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Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

HF 4735

1st Engrossment - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 04/21/2022 01:52pm

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.

Bill Text Versions

Engrossments
Introduction Posted on 03/31/2022
1st Engrossment Posted on 04/19/2022

Current Version - 1st Engrossment

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A bill for an act
relating to early childhood; modifying provisions for child care assistance, child
care licensing, and early education; making forecast adjustments to funding for
health and human services; requiring reports; appropriating money; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 119A.52; 119B.011, subdivisions 2, 5, 13;
119B.19, subdivision 7; 121A.17, subdivision 3; 121A.19; 124D.1158, subdivisions
3, 4; 124D.13, subdivisions 2, 3; 124D.141, subdivision 2; 124D.165, subdivisions
2, 3; 124D.59, subdivision 2; 245A.02, subdivision 5a; 245A.04, subdivision 4;
245A.1435; 245A.1443; 245A.146, subdivision 3; 245H.05; 245H.08, by adding
a subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, sections 119B.03, subdivision
4a; 119B.13, subdivision 1; 245.4889, subdivision 1; 245A.14, subdivision 4;
Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 7, article 14, section 21, subdivision 4;
Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 13, article 1, section 10, subdivision 2;
article 8, section 3, subdivision 3; article 9, section 4, subdivisions 3, 4, 6; proposing
coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 119B; 122A; repealing
Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 119B.03, subdivision 4.

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

ARTICLE 1

CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 119B.011, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Applicant.

"Child care fund applicants" means all parentsdeleted text begin,deleted text endnew text begin;new text end stepparentsdeleted text begin,deleted text endnew text begin;new text end legal
guardiansdeleted text begin, ordeleted text endnew text begin;new text end eligible relative caregivers deleted text beginwho aredeleted text endnew text begin; relative custodians who accepted a transfer
of permanent legal and physical custody of a child under section 260C.515, subdivision 4,
or similar permanency disposition in Tribal code; successor custodians or guardians as
established by section 256N.22, subdivision 10; or foster parents providing care to a child
placed in a family foster home under section 260C.007, subdivision 16b. Applicants must
be
new text end members of the family and reside in the household that applies for child care assistance
under the child care fund.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 7, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 119B.011, subdivision 5, is amended to read:


Subd. 5.

Child care.

"Child care" means the care of a child by someone other than a
parentdeleted text begin,deleted text endnew text begin;new text end stepparentdeleted text begin,deleted text endnew text begin;new text end legal guardiandeleted text begin,deleted text endnew text begin;new text end eligible relative caregiverdeleted text begin,deleted text endnew text begin; relative custodian who
accepted a transfer of permanent legal and physical custody of a child under section
260C.515, subdivision 4, or similar permanency disposition in Tribal code; successor
custodian or guardian as established according to section 256N.22, subdivision 10; foster
parent providing care to a child placed in a family foster home under section 260C.007,
subdivision 16b;
new text end or deleted text beginthe spousesdeleted text endnew text begin spousenew text end of any of the foregoing in or outside the child's own
home for gain or otherwise, on a regular basis, for any part of a 24-hour day.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 7, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 119B.011, subdivision 13, is amended to read:


Subd. 13.

Family.

"Family" means parentsdeleted text begin,deleted text endnew text begin;new text end stepparentsdeleted text begin,deleted text endnew text begin;new text end guardians and their spousesdeleted text begin,
or
deleted text endnew text begin;new text end other eligible relative caregivers and their spousesdeleted text begin,deleted text endnew text begin; relative custodians who accepted a
transfer of permanent legal and physical custody of a child under section 260C.515,
subdivision 4, or similar permanency disposition in Tribal code, and their spouses; successor
custodians or guardians as established according to section 256N.22, subdivision 10, and
their spouses; or foster parents providing care to a child placed in a family foster home
under section 260C.007, subdivision 16b, and their spouses;
new text end and deleted text begintheir blood relateddeleted text endnew text begin the
blood-related
new text end dependent children and adoptive siblings under the age of 18 years living in
the same home deleted text beginincludingdeleted text endnew text begin of the above. This definition includesnew text end children temporarily absent
from the household in settings such as schools, foster care, and residential treatment facilities
deleted text begin or parents, stepparents, guardians and their spouses, or other relative caregivers and their
spouses
deleted text endnew text begin and adultsnew text end temporarily absent from the household in settings such as schools, military
service, or rehabilitation programs. An adult family member who is not in an authorized
activity under this chapter may be temporarily absent for up to 60 days. When a minor
parent or parents and his, her, or their child or children are living with other relatives, and
the minor parent or parents apply for a child care subsidy, "family" means only the minor
parent or parents and their child or children. An adult age 18 or older who meets this
definition of family and is a full-time high school or postsecondary student may be considered
a dependent member of the family unit if 50 percent or more of the adult's support is provided
by the parentsdeleted text begin,deleted text endnew text begin;new text end stepparentsdeleted text begin,deleted text endnew text begin;new text end guardiansdeleted text begin,deleted text endnew text begin and their spouses; relative custodians who accepted
a transfer of permanent legal and physical custody of a child under section 260C.515,
subdivision 4, or similar permanency disposition in Tribal code, and their spouses; successor
custodians or guardians as established according to section 256N.22, subdivision 10, and
their spouses; foster parents providing care to a child placed in a family foster home under
section 260C.007, subdivision 16b,
new text end and their spousesnew text begin;new text end or eligible relative caregivers and
their spouses residing in the same household.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 7, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, section 119B.03, subdivision 4a, is amended
to read:


Subd. 4a.

deleted text beginTemporary reprioritizationdeleted text endnew text begin Funding prioritiesnew text end.

(a) deleted text beginNotwithstanding
subdivision 4
deleted text endnew text begin In the event that inadequate funding necessitates the use of waiting listsnew text end,
priority for child care assistance under the basic sliding fee assistance program shall be
determined according to this subdivision deleted text beginbeginning July 1, 2021, through May 31, 2024deleted text end.

(b) First priority must be given to eligible non-MFIP families who do not have a high
school diploma or commissioner of education-selected high school equivalency certification
or who need remedial and basic skill courses in order to pursue employment or to pursue
education leading to employment and who need child care assistance to participate in the
education program. This includes student parents as defined under section 119B.011,
subdivision 19b. Within this priority, the following subpriorities must be used:

(1) child care needs of minor parents;

(2) child care needs of parents under 21 years of age; and

(3) child care needs of other parents within the priority group described in this paragraph.

(c) Second priority must be given to families in which at least one parent is a veteran,
as defined under section 197.447.

(d) Third priority must be given to eligible families who do not meet the specifications
of paragraph (b), (c), (e), or (f).

(e) Fourth priority must be given to families who are eligible for portable basic sliding
fee assistance through the portability pool under subdivision 9.

(f) Fifth priority must be given to eligible families receiving services under section
119B.011, subdivision 20a, if the parents have completed their MFIP or DWP transition
year, or if the parents are no longer receiving or eligible for DWP supports.

(g) Families under paragraph (f) must be added to the basic sliding fee waiting list on
the date they complete their transition year under section 119B.011, subdivision 20.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2022.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, section 119B.13, subdivision 1, is amended
to read:


Subdivision 1.

Subsidy restrictions.

(a) Beginning deleted text beginNovember 15, 2021deleted text endnew text begin October 3, 2022new text end,
the maximum rate paid for child care assistance in any county or county price cluster under
the child care fund shall bedeleted text begin:
deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) for all infants and toddlers,deleted text end the greater of the deleted text begin40thdeleted text endnew text begin 75thnew text end percentile of the 2021 child
care provider rate survey or the rates in effect at the time of the updatedeleted text begin; anddeleted text endnew text begin.
new text end

deleted text begin (2) for all preschool and school-age children, the greater of the 30th percentile of the
2021 child care provider rate survey or the rates in effect at the time of the update.
deleted text end

(b) Beginning the first full service period on or after January 1, 2025, new text beginand every three
years thereafter,
new text endthe maximum rate paid for child care assistance in a county or county price
cluster under the child care fund shall bedeleted text begin:
deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) for all infants and toddlers,deleted text end the greater of the deleted text begin40thdeleted text endnew text begin 75thnew text end percentile of the deleted text begin2024deleted text endnew text begin most
recent
new text end child care provider rate survey or the rates in effect at the time of the updatedeleted text begin; anddeleted text endnew text begin.
new text end

deleted text begin (2) for all preschool and school-age children, the greater of the 30th percentile of the
2024 child care provider rate survey or the rates in effect at the time of the update.
deleted text end

The rates under paragraph (a) continue until the rates under this paragraph go into effect.

(c) For a child care provider located within the boundaries of a city located in two or
more of the counties of Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns, the maximum rate paid for child
care assistance shall be equal to the maximum rate paid in the county with the highest
maximum reimbursement rates or the provider's charge, whichever is less. The commissioner
may: (1) assign a county with no reported provider prices to a similar price cluster; and (2)
consider county level access when determining final price clusters.

(d) A rate which includes a special needs rate paid under subdivision 3 may be in excess
of the maximum rate allowed under this subdivision.

(e) The department shall monitor the effect of this paragraph on provider rates. The
county shall pay the provider's full charges for every child in care up to the maximum
established. The commissioner shall determine the maximum rate for each type of care on
an hourly, full-day, and weekly basis, including special needs and disability care.

(f) If a child uses one provider, the maximum payment for one day of care must not
exceed the daily rate. The maximum payment for one week of care must not exceed the
weekly rate.

(g) If a child uses two providers under section 119B.097, the maximum payment must
not exceed:

(1) the daily rate for one day of care;

(2) the weekly rate for one week of care by the child's primary provider; and

(3) two daily rates during two weeks of care by a child's secondary provider.

(h) Child care providers receiving reimbursement under this chapter must not be paid
activity fees or an additional amount above the maximum rates for care provided during
nonstandard hours for families receiving assistance.

(i) If the provider charge is greater than the maximum provider rate allowed, the parent
is responsible for payment of the difference in the rates in addition to any family co-payment
fee.

(j) new text beginBeginning October 3, 2022, new text endthe maximum registration fee paid for child care assistance
in any county or county price cluster under the child care fund shall be deleted text beginset as follows: (1)
beginning November 15, 2021,
deleted text end the greater of the deleted text begin40thdeleted text endnew text begin 75thnew text end percentile of the deleted text begin2021deleted text endnew text begin most
recent
new text end child care provider rate survey or the registration fee in effect at the time of the
updatedeleted text begin; and (2) beginning the first full service period on or after January 1, 2025, the
maximum registration fee shall be the greater of the 40th percentile of the 2024 child care
provider rate survey or the registration fee in effect at the time of the update. The registration
fees under clause (1) continue until the registration fees under clause (2) go into effect
deleted text end.

(k) Maximum registration fees must be set for licensed family child care and for child
care centers. For a child care provider located in the boundaries of a city located in two or
more of the counties of Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns, the maximum registration fee paid
for child care assistance shall be equal to the maximum registration fee paid in the county
with the highest maximum registration fee or the provider's charge, whichever is less.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 119B.19, subdivision 7, is amended to read:


Subd. 7.

Child care resource and referral programs.

