1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to human services; making changes affecting 
  1.3             counties, human services policy, mental health, 
  1.4             continuing care for the elderly; amending Minnesota 
  1.5             Statutes 2002, sections 119B.02, subdivision 4; 
  1.6             119B.03, subdivision 6; 119B.09, subdivision 4; 
  1.7             119B.21, subdivision 5; 144A.071, subdivision 1a; 
  1.8             245.462, subdivision 18; 245.464, by adding a 
  1.9             subdivision; 256B.431, subdivision 37; 256D.02, 
  1.10            subdivision 17; 256D.06, subdivision 5; 256J.67, 
  1.11            subdivisions 1, 3; 257.85, subdivisions 2, 3; 259.23, 
  1.12            subdivisions 1, 2; 259.41, subdivision 3; 259.79, 
  1.13            subdivision 1; 260C.001, subdivision 3; 260C.007, 
  1.14            subdivisions 7, 8, 18, 22, 27; 260C.151, subdivision 
  1.15            6; 260C.178; 260C.201, subdivisions 1, 2, 6, 10, 11; 
  1.16            260C.312; 260C.317, subdivision 3; 626.556, 
  1.17            subdivisions 1, 10f, 11c, by adding subdivisions; 
  1.18            Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, sections 119B.025, 
  1.19            subdivision 1; 119B.125, subdivisions 1, 2; 256.01, 
  1.20            subdivision 2; 256B.0622, subdivision 8; 256B.431, 
  1.21            subdivision 38; 256J.40; 256J.425, subdivision 7; 
  1.22            256J.46, subdivision 1; 256J.521, subdivision 2; 
  1.23            256J.626, subdivisions 6, 7; 256J.95, subdivisions 10, 
  1.24            12; 260.012; 626.556, subdivisions 2, 3, 10, 10b, 10e, 
  1.25            10i, 11; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2002, sections 
  1.26            626.5551, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; Minnesota 
  1.27            Statutes 2003 Supplement, sections 256D.06, 
  1.28            subdivision 7; 256J.57, subdivision 2; Laws 2001, 
  1.29            First Special Session chapter 9, article 9, section 
  1.30            52; Minnesota Rules, part 9560.0220, subpart 6, item B.
  1.31  BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.32                             ARTICLE 1 
  1.33                  CHILD CARE; ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS 
  1.34     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 119B.02, 
  1.35  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
  1.36     Subd. 4.  [UNIVERSAL APPLICATION FORM.] The commissioner 
  1.37  must develop and make available to all counties a universal 
  1.38  application form for child care assistance under this 
  2.1   chapter.  The commissioner may develop and make available to all 
  2.2   counties a child care addendum form to be used to supplement the 
  2.3   combined application form for MFIP, DWP, or Food Support or to 
  2.4   supplement other statewide application forms for public 
  2.5   assistance programs for families applying for one of these 
  2.6   programs in addition to child care assistance.  The application 
  2.7   must provide notice of eligibility requirements for assistance 
  2.8   and penalties for wrongfully obtaining assistance. 
  2.9      Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
  2.10  119B.025, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  2.11     Subdivision 1.  [FACTORS WHICH MUST BE VERIFIED.] (a) The 
  2.12  county shall verify the following at all initial child care 
  2.13  applications using the universal application: 
  2.14     (1) identity of adults; 
  2.15     (2) presence of the minor child in the home, if 
  2.16  questionable; 
  2.17     (3) relationship of minor child to the parent, stepparent, 
  2.18  legal guardian, eligible relative caretaker, or the spouses of 
  2.19  any of the foregoing; 
  2.20     (4) age; 
  2.21     (5) immigration status, if related to eligibility; 
  2.22     (6) Social Security number, if given; 
  2.23     (7) income; 
  2.24     (8) spousal support and child support payments made to 
  2.25  persons outside the household; 
  2.26     (9) residence; and 
  2.27     (10) inconsistent information, if related to eligibility. 
  2.28     (b) If a family did not use the universal application or 
  2.29  child care addendum to apply for child care assistance, the 
  2.30  family must complete the universal application or child care 
  2.31  addendum at its next eligibility redetermination and the county 
  2.32  must verify the factors listed in paragraph (a) as part of that 
  2.33  redetermination.  Once a family has completed a universal 
  2.34  application or child care addendum, the county shall use the 
  2.35  redetermination form described in paragraph (c) for that 
  2.36  family's subsequent redeterminations.  Eligibility must be 
  3.1   redetermined at least every six months.  If a family reports a 
  3.2   change in an eligibility factor before the family's next 
  3.3   regularly scheduled redetermination, the county must recalculate 
  3.4   eligibility without requiring verification of any eligibility 
  3.5   factor that did not change.  
  3.6      (c) The commissioner shall develop a ~~recertification~~ 
  3.7   redetermination form to redetermine eligibility and a change 
  3.8   report form to report changes that ~~minimizes~~ minimize paperwork 
  3.9   for the county and the participant. 
  3.10     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 119B.03, 
  3.11  subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
  3.12     Subd. 6.  [ALLOCATION FORMULA.] The basic sliding fee state 
  3.13  and federal funds shall be allocated on a calendar year basis.  
  3.14  Funds shall be allocated first in amounts equal to each county's 
  3.15  guaranteed floor according to subdivision 8, with any remaining 
  3.16  available funds allocated according to the following formula:  
  3.17     (a) One-fourth of the funds shall be allocated in 
  3.18  proportion to each county's total expenditures for the basic 
  3.19  sliding fee child care program reported during the most recent 
  3.20  fiscal year completed at the time of the notice of allocation.  
  3.21     (b) One-fourth of the funds shall be allocated based on the 
  3.22  number of families participating in the transition year child 
  3.23  care program as reported during the most recent quarter 
  3.24  completed at the time of the notice of allocation. 
  3.25     (c) One-fourth of the funds shall be allocated in 
  3.26  proportion to each county's most recently reported first, 
  3.27  second, and third priority waiting list as defined in 
  3.28  subdivision 2 and the reinstatement list of those families whose 
  3.29  assistance was terminated with the approval of the commissioner 
  3.30  under Minnesota Rules, part 3400.0183, subpart 1. 
  3.31     (d) One-fourth of the funds must be allocated in proportion 
  3.32  to each county's most recently reported waiting list as defined 
  3.33  in subdivision 2. 
  3.34     Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 119B.09, 
  3.35  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
  3.36     Subd. 4.  [ELIGIBILITY; ANNUAL INCOME; CALCULATION.] Annual 
  4.1   income of the applicant family is the current monthly income of 
  4.2   the family multiplied by 12 or the income for the 12-month 
  4.3   period immediately preceding the date of application, or income 
  4.4   calculated by the method which provides the most accurate 
  4.5   assessment of income available to the family.  Self-employment 
  4.6   income must be calculated based on gross receipts less operating 
  4.7   expenses.  Income must be ~~redetermined~~ recalculated when the 
  4.8   family's income changes, but no less often than every six 
  4.9   months.  Income must be verified with documentary evidence.  If 
  4.10  the applicant does not have sufficient evidence of income, 
  4.11  verification must be obtained from the source of the income. 
  4.12     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
  4.13  119B.125, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  4.14     Subdivision 1.  [AUTHORIZATION.] Except as provided in 
  4.15  subdivision 5, a county must authorize the provider chosen by an 
  4.16  applicant or a participant before the county can authorize 
  4.17  payment for care provided by that provider.  The commissioner 
  4.18  must establish the requirements necessary for authorization of 
  4.19  providers.  A provider must be reauthorized every two years.  A 
  4.20  legal, nonlicensed family child care provider also must be 
  4.21  reauthorized when another person over the age of 13 joins the 
  4.22  household, a current household member turns 13, or there is 
  4.23  reason to believe that a household member has a factor that 
  4.24  prevents authorization.  The provider is required to report all 
  4.25  family changes that would require reauthorization.  When a 
  4.26  provider has been authorized for payment for providing care for 
  4.27  families in more than one county, the county responsible for 
  4.28  reauthorization of that provider is the county of the family 
  4.29  with a current authorization for that provider and who has used 
  4.30  the provider for the longest length of time. 
  4.31     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
  4.32  119B.125, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
  4.33     Subd. 2.  [PERSONS WHO CANNOT BE AUTHORIZED.] (a) A person 
  4.34  who meets any of the conditions under paragraphs (b) to (n) must 
  4.35  not be authorized as a legal nonlicensed family child care 
  4.36  provider.  To determine whether any of the listed conditions 
  5.1   exist, the county must request information about the provider 
  5.2   from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the juvenile courts, 
  5.3   and social service agencies.  When one of the listed entities 
  5.4   does not maintain information on a statewide basis, the county 
  5.5   must contact the entity in the county where the provider resides 
  5.6   and any other county in which the provider previously resided in 
  5.7   the past year.  For purposes of this subdivision, a finding that 
  5.8   a delinquency petition is proven in juvenile court must be 
  5.9   considered a conviction in state district court.  If a county 
  5.10  has determined that a provider is able to be authorized in that 
  5.11  county, and a family in another county later selects that 
  5.12  provider, the provider is able to be authorized in the second 
  5.13  county without undergoing a new background investigation unless 
  5.14  one of the following conditions exists: 
  5.15     (1) two years have passed since the first authorization; 
  5.16     (2) another person age 13 or older has joined the 
  5.17  provider's household since the last authorization; 
  5.18     (3) a current household member has turned 13 since the last 
  5.19  authorization; or 
  5.20     (4) there is reason to believe that a household member has 
  5.21  a factor that prevents authorization. 
  5.22     (b) The person has been convicted of one of the following 
  5.23  offenses or has admitted to committing or a preponderance of the 
  5.24  evidence indicates that the person has committed an act that 
  5.25  meets the definition of one of the following offenses:  sections 
  5.26  609.185 to 609.195, murder in the first, second, or third 
  5.27  degree; 609.2661 to 609.2663, murder of an unborn child in the 
  5.28  first, second, or third degree; 609.322, solicitation, 
  5.29  inducement, or promotion of prostitution; 609.323, receiving 
  5.30  profit from prostitution; 609.342 to 609.345, criminal sexual 
  5.31  conduct in the first, second, third, or fourth degree; 609.352, 
  5.32  solicitation of children to engage in sexual conduct; 609.365, 
  5.33  incest; 609.377, felony malicious punishment of a child; 
  5.34  617.246, use of minors in sexual performance; 617.247, 
  5.35  possession of pictorial representation of a minor; 609.2242 to 
  5.36  609.2243, felony domestic assault; a felony offense of spousal 
  6.1   abuse; a felony offense of child abuse or neglect; a felony 
  6.2   offense of a crime against children; or an attempt or conspiracy 
  6.3   to commit any of these offenses as defined in Minnesota 
  6.4   Statutes; or an offense in any other state or country where the 
  6.5   elements are substantially similar to any of the offenses listed 
  6.6   in this paragraph. 
  6.7      (c) Less than 15 years have passed since the discharge of 
  6.8   the sentence imposed for the offense and the person has received 
  6.9   a felony conviction for one of the following offenses, or the 
  6.10  person has admitted to committing or a preponderance of the 
  6.11  evidence indicates that the person has committed an act that 
  6.12  meets the definition of a felony conviction for one of the 
  6.13  following offenses:  sections 609.20 to 609.205, manslaughter in 
  6.14  the first or second degree; 609.21, criminal vehicular homicide; 
  6.15  609.215, aiding suicide or aiding attempted suicide; 609.221 to 
  6.16  609.2231, assault in the first, second, third, or fourth degree; 
  6.17  609.224, repeat offenses of fifth degree assault; 609.228, great 
  6.18  bodily harm caused by distribution of drugs; 609.2325, criminal 
  6.19  abuse of a vulnerable adult; 609.2335, financial exploitation of 
  6.20  a vulnerable adult; 609.235, use of drugs to injure or 
  6.21  facilitate a crime; 609.24, simple robbery; 617.241, repeat 
  6.22  offenses of obscene materials and performances; 609.245, 
  6.23  aggravated robbery; 609.25, kidnapping; 609.255, false 
  6.24  imprisonment; 609.2664 to 609.2665, manslaughter of an unborn 
  6.25  child in the first or second degree; 609.267 to 609.2672, 
  6.26  assault of an unborn child in the first, second, or third 
  6.27  degree; 609.268, injury or death of an unborn child in the 
  6.28  commission of a crime; 609.27, coercion; 609.275, attempt to 
  6.29  coerce; 609.324, subdivision 1, other prohibited acts, minor 
  6.30  engaged in prostitution; 609.3451, repeat offenses of criminal 
  6.31  sexual conduct in the fifth degree; 609.378, neglect or 
  6.32  endangerment of a child; 609.52, theft; 609.521, possession of 
  6.33  shoplifting gear; 609.561 to 609.563, arson in the first, 
  6.34  second, or third degree; 609.582, burglary in the first, second, 
  6.35  third, or fourth degree; 609.625, aggravated forgery; 609.63, 
  6.36  forgery; 609.631, check forgery, offering a forged check; 
  7.1   609.635, obtaining signature by false pretenses; 609.66, 
  7.2   dangerous weapon; 609.665, setting a spring gun; 609.67, 
  7.3   unlawfully owning, possessing, or operating a machine gun; 
  7.4   609.687, adulteration; 609.71, riot; 609.713, terrorist threats; 
  7.5   609.749, harassment, stalking; 260.221, grounds for termination 
  7.6   of parental rights; 152.021 to 152.022, controlled substance 
  7.7   crime in the first or second degree; 152.023, subdivision 1, 
  7.8   clause (3) or (4), or 152.023, subdivision 2, clause (4), 
  7.9   controlled substance crime in third degree; 152.024, subdivision 
  7.10  1, clause (2), (3), or (4), controlled substance crime in fourth 
  7.11  degree; 617.23, repeat offenses of indecent exposure; an attempt 
  7.12  or conspiracy to commit any of these offenses as defined in 
  7.13  Minnesota Statutes; or an offense in any other state or country 
  7.14  where the elements are substantially similar to any of the 
  7.15  offenses listed in this paragraph. 
  7.16     (d) Less than ten years have passed since the discharge of 
  7.17  the sentence imposed for the offense and the person has received 
  7.18  a gross misdemeanor conviction for one of the following offenses 
  7.19  or the person has admitted to committing or a preponderance of 
  7.20  the evidence indicates that the person has committed an act that 
  7.21  meets the definition of a gross misdemeanor conviction for one 
  7.22  of the following offenses:  sections 609.224, fifth degree 
  7.23  assault; 609.2242 to 609.2243, domestic assault; 518B.01, 
  7.24  subdivision 14, violation of an order for protection; 609.3451, 
  7.25  fifth degree criminal sexual conduct; 609.746, repeat offenses 
  7.26  of interference with privacy; 617.23, repeat offenses of 
  7.27  indecent exposure; 617.241, obscene materials and performances; 
  7.28  617.243, indecent literature, distribution; 617.293, 
  7.29  disseminating or displaying harmful material to minors; 609.71, 
  7.30  riot; 609.66, dangerous weapons; 609.749, harassment, stalking; 
  7.31  609.224, subdivision 2, paragraph (c), fifth degree assault 
  7.32  against a vulnerable adult by a caregiver; 609.23, mistreatment 
  7.33  of persons confined; 609.231, mistreatment of residents or 
  7.34  patients; 609.2325, criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult; 
  7.35  609.2335, financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult; 609.233, 
  7.36  criminal neglect of a vulnerable adult; 609.234, failure to 
  8.1   report maltreatment of a vulnerable adult; 609.72, subdivision 
  8.2   3, disorderly conduct against a vulnerable adult; 609.265, 
  8.3   abduction; 609.378, neglect or endangerment of a child; 609.377, 
  8.4   malicious punishment of a child; 609.324, subdivision 1a, other 
  8.5   prohibited acts, minor engaged in prostitution; 609.33, 
  8.6   disorderly house; 609.52, theft; 609.582, burglary in the first, 
  8.7   second, third, or fourth degree; 609.631, check forgery, 
  8.8   offering a forged check; 609.275, attempt to coerce; an attempt 
  8.9   or conspiracy to commit any of these offenses as defined in 
  8.10  Minnesota Statutes; or an offense in any other state or country 
  8.11  where the elements are substantially similar to any of the 
  8.12  offenses listed in this paragraph. 
  8.13     (e) Less than seven years have passed since the discharge 
  8.14  of the sentence imposed for the offense and the person has 
  8.15  received a misdemeanor conviction for one of the following 
  8.16  offenses or the person has admitted to committing or a 
  8.17  preponderance of the evidence indicates that the person has 
  8.18  committed an act that meets the definition of a misdemeanor 
  8.19  conviction for one of the following offenses:  sections 609.224, 
  8.20  fifth degree assault; 609.2242, domestic assault; 518B.01, 
  8.21  violation of an order for protection; 609.3232, violation of an 
  8.22  order for protection; 609.746, interference with privacy; 
  8.23  609.79, obscene or harassing telephone calls; 609.795, letter, 
  8.24  telegram, or package opening, harassment; 617.23, indecent 
  8.25  exposure; 609.2672, assault of an unborn child, third degree; 
  8.26  617.293, dissemination and display of harmful materials to 
  8.27  minors; 609.66, dangerous weapons; 609.665, spring guns; an 
  8.28  attempt or conspiracy to commit any of these offenses as defined 
  8.29  in Minnesota Statutes; or an offense in any other state or 
  8.30  country where the elements are substantially similar to any of 
  8.31  the offenses listed in this paragraph. 
  8.32     (f) The person has been identified by the ~~county's~~ child 
  8.33  protection agency in the county where the provider resides or a 
  8.34  county where the provider has resided or by the statewide child 
  8.35  protection database as the person allegedly responsible for 
  8.36  physical or sexual abuse of a child within the last seven years. 
  9.1      (g) The person has been identified by the ~~county's~~ adult 
  9.2   protection agency in the county where the provider resides or a 
  9.3   county where the provider has resided or by the statewide adult 
  9.4   protection database as the person responsible for abuse or 
  9.5   neglect of a vulnerable adult within the last seven years. 
  9.6      (h) The person has refused to give written consent for 
  9.7   disclosure of criminal history records. 
  9.8      (i) The person has been denied a family child care license 
  9.9   or has received a fine or a sanction as a licensed child care 
  9.10  provider that has not been reversed on appeal. 
  9.11     (j) The person has a family child care licensing 
  9.12  disqualification that has not been set aside. 
  9.13     (k) The person has admitted or a county has found that 
  9.14  there is a preponderance of evidence that fraudulent information 
  9.15  was given to the county for child care assistance application 
  9.16  purposes or was used in submitting child care assistance bills 
  9.17  for payment. 
  9.18     (l) The person has been convicted ~~or there is a~~ 
  9.19  ~~preponderance of evidence~~ of the crime of theft by wrongfully 
  9.20  obtaining public assistance. 
  9.21     (m) The person has a household member age 13 or older who 
  9.22  has access to children during the hours that care is provided 
  9.23  and who meets one of the conditions listed in paragraphs (b) to 
  9.24  (l). 
  9.25     (n) The person has a household member ages ten to 12 who 
  9.26  has access to children during the hours that care is provided; 
  9.27  information or circumstances exist which provide the county with 
  9.28  articulable suspicion that further pertinent information may 
  9.29  exist showing the household member meets one of the conditions 
  9.30  listed in paragraphs (b) to (l); and the household member 
  9.31  actually meets one of the conditions listed in paragraphs (b) to 
  9.32  (l). 
  9.33     Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 119B.21, 
  9.34  subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
  9.35     Subd. 5.  [CHILD CARE SERVICES GRANTS.] (a) A child care 
  9.36  resource and referral program designated under section 119B.19, 
 10.1   subdivision 1a, may award child care services grants for: 
 10.2      (1) creating new licensed child care facilities and 
 10.3   expanding existing facilities, including, but not limited to, 
 10.4   supplies, equipment, facility renovation, and remodeling; 
 10.5      (2) improving licensed child care facility programs; 
 10.6      (3) staff training and development services including, but 
 10.7   not limited to, in-service training, curriculum development, 
 10.8   accreditation, certification, consulting, resource centers, and 
 10.9   program and resource materials; 
 10.10     (4) interim financing; 
 10.11     (5) capacity building through the purchase of appropriate 
 10.12  technology to create, enhance, and maintain business management 
 10.13  systems; 
 10.14     (6) emergency assistance for child care programs; 
 10.15     (7) new programs or projects for the creation, expansion, 
 10.16  or improvement of programs that serve ethnic immigrant and 
 10.17  refugee communities; and 
 10.18     (8) targeted recruitment initiatives to expand and build 
 10.19  the capacity of the child care system and to improve the quality 
 10.20  of care provided by legal nonlicensed child care providers. 
 10.21     (b) A child care resource and referral program designated 
 10.22  under section 119B.19, subdivision 1a, may award child care 
 10.23  services grants to: 
 10.24     (1) licensed providers; 
 10.25     (2) providers in the process of being licensed; 
 10.26     (3) corporations or public agencies that develop or provide 
 10.27  child care services; 
 10.28     (4) school-age care programs; ~~or~~ 
 10.29     (5) legal nonlicensed providers; or 
 10.30     (6) any combination of clauses (1) to ~~(4)~~ (5). 
 10.31  ~~Unlicensed providers are only eligible for grants under~~ 
 10.32  ~~paragraph (a), clause (7).~~ Providers described under clauses (2) 
 10.33  and (5), are only eligible for grants under paragraph (a), 
 10.34  clauses (3), (7), and (8). 
 10.35     (c) A recipient of a child care services grant for facility 
 10.36  improvements, interim financing, or staff training and 
 11.1   development must provide a 25 percent local match.  
 11.2      Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 256D.02, 
 11.3   subdivision 17, is amended to read: 
 11.4      Subd. 17.  [PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION.] "Professional 
 11.5   certification" means~~:~~ 
 11.6      ~~(1)~~ a statement about a person's illness, injury, or 
 11.7   incapacity that is signed by a ~~licensed physician, psychological~~ 
 11.8   ~~practitioner, or licensed psychologist, qualified by~~ 
 11.9   ~~professional training and experience to diagnose and certify the~~ 
 11.10  ~~person's condition; or~~ 
 11.11     ~~(2) a statement about an incapacity involving a spinal~~ 
 11.12  ~~subluxation condition that is signed by a licensed chiropractor~~ 
 11.13  ~~qualified by professional training and experience to diagnose~~ 
 11.14  ~~and certify the condition~~ "qualified professional" as defined in 
 11.15  section 256J.08, subdivision 73a. 
 11.16                             ARTICLE 2 
 11.17                    ADOPTION AND CHILD PLACEMENT 
 11.18     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 257.85, 
 11.19  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 11.20     Subd. 2.  [SCOPE.] The provisions of this section apply to 
 11.21  those situations in which (1) the local agency has complied with 
 11.22  the requirements of chapter 260C in making its placement 
 11.23  recommendation, and (2) permanent legal and physical custody of 
 11.24  a child is established with a relative or important friend with 
 11.25  whom the child has resided or had significant contact according 
 11.26  to section 260C.201, subdivision 11, by a court order issued on 
 11.27  or after July 1, 1997.  
 11.28     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 257.85, 
 11.29  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 11.30     Subd. 3.  [DEFINITIONS.] For purposes of this section, the 
 11.31  terms defined in this subdivision have the meanings given them. 
 11.32     (a) "MFIP standard" means the transitional standard used to 
 11.33  calculate assistance under the MFIP program, or, if permanent 
 11.34  legal and physical custody of the child is given to a relative 
 11.35  custodian residing outside of Minnesota, the analogous 
 11.36  transitional standard or standard of need used to calculate 
 12.1   assistance under the TANF program of the state where the 
 12.2   relative custodian lives. 
 12.3      (b) "Local agency" means the ~~local~~ county social services 
 12.4   agency or tribal social services agency with legal custody of a 
 12.5   child prior to the transfer of permanent legal and physical 
 12.6   custody. 
 12.7      (c) "Permanent legal and physical custody" means permanent 
 12.8   legal and physical custody ordered by a Minnesota Juvenile Court 
 12.9   under section 260C.201, subdivision 27. 
 12.10     (d) "Relative" has the meaning given in section 260C.007, 
 12.11  subdivision 27. 
 12.12     (e) "Relative custodian" means a person who has permanent 
 12.13  legal and physical custody of a child.  When siblings, including 
 12.14  half-siblings and stepsiblings, are placed together in permanent 
 12.15  legal and physical custody, the person receiving permanent legal 
 12.16  and physical custody of the siblings is considered a relative 
 12.17  custodian of all of the siblings for purposes of this section. 
 12.18     (f) "Relative custody assistance agreement" means an 
 12.19  agreement entered into between a local agency and a person who 
 12.20  has been or will be awarded permanent legal and physical custody 
 12.21  of a child. 
 12.22     (g) "Relative custody assistance payment" means a monthly 
 12.23  cash grant made to a relative custodian pursuant to a relative 
 12.24  custody assistance agreement and in an amount calculated under 
 12.25  subdivision 7. 
 12.26     (h) "Remains in the physical custody of the relative 
 12.27  custodian" means that the relative custodian is providing 
 12.28  day-to-day care for the child and that the child lives with the 
 12.29  relative custodian; absence from the relative custodian's home 
 12.30  for a period of more than 120 days raises a presumption that the 
 12.31  child no longer remains in the physical custody of the relative 
 12.32  custodian. 
 12.33     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 259.23, 
 12.34  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 12.35     Subdivision 1.  [VENUE.] (a) Except as provided in section 
 12.36  260C.101, subdivision 2, the juvenile court shall have original 
 13.1   jurisdiction in all adoption proceedings.  The proper venue for 
 13.2   an adoption proceeding shall be the county of the petitioner's 
 13.3   residence.  ~~However,~~ 
 13.4      (b) Except for the adoption of children committed to the 
 13.5   guardianship of the commissioner of human services, the proper 
 13.6   venue for the adoption of children committed to the guardianship 
 13.7   of the commissioner of human services shall be the court with 
 13.8   jurisdiction in the matter according to section 260C.317, 
 13.9   subdivision 3. 
 13.10     (c) Upon request of the petitioner, and after determining 
 13.11  that there are no competing petitions to adopt the child, the 
 13.12  court may transfer the adoption proceeding to the appropriate 
 13.13  court in the petitioner's county of residence.  The procedure 
 13.14  for transferring the adoption proceeding shall be as described 
 13.15  in subdivision 3.  
 13.16     (d) In all other adoptions, if the petitioner has acquired 
 13.17  a new residence in another county and requests a transfer of the 
 13.18  adoption proceeding, the court in which an adoption is initiated 
 13.19  may transfer the proceeding to the appropriate court in the new 
 13.20  county of residence if the transfer is in the best interests of 
 13.21  the person to be adopted.  The court transfers the proceeding by 
 13.22  ordering a continuance and by forwarding to the court 
 13.23  administrator of the appropriate court a certified copy of all 
 13.24  papers filed, together with an order of transfer.  The 
 13.25  transferring court also shall forward copies of the order of 
 13.26  transfer to the commissioner of human services and any agency 
 13.27  participating in the proceedings.  The judge of the receiving 
 13.28  court shall accept the order of the transfer and any other 
 13.29  documents transmitted and hear the case; provided, however, the 
 13.30  receiving court may in its discretion require the filing of a 
 13.31  new petition prior to the hearing.  
 13.32     Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 259.23, 
 13.33  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 13.34     Subd. 2.  [CONTENTS OF PETITION.] The petition shall be 
 13.35  signed by the petitioner and, if married, by the spouse.  It 
 13.36  shall be verified, and filed in duplicate.  The petition shall 
 14.1   allege: 
 14.2      (a) The full name, age and place of residence of 
 14.3   petitioner, and if married, the date and place of marriage; 
 14.4      (b) The date petitioner acquired physical custody of the 
 14.5   child and from what person or agency; 
 14.6      (c) The date of birth of the child, if known, and the state 
 14.7   and county where born; 
 14.8      (d) The name of the child's parents, if known, and the 
 14.9   guardian if there be one; 
 14.10     (e) The actual name of the child, if known, and any known 
 14.11  aliases; 
 14.12     (f) The name to be given the child if a change of name is 
 14.13  desired; 
 14.14     (g) The description and value of any real or personal 
 14.15  property owned by the child; 
 14.16     (h) That the petitioner desires that the relationship of 
 14.17  parent and child be established between petitioner and the 
 14.18  child, and that it is to the best interests of the child for the 
 14.19  child to be adopted by the petitioner.  
 14.20     In agency placements, the information required in clauses 
 14.21  (d) and (e) ~~above~~ shall not be required to be alleged in the 
 14.22  petition but shall be transmitted to the court by the 
 14.23  commissioner of human services or the agency.  
 14.24     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 259.41, 
 14.25  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 14.26     Subd. 3.  [BACKGROUND CHECK; AFFIDAVIT OF HISTORY.] (a) At 
 14.27  the time an adoption study is commenced, each prospective 
 14.28  adoptive parent must: 
 14.29     (1) authorize access by the agency to any private data 
 14.30  needed to complete the study; 
 14.31     (2) provide all addresses at which the prospective adoptive 
 14.32  parent and anyone in the household over the age of 13 has 
 14.33  resided in the previous ~~ten~~ five years; and 
 14.34     (3) disclose any names used previously other than the name 
 14.35  used at the time of the study~~; and~~ 
 14.36     ~~(4) provide a set of fingerprints, which shall be forwarded~~ 
 15.1   ~~to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to facilitate the~~ 
 15.2   ~~criminal conviction background check required under paragraph~~ 
 15.3   ~~(b)~~. 
 15.4      (b) When the requirements of paragraph (a) have been met, 
 15.5   the agency shall immediately begin a background check, on each 
 15.6   person over the age of 13 living in the home, consisting, at a 
 15.7   minimum, of the following: 
 15.8      (1) a check of criminal conviction data with the Bureau of 
 15.9   Criminal Apprehension and local law enforcement authorities; 
 15.10     (2) a check for data on substantiated maltreatment of a 
 15.11  child or vulnerable adult and domestic violence data with local 
 15.12  law enforcement and social services agencies and district 
 15.13  courts; and 
 15.14     (3) for those persons under the age of 25, a check of 
 15.15  juvenile court records. 
 15.16     Notwithstanding the provisions of section 260B.171 or 
 15.17  260C.171, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, local law 
 15.18  enforcement and social services agencies, district courts, and 
 15.19  juvenile courts shall release the requested information to the 
 15.20  agency completing the adoption study. 
 15.21     When paragraph (b) requires checking the data or records of 
 15.22  local law enforcement and social services agencies and district 
 15.23  and juvenile courts, the agency shall check with the law 
 15.24  enforcement and social services agencies and courts whose 
 15.25  jurisdictions cover the addresses under paragraph (a), clause 
 15.26  (2).  In the event that the agency is unable to complete any of 
 15.27  the record checks required by paragraph (b), the agency shall 
 15.28  document the fact and the agency's efforts to obtain the 
 15.29  information. 
 15.30     (c) At any time prior to completion of the background check 
 15.31  required under paragraph (b), a prospective adoptive parent may 
 15.32  submit to the agency conducting the study a sworn affidavit 
 15.33  stating whether they or any person residing in the household 
 15.34  have been convicted of a crime.  The affidavit shall also state 
 15.35  whether the adoptive parent or any other person residing in the 
 15.36  household is the subject of an open investigation of, or have 
 16.1   been the subject of a substantiated allegation of, child or 
 16.2   vulnerable-adult maltreatment within the past ~~ten~~ five years.  A 
 16.3   complete description of the crime, open investigation, or 
 16.4   substantiated abuse, and a complete description of any sentence, 
 16.5   treatment, or disposition must be included.  The affidavit must 
 16.6   contain an acknowledgment that if, at any time before the 
 16.7   adoption is final, a court receives evidence leading to a 
 16.8   conclusion that a prospective adoptive parent knowingly gave 
 16.9   false information in the affidavit, it shall be determined that 
 16.10  the adoption of the child by the prospective adoptive parent is 
 16.11  not in the best interests of the child. 
