Struggling with student loan debt? Sign up for a free live workshop on 5/21 and speak with experts

Content starts here

6 New Minnesota State Laws Impacting Older Adults

From cracking down on scams to new consumer protections in long-term care and housing, here are six new laws AARP Minnesota helped champion this legislative session.

AARP

Published May 20, 2026

AARP Minnesota

Every legislative session, AARP Minnesota works with lawmakers to advance policies that help Minnesotans age with security, dignity, and independence.

Backdropped by political division, community challenges, and very limit funding, expectations for the 2026 legislative were low for almost everyone. It was also the second year of the two-year budget cycle, making it a "policy only" year meaning there are generally no major budget bills up for consideration. Still, AARP worked in a bipartisan way to bring lawmakers together to find common ground on several key issues important to older Minnesotans.

Here are six new laws championed by AARP Minnesota from the 2026 legislative session that could impact you and many older Minnesotans:

1. Cryptocurrency Kiosk Scams Are Now Banned in Minnesota

Signed Into Law — May 5, 2026

Americans age 60-olus have reported losing more than $257 million to scammers who use cryptocurrency kiosks to steal that money. That’s why AARP, scam victims, and local law enforcement leaders across Minnesota came together with bipartisan lawmakers to prohibit cryptocurrency kiosks—scammers’ preferred new method of stealing money from older Minnesotans. The proposal received broad bipartisan support by the Legislature and was signed into law, making cryptocurrency kiosks prohibited in Minnesota starting August 1, 2026.

Cryptocurrency kiosks often look like ordinary bank ATMs, but instead of distributing cash, they take in cash to be converted to cryptocurrency. Unfortunately, most transactions through these kiosks involve scams and fraud with criminals using them to pressure people to depositing cash into the machine to resolve a fabricated problem, often posing as government agencies, a grandchild in trouble, or other type of scam. These transactions are nearly impossible to recover.

Learn more about AARP Minnesota’s successful campaign to stop these scams.

"Think you've been targeted by a scam? Contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 1-877-908-2277. Free support is available for scam victims and their families."

2. A Stronger Safety Net for Consumer Fraud Victims

Included in Commerce Omnibus Bill — Expected to Be Signed Into Law

Minnesota led the nation by creating a first-of-its-kind consumer fraud restitution fund in 2025. This session, lawmakers improved the fairness and sustainability of the account by doubling the annual limit on money allowed into the account — from $5 million to $10 million—and establishing a pro-rata distribution system.

Without this fund, victims are far too often left without a chance for financial recovery as their stolen funds are unable to be recovered. The changes passed this session mean more Minnesota scam and fraud victims will have a chance at financial recovery.

3. Increased Access to Medicare Supplemental (“Medigap”) Insurance

No Changes Made This Session — But New Law Takes Effect August 1, 2026

Medicare is among the most important issues for older Minnesotans. A state law taking effect later this year will give Minnesotans more choices when it comes to their Medicare plans. Starting August 1, 2026, Minnesotans between ages 65½ and 70 will have new guaranteed-issue rights – the right to purchase a plan regardless of pre-existing conditions – to certain Medicare supplemental insurance (“Medigap”) plans during certain annual open enrollment periods.

AARP pushed back against efforts to delay the implementation of these rights while also advocating for the removal of the age-limit of 70 on these rights, the removal of the penalties for enrollment after the initial six-month eligibility period, and the addition of more consumer protections for those with discontinued Medigap plans. Ultimately, lawmakers made no changes to the state law this session.

AARP Minnesota will continue to urge lawmakers to remove the age limit and lifetime financial penalties on these state-issued rights in future legislative sessions. Sign up to help remove age limits from this law.

4. Consumer Protections for Assisted Living & Nursing Facility Residents

Several New Provisions included in Human Service Omnibus Bill — Expected to be Signed into Law

Lawmakers improved safety and fairness for Minnesota residents living in assisted living and nursing facilities by adding common-sense safety, transparency, and resident rights reforms to state law, including:

Increased consumer awareness: New requirement to share important information with prospective residents, such as the state’s assisted living report card.
Clearer restraint policies: New rules around the use of all forms restraint, including chemical, mechanical, and physical, to both protect residents from unnecessary or inappropriate use of restraints and provide clarity for facility staff.
Protections against unnecessary guardianship: New safeguards help ensure residents are not inappropriately placed under a guardianship.
Stronger consumer protections during ownership changes: New limited accountability measures when a facility changes ownership. AARP will continue to champion additional consumer protections related to this issue in future legislative sessions.

5. New Consumer Protections for Minnesotans Living in HOAs

Signed Into Law — May 11, 2026

A new Minnesota state law will address many long-standing concerns among residents of homeowners associations, condominiums, and cooperatives, many of whom are older adults living on fixed incomes. The law ensures residents have basic consumer protections, including reasonable limits on late fees, fines, and attorney fees, and prevention of aggressive or unjust property seizures, and more. The law improves housing choice and affordability—core tenets of AARP’s housing policy.

6. More Minnesotans Could Have Access to a Retirement Savings Plan

Included in Pensions Omnibus — Expected to Be Signed Into Law

Around one in three working Minnesotans do not have a retirement savings option through their employer. That’s why AARP Minnesota championed the creation of the Secure Choice Retirement Program in 2023, a new option to ensure all working Minnesotans have an opportunity to conveniently save for retirement. The Legislature approved important technical improvements to the state law governing this program this session designed to keep the program’s rollout on track and reaching more workers across the state.

Get Help and Stay Connected

Whether you have questions about Medicare, want to report a scam, or stay informed about issues at the Capitol, free resources are available to help.

Scam support: Contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network™ Helpline at 1-877-908-2277 — free for everyone.
Medicare and Medigap questions: Connect with Minnesota Aging Pathways or visit aarp.org/medicare.
Retirement savings: Learn more about Minnesota’s Secure Choice Retirement Program at securechoice.mn.gov.

Want to take the next step?

Sign up as an AARP Minnesota e-activist to get updates on issues at the Capitol and opportunities to speak out.
Volunteer your time and talent — in person or from home — to help make a difference in your community.