SF 1724

1st Unofficial Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

1.1A bill for an act

1.2relating to human services; making changes to licensing provisions; modifying
1.3data practices, program administration, disaster plans, education programs,
1.4conditional license provisions, suspensions, sanctions, and contested case
1.5hearings, child care center training, family child care training requirements,
1.6vulnerable adults, maltreatment of minors, background studies, disqualifications,
1.7reconsiderations, disqualification set-asides, fair hearings, appeals, changing
1.8definitions of neglect and physical abuse;amending Minnesota Statutes
1.92006, sections 13.46, subdivisions 2, 4; 148B.555; 245A.03, subdivision 2;
1.10245A.04, subdivision 11, by adding subdivisions; 245A.06, subdivision 4;
1.11245A.07, subdivisions 2a, 3, by adding a subdivision; 245A.08, subdivision
1.122a; 245A.10, subdivision 2; 245A.11, by adding a subdivision; 245A.14,
1.13subdivision 8; 245A.144; 245A.1445; 245A.145, subdivision 1; 245A.18,
1.14subdivision 2; 245A.65, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 245C.02, by
1.15adding a subdivision; 245C.05, subdivision 3; 245C.07; 245C.08; 245C.09,
1.16subdivision 1; 245C.11, by adding a subdivision; 245C.13, subdivision 2;
1.17245C.14, subdivision 1; 245C.15, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4; 245C.16, subdivision 1;
1.18245C.17, subdivisions 2, 3; 245C.21, subdivisions 2, 3; 245C.22, subdivisions
1.194, 5; 245C.24, subdivisions 2, 3; 245C.27, subdivision 1; 245C.28, subdivision
1.201; 245C.301; 256B.0919, by adding a subdivision; 256B.092, by adding a
1.21subdivision; 270B.14, subdivision 1; 626.556, subdivisions 2, 10e, 10i; 626.557,
1.22subdivisions 9c, 9d; 626.5572, subdivision 17; proposing coding for new law in
1.23Minnesota Statutes, chapter 245A; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections
1.24245A.023; 245A.11, subdivision 7; 245A.14, subdivisions 7, 9, 9a, 12, 13;
1.25245C.06; Minnesota Rules, parts 9502.0385; 9503.0035.
1.26BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.27    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 13.46, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
1.28    Subd. 2. General. (a) Unless the data is summary data or a statute specifically
1.29provides a different classification, data on individuals collected, maintained, used, or
1.30disseminated by the welfare system is private data on individuals, and shall not be
1.31disclosed except:
1.32    (1) according to section 13.05;
2.1    (2) according to court order;
2.2    (3) according to a statute specifically authorizing access to the private data;
2.3    (4) to an agent of the welfare system, including a law enforcement person, attorney,
2.4or investigator acting for it in the investigation or prosecution of a criminal or civil
2.5proceeding relating to the administration of a program;
2.6    (5) to personnel of the welfare system who require the data to verify an individual's
2.7identity; determine eligibility, amount of assistance, and the need to provide services to
2.8an individual or family across programs; evaluate the effectiveness of programs; assess
2.9parental contribution amounts; and investigate suspected fraud;
2.10    (6) to administer federal funds or programs;
2.11    (7) between personnel of the welfare system working in the same program;
2.12    (8) to the Department of Revenue to assess parental contribution amounts for
2.13purposes of section 252.27, subdivision 2a, administer and evaluate tax refund or tax credit
2.14programs and to identify individuals who may benefit from these programs. The following
2.15information may be disclosed under this paragraph: an individual's and their dependent's
2.16names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, income, addresses, and other data as
2.17required, upon request by the Department of Revenue. Disclosures by the commissioner
2.18of revenue to the commissioner of human services for the purposes described in this clause
2.19are governed by section 270B.14, subdivision 1. Tax refund or tax credit programs include,
2.20but are not limited to, the dependent care credit under section 290.067, the Minnesota
2.21working family credit under section 290.0671, the property tax refund and rental credit
2.22under section 290A.04, and the Minnesota education credit under section 290.0674;
2.23    (9) between the Department of Human Services, the Department of Education,
2.24and the Department of Employment and Economic Development for the purpose of
2.25monitoring, and when applicable, the Department of Education, for the following purposes:
2.26    (i) to monitor the eligibility of the data subject for unemployment benefits, for any
2.27employment or training program administered, supervised, or certified by that agency,
2.28for the purpose of administering;
2.29    (ii) to administer any rehabilitation program or child care assistance program,
2.30whether alone or in conjunction with the welfare system, or;
2.31    (iii) to monitor and evaluate the Minnesota family investment program by
2.32exchanging data on recipients and former recipients of food support, cash assistance under
2.33chapter 256, 256D, 256J, or 256K, child care assistance under chapter 119B, or medical
2.34programs under chapter 256B, 256D, or 256L; and
2.35    (iv) to analyze public assistance employment services and program utilization,
2.36cost, effectiveness, and outcomes as implemented under the authority established in Title
3.1II, Sections 201-204 of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of
3.21999. Health records governed by section 144.335 and "protected health information" as
3.3defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, section 160.103, and governed by Code
3.4of Federal Regulations, title 45, parts 160-164, including health care claims utilization
3.5information, must not be exchanged under this clause;
3.6    (10) to appropriate parties in connection with an emergency if knowledge of
3.7the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the individual or other
3.8individuals or persons;
3.9    (11) data maintained by residential programs as defined in section 245A.02 may
3.10be disclosed to the protection and advocacy system established in this state according
3.11to Part C of Public Law 98-527 to protect the legal and human rights of persons with
3.12developmental disabilities or other related conditions who live in residential facilities for
3.13these persons if the protection and advocacy system receives a complaint by or on behalf
3.14of that person and the person does not have a legal guardian or the state or a designee of
3.15the state is the legal guardian of the person;
3.16    (12) to the county medical examiner or the county coroner for identifying or locating
3.17relatives or friends of a deceased person;
3.18    (13) data on a child support obligor who makes payments to the public agency
3.19may be disclosed to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education to the extent necessary to
3.20determine eligibility under section 136A.121, subdivision 2, clause (5);
3.21    (14) participant Social Security numbers and names collected by the telephone
3.22assistance program may be disclosed to the Department of Revenue to conduct an
3.23electronic data match with the property tax refund database to determine eligibility under
3.24section 237.70, subdivision 4a;
3.25    (15) the current address of a Minnesota family investment program participant
3.26may be disclosed to law enforcement officers who provide the name of the participant
3.27and notify the agency that:
3.28    (i) the participant:
3.29    (A) is a fugitive felon fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody or confinement after
3.30conviction, for a crime or attempt to commit a crime that is a felony under the laws of the
3.31jurisdiction from which the individual is fleeing; or
3.32    (B) is violating a condition of probation or parole imposed under state or federal law;
3.33    (ii) the location or apprehension of the felon is within the law enforcement officer's
3.34official duties; and
3.35    (iii) the request is made in writing and in the proper exercise of those duties;
4.1    (16) the current address of a recipient of general assistance or general assistance
4.2medical care may be disclosed to probation officers and corrections agents who are
4.3supervising the recipient and to law enforcement officers who are investigating the
4.4recipient in connection with a felony level offense;
4.5    (17) information obtained from food support applicant or recipient households may
4.6be disclosed to local, state, or federal law enforcement officials, upon their written request,
4.7for the purpose of investigating an alleged violation of the Food Stamp Act, according
4.8to Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 272.1(c);
4.9    (18) the address, Social Security number, and, if available, photograph of any
4.10member of a household receiving food support shall be made available, on request, to a
4.11local, state, or federal law enforcement officer if the officer furnishes the agency with the
4.12name of the member and notifies the agency that:
4.13    (i) the member:
4.14    (A) is fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody or confinement after conviction, for a
4.15crime or attempt to commit a crime that is a felony in the jurisdiction the member is fleeing;
4.16    (B) is violating a condition of probation or parole imposed under state or federal
4.17law; or
4.18    (C) has information that is necessary for the officer to conduct an official duty related
4.19to conduct described in subitem (A) or (B);
4.20    (ii) locating or apprehending the member is within the officer's official duties; and
4.21    (iii) the request is made in writing and in the proper exercise of the officer's official
4.22duty;
4.23    (19) the current address of a recipient of Minnesota family investment program,
4.24general assistance, general assistance medical care, or food support may be disclosed to
4.25law enforcement officers who, in writing, provide the name of the recipient and notify the
4.26agency that the recipient is a person required to register under section 243.166, but is not
4.27residing at the address at which the recipient is registered under section 243.166;
4.28    (20) certain information regarding child support obligors who are in arrears may be
4.29made public according to section 518A.74;
4.30    (21) data on child support payments made by a child support obligor and data on
4.31the distribution of those payments excluding identifying information on obligees may be
4.32disclosed to all obligees to whom the obligor owes support, and data on the enforcement
4.33actions undertaken by the public authority, the status of those actions, and data on the
4.34income of the obligor or obligee may be disclosed to the other party;
4.35    (22) data in the work reporting system may be disclosed under section 256.998,
4.36subdivision 7 ;
5.1    (23) to the Department of Education for the purpose of matching Department of
5.2Education student data with public assistance data to determine students eligible for free
5.3and reduced price meals, meal supplements, and free milk according to United States
5.4Code, title 42, sections 1758, 1761, 1766, 1766a, 1772, and 1773; to allocate federal and
5.5state funds that are distributed based on income of the student's family; and to verify
5.6receipt of energy assistance for the telephone assistance plan;
5.7    (24) the current address and telephone number of program recipients and emergency
5.8contacts may be released to the commissioner of health or a local board of health as
5.9defined in section 145A.02, subdivision 2, when the commissioner or local board of health
5.10has reason to believe that a program recipient is a disease case, carrier, suspect case, or at
5.11risk of illness, and the data are necessary to locate the person;
5.12    (25) to other state agencies, statewide systems, and political subdivisions of this
5.13state, including the attorney general, and agencies of other states, interstate information
5.14networks, federal agencies, and other entities as required by federal regulation or law for
5.15the administration of the child support enforcement program;
5.16    (26) to personnel of public assistance programs as defined in section 256.741, for
5.17access to the child support system database for the purpose of administration, including
5.18monitoring and evaluation of those public assistance programs;
5.19    (27) to monitor and evaluate the Minnesota family investment program by
5.20exchanging data between the Departments of Human Services and Education, on
5.21recipients and former recipients of food support, cash assistance under chapter 256, 256D,
5.22256J, or 256K, child care assistance under chapter 119B, or medical programs under
5.23chapter 256B, 256D, or 256L;
5.24    (28) to evaluate child support program performance and to identify and prevent
5.25fraud in the child support program by exchanging data between the Department of Human
5.26Services, Department of Revenue under section 270B.14, subdivision 1, paragraphs (a)
5.27and (b), without regard to the limitation of use in paragraph (c), Department of Health,
5.28Department of Employment and Economic Development, and other state agencies as is
5.29reasonably necessary to perform these functions; or
5.30    (29) counties operating child care assistance programs under chapter 119B may
5.31disseminate data on program participants, applicants, and providers to the commissioner
5.32of education.
5.33    (b) Information on persons who have been treated for drug or alcohol abuse may
5.34only be disclosed according to the requirements of Code of Federal Regulations, title
5.3542, sections 2.1 to 2.67.
6.1    (c) Data provided to law enforcement agencies under paragraph (a), clause (15),
6.2(16), (17), or (18), or paragraph (b), are investigative data and are confidential or protected
6.3nonpublic while the investigation is active. The data are private after the investigation
6.4becomes inactive under section 13.82, subdivision 5, paragraph (a) or (b).
6.5    (d) Mental health data shall be treated as provided in subdivisions 7, 8, and 9, but is
6.6not subject to the access provisions of subdivision 10, paragraph (b).
6.7    For the purposes of this subdivision, a request will be deemed to be made in writing
6.8if made through a computer interface system.

6.9    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 13.46, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
6.10    Subd. 4. Licensing data. (a) As used in this subdivision:
6.11    (1) "licensing data" means all data collected, maintained, used, or disseminated by
6.12the welfare system pertaining to persons licensed or registered or who apply for licensure
6.13or registration or who formerly were licensed or registered under the authority of the
6.14commissioner of human services;
6.15    (2) "client" means a person who is receiving services from a licensee or from an
6.16applicant for licensure; and
6.17    (3) "personal and personal financial data" means Social Security numbers, identity
6.18of and letters of reference, insurance information, reports from the Bureau of Criminal
6.19Apprehension, health examination reports, and social/home studies.
6.20    (b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (c), the following data on current applicants,
6.21license holders, and former licensees are public: name, address, telephone number of
6.22licensees, date of receipt of a completed application, dates of licensure, licensed capacity,
6.23type of client preferred, variances granted, record of training and education in child care
6.24and child development, type of dwelling, name and relationship of other family members,
6.25previous license history, class of license, the existence and status of complaints, and the
6.26number of serious injuries to or deaths of individuals in the licensed program as reported
6.27to the commissioner of human services, the local social services agency, or any other
6.28county welfare agency. For purposes of this clause, a serious injury is one that is treated
6.29by a physician. When a correction order or fine has been issued, a license is suspended,
6.30immediately suspended, revoked, denied, or made conditional, or a complaint is resolved,
6.31the following data on current and former licensees and applicants are public: the substance
6.32and investigative findings of the licensing or maltreatment complaint, licensing violation,
6.33or substantiated maltreatment; the record of informal resolution of a licensing violation;
6.34orders of hearing; findings of fact; conclusions of law; specifications of the final correction
7.1order, fine, suspension, immediate suspension, revocation, denial, or conditional license
7.2contained in the record of licensing action; and the status of any appeal of these actions.
7.3    (2) Notwithstanding sections 626.556, subdivision 11, and 626.557, subdivision 12b,
7.4when any person subject to disqualification under section 245C.14 in connection with a
7.5license to provide family day care for children, child care center services, foster care
7.6for children in the provider's home, or foster care or day care services for adults in the
7.7provider's home is a substantiated perpetrator of maltreatment, and the substantiated
7.8maltreatment is a reason for a licensing action, the identity of the substantiated perpetrator
7.9of maltreatment is public data. For purposes of this clause, a person is a substantiated
7.10perpetrator if the maltreatment determination has been upheld under section 256.045;
7.11626.556, subdivision 10i ; 626.557, subdivision 9d; or chapter 14, or if an individual or
7.12facility has not timely exercised appeal rights under these sections.
7.13    (3) For applicants who withdraw their application prior to licensure or denial of a
7.14license, the following data are public: the name of the applicant, the city and county in
7.15which the applicant was seeking licensure, the dates of the commissioner's receipt of the
7.16initial application and completed application, the type of license sought, and the date
7.17of withdrawal of the application.
7.18    (4) For applicants who are denied a license, the following data are public: the name
7.19and address of the applicant, the city and county in which the applicant was seeking
7.20licensure, the dates of the commissioner's receipt of the initial application and completed
7.21application, the type of license sought, the date of denial of the application, the nature of
7.22the basis for the denial, the record of informal resolution of a denial, orders of hearings,
7.23findings of fact, conclusions of law, specifications of the final order of denial, and the
7.24status of any appeal of the denial.
7.25    (5) The following data on persons subject to disqualification under section 245C.14
7.26in connection with a license to provide family day care for children, child care center
7.27services, foster care for children in the provider's home, or foster care or day care services
7.28for adults in the provider's home, are public: the nature of any disqualification set
7.29aside under section 245C.22, subdivisions 2 and 4, and the reasons for setting aside the
7.30disqualification; the nature of any disqualification for which a variance was granted under
7.31sections 245A.04, subdivision 9; and 245C.30, and the reasons for granting any variance
7.32under section 245A.04, subdivision 9; and, if applicable, the disclosure that any person
7.33subject to a background study under section 245C.03, subdivision 1, has successfully
7.34passed a background study.
7.35    (6) When maltreatment is substantiated under section 626.556 or 626.557 and the
7.36victim and the substantiated perpetrator are affiliated with a program licensed under
8.1chapter 245A, the commissioner of human services, local social services agency, or
8.2county welfare agency may inform the license holder where the maltreatment occurred of
8.3the identity of the substantiated perpetrator and the victim.
8.4    (7) Notwithstanding clause (1), for child foster care, only the name of the license
8.5holder and the status of the license are public if the county attorney has requested that data
8.6otherwise classified as public data under clause (1) be considered private data based on the
8.7best interests of a child in placement in a licensed program.
8.8    (c) The following are private data on individuals under section 13.02, subdivision
8.912 , or nonpublic data under section 13.02, subdivision 9: personal and personal financial
8.10data on family day care program and family foster care program applicants and licensees
8.11and their family members who provide services under the license.
8.12    (d) The following are private data on individuals: the identity of persons who have
8.13made reports concerning licensees or applicants that appear in inactive investigative data,
8.14and the records of clients or employees of the licensee or applicant for licensure whose
8.15records are received by the licensing agency for purposes of review or in anticipation of
8.16a contested matter. The names of reporters under sections 626.556 and 626.557 may be
8.17disclosed only as provided in section 626.556, subdivision 11, or 626.557, subdivision 12b.
8.18    (e) Data classified as private, confidential, nonpublic, or protected nonpublic under
8.19this subdivision become public data if submitted to a court or administrative law judge as
8.20part of a disciplinary proceeding in which there is a public hearing concerning a license
8.21which has been suspended, immediately suspended, revoked, or denied.
8.22    (f) Data generated in the course of licensing investigations that relate to an alleged
8.23violation of law are investigative data under subdivision 3.
8.24    (g) Data that are not public data collected, maintained, used, or disseminated under
8.25this subdivision that relate to or are derived from a report as defined in section 626.556,
8.26subdivision 2 , or 626.5572, subdivision 18, are subject to the destruction provisions of
8.27sections 626.556, subdivision 11c, and 626.557, subdivision 12b.
8.28    (h) Upon request, not public data collected, maintained, used, or disseminated under
8.29this subdivision that relate to or are derived from a report of substantiated maltreatment as
8.30defined in section 626.556 or 626.557 may be exchanged with the Department of Health
8.31for purposes of completing background studies pursuant to section 144.057 and with
8.32the Department of Corrections for purposes of completing background studies pursuant
8.33to section 241.021.
8.34    (i) Data on individuals collected according to licensing activities under chapters
8.35245A and 245C, and data on individuals collected by the commissioner of human services
8.36according to maltreatment investigations under sections 626.556 and 626.557, may be
9.1shared with the Department of Human Rights, the Department of Health, the Department
9.2of Corrections, the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, and
9.3the individual's professional regulatory board when there is reason to believe that laws or
9.4standards under the jurisdiction of those agencies may have been violated.
9.5    (j) In addition to the notice of determinations required under section 626.556,
9.6subdivision 10f , if the commissioner or the local social services agency has determined
9.7that an individual is a substantiated perpetrator of maltreatment of a child based on sexual
9.8abuse, as defined in section 626.556, subdivision 2, and the commissioner or local social
9.9services agency knows that the individual is a person responsible for a child's care in
9.10another facility, the commissioner or local social services agency shall notify the head
9.11of that facility of this determination. The notification must include an explanation of the
9.12individual's available appeal rights and the status of any appeal. If a notice is given under
9.13this paragraph, the government entity making the notification shall provide a copy of the
9.14notice to the individual who is the subject of the notice.
9.15    (k) All not public data collected, maintained, used, or disseminated under this
9.16subdivision and subdivision 3 may be exchanged between the Department of Human
9.17Services, Licensing Division, and the Department of Corrections for purposes of
9.18regulating services for which the Department of Human Services and the Department
9.19of Corrections have regulatory authority.