Within each region, a child care
resource and referral program must:

(1) maintain one database of all existing child care resources and services and one
database of family referrals;

(2) provide a child care referral service for families;

(3) develop resources to meet the child care service needs of families;

(4) increase the capacity to provide culturally responsive child care services;

(5) coordinate professional development opportunities for child care and school-age
care providers;

(6) administer and award child care services grants;

(7) cooperate with the Minnesota Child Care Resource and Referral Network and its
member programs to develop effective child care services and child care resources; deleted text beginand
deleted text end

(8) assist in fostering coordination, collaboration, and planning among child care programs
and community programs such as school readiness, Head Start, early childhood family
education, local interagency early intervention committees, early childhood screening,
special education services, and other early childhood care and education services and
programs that provide flexible, family-focused services to families with young children to
the extent possibledeleted text begin.deleted text endnew text begin;
new text end

new text begin (9) administer the child care one-stop regional assistance network to assist child care
providers and individuals interested in becoming child care providers with establishing and
sustaining a licensed family child care or group family child care program or a child care
center; and
new text end

new text begin (10) provide supports that enable economically challenged individuals to obtain the job
skills training, career counseling, and job placement assistance necessary to begin a career
path in child care.
new text end

Sec. 7.

new text begin [119B.196] BRAIN BUILDERS BONUS PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment; purpose. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services shall
establish the brain builders bonus program to provide competitive grants to eligible child
care providers who care for infants, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.02,
subdivision 19. The purpose of this program is to improve continuity of care by increasing
the number of infants who are cared for by a familiar caregiver for at least one year.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Administration. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner may administer the program through
a grant to a nonprofit with the demonstrated ability to manage benefit programs for child
care professionals. Up to ten percent of the annual appropriation may be used by the
commissioner for evaluation and data collection and to administer the program.
new text end

new text begin (b) Applicants must apply for the grants using the forms and according to timelines
established by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin To be eligible for a grant under this section, an applicant must:
new text end

new text begin (1) care for one or more infants who receive child care assistance under this chapter or
an early learning scholarship under section 124D.165 at least 30 hours a week; and
new text end

new text begin (2) either:
new text end

new text begin (i) be a licensed family child care provider or an unrelated individual who works for a
licensed family child care provider; or
new text end

new text begin (ii) be a legal, nonlicensed child care provider, as defined in section 119B.011, subdivision
16.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Grant awards. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must establish a process to award grants
under this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) A grant recipient who is or works for a licensed family child care provider may
receive up to $5,000 each year under this section. A grant recipient who is a legal nonlicensed
child care provider may receive up to $4,500 each year under this section.
new text end

new text begin (c) A grant recipient may use the grant money for program supplies, training, or personal
expenses.
new text end

new text begin (d) Grant award amounts shall be paid in two installments. The first installment shall
be paid six months after initial notification of receiving a grant and the second installment
shall be paid 12 months after initial notification. A grant recipient shall receive 50 percent
of the awarded amount in each installment provided the recipient documents, in a form and
manner specified by the commissioner, that the recipient continues to care for at least one
child under the age of 24 months who was in the recipient's care at the time of application.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Reporting requirement. new text end

new text begin By January 31, 2024, the commissioner shall report
to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over child care on implementation of the
program, including the number of grants awarded to recipients and outcomes of the grant
program.
new text end

Sec. 8.

new text begin [119B.27] SHARED SERVICES GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services shall establish a grant program to enable family
child care providers to implement shared services alliances.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 9.

new text begin [119B.28] CHILD CARE PROVIDER ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY
GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services shall distribute money through grants to one or
more organizations to offer grants or other supports to child care providers to improve their
access to computers, the Internet, subscriptions to online child care management applications,
and other technologies intended to improve business practices. Up to ten percent of the
grant funds may be used to administer the program.
new text end

Sec. 10.

Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 7, article 14, section 21, subdivision 4,
is amended to read:


Subd. 4.

Grant awards.

(a) The commissioner shall award transition grants to all eligible
programs on a noncompetitive basis through August 31, 2021.

(b) The commissioner shall award base grant amounts to all eligible programs on a
noncompetitive basis beginning September 1, 2021deleted text begin, through June 30, 2023deleted text end. The base grant
amounts shall be:

(1) based on the full-time equivalent number of staff who regularly care for children in
the program, including any employees, sole proprietors, or independent contractors;new text begin and
new text end

deleted text begin (2) reduced between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, with amounts for the final month
being no more than 50 percent of the amounts awarded in September 2021; and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3)deleted text endnew text begin (2)new text end enhanced in amounts determined by the commissioner for any providers receiving
payments through the child care assistance program under sections 119B.03 and 119B.05
or early learning scholarships under section 124D.165.

(c) The commissioner may provide grant amounts in addition to any base grants received
to eligible programs in extreme financial hardship until all money set aside for that purpose
is awarded.

(d) The commissioner may pay any grants awarded to eligible programs under this
section in the form and manner established by the commissioner, except that such payments
must occur on a monthly basis.

Sec. 11. new text beginDIRECTION TO COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN SERVICES;
ALLOCATING BASIC SLIDING FEE FUNDS.
new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.03, subdivisions 6, 6a, and 6b, the
commissioner of human services must allocate additional basic sliding fee child care money
for calendar year 2024 to counties and Tribes to account for the change in the definition of
family. In allocating the additional money, the commissioner shall consider:
new text end

new text begin (1) the number of children in the county or Tribe who receive care from a relative
custodian who accepted a transfer of permanent legal and physical custody of a child under
section 260C.515, subdivision 4, or similar permanency disposition in Tribal code; successor
custodian or guardian as established according to section 256N.22, subdivision 10; or foster
parents in a family foster home under section 260C.007, subdivision 16b; and
new text end

new text begin (2) the average basic sliding fee cost of care in the county or Tribe.
new text end

Sec. 12. new text beginDIRECTION TO COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN SERVICES; INCREASE
FOR MAXIMUM RATES.
new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.03, subdivisions 6, 6a, and 6b, the
commissioner of human services shall allocate additional basic sliding fee child care funds
for calendar year 2023 to counties and Tribes for updated maximum rates based on relative
need to cover maximum rate increases. In distributing the additional funds, the commissioner
shall consider the following factors by county and Tribe:
new text end

new text begin (1) number of children covered by the county or Tribe;
new text end

new text begin (2) provider types that care for covered children;
new text end

new text begin (3) age of covered children; and
new text end

new text begin (4) amount of the increase in maximum rates.
new text end

Sec. 13. new text beginDIRECTION TO COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN SERVICES; CHILD
CARE AND DEVELOPMENT FUND ALLOCATION.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services shall allocate $75,364,000 in fiscal year 2023 from
the child care and development fund for rate and registration fee increases under Minnesota
Statutes, section 119B.13, subdivision 1, paragraphs (a) and (j). This is a onetime allocation.
new text end

Sec. 14. new text beginDIRECTION TO COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN SERVICES; COST
ESTIMATION MODEL FOR EARLY CARE AND LEARNING PROGRAMS.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of human services shall develop a cost estimation model for
providing early care and learning in the state. In developing the model, the commissioner
shall consult with relevant entities and stakeholders, including but not limited to the State
Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care under Minnesota Statutes, section
124D.141; county administrators; child care resource and referral organizations under
Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.19, subdivision 1; and organizations representing
caregivers, teachers, and directors.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner shall contract with an organization with experience and expertise
in early care and learning cost estimation modeling to conduct the work outlined in this
section. If practicable, the commissioner shall contract with First Children's Finance.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner shall ensure that the model can estimate variation in the cost of
early care and learning by:
new text end

new text begin (1) quality of care;
new text end

new text begin (2) geographic area;
new text end

new text begin (3) type of child care provider and associated licensing standards;
new text end

new text begin (4) age of child;
new text end

new text begin (5) whether the early care and learning is inclusive, caring for children with disabilities
alongside children without disabilities;
new text end

new text begin (6) provider and staff compensation, including benefits such as professional development
stipends, health benefits, and retirement benefits;
new text end

new text begin (7) a provider's fixed costs, including rent and mortgage payments, property taxes, and
business-related insurance payments;
new text end

new text begin (8) a provider's operating expenses, including expenses for training and substitutes; and
new text end

new text begin (9) a provider's hours of operation.
new text end

new text begin (d) By January 30, 2024, the commissioner shall report to the legislative committees
with jurisdiction over early childhood programs on the development of the cost estimation
model. The report shall include:
new text end

new text begin (1) recommendations for how the model could be used in conjunction with a child care
provider wage scale to set provider payment rates for child care assistance under Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 119B; and
new text end

new text begin (2) the department's plan to seek federal approval to use the model for provider payment
rates for child care assistance.
new text end

Sec. 15. new text beginDIRECTION TO COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN SERVICES; CHILD
CARE PROVIDER WAGE SCALE.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of human services shall develop, in consultation with the
commissioner of employment and economic development, the commissioner of education,
and relevant stakeholders, a child care provider wage scale that:
new text end

new text begin (1) provides for wages that are equivalent to elementary school educators with similar
credentials and experience;
new text end

new text begin (2) incentivizes child care providers and staff to increase child care-related qualifications;
new text end

new text begin (3) incorporates payments toward compensation benefits, including professional
development stipends, health benefits, and retirement benefits; and
new text end

new text begin (4) accounts for the business structures of different types of child care providers, including
licensed family child care providers and legal, nonlicensed child care providers.
new text end

new text begin (b) By January 30, 2024, the commissioner shall report to the legislative committees
with jurisdiction over early childhood programs on the development of the wage scale and
make recommendations for how the wage scale could be used to inform payment rates for
child care assistance under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 119B.
new text end

Sec. 16. new text beginREPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 119B.03, subdivision 4, new text end new text begin is repealed effective July 1,
2022.
new text end

ARTICLE 2

CHILD CARE LICENSING

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 245A.02, subdivision 5a, is amended to read:


Subd. 5a.

Controlling individual.

(a) "Controlling individual" means an owner of a
program or service provider licensed under this chapter and the following individuals, if
applicable:

(1) each officer of the organization, including the chief executive officer and chief
financial officer;

(2) the individual designated as the authorized agent under section 245A.04, subdivision
1, paragraph (b);

(3) the individual designated as the compliance officer under section 256B.04, subdivision
21, paragraph (g); deleted text beginand
deleted text end

(4) each managerial official whose responsibilities include the direction of the
management or policies of a programdeleted text begin.deleted text endnew text begin; and
new text end

new text begin (5) the individual designated as the primary provider of care for a special family child
care program under section 245A.14, subdivision 4, paragraph (i).
new text end

(b) Controlling individual does not include:

(1) a bank, savings bank, trust company, savings association, credit union, industrial
loan and thrift company, investment banking firm, or insurance company unless the entity
operates a program directly or through a subsidiary;

(2) an individual who is a state or federal official, or state or federal employee, or a
member or employee of the governing body of a political subdivision of the state or federal
government that operates one or more programs, unless the individual is also an officer,
owner, or managerial official of the program, receives remuneration from the program, or
owns any of the beneficial interests not excluded in this subdivision;

(3) an individual who owns less than five percent of the outstanding common shares of
a corporation:

(i) whose securities are exempt under section 80A.45, clause (6); or

(ii) whose transactions are exempt under section 80A.46, clause (2);

(4) an individual who is a member of an organization exempt from taxation under section
290.05, unless the individual is also an officer, owner, or managerial official of the program
or owns any of the beneficial interests not excluded in this subdivision. This clause does
not exclude from the definition of controlling individual an organization that is exempt from
taxation; or

(5) an employee stock ownership plan trust, or a participant or board member of an
employee stock ownership plan, unless the participant or board member is a controlling
individual according to paragraph (a).

(c) For purposes of this subdivision, "managerial official" means an individual who has
the decision-making authority related to the operation of the program, and the responsibility
for the ongoing management of or direction of the policies, services, or employees of the
program. A site director who has no ownership interest in the program is not considered to
be a managerial official for purposes of this definition.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2022.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 245A.04, subdivision 4, is amended to read:


Subd. 4.

Inspections; waiver.

(a) Before issuing a license under this chapter, the
commissioner shall conduct an inspection of the program. The inspection must include but
is not limited to:

(1) an inspection of the physical plant;

(2) an inspection of records and documents;

(3) observation of the program in operation; and

(4) an inspection for the health, safety, and fire standards in licensing requirements for
a child care license holder.