 16.12     (d) For the purposes of subdivision 1 and section 259.47, 
 16.13  subdivisions 3 and 6, an adoption study is complete for 
 16.14  placement, even though the background checks required by 
 16.15  paragraph (b) have not been completed, if each prospective 
 16.16  adoptive parent has completed the affidavit allowed by paragraph 
 16.17  (c) and the other requirements of this section have been met.  
 16.18  The background checks required by paragraph (b) must be 
 16.19  completed before an adoption petition is filed.  If an adoption 
 16.20  study has been submitted to the court under section 259.47, 
 16.21  subdivision 3 or 6, before the background checks required by 
 16.22  paragraph (b) were complete, an updated adoption study report 
 16.23  which includes the results of the background check must be filed 
 16.24  with the adoption petition.  In the event that an agency is 
 16.25  unable to complete any of the records checks required by 
 16.26  paragraph (b), the agency shall submit with the petition to 
 16.27  adopt an affidavit documenting the agency's efforts to complete 
 16.28  the checks. 
 16.29     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 259.79, 
 16.30  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 16.31     Subdivision 1.  [CONTENT.] (a) The adoption records of ~~the~~ 
 16.32  ~~commissioner,~~ the commissioner's agents and licensed 
 16.33  child-placing agencies shall contain copies of all relevant 
 16.34  legal documents, responsibly collected genetic, medical and 
 16.35  social history of the child and the child's birth parents, the 
 16.36  child's placement record, copies of all pertinent agreements, 
 17.1   contracts, and correspondence relevant to the adoption, and 
 17.2   copies of all reports and recommendations made to the court.  
 17.3      (b) The commissioner of human services shall maintain a 
 17.4   permanent record of all adoptions granted in Minnesota.  Each 
 17.5   record shall contain identifying information about the child, 
 17.6   birth parents and adoptive parents, the date and name of the 
 17.7   placing agency, the county of placement, the date and county of 
 17.8   petition to adopt, and the decree. 
 17.9      (c) Identifying information contained in the adoption 
 17.10  record shall be confidential and shall be disclosed only 
 17.11  pursuant to section 259.61.  
 17.12     Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
 17.13  260.012, is amended to read: 
 17.14     260.012 [DUTY TO ENSURE PLACEMENT PREVENTION AND FAMILY 
 17.15  REUNIFICATION; REASONABLE EFFORTS.] 
 17.16     (a) Once a child alleged to be in need of protection or 
 17.17  services is under the court's jurisdiction, the court shall 
 17.18  ensure that reasonable efforts including culturally appropriate 
 17.19  services by the social services agency are made to prevent 
 17.20  placement ~~or~~ and to finalize a permanent plan for the child, as 
 17.21  appropriate.  "Reasonable efforts to finalize the permanent plan 
 17.22  for the child" include the agency's efforts to eliminate the 
 17.23  need for removal and to reunite the child with the child's 
 17.24  family at the earliest possible time, ~~consistent with the best~~ 
 17.25  ~~interests, safety, and protection of the child~~ and place the 
 17.26  child with a family that will be a legally permanent home for 
 17.27  the child in the event the child cannot be reunited with the 
 17.28  parent or guardian from whom the child was removed.  In 
 17.29  determining reasonable efforts to be made with respect to a 
 17.30  child and in making those reasonable efforts, the child's best 
 17.31  interests, health, and safety must be of paramount concern.  
 17.32  Reasonable efforts to prevent placement or for rehabilitation 
 17.33  and reunification are not required upon a determination by the 
 17.34  court that~~:~~ 
 17.35     ~~(1)~~ a ~~termination of parental rights~~ petition has been 
 17.36  filed stating a prima facie case that: 
 18.1      ~~(i)~~ (1) the parent has subjected a child to egregious harm 
 18.2   as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 14; 
 18.3      ~~(ii)~~ (2) the parental rights of the parent to another child 
 18.4   have been terminated involuntarily; 
 18.5      ~~(iii)~~ (3) the child is an abandoned infant under section 
 18.6   260C.301, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (2); ~~or~~ 
 18.7      ~~(iv)~~ (4) the parent's custodial rights to another child 
 18.8   have been involuntarily transferred to a relative under section 
 18.9   260C.201, subdivision 11, paragraph (e), clause (1), or a 
 18.10  similar law of another jurisdiction; or 
 18.11     ~~(2) the county attorney has filed a determination not to~~ 
 18.12  ~~proceed with a termination of parental rights petition on these~~ 
 18.13  ~~grounds was made under section 260C.301, subdivision 3,~~ 
 18.14  ~~paragraph (b), and a permanency hearing is held within 30 days~~ 
 18.15  ~~of the determination; or~~ 
 18.16     ~~(3) a termination of parental rights petition or other~~ 
 18.17  ~~petition according to section 260C.201, subdivision 11, has been~~ 
 18.18  ~~filed alleging a prima facie case that~~ 
 18.19     (5) the provision of services or further services for the 
 18.20  purpose of reunification is futile and therefore unreasonable 
 18.21  under the circumstances. 
 18.22     When the court makes a prima facie determination under this 
 18.23  clause, either permanency pleadings required under section 
 18.24  260C.201, subdivision 11, or a termination of parental rights 
 18.25  petition under sections 260C.141 and 260C.301 must be filed and 
 18.26  a permanency hearing under section 260C.201, subdivision 11, be 
 18.27  held within 30 days of this hearing. 
 18.28     In the case of an Indian child, in proceedings under 
 18.29  sections 260B.178 or 260C.178, 260C.201, and 260C.301 the 
 18.30  juvenile court must make findings and conclusions consistent 
 18.31  with the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, United States Code, 
 18.32  title 25, section 1901 et seq., as to the provision of active 
 18.33  efforts.  If a child is under the court's delinquency 
 18.34  jurisdiction, it shall be the duty of the court to ensure that 
 18.35  reasonable efforts are made to reunite the child with the 
 18.36  child's family at the earliest possible time, consistent with 
 19.1   the best interests of the child and the safety of the public. 
 19.2      (b)(1) "Reasonable efforts to prevent placement" means: 
 19.3      (i) the agency has made reasonable efforts to prevent the 
 19.4   placement of the child; or 
 19.5      (ii) given the particular circumstances of the child and 
 19.6   family at the time of the child's removal, there are no services 
 19.7   or reasonable efforts available which could allow the child to 
 19.8   safely remain in the home. 
 19.9      (2) As appropriate under the particular circumstances and 
 19.10  stage of the case, "reasonable efforts to finalize a permanent 
 19.11  plan for the child" means reasonable efforts by the responsible 
 19.12  social services agency to: 
 19.13     (i) reunify the child with the parent or guardian from whom 
 19.14  the child was removed; 
 19.15     (ii) assess a noncustodial parent's ability to provide 
 19.16  day-to-day care for the child and, where appropriate, to provide 
 19.17  services necessary to enable the noncustodial parent's ability 
 19.18  to safely provide such care; and 
 19.19     (iii) finalize a safe and legally permanent home for the 
 19.20  child, preferably through adoption or transfer of permanent 
 19.21  legal and physical custody of the child, when the child cannot 
 19.22  return to the parent or guardian from whom the child was removed.
 19.23     (3) Reasonable efforts are made upon the exercise of due 
 19.24  diligence by the responsible social services agency to use 
 19.25  appropriate and available services to meet the needs of the 
 19.26  child and the child's family ~~in order to prevent removal of the~~ 
 19.27  ~~child from the child's family; or upon removal, services to~~ 
 19.28  ~~eliminate the need for removal and reunite the family~~.  
 19.29     ~~(1)~~ (i) Services may include those provided by the 
 19.30  responsible social services agency and other appropriate 
 19.31  services available in the community.  
 19.32     ~~(2)~~ (ii) At each stage of the proceedings where the court 
 19.33  is required to review the appropriateness of the responsible 
 19.34  social services agency's reasonable efforts, the social services 
 19.35  agency has the burden of demonstrating that: 
 19.36     (A) it has made reasonable efforts~~, or that provision of~~ 
 20.1   ~~services or further services for the purpose of rehabilitation~~ 
 20.2   ~~and reunification is futile and therefore unreasonable under the~~ 
 20.3   ~~circumstances or that reasonable efforts aimed at reunification~~ 
 20.4   ~~are not required under this section~~ to prevent placement; 
 20.5      (B) it has made reasonable efforts to finalize the 
 20.6   permanent plan for the child; 
 20.7      (C) reasonable efforts to prevent placement and to reunify 
 20.8   the child with the parent or guardian are not required.  The 
 20.9   agency may meet this burden by stating facts in a sworn petition 
 20.10  filed under section 260C.141, ~~or~~ by filing an affidavit 
 20.11  summarizing the agency's reasonable efforts or facts the agency 
 20.12  believes demonstrate there is no need for reasonable efforts to 
 20.13  reunify the parent and child, or through testimony or a 
 20.14  certified report required under juvenile court rules. 
 20.15     ~~(3) No~~ (4) Once the court determines that reasonable 
 20.16  efforts for reunification are not required ~~when the court makes~~ 
 20.17  ~~a determination~~ because of a prima facie finding under paragraph 
 20.18  (a) ~~unless~~, the court may only require reasonable efforts for 
 20.19  reunification after a hearing according to section 
 20.20  260C.163, where the court finds there is not clear and 
 20.21  convincing evidence of the facts upon which the court based its 
 20.22  prima facie determination.  In this case, the court may proceed 
 20.23  under section 260C.312.  Reunification of a surviving child with 
 20.24  a parent is not required if the parent has been convicted of: 
 20.25     (i) a violation of, or an attempt or conspiracy to commit a 
 20.26  violation of, sections 609.185 to 609.20; 609.222, subdivision 
 20.27  2; or 609.223 in regard to another child of the parent; 
 20.28     (ii) a violation of section 609.222, subdivision 2; or 
 20.29  609.223, in regard to the surviving child; or 
 20.30     (iii) a violation of, or an attempt or conspiracy to commit 
 20.31  a violation of, United States Code, title 18, section 1111(a) or 
 20.32  1112(a), in regard to another child of the parent. 
 20.33     (c) The juvenile court, in proceedings under sections 
 20.34  260B.178 or 260C.178, 260C.201, and 260C.301 shall make findings 
 20.35  and conclusions as to the provision of reasonable efforts.  When 
 20.36  determining whether reasonable efforts have been made, the court 
 21.1   shall consider whether services to the child and family were: 
 21.2      (1) relevant to the safety and protection of the child; 
 21.3      (2) adequate to meet the needs of the child and family; 
 21.4      (3) culturally appropriate; 
 21.5      (4) available and accessible; 
 21.6      (5) consistent and timely; and 
 21.7      (6) realistic under the circumstances. 
 21.8      In the alternative, the court may determine that provision 
 21.9   of services or further services for the purpose of 
 21.10  rehabilitation is futile and therefore unreasonable under the 
 21.11  circumstances or that reasonable efforts are not required as 
 21.12  provided in paragraph (a). 
 21.13     (d) This section does not prevent out-of-home placement for 
 21.14  treatment of a child with a mental disability when the child's 
 21.15  diagnostic assessment or individual treatment plan indicates 
 21.16  that appropriate and necessary treatment cannot be effectively 
 21.17  provided outside of a residential or inpatient treatment program.
 21.18     (e) If continuation of reasonable efforts ~~described in~~ 
 21.19  ~~paragraph (b)~~ to prevent placement or reunify the child with the 
 21.20  parent or guardian from whom the child was removed is determined 
 21.21  by the court to be inconsistent with the permanent plan for the 
 21.22  child~~, or upon a determination under paragraph (a)~~, reasonable 
 21.23  efforts must be made to place the child in a timely manner in 
 21.24  ~~accordance with the permanent plan ordered by the court~~ a safe 
 21.25  and permanent home and to complete whatever steps are necessary 
 21.26  to legally finalize the permanent ~~plan for~~ placement of the 
 21.27  child.  
 21.28     (f) Reasonable efforts to place a child for adoption or in 
 21.29  another permanent placement may be made concurrently with 
 21.30  reasonable efforts ~~as described in paragraphs (a) and (b)~~ to 
 21.31  prevent placement or to reunify the child with the parent or 
 21.32  guardian from whom the child was removed.  When the responsible 
 21.33  social services agency decides to concurrently make reasonable 
 21.34  efforts for both reunification and permanent placement away from 
 21.35  the parent under paragraphs (a) and (b), the agency shall 
 21.36  disclose its decision and both plans for concurrent reasonable 
 22.1   efforts to all parties and the court.  When the agency discloses 
 22.2   its decision to proceed on both plans for reunification and 
 22.3   permanent placement away from the parent, the court's review of 
 22.4   the agency's reasonable efforts shall include the agency's 
 22.5   efforts under ~~paragraphs (a) and (b)~~ both plans. 
 22.6      Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 260C.001, 
 22.7   subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 22.8      Subd. 3.  [PERMANENCY AND TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS.] 
 22.9   The purpose of the laws relating to permanency and termination 
 22.10  of parental rights is to ensure that: 
 22.11     (1) when required and appropriate, reasonable efforts have 
 22.12  been made by the social services agency to reunite the child 
 22.13  with the child's parents in a home that is safe and permanent; 
 22.14  and 
 22.15     (2) if placement with the parents is not reasonably 
 22.16  foreseeable, to secure for the child a safe and permanent 
 22.17  placement, preferably with adoptive parents or a fit and willing 
 22.18  relative through transfer of permanent legal and physical 
 22.19  custody to that relative. 
 22.20     Nothing in this section requires reasonable efforts to 
 22.21  reunify the child with the parent or guardian to be made in 
 22.22  circumstances where the court has determined that the child has 
 22.23  been subjected to egregious harm ~~or~~, when the child is an 
 22.24  abandoned infant, the parent has involuntarily lost custody of 
 22.25  another child through a proceeding under section 260C.201, 
 22.26  subdivision 11, or similar law of another state, the parental 
 22.27  rights of the parent to a sibling have been involuntarily 
 22.28  terminated, or the court has determined that reasonable efforts 
 22.29  or further reasonable efforts to reunify the child with the 
 22.30  parent or guardian would be futile. 
 22.31     The paramount consideration in all proceedings for 
 22.32  permanent placement of the child under section 260C.201, 
 22.33  subdivision 11, or the termination of parental rights is the 
 22.34  best interests of the child.  In proceedings involving an 
 22.35  American Indian child, as defined in section 260.755, 
 22.36  subdivision 8, the best interests of the child must be 
 23.1   determined consistent with the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, 
 23.2   United States Code, title 25, section 1901, et seq. 
 23.3      Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 260C.007, 
 23.4   subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
 23.5      Subd. 7.  [CHILD-PLACING AGENCY.] "Child-placing agency" 
 23.6   means ~~anyone~~ an agency licensed under sections 245A.01 to 
 23.7   245A.16 and 252.28, subdivision 2. 
 23.8      Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 260C.007, 
 23.9   subdivision 8, is amended to read: 
 23.10     Subd. 8.  [COMPELLING REASONS.] "Compelling reasons" means 
 23.11  an individualized determination by the responsible social 
 23.12  services agency, which is approved by the court, related to a 
 23.13  request by the agency not to initiate proceedings to terminate 
 23.14  parental rights or transfer permanent legal and physical custody 
 23.15  of a child to the child's relative or former noncustodial parent 
 23.16  under section 260C.301, subdivision 3, or to continue the child 
 23.17  in foster care past the time required in section 260C.201, 
 23.18  subdivision 11, or 260C.141, subdivision 2, paragraph (b). 
 23.19     Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 260C.007, 
 23.20  subdivision 18, is amended to read: 
 23.21     Subd. 18.  [FOSTER CARE.] "Foster care" means ~~the~~ 24 hour ~~a~~ 
 23.22  ~~day care of a child in any facility which for gain or otherwise~~ 
 23.23  ~~regularly provides one or more children, when unaccompanied by~~ 
 23.24  ~~their parents, with a substitute for the care, food, lodging,~~ 
 23.25  ~~training, education, supervision or treatment they need but~~ 
 23.26  ~~which for any reason cannot be furnished by their parents or~~ 
 23.27  ~~legal guardians in their homes.~~ substitute care for children 
 23.28  placed away from their parents or guardian and for whom a 
 23.29  responsible social services agency has placement and care 
 23.30  responsibility.  "Foster care" includes, but is not limited to, 
 23.31  placement in foster family homes, foster homes of relatives, 
 23.32  group homes, emergency shelters, residential facilities not 
 23.33  excluded in this subdivision, child care institutions, and 
 23.34  proadoptive homes.  A child is in foster care under this 
 23.35  definition regardless of whether the facility is licensed and 
 23.36  payments are made for the cost of care.  Nothing in this 
 24.1   definition creates any authority to place a child in a home or 
 24.2   facility that is required to be licensed which is not licensed.  
 24.3   "Foster care" does not include placement in any of the following 
 24.4   facilities:  hospitals, in-patient chemical dependency treatment 
 24.5   facilities, facilities that are primarily for delinquent 
 24.6   children, any corrections facility, facilities to which a child 
 24.7   is committed under the provision of chapter 253B, forestry 
 24.8   camps, or jails. 
 24.9      Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 260C.007, 
 24.10  subdivision 22, is amended to read: 
 24.11     Subd. 22.  [LEGAL CUSTODY.] "Legal custody" means the right 
 24.12  to the care, custody, and control of a child who has been taken 
 24.13  from a parent by the court in accordance with the provisions of 
 24.14  section 260C.201 or 260C.317.  The expenses of legal custody are 
 24.15  paid in accordance with the provisions of section 
 24.16  260C.331.  "Legal custody" also means "emergency protective 
 24.17  care" and "protective care" as defined in the rules for juvenile 
 24.18  court. 
 24.19     Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 260C.007, 
 24.20  subdivision 27, is amended to read: 
 24.21     Subd. 27.  [RELATIVE.] "Relative" means a person related to 
 24.22  the child by blood, marriage, or adoption, or an individual who 
 24.23  is an important friend with whom the child has resided or had 
 24.24  significant contact.  For an Indian child, relative includes 
 24.25  members of the extended family as defined by the law or custom 
 24.26  of the Indian child's tribe or, in the absence of law or custom, 
 24.27  or in the absence of such law or custom, shall be a person who 
 24.28  has reached the age of 18 and who is the Indian child's 
 24.29  grandparent, aunt or uncle, brother or sister, brother-in-law or 
 24.30  sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, or first or second cousins or 
 24.31  stepparent, as provided in the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, 
 24.32  United States Code, title 25, section 1903. 
 24.33     Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 260C.151, 
 24.34  subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
 24.35     Subd. 6.  [IMMEDIATE CUSTODY.] If the court makes 
 24.36  individualized, explicit findings, based on the notarized 
 25.1   petition or sworn affidavit, that there are reasonable grounds 
 25.2   to believe the child is in surroundings or conditions which 
 25.3   endanger the child's health, safety, or welfare that require 
 25.4   that responsibility for the child's care and custody be 
 25.5   immediately assumed by the ~~court~~ responsible social services 
 25.6   agency and that continuation of the child in the custody of the 
 25.7   parent or guardian is contrary to the child's welfare, the court 
 25.8   may order that the officer serving the summons take the child 
 25.9   into immediate custody for placement of the child in foster 
 25.10  care.  In ordering that responsibility for the care, custody, 
 25.11  and control of the child be assumed by the responsible social 
 25.12  services agency, the court is ordering emergency protective care 
 25.13  as that term is defined in the rules of juvenile court. 
 25.14     Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 260C.178, is 
 25.15  amended to read: 
 25.16     260C.178 [~~DETENTION~~ EMERGENCY REMOVAL HEARING.] 
 25.17     Subdivision 1.  [HEARING AND RELEASE REQUIREMENTS.] (a) If 
 25.18  a child was taken into custody under section 260C.175, 
 25.19  subdivision 1, clause (a) or (b)(2), the court shall hold a 
 25.20  hearing within 72 hours of the time the child was taken into 
 25.21  custody, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, to 
 25.22  determine whether the child should continue in custody.  
 25.23     (b) Unless there is reason to believe that the child would 
 25.24  endanger self or others, not return for a court hearing, run 
 25.25  away from the child's parent, guardian, or custodian or 
 25.26  otherwise not remain in the care or control of the person to 
 25.27  whose lawful custody the child is released, or that the child's 
 25.28  health or welfare would be immediately endangered, the child 
 25.29  shall be released to the custody of a parent, guardian, 
 25.30  custodian, or other suitable person, subject to reasonable 
 25.31  conditions of release including, but not limited to, a 
 25.32  requirement that the child undergo a chemical use assessment as 
 25.33  provided in section 260C.157, subdivision 1.  If the court 
 25.34  determines there is reason to believe that the child would 
 25.35  endanger self or others; not return for a court hearing; run 
 25.36  away from the child's parent, guardian, or custodian or 
 26.1   otherwise not remain in the care or control of the person to 
 26.2   whose lawful custody the child is released; or that the child's 
 26.3   health or welfare would be immediately endangered, the court 
 26.4   shall order the child into foster care under the responsibility 
 26.5   of the responsible social services agency or responsible 
 26.6   probation or corrections agency for the purposes of protective 
 26.7   care.  In determining whether the child's health or welfare 
 26.8   would be immediately endangered, the court shall consider 
 26.9   whether the child would reside with a perpetrator of domestic 
 26.10  child abuse.  
 26.11     (c) The court, before determining whether a child should be 
 26.12  placed in or continue in ~~custody~~ foster care under the 
 26.13  protective care of the responsible agency, shall also make a 
 26.14  determination, consistent with section 260.012 as to whether 
 26.15  reasonable efforts~~, or~~ were made to prevent placement or whether 
 26.16  reasonable efforts to prevent placement are not required.  In 
 26.17  the case of an Indian child, active efforts, according to the 
 26.18  Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, United States Code, title 25, 
 26.19  section 1912(d), were made to prevent placement.  ~~The court~~ 
 26.20  ~~shall also determine whether there are available services that~~ 
 26.21  ~~would prevent the need for further detention.  In the~~ 
 26.22  ~~alternative,~~ The court shall enter a finding that the 
 26.23  responsible social services agency has made reasonable efforts 
 26.24  to prevent placement when the agency establishes either that it 
 26.25  has actually provided services or made efforts in an attempt to 
 26.26  prevent the child's removal, but that such services or efforts 
 26.27  have not proven sufficient to permit the child to safely remain 
 26.28  in the home or that there are no services or other efforts that 
 26.29  could be made at the time of the hearing that could safely 
 26.30  permit the child to remain home or to return home.  When 
 26.31  reasonable efforts to prevent placement are required and there 
 26.32  are services or other efforts that could be ordered which would 
 26.33  permit the child to safely return home, the court shall order 
 26.34  the child returned to the care of the parent or guardian and the 
 26.35  services or efforts put in place to ensure the child's safety.  
 26.36  When the court makes a prima facie determination that one of the 
 27.1   circumstances under paragraph (e) exists, the court shall 
 27.2   determine that reasonable efforts to prevent placement and to 
 27.3   return the child to the care of the parent or guardian are not 
 27.4   required ~~if the court makes a prima facie determination that one~~ 
 27.5   ~~of the circumstances under paragraph (e) exists~~. 
 27.6      If the court finds the social services agency's preventive 
 27.7   or reunification efforts have not been reasonable but further 
 27.8   preventive or reunification efforts could not permit the child 
 27.9   to safely remain at home, the court may nevertheless authorize 
 27.10  or continue the removal of the child. 
 27.11     (d) The court may not order or continue the foster care 
 27.12  placement of the child unless the court makes explicit, 
 27.13  individualized findings that continued custody of the child by 
 27.14  the parent or guardian would be contrary to the welfare of the 
 27.15  child. 
 27.16     (e) At the ~~detention~~ emergency removal hearing, or at any 
 27.17  time during the course of the proceeding, and upon notice and 
 27.18  request of the county attorney, the court shall ~~make the~~ 
 27.19  ~~following determinations:~~ 
 27.20     ~~(1)~~ determine whether a ~~termination of parental rights~~ 
 27.21  petition has been filed stating a prima facie case that: 
 27.22     ~~(i)~~ (1) the parent has subjected a child to egregious harm 
 27.23  as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 14; 
 27.24     ~~(ii)~~ (2) the parental rights of the parent to another child 
 27.25  have been involuntarily terminated; ~~or~~ 
 27.26     ~~(iii)~~ (3) the child is an abandoned infant under section 
 27.27  260C.301, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (2); 
 27.28     ~~(2) that~~ (4) the parents' custodial rights to another child 
 27.29  have been involuntarily transferred to a relative under section 
 27.30  260C.201, subdivision 11, paragraph (e), clause (1), or a 
 27.31  similar law of another jurisdiction; or 
 27.32     (5) the provision of services or further services for the 
 27.33  purpose of reunification is futile and therefore unreasonable. 
 27.34     (f) When a petition to terminate parental rights is 
 27.35  required under section 260C.307, but that the county attorney 
 27.36  has determined not to proceed with a termination of parental 
 28.1   rights petition ~~under section 260C.307; or~~ 
 28.2      ~~(3) whether a termination of parental rights petition or~~ 
 28.3   ~~other petition according to section 260C.201, subdivision 11,~~ 
 28.4   ~~has been filed alleging a prima facie case that the provision of~~ 
 28.5   ~~services or further services for the purpose of rehabilitation~~ 
 28.6   ~~and reunification is futile and therefore unreasonable under the~~ 
 28.7   ~~circumstances.~~ 
 28.8      ~~If the court determines that the county attorney is not~~ 
 28.9   ~~proceeding with a termination of parental rights petition under~~ 
 28.10  ~~section 260C.307, but is proceeding with a petition under~~ 
 28.11  ~~section 260C.201, subdivision 11, the court shall schedule a~~ 
 28.12  ~~permanency hearing within 30 days.~~, but has instead filed a 
 28.13  petition to transfer permanent legal and physical custody to a 
 28.14  relative under section 260C.201, subdivision 11, the court shall 
 28.15  schedule a permanency hearing within 30 days of a hearing under 
 28.16  this section. 
 28.17     (g) If the county attorney has filed a petition under 
 28.18  section 260C.307, the court shall schedule a trial under section 
 28.19  260C.163 within 90 days of the filing of the petition except 
 28.20  when the county attorney determines that the criminal case shall 
 28.21  proceed to trial first under section 260C.201, subdivision 3. 
 28.22     ~~(f)~~ (h) If the court determines the child should be ordered 
 28.23  into ~~out-of-home placement~~ foster care and the child's parent 
 28.24  refuses to give information to the responsible social services 
 28.25  agency regarding the child's father or relatives of the child, 
 28.26  the court may order the parent to disclose the names, addresses, 
 28.27  telephone numbers, and other identifying information to the 
 28.28  responsible social services agency for the purpose of complying 
 28.29  with the requirements of sections 260C.151, 260C.212, and 
 28.30  260C.215. 
 28.31     ~~(g)~~ (i) If a child ordered into ~~out-of-home~~ 
 28.32  ~~placement~~ foster care has siblings, whether full, half, or step, 
 28.33  who are also ordered into ~~placement~~ foster care, the court shall 
 28.34  inquire of the responsible social services agency of the efforts 
 28.35  to place the children together as required by section 260C.212, 
 28.36  subdivision 2, paragraph (d), if placement together is in each 
 29.1   child's best interests, unless a child is in placement due 
 29.2   solely to the child's own behavior or a child is placed with a 
 29.3   previously noncustodial parent who is not parent to all 
 29.4   siblings.  If the children are not placed together at the time 
 29.5   of the hearing, the court shall inquire at each subsequent 
 29.6   hearing of the agency's efforts to place the siblings together.  
 29.7   If any sibling is not placed with another sibling or siblings, 
 29.8   the agency must develop a plan for visitation among the siblings 
 29.9   as required under section 260C.212, subdivision 1. 
 29.10     ~~Subd. 2.  [DURATION.] If the court determines that the~~ 
 29.11  ~~child should continue in detention, it may order detention~~ 
 29.12  ~~continued for eight days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and~~ 
 29.13  ~~holidays, from and including the date of the order.  The court~~ 
 29.14  ~~shall include in its order the reasons for continued detention~~ 
 29.15  ~~and the findings of fact which support these reasons.~~  
 29.16     Subd. 3.  [PARENTAL VISITATION.] If a child has been taken 
 29.17  into custody under section 260C.151, subdivision 5, or 260C.175, 
 29.18  subdivision 1, clause (b)(2), and the court determines that the 
 29.19  child should continue in ~~detention~~ foster care, the court shall 
 29.20  include in its order reasonable rules for supervised or 
 29.21  unsupervised parental visitation of the child in the ~~shelter~~ 
 29.22  foster care facility unless it finds that visitation would 
 29.23  endanger the child's physical or emotional well-being.  
 29.24     Subd. 4.  [MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.] (a) Except as provided 
 29.25  in paragraph (b), a child who is held in ~~detention~~ foster care 
 29.26  as an alleged victim of child abuse as defined in section 
 29.27  630.36, subdivision 2, may not be given mental health treatment 
 29.28  specifically for the effects of the alleged abuse until the 
 29.29  court finds that there is probable cause to believe the abuse 
 29.30  has occurred. 
 29.31     (b) A child described in paragraph (a) may be given mental 
 29.32  health treatment prior to a probable cause finding of child 
 29.33  abuse if the treatment is either agreed to by the child's parent 
 29.34  or guardian in writing, or ordered by the court according to the 
 29.35  standard contained in section 260C.201, subdivision 1.  
 29.36     Subd. 5.  [COPIES OF ORDER.] Copies of the court's order 
 30.1   shall be served upon the parties, including the ~~supervisor of~~ 
 30.2   ~~the detention facility~~ placement facility, ~~who~~ which shall 
 30.3   release the child or continue to hold the child as the court 
 30.4   orders. 
 30.5      When the court's order is served upon these parties, notice 
 30.6   shall also be given to the parties of the subsequent reviews 
 30.7   provided by subdivision 6.  ~~The notice shall also inform each~~ 
 30.8   ~~party of the right to submit to the court for informal review~~ 
 30.9   ~~any new evidence regarding whether the child should be continued~~ 
 30.10  ~~in detention and to request a hearing to present the evidence to~~ 
 30.11  ~~the court.~~  
 30.12     Subd. 6.  [REVIEW.] ~~If a child held in detention under a~~ 
 30.13  ~~court order issued under subdivision 2 has not been released~~ 
 30.14  ~~prior to expiration of the order, the court or referee shall~~ 
 30.15  ~~informally review the child's case file to determine, under the~~ 
 30.16  ~~standards provided by subdivision 1, whether detention should be~~ 
 30.17  ~~continued.  If detention is continued thereafter, informal~~ 
 30.18  ~~reviews such as these shall be held within every eight days,~~ 
 30.19  ~~excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, of the child's~~ 
 30.20  ~~detention.~~ When a child is ordered placed in foster care, the 
 30.21  child's placement shall be periodically reviewed as required 
 30.22  under the rules of juvenile court including notice to the 
 30.23  parties required to be served with a copy of the order under 
 30.24  subdivision 4. 
 30.25     A hearing~~, rather than an informal review of the child's~~ 
 30.26  ~~case file,~~ shall be held at the request of any one of the 
 30.27  parties notified pursuant to subdivision 5, if that party 
 30.28  notifies the court of a wish to present to the court new 
 30.29  evidence concerning whether the child should be continued in 
 30.30  detention or notifies the court of a wish to present an 
 30.31  alternate placement arrangement to provide for the safety and 
 30.32  protection of the child. 
 30.33     In addition, if a child was taken into ~~detention~~ custody 
 30.34  under section 260C.151, subdivision 5, or 260C.175, subdivision 
 30.35  1, clause (c)(2), and is held in ~~detention~~ foster care or placed 
 30.36  in another facility under a court order issued under subdivision 
 31.1   2, the court shall schedule and hold an adjudicatory hearing on 
 31.2   the petition within 60 days of the ~~detention~~ emergency removal 
 31.3   hearing upon the request of any party to the proceeding.  
 31.4   However, if good cause is shown by a party to the proceeding why 
 31.5   the hearing should not be held within that time period, the 
 31.6   hearing shall be held within 90 days, unless the parties agree 
 31.7   otherwise and the court so orders.  