9.20    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 148B.555, is amended to read:
9.21148B.555 EXPERIENCED COUNSELOR TRANSITION.
9.22    (a) An applicant for licensure who, prior to December 31, 2003, completed a master's
9.23or doctoral degree program in counseling or a related field, as determined by the board, and
9.24whose degree was from a counseling program recognized by the Council for Accreditation
9.25of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP) or from an institution of
9.26higher education that is accredited by a regional accrediting organization recognized
9.27by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), need not comply with the
9.28requirements of section 148B.53, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (3), or (b), so long as
9.29the applicant can document five years of full-time postdegree work experience within the
9.30practice of professional counseling as defined under section 148B.50, subdivisions 4 and 5.
9.31    (b) This section expires July 1, 2007 2008.
9.32EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

9.33    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245A.03, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
10.1    Subd. 2. Exclusion from licensure. (a) This chapter does not apply to:
10.2    (1) residential or nonresidential programs that are provided to a person by an
10.3individual who is related unless the residential program is a child foster care placement
10.4made by a local social services agency or a licensed child-placing agency, except as
10.5provided in subdivision 2a;
10.6    (2) nonresidential programs that are provided by an unrelated individual to persons
10.7from a single related family;
10.8    (3) residential or nonresidential programs that are provided to adults who do
10.9not abuse chemicals or who do not have a chemical dependency, a mental illness, a
10.10developmental disability, a functional impairment, or a physical disability;
10.11    (4) sheltered workshops or work activity programs that are certified by the
10.12commissioner of economic security;
10.13    (5) programs operated by a public school for children 33 months or older;
10.14    (6) nonresidential programs primarily for children that provide care or supervision
10.15for periods of less than three hours a day while the child's parent or legal guardian is in
10.16the same building as the nonresidential program or present within another building that is
10.17directly contiguous to the building in which the nonresidential program is located;
10.18    (7) nursing homes or hospitals licensed by the commissioner of health except as
10.19specified under section 245A.02;
10.20    (8) board and lodge facilities licensed by the commissioner of health that provide
10.21services for five or more persons whose primary diagnosis is mental illness that do not
10.22provide intensive residential treatment;
10.23    (9) homes providing programs for persons placed there by a county or a licensed
10.24agency for legal adoption, unless the adoption is not completed within two years;
10.25    (10) programs licensed by the commissioner of corrections;
10.26    (11) recreation programs for children or adults that are operated or approved by a
10.27park and recreation board whose primary purpose is to provide social and recreational
10.28activities;
10.29    (12) programs operated by a school as defined in section 120A.22, subdivision 4,
10.30whose primary purpose is to provide child care to school-age children;
10.31    (13) Head Start nonresidential programs which operate for less than 45 days in
10.32each calendar year;
10.33    (14) noncertified boarding care homes unless they provide services for five or more
10.34persons whose primary diagnosis is mental illness or a developmental disability;
11.1    (15) programs for children such as scouting, boys clubs, girls clubs, and sports and
11.2art programs, and nonresidential programs for children provided for a cumulative total of
11.3less than 30 days in any 12-month period;
11.4    (16) residential programs for persons with mental illness, that are located in hospitals;
11.5    (17) the religious instruction of school-age children; Sabbath or Sunday schools; or
11.6the congregate care of children by a church, congregation, or religious society during the
11.7period used by the church, congregation, or religious society for its regular worship;
11.8    (18) camps licensed by the commissioner of health under Minnesota Rules, chapter
11.94630;
11.10    (19) mental health outpatient services for adults with mental illness or children
11.11with emotional disturbance;
11.12    (20) residential programs serving school-age children whose sole purpose is cultural
11.13or educational exchange, until the commissioner adopts appropriate rules;
11.14    (21) unrelated individuals who provide out-of-home respite care services to persons
11.15with developmental disabilities from a single related family for no more than 90 days in a
11.1612-month period and the respite care services are for the temporary relief of the person's
11.17family or legal representative;
11.18    (22) respite care services provided as a home and community-based service to a
11.19person with a developmental disability, in the person's primary residence;
11.20    (23) community support services programs as defined in section 245.462, subdivision
11.216 , and family community support services as defined in section 245.4871, subdivision 17;
11.22    (24) the placement of a child by a birth parent or legal guardian in a preadoptive
11.23home for purposes of adoption as authorized by section 259.47;
11.24    (25) settings registered under chapter 144D which provide home care services
11.25licensed by the commissioner of health to fewer than seven adults; or
11.26    (26) consumer-directed community support service funded under the Medicaid
11.27waiver for persons with developmental disabilities when the individual who provided
11.28the service is:
11.29    (i) the same individual who is the direct payee of these specific waiver funds or paid
11.30by a fiscal agent, fiscal intermediary, or employer of record; and
11.31    (ii) not otherwise under the control of a residential or nonresidential program that is
11.32required to be licensed under this chapter when providing the service.
11.33    (b) For purposes of paragraph (a), clause (6), a building is directly contiguous to a
11.34building in which a nonresidential program is located if it shares a common wall with the
11.35building in which the nonresidential program is located or is attached to that building by
11.36skyway, tunnel, atrium, or common roof.
12.1    (c) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require licensure for any services
12.2provided and funded according to an approved federal waiver plan where licensure is
12.3specifically identified as not being a condition for the services and funding.

12.4    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245A.04, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
12.5    Subd. 11. Education program; additional requirement. (a) The education
12.6program offered in a residential or nonresidential program, except for child care, foster
12.7care, or services for adults, must be approved by the commissioner of education before the
12.8commissioner of human services may grant a license to the program.
12.9    (b) A residential program licensed by the commissioner of human services under
12.10Minnesota Rules, parts 9545.0905 to 9545.1125 or 9545.1400 to 9545.1480 2960.0010 to
12.112960.0710, may serve persons through the age of 19 when:
12.12    (1) the admission or continued stay is necessary for a person to complete a secondary
12.13school program or its equivalent, or it is necessary to facilitate a transition period after
12.14completing the secondary school program or its equivalent for up to four months in order
12.15for the resident to obtain other living arrangements;
12.16    (2) the facility develops policies, procedures, and plans required under section
12.17245A.65 ;
12.18    (3) the facility documents an assessment of the 18- or 19-year-old person's risk
12.19of victimizing children residing in the facility, and develops necessary risk reduction
12.20measures, including sleeping arrangements, to minimize any risk of harm to children; and
12.21    (4) notwithstanding the license holder's target population age range, whenever
12.22persons age 18 or 19 years old are receiving residential services, the age difference among
12.23residents may not exceed five years.
12.24    (c) Nothing in this paragraph precludes the license holder from seeking other
12.25variances under subdivision 9.

12.26    Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245A.04, is amended by adding a subdivision
12.27to read:
12.28    Subd. 14. Policies and procedures for program administration required and
12.29enforceable. (a) The license holder shall develop program policies and procedures
12.30necessary to maintain compliance with licensing requirements under Minnesota Statutes
12.31and Minnesota Rules.
12.32    (b) The license holder shall:
12.33    (1) provide training to program staff related to their duties in implementing the
12.34program's policies and procedures developed under paragraph (a);
13.1    (2) document the provision of this training; and
13.2    (3) monitor implementation of policies and procedures by program staff.
13.3    (c) The license holder shall keep program policies and procedures readily accessible
13.4to staff and index the policies and procedures with a table of contents or another method
13.5approved by the commissioner.

13.6    Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245A.04, is amended by adding a subdivision
13.7to read:
13.8    Subd. 15. Pandemic planning. Upon request, the license holder must cooperate
13.9with state and local government disaster planning agencies working to prepare for or react
13.10to emergencies presented by a pandemic outbreak.

13.11    Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245A.06, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
13.12    Subd. 4. Notice of conditional license; reconsideration of conditional license. If
13.13a license is made conditional, the license holder must be notified of the order by certified
13.14mail or personal service. If mailed, the notice must be mailed to the address shown on
13.15the application or the last known address of the license holder. The notice must state the
13.16reasons the conditional license was ordered and must inform the license holder of the right
13.17to request reconsideration of the conditional license by the commissioner. The license
13.18holder may request reconsideration of the order of conditional license by notifying the
13.19commissioner by certified mail or personal service. The request must be made in writing.
13.20If sent by certified mail, the request must be postmarked and sent to the commissioner
13.21within ten calendar days after the license holder received the order. If a request is made by
13.22personal service, it must be received by the commissioner within ten calendar days after
13.23the license holder received the order. The license holder may submit with the request for
13.24reconsideration written argument or evidence in support of the request for reconsideration.
13.25A timely request for reconsideration shall stay imposition of the terms of the conditional
13.26license until the commissioner issues a decision on the request for reconsideration. If
13.27the commissioner issues a dual order of conditional license under this section and an
13.28order to pay a fine under section 245A.07, subdivision 3, the license holder has a right
13.29to a contested case hearing under chapter 14 and Minnesota Rules, parts 1400.8505
13.30to 1400.8612. The scope of the contested case hearing shall include the fine and the
13.31conditional license. In this case, a reconsideration of the conditional license will not be
13.32conducted under this section. If the license holder does not appeal the fine, the license
13.33holder does not have a right to a contested case hearing and a reconsideration of the
13.34conditional license must be conducted under this subdivision.
14.1    The commissioner's disposition of a request for reconsideration is final and not
14.2subject to appeal under chapter 14.

14.3    Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245A.07, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
14.4    Subd. 2a. Immediate suspension expedited hearing. (a) Within five working days
14.5of receipt of the license holder's timely appeal, the commissioner shall request assignment
14.6of an administrative law judge. The request must include a proposed date, time, and place
14.7of a hearing. A hearing must be conducted by an administrative law judge within 30
14.8calendar days of the request for assignment, unless an extension is requested by either
14.9party and granted by the administrative law judge for good cause. The commissioner shall
14.10issue a notice of hearing by certified mail or personal service at least ten working days
14.11before the hearing. The scope of the hearing shall be limited solely to the issue of whether
14.12the temporary immediate suspension should remain in effect pending the commissioner's
14.13final order under section 245A.08, regarding a licensing sanction issued under subdivision
14.143 following the immediate suspension. The burden of proof in expedited hearings under
14.15this subdivision shall be limited to the commissioner's demonstration that reasonable
14.16cause exists to believe that the license holder's actions or failure to comply with applicable
14.17law or rule poses, or if the actions of other individuals or conditions in the program poses
14.18an imminent risk of harm to the health, safety, or rights of persons served by the program.
14.19    (b) The administrative law judge shall issue findings of fact, conclusions, and a
14.20recommendation within ten working days from the date of hearing. The parties shall have
14.21ten calendar days to submit exceptions to the administrative law judge's report. The
14.22record shall close at the end of the ten-day period for submission of exceptions. The
14.23commissioner's final order shall be issued within ten working days from the close of the
14.24record. Within 90 calendar days after a final order affirming an immediate suspension, the
14.25commissioner shall make a determination regarding whether a final licensing sanction
14.26shall be issued under subdivision 3. The license holder shall continue to be prohibited
14.27from operation of the program during this 90-day period.
14.28    (c) When the final order under paragraph (b) affirms an immediate suspension, and a
14.29final licensing sanction is issued under subdivision 3 and the license holder appeals that
14.30sanction, the license holder continues to be prohibited from operation of the program
14.31pending a final commissioner's order under section 245A.08, subdivision 5, regarding the
14.32final licensing sanction.

14.33    Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245A.07, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
15.1    Subd. 3. License suspension, revocation, or fine. (a) The commissioner may
15.2suspend or revoke a license, or impose a fine if a license holder fails to comply fully with
15.3applicable laws or rules, if a license holder or, a controlling individual, an individual
15.4living in the household where the licensed services are provided or is otherwise subject
15.5to a background study has a disqualification which has not been set aside under section
15.6245C.22 , or if a license holder knowingly withholds relevant information from or gives
15.7false or misleading information to the commissioner in connection with an application for
15.8a license, in connection with the background study status of an individual, or during an
15.9investigation, or regarding compliance with applicable laws or rules. A license holder
15.10who has had a license suspended, revoked, or has been ordered to pay a fine must be
15.11given notice of the action by certified mail or personal service. If mailed, the notice
15.12must be mailed to the address shown on the application or the last known address of the
15.13license holder. The notice must state the reasons the license was suspended, revoked, or
15.14a fine was ordered.
15.15    (b) If the license was suspended or revoked, the notice must inform the license
15.16holder of the right to a contested case hearing under chapter 14 and Minnesota Rules,
15.17parts 1400.8505 to 1400.8612. The license holder may appeal an order suspending or
15.18revoking a license. The appeal of an order suspending or revoking a license must be made
15.19in writing by certified mail or personal service. If mailed, the appeal must be postmarked
15.20and sent to the commissioner within ten calendar days after the license holder receives
15.21notice that the license has been suspended or revoked. If a request is made by personal
15.22service, it must be received by the commissioner within ten calendar days after the license
15.23holder received the order. Except as provided in subdivision 2a, paragraph (c), a timely
15.24appeal of an order suspending or revoking a license shall stay the suspension or revocation
15.25until the commissioner issues a final order.
15.26    (c)(1) If the license holder was ordered to pay a fine, the notice must inform the
15.27license holder of the responsibility for payment of fines and the right to a contested case
15.28hearing under chapter 14 and Minnesota Rules, parts 1400.8505 to 1400.8612. The appeal
15.29of an order to pay a fine must be made in writing by certified mail or personal service. If
15.30mailed, the appeal must be postmarked and sent to the commissioner within ten calendar
15.31days after the license holder receives notice that the fine has been ordered. If a request is
15.32made by personal service, it must be received by the commissioner within ten calendar
15.33days after the license holder received the order.
15.34    (2) The license holder shall pay the fines assessed on or before the payment date
15.35specified. If the license holder fails to fully comply with the order, the commissioner
15.36may issue a second fine or suspend the license until the license holder complies. If the
16.1license holder receives state funds, the state, county, or municipal agencies or departments
16.2responsible for administering the funds shall withhold payments and recover any payments
16.3made while the license is suspended for failure to pay a fine. A timely appeal shall stay
16.4payment of the fine until the commissioner issues a final order.
16.5    (3) A license holder shall promptly notify the commissioner of human services,
16.6in writing, when a violation specified in the order to forfeit a fine is corrected. If upon
16.7reinspection the commissioner determines that a violation has not been corrected as
16.8indicated by the order to forfeit a fine, the commissioner may issue a second fine. The
16.9commissioner shall notify the license holder by certified mail or personal service that a
16.10second fine has been assessed. The license holder may appeal the second fine as provided
16.11under this subdivision.
16.12    (4) Fines shall be assessed as follows: the license holder shall forfeit $1,000 for each
16.13determination of maltreatment of a child under section 626.556 or the maltreatment of
16.14a vulnerable adult under section 626.557; the license holder shall forfeit $200 for each
16.15occurrence of a violation of law or rule governing matters of health, safety, or supervision,
16.16including but not limited to the provision of adequate staff-to-child or adult ratios, and
16.17failure to submit a background study; and the license holder shall forfeit $100 for each
16.18occurrence of a violation of law or rule other than those subject to a $1,000 or $200 fine
16.19above. For purposes of this section, "occurrence" means each violation identified in the
16.20commissioner's fine order.
16.21    (5) When a fine has been assessed, the license holder may not avoid payment by
16.22closing, selling, or otherwise transferring the licensed program to a third party. In such an
16.23event, the license holder will be personally liable for payment. In the case of a corporation,
16.24each controlling individual is personally and jointly liable for payment.

16.25    Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245A.07, is amended by adding a
16.26subdivision to read:
16.27    Subd. 6. Appeal of multiple sanctions. (a) When the license holder appeals more
16.28than one licensing action or sanction that were simultaneously issued by the commissioner,
16.29the license holder shall specify the actions or sanctions that are being appealed.
16.30    (b) If there are different timelines prescribed in statutes for the licensing actions or
16.31sanctions being appealed, the license holder must submit the appeal within the longest of
16.32those timelines specified in statutes.
16.33    (c) The appeal must be made in writing by certified mail or personal service. If
16.34mailed, the appeal must be postmarked and sent to the commissioner within the prescribed
16.35timeline with the first day beginning the day after the license holder receives the certified
17.1letter. If a request is made by personal service, it must be received by the commissioner
17.2within the prescribed timeline with the first day beginning the day after the license holder
17.3receives the certified letter.
17.4    (d) When there are different timelines prescribed in statutes for the appeal
17.5of licensing actions or sanctions simultaneously issued by the commissioner, the
17.6commissioner shall specify in the notice to the license holder the timeline for appeal
17.7as specified under paragraph (b).

17.8    Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245A.08, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
17.9    Subd. 2a. Consolidated contested case hearings. (a) When a denial of a license
17.10under section 245A.05 or a licensing sanction under section 245A.07, subdivision 3, is
17.11based on a disqualification for which reconsideration was requested and which was not
17.12set aside under section 245C.22, the scope of the contested case hearing shall include
17.13the disqualification and the licensing sanction or denial of a license, unless otherwise
17.14specified in this subdivision. When the licensing sanction or denial of a license is based on
17.15a determination of maltreatment under section 626.556 or 626.557, or a disqualification
17.16for serious or recurring maltreatment which was not set aside, the scope of the contested
17.17case hearing shall include the maltreatment determination, disqualification, and the
17.18licensing sanction or denial of a license, unless otherwise specified in this subdivision.
17.19In such cases, a fair hearing under section 256.045 shall not be conducted as provided
17.20for in sections 245C.27, 626.556, subdivision 10i, and 626.557, subdivision 9d. When a
17.21fine is based on a determination that the license holder is responsible for maltreatment
17.22and the fine is issued at the same time as the maltreatment determination, if the license
17.23holder appeals the maltreatment and fine, the scope of the contested case hearing shall
17.24include the maltreatment determination and fine and reconsideration of the maltreatment
17.25determination shall not be conducted as provided for in sections 626.556, subdivision
17.2610i , and 626.557, subdivision 9d.
17.27    (b) Except for family child care and child foster care, reconsideration of a
17.28maltreatment determination under sections 626.556, subdivision 10i, and 626.557,
17.29subdivision 9d, and reconsideration of a disqualification under section 245C.22, shall
17.30not be conducted when:
17.31    (1) a denial of a license under section 245A.05 or a licensing sanction under section
17.32245A.07, is based on a determination that the license holder is responsible for maltreatment
17.33or the disqualification of a license holder is based on serious or recurring maltreatment;
17.34    (2) the denial of a license or licensing sanction is issued at the same time as the
17.35maltreatment determination or disqualification; and
18.1    (3) the license holder appeals the maltreatment determination or disqualification,
18.2and denial of a license or licensing sanction. In these cases, a fair hearing shall not be
18.3conducted under sections 245C.27, 626.556, subdivision 10i, and 626.557, subdivision
18.49d. The scope of the contested case hearing must include the maltreatment determination,
18.5disqualification, and denial of a license or licensing sanction.
18.6    Notwithstanding clauses (1) to (3), if the license holder appeals the maltreatment
18.7determination or disqualification, but does not appeal the denial of a license or a licensing
18.8sanction, reconsideration of the maltreatment determination shall be conducted under
18.9section 626.556, subdivision 10i, and section 626.557, subdivision 9d, and reconsideration
18.10of the disqualification shall be conducted under section 245C.22. In such cases, a fair
18.11hearing shall also be conducted as provided under sections 245C.27, 626.556, subdivision
18.1210i, and 626.557, subdivision 9d.
18.13    (c) In consolidated contested case hearings regarding sanctions issued in family child
18.14care, child foster care, family adult day services, and adult foster care, the county attorney
18.15shall defend the commissioner's orders in accordance with section 245A.16, subdivision 4.
18.16    (c) (d) The commissioner's final order under subdivision 5 is the final agency action
18.17on the issue of maltreatment and disqualification, including for purposes of subsequent
18.18background studies under chapter 245C and is the only administrative appeal of the final
18.19agency determination, specifically, including a challenge to the accuracy and completeness
18.20of data under section 13.04.
18.21    (d) (e) When consolidated hearings under this subdivision involve a licensing
18.22sanction based on a previous maltreatment determination for which the commissioner
18.23has issued a final order in an appeal of that determination under section 256.045, or the
18.24individual failed to exercise the right to appeal the previous maltreatment determination
18.25under section 626.556, subdivision 10i, or 626.557, subdivision 9d, the commissioner's
18.26order is conclusive on the issue of maltreatment. In such cases, the scope of the
18.27administrative law judge's review shall be limited to the disqualification and the licensing
18.28sanction or denial of a license. In the case of a denial of a license or a licensing sanction
18.29issued to a facility based on a maltreatment determination regarding an individual who is
18.30not the license holder or a household member, the scope of the administrative law judge's
18.31review includes the maltreatment determination.
18.32    (e) (f) The hearings of all parties may be consolidated into a single contested case
18.33hearing upon consent of all parties and the administrative law judge, if:
18.34    (1) a maltreatment determination or disqualification, which was not set aside under
18.35section 245C.22, is the basis for a denial of a license under section 245A.05 or a licensing
18.36sanction under section 245A.07, and;
19.1    (2) the disqualified subject is an individual other than the license holder and upon
19.2whom a background study must be conducted under section 245C.03, the hearings of
19.3all parties may be consolidated into a single contested case hearing upon consent of all
19.4parties and the administrative law judge.; and
19.5    (3) the individual has a hearing right under section 245C.27.
19.6    (f) Notwithstanding section 245C.27, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), (g) When a denial
19.7of a license under section 245A.05 or a licensing sanction under section 245A.07 is based
19.8on a disqualification for which reconsideration was requested and was not set aside under
19.9section 245C.22, and the disqualification was based on a conviction or an admission to any
19.10crimes listed in section 245C.15 individual otherwise has no hearing right under section
19.11245C.27, the scope of the administrative law judge's review shall include the denial or
19.12sanction and a determination whether the disqualification should be set aside, unless
19.13section 245C.24 prohibits the set-aside of the disqualification. In determining whether the
19.14disqualification should be set aside, the administrative law judge shall consider the factors
19.15under section 245C.22, subdivision 4, to determine whether the individual poses a risk of
19.16harm to any person receiving services from the license holder.
19.17    (g) (h) Notwithstanding section 245C.30, subdivision 5, when a licensing sanction
19.18under section 245A.07 is based on the termination of a variance under section 245C.30,
19.19subdivision 4 , the scope of the administrative law judge's review shall include the sanction
19.20and a determination whether the disqualification should be set aside, unless section
19.21245C.24 prohibits the set-aside of the disqualification. In determining whether the
19.22disqualification should be set aside, the administrative law judge shall consider the factors
19.23under section 245C.22, subdivision 4, to determine whether the individual poses a risk of
19.24harm to any person receiving services from the license holder.