(b) The observation in paragraph (a), clause (3), is not required prior to issuing a license
under subdivision 7. If the commissioner issues a license under this chapter, these
requirements must be completed within one year after the issuance of the license.

(c) Before completing a licensing inspection in a family child care program or child care
center, the licensing agency must offer the license holder an exit interview to discuss
violations or potential violations of law or rule observed during the inspection and offer
technical assistance on how to comply with applicable laws and rules. The commissioner
shall not issue a correction order or negative licensing action for violations of law or rule
not discussed in an exit interview, unless a license holder chooses not to participate in an
exit interview or not to complete the exit interview. If the license holder is unable to complete
the exit interview, the licensing agency must offer an alternate time for the license holder
to complete the exit interview.

(d) If a family child care license holder disputes a county licensor's interpretation of a
licensing requirement during a licensing inspection or exit interview, the license holder
may, within five business days after the exit interview or licensing inspection, request
clarification from the commissioner, in writing, in a manner prescribed by the commissioner.
The license holder's request must describe the county licensor's interpretation of the licensing
requirement at issue, and explain why the license holder believes the county licensor's
interpretation is inaccurate. The commissioner and the county must include the license
holder in all correspondence regarding the disputed interpretation, and must provide an
opportunity for the license holder to contribute relevant information that may impact the
commissioner's decision. The county licensor must not issue a correction order related to
the disputed licensing requirement until the commissioner has provided clarification to the
license holder about the licensing requirement.

(e) The commissioner or the county shall inspect at least deleted text beginannuallydeleted text endnew text begin once each calendar
year
new text end a child care provider licensed under this chapter and Minnesota Rules, chapter 9502
or 9503, for compliance with applicable licensing standards.

(f) No later than November 19, 2017, the commissioner shall make publicly available
on the department's website the results of inspection reports of all child care providers
licensed under this chapter and under Minnesota Rules, chapter 9502 or 9503, and the
number of deaths, serious injuries, and instances of substantiated child maltreatment that
occurred in licensed child care settings each year.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, section 245A.14, subdivision 4, is amended
to read:


Subd. 4.

Special family child care homes.

Nonresidential child care programs serving
14 or fewer children that are conducted at a location other than the license holder's own
residence shall be licensed under this section and the rules governing family child care or
group family child care if:

(a) the license holder is the primary provider of care and the nonresidential child care
program is conducted in a dwelling that is located on a residential lot;

(b) the license holder is an employer who may or may not be the primary provider of
care, and the purpose for the child care program is to provide child care services to children
of the license holder's employees;

(c) the license holder is a church or religious organization;

(d) the license holder is a community collaborative child care provider. For purposes of
this subdivision, a community collaborative child care provider is a provider participating
in a cooperative agreement with a community action agency as defined in section 256E.31;

(e) the license holder is a not-for-profit agency that provides child care in a dwelling
located on a residential lot and the license holder maintains two or more contracts with
community employers or other community organizations to provide child care services.
The county licensing agency may grant a capacity variance to a license holder licensed
under this paragraph to exceed the licensed capacity of 14 children by no more than five
children during transition periods related to the work schedules of parents, if the license
holder meets the following requirements:

(1) the program does not exceed a capacity of 14 children more than a cumulative total
of four hours per day;

(2) the program meets a one to seven staff-to-child ratio during the variance period;

(3) all employees receive at least an extra four hours of training per year than required
in the rules governing family child care each year;

(4) the facility has square footage required per child under Minnesota Rules, part
9502.0425;

(5) the program is in compliance with local zoning regulations;

(6) the program is in compliance with the applicable fire code as follows:

(i) if the program serves more than five children older than 2-1/2 years of age, but no
more than five children 2-1/2 years of age or less, the applicable fire code is educational
occupancy, as provided in Group E Occupancy under the Minnesota State Fire Code 2015,
Section 202; or

(ii) if the program serves more than five children 2-1/2 years of age or less, the applicable
fire code is Group I-4 Occupancies, as provided in the Minnesota State Fire Code 2015,
Section 202, unless the rooms in which the children are cared for are located on a level of
exit discharge and each of these child care rooms has an exit door directly to the exterior,
then the applicable fire code is Group E occupancies, as provided in the Minnesota State
Fire Code 2015, Section 202; and

(7) any age and capacity limitations required by the fire code inspection and square
footage determinations shall be printed on the license; or

(f) the license holder is the primary provider of care and has located the licensed child
care program in a commercial space, if the license holder meets the following requirements:

(1) the program is in compliance with local zoning regulations;

(2) the program is in compliance with the applicable fire code as follows:

(i) if the program serves more than five children older than 2-1/2 years of age, but no
more than five children 2-1/2 years of age or less, the applicable fire code is educational
occupancy, as provided in Group E Occupancy under the Minnesota State Fire Code 2015,
Section 202; or

(ii) if the program serves more than five children 2-1/2 years of age or less, the applicable
fire code is Group I-4 Occupancies, as provided under the Minnesota State Fire Code 2015,
Section 202;

(3) any age and capacity limitations required by the fire code inspection and square
footage determinations are printed on the license; and

(4) the license holder prominently displays the license issued by the commissioner which
contains the statement "This special family child care provider is not licensed as a child
care center."

(g) Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 9502.0335, subpart 12, the commissioner
may issue up to four licenses to an organization licensed under paragraph (b), (c), or (e).
Each license must have its own primary provider of care as required under paragraph (i).
Each license must operate as a distinct and separate program in compliance with all applicable
laws and regulations.

(h) For licenses issued under paragraph (b), (c), (d), (e), or (f), the commissioner may
approve up to four licenses at the same location or under one contiguous roof if each license
holder is able to demonstrate compliance with all applicable rules and laws. Each licensed
program must operate as a distinct program and within the capacity, age, and ratio
distributions of each license.

(i) For a license issued under paragraph (b), (c), or (e), the license holder must designate
a person to be the primary provider of care at the licensed location on a form and in a manner
prescribed by the commissioner. The license holder shall notify the commissioner in writing
before there is a change of the person designated to be the primary provider of care. The
primary provider of care:

(1) must be the person who will be the provider of care at the program and present during
the hours of operation;

(2) must operate the program in compliance with applicable laws and regulations under
chapter 245A and Minnesota Rules, chapter 9502;

(3) is considered a child care background study subject as defined in section 245C.02,
subdivision 6a, and must comply with background study requirements in chapter 245C; deleted text beginand
deleted text end

(4) must complete the training that is required of license holders in section 245A.50deleted text begin.deleted text endnew text begin;
new text end

new text begin (5) is authorized to communicate with the county licensing agency and the department
on matters related to licensing; and
new text end

new text begin (6) must meet the requirements of Minnesota Rules, part 9502.0355, subpart 3, before
providing group family child care.
new text end

(j) For any license issued under this subdivision, the license holder must ensure that any
other caregiver, substitute, or helper who assists in the care of children meets the training
requirements in section 245A.50 and background study requirements under chapter 245C.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2022.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 245A.1435, is amended to read:


245A.1435 REDUCTION OF RISK OF SUDDEN UNEXPECTED INFANT DEATH
IN LICENSED PROGRAMS.

(a) When a license holder is placing an infant to sleep, the license holder must place the
infant on the infant's back, unless the license holder has documentation from the infant's
physician or advanced practice registered nurse directing an alternative sleeping position
for the infant. The physician or advanced practice registered nurse directive must be on a
form deleted text beginapproveddeleted text endnew text begin developednew text end by the commissioner and must remain on file at the licensed
location.

An infant who independently rolls onto its stomach after being placed to sleep on its
back may be allowed to remain sleeping on its stomach if the infant is at least six months
of age or the license holder has a signed statement from the parent indicating that the infant
regularly rolls over at home.

(b) The license holder must place the infant in a crib directly on a firm mattress with a
fitted sheet that is appropriate to the mattress size, that fits tightly on the mattress, and
overlaps the underside of the mattress so it cannot be dislodged by pulling on the corner of
the sheet with reasonable effort. The license holder must not place anything in the crib with
the infant except for the infant's pacifier, as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title
16, part 1511. new text beginThe pacifier must be free from any sort of attachment. new text endThe requirements of
this section apply to license holders serving infants younger than one year of age. Licensed
child care providers must meet the crib requirements under section 245A.146. A correction
order shall not be issued under this paragraph unless there is evidence that a violation
occurred when an infant was present in the license holder's care.

(c) If an infant falls asleep before being placed in a crib, the license holder must move
the infant to a crib as soon as practicable, and must keep the infant within sight of the license
holder until the infant is placed in a crib. When an infant falls asleep while being held, the
license holder must consider the supervision needs of other children in care when determining
how long to hold the infant before placing the infant in a crib to sleep. The sleeping infant
must not be in a position where the airway may be blocked or with anything covering the
infant's face.

new text begin (d) When a license holder places an infant under one year of age down to sleep, the
infant's clothing or sleepwear must not have weighted materials, a hood, or a bib.
new text end

new text begin (e) A license holder may place an infant under one year of age down to sleep wearing
a helmet if the license holder has signed documentation by a physician, advanced practice
registered nurse, licensed occupational therapist, or a licensed physical therapist on a form
developed by the commissioner.
new text end

deleted text begin (d)deleted text endnew text begin (f)new text end Placing a swaddled infant down to sleep in a licensed setting is not recommended
for an infant of any age and is prohibited for any infant who has begun to roll over
independently. However, with the written consent of a parent or guardian according to this
paragraph, a license holder may place the infant who has not yet begun to roll over on its
own down to sleep in a deleted text beginone-piece sleeper equipped with an attached system that fastens
securely only across the upper torso, with no constriction of the hips or legs, to create a
deleted text end
swaddlenew text begin. A swaddle is defined as one-piece sleepwear that wraps over the infant's arms,
fastens securely only across the infant's upper torso, and does not constrict the infant's hips
or legs. If a swaddle is used by a license holder, the license holder must ensure that it meets
the requirements of paragraph (d) and is not so tight that it restricts the infant's ability to
breathe or so loose that the fabric could cover the infant's nose and mouth
new text end. Prior to any use
of swaddling for sleep by a provider licensed under this chapter, the license holder must
obtain informed written consent for the use of swaddling from the parent or guardian of the
infant on a form deleted text beginprovideddeleted text endnew text begin developednew text end by the commissioner deleted text beginand prepared in partnership with
the Minnesota Sudden Infant Death Center
deleted text end.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 245A.1443, is amended to read:


245A.1443 deleted text beginCHEMICAL DEPENDENCYdeleted text endnew text begin SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER
TREATMENT LICENSED
new text end PROGRAMS THAT SERVE PARENTS WITH THEIR
CHILDREN.

Subdivision 1.

Application.

This section applies to deleted text beginchemical dependencydeleted text endnew text begin residential
substance use disorder
new text end treatment facilities that are licensed under this chapter and deleted text beginMinnesota
Rules,
deleted text end chapter deleted text begin9530,deleted text endnew text begin 245Gnew text end and that provide services in accordance with section 245G.19.

Subd. 2.

Requirements for providing education.

(a) On or before the date of a child's
initial physical presence at the facility, the license holder must provide education to the
child's parent related to safe bathing and reducing the risk of sudden unexpected infant death
and abusive head trauma from shaking infants and young children. new text beginThe license holder must
use the educational material developed by the commissioner to comply with this requirement.
new text end At a minimum, the education must address:

(1) instruction that a child or infant should never be left unattended around water, a tub
should be filled with only two to four inches of water for infants, and an infant should never
be put into a tub when the water is running; and

(2) the risk factors related to sudden unexpected infant death and abusive head trauma
from shaking infants and young children, and means of reducing the risks, including the
safety precautions identified in section 245A.1435 and the deleted text begindangersdeleted text endnew text begin risksnew text end of co-sleeping.