 31.8      Subd. 7.  [OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT PLAN.] (a) An out-of-home 
 31.9   placement plan required under section 260C.212 shall be filed 
 31.10  with the court within 30 days of the filing of a petition 
 31.11  alleging the child to be in need of protection or services under 
 31.12  section 260C.141, subdivision 1, or filed with the petition if 
 31.13  the petition is a review of a voluntary placement under section 
 31.14  260C.141, subdivision 2. 
 31.15     (b) Upon the filing of the out-of-home placement plan which 
 31.16  has been developed jointly with the parent and in consultation 
 31.17  with others as required under section 260C.212, subdivision 1, 
 31.18  the court may ~~approve~~ order the responsible social services 
 31.19  agency to implement the plan based on the allegations contained 
 31.20  in the petition.  The court shall send written notice ~~of the~~ 
 31.21  ~~approval of~~ to all parties that the out-of-home placement plan 
 31.22  ~~to all parties and the county attorney~~ has been ordered or may 
 31.23  state such ~~approval~~ order on the record at a hearing.  ~~A parent~~ 
 31.24  ~~may agree to comply with the terms of the plan filed with the~~ 
 31.25  ~~court.~~ 
 31.26     (c) ~~Upon notice and motion by a parent who agrees to comply~~ 
 31.27  ~~with the terms of an out-of-home placement plan, the court may~~ 
 31.28  ~~modify the plan and order the responsible social services agency~~ 
 31.29  ~~to provide other or additional services for reunification, if~~ 
 31.30  ~~reunification efforts are required, and the court determines the~~ 
 31.31  ~~agency's plan inadequate under section 260.012.~~ If a parent 
 31.32  refuses to cooperate in the development of the out-of-home 
 31.33  placement plan or disagrees with the services recommended by the 
 31.34  responsible social service agency, the agency shall note such 
 31.35  refusal or disagreement for the court in the out-of-home 
 31.36  placement plan filed with the court.  The agency shall notify 
 32.1   the court of the services it will provide or efforts it will 
 32.2   attempt under the plan notwithstanding the parents' refusal to 
 32.3   cooperate or disagreement with the services, and the court may 
 32.4   approve the plan based on the content of the petition. 
 32.5      (d) Unless the parent agrees to comply with the terms of 
 32.6   the out-of-home placement plan, the court may not order a parent 
 32.7   to comply with the provisions of the plan until the court ~~makes~~ 
 32.8   ~~a determination~~ determines that the child is in need of 
 32.9   protection or services and orders disposition under section 
 32.10  260C.201, subdivision 1.  However, the court may find that the 
 32.11  responsible social services agency has made reasonable efforts 
 32.12  for reunification if the agency makes efforts to implement the 
 32.13  terms of an out-of-home placement plan ordered or approved under 
 32.14  this section. 
 32.15     Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 260C.201, 
 32.16  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 32.17     Subdivision 1.  [DISPOSITIONS.] (a) If the court finds that 
 32.18  the child is in need of protection or services or neglected and 
 32.19  in foster care, it shall enter an order making any of the 
 32.20  ~~following~~ dispositions of the case~~:~~ in paragraphs (b) to (l). 
 32.21     ~~(1)~~ (b) Place the child under the protective supervision of 
 32.22  the responsible social services agency or child-placing agency 
 32.23  in the home of a parent of the child under conditions prescribed 
 32.24  by the court directed to the correction of the child's need for 
 32.25  protection or services: 
 32.26     (i) the court may order the child into the home of a parent 
 32.27  who does not otherwise have legal custody of the child, however, 
 32.28  an order under this section does not confer legal custody on 
 32.29  that parent; 
 32.30     (ii) if the court orders the child into the home of a 
 32.31  father who is not adjudicated, he must cooperate with paternity 
 32.32  establishment proceedings regarding the child in the appropriate 
 32.33  jurisdiction as one of the conditions prescribed by the court 
 32.34  for the child to continue in his home; and 
 32.35     (iii) the court may order the child into the home of a 
 32.36  noncustodial parent with conditions and may also order both the 
 33.1   noncustodial and the custodial parent to comply with the 
 33.2   requirements of a case plan under subdivision 2~~; or~~. 
 33.3      ~~(2)~~ (c) Transfer legal custody to one of the following: 
 33.4      (i) a child-placing agency; or 
 33.5      (ii) the responsible social services agency. 
 33.6      (d) In ~~placing~~ making a foster care placement for a child 
 33.7   whose custody has been transferred under this ~~paragraph~~ 
 33.8   subdivision, the ~~agencies~~ agency shall make an individualized 
 33.9   determination of how the placement is in the child's best 
 33.10  interests using the consideration for relatives and the best 
 33.11  interest factors in section 260C.212, subdivision 2, paragraph 
 33.12  (b)~~; or~~. 
 33.13     (e) When an agency has legal custody of a child, the court 
 33.14  may order a trial home visit, which means the child is returned 
 33.15  to the care of the parent or guardian from whom the child was 
 33.16  removed for a period not to exceed six months.  During the 
 33.17  period of the trial home visit, the responsible social services 
 33.18  agency: 
 33.19     (1) shall continue to have legal custody of the child, 
 33.20  which means the agency may see the child in the parent's home, 
 33.21  at school, in a child care facility, or other setting as the 
 33.22  agency deems necessary and appropriate; 
 33.23     (2) shall continue to have the ability to access 
 33.24  information under section 260C.208; 
 33.25     (3) shall continue to provide appropriate services to both 
 33.26  the parent and the child during the period of the trial home 
 33.27  visit; 
 33.28     (4) without previous court order or authorization, may 
 33.29  terminate the trial home visit and remove the child to foster 
 33.30  care; 
 33.31     (5) shall advise the court and parties within three days of 
 33.32  the termination of the trial home visit when a visit is 
 33.33  terminated by the responsible social services agency without a 
 33.34  court order; and 
 33.35     (6) shall prepare a report for the court when the trial 
 33.36  home visit is terminated whether by the agency or court order 
 34.1   which describes the child's circumstances during the trial home 
 34.2   visit and recommends appropriate orders, if any, for the court 
 34.3   to enter to provide for the child's safety and stability.  In 
 34.4   the event a trial home visit is terminated by the agency by 
 34.5   removing the child to foster care without prior court order or 
 34.6   authorization, the court shall conduct a hearing within ten days 
 34.7   of receiving notice of the termination of the trial home visit 
 34.8   by the agency and shall order disposition under this subdivision 
 34.9   or conduct a permanency hearing under subdivision 11 or 11a.  
 34.10  This time period for the hearing may be extended by the court 
 34.11  for good cause shown and if it is in the best interests of the 
 34.12  child as long as the total time the child spends in foster care 
 34.13  without a permanency hearing does not exceed 12 months. 
 34.14     ~~(3)~~ (f) If the child has been adjudicated as a child in 
 34.15  need of protection or services because the child is in need of 
 34.16  special services or care to treat or ameliorate a physical or 
 34.17  mental disability, the court may order the child's parent, 
 34.18  guardian, or custodian to provide it.  The court may order the 
 34.19  child's health plan company to provide mental health services to 
 34.20  the child.  Section 62Q.535 applies to an order for mental 
 34.21  health services directed to the child's health plan company.  If 
 34.22  the health plan, parent, guardian, or custodian fails or is 
 34.23  unable to provide this treatment or care, the court may order it 
 34.24  provided.  Absent specific written findings by the court that 
 34.25  the child's disability is the result of abuse or neglect by the 
 34.26  child's parent or guardian, the court shall not transfer legal 
 34.27  custody of the child for the purpose of obtaining special 
 34.28  treatment or care solely because the parent is unable to provide 
 34.29  the treatment or care.  If the court's order for mental health 
 34.30  treatment is based on a diagnosis made by a treatment 
 34.31  professional, the court may order that the diagnosing 
 34.32  professional not provide the treatment to the child if it finds 
 34.33  that such an order is in the child's best interests~~; or~~. 
 34.34     ~~(4)~~ (g) If the court believes that the child has sufficient 
 34.35  maturity and judgment and that it is in the best interests of 
 34.36  the child, the court may order a child 16 years old or older to 
 35.1   be allowed to live independently, either alone or with others as 
 35.2   approved by the court under supervision the court considers 
 35.3   appropriate, if the county board, after consultation with the 
 35.4   court, has specifically authorized this dispositional 
 35.5   alternative for a child. 
 35.6      ~~(b)~~ (h) If the child was adjudicated in need of protection 
 35.7   or services because the child is a runaway or habitual truant, 
 35.8   the court may order any of the following dispositions in 
 35.9   addition to or as alternatives to the dispositions authorized 
 35.10  under paragraph (a): 
 35.11     (1) counsel the child or the child's parents, guardian, or 
 35.12  custodian; 
 35.13     (2) place the child under the supervision of a probation 
 35.14  officer or other suitable person in the child's own home under 
 35.15  conditions prescribed by the court, including reasonable rules 
 35.16  for the child's conduct and the conduct of the parents, 
 35.17  guardian, or custodian, designed for the physical, mental, and 
 35.18  moral well-being and behavior of the child; or with the consent 
 35.19  of the commissioner of corrections, place the child in a group 
 35.20  foster care facility which is under the commissioner's 
 35.21  management and supervision; 
 35.22     (3) subject to the court's supervision, transfer legal 
 35.23  custody of the child to one of the following: 
 35.24     (i) a reputable person of good moral character.  No person 
 35.25  may receive custody of two or more unrelated children unless 
 35.26  licensed to operate a residential program under sections 245A.01 
 35.27  to 245A.16; or 
 35.28     (ii) a county probation officer for placement in a group 
 35.29  foster home established under the direction of the juvenile 
 35.30  court and licensed pursuant to section 241.021; 
 35.31     (4) require the child to pay a fine of up to $100.  The 
 35.32  court shall order payment of the fine in a manner that will not 
 35.33  impose undue financial hardship upon the child; 
 35.34     (5) require the child to participate in a community service 
 35.35  project; 
 35.36     (6) order the child to undergo a chemical dependency 
 36.1   evaluation and, if warranted by the evaluation, order 
 36.2   participation by the child in a drug awareness program or an 
 36.3   inpatient or outpatient chemical dependency treatment program; 
 36.4      (7) if the court believes that it is in the best interests 
 36.5   of the child and of public safety that the child's driver's 
 36.6   license or instruction permit be canceled, the court may order 
 36.7   the commissioner of public safety to cancel the child's license 
 36.8   or permit for any period up to the child's 18th birthday.  If 
 36.9   the child does not have a driver's license or permit, the court 
 36.10  may order a denial of driving privileges for any period up to 
 36.11  the child's 18th birthday.  The court shall forward an order 
 36.12  issued under this clause to the commissioner, who shall cancel 
 36.13  the license or permit or deny driving privileges without a 
 36.14  hearing for the period specified by the court.  At any time 
 36.15  before the expiration of the period of cancellation or denial, 
 36.16  the court may, for good cause, order the commissioner of public 
 36.17  safety to allow the child to apply for a license or permit, and 
 36.18  the commissioner shall so authorize; 
 36.19     (8) order that the child's parent or legal guardian deliver 
 36.20  the child to school at the beginning of each school day for a 
 36.21  period of time specified by the court; or 
 36.22     (9) require the child to perform any other activities or 
 36.23  participate in any other treatment programs deemed appropriate 
 36.24  by the court.  
 36.25     (i) To the extent practicable, the court shall enter a 
 36.26  disposition order the same day it makes a finding that a child 
 36.27  is in need of protection or services or neglected and in foster 
 36.28  care, but in no event not more than 15 days after the finding 
 36.29  unless the court finds that the best interests of the child will 
 36.30  be served by granting a delay.  If the child was under eight 
 36.31  years of age at the time the petition was filed, the disposition 
 36.32  order must be entered within ten days of the finding and the 
 36.33  court may not grant a delay unless good cause is shown and the 
 36.34  court finds the best interests of the child will be served by 
 36.35  the delay. 
 36.36     ~~(c)~~ (j) If a child who is 14 years of age or older is 
 37.1   adjudicated in need of protection or services because the child 
 37.2   is a habitual truant and truancy procedures involving the child 
 37.3   were previously dealt with by a school attendance review board 
 37.4   or county attorney mediation program under section 260A.06 or 
 37.5   260A.07, the court shall order a cancellation or denial of 
 37.6   driving privileges under paragraph ~~(b)~~ (h), clause (7), for any 
 37.7   period up to the child's 18th birthday. 
 37.8      ~~(d)~~ (k) In the case of a child adjudicated in need of 
 37.9   protection or services because the child has committed domestic 
 37.10  abuse and been ordered excluded from the child's parent's home, 
 37.11  the court shall dismiss jurisdiction if the court, at any time, 
 37.12  finds the parent is able or willing to provide an alternative 
 37.13  safe living arrangement for the child, as defined in Laws 1997, 
 37.14  chapter 239, article 10, section 2.  
 37.15     ~~(e)~~ (l) When a parent has complied with a case plan ordered 
 37.16  under subdivision 6 and the child is in the care of the parent, 
 37.17  the court may order the responsible social services agency to 
 37.18  monitor the parent's continued ability to maintain the child 
 37.19  safely in the home under such terms and conditions as the court 
 37.20  determines appropriate under the circumstances. 
 37.21     Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 260C.201, 
 37.22  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 37.23     Subd. 2.  [WRITTEN FINDINGS.] (a) Any order for a 
 37.24  disposition authorized under this section shall contain written 
 37.25  findings of fact to support the disposition and case plan 
 37.26  ordered and shall also set forth in writing the following 
 37.27  information: 
 37.28     (1) why the best interests and safety of the child are 
 37.29  served by the disposition and case plan ordered; 
 37.30     (2) what alternative dispositions or services under the 
 37.31  case plan were considered by the court, if any, and why such 
 37.32  dispositions or services were not appropriate in the instant 
 37.33  case; 
 37.34     (3) when legal custody of the child is transferred, the 
 37.35  appropriateness of ~~the particular placement made or to be made~~ 
 37.36  ~~by the placing agency using~~ responsible social services agency's 
 38.1   determinations regarding the factors in section 260C.212, 
 38.2   subdivision 2, paragraph (b); and 
 38.3      (4) when the child is removed from the care of a parent or 
 38.4   guardian, whether reasonable efforts consistent with section 
 38.5   260.012 were made to prevent or eliminate the necessity of the 
 38.6   child's removal and to reunify the family after removal.  The 
 38.7   court's findings must include a brief description of what 
 38.8   preventive and reunification efforts were made and why further 
 38.9   efforts could not have prevented or eliminated the necessity of 
 38.10  removal or that reasonable efforts were not required under 
 38.11  section 260.012 or 260C.178, subdivision 1. 
 38.12     (b) If the court finds that the social services agency's 
 38.13  preventive or reunification efforts have not been reasonable but 
 38.14  that further preventive or reunification efforts could not 
 38.15  permit the child to safely remain at home, the court may 
 38.16  nevertheless authorize or continue the removal of the child. 
 38.17     (c) If the child has been identified by the responsible 
 38.18  social services agency as the subject of concurrent permanency 
 38.19  planning, the court shall review the reasonable efforts of the 
 38.20  agency to recruit, identify, and make a placement in a home 
 38.21  where the foster parent or relative that has committed to being 
 38.22  the legally permanent home for the child in the event 
 38.23  reunification efforts are not successful. 
 38.24     Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 260C.201, 
 38.25  subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
 38.26     Subd. 6.  [CASE PLAN.] (a) For each disposition ordered 
 38.27  where the child is placed away from a parent or guardian, the 
 38.28  court shall order the responsible social services agency to 
 38.29  prepare a written out-of-home placement plan according to the 
 38.30  requirements of section 260C.212, subdivision 1. 
 38.31     (b) In cases where the child is not placed out of the home 
 38.32  or is ordered into the home of a noncustodial parent, the 
 38.33  responsible social services agency shall prepare a plan for 
 38.34  delivery of social services to the child and custodial parent 
 38.35  under section 626.556, subdivision 10, or any other case plan 
 38.36  required to meet the needs of the child.  The plan shall be 
 39.1   designed to safely maintain the child in the home or to reunite 
 39.2   the child with the custodial parent. 
 39.3      (c) The court may ~~approve~~ order the case plan as presented 
 39.4   or modify it after hearing from the parties.  Once the plan is 
 39.5   ~~approved~~ ordered, ~~the court shall order~~ all parties ~~to~~ shall 
 39.6   comply with it.  A copy of the ~~approved~~ case plan that is 
 39.7   ordered shall be attached to the court's order and incorporated 
 39.8   into it by reference. 
 39.9      (d) A party has a right to request a court review of the 
 39.10  reasonableness of the case plan upon a showing of a substantial 
 39.11  change of circumstances. 
 39.12     Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 260C.201, 
 39.13  subdivision 10, is amended to read: 
 39.14     Subd. 10.  [COURT REVIEW OF ~~OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENTS~~ FOSTER 
 39.15  CARE.] (a) If the court places a child in ~~a residential~~ 
 39.16  ~~facility, as defined in section 260C.212, subdivision 1~~ foster 
 39.17  care, the court shall review the out-of-home placement at least 
 39.18  every 90 days as required in juvenile court rules to determine 
 39.19  whether continued out-of-home placement is necessary and 
 39.20  appropriate or whether the child should be returned home.  
 39.21     (b) No later than six months after the child's ~~out-of-home~~ 
 39.22  placement in foster care, the court shall review agency efforts 
 39.23  pursuant to section 260C.212, subdivision 2, and order that the 
 39.24  efforts continue if the agency has failed to perform the duties 
 39.25  under that section.  
 39.26     (c) The court shall review the out-of-home placement plan 
 39.27  and may modify the plan as provided under subdivisions 6 and 7.  
 39.28     (d) When the court orders ~~out-of-home placement~~ foster care 
 39.29  or protective supervision with a noncustodial parent under 
 39.30  subdivision 1, the court shall notify the parents of the 
 39.31  provisions of subdivisions 11 and 11a as required under juvenile 
 39.32  court rules. 
 39.33     Sec. 20.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 260C.201, 
 39.34  subdivision 11, is amended to read: 
 39.35     Subd. 11.  [REVIEW OF COURT ORDERED PLACEMENTS; PERMANENT 
 39.36  PLACEMENT DETERMINATION.] (a) ~~Except for~~ This subdivision and 
 40.1   subdivision 11a do not apply in cases where the child is in 
 40.2   placement due solely to the child's developmental disability or 
 40.3   emotional disturbance, ~~and~~ where legal custody has not been 
 40.4   transferred to the responsible social services agency, and where 
 40.5   the court finds compelling reasons under section 260C.007, 
 40.6   subdivision 8, to continue the child in foster care past the 
 40.7   time periods specified in this subdivision.  Foster care 
 40.8   placements of children due solely to their disability are 
 40.9   governed by section 260C.141, subdivision 2, paragraph (b).  In 
 40.10  all other cases where the child is in foster care or in the care 
 40.11  of a noncustodial parent under subdivision 1 of this section, 
 40.12  the court shall conduct a hearing to determine the permanent 
 40.13  status of a child not later than 12 months after the child ~~is~~ 
 40.14  ~~placed out of the home of the~~ has been placed in foster care or 
 40.15  in the care of a noncustodial parent. 
 40.16     For purposes of this subdivision, the date of the child's 
 40.17  placement ~~out of the home of the parent~~ in foster care is the 
 40.18  earlier of the first court-ordered placement under section 
 40.19  260C.178 or 60 days after the date on which the child has been 
 40.20  voluntarily placed ~~out of the home~~ in foster care by the child's 
 40.21  parent or guardian.  For purposes of this subdivision, time 
 40.22  spent by a child under the protective supervision of the 
 40.23  responsible social services agency in the home of a noncustodial 
 40.24  parent pursuant to an order under subdivision 1 of this section 
 40.25  counts towards the requirement of a permanency hearing under 
 40.26  this subdivision or subdivision 11a.  Time spent on a trial home 
 40.27  visit does not count towards the requirement of a permanency 
 40.28  hearing under this subdivision or subdivision 11a. 
 40.29     For purposes of this subdivision, 12 months is calculated 
 40.30  as follows: 
 40.31     (1) during the pendency of a petition alleging that a child 
 40.32  is in need of protection or services, all time periods when a 
 40.33  child is placed ~~out of the home of the parent~~ in foster care or 
 40.34  in the home of a noncustodial parent are cumulated; 
 40.35     (2) if a child has been placed ~~out of the home of the~~ 
 40.36  ~~parent~~ in foster care within the previous five years under one 
 41.1   or more previous petitions, the lengths of all prior time 
 41.2   periods when the child was placed ~~out of the home~~ in foster care 
 41.3   within the previous five years are cumulated.  If a child under 
 41.4   this clause has been ~~out of the home~~ in foster care for 12 
 41.5   months or more, the court, if it is in the best interests of the 
 41.6   child and for compelling reasons, may extend the total time the 
 41.7   child may continue out of the home under the current petition up 
 41.8   to an additional six months before making a permanency 
 41.9   determination.  
 41.10     (b) Unless the responsible social services agency 
 41.11  recommends return of the child to the custodial parent or 
 41.12  parents, not later than ~~30~~ ten days prior to this hearing, the 
 41.13  responsible social services agency shall file pleadings in 
 41.14  juvenile court to establish the basis for the juvenile court to 
 41.15  order permanent placement of the child, including a termination 
 41.16  of parental rights petition, according to paragraph (d).  Notice 
 41.17  of the hearing and copies of the pleadings must be provided 
 41.18  pursuant to section 260C.152.  ~~If a termination of parental~~ 
 41.19  ~~rights petition is filed before the date required for the~~ 
 41.20  ~~permanency planning determination and there is a trial under~~ 
 41.21  ~~section 260C.163 scheduled on that petition within 90 days of~~ 
 41.22  ~~the filing of the petition, no hearing need be conducted under~~ 
 41.23  ~~this subdivision.~~ At the permanency hearing scheduled under this 
 41.24  subdivision, the court shall: 
 41.25     (1) review the pleadings filed to determine whether the 
 41.26  pleadings state a prima facie basis on which to order the child 
 41.27  placed permanently away from the parent, including a prima facie 
 41.28  basis for termination of parental rights where a termination of 
 41.29  parental rights petition has been filed; 
 41.30     (2) review the pleadings and record to determine whether 
 41.31  the pleadings and record state a prima facie basis to find that 
 41.32  reasonable efforts have been made to reunify the child with the 
 41.33  parent or guardian where such efforts are required; 
 41.34     (3) upon determining there is a prima facie basis as 
 41.35  required in clauses (1) and (2), the court shall require the 
 41.36  parent or guardian of the child to answer the pleadings as 
 42.1   required in rules of juvenile court; 
 42.2      (4) in the event the parent or guardian enters a denial to 
 42.3   the pleadings, or another party, including the child, objects to 
 42.4   the proposed permanent placement sought in the pleadings or the 
 42.5   termination of parental rights, the court shall set the matter 
 42.6   for trial according to section 260C.163 not later than 60 days 
 42.7   from the date of the permanency hearing required under this 
 42.8   subdivision, or where trial is required on a termination of 
 42.9   parental rights petition, not later than 90 days from the date 
 42.10  of the permanency hearing required under this subdivision; and 
 42.11     (5) in the event the court finds that the pleadings do not 
 42.12  state a prima facie basis on which to order permanent placement 
 42.13  of the child away from the parent, the court shall proceed 
 42.14  according to the requirements of the rules of juvenile court. 
 42.15     (c) At the conclusion of the hearing or the trial on the 
 42.16  permanency or termination of parental rights petition, the court 
 42.17  shall order the child returned to the care of the parent or 
 42.18  guardian from whom the child was removed, or order a trial home 
 42.19  visit and delay further orders regarding permanent placement of 
 42.20  the child pending the agency's assessment of the trial home 
 42.21  visit and further hearing, or order a permanent placement or 
 42.22  termination of parental rights if permanent placement or 
 42.23  termination of parental rights is in the child's best 
 42.24  interests.  The "best interests of the child" means all relevant 
 42.25  factors to be considered and evaluated.  Transfer of permanent 
 42.26  legal and physical custody, termination of parental rights, or 
 42.27  guardianship and legal custody to the commissioner through a 
 42.28  consent to adopt are preferred permanency options for a child 
 42.29  who cannot return home. 
 42.30     (d) If the child is not returned to the home, the court 
 42.31  must order one of the following dispositions: 
 42.32     (1) permanent legal and physical custody to a relative in 
 42.33  the best interests of the child according to the following 
 42.34  conditions: 
 42.35     (i) an order for transfer of permanent legal and physical 
 42.36  custody to a relative shall only be made after the court has 
 43.1   reviewed the suitability of the prospective legal and physical 
 43.2   custodian; 
 43.3      (ii) in transferring permanent legal and physical custody 
 43.4   to a relative, the juvenile court shall follow the standards 
 43.5   applicable under this chapter and chapter 260, and the 
 43.6   procedures set out in the juvenile court rules; 
 43.7      (iii) an order establishing permanent legal and physical 
 43.8   custody under this subdivision must be filed with the family 
 43.9   court; 
 43.10     (iv) a transfer of legal and physical custody includes 
 43.11  responsibility for the protection, education, care, and control 
 43.12  of the child and decision making on behalf of the child; 
 43.13     (v) the social services agency may bring a petition or 
 43.14  motion naming a fit and willing relative as a proposed permanent 
 43.15  legal and physical custodian.  The commissioner of human 
 43.16  services shall annually prepare for counties information that 
 43.17  must be given to proposed custodians about their legal rights 
 43.18  and obligations as custodians together with information on 
 43.19  financial and medical benefits for which the child is eligible; 
 43.20  and 
 43.21     (vi) the juvenile court may maintain jurisdiction over the 
 43.22  responsible social services agency, the parents or guardian of 
 43.23  the child, the child, and the permanent legal and physical 
 43.24  custodian for purposes of ensuring appropriate services are 
 43.25  delivered to the child and permanent legal custodian or for the 
 43.26  purpose of ensuring conditions ordered by the court related to 
 43.27  the care and custody of the child are met; 
 43.28     (2) termination of parental rights when the requirements of 
 43.29  sections 260C.301 to 260C.328 are met or according to the 
 43.30  following conditions: 
 43.31     (i) ~~unless~~ order the social services agency ~~has already~~ 
 43.32  ~~filed~~ to file a petition for termination of parental 
 43.33  rights ~~under section 260C.307, the court may order such a~~ 
 43.34  ~~petition filed and~~ in which case all the requirements of 
 43.35  sections 260C.301 to 260C.328 remain applicable; and 
 43.36     (ii) an adoption completed subsequent to a determination 
 44.1   under this subdivision may include an agreement for 
 44.2   communication or contact under section 259.58; 
 44.3      (3) long-term foster care according to the following 
 44.4   conditions: 
 44.5      (i) the court may order a child into long-term foster care 
 44.6   only if it ~~finds~~ approves the responsible social service 
 44.7   agency's compelling reasons that neither an award of permanent 
 44.8   legal and physical custody to a relative, nor termination of 
 44.9   parental rights is in the child's best interests; ~~and~~ 
 44.10     (ii) further, the court may only order long-term foster 
 44.11  care for the child under this section if it finds the following: 
 44.12     (A) the child has reached age 12 and ~~reasonable efforts by~~ 
 44.13  the responsible social services agency ~~have failed~~ has made 
 44.14  reasonable efforts to locate and place the child with an 
 44.15  adoptive family ~~for the child~~ or with a fit and willing relative 
 44.16  who will agree to a transfer of permanent legal and physical 
 44.17  custody of the child, but such efforts have not proven 
 44.18  successful; or 
 44.19     (B) the child is a sibling of a child described in subitem 
 44.20  (A) and the siblings have a significant positive relationship 
 44.21  and are ordered into the same long-term foster care home; and 
 44.22     (iii) at least annually, the responsible social services 
 44.23  agency reconsiders its provision of services to the child and 
 44.24  the child's placement in long-term foster care to ensure that: 
 44.25     (A) long-term foster care continues to be the most 
 44.26  appropriate legal arrangement for meeting the child's need for 
 44.27  permanency and stability, including whether there is another 
 44.28  permanent placement option under this chapter that would better 
 44.29  serve the child's needs and best interests; 
 44.30     (B) whenever possible, there is an identified long-term 
 44.31  foster care family that is committed to being the foster family 
 44.32  for the child as long as the child is a minor or under the 
 44.33  jurisdiction of the court; 
 44.34     (C) the child is receiving appropriate services or 
 44.35  assistance to maintain or build connections with the child's 
 44.36  family and community; 
 45.1      (D) the child's physical and mental health needs are being 
 45.2   appropriately provided for; and 
 45.3      (E) the child's educational needs are being met; 
 45.4      (4) foster care for a specified period of time according to 
 45.5   the following conditions: 
 45.6      (i) foster care for a specified period of time may be 
 45.7   ordered only if: 
 45.8      (A) the sole basis for an adjudication that the child is in 
 45.9   need of protection or services is the child's behavior; 
 45.10     (B) the court finds that foster care for a specified period 
 45.11  of time is in the best interests of the child; and 
 45.12     (C) the court ~~finds~~ approves the responsible social 
 45.13  services agency's compelling reasons that neither an award of 
 45.14  permanent legal and physical custody to a relative, nor 
 45.15  termination of parental rights is in the child's best interests; 
 45.16     (ii) the order does not specify that the child continue in 
 45.17  foster care for any period exceeding one year; or 
 45.18     (5) guardianship and legal custody to the commissioner of 
 45.19  human services under the following procedures and conditions: 
 45.20     (i) there is an identified prospective adoptive home agreed 
 45.21  to by the responsible social services agency that has agreed to 
 45.22  adopt the child and the court accepts the parent's voluntary 
 45.23  consent to adopt under section 259.24 except that such consent 
 45.24  executed by a parent under this clause shall be irrevocable 
 45.25  unless fraud is established and an order issues permitting 
 45.26  revocation as stated in item (vii); 
 45.27     (ii) if the court accepts a consent to adopt in lieu of 
 45.28  ordering one of the other enumerated permanency dispositions, 
 45.29  the court must review the matter at least every 90 days.  The 
 45.30  review will address the reasonable efforts of the agency to 
 45.31  achieve a finalized adoption; 
 45.32     (iii) a consent to adopt under this clause vests all legal 
 45.33  authority regarding the child, including guardianship and legal 
 45.34  custody of the child, with the commissioner of human services as 
 45.35  if the child were a state ward after termination of parental 
 45.36  rights; 
 46.1      (iv) the court must forward a copy of the consent to adopt, 
 46.2   together with a certified copy of the order transferring 
 46.3   guardianship and legal custody to the commissioner, to the 
 46.4   commissioner; ~~and~~ 
 46.5      (v) if an adoption is not finalized by the identified 
 46.6   prospective adoptive parent within 12 months of the execution of 
 46.7   the consent to adopt under this clause, the commissioner of 
 46.8   human services or the commissioner's delegate shall pursue 
 46.9   adoptive placement in another home unless the commissioner 
 46.10  certifies that the failure to finalize is not due to either an 
 46.11  action or a failure to act by the prospective adoptive parent~~.~~; 
 46.12     (vi) notwithstanding item (v), as soon as the commissioner 
 46.13  or commissioner's delegate determines that finalization of the 
 46.14  adoption with the identified prospective adoptive parent is not 
 46.15  possible, that the prospective adoptive parent is not 
 46.16  cooperative in completing the steps necessary to finalize the 
 46.17  adoption, or upon the commissioner's determination to withhold 
 46.18  consent to the adoption under chapter 259, the commissioner or 
 46.19  commissioner's delegate shall pursue adoptive placement in 
 46.20  another home; and 
 46.21     (vii) except as otherwise required by the Indian Child 
 46.22  Welfare Act, United States Code, title 25, section 1913, a 
 46.23  consent to adopt executed under this section shall be 
 46.24  irrevocable upon acceptance by the court except upon order 
 46.25  permitting revocation issued by the same court after written 
 46.26  findings that consent was obtained by fraud. 
 46.27     (e) In ordering a permanent placement of a child, the court 
 46.28  must be governed by the best interests of the child, including a 
 46.29  review of the relationship between the child and relatives and 
 46.30  the child and other important persons with whom the child has 
 46.31  resided or had significant contact. 