19.25    Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245A.10, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
19.26    Subd. 2. County fees for background studies and licensing inspections. (a) For
19.27purposes of family and group family child care licensing under this chapter, a county
19.28agency may charge a fee to an applicant or license holder to recover the actual cost of
19.29background studies, but in any case not to exceed $100 annually. A county agency may
19.30also charge a fee to an applicant or license holder to recover the actual cost of licensing
19.31inspections, but in any case not to exceed $150 annually.
19.32    (b) A county agency may charge a fee to a legal nonlicensed child care provider or
19.33applicant for authorization to recover the actual cost of background studies completed
19.34under section 119B.125, but in any case not to exceed $100 annually.
19.35    (c) Counties may elect to reduce or waive the fees in paragraph (a) or (b):
20.1    (1) in cases of financial hardship;
20.2    (2) if the county has a shortage of providers in the county's area;
20.3    (3) for new providers; or
20.4    (4) for providers who have attained at least 16 hours of training before seeking
20.5initial licensure.
20.6    (d) Counties may allow providers to pay the applicant fees in paragraph (a) or (b) on
20.7an installment basis for up to one year. If the provider is receiving child care assistance
20.8payments from the state, the provider may have the fees under paragraph (a) or (b)
20.9deducted from the child care assistance payments for up to one year and the state shall
20.10reimburse the county for the county fees collected in this manner.
20.11    (e) For purposes of adult foster care and child foster care licensing under this
20.12chapter, a county agency may charge a fee to a corporate applicant or corporate license
20.13holder to recover the actual cost of background studies. A county agency may also charge
20.14a fee to a corporate applicant or corporate license holder to recover the actual cost of
20.15licensing inspections, not to exceed $500 annually.
20.16    (f) Counties may elect to reduce or waive the fees in paragraph (e) under the
20.17following circumstances: (1) in cases of financial hardship; (2) if the county has a shortage
20.18of providers in the county's area; or (3) for new providers.

20.19    Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245A.11, is amended by adding a
20.20subdivision to read:
20.21    Subd. 8. Overnight supervision. Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part
20.229555.5105, subpart 37, item B, the level of overnight supervision for a resident of an
20.23adult foster home shall be determined by the interdisciplinary team and the individual's
20.24residential placement agreement.

20.25    Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245A.14, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
20.26    Subd. 8. Experienced aides; child care centers. (a) An individual employed as an
20.27aide at a child care center may work with children without being directly supervised for an
20.28amount of time that does not exceed 25 percent of the child care center's daily hours if:
20.29    (1) a teacher is in the facility;
20.30    (2) the individual has received within the last three years first aid training within
20.31the last three years that meets the requirements under section 245A.40, subdivision 3,
20.32and CPR training within the last two years that meets the requirements under section
20.33245A.40, subdivision 4;
20.34    (3) the individual is at least 20 years old; and
21.1    (4) the individual has at least 4,160 hours of child care experience as a staff member
21.2in a licensed child care center or as the license holder of a family day care home, 120 days
21.3of which must be in the employment of the current company.
21.4    (b) A child care center that uses experienced aides under this subdivision must notify
21.5parents or guardians by posting the notification in each classroom that uses experienced
21.6aides, identifying which staff member is the experienced aide. Records of experienced
21.7aide usage must be kept on-site and given to the commissioner upon request.
21.8    (c) A child care center may not use the experienced aide provision for one year
21.9following two determined experienced aide violations within a one-year period.
21.10    (d) A child care center may use one experienced aide per every four full-time child
21.11care classroom staff.

21.12    Sec. 16. [245A.1435] REDUCTION OF RISK OF SUDDEN INFANT DEATH
21.13SYNDROME IN LICENSED PROGRAMS.
21.14    When a license holder is placing an infant to sleep, the license holder must place the
21.15infant on the infant's back, unless the license holder has documentation from the infant's
21.16parent directing an alternative sleeping position for the infant, and must place the infant in
21.17a crib with a firm mattress. The license holder must not place pillows, quilts, comforters,
21.18sheepskin, pillow-like stuffed toys, or other soft products in the crib with the infant.
21.19Licensed child care providers must meet the crib requirements under section 245A.146.

21.20    Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245A.144, is amended to read:
21.21245A.144 SUDDEN INFANT DEATH AND SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME
21.22FOR CHILD FOSTER CARE PROVIDERS.
21.23    (a) License holders Licensed child foster care providers that care for infants must
21.24document that before staff persons, and caregivers, and helpers assist in the care of infants,
21.25they are instructed on the standards in section 245A.1435 and receive training on reducing
21.26the risk of sudden infant death syndrome and shaken baby syndrome. This section does not
21.27apply to emergency relative foster care under section 245A.035. The training on reducing
21.28the risk of sudden infant death syndrome and shaken baby syndrome may be provided as:
21.29    (1) orientation training to child care center staff under Minnesota Rules, part
21.309503.0035, subpart 1, and to child foster care providers, who care for infants, under
21.31Minnesota Rules, part 2960.3070, subpart 1; or
21.32    (2) initial training to family and group family child care providers under Minnesota
21.33Rules, part 9502.0385, subpart 2;
22.1    (3) (2) in-service training to child care center staff under Minnesota Rules, part
22.29503.0035, subpart 4, and to child foster care providers, who care for infants, under
22.3Minnesota Rules, part 2960.3070, subpart 2; or.
22.4    (4) ongoing training to family and group family child care providers under
22.5Minnesota Rules, part 9502.0385, subpart 3.
22.6    (b) Training required under this section must be at least one hour in length and must
22.7be completed at least once every five years. At a minimum, the training must address the
22.8risk factors related to sudden infant death syndrome and shaken baby syndrome, means of
22.9reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome and shaken baby syndrome in child
22.10care, and license holder communication with parents regarding reducing the risk of sudden
22.11infant death syndrome and shaken baby syndrome.
22.12    (c) Training for family and group family child care providers must be approved by
22.13the county licensing agency according to Minnesota Rules, part 9502.0385.
22.14    (d) (c) Training for child foster care providers must be approved by the county
22.15licensing agency and fulfills, in part, training required under Minnesota Rules, part
22.162960.3070.

22.17    Sec. 18. [245A.1444] TRAINING ON RISK OF SUDDEN INFANT DEATH
22.18SYNDROME AND SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME BY OTHER PROGRAMS.
22.19    A licensed chemical dependency treatment program that serves clients with infants
22.20who sleep at the program and a licensed children's residential facility that serves infants
22.21must document that before program staff persons or volunteers assist in the care of infants,
22.22they are instructed on the standards in section 245A.1435 and they receive training on
22.23reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome and shaken baby syndrome. The
22.24training conducted under this section may be used to fulfill training requirements under
22.25Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.0100, subpart 3; and 9530.6490, subpart 4, item B.
22.26    This section does not apply to child care centers or family child care programs
22.27governed by sections 245A.40 and 245A.50.

22.28    Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245A.1445, is amended to read:
22.29245A.1445 DANGERS OF SHAKING INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN.
22.30    The commissioner shall make available for viewing by all licensed and legal
22.31nonlicensed child care providers a video presentation on the dangers associated with
22.32shaking infants and young children. The video presentation shall be part of the initial and
22.33annual training of licensed child care providers. Legal nonlicensed child care providers
22.34may participate at their option in a video presentation session offered under this section.
23.1The commissioner shall provide to child care providers and interested individuals, at cost,
23.2copies of a video approved by the commissioner of health under section 144.574 on the
23.3dangers associated with shaking infants and young children.

23.4    Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245A.145, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
23.5    Subdivision 1. Policies and procedures. (a) All licensed child care providers must
23.6develop policies and procedures for reporting suspected child maltreatment that fulfill the
23.7requirements in section 626.556 and must develop policies and procedures for reporting
23.8complaints about the operation of a child care program. The policies and procedures must
23.9include the telephone numbers of the local county child protection agency for reporting
23.10suspected maltreatment; the county licensing agency for family and group family child
23.11care providers; and the state licensing agency for child care centers for reporting other
23.12concerns.
23.13    (b) The policies and procedures required in paragraph (a) must:
23.14    (1) be provided to the parents of all children at the time of enrollment in the child
23.15care program; and
23.16    (2) be made available upon request.

23.17    Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245A.18, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
23.18    Subd. 2. Child passenger restraint systems; training requirement. (a) Family
23.19and group family child care, child care centers, child foster care, and other Programs
23.20licensed by the Department of Human Services under Minnesota Rules, chapter 2960, that
23.21serve a child or children under nine years of age must document training that fulfills the
23.22requirements in this subdivision.
23.23    (b) Before a license holder, staff person, or caregiver, or helper transports a child
23.24or children under age nine in a motor vehicle, the person transporting the child must
23.25satisfactorily complete training on the proper use and installation of child restraint systems
23.26in motor vehicles. Training completed under this section may be used to meet initial
23.27or ongoing training under the following:
23.28    (1) Minnesota Rules, part 2960.3070, subparts 1 and 2;.
23.29    (2) Minnesota Rules, part 9502.0385, subparts 2 and 3; and
23.30    (3) Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0035, subparts 1 and 4.
23.31For all providers licensed prior to July 1, 2006, the training required in this subdivision
23.32must be obtained by December 31, 2007.
23.33    (c) Training required under this section must be at least one hour in length,
23.34completed at orientation or initial training, and repeated at least once every five years. At
24.1a minimum, the training must address the proper use of child restraint systems based on
24.2the child's size, weight, and age, and the proper installation of a car seat or booster seat in
24.3the motor vehicle used by the license holder to transport the child or children.
24.4    (d) Training under paragraph (c) must be provided by individuals who are certified
24.5and approved by the Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety. License holders
24.6may obtain a list of certified and approved trainers through the Department of Public
24.7Safety Web site or by contacting the agency.
24.8    (e) Child care providers that only transport school age children as defined in section
24.9245A.02 , subdivision 16, in school buses as defined in section 169.01, subdivision 6,
24.10clauses (1) to (4), are exempt from this subdivision.

24.11    Sec. 22. [245A.40] CHILD CARE CENTER TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.
24.12    Subdivision 1. Orientation. The child care center license holder must ensure that
24.13every staff person and volunteer is given orientation training and successfully completes
24.14the training before starting assigned duties. The orientation training in this subdivision
24.15applies to volunteers who will have direct contact with or access to children and who are
24.16not under the direct supervision of a staff person. Completion of the orientation must be
24.17documented in the individual's personnel record. The orientation training must include
24.18information about:
24.19    (1) the center's philosophy, child care program, and procedures for maintaining
24.20health and safety and handling emergencies and accidents;
24.21    (2) specific job responsibilities;
24.22    (3) the behavior guidance standards in Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0055; and
24.23    (4) the reporting responsibilities in section 626.556, and Minnesota Rules, part
24.249503.0130.
24.25    Subd. 2. Child growth and development training. (a) For purposes of child care
24.26centers, the director and all staff hired after July 1, 2006, shall complete and document
24.27at least two hours of child growth and development training within the first year of
24.28employment. For purposes of this subdivision, "child growth and development training"
24.29means training in understanding how children acquire language and develop physically,
24.30cognitively, emotionally, and socially. Training completed under this subdivision may be
24.31used to meet the orientation training requirements under subdivision 1 and the in-service
24.32training requirements under subdivision 7.
24.33    (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), individuals are exempt from this requirement if
24.34they:
25.1    (1) have taken a three-credit college course on early childhood development within
25.2the past five years;
25.3    (2) have received a baccalaureate or master's degree in early childhood education or
25.4school-age child care within the past five years;
25.5    (3) are licensed in Minnesota as a prekindergarten teacher, an early childhood
25.6educator, a kindergarten to sixth grade teacher with a prekindergarten specialty, an
25.7early childhood special education teacher, or an elementary teacher with a kindergarten
25.8endorsement; or
25.9    (4) have received a baccalaureate degree with a Montessori certificate within the
25.10past five years.
25.11    Subd. 3. First aid. All teachers and assistant teachers in a child care center
25.12governed by Minnesota Rules, parts 9503.0005 to 9503.0170, and at least one staff person
25.13during field trips and when transporting children in care, must satisfactorily complete first
25.14aid training within 90 days of the start of work, unless the training has been completed
25.15within the previous three years. The first aid training must be repeated at least every three
25.16years, documented in the person's personnel record and indicated on the center's staffing
25.17chart, and provided by an individual approved as a first aid instructor. This training may
25.18be less than eight hours.
25.19    Subd. 4. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. (a) When children are present in a child
25.20care center governed by Minnesota Rules, parts 9503.0005 to 9503.0170, at least one staff
25.21person must be present in the center who has been trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
25.22(CPR) and in the treatment of obstructed airways. The CPR training must have been
25.23provided by an individual approved to provide CPR instruction, must be repeated at least
25.24once every three years, and must be documented in the staff person's records.
25.25    (b) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation training may be provided for less than four hours.
25.26    (c) Persons qualified to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation training shall include
25.27individuals approved as cardiopulmonary resuscitation instructors.
25.28    Subd. 5. Sudden infant death syndrome and shaken baby syndrome training.
25.29    (a) License holders must document that before staff persons care for infants, they are
25.30instructed on the standards in section 245A.1435 and receive training on reducing the
25.31risk of sudden infant death syndrome and shaken baby syndrome. The training in this
25.32subdivision may be provided as orientation training under subdivision 1 and in-service
25.33training under subdivision 7.
25.34    (b) Training required under this subdivision must be at least one hour in length and
25.35must be completed at least once every five years. At a minimum, the training must address
25.36the risk factors related to sudden infant death syndrome and shaken baby syndrome,
26.1means of reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome and shaken baby syndrome in
26.2child care, and license holder communication with parents regarding reducing the risk of
26.3sudden infant death syndrome and shaken baby syndrome.
26.4    (c) The commissioner shall make available for viewing a video presentation on the
26.5dangers associated with shaking infants and young children. The video presentation must
26.6be part of the orientation and annual in-service training of licensed child care centers. The
26.7commissioner shall provide to child care providers and interested individuals, at cost,
26.8copies of a video approved by the commissioner of health under section 144.574 on the
26.9dangers associated with shaking infants and young children.
26.10    Subd. 6. Child passenger restraint systems; training requirement. (a) A license
26.11holder must comply with all seat belt and child passenger restraint system requirements
26.12under section 169.685.
26.13    (b) Child care centers that serve a child or children under nine years of age must
26.14document training that fulfills the requirements in this subdivision.
26.15    (1) Before a license holder transports a child or children under age nine in a motor
26.16vehicle, the person placing the child or children in a passenger restraint must satisfactorily
26.17complete training on the proper use and installation of child restraint systems in motor
26.18vehicles. Training completed under this subdivision may be used to meet orientation
26.19training under subdivision 1 and in-service training under subdivision 7.
26.20    (2) Training required under this subdivision must be at least one hour in length,
26.21completed at orientation, and repeated at least once every five years. At a minimum, the
26.22training must address the proper use of child restraint systems based on the child's size,
26.23weight, and age, and the proper installation of a car seat or booster seat in the motor
26.24vehicle used by the license holder to transport the child or children.
26.25    (3) Training required under this subdivision must be provided by individuals
26.26who are certified and approved by the Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic
26.27Safety. License holders may obtain a list of certified and approved trainers through the
26.28Department of Public Safety Web site or by contacting the agency.
26.29    (4) Child care providers that only transport school-age children as defined in section
26.30245A.02, subdivision 16, in child care buses as defined in section 169.448, subdivision 1,
26.31paragraph (e), are exempt from this subdivision.
26.32    Subd. 7. In-service. (a) A license holder must ensure that an annual in-service
26.33training plan is developed and carried out and that it meets the requirements in clauses (1)
26.34to (7). The in-service training plan must:
26.35    (1) be consistent with the center's child care program plan;
27.1    (2) meet the training needs of individual staff persons as specified in each staff
27.2person's annual evaluation report;
27.3    (3) provide training, at least one-fourth of which is by a resource not affiliated
27.4with the license holder;
27.5    (4) include Minnesota Rules, parts 9503.0005 to 9503.0170, relevant to the staff
27.6person's position and must occur within two weeks of initial employment;
27.7    (5) provide that at least one-half of the annual in-service training completed by a staff
27.8person each year pertains to the age of children for which the person is providing care;
27.9    (6) provide that no more than four hours of each annual in-service training
27.10requirement relate to administration, finances, and records training for a teacher, assistant
27.11teacher, or aide; and
27.12    (7) provide that the remainder of the in-service training requirement be met by
27.13participation in training in child growth and development; learning environment and
27.14curriculum; assessment and planning for individual needs; interactions with children;
27.15families and communities; health, safety, and nutrition; and program planning and
27.16evaluation.
27.17    (b) For purposes of this subdivision, the following terms have the meanings given
27.18them.
27.19    (1) "Child growth and development training" has the meaning given it in subdivision
27.202, paragraph (a).
27.21    (2) "Learning environment and curriculum" means training in establishing an
27.22environment that provides learning experiences to meet each child's needs, capabilities,
27.23and interests, including early childhood education methods or theory, recreation, sports,
27.24promoting creativity in the arts, arts and crafts methods or theory, and early childhood
27.25special education methods or theory.
27.26    (3) "Assessment and planning for individual needs" means training in observing and
27.27assessing what children know and can do in order to provide curriculum and instruction
27.28that addresses their developmental and learning needs, including children with special
27.29needs.
27.30    (4) "Interactions with children" means training in establishing supportive
27.31relationships with children and guiding them as individuals and as part of a group,
27.32including child study techniques and behavior guidance.
27.33    (5) "Families and communities" means training in working collaboratively with
27.34families, agencies, and organizations to meet children's needs and to encourage the
27.35community's involvement, including family studies and parent involvement.
28.1    (6) "Health, safety, and nutrition" means training in establishing and maintaining an
28.2environment that ensures children's health, safety, and nourishment, including first aid,
28.3cardiopulmonary resuscitation, child nutrition, and child abuse and neglect prevention.
28.4    (7) "Program planning and evaluation" means training in establishing, implementing,
28.5evaluating, and enhancing program operations.
28.6    (c) The director and all program staff persons must annually complete a number of
28.7hours of in-service training equal to at least two percent of the hours for which the director
28.8or program staff person is annually paid, unless one of the following is applicable.
28.9    (1) A teacher at a child care center must complete one percent of working hours of
28.10in-service training annually if the teacher:
28.11    (i) possesses a baccalaureate or master's degree in early childhood education or
28.12school-age care;
28.13    (ii) is licensed in Minnesota as a prekindergarten teacher, an early childhood
28.14educator, a kindergarten to sixth grade teacher with a prekindergarten specialty, an
28.15early childhood special education teacher, or an elementary teacher with a kindergarten
28.16endorsement; or
28.17    (iii) possesses a baccalaureate degree with a Montessori certificate.
28.18    (2) A teacher or assistant teacher at a child care center must complete one and
28.19one-half percent of working hours of in-service training annually if the individual is:
28.20    (i) a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse with experience working with
28.21infants;
28.22    (ii) possesses a Montessori certificate, a technical college certificate in early
28.23childhood development, or a child development associate certificate; or
28.24    (iii) possesses an associate of arts degree in early childhood education, a
28.25baccalaureate degree in child development, or a technical college diploma in early
28.26childhood development.
28.27    (d) The number of required training hours may be prorated for individuals not
28.28employed full time or for an entire year.
28.29    (e) The annual in-service training must be completed within the calendar year for
28.30which it was required. In-service training completed by staff persons is transferable upon
28.31a staff person's change in employment to another child care program.
28.32    (f) The license holder must ensure that, when a staff person completes in-service
28.33training, the training is documented in the staff person's personnel record. The
28.34documentation must include the date training was completed, the goal of the training and
28.35topics covered, trainer's name and organizational affiliation, trainer's signed statement that
28.36training was successfully completed, and the director's approval of the training.
29.1    Subd. 8. Cultural dynamics and disabilities training for child care providers.
29.2    (a) The training required of licensed child care center staff must include training in the
29.3cultural dynamics of early childhood development and child care. The cultural dynamics
29.4and disabilities training and skills development of child care providers must be designed
29.5to achieve outcomes for providers of child care that include, but are not limited to:
29.6    (1) an understanding and support of the importance of culture and differences in
29.7ability in children's identity development;
29.8    (2) understanding the importance of awareness of cultural differences and
29.9similarities in working with children and their families;
29.10    (3) understanding and support of the needs of families and children with differences
29.11in ability;
29.12    (4) developing skills to help children develop unbiased attitudes about cultural
29.13differences and differences in ability;
29.14    (5) developing skills in culturally appropriate caregiving; and
29.15    (6) developing skills in appropriate caregiving for children of different abilities.
29.16    (b) Curriculum for cultural dynamics and disability training shall be approved by
29.17the commissioner.
29.18    (c) The commissioner shall amend current rules relating to the training of the
29.19licensed child care center staff to require cultural dynamics training. Timelines established
29.20in the rule amendments for complying with the cultural dynamics training requirements
29.21must be based on the commissioner's determination that curriculum materials and trainers
29.22are available statewide.
29.23    (d) For programs caring for children with special needs, the license holder shall
29.24ensure that any additional staff training required by the child's individual child care
29.25program plan required under Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0065, subpart 3, is provided.