(b) The license holder must document the parent's receipt of the education and keep the
documentation in the parent's file. The documentation must indicate whether the parent
agrees to comply with the safeguards. If the parent refuses to comply, program staff must
provide additional education to the parent deleted text beginat appropriate intervals, at least weeklydeleted text endnew text begin as described
in the parental supervision plan. The parental supervision plan must include the intervention,
frequency, and staff responsible
new text end for the duration of the parent's participation in the program
or until the parent agrees to comply with the safeguards.

Subd. 3.

Parental supervision of children.

(a) On or before the date of a child's initial
physical presence at the facility, the license holder must deleted text begincomplete anddeleted text end document deleted text beginan
assessment of
deleted text end the parent's capacity to meet the health and safety needs of the child while
on the facility premisesdeleted text begin, including identifying circumstances when the parent may be unable
to adequately care for their child due to
deleted text endnew text begin considering the following factorsnew text end:

(1) the parent's physical deleted text beginordeleted text endnew text begin andnew text end mental health;

(2) the parent being under the influence of drugs, alcohol, medications, or other chemicals;

deleted text begin (3) the parent being unable to provide appropriate supervision for the child; or
deleted text end

new text begin (3) the child's physical and mental health; and
new text end

(4) any other information available to the license holder that indicates the parent may
not be able to adequately care for the child.

(b) The license holder must have written procedures specifying the actions to be taken
by staff if a parent is or becomes unable to adequately care for the parent's child.

new text begin (c) If the parent refuses to comply with the safeguards described in subdivision 2 or is
unable to adequately care for the child, the license holder must develop a parental supervision
plan in conjunction with the client. The plan must account for any factors in paragraph (a)
that contribute to the parent's inability to adequately care for the child. The plan must be
dated and signed by the staff person who completed the plan.
new text end

Subd. 4.

Alternative supervision arrangements.

The license holder must have written
procedures addressing whether the program permits a parent to arrange for supervision of
the parent's child by another client in the program. If permitted, the facility must have a
procedure that requires staff approval of the supervision arrangement before the supervision
by the nonparental client occurs. The procedure for approval must include an assessment
of the nonparental client's capacity to assume the supervisory responsibilities using the
criteria in subdivision 3. The license holder must document the license holder's approval of
the supervisory arrangement and the assessment of the nonparental client's capacity to
supervise the child, and must keep this documentation in the file of the parent of the child
being supervised.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 245A.146, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

License holder documentation of cribs.

(a) Annually, from the date printed
on the license, all license holders shall check all their cribs' brand names and model numbers
against the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission website listing of unsafe
cribs.

(b) The license holder shall maintain written documentation to be reviewed on site for
each crib showing that the review required in paragraph (a) has been completed, and which
of the following conditions applies:

(1) the crib was not identified as unsafe on the United States Consumer Product Safety
Commission website;

(2) the crib was identified as unsafe on the United States Consumer Product Safety
Commission website, but the license holder has taken the action directed by the United
States Consumer Product Safety Commission to make the crib safe; or

(3) the crib was identified as unsafe on the United States Consumer Product Safety
Commission website, and the license holder has removed the crib so that it is no longer
used by or accessible to children in care.

(c) Documentation of the review completed under this subdivision shall be maintained
by the license holder on site and made available to parents or guardians of children in care
and the commissioner.

(d) Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 9502.0425, a family child care provider that
complies with this section may use a mesh-sided or fabric-sided play yard, pack and play,
or playpen or crib that has not been identified as unsafe on the United States Consumer
Product Safety Commission website for the care or sleeping of infants.

(e) On at least a monthly basis, the family child care license holder shall perform safety
inspections of every mesh-sided or fabric-sided play yard, pack and play, or playpen used
by or that is accessible to any child in care, and must document the following:

(1) there are no tears, holes, or loose or unraveling threads in mesh or fabric sides of
crib;

(2) the weave of the mesh on the crib is no larger than one-fourth of an inch;

(3) no mesh fabric is unsecure or unattached to top rail and floor plate of crib;

(4) no tears or holes to top rail of crib;

(5) the mattress floor board is not soft and does not exceed one inch thick;

(6) the mattress floor board has no rips or tears in covering;

(7) the mattress floor board in use is deleted text begina waterproofdeleted text endnew text begin annew text end original mattress or replacement
mattress provided by the manufacturer of the crib;

(8) there are no protruding or loose rivets, metal nuts, or bolts on the crib;

(9) there are no knobs or wing nuts on outside crib legs;

(10) there are no missing, loose, or exposed staples; and

(11) the latches on top and side rails used to collapse crib are secure, they lock properly,
and are not loose.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 245H.05, is amended to read:


245H.05 MONITORING AND INSPECTIONS.

(a) The commissioner must conduct an on-site inspection of a certified license-exempt
child care center at least deleted text beginannuallydeleted text endnew text begin once each calendar yearnew text end to determine compliance with
the health, safety, and fire standards specific to a certified license-exempt child care center.

(b) No later than November 19, 2017, the commissioner shall make publicly available
on the department's website the results of inspection reports for all certified centers including
the number of deaths, serious injuries, and instances of substantiated child maltreatment
that occurred in certified centers each year.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 245H.08, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:


new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Authority to modify requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding subdivisions 4 and
5, for children in kindergarten through 13 years old, the commissioner may increase the
maximum group size to no more than 40 children and may increase the minimally acceptable
staff-to-child ratio to one to 20 during a national security or peacetime emergency declared
under section 12.31, or during a public health emergency declared due to a pandemic by
the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 319 of the Public
Health Service Act, United States Code, title 42, section 247d.
new text end

new text begin (b) If the commissioner modifies requirements under this subdivision, a certified center
operating under the modified requirements must have at least one staff person who is at
least 18 years old with each group of 40 children.
new text end

Sec. 9. new text beginCHILD CARE REGULATION MODERNIZATION; PILOT PROJECTS.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services may conduct and administer pilot projects to test
methods and procedures for the projects to modernize regulation of child care centers and
family child care allowed under Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 7, article 2, sections
75 and 81. To carry out the pilot projects, the commissioner of human services may, by
issuing a commissioner's order, waive enforcement of existing specific statutory program
requirements, rules, and standards in one or more counties. The commissioner's order
establishing the waiver must provide alternative methods and procedures of administration
and must not be in conflict with the basic purposes, coverage, or benefits provided by law.
In no event may a pilot project under this section extend beyond February 1, 2024. Pilot
projects must comply with the requirements of the child care and development fund plan.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

ARTICLE 3

APPROPRIATIONS; HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Section 1. new text beginHEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are added to or, if shown in
parentheses, subtracted from the appropriations in Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter
7, article 16, to the agencies and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations
are from the general fund or other named fund and are available for the fiscal years indicated
for each purpose. The figures "2022" and "2023" used in this article mean that the addition
to or subtraction from the appropriation listed under them is available for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 2022, or June 30, 2023, respectively. Base adjustments mean the addition
to or subtraction from the base level adjustment set in Laws 2021, First Special Session
chapter 7, article 16. Supplemental appropriations and reductions to appropriations for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, are effective the day following final enactment unless a
different effective date is explicit.
new text end

new text begin APPROPRIATIONS
new text end
new text begin Available for the Year
new text end
new text begin Ending June 30
new text end
new text begin 2022
new text end
new text begin 2023
new text end

Sec. 2. new text beginCOMMISSIONER OF HUMAN
SERVICES
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Total Appropriation
new text end

new text begin $
new text end
new text begin 65,854,000
new text end
new text begin Appropriations by Fund
new text end
new text begin 2022
new text end
new text begin 2023
new text end
new text begin General
new text end
new text begin -0-
new text end
new text begin 65,854,000
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Central Office; Operations
new text end

new text begin Appropriations by Fund
new text end
new text begin 2022
new text end
new text begin 2023
new text end
new text begin General
new text end
new text begin -0-
new text end
new text begin 173,000
new text end

new text begin Base Level Adjustment. The general fund
base is increased $783,000 in fiscal year 2024
and $174,000 in fiscal year 2025.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Central Office; Children and Families
new text end

new text begin -0-
new text end
new text begin 843,000
new text end

new text begin (a) Beginning in fiscal year 2025, the base
shall include $125,000 for the ombudsperson
for family child care providers under
Minnesota Statutes, section 245.975.
new text end

new text begin (b) Base Level Adjustment. The general fund
base is increased $493,000 in fiscal year 2024
and $405,000 in fiscal year 2025.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin MFIP Child Care Assistance
new text end

new text begin -0-
new text end
new text begin (24,000)
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Grant Programs; BSF Child Care
Grants
new text end

new text begin -0-
new text end
new text begin -0-
new text end

new text begin Base Level Adjustment. The general fund
base is increased $29,599,000 in fiscal year
2024 and $69,222,000 in fiscal year 2025 only.
The TANF base is increased $23,500,000 in
fiscal year 2024 and $23,500,000 in fiscal year
2025.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Grant Programs; Child Care
Development Grants
new text end

new text begin -0-
new text end
new text begin 64,862,000
new text end

new text begin (a) Child Care Provider Access to
Technology Grants.
$300,000 in fiscal year
2023 is for child care provider access to
technology grants pursuant to Minnesota
Statutes, section 119B.28. The general fund
base is increased $300,000 in fiscal year 2024
and $300,000 in fiscal year 2025.
new text end

new text begin (b) One-Stop Regional Assistance Network.
Beginning in fiscal year 2025, the base shall
include $1,200,000 from the general fund for
a grant to the statewide child care resource
and referral network to administer the child
care one-stop shop regional assistance network
in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section
119B.19, subdivision 7, clause (9).
new text end

new text begin (c) Child Care Workforce Development
Grants.
Beginning in fiscal year 2025, the
base shall include $1,300,000 for a grant to
the statewide child care resource and referral
network to administer the child care workforce
development grants in accordance with
Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.19,
subdivision 7, clause (10).
new text end

new text begin (d) Shared Services Innovation Grants. The
base shall include $500,000 in fiscal year 2024
and $500,000 in fiscal year 2025 for shared
services innovation grants pursuant to
Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.27.
new text end

new text begin (e) Stabilization Grants for Child Care
Providers Experiencing Financial Hardship.

