HF 3127

1st Engrossment - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/09/2020 05:20pm

A bill for an act
relating to child welfare; creating a Parent Representation in Child Protection
Proceedings Task Force.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin PARENT REPRESENTATION IN CHILD PROTECTION
PROCEEDINGS TASK FORCE.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Creation and duties. new text end

new text begin The Parent Representation in Child Protection
Proceedings Task Force is created to make recommendations for expanding the right to
court-appointed counsel to all eligible parents, guardians, and custodians in all child
protection proceedings where a child is at risk of imminent removal from the child's home
or has been removed from the child's home. The task force shall make recommendations
about the following issues:
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new text begin (1) program administration;
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new text begin (2) recruitment and retention of qualified and culturally competent attorneys to provide
parent representation;
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new text begin (3) the estimated costs for implementing and maintaining the new parent representation
requirements; and
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new text begin (4) the division of funding between the state and counties.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The task force shall consist of 17 members, as follows:
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new text begin (1) one member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house;
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new text begin (2) one member of the senate appointed by the president of the senate;
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new text begin (3) two members representing the Minnesota judicial branch;
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new text begin (4) the commissioner of human services or a designee;
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new text begin (5) two members who are practicing parent attorneys in Minnesota;
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new text begin (6) two members representing county court administration, one from within the
seven-county metropolitan area and one from outside the seven-county metropolitan area;
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new text begin (7) one member representing the Minnesota County Attorneys Association;
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new text begin (8) one member representing the Minnesota Association of County Social Service
Administrators;
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new text begin (9) one member active in the state guardian ad litem program;
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new text begin (10) two public members;
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new text begin (11) two members representing Indian tribes; and
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new text begin (12) one member representing a private or nonprofit organization.
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new text begin (b) The governor shall appoint members no later than July 15, 2020, and members shall
not receive compensation or reimbursement for expenses.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Officers; meetings; staff. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of human services shall
convene the first meeting of the task force no later than August 15, 2020, and shall provide
staff assistance to support the work of the task force.
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new text begin (b) The task force must elect co-chairs from among its members.
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new text begin (c) The task force is subject to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law under Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 13D.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report required. new text end

new text begin By December 15, 2020, the task force shall submit a report
on its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislative changes, to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over
human services and judiciary policy and finance.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin The task force expires upon submission of the report required
under subdivision 4.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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