surgical, x-ray, optical, dental, chiropractic, and rehabilitative services, including prosthetic devices and items that provide relief from any injury.” Second, the bill would increase the weekly maximum allowed for disability and income loss benefits, and for unemployment benefits, from $250 to $500. Third, the maximum for funeral and burial benefits would be increased from $2,000 to $5,000. Finally, the weekly maximum for replacement services and loss would be increased from $200 to $600.

Furthermore, the bill would amend Minn. Stat. 65B.47, Subd. 7, providing that policies must be added together unless the policyholder specifically elects not to do so. Finally, under Minn. Stat. 65B.54, Subd. 1, benefits would be overdue 30 days after expenses incurred, rather than after the reparation obligor receives reasonable proof of the fact and the amount of loss is realized.

The second bill, S.F. 1732 and H.F. 1999, was introduced on March 12, 2007 by Senators Sparks, James P. Metzen (DFL - South St. Paul), and Dan Larson (DFL - Bloomington) and Representatives Linda Slocum (DFL - Richfield) and Paul Thissen (DFL - Minneapolis). This bill would amend Minn. Stat. 65B.44, Subd. 2 to provide that “medical expense benefits shall reimburse all reasonable expenses for necessary…(6) first responder emergency care provided by a medical response unit, as defined in section 144E.275, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), that is registered with the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board under section 144E.275.” The section would take effect August 1, 2007 and apply to coverage issued or renewed on or after that date.

Both bills were referred to its respective House and Senate committees.