$29,133,000 in fiscal year 2023 is for child
care stabilization grants for child care
programs in extreme financial hardship. This
is a onetime appropriation. Money not
distributed in fiscal year 2023 or 2024 shall
be available until June 30, 2025. Use of grant
money must be made in accordance with
eligibility and compliance requirements
established by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (f) Cost Estimation Model for Early Care
and Learning Programs.
$189,000 in fiscal
year 2023 is to develop a cost estimation
model for providing early care and learning.
The general fund base is increased $86,000 in
fiscal year 2024 and $0 in fiscal year 2025.
new text end

new text begin (g) Child Care Provider Wage Scale.
$189,000 in fiscal year 2023 is to develop a
wage scale for child care providers. The
general fund base is increased $86,000 in
fiscal year 2024 and $0 in fiscal year 2025.
new text end

new text begin (h) Brain Builders Bonus Program.
$2,500,000 in fiscal year 2023 is for brain
builders bonus grants under Minnesota
Statutes, section 119B.196. This is a onetime
appropriation and is available until June 30,
2025.
new text end

new text begin (i) Child Care Stabilization Base Grants.
$30,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 is for child
care stabilization base grants under Laws
2021, First Special Session chapter 7, article
14, section 21, subdivision 4, paragraph (b).
The general fund base is increased
$80,371,000 in fiscal year 2024 and
$80,421,000 in fiscal year 2025.
new text end

new text begin (j) Grants for Family, Friend, and Neighbor
Caregivers.
$3,167,000 in fiscal year 2023 is
for grants to community-based organizations
working with family, friend, and neighbor
caregivers. In awarding the grants, the
commissioner shall prioritize
community-based organizations working with
family, friend, and neighbor caregivers who
serve children from low-income families,
families of color, Tribal communities, or
families with limited English language
proficiency. The commissioner may use up to
ten percent of the appropriation for statewide
outreach, training initiatives, research, and
data collection. The general fund base is
increased $3,383,000 in fiscal year 2024 and
$3,383,000 in fiscal year 2025.
new text end

new text begin (k) Base Level Adjustment. The general fund
base is increased $84,300,000 in fiscal year
2024 and $86,850,000 in fiscal year 2025.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text beginAPPROPRIATION; DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
SERVICES.
new text end

new text begin (a) $9,500,000 in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of information technology services to develop and implement, to the extent
practicable with the available appropriation, a plan to modernize the information technology
systems that support the programs impacting early childhood, including child care and early
learning programs and those serving young children administered by the Departments of
Education and Human Services and other departments with programs impacting early
childhood as identified by the Children's Cabinet. The commissioner may contract for the
services contained in this section. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June
30, 2027.
new text end

new text begin (b) The plan must support the goal of creating information technology systems for early
childhood programs that collect, analyze, share, and report data on program participation,
school readiness, early screening, and other childhood indicators. The plan must include
strategies to:
new text end

new text begin (1) increase the efficiency and effectiveness with which early childhood programs serve
children and families;
new text end

new text begin (2) improve coordination among early childhood programs for families; and
new text end

new text begin (3) assess the impact of early childhood programs on children's outcomes, including
school readiness.
new text end

new text begin (c) In developing and implementing the plan required under this section, the commissioner
or the contractor must consult with the commissioners of education and human services,
and other departments with programs impacting early childhood as identified by the
Children's Cabinet; the Children's Cabinet; and other stakeholders.
new text end

new text begin (d) By February 1, 2023, the commissioner must provide a preliminary report on the
status of the plan's development and implementation to the chairs and ranking minority
members of the committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over early childhood programs.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text beginAPPROPRIATION: MINNESOTA MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET.
new text end

new text begin $500,000 in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of management and budget to: (1) identify any state or federal statutes or administrative
rules and practices that prevent or complicate data sharing among child care and early
learning programs administered by the Departments of Education and Human Services and
other departments with programs impacting early childhood as identified by the Children's
Cabinet; and (2) support ongoing efforts to address any barriers to data sharing. The
commissioner of management and budget must consult with the commissioners of education,
human services, and information technology services; the Children's Cabinet; and other
stakeholders. The commissioner of management and budget must report preliminary findings
to the committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over early childhood programs by
February 1, 2023, and make a final report by February 1, 2024. This is a onetime
appropriation and is available until June 30, 2024.
new text end

ARTICLE 4

FORECAST ADJUSTMENT; HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Section 1. new text beginHUMAN SERVICES APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin The dollar amounts shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are added to or, if
shown in parentheses, are subtracted from the appropriations in Laws 2021, First Special
Session chapter 7, article 16, from the general fund or any fund named to the Department
of Human Services for the purposes specified in this article, to be available for the fiscal
year indicated for each purpose. The figures "2022" and "2023" used in this article mean
that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal years ending June 30,
2022, or June 30, 2023, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2022. "The second year"
is fiscal year 2023. "The biennium" is fiscal years 2022 and 2023.
new text end

new text begin APPROPRIATIONS
new text end
new text begin Available for the Year
new text end
new text begin Ending June 30
new text end
new text begin 2022
new text end
new text begin 2023
new text end

Sec. 2. new text beginCOMMISSIONER OF HUMAN
SERVICES
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Total Appropriation
new text end

new text begin $
new text end
new text begin (103,347,000)
new text end
new text begin $
new text end
new text begin 73,738,000
new text end
new text begin Appropriations by Fund
new text end
new text begin General Fund
new text end
new text begin (103,347,000)
new text end
new text begin 73,738,000
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Forecasted Programs
new text end

new text begin MFIP Child Care Assistance
new text end
new text begin (103,347,000)
new text end
new text begin (73,738,000)
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

ARTICLE 5

EARLY EDUCATION

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 119A.52, is amended to read:


119A.52 DISTRIBUTION OF APPROPRIATION.

(a) The commissioner of education must distribute money appropriated for that purpose
to federally designated Head Start programs to expand services and to serve additional
low-income childrendeleted text begin. Migrant and Indian reservation programs must be initially allocated
money based on the programs' share of federal funds.
deleted text endnew text begin, which may include costs associated
with program operations, infrastructure, or reconfiguration to serve children from birth to
age five in center-based services. The distribution must occur in the following order: (1)
10.72 percent of the total Head Start appropriation must be allocated to federally designated
Tribal Head Start programs; (2) the Tribal Head Start portion of the appropriation must be
allocated to Tribal Head Start programs based on the programs' share of federal funds; and
(3) migrant programs must then be initially allocated funding based on the programs' share
of federal funds.
new text end The remaining money must be initially allocated to the remaining local
agencies based equally on the agencies' share of federal funds and on the proportion of
eligible children in the agencies' service area who are not currently being served. A Head
Start program must be funded at a per child rate equal to its contracted, federally funded
base level at the start of the fiscal year. For all agencies without a federal Early Head Start
rate, the state average federal cost per child for Early Head Start applies. In allocating funds
under this paragraph, the commissioner of education must assure that each Head Start
program in existence in 1993 is allocated no less funding in any fiscal year than was allocated
to that program in fiscal year 1993. Before paying money to the programs, the commissioner
must notify each program of its initial allocation and how the money must be used. Each
program must present a plan under section 119A.535. For any program that cannot utilize
its full allocation at the beginning of the fiscal year, the commissioner must reduce the
allocation proportionately. Money available after the initial allocations are reduced must
be redistributed to eligible programs.

(b) The commissioner must develop procedures to make payments to programs based
upon the number of children reported to be enrolled during the required time period of
program operations. Enrollment is defined by federal Head Start regulations. The procedures
must include a reporting schedule, corrective action plan requirements, and financial
consequences to be imposed on programs that do not meet full enrollment after the period
of corrective action. Programs reporting chronic underenrollment, as defined by the
commissioner, will have their subsequent program year allocation reduced proportionately.
Funds made available by prorating payments and allocations to programs with reported
underenrollment will be made available to the extent funds exist to fully enrolled Head Start
programs through a form and manner prescribed by the department.

(c) Programs with approved innovative initiatives that target services to high-risk
populations, including homeless families and families living in homeless shelters and
transitional housing, are exempt from the procedures in paragraph (b). This exemption does
not apply to entire programs. The exemption applies only to approved innovative initiatives
that target services to high-risk populations, including homeless families and families living
in homeless shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 121A.17, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Screening program.

(a) A screening program must include at least the following
components: developmental assessments, new text beginwhich may include parent report developmental
screening instruments if the parent or child is unable to complete the screening in person
due to an immunocompromised status or other health concern;
new text endhearing and vision screening
or referraldeleted text begin,deleted text endnew text begin;new text end immunization review and referraldeleted text begin,deleted text endnew text begin;new text end the child's height and weightdeleted text begin,deleted text endnew text begin;new text end the date of
the child's most recent comprehensive vision examination, if anydeleted text begin,deleted text endnew text begin;new text end identification of risk
factors that may influence learningdeleted text begin,deleted text endnew text begin;new text end an interview with the parent about the childdeleted text begin,deleted text endnew text begin;new text end and
referral for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment when potential needs are identified. The
district and the person performing or supervising the screening must provide a parent or
guardian with clear written notice that the parent or guardian may decline to answer questions
or provide information about family circumstances that might affect development and
identification of risk factors that may influence learning. The notice must state "Early
childhood developmental screening helps a school district identify children who may benefit
from district and community resources available to help in their development. Early childhood
developmental screening includes a vision screening that helps detect potential eye problems
but is not a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam." The notice must clearly state that
declining to answer questions or provide information does not prevent the child from being
enrolled in kindergarten or first grade if all other screening components are met. If a parent
or guardian is not able to read and comprehend the written notice, the district and the person
performing or supervising the screening must convey the information in another manner.
The notice must also inform the parent or guardian that a child need not submit to the district
screening program if the child's health records indicate to the school that the child has
received comparable developmental screening performed within the preceding 365 days by
a public or private health care organization or individual health care provider. The notice
must be given to a parent or guardian at the time the district initially provides information
to the parent or guardian about screening and must be given again at the screening location.

(b) All screening components shall be consistent with the standards of the state
commissioner of health for early developmental screening programs. A developmental
screening program must not provide laboratory tests or a physical examination to any child.
The district must request from the public or private health care organization or the individual
health care provider the results of any laboratory test or physical examination within the 12
months preceding a child's scheduled screening. For the purposes of this section,
"comprehensive vision examination" means a vision examination performed by an optometrist
or ophthalmologist.

(c) If a child is without health coverage, the school district must refer the child to an
appropriate health care provider.

(d) A board may offer additional components such as nutritional, physical and dental
assessments, review of family circumstances that might affect development, blood pressure,
laboratory tests, and health history.

(e) If a statement signed by the child's parent or guardian is submitted to the administrator
or other person having general control and supervision of the school that the child has not
been screened because of conscientiously held beliefs of the parent or guardian, the screening
is not required.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 121A.19, is amended to read:


121A.19 DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING AID.

Each school year, the state must pay a district for each child or student screened by the
district according to the requirements of section 121A.17. The amount of state aid for each
child or student screened shall be: (1) deleted text begin$75deleted text endnew text begin $98new text end for a child screened at age three; (2) deleted text begin$50deleted text endnew text begin $65new text end
for a child screened at age four; (3) deleted text begin$40deleted text endnew text begin $52new text end for a child screened at age five or six prior to
kindergarten; and (4) deleted text begin$30deleted text endnew text begin $39new text end for a student screened within 30 days after first enrolling in
a public school kindergarten if the student has not previously been screened according to
the requirements of section 121A.17. If this amount of aid is insufficient, the district may
permanently transfer from the general fund an amount that, when added to the aid, is
sufficient. Developmental screening aid shall not be paid for any student who is screened
more than 30 days after the first day of attendance at a public school kindergarten, except
if a student transfers to another public school kindergarten within 30 days after first enrolling
in a Minnesota public school kindergarten program. In this case, if the student has not been
screened, the district to which the student transfers may receive developmental screening
aid for screening that student when the screening is performed within 30 days of the transfer
date.

Sec. 4.

new text begin [122A.731] GRANTS FOR GROW YOUR OWN EARLY CHILDHOOD
EDUCATOR PROGRAMS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education must award grants for
Grow Your Own Early Childhood Educator programs established under this section in order
to develop an early childhood education workforce that more closely reflects the state's
increasingly diverse student population and to ensure all students have equitable access to
high-quality early educators.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grow Your Own Early Childhood Educator programs. new text end

new text begin (a) Minnesota
licensed family child care or licensed center-based child care programs, school district or
charter school early learning programs, Head Start programs, institutes of higher education,
and other community partnership nongovernment organizations may apply for a grant to
host, build, or expand an early childhood educator preparation program that leads to an
individual earning the credential or degree needed to enter or advance in the early childhood
education workforce. Examples include programs that help interested individuals earn the
Child Development Associate credential, an associate's degree in child development, or a
bachelor's degree in early childhood studies or early childhood licensures. Programs must
prioritize candidates that represent the demographics of the populations served. The grant
recipient must use at least 80 percent of grant funds for student stipends and tuition
scholarships.
new text end

new text begin (b) Programs providing financial support to interested individuals may require a
commitment from the individuals awarded, as determined by the program, to teach in the
program or school for a reasonable amount of time that does not exceed one year.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Grant procedure. new text end

new text begin Eligible programs must apply for a grant under this section
in the form and manner specified by the commissioner. To the extent that there are sufficient
applications, the commissioner must, to the extent practicable, award an equal number of
grants between applicants in greater Minnesota and those in the seven-county metropolitan
area.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Grow Your Own Early Childhood Educator program account. new text end

new text begin (a) The
Grow Your Own Early Childhood Educator program account is established in the special
revenue fund.
new text end

new text begin (b) Funds appropriated for the Grow Your Own Early Childhood Educator program
under this section must be transferred to the Grow Your Own Early Childhood Educator
program account in the special revenue fund.
new text end

new text begin (c) Money in the account is annually appropriated to the commissioner for the Grow
Your Own Early Childhood Educator program under this section. Any returned funds are
available to be regranted. Grant recipients may apply to use grant money over a period of
up to 60 months.
new text end

new text begin (d) Up to $300,000 annually is appropriated to the commissioner for costs associated
with administering and monitoring the program under this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin Grant recipients must annually report to the commissioner in the form
and manner determined by the commissioner on their activities under this section, including
the number of educators being supported through grant funds, the number of educators
obtaining credentials by type, a comparison of the beginning level of education and ending
level of education of individual participants, and an assessment of program effectiveness,
including participant feedback, areas for improvement, and where applicable, employment
changes and current employment status, after completing preparation programs. The
commissioner must publish a public report that summarizes the activities and outcomes of
grant recipients and what was done to promote sharing of effective practices among grant
recipients and potential grant applicants.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 124D.1158, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Program reimbursement.