 46.32     (f) Once a permanent placement determination has been made 
 46.33  and permanent placement has been established, further court 
 46.34  reviews are necessary if: 
 46.35     (1) the placement is long-term foster care or foster care 
 46.36  for a specified period of time; 
 47.1      (2) the court orders further hearings because it has 
 47.2   retained jurisdiction of a transfer of permanent legal and 
 47.3   physical custody matter; 
 47.4      (3) an adoption has not yet been finalized; or 
 47.5      (4) there is a disruption of the permanent or long-term 
 47.6   placement.  
 47.7      (g) Court reviews of an order for long-term foster care, 
 47.8   whether under this section or section 260C.317, subdivision 3, 
 47.9   paragraph (d), ~~or foster care for a specified period of time~~ 
 47.10  must be conducted at least yearly and must review the child's 
 47.11  out-of-home placement plan and the reasonable efforts of the 
 47.12  agency to finalize the permanent plan for the child including 
 47.13  the agency's efforts to: 
 47.14     (1) ensure that long-term foster care continues to be the 
 47.15  most appropriate legal arrangement for meeting the child's need 
 47.16  for permanency and stability or, if not, to identify and attempt 
 47.17  to finalize another permanent placement option under this 
 47.18  chapter that would better serve the child's needs and best 
 47.19  interests; 
 47.20     (2) identify a specific long-term foster home for the child 
 47.21  ~~or a specific foster home for the time the child is specified to~~ 
 47.22  ~~be out of the care of the parent~~, if one has not already been 
 47.23  identified; 
 47.24     ~~(2)~~ (3) support continued placement of the child in the 
 47.25  identified home, if one has been identified; 
 47.26     ~~(3)~~ (4) ensure appropriate services are provided to address 
 47.27  the physical health, mental health, and educational needs of the 
 47.28  child during the period of long-term foster care ~~or foster care~~ 
 47.29  ~~for a specified period of time~~ and also ensure appropriate 
 47.30  services or assistance to maintain relationships with 
 47.31  appropriate family members and the child's community; and 
 47.32     ~~(4)~~ (5) plan for the child's independence upon the child's 
 47.33  leaving long-term foster care living as required under section 
 47.34  260C.212, subdivision 1~~; and~~ 
 47.35     ~~(5) where placement is for a specified period of time, a~~ 
 47.36  ~~plan for the safe return of the child to the care of the parent~~. 
 48.1      (h) In the event it is necessary for a child that has been 
 48.2   ordered into foster care for a specified period of time to 
 48.3   exceed one year in foster care, not later than 12 months after 
 48.4   the time the child was ordered into foster care for a specified 
 48.5   period of time, the matter must be returned to court for a 
 48.6   review of the appropriateness of continuing the child in foster 
 48.7   care and of the responsible social services agency's reasonable 
 48.8   efforts to finalize a permanent plan for the child; if it is in 
 48.9   the child's best interests to continue the order for foster care 
 48.10  for a specified period of time past a total of 12 months, the 
 48.11  court shall set objectives for the child's continuation in 
 48.12  foster care, specify any further amount of time the child may be 
 48.13  in foster care, and review the plan for the safe return of the 
 48.14  child to the parent. 
 48.15     ~~(h)~~ (i) An order ~~under this subdivision~~ permanently placing 
 48.16  a child out of the home of the parent or guardian must include 
 48.17  the following detailed findings: 
 48.18     (1) how the child's best interests are served by the order; 
 48.19     (2) the nature and extent of the responsible social service 
 48.20  agency's reasonable efforts, or, in the case of an Indian child, 
 48.21  active efforts to reunify the child with the parent or 
 48.22  ~~parents~~ guardian where such efforts are required; 
 48.23     (3) the parent's or parents' efforts and ability to use 
 48.24  services to correct the conditions which led to the out-of-home 
 48.25  placement; and 
 48.26     (4) ~~whether~~ that the conditions which led to the 
 48.27  out-of-home placement have not been corrected so that the child 
 48.28  can safely return home. 
 48.29     ~~(i)~~ (j) An order for permanent legal and physical custody 
 48.30  of a child may be modified under sections 518.18 and 518.185.  
 48.31  The social services agency is a party to the proceeding and must 
 48.32  receive notice.  A parent may only seek modification of an order 
 48.33  for long-term foster care upon motion and a showing by the 
 48.34  parent of a substantial change in the parent's circumstances 
 48.35  such that the parent could provide appropriate care for the 
 48.36  child and that removal of the child from the child's permanent 
 49.1   placement and the return to the parent's care would be in the 
 49.2   best interest of the child.  The responsible social services 
 49.3   agency may seek vacation of an order for long-term foster care 
 49.4   upon a prima facie showing that there is a factual basis for the 
 49.5   court to order another permanency option under this chapter and 
 49.6   that such an option is in the child's best interests.  Upon a 
 49.7   hearing where the court determines that there is a factual basis 
 49.8   for vacating the order for long-term foster care and that 
 49.9   another permanent order regarding the placement of the child is 
 49.10  in the child's best interests, the court may vacate the order 
 49.11  for long-term foster care and enter a different order for 
 49.12  permanent placement that is in the child's best interests.  The 
 49.13  court shall not require further reasonable efforts to reunify 
 49.14  the child with the parent or guardian as a basis for vacating 
 49.15  the order for long-term foster care and ordering a different 
 49.16  permanent placement in the child's best interests.  The county 
 49.17  attorney must file pleadings and give notice as required under 
 49.18  the rules of juvenile court in order to modify an order for 
 49.19  long-term foster care under this clause. 
 49.20     ~~(j)~~ (k) The court shall issue an order required under this 
 49.21  section within 15 days of the close of the proceedings.  The 
 49.22  court may extend issuing the order an additional 15 days when 
 49.23  necessary in the interests of justice and the best interests of 
 49.24  the child. 
 49.25     Sec. 21.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 260C.312, is 
 49.26  amended to read: 
 49.27     260C.312 [DISPOSITION; PARENTAL RIGHTS NOT TERMINATED.] 
 49.28     (a) If, after a hearing, the court does not terminate 
 49.29  parental rights but determines that the child is in need of 
 49.30  protection or services, or that the child is neglected and in 
 49.31  foster care, the court may find the child is in need of 
 49.32  protection or services or neglected and in foster care and may 
 49.33  enter an order in accordance with the provisions of section 
 49.34  260C.201. 
 49.35     (b) When a child has been in placement 15 of the last 22 
 49.36  months after a trial on a termination of parental rights 
 50.1   petition, if the court finds that the petition is not proven or 
 50.2   that termination of parental rights is not in the child's best 
 50.3   interests, the court must order the child returned to the care 
 50.4   of the parent unless the court ~~finds~~ approves the responsible 
 50.5   social services determination of compelling reasons why the 
 50.6   child should remain out of the care of the parent.  If the court 
 50.7   orders the child returned to the care of the parent, the court 
 50.8   may order a trial home visit, protective supervision, or 
 50.9   monitoring under section 260C.201. 
 50.10     Sec. 22.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 260C.317, 
 50.11  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 50.12     Subd. 3.  [ORDER; RETENTION OF JURISDICTION.] (a) A 
 50.13  certified copy of the findings and the order terminating 
 50.14  parental rights, and a summary of the court's information 
 50.15  concerning the child shall be furnished by the court to the 
 50.16  commissioner or the agency to which guardianship is 
 50.17  transferred.  The orders shall be on a document separate from 
 50.18  the findings.  The court shall furnish the individual to whom 
 50.19  guardianship is transferred a copy of the order terminating 
 50.20  parental rights. 
 50.21     (b) The court shall retain jurisdiction in a case where 
 50.22  adoption is the intended permanent placement disposition until 
 50.23  the child's adoption is finalized, the child is 18 years of age, 
 50.24  or the child is otherwise ordered discharged from the 
 50.25  jurisdiction of the court.  The guardian ad litem and counsel 
 50.26  for the child shall continue on the case until an adoption 
 50.27  decree is entered.  A hearing must be held every 90 days 
 50.28  following termination of parental rights for the court to review 
 50.29  progress toward an adoptive placement and the specific 
 50.30  recruitment efforts the agency has taken to find an adoptive 
 50.31  family or other placement living arrangement for the child and 
 50.32  to finalize the adoption or other permanency plan.  
 50.33     (c) ~~When adoption is not the intended disposition,~~ The 
 50.34  responsible social services agency may make a determination of 
 50.35  compelling reasons for a child to be in long-term foster care 
 50.36  when the agency has made exhaustive efforts to recruit, 
 51.1   identify, and place the child in an adoptive home, and ~~if~~ the 
 51.2   child continues in ~~out-of-home placement~~ foster care for ~~12~~ at 
 51.3   least 24 months after the court has issued the order terminating 
 51.4   parental rights ~~and at~~.  Upon approving the agency's 
 51.5   determination of compelling reasons, the court may order the 
 51.6   child placed in long-term foster care.  At least every 12 months 
 51.7   thereafter as long as the child continues in out-of-home 
 51.8   placement, the court shall conduct a permanency review hearing 
 51.9   to determine the future status of the child~~, including, but not~~ 
 51.10  ~~limited to, whether the child should be continued in out-of-home~~ 
 51.11  ~~placement, should be placed for adoption, or should, because of~~ 
 51.12  ~~the child's special needs and for compelling reasons, be ordered~~ 
 51.13  ~~into long-term out-of-home placement~~ using the review 
 51.14  requirements of section 260C.201, subdivision 11, paragraph (g). 
 51.15     (d) The court shall retain jurisdiction through the child's 
 51.16  minority in a case where long-term foster care is the permanent 
 51.17  disposition whether under paragraph (c) or section 260C.201, 
 51.18  subdivision 11.  ~~All of the review requirements under section~~ 
 51.19  ~~260C.201, subdivision 11, paragraph (g), apply.~~ 
 51.20     Sec. 23.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
 51.21  626.556, subdivision 10, is amended to read: 
 51.22     Subd. 10.  [DUTIES OF LOCAL WELFARE AGENCY AND LOCAL LAW 
 51.23  ENFORCEMENT AGENCY UPON RECEIPT OF A REPORT.] (a) If the report 
 51.24  alleges neglect, physical abuse, or sexual abuse by a parent, 
 51.25  guardian, or individual functioning within the family unit as a 
 51.26  person responsible for the child's care, the local welfare 
 51.27  agency shall immediately conduct an assessment including 
 51.28  gathering information on the existence of substance abuse and 
 51.29  offer protective social services for purposes of preventing 
 51.30  further abuses, safeguarding and enhancing the welfare of the 
 51.31  abused or neglected minor, and preserving family life whenever 
 51.32  possible.  If the report alleges a violation of a criminal 
 51.33  statute involving sexual abuse, physical abuse, or neglect or 
 51.34  endangerment, under section 609.378, the local law enforcement 
 51.35  agency and local welfare agency shall coordinate the planning 
 51.36  and execution of their respective investigation and assessment 
 52.1   efforts to avoid a duplication of fact-finding efforts and 
 52.2   multiple interviews.  Each agency shall prepare a separate 
 52.3   report of the results of its investigation.  In cases of alleged 
 52.4   child maltreatment resulting in death, the local agency may rely 
 52.5   on the fact-finding efforts of a law enforcement investigation 
 52.6   to make a determination of whether or not maltreatment 
 52.7   occurred.  When necessary the local welfare agency shall seek 
 52.8   authority to remove the child from the custody of a parent, 
 52.9   guardian, or adult with whom the child is living.  In performing 
 52.10  any of these duties, the local welfare agency shall maintain 
 52.11  appropriate records.  
 52.12     If the assessment indicates there is a potential for abuse 
 52.13  of alcohol or other drugs by the parent, guardian, or person 
 52.14  responsible for the child's care, the local welfare agency shall 
 52.15  conduct a chemical use assessment pursuant to Minnesota Rules, 
 52.16  part 9530.6615.  The local welfare agency shall report the 
 52.17  determination of the chemical use assessment, and the 
 52.18  recommendations and referrals for alcohol and other drug 
 52.19  treatment services to the state authority on alcohol and drug 
 52.20  abuse. 
 52.21     (b) When a local agency receives a report or otherwise has 
 52.22  information indicating that a child who is a client, as defined 
 52.23  in section 245.91, has been the subject of physical abuse, 
 52.24  sexual abuse, or neglect at an agency, facility, or program as 
 52.25  defined in section 245.91, it shall, in addition to its other 
 52.26  duties under this section, immediately inform the ombudsman 
 52.27  established under sections 245.91 to 245.97.  The commissioner 
 52.28  of education shall inform the ombudsman established under 
 52.29  sections 245.91 to 245.97 of reports regarding a child defined 
 52.30  as a client in section 245.91 that maltreatment occurred at a 
 52.31  school as defined in sections 120A.05, subdivisions 9, 11, and 
 52.32  13, and 124D.10. 
 52.33     (c) Authority of the local welfare agency responsible for 
 52.34  assessing the child abuse or neglect report, the agency 
 52.35  responsible for assessing or investigating the report, and of 
 52.36  the local law enforcement agency for investigating the alleged 
 53.1   abuse or neglect includes, but is not limited to, authority to 
 53.2   interview, without parental consent, the alleged victim and any 
 53.3   other minors who currently reside with or who have resided with 
 53.4   the alleged offender.  The interview may take place at school or 
 53.5   at any facility or other place where the alleged victim or other 
 53.6   minors might be found or the child may be transported to, and 
 53.7   the interview conducted at, a place appropriate for the 
 53.8   interview of a child designated by the local welfare agency or 
 53.9   law enforcement agency.  The interview may take place outside 
 53.10  the presence of the alleged offender or parent, legal custodian, 
 53.11  guardian, or school official.  Except as provided in this 
 53.12  paragraph, the parent, legal custodian, or guardian shall be 
 53.13  notified by the responsible local welfare or law enforcement 
 53.14  agency no later than the conclusion of the investigation or 
 53.15  assessment that this interview has occurred.  Notwithstanding 
 53.16  rule 49.02 of the Minnesota Rules of Procedure for Juvenile 
 53.17  Courts, the juvenile court may, after hearing on an ex parte 
 53.18  motion by the local welfare agency, order that, where reasonable 
 53.19  cause exists, the agency withhold notification of this interview 
 53.20  from the parent, legal custodian, or guardian.  If the interview 
 53.21  took place or is to take place on school property, the order 
 53.22  shall specify that school officials may not disclose to the 
 53.23  parent, legal custodian, or guardian the contents of the 
 53.24  notification of intent to interview the child on school 
 53.25  property, as provided under this paragraph, and any other 
 53.26  related information regarding the interview that may be a part 
 53.27  of the child's school record.  A copy of the order shall be sent 
 53.28  by the local welfare or law enforcement agency to the 
 53.29  appropriate school official. 
 53.30     (d) When the local welfare, local law enforcement agency, 
 53.31  or the agency responsible for assessing or investigating a 
 53.32  report of maltreatment determines that an interview should take 
 53.33  place on school property, written notification of intent to 
 53.34  interview the child on school property must be received by 
 53.35  school officials prior to the interview.  The notification shall 
 53.36  include the name of the child to be interviewed, the purpose of 
 54.1   the interview, and a reference to the statutory authority to 
 54.2   conduct an interview on school property.  For interviews 
 54.3   conducted by the local welfare agency, the notification shall be 
 54.4   signed by the chair of the local social services agency or the 
 54.5   chair's designee.  The notification shall be private data on 
 54.6   individuals subject to the provisions of this paragraph.  School 
 54.7   officials may not disclose to the parent, legal custodian, or 
 54.8   guardian the contents of the notification or any other related 
 54.9   information regarding the interview until notified in writing by 
 54.10  the local welfare or law enforcement agency that the 
 54.11  investigation or assessment has been concluded, unless a school 
 54.12  employee or agent is alleged to have maltreated the child.  
 54.13  Until that time, the local welfare or law enforcement agency or 
 54.14  the agency responsible for assessing or investigating a report 
 54.15  of maltreatment shall be solely responsible for any disclosures 
 54.16  regarding the nature of the assessment or investigation.  
 54.17     Except where the alleged offender is believed to be a 
 54.18  school official or employee, the time and place, and manner of 
 54.19  the interview on school premises shall be within the discretion 
 54.20  of school officials, but the local welfare or law enforcement 
 54.21  agency shall have the exclusive authority to determine who may 
 54.22  attend the interview.  The conditions as to time, place, and 
 54.23  manner of the interview set by the school officials shall be 
 54.24  reasonable and the interview shall be conducted not more than 24 
 54.25  hours after the receipt of the notification unless another time 
 54.26  is considered necessary by agreement between the school 
 54.27  officials and the local welfare or law enforcement agency.  
 54.28  Where the school fails to comply with the provisions of this 
 54.29  paragraph, the juvenile court may order the school to comply.  
 54.30  Every effort must be made to reduce the disruption of the 
 54.31  educational program of the child, other students, or school 
 54.32  staff when an interview is conducted on school premises.  
 54.33     (e) Where the alleged offender or a person responsible for 
 54.34  the care of the alleged victim or other minor prevents access to 
 54.35  the victim or other minor by the local welfare agency, the 
 54.36  juvenile court may order the parents, legal custodian, or 
 55.1   guardian to produce the alleged victim or other minor for 
 55.2   questioning by the local welfare agency or the local law 
 55.3   enforcement agency outside the presence of the alleged offender 
 55.4   or any person responsible for the child's care at reasonable 
 55.5   places and times as specified by court order.  
 55.6      (f) Before making an order under paragraph (e), the court 
 55.7   shall issue an order to show cause, either upon its own motion 
 55.8   or upon a verified petition, specifying the basis for the 
 55.9   requested interviews and fixing the time and place of the 
 55.10  hearing.  The order to show cause shall be served personally and 
 55.11  shall be heard in the same manner as provided in other cases in 
 55.12  the juvenile court.  The court shall consider the need for 
 55.13  appointment of a guardian ad litem to protect the best interests 
 55.14  of the child.  If appointed, the guardian ad litem shall be 
 55.15  present at the hearing on the order to show cause.  
 55.16     (g) The commissioner of human services, the ombudsman for 
 55.17  mental health and mental retardation, the local welfare agencies 
 55.18  responsible for investigating reports, the commissioner of 
 55.19  education, and the local law enforcement agencies have the right 
 55.20  to enter facilities as defined in subdivision 2 and to inspect 
 55.21  and copy the facility's records, including medical records, as 
 55.22  part of the investigation.  Notwithstanding the provisions of 
 55.23  chapter 13, they also have the right to inform the facility 
 55.24  under investigation that they are conducting an investigation, 
 55.25  to disclose to the facility the names of the individuals under 
 55.26  investigation for abusing or neglecting a child, and to provide 
 55.27  the facility with a copy of the report and the investigative 
 55.28  findings. 
 55.29     (h) The local welfare agency or the agency responsible for 
 55.30  assessing or investigating the report shall collect available 
 55.31  and relevant information to ascertain whether maltreatment 
 55.32  occurred and whether protective services are needed.  
 55.33  Information collected includes, when relevant, information with 
 55.34  regard to the person reporting the alleged maltreatment, 
 55.35  including the nature of the reporter's relationship to the child 
 55.36  and to the alleged offender, and the basis of the reporter's 
 56.1   knowledge for the report; the child allegedly being maltreated; 
 56.2   the alleged offender; the child's caretaker; and other 
 56.3   collateral sources having relevant information related to the 
 56.4   alleged maltreatment.  The local welfare agency or the agency 
 56.5   responsible for assessing or investigating the report may make a 
 56.6   determination of no maltreatment early in an assessment, and 
 56.7   close the case and retain immunity, if the collected information 
 56.8   shows no basis for a full assessment or investigation. 
 56.9      Information relevant to the assessment or investigation 
 56.10  must be asked for, and may include: 
 56.11     (1) the child's sex and age, prior reports of maltreatment, 
 56.12  information relating to developmental functioning, credibility 
 56.13  of the child's statement, and whether the information provided 
 56.14  under this clause is consistent with other information collected 
 56.15  during the course of the assessment or investigation; 
 56.16     (2) the alleged offender's age, a record check for prior 
 56.17  reports of maltreatment, and criminal charges and convictions.  
 56.18  The local welfare agency or the agency responsible for assessing 
 56.19  or investigating the report must provide the alleged offender 
 56.20  with an opportunity to make a statement.  The alleged offender 
 56.21  may submit supporting documentation relevant to the assessment 
 56.22  or investigation; 
 56.23     (3) collateral source information regarding the alleged 
 56.24  maltreatment and care of the child.  Collateral information 
 56.25  includes, when relevant:  (i) a medical examination of the 
 56.26  child; (ii) prior medical records relating to the alleged 
 56.27  maltreatment or the care of the child maintained by any 
 56.28  facility, clinic, or health care professional and an interview 
 56.29  with the treating professionals; and (iii) interviews with the 
 56.30  child's caretakers, including the child's parent, guardian, 
 56.31  foster parent, child care provider, teachers, counselors, family 
 56.32  members, relatives, and other persons who may have knowledge 
 56.33  regarding the alleged maltreatment and the care of the child; 
 56.34  and 
 56.35     (4) information on the existence of domestic abuse and 
 56.36  violence in the home of the child, and substance abuse. 
 57.1      Nothing in this paragraph precludes the local welfare 
 57.2   agency, the local law enforcement agency, or the agency 
 57.3   responsible for assessing or investigating the report from 
 57.4   collecting other relevant information necessary to conduct the 
 57.5   assessment or investigation.  Notwithstanding section 13.384 or 
 57.6   144.335, the local welfare agency has access to medical data and 
 57.7   records for purposes of clause (3).  Notwithstanding the data's 
 57.8   classification in the possession of any other agency, data 
 57.9   acquired by the local welfare agency or the agency responsible 
 57.10  for assessing or investigating the report during the course of 
 57.11  the assessment or investigation are private data on individuals 
 57.12  and must be maintained in accordance with subdivision 11.  Data 
 57.13  of the commissioner of education collected or maintained during 
 57.14  and for the purpose of an investigation of alleged maltreatment 
 57.15  in a school are governed by this section, notwithstanding the 
 57.16  data's classification as educational, licensing, or personnel 
 57.17  data under chapter 13. 
 57.18     In conducting an assessment or investigation involving a 
 57.19  school facility as defined in subdivision 2, paragraph (f), the 
 57.20  commissioner of education shall collect investigative reports 
 57.21  and data that are relevant to a report of maltreatment and are 
 57.22  from local law enforcement and the school facility.  
 57.23     (i) In the initial stages of an assessment or 
 57.24  investigation, the local welfare agency shall conduct a 
 57.25  face-to-face observation of the child reported to be maltreated 
 57.26  and a face-to-face interview of the alleged offender.  At the 
 57.27  initial contact, the local child welfare agency or the agency 
 57.28  responsible for assessing or investigating the report must 
 57.29  inform the alleged offender of the complaints or allegations 
 57.30  made against the individual in a manner consistent with laws 
 57.31  protecting the rights of the person who made the report.  The 
 57.32  interview with the alleged offender may be postponed if it would 
 57.33  jeopardize an active law enforcement investigation. 
 57.34     (j) The local welfare agency shall use a question and 
 57.35  answer interviewing format with questioning as nondirective as 
 57.36  possible to elicit spontaneous responses.  The following 
 58.1   interviewing methods and procedures must be used whenever 
 58.2   possible when collecting information: 
 58.3      (1) audio recordings of all interviews with witnesses and 
 58.4   collateral sources; and 
 58.5      (2) in cases of alleged sexual abuse, audio-video 
 58.6   recordings of each interview with the alleged victim and child 
 58.7   witnesses.  
 58.8      (k) In conducting an assessment or investigation involving 
 58.9   a school facility as defined in subdivision 2, paragraph (f), 
 58.10  the commissioner of education shall collect available and 
 58.11  relevant information and use the procedures in paragraphs (h), 
 58.12  (i), and (j), provided that the commissioner may also base the 
 58.13  assessment or investigation on investigative reports and data 
 58.14  received from the school facility and local law enforcement, to 
 58.15  the extent those investigations satisfy the requirements of 
 58.16  paragraphs (h), (i), and (j). 
 58.17     Sec. 24.  [REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.] 
 58.18     In the next edition of Minnesota Statutes, the revisor of 
 58.19  statutes shall change "residential facility" to either "foster 
 58.20  care" or "foster care facility," whichever term is appropriate, 
 58.21  in chapter 260C. 
 58.22                             ARTICLE 3 
 58.23                           CHILD WELFARE 
 58.24     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 626.556, 
 58.25  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 58.26     Subdivision 1.  [PUBLIC POLICY.] The legislature hereby 
 58.27  declares that the public policy of this state is to protect 
 58.28  children whose health or welfare may be jeopardized through 
 58.29  physical abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse.  While it is 
 58.30  recognized that most parents want to keep their children safe, 
 58.31  sometimes circumstances or conditions interfere with their 
 58.32  ability to do so.  When this occurs, families are best served by 
 58.33  interventions that engage their protective capacities and 
 58.34  address immediate safety concerns, ongoing risks of child 
 58.35  maltreatment, and threats to family well being.  In furtherance 
 58.36  of this public policy, it is the intent of the legislature under 
 59.1   this section to strengthen the family and make the home, school, 
 59.2   and community safe for children by promoting responsible child 
 59.3   care in all settings; and to provide, when necessary, a safe 
 59.4   temporary or permanent home environment for physically or 
 59.5   sexually abused or neglected children. 
 59.6      In addition, it is the policy of this state to require the 
 59.7   reporting of neglect, physical or sexual abuse of children in 
 59.8   the home, school, and community settings; to provide for the 
 59.9   voluntary reporting of abuse or neglect of children; to require 
 59.10  ~~the~~ a family assessment ~~and~~, when appropriate, as the preferred 
 59.11  response to reports not alleging substantial child endangerment; 
 59.12  to require an investigation ~~of the reports~~ when the report 
 59.13  alleges substantial child endangerment; and to provide 
 59.14  protective ~~and counseling~~, family support, and family 
 59.15  preservation services when needed in appropriate cases. 
 59.16     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
 59.17  626.556, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 59.18     Subd. 2.  [DEFINITIONS.] As used in this section, the 
 59.19  following terms have the meanings given them unless the specific 
 59.20  content indicates otherwise: 
 59.21     (a) "Family assessment" means a comprehensive assessment of 
 59.22  child safety, risk of subsequent child maltreatment, and family 
 59.23  strengths and needs that is applied to a child maltreatment 
 59.24  report that does not allege substantial child endangerment.  
 59.25  Family assessment does not include a determination as to whether 
 59.26  child maltreatment occurred but does determine the need for 
 59.27  services to address the safety of family members, the risk of 
 59.28  subsequent maltreatment, and threats to family and child well 
 59.29  being. 
 59.30     (b) "Investigation" means fact gathering related to the 
 59.31  current safety of a child and the risk of subsequent 
 59.32  maltreatment that determines whether child maltreatment occurred 
 59.33  and whether child protective services are needed.  An 
 59.34  investigation must be used when reports involve substantial 
 59.35  child endangerment, and for reports of maltreatment in 
 59.36  facilities required to be licensed under chapter 245A or 245B; 
 60.1   under sections 144.50 to 144.58 and 241.021; in a school as 
 60.2   defined in sections 120A.05, subdivisions 9, 11, and 13, and 
 60.3   124D.10; or in a nonlicensed personal care provider association 
 60.4   as defined in sections 256B.04, subdivision 16, and 256B.0625, 
 60.5   subdivision 19a. 
 60.6      (c) "Substantial child endangerment" means a person 
 60.7   responsible for a child's care, a person who has a significant 
 60.8   relationship to the child as defined in section 609.341, or a 
 60.9   person in a position of authority as defined in section 609.341, 
 60.10  who by act or omission commits or attempts to commit an act 
 60.11  against a child under their care that constitutes any of the 
 60.12  following: 
 60.13     (1) egregious harm as defined in section 260C.007, 
 60.14  subdivision 14; 
 60.15     (2) sexual abuse as defined in paragraph (d); 
 60.16     (3) abandonment under section 260C.301, subdivision 2; 
 60.17     (4) neglect as defined in paragraph (f), clause (2), that 
 60.18  substantially endangers the child's physical or mental health, 
 60.19  including a growth delay, which may be referred to as failure to 
 60.20  thrive, that has been diagnosed by a physician and is due to 
 60.21  parental neglect; 
 60.22     (5) murder in the first, second, or third degree under 
 60.23  section 609.185, 609.19, or 609.195; 
 60.24     (6) manslaughter in the first or second degree under 
 60.25  section 609.20 or 609.205; 
 60.26     (7) assault in the first, second, or third degree under 
 60.27  section 609.221, 609.222, or 609.223; 
 60.28     (8) solicitation, inducement, and promotion of prostitution 
 60.29  under section 609.322; 
 60.30     (9) criminal sexual conduct under sections 609.342 to 
 60.31  609.3451; 
 60.32     (10) solicitation of children to engage in sexual conduct 
 60.33  under section 609.352; 
 60.34     (11) malicious punishment or neglect or endangerment of a 
 60.35  child under section 609.377 or 609.378; 
 60.36     (12) use of a minor in sexual performance under section 
 61.1   617.246; or 
 61.2      (13) parental behavior, status, or condition which mandates 
 61.3   that the county attorney file a termination of parental rights 
 61.4   petition under section 260C.301, subdivision 3, paragraph (a). 
 61.5      (d) "Sexual abuse" means the subjection of a child by a 
 61.6   person responsible for the child's care, by a person who has a 
 61.7   significant relationship to the child, as defined in section 
 61.8   609.341, or by a person in a position of authority, as defined 
 61.9   in section 609.341, subdivision 10, to any act which constitutes 
 61.10  a violation of section 609.342 (criminal sexual conduct in the 
 61.11  first degree), 609.343 (criminal sexual conduct in the second 
 61.12  degree), 609.344 (criminal sexual conduct in the third degree), 
 61.13  609.345 (criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree), or 
 61.14  609.3451 (criminal sexual conduct in the fifth degree).  Sexual 
 61.15  abuse also includes any act which involves a minor which 
 61.16  constitutes a violation of prostitution offenses under sections 
 61.17  609.321 to 609.324 or 617.246.  Sexual abuse includes threatened 
 61.18  sexual abuse.  
 61.19     ~~(b)~~ (e) "Person responsible for the child's care" means (1) 
 61.20  an individual functioning within the family unit and having 
 61.21  responsibilities for the care of the child such as a parent, 
 61.22  guardian, or other person having similar care responsibilities, 
 61.23  or (2) an individual functioning outside the family unit and 
 61.24  having responsibilities for the care of the child such as a 
 61.25  teacher, school administrator, other school employees or agents, 
 61.26  or other lawful custodian of a child having either full-time or 
 61.27  short-term care responsibilities including, but not limited to, 
 61.28  day care, babysitting whether paid or unpaid, counseling, 
 61.29  teaching, and coaching.  