29.26    Sec. 23. [245A.50] FAMILY CHILD CARE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.
29.27    Subdivision 1. Initial training. (a) License holders, caregivers, and substitutes must
29.28comply with the training requirements in this section.
29.29    (b) Helpers who assist with care on a regular basis must complete six hours of
29.30training within one year after the date of initial employment.
29.31    Subd. 2. Child growth and development training. (a) For purposes of family and
29.32group family child care, the license holder and each adult caregiver who provides care
29.33in the licensed setting for more than 30 days in any 12-month period shall complete and
29.34document at least two hours of child growth and development training within the first year
29.35of licensure. For purposes of this subdivision, "child growth and development training"
30.1means training in understanding how children acquire language and develop physically,
30.2cognitively, emotionally, and socially.
30.3    (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), individuals are exempt from this requirement if
30.4they:
30.5    (1) have taken a three-credit course on early childhood development within the
30.6past five years;
30.7    (2) have received a baccalaureate or masters degree in early childhood education or
30.8school age child care within the past five years;
30.9    (3) are licensed in Minnesota as a prekindergarten teacher, an early childhood
30.10educator, a kindergarten to grade 6 teacher with a prekindergarten specialty, an early
30.11childhood special education teacher, or an elementary teacher with a kindergarten
30.12endorsement; or
30.13    (4) have received a baccalaureate degree with a Montessori certificate within the
30.14past five years.
30.15    Subd. 3. First aid. (a) When children are present in a family child care home
30.16governed by Minnesota Rules, parts 9502.0315 to 9502.0445, at least one staff person
30.17must be present in the home who has been trained in first aid. The first aid training must
30.18have been provided by an individual approved to provide first aid instruction. First aid
30.19training may be less than eight hours and persons qualified to provide first aid training
30.20includes individuals approved as first aid instructors.
30.21    (b) A family child care provider is exempt from the first aid training requirements
30.22under this subdivision related to any substitute caregiver who provides less than 30 hours
30.23of care during any 12-month period.
30.24    (c) Video training reviewed and approved by the county licensing agency satisfies
30.25the training requirement of this subdivision.
30.26    Subd. 4. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. (a) When children are present in a family
30.27child care home governed by Minnesota Rules, parts 9502.0315 to 9502.0445, at least
30.28one staff person must be present in the home who has been trained in cardiopulmonary
30.29resuscitation (CPR) and in the treatment of obstructed airways. The CPR training must
30.30have been provided by an individual approved to provide CPR instruction, must be
30.31repeated at least once every three years, and must be documented in the staff person's
30.32records.
30.33    (b) A family child care provider is exempt from the CPR training requirement in
30.34this subdivision related to any substitute caregiver who provides less than 30 hours of
30.35care during any 12-month period.
31.1    (c) Video training reviewed and approved by the county licensing agency satisfies
31.2the training requirement of this subdivision.
31.3    Subd. 5. Sudden infant death syndrome and shaken baby syndrome training.
31.4    (a) License holders must document that before staff persons, caregivers, and helpers
31.5assist in the care of infants, they are instructed on the standards in section 245A.1435 and
31.6receive training on reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome and shaken baby
31.7syndrome. The training in this subdivision may be provided as initial training under
31.8subdivision 1 or ongoing training under subdivision 7.
31.9    (b) Training required under this subdivision must be at least one hour in length and
31.10must be completed at least once every five years. At a minimum, the training must address
31.11the risk factors related to sudden infant death syndrome and shaken baby syndrome,
31.12means of reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome and shaken baby syndrome in
31.13child care, and license holder communication with parents regarding reducing the risk of
31.14sudden infant death syndrome and shaken baby syndrome.
31.15    (c) Training for family and group family child care providers must be approved
31.16by the county licensing agency.
31.17    (d) The commissioner shall make available for viewing by all licensed child care
31.18providers a video presentation on the dangers associated with shaking infants and young
31.19children. The video presentation shall be part of the initial and ongoing training of
31.20licensed child care providers. The commissioner shall provide to child care providers and
31.21interested individuals, at cost, copies of a video approved by the commissioner of health
31.22under section 144.574 on the dangers associated with shaking infants and young children.
31.23    Subd. 6. Child passenger restraint systems; training requirement. (a) A license
31.24holder must comply with all seat belt and child passenger restraint system requirements
31.25under section 169.685.
31.26    (b) Family and group family child care programs licensed by the Department of
31.27Human Services that serve a child or children under nine years of age must document
31.28training that fulfills the requirements in this subdivision.
31.29    (1) Before a license holder, staff person, caregiver, or helper transports a child or
31.30children under age nine in a motor vehicle, the person placing the child or children in a
31.31passenger restraint must satisfactorily complete training on the proper use and installation
31.32of child restraint systems in motor vehicles. Training completed under this subdivision
31.33may be used to meet initial training under subdivision 1, or ongoing training under
31.34subdivision 7.
31.35    (2) Training required under this subdivision must be at least one hour in length,
31.36completed at initial training, and repeated at least once every five years. At a minimum,
32.1the training must address the proper use of child restraint systems based on the child's
32.2size, weight, and age, and the proper installation of a car seat or booster seat in the motor
32.3vehicle used by the license holder to transport the child or children.
32.4    (3) Training under this subdivision must be provided by individuals who are certified
32.5and approved by the Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety. License holders
32.6may obtain a list of certified and approved trainers through the Department of Public
32.7Safety Web site or by contacting the agency.
32.8    (c) Child care providers that only transport school age children as defined in section
32.9245A.02, subdivision 19, paragraph (f), in child care buses as defined in section 169.448,
32.10subdivision 1, paragraph (e), are exempt from this subdivision.
32.11    Subd. 7. Training requirements for family and group family child care.
32.12    For purposes of family and group family child care, the license holder and each
32.13primary caregiver must complete eight hours of training each year. For purposes of
32.14this subdivision, a primary caregiver is an adult caregiver who provides services in the
32.15licensed setting for more than 30 days in any 12-month period. Ongoing training subjects
32.16must be selected from the following areas:
32.17    (1) "child growth and development training" has the meaning given in subdivision 2,
32.18paragraph (a);
32.19    (2) "learning environment and curriculum" includes training in establishing an
32.20environment and providing activities that provide learning experiences to meet each
32.21child's needs, capabilities, and interests;
32.22    (3) "assessment and planning for individual needs" includes training in observing and
32.23assessing what children know and can do in order to provide curriculum and instruction
32.24that addresses their developmental and learning needs, including children with special
32.25needs and bilingual children or children for whom English is not their primary language;
32.26    (4) "interactions with children" includes training in establishing supportive
32.27relationships with children, guiding them as individuals and as part of a group;
32.28    (5) "families and communities" includes training in working collaboratively with
32.29families and agencies or organizations to meet children's needs and to encourage the
32.30community's involvement;
32.31    (6) "health, safety, and nutrition" includes training in establishing and maintaining an
32.32environment that ensures children's health, safety, and nourishment, including child abuse,
32.33maltreatment, prevention, and reporting; home and fire safety; child injury prevention;
32.34communicable disease prevention and control; First Aid; and CPR; and
32.35    (7) "program planning and evaluation" includes training in establishing,
32.36implementing, evaluating, and enhancing program operations.
33.1    Subd. 8. Other required training requirements. (a) The training required of
33.2family and group family child care providers and staff must include training in the cultural
33.3dynamics of early childhood development and child care. The cultural dynamics and
33.4disabilities training and skills development of child care providers must be designed to
33.5achieve outcomes for providers of child care that include, but are not limited to:
33.6    (1) an understanding and support of the importance of culture and differences in
33.7ability in children's identity development;
33.8    (2) understanding the importance of awareness of cultural differences and
33.9similarities in working with children and their families;
33.10    (3) understanding and support of the needs of families and children with differences
33.11in ability;
33.12    (4) developing skills to help children develop unbiased attitudes about cultural
33.13differences and differences in ability;
33.14    (5) developing skills in culturally appropriate caregiving; and
33.15    (6) developing skills in appropriate caregiving for children of different abilities.
33.16    The commissioner shall approve the curriculum for cultural dynamics and disability
33.17training.
33.18    (b) The provider must meet the training requirement in section 245A.14, subdivision
33.1911, paragraph (a), clause (4), to be eligible to allow a child cared for at the family child
33.20care or group family child care home to use the swimming pool located at the home.

33.21    Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245A.65, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
33.22    Subdivision 1. License holder requirements. All license holders serving vulnerable
33.23adults shall establish and enforce written policies and procedures related to suspected or
33.24alleged maltreatment, and shall orient clients and mandated reporters who are under
33.25the control of the license holder to these procedures, as defined in section 626.5572,
33.26subdivision 16 .
33.27    (a) License holders must establish policies and procedures allowing but not
33.28mandating the internal reporting of alleged or suspected maltreatment. License holders
33.29shall ensure that the policies and procedures on internal reporting:
33.30    (1) meet all the requirements identified for the optional internal reporting policies
33.31and procedures in section 626.557, subdivision 4a; and
33.32    (2) identify the primary and secondary person or position to whom internal reports
33.33may be made and the primary and secondary person or position responsible for forwarding
33.34internal reports to the common entry point as defined in section 626.5572, subdivision 5.
34.1The secondary person must be involved when there is reason to believe that the primary
34.2person was involved in the alleged or suspected maltreatment.
34.3    (b) The license holder shall:
34.4    (1) establish and maintain policies and procedures to ensure that an internal review
34.5is completed and that corrective action is taken as necessary to protect the health and
34.6safety of vulnerable adults when the facility has reason to know that an internal or external
34.7report of alleged or suspected maltreatment has been made. The review must include an
34.8evaluation of whether related policies and procedures were followed, whether the policies
34.9and procedures were adequate, whether there is a need for additional staff training,
34.10whether the reported event is similar to past events with the vulnerable adults or the
34.11services involved, and whether there is a need for any further corrective action to be taken
34.12by the facility license holder to protect the health and safety of vulnerable adults;. Based
34.13on the results of this review, the license holder must develop, document, and implement a
34.14corrective action plan designed to correct current lapses and prevent future lapses in
34.15performance by individuals or the license holder, if any.
34.16    (2) identify the primary and secondary person or position who will ensure that, when
34.17required, internal reviews are completed. The secondary person shall be involved when
34.18there is reason to believe that the primary person was involved in the alleged or suspected
34.19maltreatment; and
34.20    (3) document and make internal reviews accessible to the commissioner upon
34.21the commissioner's request. The documentation provided to the commissioner by the
34.22license holder may consist of a completed checklist that verifies completion of each of
34.23the requirements of the review.
34.24    (c) The license holder shall provide an orientation to the internal and external
34.25reporting procedures to all persons receiving services. The orientation shall include the
34.26telephone number for the license holder's common entry point as defined in section
34.27626.5572, subdivision 5 . If applicable, the person's legal representative must be notified of
34.28the orientation. The program shall provide this orientation for each new person within 24
34.29hours of admission, or for persons who would benefit more from a later orientation, the
34.30orientation may take place within 72 hours.
34.31    (d) The license holder shall post a copy of the internal and external reporting policies
34.32and procedures, including the telephone number of the common entry point as defined
34.33in section 626.5572, subdivision 5, in a prominent location in the program and have it
34.34available upon request to mandated reporters, persons receiving services, and the person's
34.35legal representatives.

35.1    Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245A.65, is amended by adding a
35.2subdivision to read:
35.3    Subd. 1a. Determination of vulnerable adult status. (a) A license holder that
35.4provides services to adults who are excluded from the definition of vulnerable adult under
35.5section 626.5572, subdivision 21, clause (2), must determine whether the person is a
35.6vulnerable adult under section 626.5572, subdivision 21, clause (4). This determination
35.7must be made within 24 hours of:
35.8    (1) admission to the licensed program; and
35.9    (2) any incident that:
35.10    (i) was reported under section 626.557; or
35.11    (ii) would have been required to be reported under section 626.557, if one or more of
35.12the adults involved in the incident had been vulnerable adults.
35.13    (b) Upon determining that a person receiving services is a vulnerable adult under
35.14section 626.5572, subdivision 21, clause (4), all requirements relative to vulnerable adults
35.15under section 626.557 and chapter 245A must be met by the license holder.

35.16    Sec. 26. [245A.66] REQUIREMENTS; MALTREATMENT OF MINORS.
35.17    Except for family child care settings and foster care for children in the license
35.18holder's residence, license holders serving children shall:
35.19    (1) establish and maintain policies and procedures to ensure that an internal review
35.20is completed and that corrective action is taken if necessary to protect the health and
35.21safety of children in care when the facility has reason to know that an internal or external
35.22report of alleged or suspected maltreatment has been made. The review must include
35.23an evaluation of whether:
35.24    (i) related policies and procedures were followed;
35.25    (ii) the policies and procedures were adequate;
35.26    (iii) there is a need for additional staff training;
35.27    (iv) the reported event is similar to past events with the children or the services
35.28involved; and
35.29    (v) there is a need for corrective action by the license holder to protect the health and
35.30safety of children in care.
35.31    Based on the results of this review, the license holder must develop, document, and
35.32implement a corrective action plan designed to correct current lapses and prevent future
35.33lapses in performance by individuals or the license holder, if any;
35.34    (2) identify the primary and secondary person or position who will ensure that, when
35.35required, internal reviews are completed. The secondary person shall be involved when
36.1there is reason to believe that the primary person was involved in the alleged or suspected
36.2maltreatment; and
36.3    (3) document that the internal review has been completed and provide documentation
36.4showing the review was completed to the commissioner upon the commissioner's request.
36.5The documentation provided to the commissioner by the license holder may consist of a
36.6completed checklist that verifies completion of each of the requirements of the review.

36.7    Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.02, is amended by adding a
36.8subdivision to read:
36.9    Subd. 9a. Conviction. "Conviction" has the meaning given in section 609.02,
36.10subdivision 5.

36.11    Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.05, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
36.12    Subd. 3. Additional information from individual studied. (a) For purposes of
36.13completing the background study, the commissioner may request additional information
36.14of the individual, such as the individual's Social Security number or race. The individual
36.15is not required to provide this information to the commissioner.
36.16    (b) The commissioner may also require additional information if the commissioner
36.17determines the information is necessary to complete the background study. Failure to
36.18provide the required information may result in a disqualification pursuant to section
36.19245C.09.

36.20    Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.07, is amended to read:
36.21245C.07 STUDY SUBJECT AFFILIATED WITH MULTIPLE FACILITIES.
36.22    (a) When a license holder, applicant, or other entity owns multiple facilities
36.23programs or services that are licensed by the Department of Human Services, Department
36.24of Health, or Department of Corrections, only one background study is required for an
36.25individual who provides direct contact services in one or more of the licensed facilities
36.26programs or services if:
36.27    (1) the license holder designates one individual with one address and telephone
36.28number as the person to receive sensitive background study information for the multiple
36.29licensed programs or services that depend on the same background study; and
36.30    (2) the individual designated to receive the sensitive background study information
36.31is capable of determining, upon request of the department, whether a background study
36.32subject is providing direct contact services in one or more of the license holder's programs
36.33or services and, if so, at which location or locations.
37.1    (b) When a background study is being initiated by a licensed facility program
37.2or service or a foster care provider that is also registered under chapter 144D, a study
37.3subject affiliated with multiple licensed facilities programs or services may attach to the
37.4background study form a cover letter indicating the additional facilities' names of the
37.5programs or services, addresses, and background study identification numbers.
37.6    When the commissioner receives a notice, the commissioner shall notify each
37.7facility program or service identified by the background study subject of the study results.
37.8    The background study notice the commissioner sends to the subsequent agencies
37.9shall satisfy those facilities' programs' or services' responsibilities for initiating a
37.10background study on that individual.

37.11    Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.08, is amended to read:
37.12245C.08 BACKGROUND STUDY; INFORMATION COMMISSIONER
37.13REVIEWS.
37.14    Subdivision 1. Background studies conducted by commissioner of human
37.15services. (a) For a background study conducted by the commissioner, the commissioner
37.16shall review:
37.17    (1) information related to names of substantiated perpetrators of maltreatment of
37.18vulnerable adults that has been received by the commissioner as required under section
37.19626.557, subdivision 9c , paragraph (i);
37.20    (2) the commissioner's records relating to the maltreatment of minors in licensed
37.21programs, and from county agency findings of maltreatment of minors as indicated
37.22through the social service information system;
37.23    (3) information from juvenile courts as required in subdivision 4 for individuals
37.24listed in section 245C.03, subdivision 1, clauses (2), (5), and (6); and
37.25    (4) information from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
37.26    (b) Notwithstanding expungement by a court, the commissioner may consider
37.27information obtained under paragraph (a), clauses (3) and (4), unless the commissioner
37.28received notice of the petition for expungement and the court order for expungement is
37.29directed specifically to the commissioner.
37.30    Subd. 2. Background studies conducted by a county or private agency. (a) For
37.31a background study conducted by a county or private agency for child foster care, adult
37.32foster care, and family child care homes, the commissioner shall review:
37.33    (1) information from the county agency's record of substantiated maltreatment
37.34of adults and the maltreatment of minors;
38.1    (2) information from juvenile courts as required in subdivision 4 for individuals
38.2listed in section 245C.03, subdivision 1, clauses (2), (5), and (6); and
38.3    (3) information from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension; and.
38.4    (4) arrest and investigative records maintained by the Bureau of Criminal
38.5Apprehension, county attorneys, county sheriffs, courts, county agencies, local police, the
38.6National Criminal Records Repository, and criminal records from other states.
38.7    (b) If the individual has resided in the county for less than five years, the study shall
38.8include the records specified under paragraph (a) for the previous county or counties of
38.9residence for the past five years.
38.10    (c) Notwithstanding expungement by a court, the county or private agency may
38.11consider information obtained under paragraph (a), clauses (3) and (4), unless the
38.12commissioner received notice of the petition for expungement and the court order for
38.13expungement is directed specifically to the commissioner.
38.14    Subd. 3. Arrest and investigative information. (a) For any background study
38.15completed under this section, if the commissioner has reasonable cause to believe the
38.16information is pertinent to the disqualification of an individual, the commissioner also
38.17may review arrest and investigative information from:
38.18    (1) the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension;
38.19    (2) the commissioner of health;
38.20    (3) a county attorney;
38.21    (4) a county sheriff;
38.22    (5) a county agency;
38.23    (6) a local chief of police;
38.24    (7) other states;
38.25    (8) the courts; or
38.26    (9) the Federal Bureau of Investigation.;
38.27    (10) the National Criminal Records Repository; and
38.28    (11) criminal records from other states.
38.29    (b) The commissioner is not required to conduct more than one review of a subject's
38.30records from the Federal Bureau of Investigation if a review of the subject's criminal
38.31history with the Federal Bureau of Investigation has already been completed by the
38.32commissioner and there has been no break in the subject's affiliation with the license
38.33holder who initiated the background study.
38.34    Subd. 4. Juvenile court records. (a) The commissioner shall review records
38.35from the juvenile courts for an individual studied under section 245C.03, subdivision 1,
38.36clauses (2) and (5).
39.1    (b) For individuals studied under section 245C.03, subdivision 1, clauses (1), (3),
39.2(4), and (6), and subdivision 2, who are ages 13 to 17, the commissioner shall review
39.3records from the juvenile courts when the commissioner has reasonable cause.
39.4    (c) The juvenile courts shall help with the study by giving the commissioner existing
39.5juvenile court records on individuals described in section 245C.03, subdivision 1, clauses
39.6(2), (5), and (6), relating to delinquency proceedings held within either the five years
39.7immediately preceding the background study or the five years immediately preceding the
39.8individual's 18th birthday, whichever time period is longer.
39.9    (d) For purposes of this chapter, a finding that a delinquency petition is proven in
39.10juvenile court shall be considered a conviction in state district court.
39.11    (e) The commissioner shall destroy juvenile court records obtained under this
39.12subdivision when the subject of the records reaches age 23. Juvenile courts shall provide
39.13orders of involuntary and voluntary termination of parental rights under section 260C.301
39.14to the commissioner upon request for purposes of conducting a background study under
39.15this chapter.

39.16    Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.09, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
39.17    Subdivision 1. Disqualification; licensing action. An applicant's, license holder's,
39.18or other entity's failure or refusal to cooperate with the commissioner, including failure
39.19to provide additional information required under section 245C.05, is reasonable cause
39.20to disqualify a subject, deny a license application, or immediately suspend or revoke
39.21a license or registration.

39.22    Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.11, is amended by adding a subdivision
39.23to read:
39.24    Subd. 4. Background study. A county agency may accept a background study
39.25completed by the commissioner under this chapter in place of the background study
39.26required under section 245A.16, subdivision 3, for educational programs that train
39.27individuals by providing direct contact services in licensed programs.

39.28    Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.13, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
39.29    Subd. 2. Direct contact pending completion of background study. The subject
39.30of a background study may not perform any activity requiring a background study under
39.31paragraph (b) until the commissioner has issued one of the notices under paragraph (a).
39.32    (a) Notices from the commissioner required prior to activity under paragraph (b)
39.33include:
40.1    (1) a notice of the study results under section 245C.17 stating that:
40.2    (i) the individual is not disqualified; or
40.3    (ii) more time is needed to complete the study but the individual is not required to be
40.4removed from direct contact or access to people receiving services prior to completion of
40.5the study as provided under section 245A.17 245C.17, subdivision 1, paragraph (b) or (c);
40.6    (2) a notice that a disqualification has been set aside under section 245C.23; or
40.7    (3) a notice that a variance has been granted related to the individual under section
40.8245C.30 .
40.9    (b) Activities prohibited prior to receipt of notice under paragraph (a) include:
40.10    (1) being issued a license;
40.11    (2) living in the household where the licensed program will be provided;
40.12    (3) providing direct contact services to persons served by a program unless the
40.13subject is under continuous direct supervision; or
40.14    (4) having access to persons receiving services if the background study was
40.15completed under section 144.057, subdivision 1, or 245C.03, subdivision 1, paragraph (a),
40.16clause (2), (5), or (6), unless the subject is under continuous direct supervision.