Each school year, the state must reimburse each
participating school 30 cents for each reduced-price breakfast, 55 cents for each fully paid
breakfast served to students in grades 1 to 12, and $1.30 for each fully paid breakfast served
to a prekindergarten student enrolled in an approved voluntary prekindergarten program
under section 124D.151new text begin, early childhood special education students participating in a program
authorized under section 124D.151,
new text end or a kindergarten student.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 124D.1158, subdivision 4, is amended to read:


Subd. 4.

No fees.

A school that receives school breakfast aid under this section must
make breakfast available without charge to all participating students in grades 1 to 12 who
qualify for free or reduced-price meals and to all prekindergarten students enrolled in an
approved voluntary prekindergarten program under section 124D.151new text begin, early childhood
special education students participating in a program authorized under section 124D.151,
new text end
and all kindergarten students.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 124D.13, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Program requirements.

(a) Early childhood family education programs are
programs for children in the period of life from birth to kindergarten, for the parents and
other relatives of these children, new text beginfor adults who provide child care, new text endand for expectant parents.
To the extent that funds are insufficient to provide programs for all children, early childhood
family education programs should emphasize programming for a child from birth to age
three and encourage parents and other relatives to involve four- and five-year-old children
in school readiness programs, and other public and nonpublic early learning programs. A
district may not limit participation to school district residents. Early childhood family
education programs must provide:

(1) programs to educate parents deleted text beginanddeleted text endnew text begin,new text end other relativesnew text begin, and caregiversnew text end about the physical,
cognitive, social, and emotional development of children and to enhance the skills of parents
and other relatives in providing for their children's learning and development;

(2) structured learning activities requiring interaction between children and their parents
deleted text begin ordeleted text endnew text begin, othernew text end relativesnew text begin, and caregiversnew text end;

(3) structured learning activities for children that promote children's development and
positive interaction with peers, which are held while parents deleted text beginordeleted text endnew text begin, othernew text end relativesnew text begin, and caregiversnew text end
attend parent education classes;

(4) information on related community resources;

(5) information, materials, and activities that support the safety of children, including
prevention of child abuse and neglect;

(6) a community needs assessment that identifies new and underserved populations,
identifies child and family risk factors, particularly those that impact children's learning and
development, and assesses family and parenting education needs in the community;

(7) programming and services that are tailored to the needs of families and parents
prioritized in the community needs assessment; and

(8) information about and, if needed, assist in making arrangements for an early childhood
health and developmental screening under sections 121A.16 and 121A.17, when the child
nears the third birthday.

Early childhood family education programs should prioritize programming and services
for families and parents identified in the community needs assessment, particularly those
families and parents with children with the most risk factors birth to age three.

Early childhood family education programs are encouraged to provide parents of English
learners with translated oral and written information to monitor the program's impact on
their children's English language development, to know whether their children are progressing
in developing their English and native language proficiency, and to actively engage with
and support their children in developing their English and native language proficiency.

The programs must include learning experiences for children, parents, deleted text beginanddeleted text end other relativesnew text begin,
and caregivers
new text end that promote children's early literacy and, where practicable, their native
language skills and activities for children that require substantial involvement of the children's
parents or other relatives. The program may provide parenting education programming or
services to anyone identified in the community needs assessment. Providers must review
the program periodically to assure the instruction and materials are not racially, culturally,
or sexually biased. The programs must encourage parents to be aware of practices that may
affect equitable development of children.

(b) For the purposes of this section, "relative" or "relatives" means noncustodial
grandparents or other persons related to a child by blood, marriage, adoption, or foster
placement, excluding parents.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 124D.13, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Substantial parental involvement.

The requirement of substantial parental
deleted text begin ordeleted text endnew text begin,new text end other relativenew text begin, or caregivernew text end involvement in subdivision 2 means that:

deleted text begin (a)deleted text endnew text begin (1)new text end parents deleted text beginordeleted text endnew text begin,new text end other relativesnew text begin, or caregiversnew text end must be physically present much of the
time in classes with their children or be in concurrent classes;

deleted text begin (b)deleted text endnew text begin (2)new text end parenting education or family education must be an integral part of every early
childhood family education program;

deleted text begin (c)deleted text endnew text begin (3)new text end early childhood family education appropriations must not be used for traditional
day care or nursery school, or similar programs; and

deleted text begin (d)deleted text endnew text begin (4)new text end the form of parent involvement common to kindergarten, elementary school, or
early childhood special education programs such as parent conferences, newsletters, and
notes to parents do not qualify a program under subdivision 2.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 124D.141, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Additional duties.

The following duties are added to those assigned to the
council under federal law:

(1) make recommendations on the most efficient and effective way to leverage state and
federal funding streams for early childhood and child care programs;

deleted text begin (2) make recommendations on how to coordinate or colocate early childhood and child
care programs in one state Office of Early Learning. The council shall establish a task force
to develop these recommendations. The task force shall include two nonexecutive branch
or nonlegislative branch representatives from the council; six representatives from the early
childhood caucus; two representatives each from the Departments of Education, Human
Services, and Health; one representative each from a local public health agency, a local
county human services agency, and a school district; and two representatives from the
private nonprofit organizations that support early childhood programs in Minnesota. In
developing recommendations in coordination with existing efforts of the council, the task
force shall consider how to:
deleted text end

deleted text begin (i) consolidate and coordinate resources and public funding streams for early childhood
education and child care, and ensure the accountability and coordinated development of all
early childhood education and child care services to children from birth to kindergarten
entrance;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (ii) create a seamless transition from early childhood programs to kindergarten;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (iii) encourage family choice by ensuring a mixed system of high-quality public and
private programs, with local points of entry, staffed by well-qualified professionals;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (iv) ensure parents a decisive role in the planning, operation, and evaluation of programs
that aid families in the care of children;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (v) provide consumer education and accessibility to early childhood education and child
care resources;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (vi) advance the quality of early childhood education and child care programs in order
to support the healthy development of children and preparation for their success in school;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (vii) develop a seamless service delivery system with local points of entry for early
childhood education and child care programs administered by local, state, and federal
agencies;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (viii) ensure effective collaboration between state and local child welfare programs and
early childhood mental health programs and the Office of Early Learning;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (ix) develop and manage an effective data collection system to support the necessary
functions of a coordinated system of early childhood education and child care in order to
enable accurate evaluation of its impact;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (x) respect and be sensitive to family values and cultural heritage; and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (xi) establish the administrative framework for and promote the development of early
childhood education and child care services in order to provide that these services, staffed
by well-qualified professionals, are available in every community for all families that express
a need for them.
deleted text end

deleted text begin In addition, the task force must consider the following responsibilities for transfer to the
Office of Early Learning:
deleted text end

deleted text begin (A) responsibilities of the commissioner of education for early childhood education
programs and financing under sections 119A.50 to 119A.535, 121A.16 to 121A.19, and
124D.129 to 124D.2211;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (B) responsibilities of the commissioner of human services for child care assistance,
child care development, and early childhood learning and child protection facilities programs
and financing under chapter 119B and section 256E.37; and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (C) responsibilities of the commissioner of health for family home visiting programs
and financing under section 145A.17.
deleted text end

deleted text begin Any costs incurred by the council in making these recommendations must be paid from
private funds. If no private funds are received, the council must not proceed in making these
recommendations. The council must report its recommendations to the governor and the
legislature by January 15, 2011;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3)deleted text endnew text begin (2)new text end review program evaluations regarding high-quality early childhood programs;

deleted text begin (4)deleted text endnew text begin (3)new text end make recommendations to the governor and legislature, including proposed
legislation on how to most effectively create a high-quality early childhood system in
Minnesota in order to improve the educational outcomes of children so that all children are
school-ready deleted text beginby 2020deleted text end;new text begin and
new text end

deleted text begin (5) make recommendations to the governor and the legislature by March 1, 2011, on the
creation and implementation of a statewide school readiness report card to monitor progress
toward the goal of having all children ready for kindergarten by the year 2020. The
recommendations shall include what should be measured including both children and system
indicators, what benchmarks should be established to measure state progress toward the
goal, and how frequently the report card should be published. In making their
recommendations, the council shall consider the indicators and strategies for Minnesota's
early childhood system report, the Minnesota school readiness study, developmental
assessment at kindergarten entrance, and the work of the council's accountability committee.
Any costs incurred by the council in making these recommendations must be paid from
private funds. If no private funds are received, the council must not proceed in making these
recommendations; and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (6) make recommendations to the governor and the legislature on how to screen earlier
and comprehensively assess children for school readiness in order to provide increased early
interventions and increase the number of children ready for kindergarten. In formulating
their recommendations, the council shall consider (i) ways to interface with parents of
children who are not participating in early childhood education or care programs, (ii) ways
to interface with family child care providers, child care centers, and school-based early
childhood and Head Start programs, (iii) if there are age-appropriate and culturally sensitive
screening and assessment tools for three-, four-, and five-year-olds, (iv) the role of the
medical community in screening, (v) incentives for parents to have children screened at an
earlier age, (vi) incentives for early education and care providers to comprehensively assess
children in order to improve instructional practice, (vii) how to phase in increases in screening
and assessment over time, (viii) how the screening and assessment data will be collected
and used and who will have access to the data, (ix) how to monitor progress toward the goal
of having 50 percent of three-year-old children screened and 50 percent of entering
kindergarteners assessed for school readiness by 2015 and 100 percent of three-year-old
children screened and entering kindergarteners assessed for school readiness by 2020, and
(x) costs to meet these benchmarks. The council shall consider the screening instruments
and comprehensive assessment tools used in Minnesota early childhood education and care
programs and kindergarten. The council may survey early childhood education and care
programs in the state to determine the screening and assessment tools being used or rely on
previously collected survey data, if available. For purposes of this subdivision, "school
readiness" is defined as the child's skills, knowledge, and behaviors at kindergarten entrance
in these areas of child development: social; self-regulation; cognitive, including language,
literacy, and mathematical thinking; and physical. For purposes of this subdivision,
"screening" is defined as the activities used to identify a child who may need further
evaluation to determine delay in development or disability. For purposes of this subdivision,
"assessment" is defined as the activities used to determine a child's level of performance in
order to promote the child's learning and development. Work on this duty will begin in
fiscal year 2012. Any costs incurred by the council in making these recommendations must
be paid from private funds. If no private funds are received, the council must not proceed
in making these recommendations. The council must report its recommendations to the
governor and legislature by January 15, 2013, with an interim report on February 15, 2011.
deleted text end

new text begin (4) review and provide input on the recommendations and implementation timelines
developed by the Great Start For All Minnesota Children Task Force under Laws 2021,
First Special Session chapter 7, article 14, section 18, subdivision 2.
new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 124D.165, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Family eligibility.

