1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to human services; directing the commissioner of human services to study 
1.3 	and make recommendations for paperwork reduction relating to child protection 
1.4 	cases; requiring a report.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. DIRECTION TO COMMISSIONER; PAPERWORK REDUCTION FOR 
1.7 	CHILD PROTECTION CASES.
 1.8 	(a) The commissioner of human services, in partnership with counties and local social 
1.9 	services agencies and in consultation with Minnesota's Tribal governments; the Indian Child 
1.10 	Welfare Advisory Council established under Minnesota Statutes, section 260.835; and the 
1.11 	judicial branch, shall conduct a study and develop recommendations to streamline and 
1.12 	reduce required paperwork and administrative requirements for child protection cases. The 
1.13 	study must review all input fields required on current reporting forms and determine which 
1.14 	input fields and information are required under state or federal law. The study must also 
1.15 	include a time-motion study from three counties to determine the administrative overhead 
1.16 	costs incurred for child protection worker paperwork completion and administrative 
1.17 	compliance, and must evaluate and make recommendations for reducing court-related 
1.18 	documentation requirements for child protection workers. The commissioner's recommended 
1.19 	case plan and reporting requirements must not exceed two full standard document pages, 
1.20 	and any new recommended data entry requirements must also include recommended 
1.21 	equivalent reductions in data entry requirements within the required administrative processes. 
1.22 	The commissioner must develop and publish the two-page case plan and reporting model 
1.23 	within 60 days.
2.1 	(b) By December 15, 2023, the commissioner must provide a report on the study required 
2.2 	under this section to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees 
2.3 	with jurisdiction over child protection that includes a summary of recommended changes 
2.4 	to current practice, a proposed timeline to implement the changes, and procedures for 
2.5 	soliciting ongoing input regarding implementation from counties, Minnesota's Tribal 
2.6 	governments, the Indian Child Welfare Advisory Council, and the judicial branch. The 
2.7 	procedures for soliciting ongoing input must include a method of incorporating the input 
2.8 	while implementing recommended changes and ensuring that the planned improvements 
2.9 	maximize benefits and utility for children in placement, foster care providers, Tribes, 
2.10 	counties, and private child placing agencies.