40.17    Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.14, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
40.18    Subdivision 1. Disqualification from direct contact. (a) The commissioner shall
40.19disqualify an individual who is the subject of a background study from any position
40.20allowing direct contact with persons receiving services from the license holder or entity
40.21identified in section 245C.03, upon receipt of information showing, or when a background
40.22study completed under this chapter shows any of the following:
40.23    (1) a conviction of or, admission to, or Alford plea to one or more crimes listed in
40.24section 245C.15, regardless of whether the conviction or admission is a felony, gross
40.25misdemeanor, or misdemeanor level crime;
40.26    (2) a preponderance of the evidence indicates the individual has committed an act
40.27or acts that meet the definition of any of the crimes listed in section 245C.15, regardless
40.28of whether the preponderance of the evidence is for a felony, gross misdemeanor, or
40.29misdemeanor level crime; or
40.30    (3) an investigation results in an administrative determination listed under section
40.31245C.15, subdivision 4 , paragraph (b).
40.32    (b) No individual who is disqualified following a background study under section
40.33245C.03, subdivisions 1 and 2 , may be retained in a position involving direct contact
40.34with persons served by a program or entity identified in section 245C.03, unless the
40.35commissioner has provided written notice under section 245C.17 stating that:
41.1    (1) the individual may remain in direct contact during the period in which the
41.2individual may request reconsideration as provided in section 245C.21, subdivision 2;
41.3    (2) the commissioner has set aside the individual's disqualification for that program
41.4or entity identified in section 245C.03, as provided in section 245C.22, subdivision 4; or
41.5    (3) the license holder has been granted a variance for the disqualified individual
41.6under section 245C.30.

41.7    Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.15, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
41.8    Subdivision 1. Permanent disqualification. (a) An individual is disqualified under
41.9section 245C.14 if: (1) regardless of how much time has passed since the discharge
41.10of the sentence imposed, if any, for the offense; and (2) unless otherwise specified,
41.11regardless of the level of the offense, the individual has committed any of the following
41.12offenses: sections 243.166 (violation of predatory offender registration law); 609.185
41.13(murder in the first degree); 609.19 (murder in the second degree); 609.195 (murder
41.14in the third degree); 609.20 (manslaughter in the first degree); 609.205 (manslaughter
41.15in the second degree); a felony offense under 609.221 or 609.222 (assault in the first
41.16or second degree); a felony offense under sections 609.2242 and 609.2243 (domestic
41.17assault), spousal abuse, child abuse or neglect, or a crime against children; 609.2247
41.18(domestic assault by strangulation); 609.228 (great bodily harm caused by distribution
41.19of drugs); 609.245 (aggravated robbery); 609.25 (kidnapping); 609.2661 (murder of an
41.20unborn child in the first degree); 609.2662 (murder of an unborn child in the second
41.21degree); 609.2663 (murder of an unborn child in the third degree); 609.322 (solicitation,
41.22inducement, and promotion of prostitution); a felony offense under 609.324, subdivision
41.231 (other prohibited acts); 609.342 (criminal sexual conduct in the first degree); 609.343
41.24(criminal sexual conduct in the second degree); 609.344 (criminal sexual conduct in the
41.25third degree); 609.345 (criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree); 609.3451 (criminal
41.26sexual conduct in the fifth degree); 609.3453 (criminal sexual predatory conduct); 609.352
41.27(solicitation of children to engage in sexual conduct); 609.365 (incest); a felony offense
41.28under 609.377 (malicious punishment of a child); a felony offense under 609.378 (neglect
41.29or endangerment of a child); 609.561 (arson in the first degree); 609.66, subdivision 1e
41.30(drive-by shooting); 609.749, subdivision 3, 4, or 5 (felony-level harassment; stalking);
41.31609.855, subdivision 5 (shooting at or in a public transit vehicle or facility); 617.23,
41.32subdivision 2, clause (1), or subdivision 3, clause (1) (indecent exposure involving a
41.33minor); 617.246 (use of minors in sexual performance prohibited); or 617.247 (possession
41.34of pictorial representations of minors). An individual also is disqualified under section
42.1245C.14 regardless of how much time has passed since the involuntary termination of
42.2the individual's parental rights under section 260C.301.
42.3    (b) An individual's aiding and abetting, attempt, or conspiracy to commit any of the
42.4offenses listed in paragraph (a), as each of these offenses is defined in Minnesota Statutes,
42.5permanently disqualifies the individual under section 245C.14.
42.6    (c) An individual's offense in any other state or country, where the elements of the
42.7offense are substantially similar to any of the offenses listed in paragraph (a), permanently
42.8disqualifies the individual under section 245C.14.
42.9    (d) When a disqualification is based on a judicial determination other than a
42.10conviction, the disqualification period begins from the date of the court order. When a
42.11disqualification is based on an admission, the disqualification period begins from the date
42.12of an admission in court. When a disqualification is based on a preponderance of evidence
42.13of a disqualifying act, the disqualification date begins from the date of the dismissal, the
42.14date of discharge of the sentence imposed for a conviction for a disqualifying crime of
42.15similar elements, or the date of the incident, whichever occurs last.
42.16    (e) If the individual studied commits one of the offenses listed in paragraph (a)
42.17that is specified as a felony-level only offense, but the sentence or level of offense is a
42.18gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor, the individual is disqualified, but the disqualification
42.19look-back period for the offense is the period applicable to gross misdemeanor or
42.20misdemeanor offenses.

42.21    Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.15, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
42.22    Subd. 2. 15-year disqualification. (a) An individual is disqualified under section
42.23245C.14 if: (1) less than 15 years have passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed,
42.24if any, for the offense; and (2) the individual has committed a felony-level violation
42.25of any of the following offenses: sections 256.98 (wrongfully obtaining assistance);
42.26268.182 (false representation; concealment of facts); 393.07, subdivision 10, paragraph
42.27(c) (federal Food Stamp Program fraud); 609.165 (felon ineligible to possess firearm);
42.28609.21 (criminal vehicular homicide and injury); 609.215 (suicide); 609.223 or 609.2231
42.29(assault in the third or fourth degree); repeat offenses under 609.224 (assault in the fifth
42.30degree); 609.229 (crimes committed for benefit of a gang); 609.2325 (criminal abuse
42.31of a vulnerable adult); 609.2335 (financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult); 609.235
42.32(use of drugs to injure or facilitate crime); 609.24 (simple robbery); 609.255 (false
42.33imprisonment); 609.2664 (manslaughter of an unborn child in the first degree); 609.2665
42.34(manslaughter of an unborn child in the second degree); 609.267 (assault of an unborn
42.35child in the first degree); 609.2671 (assault of an unborn child in the second degree);
43.1609.268 (injury or death of an unborn child in the commission of a crime); 609.27
43.2(coercion); 609.275 (attempt to coerce); repeat offenses under 609.3451 (criminal sexual
43.3conduct in the fifth degree); 609.466 (medical assistance fraud); 609.498, subdivision 1
43.4or 1b (aggravated first degree or first degree tampering with a witness); 609.52 (theft);
43.5609.521 (possession of shoplifting gear); 609.525 (bringing stolen goods into Minnesota);
43.6609.527 (identity theft); 609.53 (receiving stolen property); 609.535 (issuance of
43.7dishonored checks); 609.562 (arson in the second degree); 609.563 (arson in the third
43.8degree); 609.582 (burglary); 609.59 (possession of burglary tools); 609.611 (insurance
43.9fraud); 609.625 (aggravated forgery); 609.63 (forgery); 609.631 (check forgery; offering
43.10a forged check); 609.635 (obtaining signature by false pretense); 609.66 (dangerous
43.11weapons); 609.67 (machine guns and short-barreled shotguns); 609.687 (adulteration);
43.12609.71 (riot); 609.713 (terroristic threats); 609.82 (fraud in obtaining credit); 609.821
43.13(financial transaction card fraud); repeat offenses under 617.23 (indecent exposure;
43.14penalties), not involving a minor; repeat offenses under 617.241 (obscene materials and
43.15performances; distribution and exhibition prohibited; penalty); 624.713 (certain persons
43.16not to possess firearms); chapter 152 (drugs; controlled substance); or a felony-level
43.17conviction involving alcohol or drug use.
43.18    (b) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than 15 years has
43.19passed since the individual's aiding and abetting, attempt, or conspiracy to commit any
43.20of the offenses listed in paragraph (a), as each of these offenses is defined in Minnesota
43.21Statutes.
43.22    (c) For foster care and family child care an individual is disqualified under section
43.23245C.14 if less than 15 years has passed since the individual's voluntary termination of
43.24the individual's parental rights under section 260C.301, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), or
43.25260C.301, subdivision 3 .
43.26    (d) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than 15 years has
43.27passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed for an offense in any other state or
43.28country, the elements of which are substantially similar to the elements of the offenses
43.29listed in paragraph (a).
43.30    (e) If the individual studied is convicted commits one of one of the felonies offenses
43.31listed in paragraph (a), but the sentence or level of offense is a gross misdemeanor or
43.32misdemeanor disposition, the individual is disqualified but the disqualification lookback
43.33period for the conviction offense is the period applicable to the gross misdemeanor or
43.34misdemeanor disposition.
43.35    (f) When a disqualification is based on a judicial determination other than a
43.36conviction, the disqualification period begins from the date of the court order. When a
44.1disqualification is based on an admission, the disqualification period begins from the date
44.2of an admission in court. When a disqualification is based on a preponderance of evidence
44.3of a disqualifying act, the disqualification date begins from the date of the dismissal, the
44.4date of discharge of the sentence imposed for a conviction for a disqualifying crime of
44.5similar elements, or the date of the incident, whichever occurs last.

44.6    Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.15, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
44.7    Subd. 3. Ten-year disqualification. (a) An individual is disqualified under section
44.8245C.14 if: (1) less than ten years have passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed,
44.9if any, for the offense; and (2) the individual has committed a gross misdemeanor-level
44.10violation of any of the following offenses: sections 256.98 (wrongfully obtaining
44.11assistance); 268.182 (false representation; concealment of facts); 393.07, subdivision
44.1210 , paragraph (c) (federal Food Stamp Program fraud); 609.21 (criminal vehicular
44.13homicide and injury); 609.221 or 609.222 (assault in the first or second degree); 609.223
44.14or 609.2231 (assault in the third or fourth degree); 609.224 (assault in the fifth degree);
44.15609.224, subdivision 2 , paragraph (c) (assault in the fifth degree by a caregiver against a
44.16vulnerable adult); 609.2242 and 609.2243 (domestic assault); 609.23 (mistreatment of
44.17persons confined); 609.231 (mistreatment of residents or patients); 609.2325 (criminal
44.18abuse of a vulnerable adult); 609.233 (criminal neglect of a vulnerable adult); 609.2335
44.19(financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult); 609.234 (failure to report maltreatment of a
44.20vulnerable adult); 609.265 (abduction); 609.275 (attempt to coerce); 609.324, subdivision
44.211a (other prohibited acts; minor engaged in prostitution); 609.33 (disorderly house);
44.22609.3451 (criminal sexual conduct in the fifth degree); 609.377 (malicious punishment of
44.23a child); 609.378 (neglect or endangerment of a child); 609.466 (medical assistance fraud);
44.24609.52 (theft); 609.525 (bringing stolen goods into Minnesota); 609.527 (identity theft);
44.25609.53 (receiving stolen property); 609.535 (issuance of dishonored checks); 609.582
44.26(burglary); 609.59 (possession of burglary tools); 609.611 (insurance fraud); 609.631
44.27(check forgery; offering a forged check); 609.66 (dangerous weapons); 609.71 (riot);
44.28609.72, subdivision 3 (disorderly conduct against a vulnerable adult); repeat offenses
44.29under 609.746 (interference with privacy); 609.749, subdivision 2 (harassment; stalking);
44.30 609.82 (fraud in obtaining credit); 609.821 (financial transaction card fraud); repeat
44.31offenses under 617.23 (indecent exposure), not involving a minor; 617.241 (obscene
44.32materials and performances); 617.243 (indecent literature, distribution); 617.293 (harmful
44.33materials; dissemination and display to minors prohibited); or violation of an order for
44.34protection under section 518B.01, subdivision 14.
45.1    (b) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than ten years has
45.2passed since the individual's aiding and abetting, attempt, or conspiracy to commit any
45.3of the offenses listed in paragraph (a), as each of these offenses is defined in Minnesota
45.4Statutes.
45.5    (c) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than ten years has
45.6passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed for an offense in any other state or
45.7country, the elements of which are substantially similar to the elements of any of the
45.8offenses listed in paragraph (a).
45.9    (d) If the defendant is convicted of one of the gross misdemeanors individual studied
45.10commits one of the offenses listed in paragraph (a), but the sentence or level of offense is
45.11a misdemeanor disposition, the individual is disqualified but the disqualification lookback
45.12period for the conviction offense is the period applicable to misdemeanors.
45.13    (e) When a disqualification is based on a judicial determination other than a
45.14conviction, the disqualification period begins from the date of the court order. When a
45.15disqualification is based on an admission, the disqualification period begins from the date
45.16of an admission in court. When a disqualification is based on a preponderance of evidence
45.17of a disqualifying act, the disqualification date begins from the date of the dismissal, the
45.18date of discharge of the sentence imposed for a conviction for a disqualifying crime of
45.19similar elements, or the date of the incident, whichever occurs last.

45.20    Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.15, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
45.21    Subd. 4. Seven-year disqualification. (a) An individual is disqualified under
45.22section 245C.14 if: (1) less than seven years has passed since the discharge of the sentence
45.23imposed, if any, for the offense; and (2) the individual has committed a misdemeanor-level
45.24violation of any of the following offenses: sections 256.98 (wrongfully obtaining
45.25assistance); 268.182 (false representation; concealment of facts); 393.07, subdivision 10,
45.26paragraph (c) (federal Food Stamp Program fraud); 609.21 (criminal vehicular homicide
45.27and injury); 609.221 (assault in the first degree); 609.222 (assault in the second degree);
45.28609.223 (assault in the third degree); 609.2231 (assault in the fourth degree); 609.224
45.29(assault in the fifth degree); 609.2242 (domestic assault); 609.2335 (financial exploitation
45.30of a vulnerable adult); 609.234 (failure to report maltreatment of a vulnerable adult);
45.31609.2672 (assault of an unborn child in the third degree); 609.27 (coercion); violation
45.32of an order for protection under 609.3232 (protective order authorized; procedures;
45.33penalties); 609.466 (medical assistance fraud); 609.52 (theft); 609.525 (bringing stolen
45.34goods into Minnesota); 609.527 (identity theft); 609.53 (receiving stolen property);
45.35609.535 (issuance of dishonored checks); 609.611 (insurance fraud); 609.66 (dangerous
46.1weapons); 609.665 (spring guns); 609.746 (interference with privacy); 609.79 (obscene or
46.2harassing telephone calls); 609.795 (letter, telegram, or package; opening; harassment);
46.3609.82 (fraud in obtaining credit); 609.821 (financial transaction card fraud); 617.23
46.4(indecent exposure; penalties), not involving a minor; 617.293 (harmful materials;
46.5dissemination and display to minors prohibited); or violation of an order for protection
46.6under section 518B.01 (Domestic Abuse Act).
46.7    (b) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than seven years has
46.8passed since a determination or disposition of the individual's:
46.9    (1) failure to make required reports under section 626.556, subdivision 3, or
46.10626.557, subdivision 3 , for incidents in which: (i) the final disposition under section
46.11626.556 or 626.557 was substantiated maltreatment, and (ii) the maltreatment was
46.12recurring or serious; or
46.13    (2) substantiated serious or recurring maltreatment of a minor under section 626.556,
46.14a vulnerable adult under section 626.557, or serious or recurring maltreatment in any other
46.15state, the elements of which are substantially similar to the elements of maltreatment under
46.16section 626.556 or 626.557 for which: (i) there is a preponderance of evidence that the
46.17maltreatment occurred, and (ii) the subject was responsible for the maltreatment.
46.18    (c) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than seven years has
46.19passed since the individual's aiding and abetting, attempt, or conspiracy to commit any
46.20of the offenses listed in paragraphs (a) and (b), as each of these offenses is defined in
46.21Minnesota Statutes.
46.22    (d) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than seven years has
46.23passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed for an offense in any other state or
46.24country, the elements of which are substantially similar to the elements of any of the
46.25offenses listed in paragraphs (a) and (b).
46.26    (e) When a disqualification is based on a judicial determination other than a
46.27conviction, the disqualification period begins from the date of the court order. When a
46.28disqualification is based on an admission, the disqualification period begins from the date
46.29of an admission in court. When a disqualification is based on a preponderance of evidence
46.30of a disqualifying act, the disqualification date begins from the date of the dismissal, the
46.31date of discharge of the sentence imposed for a conviction for a disqualifying crime of
46.32similar elements, or the date of the incident, whichever occurs last.
46.33    (f) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than seven years has
46.34passed since the individual was disqualified under section 256.98, subdivision 8.

46.35    Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.16, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
47.1    Subdivision 1. Determining immediate risk of harm. (a) If the commissioner
47.2determines that the individual studied has a disqualifying characteristic, the commissioner
47.3shall review the information immediately available and make a determination as to the
47.4subject's immediate risk of harm to persons served by the program where the individual
47.5studied will have direct contact with, or access to, people receiving services.
47.6    (b) The commissioner shall consider all relevant information available, including the
47.7following factors in determining the immediate risk of harm:
47.8    (1) the recency of the disqualifying characteristic;
47.9    (2) the recency of discharge from probation for the crimes;
47.10    (3) the number of disqualifying characteristics;
47.11    (4) the intrusiveness or violence of the disqualifying characteristic;
47.12    (5) the vulnerability of the victim involved in the disqualifying characteristic;
47.13    (6) the similarity of the victim to the persons served by the program where the
47.14individual studied will have direct contact; and
47.15    (7) whether the individual has a disqualification from a previous background study
47.16that has not been set aside.; and
47.17    (8) if the individual has a disqualification which may not be set aside because it is
47.18a permanent bar under section 245C.24, subdivision 1, the commissioner may order the
47.19immediate removal of the individual from any position allowing direct contact with, or
47.20access to, persons receiving services from the program.
47.21    (c) This section does not apply when the subject of a background study is regulated
47.22by a health-related licensing board as defined in chapter 214, and the subject is determined
47.23to be responsible for substantiated maltreatment under section 626.556 or 626.557.
47.24    (d) If the commissioner has reason to believe, based on arrest information or an
47.25active maltreatment investigation, that an individual poses an imminent risk of harm to
47.26persons receiving services, the commissioner may order that the person be continuously
47.27supervised or immediately removed pending the conclusion of the maltreatment
47.28investigation or criminal proceedings.

47.29    Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.17, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
47.30    Subd. 2. Disqualification notice sent to subject. (a) If the information in the study
47.31indicates the individual is disqualified from direct contact with, or from access to, persons
47.32served by the program, the commissioner shall disclose to the individual studied:
47.33    (1) the information causing disqualification;
47.34    (2) instructions on how to request a reconsideration of the disqualification;
48.1    (3) an explanation of any restrictions on the commissioner's discretion to set aside
48.2the disqualification under section 245C.24, when applicable to the individual;
48.3    (4) a statement indicating that if the individual's disqualification is set aside or the
48.4facility is granted a variance under section 245C.30, the individual's identity and the
48.5reason for the individual's disqualification will become public data under section 245C.22,
48.6subdivision 7 , when applicable to the individual; and
48.7    (5) the commissioner's determination of the individual's immediate risk of harm
48.8under section 245C.16.
48.9    (b) If the commissioner determines under section 245C.16 that an individual poses
48.10an imminent risk of harm to persons served by the program where the individual will have
48.11direct contact with, or access to, people receiving services, the commissioner's notice must
48.12include an explanation of the basis of this determination.
48.13    (c) If the commissioner determines under section 245C.16 that an individual studied
48.14does not pose a risk of harm that requires immediate removal, the individual shall be
48.15informed of the conditions under which the agency that initiated the background study
48.16may allow the individual to provide have direct contact services with, or access to, people
48.17receiving services, as provided under subdivision 3.

48.18    Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.17, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
48.19    Subd. 3. Disqualification notification. (a) The commissioner shall notify an
48.20applicant, license holder, or other entity as provided in this chapter who is not the subject
48.21of the study:
48.22    (1) that the commissioner has found information that disqualifies the individual
48.23studied from being in a position allowing direct contact with, or from access to, persons
48.24people served by the program; and
48.25    (2) the commissioner's determination of the individual's risk of harm under section
48.26245C.16 .
48.27    (b) If the commissioner determines under section 245C.16 that an individual studied
48.28poses an imminent risk of harm to persons served by the program where the individual
48.29studied will have direct contact with, or access to, people served by the program, the
48.30commissioner shall order the license holder to immediately remove the individual studied
48.31from any position allowing direct contact with, or access to, people served by the program.
48.32    (c) If the commissioner determines under section 245C.16 that an individual studied
48.33poses a risk of harm that requires continuous, direct supervision, the commissioner shall
48.34order the applicant, license holder, or other entities as provided in this chapter to:
49.1    (1) immediately remove the individual studied from any position allowing direct
49.2contact with, or access to, people receiving services; or
49.3    (2) before allowing the disqualified individual to provide be in a position allowing
49.4direct contact with, or access to, people receiving services, the applicant, license holder, or
49.5other entity, as provided in this chapter, must:
49.6    (i) obtain from the disqualified individual a copy of the individual's notice of
49.7disqualification from the commissioner that explains the reason for disqualification;
49.8    (ii) ensure that the individual studied is under continuous, direct supervision when
49.9providing in a position allowing direct contact with, or access to, people receiving
49.10services during the period in which the individual may request a reconsideration of the
49.11disqualification under section 245C.21; and
49.12    (iii) ensure that the disqualified individual requests reconsideration within 30 days
49.13of receipt of the notice of disqualification.
49.14    (d) If the commissioner determines under section 245C.16 that an individual studied
49.15does not pose a risk of harm that requires continuous, direct supervision, the commissioner
49.16shall order the applicant, license holder, or other entities as provided in this chapter to:
49.17    (1) immediately remove the individual studied from any position allowing direct
49.18contact with, or access to, people receiving services; or
49.19    (2) before allowing the disqualified individual to provide be in any position allowing
49.20direct contact with, or access to, people receiving services, the applicant, license holder, or
49.21other entity as provided in this chapter must:
49.22    (i) obtain from the disqualified individual a copy of the individual's notice of
49.23disqualification from the commissioner that explains the reason for disqualification; and
49.24    (ii) ensure that the disqualified individual requests reconsideration within 15 days
49.25of receipt of the notice of disqualification.
49.26    (e) The commissioner shall not notify the applicant, license holder, or other entity
49.27as provided in this chapter of the information contained in the subject's background
49.28study unless:
49.29    (1) the basis for the disqualification is failure to cooperate with the background study
49.30or substantiated maltreatment under section 626.556 or 626.557;
49.31    (2) the Data Practices Act under chapter 13 provides for release of the information; or
49.32    (3) the individual studied authorizes the release of the information.