(a) For a family to receive an early learning scholarship,
parents or guardians must new text beginhave an eligible child and new text endmeet new text beginat least one of new text endthe following
deleted text begin eligibilitydeleted text end requirements:

deleted text begin (1) have an eligible child; and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2)deleted text endnew text begin (1)new text end have income equal to or less than deleted text begin185deleted text end new text begin200new text end percent of federal poverty level income
in the current calendar yeardeleted text begin, ordeleted text endnew text begin;
new text end

new text begin (2)new text end be able to document their child's current participation in the free and reduced-price
deleted text begin lunchdeleted text endnew text begin mealnew text end program or Child and Adult Care Food Program, National School Lunch Act,
United States Code, title 42, sections 1751 and 1766; the Food Distribution Program on
Indian Reservations, Food and Nutrition Act, United States Code, title 7, sections 2011-2036;
Head Start under the federal Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007;
Minnesota family investment program under chapter 256J; child care assistance programs
under chapter 119B; the supplemental nutrition assistance program; or deleted text beginplacement
deleted text end

new text begin (3) have a child referred as in need of child protection services or placednew text end in foster care
under section 260C.212.

(b) An "eligible child" means a child who has not yet enrolled in kindergarten and isdeleted text begin:
deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) at least three butdeleted text end not yet five years of age on September 1 of the current school yeardeleted text begin;deleted text endnew text begin.
new text end

deleted text begin (2) a sibling from birth to age five of a child who has been awarded a scholarship under
this section provided the sibling attends the same program as long as funds are available;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) the child of a parent under age 21 who is pursuing a high school degree or a course
of study for a high school equivalency test; or
deleted text end

deleted text begin (4) homeless, in foster care, or in need of child protective services.
deleted text end

(c) A child who has received a scholarship under this section must continue to receive
a scholarship each year until that child is eligible for kindergarten under section 120A.20
and as long as funds are available.

(d) Early learning scholarships may not be counted as earned income for the purposes
of medical assistance under chapter 256B, MinnesotaCare under chapter 256L, Minnesota
family investment program under chapter 256J, child care assistance programs under chapter
119B, or Head Start under the federal Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of
2007.

(e) A child from an adjoining state whose family resides at a Minnesota address as
assigned by the United States Postal Service, who has received developmental screening
under sections 121A.16 to 121A.19, who intends to enroll in a Minnesota school district,
and whose family meets the criteria of paragraph (a) is eligible for an early learning
scholarship under this section.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 124D.165, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Administration.

(a) The commissioner shall establish application timelines
and determine the schedule for awarding scholarships that meets operational needs of eligible
families and programs. The commissioner must give highest priority to applications from
children who:

new text begin (1) are not yet four years of age;
new text end

deleted text begin (1)deleted text endnew text begin (2)new text end have a parent under age 21 who is pursuing a high school diploma or a course of
study for a high school equivalency test;

deleted text begin (2)deleted text endnew text begin (3)new text end are in foster care deleted text beginor otherwisedeleted text endnew text begin;
new text end

new text begin (4) have been referred asnew text end in need of new text beginchild new text endprotection deleted text beginordeleted text end services; deleted text beginor
deleted text end

new text begin (5) have an incarcerated parent;
new text end

deleted text begin (3)deleted text endnew text begin (6)new text end have experienced homelessness in the last 24 months, as defined under the federal
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, United States Code, title 42, section 11434adeleted text begin.deleted text endnew text begin;
or
new text end

new text begin (7) has family income less than or equal to 185 percent of federal poverty level income
in the current calendar year.
new text end

new text begin (b) new text endThe commissioner may prioritize applications on additional factors including family
income, geographic location, and whether the child's family is on a waiting list for a publicly
funded program providing early education or child care services.

deleted text begin (b)deleted text endnew text begin (c)new text end The commissioner shall establish a target for the average scholarship amount per
child based on the results of the rate survey conducted under section 119B.02.

deleted text begin (c) A four-star rated program that has children eligible for a scholarship enrolled in or
on a waiting list for a program beginning in July, August, or September may notify the
commissioner, in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner, each year of the
program's desire to enhance program services or to serve more children than current funding
provides. The commissioner may designate a predetermined number of scholarship slots
for that program and notify the program of that number. For fiscal year 2018 and later, the
statewide amount of funding directly designated by the commissioner must not exceed the
funding directly designated for fiscal year 2017. Beginning July 1, 2016, a school district
or Head Start program qualifying under this paragraph may use its established registration
process to enroll scholarship recipients and may verify a scholarship recipient's family
income in the same manner as for other program participants.
deleted text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner may establish exploratory efforts to increase parent education
and family support services to families receiving early learning scholarships, including
home visits and parent education services.
new text end

deleted text begin (d)deleted text endnew text begin (e)new text end A scholarship is awarded for a 12-month period. If the scholarship recipient has
not been accepted and subsequently enrolled in a rated program within deleted text begintendeleted text endnew text begin threenew text end months of
the awarding of the scholarship, the scholarship cancels and the recipient must reapply in
order to be eligible for another scholarship.new text begin An extension may be requested if a program is
unavailable for the child within the three-month timeline.
new text end A child may not be awarded more
than one scholarship in a 12-month period.

deleted text begin (e)deleted text endnew text begin (f)new text end A child who receives a scholarship who has not completed development screening
under sections 121A.16 to 121A.19 must complete that screening within 90 days of first
attending an eligible program or within 90 days after the child's third birthday if awarded
a scholarship under the age of three.

deleted text begin (f) For fiscal year 2017 and later, a school district or Head Start program enrolling
scholarship recipients under paragraph (c) may apply to the commissioner, in the form and
manner prescribed by the commissioner, for direct payment of state aid. Upon receipt of
the application, the commissioner must pay each program directly for each approved
scholarship recipient enrolled under paragraph (c) according to the metered payment system
or another schedule established by the commissioner.
deleted text end

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 124D.59, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

English learner.

(a) "English learner" means a pupil in kindergarten through
grade 12new text begin, an early childhood special education student under Part B, section 619, of the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, United States Code, title 20, section 1419,
new text end or
a prekindergarten student enrolled in an approved voluntary prekindergarten program under
section 124D.151 or a school readiness plus program who meets the requirements under
subdivision 2a or the following requirements:

(1) the pupil, as declared by a parent or guardian first learned a language other than
English, comes from a home where the language usually spoken is other than English, or
usually speaks a language other than English; and

(2) the pupil is determined by a valid assessment measuring the pupil's English language
proficiency and by developmentally appropriate measures, which might include observations,
teacher judgment, parent recommendations, or developmentally appropriate assessment
instruments, to lack the necessary English skills to participate fully in academic classes
taught in English.

(b) A pupil enrolled in a Minnesota public school in any grade 4 through 12 who in the
previous school year took a commissioner-provided assessment measuring the pupil's
emerging academic English, shall be counted as an English learner in calculating English
learner pupil units under section 126C.05, subdivision 17, and shall generate state English
learner aid under section 124D.65, subdivision 5, if the pupil scored below the state cutoff
score or is otherwise counted as a nonproficient participant on the assessment measuring
the pupil's emerging academic English, or, in the judgment of the pupil's classroom teachers,
consistent with section 124D.61, clause (1), the pupil is unable to demonstrate academic
language proficiency in English, including oral academic language, sufficient to successfully
and fully participate in the general core curriculum in the regular classroom.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b), a pupil in new text beginearly childhood special education
or
new text endprekindergarten under section 124D.151, through grade 12 shall not be counted as an
English learner in calculating English learner pupil units under section 126C.05, subdivision
17
, and shall not generate state English learner aid under section 124D.65, subdivision 5,
if:

(1) the pupil is not enrolled during the current fiscal year in an educational program for
English learners under sections 124D.58 to 124D.64; or

(2) the pupil has generated seven or more years of average daily membership in Minnesota
public schools since July 1, 1996.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2023 and later.
new text end

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, section 245.4889, subdivision 1, is amended
to read:


Subdivision 1.

Establishment and authority.

(a) The commissioner is authorized to
make grants from available appropriations to assist:

(1) counties;

(2) Indian tribes;

(3) children's collaboratives under section 124D.23 or 245.493; deleted text beginor
deleted text end

(4) mental health service providersdeleted text begin.deleted text endnew text begin; or
new text end

new text begin (5) school districts and charter schools.
new text end

(b) The following services are eligible for grants under this section:

(1) services to children with emotional disturbances as defined in section 245.4871,
subdivision 15, and their families;

(2) transition services under section 245.4875, subdivision 8, for young adults under
age 21 and their families;

(3) respite care services for children with emotional disturbances or severe emotional
disturbances who are at risk of out-of-home placement. A child is not required to have case
management services to receive respite care services;

(4) children's mental health crisis services;

(5) mental health services for people from cultural and ethnic minorities, including
supervision of clinical trainees who are Black, indigenous, or people of color;

(6) children's mental health screening and follow-up diagnostic assessment and treatment;

(7) services to promote and develop the capacity of providers to use evidence-based
practices in providing children's mental health services;

(8) school-linked mental health services under section 245.4901;

(9) building evidence-based mental health intervention capacity for children birth to age
five;

(10) suicide prevention and counseling services that use text messaging statewide;

(11) mental health first aid training;

(12) training for parents, collaborative partners, and mental health providers on the
impact of adverse childhood experiences and trauma and development of an interactive
website to share information and strategies to promote resilience and prevent trauma;

(13) transition age services to develop or expand mental health treatment and supports
for adolescents and young adults 26 years of age or younger;

(14) early childhood mental health consultation;

(15) evidence-based interventions for youth at risk of developing or experiencing a first
episode of psychosis, and a public awareness campaign on the signs and symptoms of
psychosis;

(16) psychiatric consultation for primary care practitioners; and

(17) providers to begin operations and meet program requirements when establishing a
new children's mental health program. These may be start-up grants.

(c) Services under paragraph (b) must be designed to help each child to function and
remain with the child's family in the community and delivered consistent with the child's
treatment plan. Transition services to eligible young adults under this paragraph must be
designed to foster independent living in the community.

(d) As a condition of receiving grant funds, a grantee shall obtain all available third-party
reimbursement sources, if applicable.