 61.30     ~~(c)~~ (f) "Neglect" means: 
 61.31     (1) failure by a person responsible for a child's care to 
 61.32  supply a child with necessary food, clothing, shelter, health, 
 61.33  medical, or other care required for the child's physical or 
 61.34  mental health when reasonably able to do so; 
 61.35     (2) failure to protect a child from conditions or actions 
 61.36  that seriously endanger the child's physical or mental health 
 62.1   when reasonably able to do so, including a growth delay, which 
 62.2   may be referred to as a failure to thrive, that has been 
 62.3   diagnosed by a physician and is due to parental neglect; 
 62.4      (3) failure to provide for necessary supervision or child 
 62.5   care arrangements appropriate for a child after considering 
 62.6   factors as the child's age, mental ability, physical condition, 
 62.7   length of absence, or environment, when the child is unable to 
 62.8   care for the child's own basic needs or safety, or the basic 
 62.9   needs or safety of another child in their care; 
 62.10     (4) failure to ensure that the child is educated as defined 
 62.11  in sections 120A.22 and 260C.163, subdivision 11, which does not 
 62.12  include a parent's refusal to provide the parent's child with 
 62.13  sympathomimetic medications, consistent with section 125A.09, 
 62.14  subdivision 3; 
 62.15     (5) nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that 
 62.16  a child is neglected solely because the child's parent, 
 62.17  guardian, or other person responsible for the child's care in 
 62.18  good faith selects and depends upon spiritual means or prayer 
 62.19  for treatment or care of disease or remedial care of the child 
 62.20  in lieu of medical care; except that a parent, guardian, or 
 62.21  caretaker, or a person mandated to report pursuant to 
 62.22  subdivision 3, has a duty to report if a lack of medical care 
 62.23  may cause serious danger to the child's health.  This section 
 62.24  does not impose upon persons, not otherwise legally responsible 
 62.25  for providing a child with necessary food, clothing, shelter, 
 62.26  education, or medical care, a duty to provide that care; 
 62.27     (6) prenatal exposure to a controlled substance, as defined 
 62.28  in section 253B.02, subdivision 2, used by the mother for a 
 62.29  nonmedical purpose, as evidenced by withdrawal symptoms in the 
 62.30  child at birth, results of a toxicology test performed on the 
 62.31  mother at delivery or the child at birth, or medical effects or 
 62.32  developmental delays during the child's first year of life that 
 62.33  medically indicate prenatal exposure to a controlled substance; 
 62.34     (7) "medical neglect" as defined in section 260C.007, 
 62.35  subdivision 6, clause (5); 
 62.36     (8) chronic and severe use of alcohol or a controlled 
 63.1   substance by a parent or person responsible for the care of the 
 63.2   child that adversely affects the child's basic needs and safety; 
 63.3   or 
 63.4      (9) emotional harm from a pattern of behavior which 
 63.5   contributes to impaired emotional functioning of the child which 
 63.6   may be demonstrated by a substantial and observable effect in 
 63.7   the child's behavior, emotional response, or cognition that is 
 63.8   not within the normal range for the child's age and stage of 
 63.9   development, with due regard to the child's culture. 
 63.10     ~~(d)~~ (g) "Physical abuse" means any physical injury, mental 
 63.11  injury, or threatened injury, inflicted by a person responsible 
 63.12  for the child's care on a child other than by accidental means, 
 63.13  or any physical or mental injury that cannot reasonably be 
 63.14  explained by the child's history of injuries, or any aversive or 
 63.15  deprivation procedures, or regulated interventions, that have 
 63.16  not been authorized under section 121A.67 or 245.825.  Abuse 
 63.17  does not include reasonable and moderate physical discipline of 
 63.18  a child administered by a parent or legal guardian which does 
 63.19  not result in an injury.  Abuse does not include the use of 
 63.20  reasonable force by a teacher, principal, or school employee as 
 63.21  allowed by section 121A.582.  Actions which are not reasonable 
 63.22  and moderate include, but are not limited to, any of the 
 63.23  following that are done in anger or without regard to the safety 
 63.24  of the child: 
 63.25     (1) throwing, kicking, burning, biting, or cutting a child; 
 63.26     (2) striking a child with a closed fist; 
 63.27     (3) shaking a child under age three; 
 63.28     (4) striking or other actions which result in any 
 63.29  nonaccidental injury to a child under 18 months of age; 
 63.30     (5) unreasonable interference with a child's breathing; 
 63.31     (6) threatening a child with a weapon, as defined in 
 63.32  section 609.02, subdivision 6; 
 63.33     (7) striking a child under age one on the face or head; 
 63.34     (8) purposely giving a child poison, alcohol, or dangerous, 
 63.35  harmful, or controlled substances which were not prescribed for 
 63.36  the child by a practitioner, in order to control or punish the 
 64.1   child; or other substances that substantially affect the child's 
 64.2   behavior, motor coordination, or judgment or that results in 
 64.3   sickness or internal injury, or subjects the child to medical 
 64.4   procedures that would be unnecessary if the child were not 
 64.5   exposed to the substances; 
 64.6      (9) unreasonable physical confinement or restraint not 
 64.7   permitted under section 609.379, including but not limited to 
 64.8   tying, caging, or chaining; or 
 64.9      (10) in a school facility or school zone, an act by a 
 64.10  person responsible for the child's care that is a violation 
 64.11  under section 121A.58. 
 64.12     ~~(e)~~ (h) "Report" means any report received by the local 
 64.13  welfare agency, police department, county sheriff, or agency 
 64.14  responsible for assessing or investigating maltreatment pursuant 
 64.15  to this section. 
 64.16     ~~(f)~~ (i) "Facility" means a licensed or unlicensed day care 
 64.17  facility, residential facility, agency, hospital, sanitarium, or 
 64.18  other facility or institution required to be licensed under 
 64.19  sections 144.50 to 144.58, 241.021, or 245A.01 to 245A.16, or 
 64.20  chapter 245B; or a school as defined in sections 120A.05, 
 64.21  subdivisions 9, 11, and 13; and 124D.10; or a nonlicensed 
 64.22  personal care provider organization as defined in sections 
 64.23  256B.04, subdivision 16, and 256B.0625, subdivision 19a. 
 64.24     ~~(g)~~ (j) "Operator" means an operator or agency as defined 
 64.25  in section 245A.02.  
 64.26     ~~(h)~~ (k) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of human 
 64.27  services. 
 64.28     ~~(i) "Assessment" includes authority to interview the child,~~ 
 64.29  ~~the person or persons responsible for the child's care, the~~ 
 64.30  ~~alleged perpetrator, and any other person with knowledge of the~~ 
 64.31  ~~abuse or neglect for the purpose of gathering the facts,~~ 
 64.32  ~~assessing the risk to the child, and formulating a plan.~~  
 64.33     ~~(j)~~ (l) "Practice of social services," for the purposes of 
 64.34  subdivision 3, includes but is not limited to employee 
 64.35  assistance counseling and the provision of guardian ad litem and 
 64.36  parenting time expeditor services.  
 65.1      ~~(k)~~ (m) "Mental injury" means an injury to the 
 65.2   psychological capacity or emotional stability of a child as 
 65.3   evidenced by an observable or substantial impairment in the 
 65.4   child's ability to function within a normal range of performance 
 65.5   and behavior with due regard to the child's culture. 
 65.6      ~~(l)~~ (n) "Threatened injury" means a statement, overt act, 
 65.7   condition, or status that represents a substantial risk of 
 65.8   physical or sexual abuse or mental injury.  Threatened injury 
 65.9   includes, but is not limited to, exposing a child to a person 
 65.10  responsible for the child's care, as defined in 
 65.11  paragraph ~~(b)~~ (e), clause (1), who has: 
 65.12     (1) subjected a child to, or failed to protect a child 
 65.13  from, an overt act or condition that constitutes egregious harm, 
 65.14  as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 14, or a similar law 
 65.15  of another jurisdiction; 
 65.16     (2) been found to be palpably unfit under section 260C.301, 
 65.17  paragraph (b), clause (4), or a similar law of another 
 65.18  jurisdiction; 
 65.19     (3) committed an act that has resulted in an involuntary 
 65.20  termination of parental rights under section 260C.301, or a 
 65.21  similar law of another jurisdiction; or 
 65.22     (4) committed an act that has resulted in the involuntary 
 65.23  transfer of permanent legal and physical custody of a child to a 
 65.24  relative under section 260C.201, subdivision 11, paragraph (d), 
 65.25  clause (1), or a similar law of another jurisdiction. 
 65.26     ~~(m)~~ (o) Persons who conduct assessments or investigations 
 65.27  under this section shall take into account accepted 
 65.28  child-rearing practices of the culture in which a child 
 65.29  participates and accepted teacher discipline practices, which 
 65.30  are not injurious to the child's health, welfare, and safety. 
 65.31     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
 65.32  626.556, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 65.33     Subd. 3.  [PERSONS MANDATED TO REPORT.] (a) A person who 
 65.34  knows or has reason to believe a child is being neglected or 
 65.35  physically or sexually abused, as defined in subdivision 2, or 
 65.36  has been neglected or physically or sexually abused within the 
 66.1   preceding three years, shall immediately report the information 
 66.2   to the local welfare agency, agency responsible for assessing or 
 66.3   investigating the report, police department, or the county 
 66.4   sheriff if the person is:  
 66.5      (1) a professional or professional's delegate who is 
 66.6   engaged in the practice of the healing arts, social services, 
 66.7   hospital administration, psychological or psychiatric treatment, 
 66.8   child care, education, or law enforcement; or 
 66.9      (2) employed as a member of the clergy and received the 
 66.10  information while engaged in ministerial duties, provided that a 
 66.11  member of the clergy is not required by this subdivision to 
 66.12  report information that is otherwise privileged under section 
 66.13  595.02, subdivision 1, paragraph (c).  
 66.14     The police department or the county sheriff, upon receiving 
 66.15  a report, shall immediately notify the local welfare agency or 
 66.16  agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report, 
 66.17  orally and in writing.  The local welfare agency, or agency 
 66.18  responsible for assessing or investigating the report, upon 
 66.19  receiving a report, shall immediately notify the local police 
 66.20  department or the county sheriff orally and in writing.  The 
 66.21  county sheriff and the head of every local welfare agency, 
 66.22  agency responsible for assessing or investigating reports, and 
 66.23  police department shall each designate a person within their 
 66.24  agency, department, or office who is responsible for ensuring 
 66.25  that the notification duties of this paragraph and paragraph (b) 
 66.26  are carried out.  Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed 
 66.27  to require more than one report from any institution, facility, 
 66.28  school, or agency. 
 66.29     (b) Any person may voluntarily report to the local welfare 
 66.30  agency, agency responsible for assessing or investigating the 
 66.31  report, police department, or the county sheriff if the person 
 66.32  knows, has reason to believe, or suspects a child is being or 
 66.33  has been neglected or subjected to physical or sexual abuse.  
 66.34  The police department or the county sheriff, upon receiving a 
 66.35  report, shall immediately notify the local welfare agency or 
 66.36  agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report, 
 67.1   orally and in writing.  The local welfare agency or agency 
 67.2   responsible for assessing or investigating the report, upon 
 67.3   receiving a report, shall immediately notify the local police 
 67.4   department or the county sheriff orally and in writing. 
 67.5      (c) A person mandated to report physical or sexual child 
 67.6   abuse or neglect occurring within a licensed facility shall 
 67.7   report the information to the agency responsible for licensing 
 67.8   the facility under sections 144.50 to 144.58; 241.021; 245A.01 
 67.9   to 245A.16; or chapter 245B; or a nonlicensed personal care 
 67.10  provider organization as defined in sections 256B.04, 
 67.11  subdivision 16; and 256B.0625, subdivision 19.  A health or 
 67.12  corrections agency receiving a report may request the local 
 67.13  welfare agency to provide assistance pursuant to subdivisions 
 67.14  10, 10a, and 10b.  A board or other entity whose licensees 
 67.15  perform work within a school facility, upon receiving a 
 67.16  complaint of alleged maltreatment, shall provide information 
 67.17  about the circumstances of the alleged maltreatment to the 
 67.18  commissioner of education.  Section 13.03, subdivision 4, 
 67.19  applies to data received by the commissioner of education from a 
 67.20  licensing entity.  
 67.21     (d) Any person mandated to report shall receive a summary 
 67.22  of the disposition of a family assessment or investigation 
 67.23  related to any report made by that reporter, including whether 
 67.24  the case has been opened for child protection or other services, 
 67.25  or if a referral has been made to a community organization, 
 67.26  unless release would be detrimental to the best interests of the 
 67.27  child.  Any person who is not mandated to report shall, upon 
 67.28  request to the local welfare agency, receive a concise summary 
 67.29  of the disposition of any report made by that reporter, unless 
 67.30  release would be detrimental to the best interests of the child. 
 67.31     (e) For purposes of this subdivision, "immediately" means 
 67.32  as soon as possible but in no event longer than 24 hours. 
 67.33     Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 626.556, is 
 67.34  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 67.35     Subd. 3d.  [AUTHORITY TO INTERVIEW.] The agency responsible 
 67.36  for assessing or investigating reports of child maltreatment has 
 68.1   the authority to interview the child, the person or persons 
 68.2   responsible for the child's care, the alleged perpetrator, and 
 68.3   any other person with knowledge of the abuse or neglect for the 
 68.4   purpose of gathering the facts, assessing safety and risk to the 
 68.5   child, and formulating a plan. 
 68.6      Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
 68.7   626.556, subdivision 10, is amended to read: 
 68.8      Subd. 10.  [DUTIES OF LOCAL WELFARE AGENCY AND LOCAL LAW 
 68.9   ENFORCEMENT AGENCY UPON RECEIPT OF A REPORT.] (a) Upon receipt 
 68.10  of a report, the local welfare agency shall determine whether to 
 68.11  conduct a family assessment or an investigation as appropriate 
 68.12  to prevent or provide a remedy for child maltreatment.  The 
 68.13  local welfare agency: 
 68.14     (1) shall conduct an investigation on reports involving 
 68.15  substantial child endangerment; 
 68.16     (2) shall begin an immediate investigation if, at any time 
 68.17  when it is using a family assessment response, it determines 
 68.18  that there is reason to believe that substantial child 
 68.19  endangerment or a serious threat to the child's safety exists; 
 68.20     (3) may conduct a family assessment for reports that do not 
 68.21  allege substantial child endangerment.  In determining that a 
 68.22  family assessment is appropriate, the local welfare agency may 
 68.23  consider issues of child safety, parental cooperation, and the 
 68.24  need for an immediate response; and 
 68.25     (4) may conduct a family assessment on a report that was 
 68.26  initially screened and assigned for an investigation.  In 
 68.27  determining that a complete investigation is not required, the 
 68.28  local welfare agency must document the reason for terminating 
 68.29  the investigation and notify the local law enforcement agency if 
 68.30  the local law enforcement agency is conducting a joint 
 68.31  investigation. 
 68.32     If the report alleges neglect, physical abuse, or sexual 
 68.33  abuse by a parent, guardian, or individual functioning within 
 68.34  the family unit as a person responsible for the child's care, 
 68.35  the local welfare agency shall immediately conduct ~~an~~ a family 
 68.36  assessment ~~including gathering~~ or investigation as identified in 
 69.1   clauses (1) to (4).  In conducting a family assessment or 
 69.2   investigation, the local welfare agency shall gather information 
 69.3   on the existence of substance abuse and domestic violence and 
 69.4   offer ~~protective social~~ services for purposes of preventing 
 69.5   ~~further abuses~~ future child maltreatment, safeguarding and 
 69.6   enhancing the welfare of the abused or neglected minor, 
 69.7   and supporting and preserving family life whenever possible.  If 
 69.8   the report alleges a violation of a criminal statute involving 
 69.9   sexual abuse, physical abuse, or neglect or endangerment, under 
 69.10  section 609.378, the local law enforcement agency and local 
 69.11  welfare agency shall coordinate the planning and execution of 
 69.12  their respective investigation and assessment efforts to avoid a 
 69.13  duplication of fact-finding efforts and multiple interviews.  
 69.14  Each agency shall prepare a separate report of the results of 
 69.15  its investigation.  In cases of alleged child maltreatment 
 69.16  resulting in death, the local agency may rely on the 
 69.17  fact-finding efforts of a law enforcement investigation to make 
 69.18  a determination of whether or not maltreatment occurred.  When 
 69.19  necessary the local welfare agency shall seek authority to 
 69.20  remove the child from the custody of a parent, guardian, or 
 69.21  adult with whom the child is living.  In performing any of these 
 69.22  duties, the local welfare agency shall maintain appropriate 
 69.23  records.  
 69.24     If the family assessment or investigation indicates there 
 69.25  is a potential for abuse of alcohol or other drugs by the 
 69.26  parent, guardian, or person responsible for the child's care, 
 69.27  the local welfare agency shall conduct a chemical use assessment 
 69.28  pursuant to Minnesota Rules, part 9530.6615.  The local welfare 
 69.29  agency shall report the determination of the chemical use 
 69.30  assessment, and the recommendations and referrals for alcohol 
 69.31  and other drug treatment services to the state authority on 
 69.32  alcohol and drug abuse. 
 69.33     (b) When a local agency receives a report or otherwise has 
 69.34  information indicating that a child who is a client, as defined 
 69.35  in section 245.91, has been the subject of physical abuse, 
 69.36  sexual abuse, or neglect at an agency, facility, or program as 
 70.1   defined in section 245.91, it shall, in addition to its other 
 70.2   duties under this section, immediately inform the ombudsman 
 70.3   established under sections 245.91 to 245.97.  The commissioner 
 70.4   of education shall inform the ombudsman established under 
 70.5   sections 245.91 to 245.97 of reports regarding a child defined 
 70.6   as a client in section 245.91 that maltreatment occurred at a 
 70.7   school as defined in sections 120A.05, subdivisions 9, 11, and 
 70.8   13, and 124D.10. 
 70.9      (c) Authority of the local welfare agency responsible for 
 70.10  assessing or investigating the child abuse or neglect report, 
 70.11  the agency responsible for assessing or investigating the 
 70.12  report, and of the local law enforcement agency for 
 70.13  investigating the alleged abuse or neglect includes, but is not 
 70.14  limited to, authority to interview, without parental consent, 
 70.15  the alleged victim and any other minors who currently reside 
 70.16  with or who have resided with the alleged offender.  The 
 70.17  interview may take place at school or at any facility or other 
 70.18  place where the alleged victim or other minors might be found or 
 70.19  the child may be transported to, and the interview conducted at, 
 70.20  a place appropriate for the interview of a child designated by 
 70.21  the local welfare agency or law enforcement agency.  The 
 70.22  interview may take place outside the presence of the alleged 
 70.23  offender or parent, legal custodian, guardian, or school 
 70.24  official.  For family assessments, it is the preferred practice 
 70.25  to request a parent or guardian's permission to interview the 
 70.26  child prior to conducting the child interview, unless doing so 
 70.27  would compromise the safety assessment.  Except as provided in 
 70.28  this paragraph, the parent, legal custodian, or guardian shall 
 70.29  be notified by the responsible local welfare or law enforcement 
 70.30  agency no later than the conclusion of the investigation or 
 70.31  assessment that this interview has occurred.  Notwithstanding 
 70.32  rule 49.02 of the Minnesota Rules of Procedure for Juvenile 
 70.33  Courts, the juvenile court may, after hearing on an ex parte 
 70.34  motion by the local welfare agency, order that, where reasonable 
 70.35  cause exists, the agency withhold notification of this interview 
 70.36  from the parent, legal custodian, or guardian.  If the interview 
 71.1   took place or is to take place on school property, the order 
 71.2   shall specify that school officials may not disclose to the 
 71.3   parent, legal custodian, or guardian the contents of the 
 71.4   notification of intent to interview the child on school 
 71.5   property, as provided under this paragraph, and any other 
 71.6   related information regarding the interview that may be a part 
 71.7   of the child's school record.  A copy of the order shall be sent 
 71.8   by the local welfare or law enforcement agency to the 
 71.9   appropriate school official. 
 71.10     (d) When the local welfare, local law enforcement agency, 
 71.11  or the agency responsible for assessing or investigating a 
 71.12  report of maltreatment determines that an interview should take 
 71.13  place on school property, written notification of intent to 
 71.14  interview the child on school property must be received by 
 71.15  school officials prior to the interview.  The notification shall 
 71.16  include the name of the child to be interviewed, the purpose of 
 71.17  the interview, and a reference to the statutory authority to 
 71.18  conduct an interview on school property.  For interviews 
 71.19  conducted by the local welfare agency, the notification shall be 
 71.20  signed by the chair of the local social services agency or the 
 71.21  chair's designee.  The notification shall be private data on 
 71.22  individuals subject to the provisions of this paragraph.  School 
 71.23  officials may not disclose to the parent, legal custodian, or 
 71.24  guardian the contents of the notification or any other related 
 71.25  information regarding the interview until notified in writing by 
 71.26  the local welfare or law enforcement agency that the 
 71.27  investigation or assessment has been concluded, unless a school 
 71.28  employee or agent is alleged to have maltreated the child.  
 71.29  Until that time, the local welfare or law enforcement agency or 
 71.30  the agency responsible for assessing or investigating a report 
 71.31  of maltreatment shall be solely responsible for any disclosures 
 71.32  regarding the nature of the assessment or investigation.  
 71.33     Except where the alleged offender is believed to be a 
 71.34  school official or employee, the time and place, and manner of 
 71.35  the interview on school premises shall be within the discretion 
 71.36  of school officials, but the local welfare or law enforcement 
 72.1   agency shall have the exclusive authority to determine who may 
 72.2   attend the interview.  The conditions as to time, place, and 
 72.3   manner of the interview set by the school officials shall be 
 72.4   reasonable and the interview shall be conducted not more than 24 
 72.5   hours after the receipt of the notification unless another time 
 72.6   is considered necessary by agreement between the school 
 72.7   officials and the local welfare or law enforcement agency.  
 72.8   Where the school fails to comply with the provisions of this 
 72.9   paragraph, the juvenile court may order the school to comply.  
 72.10  Every effort must be made to reduce the disruption of the 
 72.11  educational program of the child, other students, or school 
 72.12  staff when an interview is conducted on school premises.  
 72.13     (e) Where the alleged offender or a person responsible for 
 72.14  the care of the alleged victim or other minor prevents access to 
 72.15  the victim or other minor by the local welfare agency, the 
 72.16  juvenile court may order the parents, legal custodian, or 
 72.17  guardian to produce the alleged victim or other minor for 
 72.18  questioning by the local welfare agency or the local law 
 72.19  enforcement agency outside the presence of the alleged offender 
 72.20  or any person responsible for the child's care at reasonable 
 72.21  places and times as specified by court order.  
 72.22     (f) Before making an order under paragraph (e), the court 
 72.23  shall issue an order to show cause, either upon its own motion 
 72.24  or upon a verified petition, specifying the basis for the 
 72.25  requested interviews and fixing the time and place of the 
 72.26  hearing.  The order to show cause shall be served personally and 
 72.27  shall be heard in the same manner as provided in other cases in 
 72.28  the juvenile court.  The court shall consider the need for 
 72.29  appointment of a guardian ad litem to protect the best interests 
 72.30  of the child.  If appointed, the guardian ad litem shall be 
 72.31  present at the hearing on the order to show cause.  
 72.32     (g) The commissioner of human services, the ombudsman for 
 72.33  mental health and mental retardation, the local welfare agencies 
 72.34  responsible for investigating reports, the commissioner of 
 72.35  education, and the local law enforcement agencies have the right 
 72.36  to enter facilities as defined in subdivision 2 and to inspect 
 73.1   and copy the facility's records, including medical records, as 
 73.2   part of the investigation.  Notwithstanding the provisions of 
 73.3   chapter 13, they also have the right to inform the facility 
 73.4   under investigation that they are conducting an investigation, 
 73.5   to disclose to the facility the names of the individuals under 
 73.6   investigation for abusing or neglecting a child, and to provide 
 73.7   the facility with a copy of the report and the investigative 
 73.8   findings. 
 73.9      (h) The local welfare agency ~~or the agency~~ responsible for 
 73.10  ~~assessing or~~ conducting a family assessment shall collect 
 73.11  available and relevant information to determine child safety, 
 73.12  risk of subsequent child maltreatment, and family strengths and 
 73.13  needs.  The local welfare agency or the agency responsible for 
 73.14  investigating the report shall collect available and relevant 
 73.15  information to ascertain whether maltreatment occurred and 
 73.16  whether protective services are needed.  Information collected 
 73.17  includes, when relevant, information with regard to the person 
 73.18  reporting the alleged maltreatment, including the nature of the 
 73.19  reporter's relationship to the child and to the alleged 
 73.20  offender, and the basis of the reporter's knowledge for the 
 73.21  report; the child allegedly being maltreated; the alleged 
 73.22  offender; the child's caretaker; and other collateral sources 
 73.23  having relevant information related to the alleged 
 73.24  maltreatment.  The local welfare agency or the agency 
 73.25  responsible for assessing or investigating the report may make a 
 73.26  determination of no maltreatment early in an assessment, and 
 73.27  close the case and retain immunity, if the collected information 
 73.28  shows no basis for a full assessment or investigation. 
 73.29     Information relevant to the assessment or investigation 
 73.30  must be asked for, and may include: 
 73.31     (1) the child's sex and age, prior reports of maltreatment, 
 73.32  information relating to developmental functioning, credibility 
 73.33  of the child's statement, and whether the information provided 
 73.34  under this clause is consistent with other information collected 
 73.35  during the course of the assessment or investigation; 
 73.36     (2) the alleged offender's age, a record check for prior 
 74.1   reports of maltreatment, and criminal charges and convictions.  
 74.2   The local welfare agency or the agency responsible for assessing 
 74.3   or investigating the report must provide the alleged offender 
 74.4   with an opportunity to make a statement.  The alleged offender 
 74.5   may submit supporting documentation relevant to the assessment 
 74.6   or investigation; 
 74.7      (3) collateral source information regarding the alleged 
 74.8   maltreatment and care of the child.  Collateral information 
 74.9   includes, when relevant:  (i) a medical examination of the 
 74.10  child; (ii) prior medical records relating to the alleged 
 74.11  maltreatment or the care of the child maintained by any 
 74.12  facility, clinic, or health care professional and an interview 
 74.13  with the treating professionals; and (iii) interviews with the 
 74.14  child's caretakers, including the child's parent, guardian, 
 74.15  foster parent, child care provider, teachers, counselors, family 
 74.16  members, relatives, and other persons who may have knowledge 
 74.17  regarding the alleged maltreatment and the care of the child; 
 74.18  and 
 74.19     (4) information on the existence of domestic abuse and 
 74.20  violence in the home of the child, and substance abuse. 
 74.21     Nothing in this paragraph precludes the local welfare 
 74.22  agency, the local law enforcement agency, or the agency 
 74.23  responsible for assessing or investigating the report from 
 74.24  collecting other relevant information necessary to conduct the 
 74.25  assessment or investigation.  Notwithstanding section 13.384 or 
 74.26  144.335, the local welfare agency has access to medical data and 
 74.27  records for purposes of clause (3).  Notwithstanding the data's 
 74.28  classification in the possession of any other agency, data 
 74.29  acquired by the local welfare agency or the agency responsible 
 74.30  for assessing or investigating the report during the course of 
 74.31  the assessment or investigation are private data on individuals 
 74.32  and must be maintained in accordance with subdivision 11.  Data 
 74.33  of the commissioner of education collected or maintained during 
 74.34  and for the purpose of an investigation of alleged maltreatment 
 74.35  in a school are governed by this section, notwithstanding the 
 74.36  data's classification as educational, licensing, or personnel 
 75.1   data under chapter 13. 
 75.2      In conducting an assessment or investigation involving a 
 75.3   school facility as defined in subdivision 2, paragraph ~~(f)~~ (i), 
 75.4   the commissioner of education shall collect investigative 
 75.5   reports and data that are relevant to a report of maltreatment 
 75.6   and are from local law enforcement and the school facility.  
 75.7      (i) In the initial stages of an assessment or 
 75.8   investigation, the local welfare agency shall conduct a 
 75.9   face-to-face observation of the child reported to be maltreated 
 75.10  and a face-to-face interview of the alleged offender.  At the 
 75.11  initial contact, the local child welfare agency or the agency 
 75.12  responsible for assessing or investigating the report must 
 75.13  inform the alleged offender of the complaints or allegations 
 75.14  made against the individual in a manner consistent with laws 
 75.15  protecting the rights of the person who made the report.  The 
 75.16  interview with the alleged offender may be postponed if it would 
 75.17  jeopardize an active law enforcement investigation. 
 75.18     (j) When conducting an investigation, the local welfare 
 75.19  agency shall use a question and answer interviewing format with 
 75.20  questioning as nondirective as possible to elicit spontaneous 
 75.21  responses.  For investigations only, the following interviewing 
 75.22  methods and procedures must be used whenever possible when 
 75.23  collecting information: 
 75.24     (1) audio recordings of all interviews with witnesses and 
 75.25  collateral sources; and 
 75.26     (2) in cases of alleged sexual abuse, audio-video 
 75.27  recordings of each interview with the alleged victim and child 
 75.28  witnesses.  
 75.29     (k) In conducting an assessment or investigation involving 
 75.30  a school facility as defined in subdivision 2, 
 75.31  paragraph ~~(f)~~ (i), the commissioner of education shall collect 
 75.32  available and relevant information and use the procedures in 
 75.33  paragraphs ~~(h),~~ (i), (k), and ~~(j)~~ subdivision 3d, provided that 
 75.34  the commissioner may also base the assessment or investigation 
 75.35  on investigative reports and data received from the school 
 75.36  facility and local law enforcement, to the extent those 
 76.1   investigations satisfy the requirements of 
 76.2   paragraphs ~~(h),~~ (i), (k), and ~~(j)~~ subdivision 3d. 
 76.3      Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
 76.4   626.556, subdivision 10b, is amended to read: 
 76.5      Subd. 10b.  [DUTIES OF COMMISSIONER; NEGLECT OR ABUSE IN 
 76.6   FACILITY.] (a) This section applies to the commissioners of 
 76.7   human services, health, and education.  The commissioner of the 
 76.8   agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report 
 76.9   shall immediately assess or investigate if the report alleges 
 76.10  that: 
 76.11     (1) a child who is in the care of a facility as defined in 
 76.12  subdivision 2 is neglected, physically abused, sexually abused, 
 76.13  or is the victim of maltreatment in a facility by an individual 
 76.14  in that facility, or has been so neglected or abused, or been 
 76.15  the victim of maltreatment in a facility by an individual in 
 76.16  that facility within the three years preceding the report; or 
 76.17     (2) a child was neglected, physically abused, sexually 
 76.18  abused, or is the victim of maltreatment in a facility by an 
 76.19  individual in a facility defined in subdivision 2, while in the 
 76.20  care of that facility within the three years preceding the 
 76.21  report.  
 76.22     The commissioner of the agency responsible for assessing or 
 76.23  investigating the report shall arrange for the transmittal to 
 76.24  the commissioner of reports received by local agencies and may 
 76.25  delegate to a local welfare agency the duty to investigate 
 76.26  reports.  In conducting an investigation under this section, the 
 76.27  commissioner has the powers and duties specified for local 
 76.28  welfare agencies under this section.  The commissioner of the 
 76.29  agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report or 
 76.30  local welfare agency may interview any children who are or have 
 76.31  been in the care of a facility under investigation and their 
 76.32  parents, guardians, or legal custodians. 
 76.33     (b) Prior to any interview, the commissioner of the agency 
 76.34  responsible for assessing or investigating the report or local 
 76.35  welfare agency shall notify the parent, guardian, or legal 
 76.36  custodian of a child who will be interviewed in the manner 
 77.1   provided for in subdivision 10d, paragraph (a).  If reasonable 
 77.2   efforts to reach the parent, guardian, or legal custodian of a 
 77.3   child in an out-of-home placement have failed, the child may be 
 77.4   interviewed if there is reason to believe the interview is 
 77.5   necessary to protect the child or other children in the 
 77.6   facility.  The commissioner of the agency responsible for 
 77.7   assessing or investigating the report or local agency must 
 77.8   provide the information required in this subdivision to the 
 77.9   parent, guardian, or legal custodian of a child interviewed 
 77.10  without parental notification as soon as possible after the 
 77.11  interview.  When the investigation is completed, any parent, 
 77.12  guardian, or legal custodian notified under this subdivision 
 77.13  shall receive the written memorandum provided for in subdivision 
 77.14  10d, paragraph (c). 
 77.15     (c) In conducting investigations under this subdivision the 
 77.16  commissioner or local welfare agency shall obtain access to 
 77.17  information consistent with subdivision 10, paragraphs (h), (i), 
 77.18  and (j).  In conducting assessments or investigations under this 
 77.19  subdivision, the commissioner of education shall obtain access 
 77.20  to reports and investigative data that are relevant to a report 
 77.21  of maltreatment and are in the possession of a school facility 
 77.22  as defined in subdivision 2, paragraph ~~(f)~~ (i), notwithstanding 
 77.23  the classification of the data as educational or personnel data 
 77.24  under chapter 13.  This includes, but is not limited to, school 
 77.25  investigative reports, information concerning the conduct of 
 77.26  school personnel alleged to have committed maltreatment of 
 77.27  students, information about witnesses, and any protective or 
 77.28  corrective action taken by the school facility regarding the 
 77.29  school personnel alleged to have committed maltreatment. 