49.33    Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.21, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
49.34    Subd. 2. Time frame for requesting reconsideration. (a) When the commissioner
49.35sends an individual a notice of disqualification based on a finding under section 245C.16,
50.1subdivision 2 , paragraph (a), clause (1) or (2), the disqualified individual must submit the
50.2request for a reconsideration within 30 calendar days of the individual's receipt of the
50.3notice of disqualification. If mailed, the request for reconsideration must be postmarked
50.4and sent to the commissioner within 30 calendar days of the individual's receipt of the
50.5notice of disqualification. If a request for reconsideration is made by personal service,
50.6it must be received by the commissioner within 30 calendar days after the individual's
50.7receipt of the notice of disqualification. Upon showing that the information under
50.8subdivision 3 cannot be obtained within 30 days, the disqualified individual may request
50.9additional time, not to exceed 30 days, to obtain the information.
50.10    (b) When the commissioner sends an individual a notice of disqualification
50.11based on a finding under section 245C.16, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (3), the
50.12disqualified individual must submit the request for reconsideration within 15 calendar
50.13days of the individual's receipt of the notice of disqualification. If mailed, the request for
50.14reconsideration must be postmarked and sent to the commissioner within 15 calendar days
50.15of the individual's receipt of the notice of disqualification. If a request for reconsideration
50.16is made by personal service, it must be received by the commissioner within 15 calendar
50.17days after the individual's receipt of the notice of disqualification.
50.18    (c) An individual who was determined to have maltreated a child under section
50.19626.556 or a vulnerable adult under section 626.557, and who is disqualified on the basis of
50.20serious or recurring maltreatment, may request a reconsideration of both the maltreatment
50.21and the disqualification determinations. The request must be submitted within 30 calendar
50.22days of the individual's receipt of the notice of disqualification. If mailed, the request for
50.23reconsideration must be postmarked and sent to the commissioner within 30 calendar days
50.24of the individual's receipt of the notice of disqualification. If a request for reconsideration
50.25is made by personal service, it must be received by the commissioner within 30 calendar
50.26days after the individual's receipt of the notice of disqualification.
50.27    (d) Except for family child care and child foster care, reconsideration of a
50.28maltreatment determination under sections 626.556, subdivision 10i, and 626.557,
50.29subdivision 9d, and reconsideration of a disqualification under section 245C.22, shall
50.30not be conducted when:
50.31    (1) a denial of a license under section 245A.05, or a licensing sanction under section
50.32245A.07, is based on a determination that the license holder is responsible for maltreatment
50.33or the disqualification of a license holder based on serious or recurring maltreatment;
50.34    (2) the denial of a license or licensing sanction is issued at the same time as the
50.35maltreatment determination or disqualification; and
51.1    (3) the license holder appeals the maltreatment determination, disqualification, and
51.2denial of a license or licensing sanction. In such cases, a fair hearing under section 256.045
51.3must not be conducted under sections 245C.27, 626.556, subdivision 10i, and 626.557,
51.4subdivision 9d. Under section 245A.08, subdivision 2a, the scope of the consolidated
51.5contested case hearing must include the maltreatment determination, disqualification, and
51.6denial of a license or licensing sanction.
51.7    Notwithstanding clauses (1) to (3), if the license holder appeals the maltreatment
51.8determination or disqualification, but does not appeal the denial of a license or a licensing
51.9sanction, reconsideration of the maltreatment determination shall be conducted under
51.10section 626.556, subdivision 10i, and section 626.557, subdivision 9d, and reconsideration
51.11of the disqualification shall be conducted under section 245C.22. In such cases, a fair
51.12hearing shall also be conducted as provided under sections 245C.27, 626.556, subdivision
51.1310i, and 626.557, subdivision 9d.

51.14    Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.21, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
51.15    Subd. 3. Information Disqualified individuals must provide when requesting
51.16reconsideration; information for reconsideration. (a) The disqualified individual
51.17requesting reconsideration must submit information showing that:
51.18    (1) the information the commissioner relied upon in determining the underlying
51.19conduct that gave rise to the disqualification is incorrect;
51.20    (2) for maltreatment, the information the commissioner relied upon in determining
51.21that maltreatment was serious or recurring is incorrect; or
51.22    (3) the subject of the study does not pose a risk of harm to any person served by the
51.23applicant, license holder, or other entities as provided in this chapter, by addressing the
51.24information required under section 245C.22, subdivision 4.
51.25    (b) In order to determine the individual's risk of harm, the commissioner may require
51.26additional information from the disqualified individual as part of the reconsideration
51.27process. If the individual fails to provide the required information, the commissioner
51.28may deny the individual's request.

51.29    Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.22, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
51.30    Subd. 4. Risk of harm; set aside. (a) The commissioner may set aside the
51.31disqualification if the commissioner finds that the individual has submitted sufficient
51.32information to demonstrate that the individual does not pose a risk of harm to any person
51.33served by the applicant, license holder, or other entities as provided in this chapter.
52.1    (b) In determining whether the individual has met the burden of proof by
52.2demonstrating the individual does not pose a risk of harm, the commissioner shall consider:
52.3    (1) the nature, severity, and consequences of the event or events that led to the
52.4disqualification;
52.5    (2) whether there is more than one disqualifying event;
52.6    (3) the age and vulnerability of the victim at the time of the event;
52.7    (4) the harm suffered by the victim;
52.8    (5) vulnerability of persons served by the program;
52.9    (6) the similarity between the victim and persons served by the program;
52.10    (6) (7) the time elapsed without a repeat of the same or similar event;
52.11    (7) (8) documentation of successful completion by the individual studied of training
52.12or rehabilitation pertinent to the event; and
52.13    (8) (9) any other information relevant to reconsideration.
52.14    (c) If the individual requested reconsideration on the basis that the information
52.15relied upon to disqualify the individual was incorrect or inaccurate and the commissioner
52.16determines that the information relied upon to disqualify the individual is correct, the
52.17commissioner must also determine if the individual poses a risk of harm to persons
52.18receiving services in accordance with paragraph (b).

52.19    Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.22, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
52.20    Subd. 5. Scope of set aside. If the commissioner sets aside a disqualification under
52.21this section, the disqualified individual remains disqualified, but may hold a license and
52.22have direct contact with or access to persons receiving services. The commissioner's set
52.23aside of a disqualification is limited solely to the licensed program, applicant, or agency
52.24specified in the set aside notice under section 245C.23, unless otherwise specified in the
52.25notice. For personal care provider organizations, the commissioner's set-aside may further
52.26be limited to a specific individual who is receiving services.

52.27    Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.24, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
52.28    Subd. 2. Permanent bar to set aside a disqualification. (a) Except as provided in
52.29paragraph (b), the commissioner may not set aside the disqualification of any individual
52.30disqualified pursuant to this chapter, regardless of how much time has passed, if the
52.31individual was disqualified for a crime or conduct listed in section 245C.15, subdivision 1.
52.32    (b) For an individual in the chemical dependency field who was disqualified for a
52.33crime or conduct listed under section 245C.15, subdivision 1, and whose disqualification
52.34was who received a set aside prior to July 1, 2005, the commissioner must consider
53.1granting a variance pursuant to section 245C.30 for the license holder for a program
53.2dealing primarily with adults. A request for reconsideration evaluated under this paragraph
53.3must include a letter of recommendation from the license holder that was subject to the
53.4prior set-aside decision addressing the individual's quality of care to children or vulnerable
53.5adults and the circumstances of the individual's departure from that service.

53.6    Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.24, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
53.7    Subd. 3. Ten-year bar to set aside disqualification. (a) The commissioner may
53.8not set aside the disqualification of an individual in connection with a license to provide
53.9family child care for children, foster care for children in the provider's home, or foster
53.10care or day care services for adults in the provider's home if: (1) less than ten years has
53.11passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed, if any, for the offense; or (2) when
53.12disqualified based on a preponderance of evidence determination under section 245A.14
53.13245C.14, subdivision 1 , paragraph (a), clause (2), or an admission under section 245A.14
53.14245C.14, subdivision 1 , paragraph (a), clause (1), and less than ten years has passed since
53.15the individual committed the act or admitted to committing the act, whichever is later; and
53.16(3) the individual has committed a violation of any of the following offenses: sections
53.17609.165 (felon ineligible to possess firearm); criminal vehicular homicide under 609.21
53.18(criminal vehicular homicide and injury); 609.215 (aiding suicide or aiding attempted
53.19suicide); felony violations under 609.223 or 609.2231 (assault in the third or fourth
53.20degree); 609.229 (crimes committed for benefit of a gang); 609.713 (terroristic threats);
53.21609.235 (use of drugs to injure or to facilitate crime); 609.24 (simple robbery); 609.255
53.22(false imprisonment); 609.562 (arson in the second degree); 609.71 (riot); 609.498,
53.23subdivision 1 or 1b (aggravated first degree or first degree tampering with a witness);
53.24burglary in the first or second degree under 609.582 (burglary); 609.66 (dangerous
53.25weapon); 609.665 (spring guns); 609.67 (machine guns and short-barreled shotguns);
53.26609.749, subdivision 2 (gross misdemeanor harassment; stalking); 152.021 or 152.022
53.27(controlled substance crime in the first or second degree); 152.023, subdivision 1, clause
53.28(3) or (4) or subdivision 2, clause (4) (controlled substance crime in the third degree);
53.29152.024 , subdivision 1, clause (2), (3), or (4) (controlled substance crime in the fourth
53.30degree); 609.224, subdivision 2, paragraph (c) (fifth-degree assault by a caregiver against
53.31a vulnerable adult); 609.23 (mistreatment of persons confined); 609.231 (mistreatment of
53.32residents or patients); 609.2325 (criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult); 609.233 (criminal
53.33neglect of a vulnerable adult); 609.2335 (financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult);
53.34609.234 (failure to report); 609.265 (abduction); 609.2664 to 609.2665 (manslaughter
53.35of an unborn child in the first or second degree); 609.267 to 609.2672 (assault of an
54.1unborn child in the first, second, or third degree); 609.268 (injury or death of an unborn
54.2child in the commission of a crime); repeat offenses under 617.23 (indecent exposure);
54.3617.293 (disseminating or displaying harmful material to minors); a felony-level
54.4conviction involving alcohol or drug use, a gross misdemeanor offense under 609.324,
54.5subdivision 1 (other prohibited acts); a gross misdemeanor offense under 609.378 (neglect
54.6or endangerment of a child); a gross misdemeanor offense under 609.377 (malicious
54.7punishment of a child); or 609.72, subdivision 3 (disorderly conduct against a vulnerable
54.8adult); or 624.713 (certain persons not to possess firearms).
54.9    (b) The commissioner may not set aside the disqualification of an individual if
54.10less than ten years have passed since the individual's aiding and abetting, attempt, or
54.11conspiracy to commit any of the offenses listed in paragraph (a) as each of these offenses
54.12is defined in Minnesota Statutes.
54.13    (c) The commissioner may not set aside the disqualification of an individual if less
54.14than ten years have passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed for an offense in
54.15any other state or country, the elements of which are substantially similar to the elements
54.16of any of the offenses listed in paragraph (a).

54.17    Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.27, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
54.18    Subdivision 1. Fair hearing when disqualification is not set aside. (a) If the
54.19commissioner does not set aside a disqualification of an individual under section
54.20245C.22 who is disqualified on the basis of a preponderance of evidence that the
54.21individual committed an act or acts that meet the definition of any of the crimes listed in
54.22section 245C.15; for a determination under section 626.556 or 626.557 of substantiated
54.23maltreatment that was serious or recurring under section 245C.15; or for failure to make
54.24required reports under section 626.556, subdivision 3; or 626.557, subdivision 3, pursuant
54.25to section 245C.15, subdivision 4, paragraph (b), clause (1), the individual may request
54.26a fair hearing under section 256.045, unless the disqualification is deemed conclusive
54.27under section 245C.29.
54.28    (b) The fair hearing is the only administrative appeal of the final agency
54.29determination for purposes of appeal by the disqualified individual. The disqualified
54.30individual does not have the right to challenge the accuracy and completeness of data
54.31under section 13.04.
54.32    (c) Except as provided under paragraph (e), if the individual was disqualified based
54.33on a conviction or admission to any crimes listed in section 245C.15, subdivisions 1
54.34to 4 , or for a disqualification under section 256.98, subdivision 8, the reconsideration
54.35decision under section 245C.22 is the final agency determination for purposes of appeal
55.1by the disqualified individual and is not subject to a hearing under section 256.045. If
55.2the individual was disqualified based on a judicial determination, that determination is
55.3treated the same as a conviction for purposes of appeal.
55.4    (d) This subdivision does not apply to a public employee's appeal of a disqualification
55.5under section 245C.28, subdivision 3.
55.6    (e) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), if the commissioner does not set aside a
55.7disqualification of an individual who was disqualified based on both a preponderance
55.8of evidence and a conviction or admission, the individual may request a fair hearing
55.9under section 256.045, unless the disqualifications are deemed conclusive under section
55.10245C.29 . The scope of the hearing conducted under section 256.045 with regard to the
55.11disqualification based on a conviction or admission shall be limited solely to whether the
55.12individual poses a risk of harm, according to section 256.045, subdivision 3b. In this case,
55.13the reconsideration decision under section 245C.22 is not the final agency decision for
55.14purposes of appeal by the disqualified individual.

55.15    Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.28, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
55.16    Subdivision 1. License holder. (a) If a maltreatment determination or a
55.17disqualification for which reconsideration was requested and which was not set aside is
55.18the basis for a denial of a license under section 245A.05 or a licensing sanction under
55.19section 245A.07, the license holder has the right to a contested case hearing under chapter
55.2014 and Minnesota Rules, parts 1400.8505 to 1400.8612. The license holder must submit
55.21the appeal under section 245A.05 or 245A.07, subdivision 3.
55.22    (b) The license holder must submit the appeal in accordance with section 245A.05 or
55.23245A.07, subdivision 3. As provided under section 245A.08, subdivision 2a, if the denial
55.24of a license or licensing sanction is based on a disqualification for which reconsideration
55.25was requested and was not set-aside, the scope of the consolidated contested case hearing
55.26must include:
55.27    (1) the disqualification, to the extent the license holder otherwise has a hearing right
55.28on the disqualification under this chapter; and
55.29    (2) the licensing sanction or denial of a license.
55.30    (c) If the disqualification was based on a determination of substantiated serious or
55.31recurring maltreatment under section 626.556 or 626.557, the appeal must be submitted
55.32in accordance with sections 245A.07, subdivision 3, and 626.556, subdivision 10i, or
55.33626.557, subdivision 9d. As provided for under section 245A.08, subdivision 2a, if the
55.34denial of a license or licensing sanction is based on a determination of maltreatment under
56.1section 626.556 or 626.557, or a disqualification for serious or recurring maltreatment
56.2which was not set-aside, the scope of the contested case hearing must include:
56.3    (1) the maltreatment determination, if the maltreatment is not conclusive under
56.4section 245C.29;
56.5    (2) the disqualification, if the disqualification is not conclusive under section
56.6245C.29; and
56.7    (3) the licensing sanction or denial of a license. In such cases, a fair hearing must not
56.8be conducted under section 256.045. If the disqualification was based on a determination
56.9of substantiated serious or recurring maltreatment under section 626.556 or 626.557, the
56.10appeal must be submitted under sections 245A.07, subdivision 3, and 626.556, subdivision
56.1110i, or 626.557, subdivision 9d.
56.12    (d) Except for family child care and child foster care, reconsideration of a
56.13maltreatment determination under sections 626.556, subdivision 10i, and 626.557,
56.14subdivision 9d, and reconsideration of a disqualification under section 245C.22, must
56.15not be conducted when:
56.16    (1) a denial of a license under section 245A.05, or a licensing sanction under section
56.17245A.07, is based on a determination that the license holder is responsible for maltreatment
56.18or the disqualification of a license holder based on serious or recurring maltreatment;
56.19    (2) the denial of a license or licensing sanction is issued at the same time as the
56.20maltreatment determination or disqualification; and
56.21    (3) the license holder appeals the maltreatment determination, disqualification, and
56.22denial of a license or licensing sanction. In such cases a fair hearing under section 256.045
56.23must not be conducted under sections 245C.27, 626.556, subdivision 10i, and 626.557,
56.24subdivision 9d. Under section 245A.08, subdivision 2a, the scope of the consolidated
56.25contested case hearing must include the maltreatment determination, disqualification, and
56.26denial of a license or licensing sanction.
56.27    Notwithstanding clauses (1) to (3), if the license holder appeals the maltreatment
56.28determination or disqualification, but does not appeal the denial of a license or a licensing
56.29sanction, reconsideration of the maltreatment determination shall be conducted under
56.30section 626.556, subdivision 10i, and section 626.557, subdivision 9d, and reconsideration
56.31of the disqualification shall be conducted under section 245C.22. In such cases, a fair
56.32hearing shall also be conducted as provided under sections 245C.27, 626.556, subdivision
56.3310i, and 626.557, subdivision 9d.

56.34    Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.301, is amended to read:
56.35245C.301 NOTIFICATION OF SET-ASIDE OR VARIANCE.
57.1    (a) Except as provided under paragraph paragraphs (b) and (c), if required by the
57.2commissioner, family child care providers and child care centers must provide a written
57.3notification to parents considering enrollment of a child or parents of a child attending the
57.4family child care or child care center if the program employs or has living in the home any
57.5individual who is the subject of either a set-aside or variance.
57.6    (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), family child care license holders are not required
57.7to disclose that the program has an individual living in the home who is the subject of a
57.8set-aside or variance if:
57.9    (1) the household member resides in the residence where the family child care is
57.10provided;
57.11    (2) the subject of the set-aside or variance is under the age of 18 years; and
57.12    (3) the set-aside or variance relates to a disqualification under section 245C.15,
57.13subdivision 4, for a misdemeanor-level theft crime as defined in section 609.52.
57.14    (c) The notice specified in paragraph (a) is not required when the period of
57.15disqualification in section 245C.15, subdivisions 2 to 4, has been exceeded.
57.16EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

57.17    Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.0919, is amended by adding a
57.18subdivision to read:
57.19    Subd. 4. County certification; licensed providers; related individual;
57.20developmentally disabled. (a) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, a county
57.21may certify an adult foster care license holder to provide foster care services to an
57.22individual with a developmental disability, who is related to the provider, if the following
57.23conditions are met:
57.24    (1) the individual is 18 years of age or older;
57.25    (2) the individual's service plan meets the standards of section 256B.092 and
57.26specifies any special conditions necessary to prevent a conflict of interest for the provider;
57.27    (3) the provider is not the legal guardian or conservator of the related individual;
57.28    (4) the provider maintains a license under Minnesota Rules, parts 9555.5105 to
57.299555.6265, to serve unrelated foster care recipients;
57.30    (5) the provider maintains a license under chapter 245B; and
57.31    (6) the county certifies the provider meets the adult foster care provider standards
57.32established in Minnesota Rules, parts 9555.5105 to 9555.6265, for services provided
57.33to the related individual.
57.34    (b) The county shall complete an annual certification review to ensure compliance
57.35with paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (6).
58.1    (c) Notwithstanding section 256I.04, subdivision 2a, clause (2), the adult foster care
58.2provider certified by the county under this subdivision may be reimbursed for room and
58.3board costs through the group residential housing program.

58.4    Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256B.092, is amended by adding a
58.5subdivision to read:
58.6    Subd. 4d. Medicaid reimbursement; licensed provider; related individuals. The
58.7commissioner shall seek a federal amendment to the home and community-based services
58.8waiver for individuals with developmental disabilities, to allow Medicaid reimbursement
58.9for the provision of supported living services to a related individual when the following
58.10conditions have been met:
58.11    (1) the individual is 18 years of age or older;
58.12    (2) the provider is certified initially and annually thereafter, by the county, as
58.13meeting the provider standards established in chapter 245B and the federal waiver plan;
58.14    (3) the provider has been certified by the county as meeting the adult foster care
58.15provider standards established in Minnesota Rules, parts 9555.5105 to 9555.6265;
58.16    (4) the provider is not the legal guardian or conservator of the related individual; and
58.17    (5) the individual's service plan meets the standards of section 256B.092 and
58.18specifies any special conditions necessary to prevent a conflict of interest for the provider.