ARTICLE 6

EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS

Section 1. new text beginAPPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Department of Education. new text end

new text begin The sums indicated in this section are
appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years
designated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Mental health services and early childhood social workers. new text end

new text begin (a) For grants
to fund social workers focused solely on early childhood systems that strengthen early
childhood programs and improve outcomes for participating children and families.
new text end

new text begin $
new text end
new text begin 0
new text end
new text begin .....
new text end
new text begin 2022
new text end
new text begin $
new text end
new text begin 2,500,000
new text end
new text begin .....
new text end
new text begin 2023
new text end

new text begin (b) Eligible applicants are school districts and charter schools with early learning
programs that may include but are not limited to Head Start, early Head Start, and early
intervention programs serving children from birth to kindergarten that:
new text end

new text begin (1) implement a family partnership process to support family well-being, family safety,
health, and economic stability;
new text end

new text begin (2) identify family strengths and needs using the Head Start Parent Family and
Community Engagement Framework;
new text end

new text begin (3) offer individualized family partnership services in collaboration with families; and
new text end

new text begin (4) offer support services in collaboration or colocation with mental health practitioners
to provide training, coaching, or skill building to early learning staff and parents.
new text end

new text begin (c) This appropriation is in addition to any other federal funds a grantee receives for this
purpose.
new text end

new text begin (d) Any balance in the first year does not cancel and is available in the second year.
new text end

new text begin (e) Up to five percent of this appropriation may be retained for grant administration
costs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Infant and early childhood mental health consultation in schools. new text end

new text begin (a) For
transfer to the commissioner of human services for grants to create an early childhood mental
health system of care in schools under Minnesota Statutes, section 245.4889, subdivision
1, paragraph (a), clause (5).
new text end

new text begin $
new text end
new text begin 0
new text end
new text begin .....
new text end
new text begin 2022
new text end
new text begin $
new text end
new text begin 3,759,000
new text end
new text begin .....
new text end
new text begin 2023
new text end

new text begin (b) Of this amount, $3,350,000 is available for grants. Eligible uses include services
under Minnesota Statutes, section 245.4889, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clause (14).
new text end

new text begin (c) Any balance in the first year does not cancel and is available in the second year.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Grow Your Own Early Childhood Educator programs. new text end

new text begin (a) For grants to
develop, continue, or expand the Grow Your Own Early Childhood Educator program under
Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.731:
new text end

new text begin $
new text end
new text begin 0
new text end
new text begin .....
new text end
new text begin 2022
new text end
new text begin $
new text end
new text begin 3,860,000
new text end
new text begin .....
new text end
new text begin 2023
new text end

new text begin (b) This appropriation is subject to the requirements under section 122A.731, subdivision
4.
new text end

new text begin (c) The base for fiscal year 2024 and later is $3,805,000.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Early childhood family education licensure grant. new text end

new text begin (a) For a grant to the
University of Minnesota to provide scholarships for prospective teachers enrolled in the
parent and family education licensure program to cover the cost of attendance in the program:
new text end

new text begin $
new text end
new text begin 0
new text end
new text begin .....
new text end
new text begin 2022
new text end
new text begin $
new text end
new text begin 177,000
new text end
new text begin .....
new text end
new text begin 2023
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner may award additional grants to other postsecondary institutions
with parent and family education licensure programs if funds are available.
new text end

new text begin (c) A grant application must at least include:
new text end

new text begin (1) the in-kind, coordination, and mentorship services to be provided by the postsecondary
institution;
new text end

new text begin (2) the process for identifying and recruiting prospective teachers who represent known
parent and family education teacher licensure shortage areas, both demographic and
geographic;
new text end

new text begin (3) the process for coordinating with school districts to support prospective teachers in
completing a licensure program or working in an early childhood family education program;
and
new text end

new text begin (4) the process for prioritizing and awarding scholarships to students.
new text end

new text begin (d) A grant recipient must report in a form and manner determined by the commissioner
on their activities under this subdivision, including the number of participants; the percentage
of participants who are of color or American Indian; the percentage of participants who
reside in, or will be employed in, school districts located in the rural equity region as defined
in Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.10, subdivision 28; an assessment of program
effectiveness, including participant feedback and areas of improvement; the percentage of
participants continuing to pursue parent and family education licensure; and where applicable,
the number of participants hired in a district as parent and family education teachers after
completing the preparation program.
new text end

new text begin (e) The base for fiscal year 2024 is $177,000. The base for fiscal year 2025 is $0.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Executive function across generations curriculum grant. new text end

new text begin (a) For a grant to
the family partnership for an executive function curriculum pilot program:
new text end

new text begin $
new text end
new text begin 450,000
new text end
new text begin .....
new text end
new text begin 2023
new text end

new text begin (b) The family partnership must establish 15 sites across Minnesota to provide executive
function across generations curriculum. The sites must be spread across the state and include
rural, suburban, and urban early education and care providers, organizations providing home
visiting services, or parenting groups in high-risk communities. The family partnership must
report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over early childhood by December 15,
2022, and December 15, 2023, on the progress made to expand the executive function
curriculum across Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (c) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2025.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Reach Out and Read Minnesota. new text end

new text begin (a) For a grant to support Reach Out and
Read Minnesota to establish a statewide plan that encourages early childhood development
through a network of health care clinics:
new text end

new text begin $
new text end
new text begin 250,000
new text end
new text begin .....
new text end
new text begin 2023
new text end

new text begin (b) The grant recipient must develop and implement a plan that includes:
new text end

new text begin (1) integrating children's books and parent education into well-child visits;
new text end

new text begin (2) creating literacy-rich environments at clinics, including books for visits outside of
Reach Out and Read Minnesota parameters or for waiting room use or volunteer readers to
model read-aloud techniques for parents where possible;
new text end

new text begin (3) working with public health clinics, federally qualified health centers, Tribal sites,
community health centers, and clinics that belong to health care systems, as well as
independent clinics in underserved areas; and
new text end

new text begin (4) training medical professionals on speaking with parents of infants, toddlers, and
preschoolers on the importance of early literacy.
new text end

new text begin (c) The base for fiscal year 2024 and later is $250,000.
new text end

new text begin (d) The plan must be fully implemented on a statewide basis by 2029.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Children's Museum. new text end

new text begin (a) For a grant to the Minnesota Children's
Museum for operating costs:
new text end

new text begin $
new text end
new text begin 2,000,000
new text end
new text begin .....
new text end
new text begin 2023
new text end

new text begin (b) The appropriation in paragraph (a) must be used by the Minnesota Children's Museum
to aid in the recovery of general operations and programming losses due to COVID-19.
new text end

new text begin (c) The appropriation is in addition to the appropriation in Laws 2021, First Special
Session chapter 13, article 2, section 4, subdivision 18.
new text end

new text begin (d) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2025.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Children's asset building program. new text end

new text begin (a) For a matching grant to the Saint Paul
and Minnesota Foundation to support a children's asset building program that: (1) creates
a savings account for every child born to a resident of the city of St. Paul during the time
period for which funds are available; and (2) supports financial education for families on
their child's college and career pathway:
new text end

new text begin $
new text end
new text begin 250,000
new text end
new text begin .....
new text end
new text begin 2023
new text end

new text begin (b) Grant money provided under this subdivision must be matched with money from
nonstate sources.
new text end

new text begin (c) By February 15, 2025, the Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation must submit a report
on the children's asset building program to the commissioner of education and to legislative
committees with jurisdiction over early childhood. At a minimum, the report must provide
a detailed review of the program's design and features, including program outcomes, funding,
financial education programming activities, and program marketing, outreach, and
engagement activities.
new text end

new text begin (d) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2025.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Early Childhood Family Education Office. new text end

new text begin (a) For two full-time equivalent
staff and for operational expenses to provide support and guidance for early childhood
family education programs:
new text end

new text begin $
new text end
new text begin 325,000
new text end
new text begin .....
new text end
new text begin 2023
new text end

new text begin (b) Each staff member must hold a valid license as a teacher of parent and family
education.
new text end

new text begin (c) The base in fiscal year 2024 and later is $325,000.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 13, article 1, section 10, subdivision 2,
is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

General education aid.

For general education aid under Minnesota Statutes,
section 126C.13, subdivision 4:

$
deleted text begin 7,569,266,000 deleted text end new text begin
7,484,917,000
new text end
.....
2022
$
deleted text begin 7,804,527,000 deleted text end new text begin
7,688,824,000
new text end
.....
2023

The 2022 appropriation includes $717,326,000 for 2021 and deleted text begin$6,851,940,000deleted text endnew text begin
$6,767,591,000
new text end for 2022.

The 2023 appropriation includes deleted text begin$734,520,000deleted text endnew text begin $751,955,000new text end for 2022 and
deleted text begin $7,070,007,000deleted text endnew text begin $6,936,869,000new text end for 2023.

Sec. 3.

Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 13, article 8, section 3, subdivision 3, is
amended to read:


Subd. 3.

School breakfast.

For traditional school breakfast aid under Minnesota Statutes,
section 124D.1158:

$
deleted text begin 11,848,000deleted text endnew text begin
20,000
new text end
.....
2022
$
deleted text begin 12,200,000deleted text endnew text begin
10,691,000
new text end
.....
2023

Sec. 4.

Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 13, article 9, section 4, subdivision 3, is
amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Early learning scholarships.

(a) For the early learning scholarship program
under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.165:

$
70,709,000
.....
2022
$
deleted text begin 70,709,000 deleted text end new text begin
220,709,000
new text end
.....
2023

(b) This appropriation is subject to the requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section
124D.165, subdivision 6.

new text begin (c) The base for fiscal year 2024 is $115,709,000 and the base for fiscal year 2025 is
$115,709,000.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 13, article 9, section 4, subdivision 4, is
amended to read:


Subd. 4.

Head Start program.

new text begin(a) new text endFor Head Start programs under Minnesota Statutes,
section 119A.52:

$
25,100,000
.....
2022
$
deleted text begin 25,100,000 deleted text end new text begin
35,100,000
new text end
.....
2023

new text begin (b) The base for fiscal year 2024 and later is $35,100,000.
new text end

new text begin (c) Beginning in fiscal year 2023, a Head Start program must spend on Early Head Start:
new text end

new text begin (1) at least the amount the Head Start program spent on Early Head Start from its share
of the $25,100,000 state appropriation in fiscal year 2022; and
new text end

new text begin (2) the program's share of $10,000,000.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 13, article 9, section 4, subdivision 6, is
amended to read:


Subd. 6.

Developmental screening aid.

(a) For developmental screening aid under
Minnesota Statutes, sections 121A.17 and 121A.19:

$
deleted text begin 3,582,000 deleted text end new text begin
3,655,000
new text end
.....
2022
$
deleted text begin 3,476,000 deleted text end new text begin
4,560,000
new text end
.....
2023

(b) The 2022 appropriation includes $360,000 for 2021 and deleted text begin$3,222,000deleted text endnew text begin $3,295,000new text end for
2022.

(c) The 2023 appropriation includes deleted text begin$357,000deleted text endnew text begin $366,000new text end for 2022 and deleted text begin$3,119,000deleted text endnew text begin
$4,194,000
new text end for 2023.

Sec. 7. new text beginAPPROPRIATION; EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION WORKFORCE
STUDY.
new text end

new text begin $255,000 in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of employment and economic development for a study on the early childhood education
workforce in Minnesota. The study must provide a consolidated report of current data on
the makeup of the early childhood education workforce, including those working in certified
and licensed child care centers and family child care homes, Early Head Start and Head
Start programs, and school-based programs, including Early Childhood Special Education;
wages, income, and benefits in the industry; and barriers to entering these careers or retaining
workers in the field, along with information on any other relevant issues identified during
the research process. At a minimum, the study must replicate the data points published in
the study funded by the Department of Human Services titled "Child Care Workforce in
Minnesota: 2011 Statewide Study of Demographics, Training and Professional Development."
The study must be completed within 18 months and the commissioner may contract with
another organization to complete the study. This is a onetime appropriation and is available
until December 30, 2023.
new text end

APPENDIX

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: H4735-1

119B.03 BASIC SLIDING FEE PROGRAM.

Subd. 4.

Funding priority.

(a) First priority for child care assistance under the basic sliding fee program must be given to eligible non-MFIP families who do not have a high school diploma or commissioner of education-selected high school equivalency certification or who need remedial and basic skill courses in order to pursue employment or to pursue education leading to employment and who need child care assistance to participate in the education program. This includes student parents as defined under section 119B.011, subdivision 19b. Within this priority, the following subpriorities must be used:

(1) child care needs of minor parents;

(2) child care needs of parents under 21 years of age; and

(3) child care needs of other parents within the priority group described in this paragraph.

(b) Second priority must be given to parents who have completed their MFIP or DWP transition year, or parents who are no longer receiving or eligible for diversionary work program supports.

(c) Third priority must be given to families who are eligible for portable basic sliding fee assistance through the portability pool under subdivision 9.

(d) Fourth priority must be given to families in which at least one parent is a veteran as defined under section 197.447.

(e) Families under paragraph (b) must be added to the basic sliding fee waiting list on the date they begin the transition year under section 119B.011, subdivision 20, and must be moved into the basic sliding fee program as soon as possible after they complete their transition year.