 77.30     (d) The commissioner may request assistance from the local 
 77.31  social services agency. 
 77.32     Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
 77.33  626.556, subdivision 10e, is amended to read: 
 77.34     Subd. 10e.  [DETERMINATIONS.] ~~Upon the conclusion of every~~ 
 77.35  ~~assessment or investigation it conducts,~~ (a) After conducting a 
 77.36  family assessment, the local welfare agency shall determine 
 78.1   whether services are needed to address the safety of the child 
 78.2   and other family members, the risk of subsequent maltreatment, 
 78.3   and threats to family and child well being.  
 78.4      (b) After conducting an investigation, the local welfare 
 78.5   agency shall make two determinations:  first, whether 
 78.6   maltreatment has occurred; and second, whether child protective 
 78.7   services are needed.  ~~Upon the conclusion of~~ 
 78.8      (c) If the commissioner of education conducts an assessment 
 78.9   or investigation ~~by~~, the commissioner ~~of education, the~~ 
 78.10  ~~commissioner~~ shall determine whether maltreatment occurred and 
 78.11  what corrective or protective action was taken by the school 
 78.12  facility.  If a determination is made that maltreatment has 
 78.13  occurred, the commissioner shall report to the employer, the 
 78.14  school board, and any appropriate licensing entity the 
 78.15  determination that maltreatment occurred and what corrective or 
 78.16  protective action was taken by the school facility.  In all 
 78.17  other cases, the commissioner shall inform the school board or 
 78.18  employer that a report was received, the subject of the report, 
 78.19  the date of the initial report, the category of maltreatment 
 78.20  alleged as defined in paragraph ~~(a)~~ (d), the fact that 
 78.21  maltreatment was not determined, and a summary of the specific 
 78.22  reasons for the determination.  
 78.23     (d) When maltreatment is determined in an investigation 
 78.24  involving a facility, the investigating agency shall also 
 78.25  determine whether the facility or individual was responsible, or 
 78.26  whether both the facility and the individual were responsible 
 78.27  for the maltreatment using the mitigating factors in 
 78.28  paragraph ~~(d)~~ (h).  Determinations under this subdivision must 
 78.29  be made based on a preponderance of the evidence and are private 
 78.30  data on individuals or nonpublic data as maintained by the 
 78.31  commissioner of education.  
 78.32     ~~(a)~~ (e) For the purposes of this subdivision, "maltreatment"
 78.33  means any of the following acts or omissions: 
 78.34     (1) physical abuse as defined in subdivision 2, paragraph 
 78.35  ~~(d)~~ (g); 
 78.36     (2) neglect as defined in subdivision 2, paragraph ~~(c)~~ (f); 
 79.1      (3) sexual abuse as defined in subdivision 2, paragraph 
 79.2   ~~(a)~~ (d); 
 79.3      (4) mental injury as defined in subdivision 2, paragraph 
 79.4   ~~(k)~~ (m); or 
 79.5      (5) maltreatment of a child in a facility as defined in 
 79.6   subdivision 2, paragraph ~~(f)~~ (i). 
 79.7      ~~(b)~~ (f) For the purposes of this subdivision, a 
 79.8   determination that child protective services are needed means 
 79.9   that the local welfare agency has documented conditions during 
 79.10  the assessment or investigation sufficient to cause a child 
 79.11  protection worker, as defined in section 626.559, subdivision 1, 
 79.12  to conclude that a child is at significant risk of maltreatment 
 79.13  if protective intervention is not provided and that the 
 79.14  individuals responsible for the child's care have not taken or 
 79.15  are not likely to take actions to protect the child from 
 79.16  maltreatment or risk of maltreatment. 
 79.17     ~~(c)~~ (g) This subdivision does not mean that maltreatment 
 79.18  has occurred solely because the child's parent, guardian, or 
 79.19  other person responsible for the child's care in good faith 
 79.20  selects and depends upon spiritual means or prayer for treatment 
 79.21  or care of disease or remedial care of the child, in lieu of 
 79.22  medical care.  However, if lack of medical care may result in 
 79.23  serious danger to the child's health, the local welfare agency 
 79.24  may ensure that necessary medical services are provided to the 
 79.25  child. 
 79.26     ~~(d)~~ (h) When determining whether the facility or individual 
 79.27  is the responsible party for determined maltreatment in a 
 79.28  facility, the investigating agency shall consider at least the 
 79.29  following mitigating factors: 
 79.30     (1) whether the actions of the facility or the individual 
 79.31  caregivers were according to, and followed the terms of, an 
 79.32  erroneous physician order, prescription, individual care plan, 
 79.33  or directive; however, this is not a mitigating factor when the 
 79.34  facility or caregiver was responsible for the issuance of the 
 79.35  erroneous order, prescription, individual care plan, or 
 79.36  directive or knew or should have known of the errors and took no 
 80.1   reasonable measures to correct the defect before administering 
 80.2   care; 
 80.3      (2) comparative responsibility between the facility, other 
 80.4   caregivers, and requirements placed upon an employee, including 
 80.5   the facility's compliance with related regulatory standards and 
 80.6   the adequacy of facility policies and procedures, facility 
 80.7   training, an individual's participation in the training, the 
 80.8   caregiver's supervision, and facility staffing levels and the 
 80.9   scope of the individual employee's authority and discretion; and 
 80.10     (3) whether the facility or individual followed 
 80.11  professional standards in exercising professional judgment. 
 80.12     (i) Individual counties may implement more detailed 
 80.13  definitions or criteria that indicate which allegations to 
 80.14  investigate, as long as a county's policies are consistent with 
 80.15  the definitions in the statutes and rules and are approved by 
 80.16  the county board.  Each local welfare agency shall periodically 
 80.17  inform mandated reporters under subdivision 3 who work in the 
 80.18  county of the definitions of maltreatment in the statutes and 
 80.19  rules and any additional definitions or criteria that have been 
 80.20  approved by the county board. 
 80.21     Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 626.556, 
 80.22  subdivision 10f, is amended to read: 
 80.23     Subd. 10f.  [NOTICE OF DETERMINATIONS.] Within ten working 
 80.24  days of the conclusion of a family assessment, the local welfare 
 80.25  agency shall notify the parent or guardian of the child of the 
 80.26  need for services to address child safety concerns or 
 80.27  significant risk of subsequent child maltreatment.  The local 
 80.28  welfare agency and the family may also jointly agree that family 
 80.29  support and family preservation services are needed.  Within ten 
 80.30  working days of the conclusion of an ~~assessment~~ investigation, 
 80.31  the local welfare agency or agency responsible for assessing or 
 80.32  investigating the report shall notify the parent or guardian of 
 80.33  the child, the person determined to be maltreating the child, 
 80.34  and if applicable, the director of the facility, of the 
 80.35  determination and a summary of the specific reasons for the 
 80.36  determination.  The notice must also include a certification 
 81.1   that the information collection procedures under subdivision 10, 
 81.2   paragraphs (h), (i), and (j), were followed and a notice of the 
 81.3   right of a data subject to obtain access to other private data 
 81.4   on the subject collected, created, or maintained under this 
 81.5   section.  In addition, the notice shall include the length of 
 81.6   time that the records will be kept under subdivision 11c.  The 
 81.7   investigating agency shall notify the parent or guardian of the 
 81.8   child who is the subject of the report, and any person or 
 81.9   facility determined to have maltreated a child, of their appeal 
 81.10  or review rights under this section or section 256.022. 
 81.11     Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
 81.12  626.556, subdivision 10i, is amended to read: 
 81.13     Subd. 10i.  [ADMINISTRATIVE RECONSIDERATION OF FINAL 
 81.14  DETERMINATION OF MALTREATMENT AND DISQUALIFICATION BASED ON 
 81.15  SERIOUS OR RECURRING MALTREATMENT; REVIEW PANEL.] 
 81.16  (a) Administrative reconsideration is not applicable in family 
 81.17  assessments since no determination concerning maltreatment is 
 81.18  made.  For investigations, except as provided under paragraph 
 81.19  (e), an individual or facility that the commissioner of human 
 81.20  services, a local social service agency, or the commissioner of 
 81.21  education determines has maltreated a child, an interested 
 81.22  person acting on behalf of the child, regardless of the 
 81.23  determination, who contests the investigating agency's final 
 81.24  determination regarding maltreatment, may request the 
 81.25  investigating agency to reconsider its final determination 
 81.26  regarding maltreatment.  The request for reconsideration must be 
 81.27  submitted in writing to the investigating agency within 15 
 81.28  calendar days after receipt of notice of the final determination 
 81.29  regarding maltreatment or, if the request is made by an 
 81.30  interested person who is not entitled to notice, within 15 days 
 81.31  after receipt of the notice by the parent or guardian of the 
 81.32  child.  Effective January 1, 2002, an individual who was 
 81.33  determined to have maltreated a child under this section and who 
 81.34  was disqualified on the basis of serious or recurring 
 81.35  maltreatment under sections 245C.14 and 245C.15, may request 
 81.36  reconsideration of the maltreatment determination and the 
 82.1   disqualification.  The request for reconsideration of the 
 82.2   maltreatment determination and the disqualification must be 
 82.3   submitted within 30 calendar days of the individual's receipt of 
 82.4   the notice of disqualification under sections 245C.16 and 
 82.5   245C.17. 
 82.6      (b) Except as provided under paragraphs (e) and (f), if the 
 82.7   investigating agency denies the request or fails to act upon the 
 82.8   request within 15 calendar days after receiving the request for 
 82.9   reconsideration, the person or facility entitled to a fair 
 82.10  hearing under section 256.045 may submit to the commissioner of 
 82.11  human services or the commissioner of education a written 
 82.12  request for a hearing under that section.  Section 256.045 also 
 82.13  governs hearings requested to contest a final determination of 
 82.14  the commissioner of education.  For reports involving 
 82.15  maltreatment of a child in a facility, an interested person 
 82.16  acting on behalf of the child may request a review by the Child 
 82.17  Maltreatment Review Panel under section 256.022 if the 
 82.18  investigating agency denies the request or fails to act upon the 
 82.19  request or if the interested person contests a reconsidered 
 82.20  determination.  The investigating agency shall notify persons 
 82.21  who request reconsideration of their rights under this 
 82.22  paragraph.  The request must be submitted in writing to the 
 82.23  review panel and a copy sent to the investigating agency within 
 82.24  30 calendar days of receipt of notice of a denial of a request 
 82.25  for reconsideration or of a reconsidered determination.  The 
 82.26  request must specifically identify the aspects of the agency 
 82.27  determination with which the person is dissatisfied. 
 82.28     (c) If, as a result of a reconsideration or review, the 
 82.29  investigating agency changes the final determination of 
 82.30  maltreatment, that agency shall notify the parties specified in 
 82.31  subdivisions 10b, 10d, and 10f. 
 82.32     (d) Except as provided under paragraph (f), if an 
 82.33  individual or facility contests the investigating agency's final 
 82.34  determination regarding maltreatment by requesting a fair 
 82.35  hearing under section 256.045, the commissioner of human 
 82.36  services shall assure that the hearing is conducted and a 
 83.1   decision is reached within 90 days of receipt of the request for 
 83.2   a hearing.  The time for action on the decision may be extended 
 83.3   for as many days as the hearing is postponed or the record is 
 83.4   held open for the benefit of either party. 
 83.5      (e) Effective January 1, 2002, if an individual was 
 83.6   disqualified under sections 245C.14 and 245C.15, on the basis of 
 83.7   a determination of maltreatment, which was serious or recurring, 
 83.8   and the individual has requested reconsideration of the 
 83.9   maltreatment determination under paragraph (a) and requested 
 83.10  reconsideration of the disqualification under sections 245C.21 
 83.11  to 245C.27, reconsideration of the maltreatment determination 
 83.12  and reconsideration of the disqualification shall be 
 83.13  consolidated into a single reconsideration.  If reconsideration 
 83.14  of the maltreatment determination is denied or the 
 83.15  disqualification is not set aside or rescinded under sections 
 83.16  245C.21 to 245C.27, the individual may request a fair hearing 
 83.17  under section 256.045.  If an individual requests a fair hearing 
 83.18  on the maltreatment determination and the disqualification, the 
 83.19  scope of the fair hearing shall include both the maltreatment 
 83.20  determination and the disqualification. 
 83.21     (f) Effective January 1, 2002, if a maltreatment 
 83.22  determination or a disqualification based on serious or 
 83.23  recurring maltreatment is the basis for a denial of a license 
 83.24  under section 245A.05 or a licensing sanction under section 
 83.25  245A.07, the license holder has the right to a contested case 
 83.26  hearing under chapter 14 and Minnesota Rules, parts 1400.8510 to 
 83.27  1400.8612 and successor rules.  As provided for under section 
 83.28  245A.08, subdivision 2a, the scope of the contested case hearing 
 83.29  shall include the maltreatment determination, disqualification, 
 83.30  and licensing sanction or denial of a license.  In such cases, a 
 83.31  fair hearing regarding the maltreatment determination shall not 
 83.32  be conducted under paragraph (b).  If the disqualified subject 
 83.33  is an individual other than the license holder and upon whom a 
 83.34  background study must be conducted under chapter 245C, the 
 83.35  hearings of all parties may be consolidated into a single 
 83.36  contested case hearing upon consent of all parties and the 
 84.1   administrative law judge. 
 84.2      (g) For purposes of this subdivision, "interested person 
 84.3   acting on behalf of the child" means a parent or legal guardian; 
 84.4   stepparent; grandparent; guardian ad litem; adult stepbrother, 
 84.5   stepsister, or sibling; or adult aunt or uncle; unless the 
 84.6   person has been determined to be the perpetrator of the 
 84.7   maltreatment. 
 84.8      Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 626.556, is 
 84.9   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 84.10     Subd. 10l.  [DOCUMENTATION.] When a case is closed that has 
 84.11  been open for services, the local welfare agency shall document 
 84.12  the outcome of the family assessment or investigation, including 
 84.13  a description of services provided and the removal or reduction 
 84.14  of risk to the child, if it existed. 
 84.15     Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
 84.16  626.556, subdivision 11, is amended to read: 
 84.17     Subd. 11.  [RECORDS.] (a) Except as provided in paragraph 
 84.18  (b) or (d) and subdivisions 10b, 10d, 10g, and 11b, all records 
 84.19  concerning individuals maintained by a local welfare agency or 
 84.20  agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report 
 84.21  under this section, including any written reports filed under 
 84.22  subdivision 7, shall be private data on individuals, except 
 84.23  insofar as copies of reports are required by subdivision 7 to be 
 84.24  sent to the local police department or the county sheriff.  All 
 84.25  records concerning determinations of maltreatment by a facility 
 84.26  are nonpublic data as maintained by the Department of Education, 
 84.27  except insofar as copies of reports are required by subdivision 
 84.28  7 to be sent to the local police department or the county 
 84.29  sheriff.  Reports maintained by any police department or the 
 84.30  county sheriff shall be private data on individuals except the 
 84.31  reports shall be made available to the investigating, 
 84.32  petitioning, or prosecuting authority, including county medical 
 84.33  examiners or county coroners.  Section 13.82, subdivisions 8, 9, 
 84.34  and 14, apply to law enforcement data other than the reports.  
 84.35  The local social services agency or agency responsible for 
 84.36  assessing or investigating the report shall make available to 
 85.1   the investigating, petitioning, or prosecuting authority, 
 85.2   including county medical examiners or county coroners or their 
 85.3   professional delegates, any records which contain information 
 85.4   relating to a specific incident of neglect or abuse which is 
 85.5   under investigation, petition, or prosecution and information 
 85.6   relating to any prior incidents of neglect or abuse involving 
 85.7   any of the same persons.  The records shall be collected and 
 85.8   maintained in accordance with the provisions of chapter 13.  In 
 85.9   conducting investigations and assessments pursuant to this 
 85.10  section, the notice required by section 13.04, subdivision 2, 
 85.11  need not be provided to a minor under the age of ten who is the 
 85.12  alleged victim of abuse or neglect.  An individual subject of a 
 85.13  record shall have access to the record in accordance with those 
 85.14  sections, except that the name of the reporter shall be 
 85.15  confidential while the report is under assessment or 
 85.16  investigation except as otherwise permitted by this 
 85.17  subdivision.  Any person conducting an investigation or 
 85.18  assessment under this section who intentionally discloses the 
 85.19  identity of a reporter prior to the completion of the 
 85.20  investigation or assessment is guilty of a misdemeanor.  After 
 85.21  the assessment or investigation is completed, the name of the 
 85.22  reporter shall be confidential.  The subject of the report may 
 85.23  compel disclosure of the name of the reporter only with the 
 85.24  consent of the reporter or upon a written finding by the court 
 85.25  that the report was false and that there is evidence that the 
 85.26  report was made in bad faith.  This subdivision does not alter 
 85.27  disclosure responsibilities or obligations under the Rules of 
 85.28  Criminal Procedure. 
 85.29     (b) Upon request of the legislative auditor, data on 
 85.30  individuals maintained under this section must be released to 
 85.31  the legislative auditor in order for the auditor to fulfill the 
 85.32  auditor's duties under section 3.971.  The auditor shall 
 85.33  maintain the data in accordance with chapter 13.  
 85.34     (c) The commissioner of education must be provided with all 
 85.35  requested data that are relevant to a report of maltreatment and 
 85.36  are in possession of a school facility as defined in subdivision 
 86.1   2, paragraph ~~(f)~~ (i), when the data is requested pursuant to an 
 86.2   assessment or investigation of a maltreatment report of a 
 86.3   student in a school.  If the commissioner of education makes a 
 86.4   determination of maltreatment involving an individual performing 
 86.5   work within a school facility who is licensed by a board or 
 86.6   other agency, the commissioner shall provide necessary and 
 86.7   relevant information to the licensing entity to enable the 
 86.8   entity to fulfill its statutory duties.  Notwithstanding section 
 86.9   13.03, subdivision 4, data received by a licensing entity under 
 86.10  this paragraph are governed by section 13.41 or other applicable 
 86.11  law governing data of the receiving entity, except that this 
 86.12  section applies to the classification of and access to data on 
 86.13  the reporter of the maltreatment. 
 86.14     (d) The investigating agency shall exchange not public data 
 86.15  with the Child Maltreatment Review Panel under section 256.022 
 86.16  if the data are pertinent and necessary for a review requested 
 86.17  under section 256.022.  Upon completion of the review, the not 
 86.18  public data received by the review panel must be returned to the 
 86.19  investigating agency. 
 86.20     Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 626.556, 
 86.21  subdivision 11c, is amended to read: 
 86.22     Subd. 11c.  [WELFARE, COURT SERVICES AGENCY, AND SCHOOL 
 86.23  RECORDS MAINTAINED.] Notwithstanding sections 138.163 and 
 86.24  138.17, records maintained or records derived from reports of 
 86.25  abuse by local welfare agencies, agencies responsible for 
 86.26  assessing or investigating the report, court services agencies, 
 86.27  or schools under this section shall be destroyed as provided in 
 86.28  paragraphs (a) to (d) by the responsible authority. 
 86.29     (a) ~~If upon~~ For family assessment ~~or~~ cases and cases where 
 86.30  an investigation ~~there is~~ results in no determination of 
 86.31  maltreatment or the need for child protective services, 
 86.32  the assessment or investigation records must be maintained for a 
 86.33  period of four years.  Records under this paragraph may not be 
 86.34  used for employment, background checks, or purposes other than 
 86.35  to assist in future risk and safety assessments. 
 86.36     (b) All records relating to reports which, upon ~~assessment~~ 
 87.1   ~~or~~ investigation, indicate either maltreatment or a need for 
 87.2   child protective services shall be maintained for at least ten 
 87.3   years after the date of the final entry in the case record. 
 87.4      (c) All records regarding a report of maltreatment, 
 87.5   including any notification of intent to interview which was 
 87.6   received by a school under subdivision 10, paragraph (d), shall 
 87.7   be destroyed by the school when ordered to do so by the agency 
 87.8   conducting the assessment or investigation.  The agency shall 
 87.9   order the destruction of the notification when other records 
 87.10  relating to the report under investigation or assessment are 
 87.11  destroyed under this subdivision. 
 87.12     (d) Private or confidential data released to a court 
 87.13  services agency under subdivision 10h must be destroyed by the 
 87.14  court services agency when ordered to do so by the local welfare 
 87.15  agency that released the data.  The local welfare agency or 
 87.16  agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report 
 87.17  shall order destruction of the data when other records relating 
 87.18  to the assessment or investigation are destroyed under this 
 87.19  subdivision. 
 87.20     Sec. 13.  [REPEALER.] 
 87.21     (a) Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 626.5551, subdivisions 
 87.22  1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, are repealed. 
 87.23     (b) Minnesota Rules, part 9560.0220, subpart 6, item B, is 
 87.24  repealed. 
 87.25                             ARTICLE 4 
 87.26                         ECONOMIC SUPPORTS 
 87.27     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 256D.06, 
 87.28  subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
 87.29     Subd. 5.  [ELIGIBILITY; REQUIREMENTS.] (a) Any applicant, 
 87.30  otherwise eligible for general assistance and possibly eligible 
 87.31  for maintenance benefits from any other source shall ~~(a)~~ (1) 
 87.32  make application for those benefits within 30 days of the 
 87.33  general assistance application; and ~~(b)~~ (2) execute an interim 
 87.34  assistance ~~authorization~~ agreement on a form as directed by the 
 87.35  commissioner.  
 87.36     (b) The commissioner shall review a denial of an 
 88.1   application for other maintenance benefits and may require a 
 88.2   recipient of general assistance to file an appeal of the denial 
 88.3   if appropriate.  If found eligible for benefits from other 
 88.4   sources, and a payment received from another source relates to 
 88.5   the period during which general assistance was also being 
 88.6   received, the recipient shall be required to reimburse the 
 88.7   county agency for the interim assistance paid.  Reimbursement 
 88.8   shall not exceed the amount of general assistance paid during 
 88.9   the time period to which the other maintenance benefits apply 
 88.10  and shall not exceed the state standard applicable to that time 
 88.11  period.  ~~The commissioner shall adopt rules authorizing county~~ 
 88.12  ~~agencies or other client representatives to retain from the~~ 
 88.13  ~~amount recovered under an interim assistance agreement 25~~ 
 88.14  ~~percent plus actual reasonable fees, costs, and disbursements of~~ 
 88.15  ~~appeals and litigation, of providing special assistance to the~~ 
 88.16  ~~recipient in processing the recipient's claim for maintenance~~ 
 88.17  ~~benefits from another source.  The money retained under this~~ 
 88.18  ~~section shall be from the state share of the recovery.  The~~ 
 88.19  ~~commissioner or the county agency may contract with qualified~~ 
 88.20  ~~persons to provide the special assistance.~~  
 88.21     (c) The commissioner may contract with qualified agencies, 
 88.22  organizations, or persons to provide advocacy and support 
 88.23  services to process claims for federal disability benefits for 
 88.24  recipients of services or benefits supervised by the 
 88.25  commissioner. 
 88.26     (1) For interim assistance recipients, the commissioner may 
 88.27  contract with county agencies or other client representatives to 
 88.28  retain from the amount recovered under an interim assistance 
 88.29  agreement 25 percent plus actual reasonable fees, costs, and 
 88.30  disbursements of appeals and litigation, and for providing 
 88.31  advocacy and support services.  The money retained under this 
 88.32  clause shall be from the state's share of the recovery. 
 88.33     (2) For other recipients, to the extent funds are 
 88.34  available, the commissioner may reimburse client representatives 
 88.35  for actual reasonable fees, costs, and disbursements of appeals 
 88.36  and litigation, and for providing advocacy and support services. 
 89.1      (d) The ~~rules adopted by the~~ commissioner ~~shall include the~~ 
 89.2   may provide methods ~~by which~~ for county agencies ~~shall~~ to 
 89.3   identify, refer, and assist recipients who may be eligible for 
 89.4   benefits under federal programs for the disabled.  ~~This~~ 
 89.5   ~~subdivision does not require repayment of per diem payments made~~ 
 89.6   ~~to shelters for battered women pursuant to section 256D.05,~~ 
 89.7   ~~subdivision 3.~~ 
 89.8      Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
 89.9   256J.40, is amended to read: 
 89.10     256J.40 [FAIR HEARINGS.] 
 89.11     Caregivers receiving a notice of ~~intent to sanction or a~~ 
 89.12  ~~notice of~~ adverse action that includes a sanction, reduction in 
 89.13  benefits, suspension of benefits, denial of benefits, or 
 89.14  termination of benefits may request a fair hearing.  A request 
 89.15  for a fair hearing must be submitted in writing to the county 
 89.16  agency or to the commissioner and must be mailed within 30 days 
 89.17  after a participant or former participant receives written 
 89.18  notice of the agency's action or within 90 days when a 
 89.19  participant or former participant shows good cause for not 
 89.20  submitting the request within 30 days.  A former participant who 
 89.21  receives a notice of adverse action due to an overpayment may 
 89.22  appeal the adverse action according to the requirements in this 
 89.23  section.  Issues that may be appealed are: 
 89.24     (1) the amount of the assistance payment; 
 89.25     (2) a suspension, reduction, denial, or termination of 
 89.26  assistance; 
 89.27     (3) the basis for an overpayment, the calculated amount of 
 89.28  an overpayment, and the level of recoupment; 
 89.29     (4) the eligibility for an assistance payment; and 
 89.30     (5) the use of protective or vendor payments under section 
 89.31  256J.39~~, subdivision 2, clauses (1) to (3)~~. 
 89.32     Except for benefits issued under section 256J.95, a county 
 89.33  agency must not reduce, suspend, or terminate payment when an 
 89.34  aggrieved participant requests a fair hearing prior to the 
 89.35  effective date of the adverse action or within ten days of the 
 89.36  mailing of the notice of adverse action, whichever is later, 
 90.1   unless the participant requests in writing not to receive 
 90.2   continued assistance pending a hearing decision.  An appeal 
 90.3   request cannot extend benefits for the diversionary work program 
 90.4   under section 256J.95 beyond the four-month time limit.  
 90.5   Assistance issued pending a fair hearing is subject to recovery 
 90.6   under section 256J.38 when as a result of the fair hearing 
 90.7   decision the participant is determined ineligible for assistance 
 90.8   or the amount of the assistance received.  A county agency may 
 90.9   increase or reduce an assistance payment while an appeal is 
 90.10  pending when the circumstances of the participant change and are 
 90.11  not related to the issue on appeal.  The commissioner's order is 
 90.12  binding on a county agency.  No additional notice is required to 
 90.13  enforce the commissioner's order. 
 90.14     A county agency shall reimburse appellants for reasonable 
 90.15  and necessary expenses of attendance at the hearing, such as 
 90.16  child care and transportation costs and for the transportation 
 90.17  expenses of the appellant's witnesses and representatives to and 
 90.18  from the hearing.  Reasonable and necessary expenses do not 
 90.19  include legal fees.  Fair hearings must be conducted at a 
 90.20  reasonable time and date by an impartial referee employed by the 
 90.21  department.  The hearing may be conducted by telephone or at a 
 90.22  site that is readily accessible to persons with disabilities. 
 90.23     The appellant may introduce new or additional evidence 
 90.24  relevant to the issues on appeal.  Recommendations of the 
 90.25  appeals referee and decisions of the commissioner must be based 
 90.26  on evidence in the hearing record and are not limited to a 
 90.27  review of the county agency action. 
 90.28     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
 90.29  256J.425, subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
 90.30     Subd. 7.  [STATUS OF DISQUALIFIED PARTICIPANTS.] (a) An 
 90.31  assistance unit that is disqualified under subdivision 6, 
 90.32  paragraph (a), may be approved for MFIP if the participant 
 90.33  complies with MFIP program requirements and demonstrates 
 90.34  compliance for up to one month.  No assistance shall be paid 
 90.35  during this period. 
 90.36     (b) An assistance unit that is disqualified under 
 91.1   subdivision 6, paragraph (a), and that reapplies under paragraph 
 91.2   (a) is subject to sanction under section 256J.46, subdivision 1, 
 91.3   paragraph (c), clause ~~(1)~~ (2), for a first occurrence of 
 91.4   noncompliance.  A subsequent occurrence of noncompliance results 
 91.5   in a permanent disqualification. 
 91.6      (c) If one participant in a two-parent assistance unit 
 91.7   receiving assistance under a hardship extension under 
 91.8   subdivision 3 or 4 is determined to be out of compliance with 
 91.9   the employment and training services requirements under sections 
 91.10  256J.521 to 256J.57, the county shall give the assistance unit 
 91.11  the option of disqualifying the noncompliant participant from 
 91.12  MFIP.  In that case, the assistance unit shall be treated as a 
 91.13  one-parent assistance unit for the purposes of meeting the work 
 91.14  requirements under subdivision 4 and the assistance unit's MFIP 
 91.15  grant shall be calculated using the shared household standard 
 91.16  under section 256J.08, subdivision 82a.  An applicant who is 
 91.17  disqualified from receiving assistance under this paragraph may 
 91.18  reapply under paragraph (a).  If a participant is disqualified 
 91.19  from MFIP under this subdivision a second time, the participant 
 91.20  is permanently disqualified from MFIP. 
 91.21     (d) Prior to a disqualification under this subdivision, a 
 91.22  county agency must review the participant's case to determine if 
 91.23  the employment plan is still appropriate and attempt to meet 
 91.24  with the participant face-to-face.  If a face-to-face meeting is 
 91.25  not conducted, the county agency must send the participant a 
 91.26  notice of adverse action as provided in section 256J.31.  During 
 91.27  the face-to-face meeting, the county agency must: 
 91.28     (1) determine whether the continued noncompliance can be 
 91.29  explained and mitigated by providing a needed preemployment 
 91.30  activity, as defined in section 256J.49, subdivision 13, clause 
 91.31  (9); 
 91.32     (2) determine whether the participant qualifies for a good 
 91.33  cause exception under section 256J.57; 
 91.34     (3) inform the participant of the family violence waiver 
 91.35  criteria and make appropriate referrals if the waiver is 
 91.36  requested; 
 92.1      (4) inform the participant of the participant's sanction 
 92.2   status and explain the consequences of continuing noncompliance; 
 92.3      (5) identify other resources that may be available to the 
 92.4   participant to meet the needs of the family; and 
 92.5      (6) inform the participant of the right to appeal under 
 92.6   section 256J.40. 
 92.7      Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
 92.8   256J.46, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 92.9      Subdivision 1.  [PARTICIPANTS NOT COMPLYING WITH PROGRAM 
 92.10  REQUIREMENTS.] (a) A participant who fails without good cause 
 92.11  under section 256J.57 to comply with the requirements of this 
 92.12  chapter, and who is not subject to a sanction under subdivision 
 92.13  2, shall be subject to a sanction as provided in this 
 92.14  subdivision.  Prior to the imposition of a sanction, a county 
 92.15  agency shall provide ~~a notice of intent to sanction under~~ 
 92.16  ~~section 256J.57, subdivision 2, and, when applicable,~~ a notice 
 92.17  of adverse action as provided in section 256J.31. 
 92.18     (b) A sanction under this subdivision becomes effective the 
 92.19  month following the month in which a required notice is given.  
 92.20  A sanction must not be imposed when a participant comes into 
 92.21  compliance with the requirements for orientation under section 
 92.22  256J.45 prior to the effective date of the sanction.  A sanction 
 92.23  must not be imposed when a participant comes into compliance 
 92.24  with the requirements for employment and training services under 
 92.25  sections 256J.515 to 256J.57 ten days prior to the effective 
 92.26  date of the sanction.  For purposes of this subdivision, each 
 92.27  month that a participant fails to comply with a requirement of 
 92.28  this chapter shall be considered a separate occurrence of 
 92.29  noncompliance.  If both participants in a two-parent assistance 
 92.30  unit are out of compliance at the same time, it is considered 
 92.31  one occurrence of noncompliance.  
 92.32     (c) Sanctions for noncompliance shall be imposed as follows:
 92.33     (1) For the first occurrence of noncompliance by a 
 92.34  participant in an assistance unit, the assistance unit's grant 
 92.35  shall be reduced by ten percent of the MFIP standard of need for 
 92.36  an assistance unit of the same size with the residual grant paid 
 93.1   to the participant.  The reduction in the grant amount must be 
 93.2   in effect for a minimum of one month and shall be removed in the 
 93.3   month following the month that the participant returns to 
 93.4   compliance.  