58.19    Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 270B.14, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
58.20    Subdivision 1. Disclosure to commissioner of human services. (a) On the request
58.21of the commissioner of human services, the commissioner shall disclose return information
58.22regarding taxes imposed by chapter 290, and claims for refunds under chapter 290A, to
58.23the extent provided in paragraph (b) and for the purposes set forth in paragraph (c).
58.24    (b) Data that may be disclosed are limited to data relating to the identity,
58.25whereabouts, employment, income, and property of a person owing or alleged to be owing
58.26an obligation of child support.
58.27    (c) The commissioner of human services may request data only for the purposes of
58.28carrying out the child support enforcement program and to assist in the location of parents
58.29who have, or appear to have, deserted their children. Data received may be used only
58.30as set forth in section 256.978.
58.31    (d) The commissioner shall provide the records and information necessary to
58.32administer the supplemental housing allowance to the commissioner of human services.
58.33    (e) At the request of the commissioner of human services, the commissioner of
58.34revenue shall electronically match the Social Security numbers and names of participants
59.1in the telephone assistance plan operated under sections 237.69 to 237.711, with those of
59.2property tax refund filers, and determine whether each participant's household income is
59.3within the eligibility standards for the telephone assistance plan.
59.4    (f) The commissioner may provide records and information collected under sections
59.5295.50 to 295.59 to the commissioner of human services for purposes of the Medicaid
59.6Voluntary Contribution and Provider-Specific Tax Amendments of 1991, Public Law
59.7102-234. Upon the written agreement by the United States Department of Health and
59.8Human Services to maintain the confidentiality of the data, the commissioner may provide
59.9records and information collected under sections 295.50 to 295.59 to the Centers for
59.10Medicare and Medicaid Services section of the United States Department of Health and
59.11Human Services for purposes of meeting federal reporting requirements.
59.12    (g) The commissioner may provide records and information to the commissioner of
59.13human services as necessary to administer the early refund of refundable tax credits.
59.14    (h) The commissioner may disclose information to the commissioner of human
59.15services necessary to verify income for eligibility and premium payment under the
59.16MinnesotaCare program, under section 256L.05, subdivision 2.
59.17    (i) The commissioner may disclose information to the commissioner of human
59.18services necessary to verify whether applicants or recipients for the Minnesota family
59.19investment program, general assistance, food support, and Minnesota supplemental aid
59.20program have claimed refundable tax credits under chapter 290 and the property tax
59.21refund under chapter 290A, and the amounts of the credits.
59.22    (j) The commissioner may disclose information to the commissioner of human
59.23services necessary to verify income for purposes of calculating parental contribution
59.24amounts under section 252.27, subdivision 2a.

59.25    Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 626.556, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
59.26    Subd. 2. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms have the meanings
59.27given them unless the specific content indicates otherwise:
59.28    (a) "Family assessment" means a comprehensive assessment of child safety, risk
59.29of subsequent child maltreatment, and family strengths and needs that is applied to a
59.30child maltreatment report that does not allege substantial child endangerment. Family
59.31assessment does not include a determination as to whether child maltreatment occurred
59.32but does determine the need for services to address the safety of family members and the
59.33risk of subsequent maltreatment.
59.34    (b) "Investigation" means fact gathering related to the current safety of a child
59.35and the risk of subsequent maltreatment that determines whether child maltreatment
60.1occurred and whether child protective services are needed. An investigation must be used
60.2when reports involve substantial child endangerment, and for reports of maltreatment in
60.3facilities required to be licensed under chapter 245A or 245B; under sections 144.50 to
60.4144.58 and 241.021; in a school as defined in sections 120A.05, subdivisions 9, 11, and
60.513, and 124D.10; or in a nonlicensed personal care provider association as defined in
60.6sections 256B.04, subdivision 16, and 256B.0625, subdivision 19a.
60.7    (c) "Substantial child endangerment" means a person responsible for a child's care, a
60.8person who has a significant relationship to the child as defined in section 609.341, or a
60.9person in a position of authority as defined in section 609.341, who by act or omission
60.10commits or attempts to commit an act against a child under their care that constitutes
60.11any of the following:
60.12    (1) egregious harm as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 14;
60.13    (2) sexual abuse as defined in paragraph (d);
60.14    (3) abandonment under section 260C.301, subdivision 2;
60.15    (4) neglect as defined in paragraph (f), clause (2), that substantially endangers the
60.16child's physical or mental health, including a growth delay, which may be referred to as
60.17failure to thrive, that has been diagnosed by a physician and is due to parental neglect;
60.18    (5) murder in the first, second, or third degree under section 609.185, 609.19, or
60.19609.195;
60.20    (6) manslaughter in the first or second degree under section 609.20 or 609.205;
60.21    (7) assault in the first, second, or third degree under section 609.221, 609.222, or
60.22609.223;
60.23    (8) solicitation, inducement, and promotion of prostitution under section 609.322;
60.24    (9) criminal sexual conduct under sections 609.342 to 609.3451;
60.25    (10) solicitation of children to engage in sexual conduct under section 609.352;
60.26    (11) malicious punishment or neglect or endangerment of a child under section
60.27609.377 or 609.378;
60.28    (12) use of a minor in sexual performance under section 617.246; or
60.29    (13) parental behavior, status, or condition which mandates that the county attorney
60.30file a termination of parental rights petition under section 260C.301, subdivision 3,
60.31paragraph (a).
60.32    (d) "Sexual abuse" means the subjection of a child by a person responsible for the
60.33child's care, by a person who has a significant relationship to the child, as defined in
60.34section 609.341, or by a person in a position of authority, as defined in section 609.341,
60.35subdivision 10, to any act which constitutes a violation of section 609.342 (criminal sexual
60.36conduct in the first degree), 609.343 (criminal sexual conduct in the second degree),
61.1609.344 (criminal sexual conduct in the third degree), 609.345 (criminal sexual conduct
61.2in the fourth degree), or 609.3451 (criminal sexual conduct in the fifth degree). Sexual
61.3abuse also includes any act which involves a minor which constitutes a violation of
61.4prostitution offenses under sections 609.321 to 609.324 or 617.246. Sexual abuse includes
61.5threatened sexual abuse.
61.6    (e) "Person responsible for the child's care" means (1) an individual functioning
61.7within the family unit and having responsibilities for the care of the child such as a
61.8parent, guardian, or other person having similar care responsibilities, or (2) an individual
61.9functioning outside the family unit and having responsibilities for the care of the child
61.10such as a teacher, school administrator, other school employees or agents, or other lawful
61.11custodian of a child having either full-time or short-term care responsibilities including,
61.12but not limited to, day care, babysitting whether paid or unpaid, counseling, teaching,
61.13and coaching.
61.14    (f) "Neglect" means:
61.15    (1) failure by a person responsible for a child's care to supply a child with necessary
61.16food, clothing, shelter, health, medical, or other care required for the child's physical or
61.17mental health when reasonably able to do so;
61.18    (2) failure to protect a child from conditions or actions that seriously endanger the
61.19child's physical or mental health when reasonably able to do so, including a growth delay,
61.20which may be referred to as a failure to thrive, that has been diagnosed by a physician and
61.21is due to parental neglect;
61.22    (3) failure to provide for necessary supervision or child care arrangements
61.23appropriate for a child after considering factors as the child's age, mental ability, physical
61.24condition, length of absence, or environment, when the child is unable to care for the
61.25child's own basic needs or safety, or the basic needs or safety of another child in their care;
61.26    (4) failure to ensure that the child is educated as defined in sections 120A.22 and
61.27260C.163, subdivision 11, which does not include a parent's refusal to provide the parent's
61.28child with sympathomimetic medications, consistent with section 125A.091, subdivision 5;
61.29    (5) nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that a child is neglected solely
61.30because the child's parent, guardian, or other person responsible for the child's care in
61.31good faith selects and depends upon spiritual means or prayer for treatment or care of
61.32disease or remedial care of the child in lieu of medical care; except that a parent, guardian,
61.33or caretaker, or a person mandated to report pursuant to subdivision 3, has a duty to report
61.34if a lack of medical care may cause serious danger to the child's health. This section does
61.35not impose upon persons, not otherwise legally responsible for providing a child with
61.36necessary food, clothing, shelter, education, or medical care, a duty to provide that care;
62.1    (6) prenatal exposure to a controlled substance, as defined in section 253B.02,
62.2subdivision 2, used by the mother for a nonmedical purpose, as evidenced by withdrawal
62.3symptoms in the child at birth, results of a toxicology test performed on the mother at
62.4delivery or the child at birth, or medical effects or developmental delays during the child's
62.5first year of life that medically indicate prenatal exposure to a controlled substance;
62.6    (7) "medical neglect" as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 6, clause (5);
62.7    (8) chronic and severe use of alcohol or a controlled substance by a parent or
62.8person responsible for the care of the child that adversely affects the child's basic needs
62.9and safety; or
62.10    (9) emotional harm from a pattern of behavior which contributes to impaired
62.11emotional functioning of the child which may be demonstrated by a substantial and
62.12observable effect in the child's behavior, emotional response, or cognition that is not
62.13within the normal range for the child's age and stage of development, with due regard to
62.14the child's culture.
62.15    (g) "Physical abuse" means any physical injury, mental injury, or threatened injury,
62.16inflicted by a person responsible for the child's care on a child other than by accidental
62.17means, or any physical or mental injury that cannot reasonably be explained by the child's
62.18history of injuries, or any aversive or deprivation procedures, or regulated interventions,
62.19that have not been authorized under section 121A.67 or 245.825.
62.20    Abuse does not include reasonable and moderate physical discipline of a child
62.21administered by a parent or legal guardian which does not result in an injury. Abuse does
62.22not include the use of reasonable force by a teacher, principal, or school employee as
62.23allowed by section 121A.582. Actions which are not reasonable and moderate include,
62.24but are not limited to, any of the following that are done in anger or without regard to the
62.25safety of the child:
62.26    (1) throwing, kicking, burning, biting, or cutting a child;
62.27    (2) striking a child with a closed fist;
62.28    (3) shaking a child under age three;
62.29    (4) striking or other actions which result in any nonaccidental injury to a child
62.30under 18 months of age;
62.31    (5) unreasonable interference with a child's breathing;
62.32    (6) threatening a child with a weapon, as defined in section 609.02, subdivision 6;
62.33    (7) striking a child under age one on the face or head;
62.34    (8) purposely giving a child poison, alcohol, or dangerous, harmful, or controlled
62.35substances which were not prescribed for the child by a practitioner, in order to control or
62.36punish the child; or other substances that substantially affect the child's behavior, motor
63.1coordination, or judgment or that results in sickness or internal injury, or subjects the
63.2child to medical procedures that would be unnecessary if the child were not exposed
63.3to the substances;
63.4    (9) unreasonable physical confinement or restraint not permitted under section
63.5609.379, including but not limited to tying, caging, or chaining; or
63.6    (10) in a school facility or school zone, an act by a person responsible for the child's
63.7care that is a violation under section 121A.58.
63.8    (h) "Report" means any report received by the local welfare agency, police
63.9department, county sheriff, or agency responsible for assessing or investigating
63.10maltreatment pursuant to this section.
63.11    (i) "Facility" means:
63.12    (1) a licensed or unlicensed day care facility, residential facility, agency, hospital,
63.13sanitarium, or other facility or institution required to be licensed under sections 144.50 to
63.14144.58, 241.021, or 245A.01 to 245A.16, or chapter 245B;
63.15    (2) a school as defined in sections 120A.05, subdivisions 9, 11, and 13; and
63.16124D.10; or
63.17    (3) a nonlicensed personal care provider organization as defined in sections 256B.04,
63.18subdivision 16, and 256B.0625, subdivision 19a.
63.19    (j) "Operator" means an operator or agency as defined in section 245A.02.
63.20    (k) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of human services.
63.21    (l) "Practice of social services," for the purposes of subdivision 3, includes but is
63.22not limited to employee assistance counseling and the provision of guardian ad litem and
63.23parenting time expeditor services.
63.24    (m) "Mental injury" means an injury to the psychological capacity or emotional
63.25stability of a child as evidenced by an observable or substantial impairment in the child's
63.26ability to function within a normal range of performance and behavior with due regard to
63.27the child's culture.
63.28    (n) "Threatened injury" means a statement, overt act, condition, or status that
63.29represents a substantial risk of physical or sexual abuse or mental injury. Threatened
63.30injury includes, but is not limited to, exposing a child to a person responsible for the
63.31child's care, as defined in paragraph (e), clause (1), who has:
63.32    (1) subjected a child to, or failed to protect a child from, an overt act or condition
63.33that constitutes egregious harm, as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 14, or a
63.34similar law of another jurisdiction;
63.35    (2) been found to be palpably unfit under section 260C.301, paragraph (b), clause
63.36(4), or a similar law of another jurisdiction;
64.1    (3) committed an act that has resulted in an involuntary termination of parental rights
64.2under section 260C.301, or a similar law of another jurisdiction; or
64.3    (4) committed an act that has resulted in the involuntary transfer of permanent legal
64.4and physical custody of a child to a relative under section 260C.201, subdivision 11,
64.5paragraph (d), clause (1), or a similar law of another jurisdiction.
64.6    (o) Persons who conduct assessments or investigations under this section shall take
64.7into account accepted child-rearing practices of the culture in which a child participates
64.8and accepted teacher discipline practices, which are not injurious to the child's health,
64.9welfare, and safety.
64.10    (p) "Accidental" means a sudden, not reasonably foreseeable, and unexpected
64.11occurrence or event which:
64.12    (1) is not likely to occur and could not have been prevented by exercise of due
64.13care; and
64.14    (2) if occurring while a child is receiving services from a facility, happens when the
64.15facility and the employee or person providing services in the facility are in compliance
64.16with the laws and rules relevant to the occurrence of event.

64.17    Sec. 55. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 626.556, subdivision 10e, is amended to
64.18read:
64.19    Subd. 10e. Determinations. (a) The local welfare agency shall conclude the family
64.20assessment or the investigation within 45 days of the receipt of a report. The conclusion of
64.21the assessment or investigation may be extended to permit the completion of a criminal
64.22investigation or the receipt of expert information requested within 45 days of the receipt
64.23of the report.
64.24    (b) After conducting a family assessment, the local welfare agency shall determine
64.25whether services are needed to address the safety of the child and other family members
64.26and the risk of subsequent maltreatment.
64.27    (c) After conducting an investigation, the local welfare agency shall make two
64.28determinations: first, whether maltreatment has occurred; and second, whether child
64.29protective services are needed.
64.30    (d) If the commissioner of education conducts an assessment or investigation,
64.31the commissioner shall determine whether maltreatment occurred and what corrective
64.32or protective action was taken by the school facility. If a determination is made that
64.33maltreatment has occurred, the commissioner shall report to the employer, the school
64.34board, and any appropriate licensing entity the determination that maltreatment occurred
64.35and what corrective or protective action was taken by the school facility. In all other cases,
65.1the commissioner shall inform the school board or employer that a report was received,
65.2the subject of the report, the date of the initial report, the category of maltreatment alleged
65.3as defined in paragraph (f), the fact that maltreatment was not determined, and a summary
65.4of the specific reasons for the determination.
65.5    (e) When maltreatment is determined in an investigation involving a facility,
65.6the investigating agency shall also determine whether the facility or individual was
65.7responsible, or whether both the facility and the individual were responsible for the
65.8maltreatment using the mitigating factors in paragraph (i). Determinations under this
65.9subdivision must be made based on a preponderance of the evidence and are private data
65.10on individuals or nonpublic data as maintained by the commissioner of education.
65.11    (f) For the purposes of this subdivision, "maltreatment" means any of the following
65.12acts or omissions:
65.13    (1) physical abuse as defined in subdivision 2, paragraph (g);
65.14    (2) neglect as defined in subdivision 2, paragraph (f);
65.15    (3) sexual abuse as defined in subdivision 2, paragraph (d);
65.16    (4) mental injury as defined in subdivision 2, paragraph (m); or
65.17    (5) maltreatment of a child in a facility as defined in subdivision 2, paragraph (i).
65.18    (g) For the purposes of this subdivision, a determination that child protective
65.19services are needed means that the local welfare agency has documented conditions
65.20during the assessment or investigation sufficient to cause a child protection worker, as
65.21defined in section 626.559, subdivision 1, to conclude that a child is at significant risk of
65.22maltreatment if protective intervention is not provided and that the individuals responsible
65.23for the child's care have not taken or are not likely to take actions to protect the child
65.24from maltreatment or risk of maltreatment.
65.25    (h) This subdivision does not mean that maltreatment has occurred solely because
65.26the child's parent, guardian, or other person responsible for the child's care in good faith
65.27selects and depends upon spiritual means or prayer for treatment or care of disease
65.28or remedial care of the child, in lieu of medical care. However, if lack of medical care
65.29may result in serious danger to the child's health, the local welfare agency may ensure
65.30that necessary medical services are provided to the child.
65.31    (i) When determining whether the facility or individual is the responsible party, or
65.32whether both the facility and the individual are responsible for determined maltreatment in
65.33a facility, the investigating agency shall consider at least the following mitigating factors:
65.34    (1) whether the actions of the facility or the individual caregivers were according to,
65.35and followed the terms of, an erroneous physician order, prescription, individual care plan,
65.36or directive; however, this is not a mitigating factor when the facility or caregiver was
66.1responsible for the issuance of the erroneous order, prescription, individual care plan, or
66.2directive or knew or should have known of the errors and took no reasonable measures to
66.3correct the defect before administering care;
66.4    (2) comparative responsibility between the facility, other caregivers, and
66.5requirements placed upon an employee, including the facility's compliance with related
66.6regulatory standards and the adequacy of facility policies and procedures, facility training,
66.7an individual's participation in the training, the caregiver's supervision, and facility staffing
66.8levels and the scope of the individual employee's authority and discretion; and
66.9    (3) whether the facility or individual followed professional standards in exercising
66.10professional judgment.
66.11    (j) Individual counties may implement more detailed definitions or criteria that
66.12indicate which allegations to investigate, as long as a county's policies are consistent
66.13with the definitions in the statutes and rules and are approved by the county board. Each
66.14local welfare agency shall periodically inform mandated reporters under subdivision 3
66.15who work in the county of the definitions of maltreatment in the statutes and rules and any
66.16additional definitions or criteria that have been approved by the county board.

66.17    Sec. 56. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 626.556, subdivision 10i, is amended to read:
66.18    Subd. 10i. Administrative reconsideration of final determination of
66.19maltreatment and disqualification based on serious or recurring maltreatment;
66.20review panel. (a) Administrative reconsideration is not applicable in family assessments
66.21since no determination concerning maltreatment is made. For investigations, except as
66.22provided under paragraph (e), an individual or facility that the commissioner of human
66.23services, a local social service agency, or the commissioner of education determines
66.24has maltreated a child, an interested person acting on behalf of the child, regardless of
66.25the determination, who contests the investigating agency's final determination regarding
66.26maltreatment, may request the investigating agency to reconsider its final determination
66.27regarding maltreatment. The request for reconsideration must be submitted in writing
66.28to the investigating agency within 15 calendar days after receipt of notice of the final
66.29determination regarding maltreatment or, if the request is made by an interested person
66.30who is not entitled to notice, within 15 days after receipt of the notice by the parent or
66.31guardian of the child. If mailed, the request for reconsideration must be postmarked and
66.32sent to the investigating agency within 15 calendar days of the individual's or facility's
66.33receipt of the final determination. If the request for reconsideration is made by personal
66.34service, it must be received by the investigating agency within 15 calendar days after the
66.35individual's or facility's receipt of the final determination. Effective January 1, 2002, an
67.1individual who was determined to have maltreated a child under this section and who was
67.2disqualified on the basis of serious or recurring maltreatment under sections 245C.14
67.3and 245C.15, may request reconsideration of the maltreatment determination and the
67.4disqualification. The request for reconsideration of the maltreatment determination and
67.5the disqualification must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the individual's receipt
67.6of the notice of disqualification under sections 245C.16 and 245C.17. If mailed, the
67.7request for reconsideration of the maltreatment determination and the disqualification
67.8must be postmarked and sent to the investigating agency within 30 calendar days of the
67.9individual's receipt of the maltreatment determination and notice of disqualification. If
67.10the request for reconsideration is made by personal service, it must be received by the
67.11investigating agency within 30 calendar days after the individual's receipt of the notice
67.12of disqualification.
67.13    (b) Except as provided under paragraphs (e) and (f), if the investigating agency
67.14denies the request or fails to act upon the request within 15 working days after receiving
67.15the request for reconsideration, the person or facility entitled to a fair hearing under section
67.16256.045 may submit to the commissioner of human services or the commissioner of
67.17education a written request for a hearing under that section. Section 256.045 also governs
67.18hearings requested to contest a final determination of the commissioner of education. For
67.19reports involving maltreatment of a child in a facility, an interested person acting on behalf
67.20of the child may request a review by the Child Maltreatment Review Panel under section
67.21256.022 if the investigating agency denies the request or fails to act upon the request or
67.22if the interested person contests a reconsidered determination. The investigating agency
67.23shall notify persons who request reconsideration of their rights under this paragraph.
67.24The request must be submitted in writing to the review panel and a copy sent to the
67.25investigating agency within 30 calendar days of receipt of notice of a denial of a request
67.26for reconsideration or of a reconsidered determination. The request must specifically
67.27identify the aspects of the agency determination with which the person is dissatisfied.
67.28    (c) If, as a result of a reconsideration or review, the investigating agency changes
67.29the final determination of maltreatment, that agency shall notify the parties specified in
67.30subdivisions 10b, 10d, and 10f.
67.31    (d) Except as provided under paragraph (f), if an individual or facility contests the
67.32investigating agency's final determination regarding maltreatment by requesting a fair
67.33hearing under section 256.045, the commissioner of human services shall assure that the
67.34hearing is conducted and a decision is reached within 90 days of receipt of the request for
67.35a hearing. The time for action on the decision may be extended for as many days as the
67.36hearing is postponed or the record is held open for the benefit of either party.
68.1    (e) Effective January 1, 2002, if an individual was disqualified under sections
68.2245C.14 and 245C.15, on the basis of a determination of maltreatment, which was
68.3serious or recurring, and the individual has requested reconsideration of the maltreatment
68.4determination under paragraph (a) and requested reconsideration of the disqualification
68.5under sections 245C.21 to 245C.27, reconsideration of the maltreatment determination and
68.6reconsideration of the disqualification shall be consolidated into a single reconsideration.
68.7If reconsideration of the maltreatment determination is denied or the disqualification
68.8is not set aside under sections 245C.21 to 245C.27, the individual may request a fair
68.9hearing under section 256.045. If an individual requests a fair hearing on the maltreatment
68.10determination and the disqualification, the scope of the fair hearing shall include both the
68.11maltreatment determination and the disqualification.
68.12    (f) Effective January 1, 2002, if a maltreatment determination or a disqualification
68.13based on serious or recurring maltreatment is the basis for a denial of a license under
68.14section 245A.05 or a licensing sanction under section 245A.07, the license holder has the
68.15right to a contested case hearing under chapter 14 and Minnesota Rules, parts 1400.8505
68.16to 1400.8612. As provided for under section 245A.08, subdivision 2a, the scope of the
68.17contested case hearing shall include the maltreatment determination, disqualification,
68.18and licensing sanction or denial of a license. In such cases, a fair hearing regarding the
68.19maltreatment determination and disqualification shall not be conducted under paragraph
68.20(b). When a fine is based on a determination that the license holder is responsible for
68.21maltreatment and the fine is issued at the same time as the maltreatment determination, if
68.22the license holder appeals the maltreatment and fine, reconsideration of the maltreatment
68.23determination shall not be conducted under this section section 256.045. Except for
68.24family child care and child foster care, reconsideration of a maltreatment determination
68.25as provided under this subdivision, and reconsideration of a disqualification as provided
68.26under section 245C.22, shall also not be conducted when:
68.27    (1) a denial of a license under section 245A.05 or a licensing sanction under section
68.28245A.07, is based on a determination that the license holder is responsible for maltreatment
68.29or the disqualification of a license holder based on serious or recurring maltreatment;
68.30    (2) the denial of a license or licensing sanction is issued at the same time as the
68.31maltreatment determination or disqualification; and
68.32    (3) the license holder appeals the maltreatment determination or disqualification, and
68.33denial of a license or licensing sanction.
68.34    Notwithstanding clauses (1) to (3), if the license holder appeals the maltreatment
68.35determination or disqualification, but does not appeal the denial of a license or a licensing
68.36sanction, reconsideration of the maltreatment determination shall be conducted under
69.1section 626.556, subdivision 10i, and section 626.557, subdivision 9d, and reconsideration
69.2of the disqualification shall be conducted under section 245C.22. In such cases, a fair
69.3hearing shall also be conducted as provided under sections 245C.27, 626.556, subdivision
69.410i, and 626.557, subdivision 9d.
69.5    If the disqualified subject is an individual other than the license holder and upon
69.6whom a background study must be conducted under chapter 245C, the hearings of all
69.7parties may be consolidated into a single contested case hearing upon consent of all parties
69.8and the administrative law judge.
69.9    (g) For purposes of this subdivision, "interested person acting on behalf of the
69.10child" means a parent or legal guardian; stepparent; grandparent; guardian ad litem; adult
69.11stepbrother, stepsister, or sibling; or adult aunt or uncle; unless the person has been
69.12determined to be the perpetrator of the maltreatment.

