HF 3435

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 04/07/2016 04:33pm

A bill for an act
relating to child care business development; providing for a child care business
start-up manual; providing grants to promote child care business start-up and
expansion; requiring a report; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin CHILD CARE BUSINESS START-UP MANUAL; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2017 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of employment and economic development to produce an easy-to-understand manual to
instruct aspiring business owners in how to start a child care business. The commissioner
shall work in consultation with relevant state and local agencies and affected stakeholders
to produce the manual. The manual must be made available electronically to interested
persons. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2019.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin CHILD CARE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) $....... in fiscal year 2017 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of employment and economic development for grants to local communities
to develop and implement a community solution action plan to sustain and increase the
supply of quality child care providers in order to support regional economic development.
Grant funds available under this section must be used to assess, identify, and implement
solutions to reduce the child care shortage in the state, including but not limited to
funding for child care business start-up or expansion, training, facility modifications or
improvements required for licensing, and assistance with licensing and other regulatory
requirements. In awarding grants, the commissioner must give priority to communities in
greater Minnesota that have documented a shortage of child care providers in the area.
new text end

new text begin (b) By September 30, 2017, grant recipients must report to the commissioner on the
outcomes of the grant program, including but not limited to the number of new providers,
the number of additional child care provider jobs created, the number of additional child
care slots, and the amount of local funds invested.
new text end

new text begin (c) By January 1, 2018, the commissioner must report on the outcomes to date of
the program to the standing committees of the legislature having jurisdiction over child
care and economic development.
new text end