 93.5      (2) For a second, third, fourth, fifth, or sixth occurrence 
 93.6   of noncompliance by a participant in an assistance unit, the 
 93.7   assistance unit's shelter costs shall be vendor paid up to the 
 93.8   amount of the cash portion of the MFIP grant for which the 
 93.9   assistance unit is eligible.  At county option, the assistance 
 93.10  unit's utilities may also be vendor paid up to the amount of the 
 93.11  cash portion of the MFIP grant remaining after vendor payment of 
 93.12  the assistance unit's shelter costs.  The residual amount of the 
 93.13  grant after vendor payment, if any, must be reduced by an amount 
 93.14  equal to 30 percent of the MFIP standard of need for an 
 93.15  assistance unit of the same size before the residual grant is 
 93.16  paid to the assistance unit.  The reduction in the grant amount 
 93.17  must be in effect for a minimum of one month and shall be 
 93.18  removed in the month following the month that the participant in 
 93.19  a one-parent assistance unit returns to compliance.  In a 
 93.20  two-parent assistance unit, the grant reduction must be in 
 93.21  effect for a minimum of one month and shall be removed in the 
 93.22  month following the month both participants return to 
 93.23  compliance.  The vendor payment of shelter costs and, if 
 93.24  applicable, utilities shall be removed six months after the 
 93.25  month in which the participant or participants return to 
 93.26  compliance.  If an assistance unit is sanctioned under this 
 93.27  clause, the participant's case file must be reviewed to 
 93.28  determine if the employment plan is still appropriate. 
 93.29     (d) For a seventh occurrence of noncompliance by a 
 93.30  participant in an assistance unit, or when the participants in a 
 93.31  two-parent assistance unit have a total of seven occurrences of 
 93.32  noncompliance, the county agency shall close the MFIP assistance 
 93.33  unit's financial assistance case, both the cash and food 
 93.34  portions.  The case must remain closed for a minimum of one full 
 93.35  month.  Closure under this paragraph does not make a participant 
 93.36  automatically ineligible for food support, if otherwise eligible.
 94.1   Before the case is closed, the county agency must review the 
 94.2   participant's case to determine if the employment plan is still 
 94.3   appropriate and attempt to meet with the participant 
 94.4   face-to-face.  The participant may bring an advocate to the 
 94.5   face-to-face meeting.  If a face-to-face meeting is not 
 94.6   conducted, the county agency must send the participant a written 
 94.7   notice that includes the information required under clause (1). 
 94.8      (1) During the face-to-face meeting, the county agency must:
 94.9      (i) determine whether the continued noncompliance can be 
 94.10  explained and mitigated by providing a needed preemployment 
 94.11  activity, as defined in section 256J.49, subdivision 13, clause 
 94.12  (9); 
 94.13     (ii) determine whether the participant qualifies for a good 
 94.14  cause exception under section 256J.57, or if the sanction is for 
 94.15  noncooperation with child support requirements, determine if the 
 94.16  participant qualifies for a good cause exemption under section 
 94.17  256.741, subdivision 10; 
 94.18     (iii) determine whether the participant ~~qualifies~~ qualified 
 94.19  for an exemption under section 256J.56 or the work activities in 
 94.20  the employment plan are appropriate based on the criteria in 
 94.21  section 256J.521, subdivision 2 or 3; 
 94.22     (iv) determine whether the participant qualifies for the 
 94.23  family violence waiver; 
 94.24     (v) inform the participant of the participant's sanction 
 94.25  status and explain the consequences of continuing noncompliance; 
 94.26     (vi) identify other resources that may be available to the 
 94.27  participant to meet the needs of the family; and 
 94.28     (vii) inform the participant of the right to appeal under 
 94.29  section 256J.40. 
 94.30     (2) If the lack of an identified activity or service can 
 94.31  explain the noncompliance, the county must work with the 
 94.32  participant to provide the identified activity. 
 94.33     (3) The grant must be restored to the full amount for which 
 94.34  the assistance unit is eligible retroactively to the first day 
 94.35  of the month in which the participant was found to lack 
 94.36  preemployment activities or to ~~qualify~~ have qualified for an 
 95.1   exemption under section 256J.56, a family violence waiver, or 
 95.2   for a good cause exemption under section 256.741, subdivision 
 95.3   10, or 256J.57. 
 95.4      (e) For the purpose of applying sanctions under this 
 95.5   section, only occurrences of noncompliance that occur after July 
 95.6   1, 2003, shall be considered.  If the participant is in 30 
 95.7   percent sanction in the month this section takes effect, that 
 95.8   month counts as the first occurrence for purposes of applying 
 95.9   the sanctions under this section, but the sanction shall remain 
 95.10  at 30 percent for that month. 
 95.11     (f) An assistance unit whose case is closed under paragraph 
 95.12  (d) or (g), may reapply for MFIP and shall be eligible if the 
 95.13  participant complies with MFIP program requirements and 
 95.14  demonstrates compliance for up to one month.  No assistance 
 95.15  shall be paid during this period. 
 95.16     (g) An assistance unit whose case has been closed for 
 95.17  noncompliance, that reapplies under paragraph (f), is subject to 
 95.18  sanction under paragraph (c), clause (2), for a first occurrence 
 95.19  of noncompliance.  Any subsequent occurrence of noncompliance 
 95.20  shall result in case closure under paragraph (d). 
 95.21     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
 95.22  256J.521, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 95.23     Subd. 2.  [EMPLOYMENT PLAN; CONTENTS.] (a) Based on the 
 95.24  assessment under subdivision 1, the job counselor and the 
 95.25  participant must develop an employment plan that includes 
 95.26  participation in activities and hours that meet the requirements 
 95.27  of section 256J.55, subdivision 1.  The purpose of the 
 95.28  employment plan is to identify for each participant the most 
 95.29  direct path to unsubsidized employment and any subsequent steps 
 95.30  that support long-term economic stability.  The employment plan 
 95.31  should be developed using the highest level of activity 
 95.32  appropriate for the participant.  Activities must be chosen from 
 95.33  clauses (1) to (6), which are listed in order of preference.  
 95.34  The employment plan must also list the specific steps the 
 95.35  participant will take to obtain employment, including steps 
 95.36  necessary for the participant to progress from one level of 
 96.1   activity to another, and a timetable for completion of each 
 96.2   step.  Levels of activity include: 
 96.3      (1) unsubsidized employment; 
 96.4      (2) job search; 
 96.5      (3) subsidized employment or unpaid work experience; 
 96.6      (4) unsubsidized employment and job readiness education or 
 96.7   job skills training; 
 96.8      (5) unsubsidized employment or unpaid work experience and 
 96.9   activities related to a family violence waiver or preemployment 
 96.10  needs; and 
 96.11     (6) activities related to a family violence waiver or 
 96.12  preemployment needs. 
 96.13     (b) Participants who are determined to possess sufficient 
 96.14  skills such that the participant is likely to succeed in 
 96.15  obtaining unsubsidized employment must job search at least 30 
 96.16  hours per week for up to six weeks and accept any offer of 
 96.17  suitable employment.  The remaining hours necessary to meet the 
 96.18  requirements of section 256J.55, subdivision 1, may be met 
 96.19  through participation in other work activities under section 
 96.20  256J.49, subdivision 13.  The participant's employment plan must 
 96.21  specify, at a minimum:  (1) whether the job search is supervised 
 96.22  or unsupervised; (2) support services that will be provided; and 
 96.23  (3) how frequently the participant must report to the job 
 96.24  counselor.  Participants who are unable to find suitable 
 96.25  employment after six weeks must meet with the job counselor to 
 96.26  determine whether other activities in paragraph (a) should be 
 96.27  incorporated into the employment plan. 
 96.28     (c) All job search activities ~~which are continued after six~~ 
 96.29  ~~weeks~~ must be structured and supervised. 
 96.30     ~~(c)~~ (d) Beginning July 1, 2004, activities and hourly 
 96.31  requirements in the employment plan may be adjusted as necessary 
 96.32  to accommodate the personal and family circumstances of 
 96.33  participants identified under section 256J.561, subdivision 2, 
 96.34  paragraph (d).  Participants who no longer meet the provisions 
 96.35  of section 256J.561, subdivision 2, paragraph (d), must meet 
 96.36  with the job counselor within ten days of the determination to 
 97.1   revise the employment plan. 
 97.2      ~~(d)~~ (e) Participants who are determined to have barriers to 
 97.3   obtaining or retaining employment that will not be overcome 
 97.4   during six weeks of job search under paragraph (b) must work 
 97.5   with the job counselor to develop an employment plan that 
 97.6   addresses those barriers by incorporating appropriate activities 
 97.7   from paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (6).  The employment plan 
 97.8   must include enough hours to meet the participation requirements 
 97.9   in section 256J.55, subdivision 1, unless a compelling reason to 
 97.10  require fewer hours is noted in the participant's file. 
 97.11     ~~(e)~~ (f) The job counselor and the participant must sign the 
 97.12  employment plan to indicate agreement on the contents.  Failure 
 97.13  to develop or comply with activities in the plan, or voluntarily 
 97.14  quitting suitable employment without good cause, will result in 
 97.15  the imposition of a sanction under section 256J.46. 
 97.16     ~~(f)~~ (g) Employment plans must be reviewed at least every 
 97.17  three months to determine whether activities and hourly 
 97.18  requirements should be revised. 
 97.19     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
 97.20  256J.626, subdivision 6, is amended to read: 
 97.21     Subd. 6.  [BASE ALLOCATION TO COUNTIES AND TRIBES.] (a) For 
 97.22  purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings 
 97.23  given them: 
 97.24     (1) "2002 historic spending base" means the commissioner's 
 97.25  determination of the sum of the reimbursement related to fiscal 
 97.26  year 2002 of county or tribal agency expenditures for the base 
 97.27  programs listed in clause ~~(4)~~ (5), items (i) through (iv), and 
 97.28  earnings related to calendar year 2002 in the base program 
 97.29  listed in clause ~~(4)~~ (5), item (v), and the amount of spending 
 97.30  in fiscal year 2002 in the base program listed in 
 97.31  clause ~~(4)~~ (5), item (vi), issued to or on behalf of persons 
 97.32  residing in the county or tribal service delivery area. 
 97.33     (2) "Caseload factor" means a factor weighted 47 percent on 
 97.34  the MFIP cases in each county at four points in time in the 
 97.35  previous state fiscal year and 53 percent on the count of adults 
 97.36  on MFIP in each county and tribe at four points in time in the 
 98.1   previous state fiscal year. 
 98.2      (3) "Initial allocation" means the amount potentially 
 98.3   available to each county or tribe based on the formula in 
 98.4   paragraphs (b) through ~~(d)~~ (f). 
 98.5      ~~(3)~~ (4) "Final allocation" means the amount available to 
 98.6   each county or tribe based on the formula in paragraphs (b) 
 98.7   through ~~(d)~~ (e), after adjustment by subdivision 7. 
 98.8      ~~(4)~~ (5) "Base programs" means the: 
 98.9      (i) MFIP employment and training services under Minnesota 
 98.10  Statutes 2002, section 256J.62, subdivision 1, in effect June 
 98.11  30, 2002; 
 98.12     (ii) bilingual employment and training services to refugees 
 98.13  under Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 256J.62, subdivision 6, 
 98.14  in effect June 30, 2002; 
 98.15     (iii) work literacy language programs under Minnesota 
 98.16  Statutes 2002, section 256J.62, subdivision 7, in effect June 
 98.17  30, 2002; 
 98.18     (iv) supported work program authorized in Laws 2001, First 
 98.19  Special Session chapter 9, article 17, section 2, in effect June 
 98.20  30, 2002; 
 98.21     (v) administrative aid program under section 256J.76 in 
 98.22  effect December 31, 2002; and 
 98.23     (vi) emergency assistance program under Minnesota Statutes 
 98.24  2002, section 256J.48, in effect June 30, 2002. 
 98.25     (b)(1) Beginning July 1, 2003, the commissioner shall 
 98.26  determine the initial allocation of funds available under this 
 98.27  section according to clause (2). 
 98.28     (2) All of the funds available for the period beginning 
 98.29  July 1, 2003, and ending December 31, 2004, shall be allocated 
 98.30  to each county or tribe in proportion to the county's or tribe's 
 98.31  share of the statewide 2002 historic spending base. 
 98.32     (c) For calendar year 2005, the commissioner shall 
 98.33  determine the initial allocation of funds to be made available 
 98.34  under this section in proportion to the county or tribe's 
 98.35  initial allocation for the period of July 1, 2003, to December 
 98.36  31, 2004. 
 99.1      (d) ~~The formula under this subdivision sunsets December 31,~~ 
 99.2   ~~2005.~~  For calendar year 2006, the commissioner shall determine 
 99.3   the initial allocation of funds to be made available under this 
 99.4   section based 90 percent on the proportion of the county or 
 99.5   tribe's share of the statewide 2002 historic spending base and 
 99.6   based ten percent on the proportion of the county or tribe's 
 99.7   share of the caseload factor. 
 99.8      (e) For calendar year 2007, the commissioner shall 
 99.9   determine the initial allocation of funds to be made available 
 99.10  under this section based 70 percent on the proportion of the 
 99.11  county or tribe's share of the statewide 2002 historic spending 
 99.12  base and based 30 percent on the proportion of the county or 
 99.13  tribe's share of the caseload factor. 
 99.14     (f) For calendar year 2008 and subsequent years, the 
 99.15  commissioner shall determine the initial allocation of funds to 
 99.16  be made available under this section based 50 percent on the 
 99.17  proportion of the county or tribe's share of the statewide 2002 
 99.18  historic spending base and based 50 percent on the proportion of 
 99.19  the county or tribe's share of the caseload factor. 
 99.20     ~~(e) Before November 30, 2003, a county or tribe may ask for~~ 
 99.21  ~~a review of the commissioner's determination of the historic~~ 
 99.22  ~~base spending when the county or tribe believes the 2002~~ 
 99.23  ~~information was inaccurate or incomplete.  By January 1, 2004,~~ 
 99.24  ~~the commissioner must adjust that county's or tribe's base when~~ 
 99.25  ~~the commissioner has determined that inaccurate or incomplete~~ 
 99.26  ~~information was used to develop that base.  The commissioner~~ 
 99.27  ~~shall adjust each county's or tribe's initial allocation under~~ 
 99.28  ~~paragraph (c) and final allocation under subdivision 7 to~~ 
 99.29  ~~reflect the base change.~~ 
 99.30     (g) With the commencement of a new or expanded tribal TANF 
 99.31  program or an agreement under section 256.01, subdivision 2, 
 99.32  paragraph (g), in which some or all of the responsibilities of 
 99.33  particular counties under this section are transferred to a 
 99.34  tribe, the commissioner shall: 
 99.35     (1) in the case where all responsibilities under this 
 99.36  section are transferred to a tribal program, determine the 
100.1   percentage of the county's current caseload that is transferring 
100.2   to a tribal program and adjust the affected county's allocation 
100.3   accordingly; and 
100.4      (2) in the case where a portion of the responsibilities 
100.5   under this section are transferred to a tribal program, the 
100.6   commissioner shall consult with the affected county or counties 
100.7   to determine an appropriate adjustment to the allocation. 
100.8      ~~(f)~~ (h) Effective January 1, 2005, counties and tribes will 
100.9   have their final allocations adjusted based on the performance 
100.10  provisions of subdivision 7. 
100.11     Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
100.12  256J.626, subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
100.13     Subd. 7.  [PERFORMANCE BASE FUNDS.] (a) Beginning calendar 
100.14  year 2005, each county and tribe will be allocated 95 percent of 
100.15  their initial calendar year ~~2005~~ allocation.  Counties and 
100.16  tribes will be allocated additional funds based on performance 
100.17  as follows: 
100.18     (1) for calendar year 2005, a county or tribe that achieves 
100.19  a ~~50~~ 40 percent rate or higher on the MFIP participation rate 
100.20  under section 256J.751, subdivision 2, clause (8), as averaged 
100.21  across the four quarterly measurements for the most recent year 
100.22  for which the measurements are available, will receive an 
100.23  additional allocation equal to 2.5 percent of its initial 
100.24  allocation; and 
100.25     (2) for calendar year 2006, a county or tribe that achieves 
100.26  a 40 percent rate or a five percentage point improvement over 
100.27  the previous year's MFIP participation rate under section 
100.28  256J.751, subdivision 2, clause (8), as averaged across the four 
100.29  quarterly measurements for the most recent year for which the 
100.30  measurements are available, will receive an additional 
100.31  allocation equal to 2.5 percent of its initial allocation; and 
100.32     (3) for calendar year 2007, a county or tribe that achieves 
100.33  a 50 percent rate or a five percentage point improvement over 
100.34  the previous year's MFIP participation rate under section 
100.35  256J.751, subdivision 2, clause (8), as averaged across the four 
100.36  quarterly measurements for the most recent year for which the 
101.1   measurements are available, will receive an additional 
101.2   allocation equal to 2.5 percent of its initial allocation; and 
101.3      (4) for calendar year 2008 and yearly thereafter, a county 
101.4   or tribe that achieves a 50 percent MFIP participation rate 
101.5   under section 256J.751, subdivision 2, clause (8), as averaged 
101.6   across the four quarterly measurements for the most recent year 
101.7   for which the measurements are available, will receive an 
101.8   additional allocation equal to 2.5 percent of its initial 
101.9   allocation; and 
101.10     (5) for calendar years 2005 and thereafter, a county or 
101.11  tribe that performs above the top of its range of expected 
101.12  performance on the three-year self-support index under section 
101.13  256J.751, subdivision 2, clause (7), in both measurements in the 
101.14  preceding year will receive an additional allocation equal to 
101.15  five percent of its initial allocation; or 
101.16     ~~(3)~~ (6) for calendar years 2005 and thereafter, a county or 
101.17  tribe that performs within its range of expected performance on 
101.18  the three-year self-support index under section 256J.751, 
101.19  subdivision 2, clause (7), in both measurements in the preceding 
101.20  year, or above the top of its range of expected performance in 
101.21  one measurement and within its expected range of performance in 
101.22  the other measurement, will receive an additional allocation 
101.23  equal to 2.5 percent of its initial allocation. 
101.24     (b) Funds remaining unallocated after the performance-based 
101.25  allocations in paragraph (a) are available to the commissioner 
101.26  for innovation projects under subdivision 5. 
101.27     (c)(1) If available funds are insufficient to meet county 
101.28  and tribal allocations under paragraph (a), the commissioner may 
101.29  make available for allocation funds that are unobligated and 
101.30  available from the innovation projects through the end of the 
101.31  current biennium. 
101.32     (2) If after the application of clause (1) funds remain 
101.33  insufficient to meet county and tribal allocations under 
101.34  paragraph (a), the commissioner must proportionally reduce the 
101.35  allocation of each county and tribe with respect to their 
101.36  maximum allocation available under paragraph (a). 
102.1      Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 256J.67, 
102.2   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
102.3      Subdivision 1.  [ESTABLISHING THE COMMUNITY WORK EXPERIENCE 
102.4   PROGRAM.] To the extent of available resources, each county 
102.5   agency may establish and operate a work experience component for 
102.6   MFIP caregivers who are participating in employment and training 
102.7   services.  This option for county agencies supersedes the 
102.8   requirement in section 402(a)(1)(B)(iv) of the Social Security 
102.9   Act that caregivers who have received assistance for two months 
102.10  and who are not exempt from work requirements must participate 
102.11  in a work experience program.  The purpose of the work 
102.12  experience component is to enhance the caregiver's employability 
102.13  and self-sufficiency and to provide meaningful, productive work 
102.14  activities.  ~~The county shall use this program for an individual~~ 
102.15  ~~after exhausting all other employment opportunities.  The county~~ 
102.16  ~~agency shall not require a caregiver to participate in the~~ 
102.17  ~~community work experience program unless the caregiver has been~~ 
102.18  ~~given an opportunity to participate in other work activities.~~  
102.19     Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 256J.67, 
102.20  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
102.21     Subd. 3.  [EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS.] (a) Work sites developed 
102.22  under this section are limited to projects that serve a useful 
102.23  public service such as:  health, social service, environmental 
102.24  protection, education, urban and rural development and 
102.25  redevelopment, welfare, recreation, public facilities, public 
102.26  safety, community service, services to aged or disabled 
102.27  citizens, and child care.  To the extent possible, the prior 
102.28  training, skills, and experience of a caregiver must be 
102.29  considered in making appropriate work experience assignments. 
102.30     (b) Structured, supervised volunteer work with an agency or 
102.31  organization, which is monitored by the county service provider, 
102.32  may, with the approval of the county agency, be used as a work 
102.33  experience placement. 
102.34     (c) As a condition of placing a caregiver in a program 
102.35  under this section, the county agency shall first provide the 
102.36  caregiver the opportunity~~:~~ 
103.1      ~~(1)~~ for placement in suitable ~~subsidized or~~ unsubsidized 
103.2   employment through participation in a job search~~; or~~ 
103.3      ~~(2) for placement in suitable employment through~~ 
103.4   ~~participation in on-the-job training, if such employment is~~ 
103.5   ~~available~~. 
103.6      Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
103.7   256J.95, subdivision 10, is amended to read: 
103.8      Subd. 10.  [DIVERSIONARY WORK PROGRAM GRANT.] (a) The 
103.9   amount of cash benefits that a family unit is eligible for under 
103.10  the diversionary work program is based on the number of persons 
103.11  in the family unit, the family maintenance needs, personal needs 
103.12  allowance, and countable income.  The county agency shall 
103.13  evaluate the income of the family unit that is requesting 
103.14  payments under the diversionary work program.  Countable income 
103.15  means gross earned and unearned income not excluded or 
103.16  disregarded under MFIP.  The same disregards for earned income 
103.17  that are allowed under MFIP are allowed for the diversionary 
103.18  work program. 
103.19     (b) The DWP grant is based on the family maintenance needs 
103.20  for which the DWP family unit is responsible plus a personal 
103.21  needs allowance.  Housing and utilities, except for telephone 
103.22  service, shall be vendor paid.  Unless otherwise stated in this 
103.23  section, actual housing and utility expenses shall be used when 
103.24  determining the amount of the DWP grant. 
103.25     (c) The maximum monthly benefit amount available under the 
103.26  diversionary work program is the difference between the family 
103.27  unit's needs under paragraph (b) and the family unit's countable 
103.28  income not to exceed the cash portion of the MFIP standard of 
103.29  need as defined in section 256J.08, subdivision 55a, for the 
103.30  family unit's size.  
103.31     (d) ~~Once~~ A DWP family unit's benefits, including any 
103.32  changes, shall be budgeted prospectively.  When the county has 
103.33  determined a grant amount~~, the DWP grant amount will not be~~ 
103.34  ~~decreased if the determination is~~ based on the best information 
103.35  available at the time of approval ~~and shall not be decreased~~ 
103.36  ~~because of any additional income to the family unit~~, the DWP 
104.1   grant amount must not be decreased because of an increase in 
104.2   family household income, unless a new member is added to the 
104.3   household.  The grant amount must be ~~increased if a participant~~ 
104.4   ~~later verifies an increase~~ recalculated if there is a decrease 
104.5   in family household income, a change in family size, or a change 
104.6   in family maintenance needs ~~or family unit size~~. 
104.7      (e) The minimum cash benefit amount, if income and asset 
104.8   tests are met, is $10.  Benefits of $10 shall not be vendor paid.
104.9      ~~(e)~~ (f) When all criteria are met, including the 
104.10  development of an employment plan as described in subdivision 14 
104.11  and eligibility exists for the month of application, the amount 
104.12  of benefits for the diversionary work program retroactive to the 
104.13  date of application is as specified in section 256J.35, 
104.14  paragraph (a). 
104.15     ~~(f)~~ (g) Any month during the four-month DWP period that a 
104.16  person receives a DWP benefit directly or through a vendor 
104.17  payment made on the person's behalf, that person is ineligible 
104.18  for MFIP or any other TANF cash assistance program except for 
104.19  benefits defined in section 256J.626, subdivision 2, clause (1). 
104.20     ~~If during the four-month period a family unit that receives~~ 
104.21  ~~DWP benefits moves to a county that has not established a~~ 
104.22  ~~diversionary work program, the family unit may be eligible for~~ 
104.23  ~~MFIP the month following the last month of the issuance of the~~ 
104.24  ~~DWP benefit.~~ 
104.25     Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
104.26  256J.95, subdivision 12, is amended to read: 
104.27     Subd. 12.  [CONVERSION OR REFERRAL TO MFIP.] (a) If at any 
104.28  time during the DWP application process or during the four-month 
104.29  DWP eligibility period, it is determined that a participant is 
104.30  unlikely to benefit from the diversionary work program, the 
104.31  county shall convert or refer the participant to MFIP as 
104.32  specified in paragraph (d).  ~~Participants who are determined to~~ 
104.33  ~~be unlikely to benefit from the diversionary work program must~~ 
104.34  ~~develop and sign an employment plan.~~  Participants who meet any 
104.35  one of the criteria in paragraph (b) shall be considered to be 
104.36  unlikely to benefit from DWP, provided the necessary 
105.1   documentation is available to support the determination. 
105.2      (b) A participant who: 
105.3      (1) has been determined by a qualified professional as 
105.4   being unable to obtain or retain employment due to an illness, 
105.5   injury, or incapacity that is expected to last at least 60 days; 
105.6      (2) is required in the home as a caregiver because of the 
105.7   illness, injury, or incapacity, of a family member, or a 
105.8   relative in the household, or a foster child, and the illness, 
105.9   injury, or incapacity and the need for a person to provide 
105.10  assistance in the home has been certified by a qualified 
105.11  professional and is expected to continue more than 60 days; 
105.12     (3) is determined by a qualified professional as being 
105.13  needed in the home to care for a child or adult meeting the 
105.14  special medical criteria in section ~~256J.425~~ 256J.561, 
105.15  subdivision 2, paragraph (d), clause (3); 
105.16     (4) is pregnant and is determined by a qualified 
105.17  professional as being unable to obtain or retain employment due 
105.18  to the pregnancy; or 
105.19     (5) has applied for SSI or ~~RSDI~~ SSDI because the 
105.20  participant has an illness, injury, or incapacity certified by a 
105.21  qualified professional that makes the participant unable to 
105.22  obtain or retain employment. 
105.23     (c) In a two-parent family unit, both parents must be 
105.24  determined to be unlikely to benefit from the diversionary work 
105.25  program before the family unit can be converted or referred to 
105.26  MFIP. 
105.27     (d) A participant who is determined to be unlikely to 
105.28  benefit from the diversionary work program shall be converted to 
105.29  MFIP and, if the determination was made within 30 days of the 
105.30  initial application for benefits, no additional application form 
105.31  is required.  A participant who is determined to be unlikely to 
105.32  benefit from the diversionary work program shall be referred to 
105.33  MFIP and, if the determination is made more than 30 days after 
105.34  the initial application, the participant must submit a program 
105.35  change request form.  The county agency shall process the 
105.36  program change request form by the first of the following month 
106.1   to ensure that no gap in benefits is due to delayed action by 
106.2   the county agency.  In processing the program change request 
106.3   form, the county must follow section 256J.32, subdivision 1, 
106.4   except that the county agency shall not require additional 
106.5   verification of the information in the case file from the DWP 
106.6   application unless the information in the case file is 
106.7   inaccurate, questionable, or no longer current. 
106.8      (e) The county shall not request a combined application 
106.9   form for a participant who has exhausted the four months of the 
106.10  diversionary work program, has continued need for cash and food 
106.11  assistance, and has completed, signed, and submitted a program 
106.12  change request form within 30 days of the fourth month of the 
106.13  diversionary work program.  The county must process the program 
106.14  change request according to section 256J.32, subdivision 1, 
106.15  except that the county agency shall not require additional 
106.16  verification of information in the case file unless the 
106.17  information is inaccurate, questionable, or no longer current.  
106.18  When a participant does not request MFIP within 30 days of the 
106.19  diversionary work program benefits being exhausted, a new 
106.20  combined application form must be completed for any subsequent 
106.21  request for MFIP. 
106.22     Sec. 12.  [REPEALER.] 
106.23     Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, sections 256D.06, 
106.24  subdivision 7; and 256J.57, subdivision 2, are repealed. 
106.25                             ARTICLE 5 
106.26                           MENTAL HEALTH 
106.27     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 245.462, 
106.28  subdivision 18, is amended to read: 
106.29     Subd. 18.  [MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.] "Mental health 
106.30  professional" means a person providing clinical services in the 
106.31  treatment of mental illness who is qualified in at least one of 
106.32  the following ways:  
106.33     (1) in psychiatric nursing:  a registered nurse who is 
106.34  licensed under sections 148.171 to 148.285, and (i) who is 
106.35  certified as a clinical specialist or as a nurse practitioner in 
106.36  adult psychiatric and mental health nursing by a national nurse 
107.1   certification organization; or (ii) who has a master's degree in 
107.2   nursing or one of the behavioral sciences or related fields from 
107.3   an accredited college or university or its equivalent, with at 
107.4   least 4,000 hours of post-master's supervised experience in the 
107.5   delivery of clinical services in the treatment of mental 
107.6   illness; 
107.7      (2) in clinical social work:  a person licensed as an 
107.8   independent clinical social worker under section 148B.21, 
107.9   subdivision 6, or a person with a master's degree in social work 
107.10  from an accredited college or university, with at least 4,000 
107.11  hours of post-master's supervised experience in the delivery of 
107.12  clinical services in the treatment of mental illness; 
107.13     (3) in psychology:  an individual licensed by the board of 
107.14  psychology under sections 148.88 to 148.98 who has stated to the 
107.15  board of psychology competencies in the diagnosis and treatment 
107.16  of mental illness; 
107.17     (4) in psychiatry:  a physician licensed under chapter 147 
107.18  and certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology 
107.19  or eligible for board certification in psychiatry; 
107.20     (5) in marriage and family therapy:  the mental health 
107.21  professional must be a marriage and family therapist licensed 
107.22  under sections 148B.29 to 148B.39 with at least two years of 
107.23  post-master's supervised experience in the delivery of clinical 
107.24  services in the treatment of mental illness; or 
107.25     (6) in allied fields:  a person with a master's degree from 
107.26  an accredited college or university in one of the behavioral 
107.27  sciences or related fields, with at least 4,000 hours of 
107.28  post-master's supervised experience in the delivery of clinical 
107.29  services in the treatment of mental illness.  
107.30     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 245.464, is 
107.31  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
107.32     Subd. 3.  [PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.] The commissioner 
107.33  may establish a mechanism by which counties, the Department of 
107.34  Human Services, hospitals, health plans, consumers, and others 
107.35  may enter into agreements that allow for capacity building and 
107.36  oversight of any agreed-upon entity that is developed through 
108.1   these partnerships.  The purpose of these partnerships is the 
108.2   development and provision of mental health services which would 
108.3   be more effective, efficient, and accessible than services that 
108.4   might be provided separately by each partner. 
108.5      Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
108.6   256B.0622, subdivision 8, is amended to read: 
108.7      Subd. 8.  [MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PAYMENT FOR INTENSIVE 
108.8   REHABILITATIVE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.] (a) Payment for 
108.9   residential and nonresidential services in this section shall be 
108.10  based on one daily rate per provider inclusive of the following 
108.11  services received by an eligible recipient in a given calendar 
108.12  day:  all rehabilitative services under this section, staff 
108.13  travel time to provide rehabilitative services under this 
108.14  section, and nonresidential crisis stabilization services under 
108.15  section 256B.0624. 
108.16     (b) Except as indicated in paragraph (c), payment will not 
108.17  be made to more than one entity for each recipient for services 
108.18  provided under this section on a given day.  If services under 
108.19  this section are provided by a team that includes staff from 
108.20  more than one entity, the team must determine how to distribute 
108.21  the payment among the members. 