69.13    Sec. 57. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 626.557, subdivision 9c, is amended to read:
69.14    Subd. 9c. Lead agency; notifications, dispositions, and determinations. (a)
69.15Upon request of the reporter, the lead agency shall notify the reporter that it has received
69.16the report, and provide information on the initial disposition of the report within five
69.17business days of receipt of the report, provided that the notification will not endanger the
69.18vulnerable adult or hamper the investigation.
69.19    (b) Upon conclusion of every investigation it conducts, the lead agency shall make a
69.20final disposition as defined in section 626.5572, subdivision 8.
69.21    (c) When determining whether the facility or individual is the responsible party for
69.22substantiated maltreatment or whether both the facility and the individual are responsible
69.23for substantiated maltreatment, the lead agency shall consider at least the following
69.24mitigating factors:
69.25    (1) whether the actions of the facility or the individual caregivers were in accordance
69.26with, and followed the terms of, an erroneous physician order, prescription, resident
69.27care plan, or directive. This is not a mitigating factor when the facility or caregiver is
69.28responsible for the issuance of the erroneous order, prescription, plan, or directive or
69.29knows or should have known of the errors and took no reasonable measures to correct the
69.30defect before administering care;
69.31    (2) the comparative responsibility between the facility, other caregivers, and
69.32requirements placed upon the employee, including but not limited to, the facility's
69.33compliance with related regulatory standards and factors such as the adequacy of facility
69.34policies and procedures, the adequacy of facility training, the adequacy of an individual's
70.1participation in the training, the adequacy of caregiver supervision, the adequacy of facility
70.2staffing levels, and a consideration of the scope of the individual employee's authority; and
70.3    (3) whether the facility or individual followed professional standards in exercising
70.4professional judgment.
70.5    (d) The lead agency shall complete its final disposition within 60 calendar days. If
70.6the lead agency is unable to complete its final disposition within 60 calendar days, the lead
70.7agency shall notify the following persons provided that the notification will not endanger
70.8the vulnerable adult or hamper the investigation: (1) the vulnerable adult or the vulnerable
70.9adult's legal guardian, when known, if the lead agency knows them to be aware of the
70.10investigation and (2) the facility, where applicable. The notice shall contain the reason for
70.11the delay and the projected completion date. If the lead agency is unable to complete its
70.12final disposition by a subsequent projected completion date, the lead agency shall again
70.13notify the vulnerable adult or the vulnerable adult's legal guardian, when known if the lead
70.14agency knows them to be aware of the investigation, and the facility, where applicable,
70.15of the reason for the delay and the revised projected completion date provided that the
70.16notification will not endanger the vulnerable adult or hamper the investigation. A lead
70.17agency's inability to complete the final disposition within 60 calendar days or by any
70.18projected completion date does not invalidate the final disposition.
70.19    (e) Within ten calendar days of completing the final disposition, the lead agency shall
70.20provide a copy of the public investigation memorandum under subdivision 12b, paragraph
70.21(b), clause (1), when required to be completed under this section, to the following persons:
70.22(1) the vulnerable adult, or the vulnerable adult's legal guardian, if known unless the lead
70.23agency knows that the notification would endanger the well-being of the vulnerable adult;
70.24(2) the reporter, if the reporter requested notification when making the report, provided
70.25this notification would not endanger the well-being of the vulnerable adult; (3) the alleged
70.26perpetrator, if known; (4) the facility; and (5) the ombudsman for older Minnesotans, or
70.27the ombudsman for mental health and developmental disabilities, as appropriate.
70.28    (f) The lead agency shall notify the vulnerable adult who is the subject of the report
70.29or the vulnerable adult's legal guardian, if known, and any person or facility determined
70.30to have maltreated a vulnerable adult, of their appeal or review rights under this section
70.31or section 256.021.
70.32    (g) The lead agency shall routinely provide investigation memoranda for
70.33substantiated reports to the appropriate licensing boards. These reports must include
70.34the names of substantiated perpetrators. The lead agency may not provide investigative
70.35memoranda for inconclusive or false reports to the appropriate licensing boards unless the
70.36lead agency's investigation gives reason to believe that there may have been a violation of
71.1the applicable professional practice laws. If the investigation memorandum is provided
71.2to a licensing board, the subject of the investigation memorandum shall be notified and
71.3receive a summary of the investigative findings.
71.4    (h) In order to avoid duplication, licensing boards shall consider the findings of the
71.5lead agency in their investigations if they choose to investigate. This does not preclude
71.6licensing boards from considering other information.
71.7    (i) The lead agency must provide to the commissioner of human services its final
71.8dispositions, including the names of all substantiated perpetrators. The commissioner of
71.9human services shall establish records to retain the names of substantiated perpetrators.

71.10    Sec. 58. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 626.557, subdivision 9d, is amended to read:
71.11    Subd. 9d. Administrative reconsideration of final disposition of maltreatment
71.12and disqualification based on serious or recurring maltreatment; review panel.
71.13    (a) Except as provided under paragraph (e), any individual or facility which a lead
71.14agency determines has maltreated a vulnerable adult, or the vulnerable adult or an
71.15interested person acting on behalf of the vulnerable adult, regardless of the lead agency's
71.16determination, who contests the lead agency's final disposition of an allegation of
71.17maltreatment, may request the lead agency to reconsider its final disposition. The request
71.18for reconsideration must be submitted in writing to the lead agency within 15 calendar
71.19days after receipt of notice of final disposition or, if the request is made by an interested
71.20person who is not entitled to notice, within 15 days after receipt of the notice by the
71.21vulnerable adult or the vulnerable adult's legal guardian. If mailed, the request for
71.22reconsideration must be postmarked and sent to the lead agency within 15 calendar
71.23days of the individual's or facility's receipt of the final disposition. If the request for
71.24reconsideration is made by personal service, it must be received by the lead agency
71.25within 15 calendar days of the individual's or facility's receipt of the final disposition. An
71.26individual who was determined to have maltreated a vulnerable adult under this section
71.27and who was disqualified on the basis of serious or recurring maltreatment under sections
71.28245C.14 and 245C.15, may request reconsideration of the maltreatment determination and
71.29the disqualification. The request for reconsideration of the maltreatment determination
71.30and the disqualification must be submitted in writing within 30 calendar days of the
71.31individual's receipt of the notice of disqualification under sections 245C.16 and 245C.17.
71.32If mailed, the request for reconsideration of the maltreatment determination and the
71.33disqualification must be postmarked and sent to the lead agency within 30 calendar days of
71.34the individual's receipt of the notice of disqualification. If the request for reconsideration
72.1is made by personal service, it must be received by the lead agency within 30 calendar
72.2days after the individual's receipt of the notice of disqualification.
72.3    (b) Except as provided under paragraphs (e) and (f), if the lead agency denies the
72.4request or fails to act upon the request within 15 working days after receiving the request
72.5for reconsideration, the person or facility entitled to a fair hearing under section 256.045,
72.6may submit to the commissioner of human services a written request for a hearing
72.7under that statute. The vulnerable adult, or an interested person acting on behalf of the
72.8vulnerable adult, may request a review by the Vulnerable Adult Maltreatment Review
72.9Panel under section 256.021 if the lead agency denies the request or fails to act upon the
72.10request, or if the vulnerable adult or interested person contests a reconsidered disposition.
72.11The lead agency shall notify persons who request reconsideration of their rights under this
72.12paragraph. The request must be submitted in writing to the review panel and a copy sent
72.13to the lead agency within 30 calendar days of receipt of notice of a denial of a request for
72.14reconsideration or of a reconsidered disposition. The request must specifically identify the
72.15aspects of the agency determination with which the person is dissatisfied.
72.16    (c) If, as a result of a reconsideration or review, the lead agency changes the final
72.17disposition, it shall notify the parties specified in subdivision 9c, paragraph (d).
72.18    (d) For purposes of this subdivision, "interested person acting on behalf of the
72.19vulnerable adult" means a person designated in writing by the vulnerable adult to act
72.20on behalf of the vulnerable adult, or a legal guardian or conservator or other legal
72.21representative, a proxy or health care agent appointed under chapter 145B or 145C,
72.22or an individual who is related to the vulnerable adult, as defined in section 245A.02,
72.23subdivision 13 .
72.24    (e) If an individual was disqualified under sections 245C.14 and 245C.15, on
72.25the basis of a determination of maltreatment, which was serious or recurring, and
72.26the individual has requested reconsideration of the maltreatment determination under
72.27paragraph (a) and reconsideration of the disqualification under sections 245C.21 to
72.28245C.27 , reconsideration of the maltreatment determination and requested reconsideration
72.29of the disqualification shall be consolidated into a single reconsideration. If reconsideration
72.30of the maltreatment determination is denied or if the disqualification is not set aside under
72.31sections 245C.21 to 245C.27, the individual may request a fair hearing under section
72.32256.045 . If an individual requests a fair hearing on the maltreatment determination and
72.33the disqualification, the scope of the fair hearing shall include both the maltreatment
72.34determination and the disqualification.
72.35    (f) If a maltreatment determination or a disqualification based on serious or recurring
72.36maltreatment is the basis for a denial of a license under section 245A.05 or a licensing
73.1sanction under section 245A.07, the license holder has the right to a contested case hearing
73.2under chapter 14 and Minnesota Rules, parts 1400.8505 to 1400.8612. As provided for
73.3under section 245A.08, the scope of the contested case hearing shall must include the
73.4maltreatment determination, disqualification, and licensing sanction or denial of a license.
73.5In such cases, a fair hearing shall must not be conducted under paragraph (b). When a fine
73.6is based on a determination that the license holder is responsible for maltreatment and
73.7the fine is issued at the same time as the maltreatment determination, if the license holder
73.8appeals the maltreatment and fine, reconsideration of the maltreatment determination shall
73.9not be conducted under this section. section 256.045. Except for family child care and
73.10child foster care, reconsideration of a maltreatment determination under this subdivision,
73.11and reconsideration of a disqualification under section 245C.22, must not be conducted
73.12when:
73.13    (1) a denial of a license under section 245A.05, or a licensing sanction under section
73.14245A.07, is based on a determination that the license holder is responsible for maltreatment
73.15or the disqualification of a license holder based on serious or recurring maltreatment;
73.16    (2) the denial of a license or licensing sanction is issued at the same time as the
73.17maltreatment determination or disqualification; and
73.18    (3) the license holder appeals the maltreatment determination or disqualification, and
73.19denial of a license or licensing sanction.
73.20    Notwithstanding clauses (1) to (3), if the license holder appeals the maltreatment
73.21determination or disqualification, but does not appeal the denial of a license or a licensing
73.22sanction, reconsideration of the maltreatment determination shall be conducted under
73.23section 626.556, subdivision 10i, and section 626.557, subdivision 9d, and reconsideration
73.24of the disqualification shall be conducted under section 245C.22. In such cases, a fair
73.25hearing shall also be conducted as provided under sections 245C.27, 626.556, subdivision
73.2610i, and 626.557, subdivision 9d.
73.27    If the disqualified subject is an individual other than the license holder and upon
73.28whom a background study must be conducted under chapter 245C, the hearings of all
73.29parties may be consolidated into a single contested case hearing upon consent of all parties
73.30and the administrative law judge.
73.31    (g) Until August 1, 2002, an individual or facility that was determined by the
73.32commissioner of human services or the commissioner of health to be responsible for
73.33neglect under section 626.5572, subdivision 17, after October 1, 1995, and before August
73.341, 2001, that believes that the finding of neglect does not meet an amended definition of
73.35neglect may request a reconsideration of the determination of neglect. The commissioner
73.36of human services or the commissioner of health shall mail a notice to the last known
74.1address of individuals who are eligible to seek this reconsideration. The request for
74.2reconsideration must state how the established findings no longer meet the elements of
74.3the definition of neglect. The commissioner shall review the request for reconsideration
74.4and make a determination within 15 calendar days. The commissioner's decision on this
74.5reconsideration is the final agency action.
74.6    (1) For purposes of compliance with the data destruction schedule under subdivision
74.712b, paragraph (d), when a finding of substantiated maltreatment has been changed as
74.8a result of a reconsideration under this paragraph, the date of the original finding of a
74.9substantiated maltreatment must be used to calculate the destruction date.
74.10    (2) For purposes of any background studies under chapter 245C, when a
74.11determination of substantiated maltreatment has been changed as a result of a
74.12reconsideration under this paragraph, any prior disqualification of the individual under
74.13chapter 245C that was based on this determination of maltreatment shall be rescinded,
74.14and for future background studies under chapter 245C the commissioner must not use the
74.15previous determination of substantiated maltreatment as a basis for disqualification or as a
74.16basis for referring the individual's maltreatment history to a health-related licensing board
74.17under section 245C.31.

74.18    Sec. 59. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 626.5572, subdivision 17, is amended to
74.19read:
74.20    Subd. 17. Neglect. "Neglect" means:
74.21    (a) The failure or omission by a caregiver to supply a vulnerable adult with care or
74.22services, including but not limited to, food, clothing, shelter, health care, or supervision
74.23which is:
74.24    (1) reasonable and necessary to obtain or maintain the vulnerable adult's physical or
74.25mental health or safety, considering the physical and mental capacity or dysfunction of
74.26the vulnerable adult; and
74.27    (2) which is not the result of an accident or therapeutic conduct.
74.28    (b) The absence or likelihood of absence of care or services, including but not
74.29limited to, food, clothing, shelter, health care, or supervision necessary to maintain the
74.30physical and mental health of the vulnerable adult which a reasonable person would deem
74.31essential to obtain or maintain the vulnerable adult's health, safety, or comfort considering
74.32the physical or mental capacity or dysfunction of the vulnerable adult.
74.33    (c) For purposes of this section, a vulnerable adult is not neglected for the sole
74.34reason that:
75.1    (1) the vulnerable adult or a person with authority to make health care decisions for
75.2the vulnerable adult under sections 144.651, 144A.44, chapter 145B, 145C, or 252A,
75.3or sections 253B.03 or 524.5-101 to 524.5-502, refuses consent or withdraws consent,
75.4consistent with that authority and within the boundary of reasonable medical practice, to
75.5any therapeutic conduct, including any care, service, or procedure to diagnose, maintain,
75.6or treat the physical or mental condition of the vulnerable adult, or, where permitted under
75.7law, to provide nutrition and hydration parenterally or through intubation; this paragraph
75.8does not enlarge or diminish rights otherwise held under law by:
75.9    (i) a vulnerable adult or a person acting on behalf of a vulnerable adult, including an
75.10involved family member, to consent to or refuse consent for therapeutic conduct; or
75.11    (ii) a caregiver to offer or provide or refuse to offer or provide therapeutic conduct; or
75.12    (2) the vulnerable adult, a person with authority to make health care decisions for the
75.13vulnerable adult, or a caregiver in good faith selects and depends upon spiritual means
75.14or prayer for treatment or care of disease or remedial care of the vulnerable adult in lieu
75.15of medical care, provided that this is consistent with the prior practice or belief of the
75.16vulnerable adult or with the expressed intentions of the vulnerable adult;
75.17    (3) the vulnerable adult, who is not impaired in judgment or capacity by mental or
75.18emotional dysfunction or undue influence, engages in consensual sexual contact with:
75.19    (i) a person including a facility staff person when a consensual sexual personal
75.20relationship existed prior to the caregiving relationship; or
75.21    (ii) a personal care attendant, regardless of whether the consensual sexual personal
75.22relationship existed prior to the caregiving relationship; or
75.23    (4) an individual makes an error in the provision of therapeutic conduct to a
75.24vulnerable adult which does not result in injury or harm which reasonably requires
75.25medical or mental health care; or
75.26    (5) an individual makes an error in the provision of therapeutic conduct to a
75.27vulnerable adult that results in injury or harm, which reasonably requires the care of a
75.28physician, and:
75.29    (i) the necessary care is provided in a timely fashion as dictated by the condition
75.30of the vulnerable adult;
75.31    (ii) if after receiving care, the health status of the vulnerable adult can be reasonably
75.32expected, as determined by the attending physician, to be restored to the vulnerable adult's
75.33preexisting condition;
75.34    (iii) the error is not part of a pattern of errors by the individual;
75.35    (iv) if in a facility, the error is immediately reported as required under section
75.36626.557 , and recorded internally in the facility;
76.1    (v) if in a facility, the facility identifies and takes corrective action and implements
76.2measures designed to reduce the risk of further occurrence of this error and similar
76.3errors; and
76.4    (vi) if in a facility, the actions required under items (iv) and (v) are sufficiently
76.5documented for review and evaluation by the facility and any applicable licensing,
76.6certification, and ombudsman agency.
76.7    (d) Nothing in this definition requires a caregiver, if regulated, to provide services
76.8in excess of those required by the caregiver's license, certification, registration, or other
76.9regulation.
76.10    (e) If the findings of an investigation by a lead agency result in a determination of
76.11substantiated maltreatment for the sole reason that the actions required of a facility under
76.12paragraph (c), clause (5), item (iv), (v), or (vi), were not taken, then the facility is subject
76.13to a correction order. An individual will not be found to have neglected or maltreated the
76.14vulnerable adult based solely on the facility's not having taken the actions required under
76.15paragraph (c), clause (5), item (iv), (v), or (vi). This must not alter the lead agency's
76.16determination of mitigating factors under section 626.557, subdivision 9c, paragraph (c).

76.17    Sec. 60. BACKGROUND STUDY REVIEW.
76.18    (a) The Collateral Consequences Committee described in Laws 2006, chapter 260,
76.19article 1, section 45, or successor entity, shall review the background study provisions
76.20contained in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 245C as well as set-aside and variance policies.
76.21The committee shall recommend changes in these laws to recodify and simplify them,
76.22and recommend appropriate substantive changes to them consistent with good public
76.23policy and public safety.
76.24    (b) By February 1, 2008, the committee shall report its findings and recommendations
76.25to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives
76.26committees having jurisdiction over human services and criminal justice policy.

76.27    Sec. 61. REPEALER.
76.28(a) Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 245A.023; 245A.11, subdivision 7; 245A.14,
76.29subdivisions 7, 9, 9a, 12, and 13; and 245C.06, are repealed.
76.30(b) Minnesota Rules, parts 9502.0385; and 9503.0035, are repealed.