HF 496

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 01/28/2019 01:58pm

A bill for an act
relating to human services; modifying child care assistance program maximum
reimbursement rates; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2018,
section 119B.13, subdivision 1.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 119B.13, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Subsidy restrictions.

(a) deleted text begin Beginning February 3, 2014, deleted text end The maximum
rate paid for child care assistance in any county or county price cluster under the child care
fund shall be the greater of the 25th percentile of the deleted text begin 2011 deleted text end new text begin most recent biennial new text end child care
provider rate survey new text begin under section 119B.02, subdivision 7, new text end or the maximum rate effective
deleted text begin November 28, 2011 deleted text end new text begin the day before the effective date of the rate change new text end . 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.

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

(c) 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.

(d) 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.

(e) 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.

(f) 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.

(g) 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.

(h) All maximum provider rates changes shall be implemented on the Monday following
the effective date of the maximum provider rate.

(i) Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 3400.0130, subpart 7, maximum registration
fees in effect on January 1, 2013, shall remain in effect.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2019.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; BASIC SLIDING FEE CHILD CARE PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2020 and $....... in fiscal year 2021 are appropriated from the general
fund to the commissioner of human services for the purposes of the basic sliding fee child
care program under Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.03.
new text end