108.22     (c) The host county shall recommend to the commissioner one 
108.23  rate for each entity that will bill medical assistance for 
108.24  residential services under this section and two rates for each 
108.25  nonresidential provider.  The first nonresidential rate is for 
108.26  recipients who are not receiving residential services.  The 
108.27  second nonresidential rate is for recipients who are temporarily 
108.28  receiving residential services and need continued contact with 
108.29  the nonresidential team to assure timely discharge from 
108.30  residential services.  In developing these rates, the host 
108.31  county shall consider and document: 
108.32     (1) the cost for similar services in the local trade area; 
108.33     (2) actual costs incurred by entities providing the 
108.34  services; 
108.35     (3) the intensity and frequency of services to be provided 
108.36  to each recipient; 
109.1      (4) the degree to which recipients will receive services 
109.2   other than services under this section; 
109.3      (5) the costs of other services, such as case management, 
109.4   that will be separately reimbursed; and 
109.5      (6) input from the local planning process authorized by the 
109.6   adult mental health initiative under section 245.4661, regarding 
109.7   recipients' service needs. 
109.8      (d) The rate for intensive rehabilitative mental health 
109.9   services must exclude room and board, as defined in section 
109.10  256I.03, subdivision 6, and services not covered under this 
109.11  section, such as ~~case management,~~ partial hospitalization, home 
109.12  care, and inpatient services.  Physician services that are not 
109.13  separately billed may be included in the rate to the extent that 
109.14  a psychiatrist is a member of the treatment team.  The county's 
109.15  recommendation shall specify the period for which the rate will 
109.16  be applicable, not to exceed two years. 
109.17     (e) When services under this section are provided by an 
109.18  assertive community team, case management functions must be an 
109.19  integral part of the team.  ~~The county must allocate costs which~~ 
109.20  ~~are reimbursable under this section versus costs which are~~ 
109.21  ~~reimbursable through case management or other reimbursement, so~~ 
109.22  ~~that payment is not duplicated.~~ 
109.23     (f) The rate for a provider must not exceed the rate 
109.24  charged by that provider for the same service to other payors. 
109.25     (g) The commissioner shall approve or reject the county's 
109.26  rate recommendation, based on the commissioner's own analysis of 
109.27  the criteria in paragraph (c). 
109.28     Sec. 4.  [REPEALER.] 
109.29     Laws 2001, First Special Session chapter 9, article 9, 
109.30  section 52, is repealed effective the day following final 
109.31  enactment of this section. 
109.32                             ARTICLE 6 
109.33                  CONTINUING CARE FOR THE ELDERLY 
109.34     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 144A.071, 
109.35  subdivision 1a, is amended to read: 
109.36     Subd. 1a.  [DEFINITIONS.] For purposes of sections 144A.071 
110.1   to 144A.073, the following terms have the meanings given them: 
110.2      (a) "Attached fixtures" has the meaning given in Minnesota 
110.3   Rules, part 9549.0020, subpart 6. 
110.4      (b) "Buildings" has the meaning given in Minnesota Rules, 
110.5   part 9549.0020, subpart 7. 
110.6      (c) "Capital assets" has the meaning given in section 
110.7   256B.421, subdivision 16. 
110.8      (d) "Commenced construction" means that all of the 
110.9   following conditions were met:  the final working drawings and 
110.10  specifications were approved by the commissioner of health; the 
110.11  construction contracts were let; a timely construction schedule 
110.12  was developed, stipulating dates for beginning, achieving 
110.13  various stages, and completing construction; and all zoning and 
110.14  building permits were applied for. 
110.15     (e) "Completion date" means the date on which a certificate 
110.16  of occupancy is issued for a construction project, or if a 
110.17  certificate of occupancy is not required, the date on which the 
110.18  construction project is available for facility use. 
110.19     (f) "Construction" means any erection, building, 
110.20  alteration, reconstruction, modernization, or improvement 
110.21  necessary to comply with the nursing home licensure rules. 
110.22     (g) "Construction project" means: 
110.23     (1) a capital asset addition to, or replacement of a 
110.24  nursing home or certified boarding care home that results in new 
110.25  space or the remodeling of or renovations to existing facility 
110.26  space; and 
110.27     (2) the remodeling or renovation of existing facility space 
110.28  the use of which is modified as a result of the project 
110.29  described in clause (1).  This existing space and the project 
110.30  described in clause (1) must be used for the functions as 
110.31  designated on the construction plans on completion of the 
110.32  project described in clause (1) for a period of not less than 24 
110.33  months~~; or~~ 
110.34     ~~(3) capital asset additions or replacements that are~~ 
110.35  ~~completed within 12 months before or after the completion date~~ 
110.36  ~~of the project described in clause (1)~~. 
111.1      (h) "Depreciation guidelines" means the most recent 
111.2   publication of "The Estimated Useful Lives of Depreciable 
111.3   Hospital Assets," issued by the American Hospital Association, 
111.4   840 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60611. 
111.5      (i) "New licensed" or "new certified beds" means: 
111.6      (1) newly constructed beds in a facility or the 
111.7   construction of a new facility that would increase the total 
111.8   number of licensed nursing home beds or certified boarding care 
111.9   or nursing home beds in the state; or 
111.10     (2) newly licensed nursing home beds or newly certified 
111.11  boarding care or nursing home beds that result from remodeling 
111.12  of the facility that involves relocation of beds but does not 
111.13  result in an increase in the total number of beds, except when 
111.14  the project involves the upgrade of boarding care beds to 
111.15  nursing home beds, as defined in section 144A.073, subdivision 
111.16  1.  "Remodeling" includes any of the type of conversion, 
111.17  renovation, replacement, or upgrading projects as defined in 
111.18  section 144A.073, subdivision 1. 
111.19     ~~(i)~~ (j) "Project construction costs" means the cost of the 
111.20  following items that have a completion date within 12 months 
111.21  before or after the completion date of the project described in 
111.22  item (g), clause (1): 
111.23     (1) facility capital asset additions~~,~~; 
111.24     (2) replacements~~,~~; 
111.25     (3) renovations~~, or~~; 
111.26     (4) remodeling projects~~,~~; 
111.27     (5) construction site preparation costs~~, and~~; 
111.28     (6) related soft costs~~.  Project construction costs include~~ 
111.29  ~~the cost of any remodeling or renovation of existing facility~~ 
111.30  ~~space which is modified as a result of the construction~~ 
111.31  ~~project.  Project construction costs also includes the cost of~~ 
111.32  ~~new technology implemented as part of the construction project.~~  
111.33  ~~Project construction costs also include~~; and 
111.34     (7) the cost of new technology implemented as part of the 
111.35  construction project and depreciable equipment directly 
111.36  identified to the project, if the construction costs for clauses 
112.1   (1) to (6) exceed the threshold for additions and replacements 
112.2   stated in section 256B.431, subdivision 16.  ~~Any new~~ Technology 
112.3   and depreciable equipment shall be included in the project 
112.4   construction costs ~~shall, at the~~ unless a written election ~~of~~ is 
112.5   made by the facility, ~~be included~~ to not include it in the 
112.6   facility's appraised value for purposes of Minnesota Rules, part 
112.7   9549.0020, subpart 5~~, and~~.  Debt incurred for ~~its~~ purchase of 
112.8   technology and depreciable equipment shall be included as 
112.9   allowable debt for purposes of Minnesota Rules, part 9549.0060, 
112.10  subpart 5, items A and C, unless the written election is to not 
112.11  include it.  Any new technology and depreciable equipment 
112.12  included in the project construction costs that the facility 
112.13  elects not to include in its appraised value and allowable debt 
112.14  shall be treated as provided in section 256B.431, subdivision 
112.15  17, paragraph (b).  Written election under this paragraph must 
112.16  be included in the facility's request for the rate change 
112.17  related to the project, and this election may not be changed. 
112.18     ~~(j)~~ (k) "Technology" means information systems or devices 
112.19  that make documentation, charting, and staff time more efficient 
112.20  or encourage and allow for care through alternative settings 
112.21  including, but not limited to, touch screens, monitors, 
112.22  hand-helds, swipe cards, motion detectors, pagers, telemedicine, 
112.23  medication dispensers, and equipment to monitor vital signs and 
112.24  self-injections, and to observe skin and other conditions. 
112.25     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
112.26  256.01, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
112.27     Subd. 2.  [SPECIFIC POWERS.] Subject to the provisions of 
112.28  section 241.021, subdivision 2, the commissioner of human 
112.29  services shall~~:~~ carry out the specific duties in paragraphs (a) 
112.30  to (aa). 
112.31     ~~(1)~~ (a) Administer and supervise all forms of public 
112.32  assistance provided for by state law and other welfare 
112.33  activities or services as are vested in the commissioner.  
112.34  Administration and supervision of human services activities or 
112.35  services includes, but is not limited to, assuring timely and 
112.36  accurate distribution of benefits, completeness of service, and 
113.1   quality program management.  In addition to administering and 
113.2   supervising human services activities vested by law in the 
113.3   department, the commissioner shall have the authority to: 
113.4      ~~(a)~~ (1) require county agency participation in training and 
113.5   technical assistance programs to promote compliance with 
113.6   statutes, rules, federal laws, regulations, and policies 
113.7   governing human services; 
113.8      ~~(b)~~ (2) monitor, on an ongoing basis, the performance of 
113.9   county agencies in the operation and administration of human 
113.10  services, enforce compliance with statutes, rules, federal laws, 
113.11  regulations, and policies governing welfare services and promote 
113.12  excellence of administration and program operation; 
113.13     ~~(c)~~ (3) develop a quality control program or other 
113.14  monitoring program to review county performance and accuracy of 
113.15  benefit determinations; 
113.16     ~~(d)~~ (4) require county agencies to make an adjustment to 
113.17  the public assistance benefits issued to any individual 
113.18  consistent with federal law and regulation and state law and 
113.19  rule and to issue or recover benefits as appropriate; 
113.20     ~~(e)~~ (5) delay or deny payment of all or part of the state 
113.21  and federal share of benefits and administrative reimbursement 
113.22  according to the procedures set forth in section 256.017; 
113.23     ~~(f)~~ (6) make contracts with and grants to public and 
113.24  private agencies and organizations, both profit and nonprofit, 
113.25  and individuals, using appropriated funds; and 
113.26     ~~(g)~~ (7) enter into contractual agreements with federally 
113.27  recognized Indian tribes with a reservation in Minnesota to the 
113.28  extent necessary for the tribe to operate a federally approved 
113.29  family assistance program or any other program under the 
113.30  supervision of the commissioner.  The commissioner shall consult 
113.31  with the affected county or counties in the contractual 
113.32  agreement negotiations, if the county or counties wish to be 
113.33  included, in order to avoid the duplication of county and tribal 
113.34  assistance program services.  The commissioner may establish 
113.35  necessary accounts for the purposes of receiving and disbursing 
113.36  funds as necessary for the operation of the programs. 
114.1      ~~(2)~~ (b) Inform county agencies, on a timely basis, of 
114.2   changes in statute, rule, federal law, regulation, and policy 
114.3   necessary to county agency administration of the programs. 
114.4      ~~(3)~~ (c) Administer and supervise all child welfare 
114.5   activities; promote the enforcement of laws protecting 
114.6   handicapped, dependent, neglected and delinquent children, and 
114.7   children born to mothers who were not married to the children's 
114.8   fathers at the times of the conception nor at the births of the 
114.9   children; license and supervise child-caring and child-placing 
114.10  agencies and institutions; supervise the care of children in 
114.11  boarding and foster homes or in private institutions; and 
114.12  generally perform all functions relating to the field of child 
114.13  welfare now vested in the State Board of Control. 
114.14     ~~(4)~~ (d) Administer and supervise all noninstitutional 
114.15  service to handicapped persons, including those who are visually 
114.16  impaired, hearing impaired, or physically impaired or otherwise 
114.17  handicapped.  The commissioner may provide and contract for the 
114.18  care and treatment of qualified indigent children in facilities 
114.19  other than those located and available at state hospitals when 
114.20  it is not feasible to provide the service in state hospitals. 
114.21     ~~(5)~~ (e) Assist and actively cooperate with other 
114.22  departments, agencies and institutions, local, state, and 
114.23  federal, by performing services in conformity with the purposes 
114.24  of Laws 1939, chapter 431. 
114.25     ~~(6)~~ (f) Act as the agent of and cooperate with the federal 
114.26  government in matters of mutual concern relative to and in 
114.27  conformity with the provisions of Laws 1939, chapter 431, 
114.28  including the administration of any federal funds granted to the 
114.29  state to aid in the performance of any functions of the 
114.30  commissioner as specified in Laws 1939, chapter 431, and 
114.31  including the promulgation of rules making uniformly available 
114.32  medical care benefits to all recipients of public assistance, at 
114.33  such times as the federal government increases its participation 
114.34  in assistance expenditures for medical care to recipients of 
114.35  public assistance, the cost thereof to be borne in the same 
114.36  proportion as are grants of aid to said recipients. 
115.1      ~~(7)~~ (g) Establish and maintain any administrative units 
115.2   reasonably necessary for the performance of administrative 
115.3   functions common to all divisions of the department. 
115.4      ~~(8)~~ (h) Act as designated guardian of both the estate and 
115.5   the person of all the wards of the state of Minnesota, whether 
115.6   by operation of law or by an order of court, without any further 
115.7   act or proceeding whatever, except as to persons committed as 
115.8   mentally retarded.  For children under the guardianship of the 
115.9   commissioner whose interests would be best served by adoptive 
115.10  placement, the commissioner may contract with a licensed 
115.11  child-placing agency or a Minnesota tribal social services 
115.12  agency to provide adoption services.  A contract with a licensed 
115.13  child-placing agency must be designed to supplement existing 
115.14  county efforts and may not replace existing county programs, 
115.15  unless the replacement is agreed to by the county board and the 
115.16  appropriate exclusive bargaining representative or the 
115.17  commissioner has evidence that child placements of the county 
115.18  continue to be substantially below that of other counties.  
115.19  Funds encumbered and obligated under an agreement for a specific 
115.20  child shall remain available until the terms of the agreement 
115.21  are fulfilled or the agreement is terminated. 
115.22     ~~(9)~~ (i) Act as coordinating referral and informational 
115.23  center on requests for service for newly arrived immigrants 
115.24  coming to Minnesota. 
115.25     ~~(10)~~ (j) The specific enumeration of powers and duties as 
115.26  hereinabove set forth shall in no way be construed to be a 
115.27  limitation upon the general transfer of powers herein contained. 
115.28     ~~(11)~~ (k) Establish county, regional, or statewide schedules 
115.29  of maximum fees and charges which may be paid by county agencies 
115.30  for medical, dental, surgical, hospital, nursing and nursing 
115.31  home care and medicine and medical supplies under all programs 
115.32  of medical care provided by the state and for congregate living 
115.33  care under the income maintenance programs. 
115.34     ~~(12)~~ (l) Have the authority to conduct and administer 
115.35  experimental projects to test methods and procedures of 
115.36  administering assistance and services to recipients or potential 
116.1   recipients of public welfare.  To carry out such experimental 
116.2   projects, it is further provided that the commissioner of human 
116.3   services is authorized to waive the enforcement of existing 
116.4   specific statutory program requirements, rules, and standards in 
116.5   one or more counties.  The order establishing the waiver shall 
116.6   provide alternative methods and procedures of administration, 
116.7   shall not be in conflict with the basic purposes, coverage, or 
116.8   benefits provided by law, and in no event shall the duration of 
116.9   a project exceed four years.  It is further provided that no 
116.10  order establishing an experimental project as authorized by the 
116.11  provisions of this section shall become effective until the 
116.12  following conditions have been met: 
116.13     ~~(a)~~ (1) the secretary of health and human services of the 
116.14  United States has agreed, for the same project, to waive state 
116.15  plan requirements relative to statewide uniformity~~.~~; and 
116.16     ~~(b)~~ (2) a comprehensive plan, including estimated project 
116.17  costs, shall be approved by the Legislative Advisory Commission 
116.18  and filed with the commissioner of administration.  
116.19     ~~(13)~~ (m) According to federal requirements, establish 
116.20  procedures to be followed by local welfare boards in creating 
116.21  citizen advisory committees, including procedures for selection 
116.22  of committee members. 
116.23     ~~(14)~~ (n) Allocate federal fiscal disallowances or sanctions 
116.24  which are based on quality control error rates for the aid to 
116.25  families with dependent children program formerly codified in 
116.26  sections 256.72 to 256.87, medical assistance, or food stamp 
116.27  program in the following manner:  
116.28     ~~(a)~~ (1) one-half of the total amount of the disallowance 
116.29  shall be borne by the county boards responsible for 
116.30  administering the programs.  For the medical assistance and the 
116.31  AFDC program formerly codified in sections 256.72 to 256.87, 
116.32  disallowances shall be shared by each county board in the same 
116.33  proportion as that county's expenditures for the sanctioned 
116.34  program are to the total of all counties' expenditures for the 
116.35  AFDC program formerly codified in sections 256.72 to 256.87, and 
116.36  medical assistance programs.  For the food stamp program, 
117.1   sanctions shall be shared by each county board, with 50 percent 
117.2   of the sanction being distributed to each county in the same 
117.3   proportion as that county's administrative costs for food stamps 
117.4   are to the total of all food stamp administrative costs for all 
117.5   counties, and 50 percent of the sanctions being distributed to 
117.6   each county in the same proportion as that county's value of 
117.7   food stamp benefits issued are to the total of all benefits 
117.8   issued for all counties.  Each county shall pay its share of the 
117.9   disallowance to the state of Minnesota.  When a county fails to 
117.10  pay the amount due hereunder, the commissioner may deduct the 
117.11  amount from reimbursement otherwise due the county, or the 
117.12  attorney general, upon the request of the commissioner, may 
117.13  institute civil action to recover the amount due~~.~~; and 
117.14     ~~(b)~~ (2) notwithstanding the provisions of ~~paragraph~~ 
117.15  ~~(a)~~ clause (1), if the disallowance results from knowing 
117.16  noncompliance by one or more counties with a specific program 
117.17  instruction, and that knowing noncompliance is a matter of 
117.18  official county board record, the commissioner may require 
117.19  payment or recover from the county or counties, in the manner 
117.20  prescribed in ~~paragraph (a)~~ clause (1), an amount equal to the 
117.21  portion of the total disallowance which resulted from the 
117.22  noncompliance, and may distribute the balance of the 
117.23  disallowance according to ~~paragraph (a)~~ clause (1).  
117.24     ~~(15)~~ (o) Develop and implement special projects that 
117.25  maximize reimbursements and result in the recovery of money to 
117.26  the state.  For the purpose of recovering state money, the 
117.27  commissioner may enter into contracts with third parties.  Any 
117.28  recoveries that result from projects or contracts entered into 
117.29  under this paragraph shall be deposited in the state treasury 
117.30  and credited to a special account until the balance in the 
117.31  account reaches $1,000,000.  When the balance in the account 
117.32  exceeds $1,000,000, the excess shall be transferred and credited 
117.33  to the general fund.  All money in the account is appropriated 
117.34  to the commissioner for the purposes of this paragraph. 
117.35     ~~(16)~~ (p) Have the authority to make direct payments to 
117.36  facilities providing shelter to women and their children 
118.1   according to section 256D.05, subdivision 3.  Upon the written 
118.2   request of a shelter facility that has been denied payments 
118.3   under section 256D.05, subdivision 3, the commissioner shall 
118.4   review all relevant evidence and make a determination within 30 
118.5   days of the request for review regarding issuance of direct 
118.6   payments to the shelter facility.  Failure to act within 30 days 
118.7   shall be considered a determination not to issue direct payments.
118.8      ~~(17)~~ (q) Have the authority to establish and enforce the 
118.9   following county reporting requirements:  
118.10     ~~(a)~~ (1) the commissioner shall establish fiscal and 
118.11  statistical reporting requirements necessary to account for the 
118.12  expenditure of funds allocated to counties for human services 
118.13  programs.  When establishing financial and statistical reporting 
118.14  requirements, the commissioner shall evaluate all reports, in 
118.15  consultation with the counties, to determine if the reports can 
118.16  be simplified or the number of reports can be reduced~~.~~; 
118.17     ~~(b)~~ (2) the county board shall submit monthly or quarterly 
118.18  reports to the department as required by the commissioner.  
118.19  Monthly reports are due no later than 15 working days after the 
118.20  end of the month.  Quarterly reports are due no later than 30 
118.21  calendar days after the end of the quarter, unless the 
118.22  commissioner determines that the deadline must be shortened to 
118.23  20 calendar days to avoid jeopardizing compliance with federal 
118.24  deadlines or risking a loss of federal funding.  Only reports 
118.25  that are complete, legible, and in the required format shall be 
118.26  accepted by the commissioner~~.~~; 
118.27     ~~(c)~~ (3) if the required reports are not received by the 
118.28  deadlines established in clause ~~(b)~~ (2), the commissioner may 
118.29  delay payments and withhold funds from the county board until 
118.30  the next reporting period.  When the report is needed to account 
118.31  for the use of federal funds and the late report results in a 
118.32  reduction in federal funding, the commissioner shall withhold 
118.33  from the county boards with late reports an amount equal to the 
118.34  reduction in federal funding until full federal funding is 
118.35  received~~.~~; 
118.36     ~~(d)~~ (4) a county board that submits reports that are late, 
119.1   illegible, incomplete, or not in the required format for two out 
119.2   of three consecutive reporting periods is considered 
119.3   noncompliant.  When a county board is found to be noncompliant, 
119.4   the commissioner shall notify the county board of the reason the 
119.5   county board is considered noncompliant and request that the 
119.6   county board develop a corrective action plan stating how the 
119.7   county board plans to correct the problem.  The corrective 
119.8   action plan must be submitted to the commissioner within 45 days 
119.9   after the date the county board received notice of 
119.10  noncompliance~~.~~; 
119.11     ~~(e)~~ (5) the final deadline for fiscal reports or amendments 
119.12  to fiscal reports is one year after the date the report was 
119.13  originally due.  If the commissioner does not receive a report 
119.14  by the final deadline, the county board forfeits the funding 
119.15  associated with the report for that reporting period and the 
119.16  county board must repay any funds associated with the report 
119.17  received for that reporting period~~.~~; 
119.18     ~~(f)~~ (6) the commissioner may not delay payments, withhold 
119.19  funds, or require repayment under ~~paragraph (c)~~ clause (3) or 
119.20  ~~(e)~~ (5) if the county demonstrates that the commissioner failed 
119.21  to provide appropriate forms, guidelines, and technical 
119.22  assistance to enable the county to comply with the 
119.23  requirements.  If the county board disagrees with an action 
119.24  taken by the commissioner under ~~paragraph (c)~~ clause (3) or 
119.25  ~~(e)~~ (5), the county board may appeal the action according to 
119.26  sections 14.57 to 14.69~~.~~; and 
119.27     ~~(g)~~ (7) counties subject to withholding of funds under 
119.28  ~~paragraph (c)~~ clause (3) or forfeiture or repayment of funds 
119.29  under ~~paragraph (e)~~ clause (5) shall not reduce or withhold 
119.30  benefits or services to clients to cover costs incurred due to 
119.31  actions taken by the commissioner under ~~paragraph (c)~~ clause (3) 
119.32  or ~~(e)~~ (5). 
119.33     ~~(18)~~ (r) Allocate federal fiscal disallowances or sanctions 
119.34  for audit exceptions when federal fiscal disallowances or 
119.35  sanctions are based on a statewide random sample for the foster 
119.36  care program under title IV-E of the Social Security Act, United 
120.1   States Code, title 42, in direct proportion to each county's 
120.2   title IV-E foster care maintenance claim for that period. 
120.3      ~~(19)~~ (s) Be responsible for ensuring the detection, 
120.4   prevention, investigation, and resolution of fraudulent 
120.5   activities or behavior by applicants, recipients, and other 
120.6   participants in the human services programs administered by the 
120.7   department. 
120.8      ~~(20)~~ (t) Require county agencies to identify overpayments, 
120.9   establish claims, and utilize all available and cost-beneficial 
120.10  methodologies to collect and recover these overpayments in the 
120.11  human services programs administered by the department. 
120.12     ~~(21)~~ (u) Have the authority to administer a drug rebate 
120.13  program for drugs purchased pursuant to the prescription drug 
120.14  program established under section 256.955 after the 
120.15  beneficiary's satisfaction of any deductible established in the 
120.16  program.  The commissioner shall require a rebate agreement from 
120.17  all manufacturers of covered drugs as defined in section 
120.18  256B.0625, subdivision 13.  Rebate agreements for prescription 
120.19  drugs delivered on or after July 1, 2002, must include rebates 
120.20  for individuals covered under the prescription drug program who 
120.21  are under 65 years of age.  For each drug, the amount of the 
120.22  rebate shall be equal to the rebate as defined for purposes of 
120.23  the federal rebate program in United States Code, title 42, 
120.24  section 1396r-8(c)(1).  The manufacturers must provide full 
120.25  payment within 30 days of receipt of the state invoice for the 
120.26  rebate within the terms and conditions used for the federal 
120.27  rebate program established pursuant to section 1927 of title XIX 
120.28  of the Social Security Act.  The manufacturers must provide the 
120.29  commissioner with any information necessary to verify the rebate 
120.30  determined per drug.  The rebate program shall utilize the terms 
120.31  and conditions used for the federal rebate program established 
120.32  pursuant to section 1927 of title XIX of the Social Security Act.
120.33     ~~(22)~~ (v) Have the authority to administer the federal drug 
120.34  rebate program for drugs purchased under the medical assistance 
120.35  program as allowed by section 1927 of title XIX of the Social 
120.36  Security Act and according to the terms and conditions of 
121.1   section 1927.  Rebates shall be collected for all drugs that 
121.2   have been dispensed or administered in an outpatient setting and 
121.3   that are from manufacturers who have signed a rebate agreement 
121.4   with the United States Department of Health and Human Services. 
121.5      ~~(23)~~ (w) Have the authority to administer a supplemental 
121.6   drug rebate program for drugs purchased under the medical 
121.7   assistance program.  The commissioner may enter into 
121.8   supplemental rebate contracts with pharmaceutical manufacturers 
121.9   and may require prior authorization for drugs that are from 
121.10  manufacturers that have not signed a supplemental rebate 
121.11  contract.  Prior authorization of drugs shall be subject to the 
121.12  provisions of section 256B.0625, subdivision 13. 
121.13     ~~(24)~~ (x) Operate the department's communication systems 
121.14  account established in Laws 1993, First Special Session chapter 
121.15  1, article 1, section 2, subdivision 2, to manage shared 
121.16  communication costs necessary for the operation of the programs 
121.17  the commissioner supervises.  A communications account may also 
121.18  be established for each regional treatment center which operates 
121.19  communications systems.  Each account must be used to manage 
121.20  shared communication costs necessary for the operations of the 
121.21  programs the commissioner supervises.  The commissioner may 
121.22  distribute the costs of operating and maintaining communication 
121.23  systems to participants in a manner that reflects actual usage. 
121.24  Costs may include acquisition, licensing, insurance, 
121.25  maintenance, repair, staff time and other costs as determined by 
121.26  the commissioner.  Nonprofit organizations and state, county, 
121.27  and local government agencies involved in the operation of 
121.28  programs the commissioner supervises may participate in the use 
121.29  of the department's communications technology and share in the 
121.30  cost of operation.  The commissioner may accept on behalf of the 
121.31  state any gift, bequest, devise or personal property of any 
121.32  kind, or money tendered to the state for any lawful purpose 
121.33  pertaining to the communication activities of the department.  
121.34  Any money received for this purpose must be deposited in the 
121.35  department's communication systems accounts.  Money collected by 
121.36  the commissioner for the use of communication systems must be 
122.1   deposited in the state communication systems account and is 
122.2   appropriated to the commissioner for purposes of this section. 
122.3      ~~(25)~~ (y) Receive any federal matching money that is made 
122.4   available through the medical assistance program for the 
122.5   consumer satisfaction survey.  Any federal money received for 
122.6   the survey is appropriated to the commissioner for this 
122.7   purpose.  The commissioner may expend the federal money received 
122.8   for the consumer satisfaction survey in either year of the 
122.9   biennium. 
122.10     ~~(26)~~ (z) Designate community information and referral call 
122.11  centers and incorporate cost reimbursement claims from ~~First~~ 
122.12  ~~Call Minnesota and Greater Twin Cities United Way~~ the designated 
122.13  community information and referral call centers into the federal 
122.14  cost reimbursement claiming processes of the department 
122.15  according to federal law, rule, and regulations.  Existing 
122.16  information and referral centers provided by Greater Twin Cities 
122.17  United Way or existing call centers for which Greater Twin 
122.18  Cities United Way has legal authority to represent, shall be 
122.19  included in these designations upon review by the commissioner 
122.20  and assurance that these services are accredited and in 
122.21  compliance with national standards.  Any reimbursement ~~received~~ 
122.22  is appropriated to the commissioner and all designated 
122.23  information and referral centers shall ~~be disbursed to First~~ 
122.24  ~~Call Minnesota and Greater Twin Cities United Way~~ receive 
122.25  payments according to normal department ~~payment~~ 
122.26  schedules established by the commissioner upon final approval of 
122.27  allocation methodologies from the United States Department of 
122.28  Health and Human Services Division of Cost Allocation or other 
122.29  appropriate authorities. 
122.30     ~~(27)~~ (aa) Develop recommended standards for foster care 
122.31  homes that address the components of specialized therapeutic 
122.32  services to be provided by foster care homes with those services.
122.33     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 256B.431, 
122.34  subdivision 37, is amended to read: 
122.35     Subd. 37.  [NURSING HOME RATE INCREASES EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 
122.36  2002.] For rate years beginning on or after July 1, 2002, the 
123.1   commissioner shall provide to each nursing home reimbursed under 
123.2   this section or section 256B.434 an increase in each case mix 
123.3   payment rate equal to the increase in the per-bed surcharge paid 
123.4   under section 256.9657, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), divided by 
123.5   365 and further divided by .80.  The increase under this 
123.6   subdivision shall be added following the determination of the 
123.7   payment rate for the home under this chapter.  The increase 
123.8   shall not be subject to any annual percentage increase.  If a 
123.9   facility has beds licensed for nursing home care and also has 
123.10  beds licensed for boarding care, the increase will be prorated 
123.11  by the ratio of beds licensed for nursing home care to the total 
123.12  number of licensed beds in the facility.  If the number of 
123.13  licensed beds in facilities that have both types of licensure 
123.14  changes during the year, the proration of the increase will be 
123.15  changed effective the first of the month following the change in 
123.16  the number of beds.  The commissioner shall not change the 
123.17  proration under this subdivision unless the adjustment is 
123.18  greater than 1.5 percent of the increase before the change in 
123.19  the number of licensed beds. 
123.20     Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
123.21  256B.431, subdivision 38, is amended to read: 
123.22     Subd. 38.  [NURSING HOME RATE INCREASES EFFECTIVE IN FISCAL 
123.23  YEAR 2003.] Effective June 1, 2003, the commissioner shall 
123.24  provide to each nursing home reimbursed under this section or 
123.25  section 256B.434, an increase in each case mix payment rate 
123.26  equal to the increase in the per-bed surcharge paid under 
123.27  section 256.9657, subdivision 1, paragraph (d), divided by 365 
123.28  and further divided by .90.  The increase shall not be subject 
123.29  to any annual percentage increase.  The 30-day advance notice 
123.30  requirement in section 256B.47, subdivision 2, shall not apply 
123.31  to rate increases resulting from this section.  If a facility 
123.32  has beds licensed for nursing home care and also has beds 
123.33  licensed for boarding care, the increase will be prorated by the 
123.34  ratio of beds licensed for nursing home care to the total number 
123.35  of licensed beds in the facility.  If the number of licensed 
123.36  beds in facilities that have both types of licensure changes 
124.1   during the year, the proration of the increase will be changed 
124.2   effective the first of the month following the change in the 
124.3   number of beds.  The commissioner shall not adjust the rate 
124.4   increase under this subdivision unless the adjustment is greater 
124.5   than 1.5 percent of the monthly surcharge payment amount under 
124.6   section 256.9657, subdivision 4, or the change in the proration 
124.7   results in an amount that is greater than 1.5 percent of the 
124.8   increase before the change in the number of licensed beds.