SF 4360
Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)
Posted on 03/12/2026 09:58 a.m.
1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 2.27 2.28 2.29 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.10
3.11
3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.23 3.24 3.25
3.26 3.27 3.28 3.29 3.30 3.31
A bill for an act
relating to foster care; establishing an extended foster care services grant program;
requiring reports; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 260C.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
new text begin
[260C.453] EXTENDED FOSTER CARE SERVICES GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end
new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end
new text begin Establishment. new text end
new text begin
The commissioner of children, youth, and families must
establish an extended foster care services grant program to provide financial support and
case management services to eligible youth at least 21 years of age and under 27 years of
age.
new text end
new text begin Subd. 2. new text end
new text begin Grantee eligibility. new text end
new text begin
In order to be eligible for a grant under this section to
provide services to eligible youth, a grantee must be a community-based provider and:
new text end
new text begin
(1) demonstrate expertise serving transition-age youth;
new text end
new text begin
(2) maintain nondiscrimination policies that are consistent with state and federal law;
new text end
new text begin
(3) ensure geographic access to any services provided under subdivision 4, including in
areas outside of the seven-county metropolitan area;
new text end
new text begin
(4) meet performance metrics determined by the commissioner for education,
employment, housing stability, and youth satisfaction; and
new text end
new text begin
(5) meet training standards determined by the commissioner.
new text end
new text begin Subd. 3. new text end
new text begin Youth eligibility. new text end
new text begin
(a) Youth are eligible to receive services under this section
if the youth:
new text end
new text begin
(1) was in Minnesota foster care at 14 years of age or older;
new text end
new text begin
(2) is currently at least 21 years of age and under 27 years of age;
new text end
new text begin
(3) is not currently receiving Title IV-E foster placement; and
new text end
new text begin
(4) is currently:
new text end
new text begin
(i) completing secondary education or a program leading to an equivalent credential;
new text end
new text begin
(ii) enrolled in an institution that provides postsecondary or vocational education;
new text end
new text begin
(iii) participating in a program or activity designed to promote or remove barriers to
employment;
new text end
new text begin
(iv) employed for at least 80 hours per month;
new text end
new text begin
(v) receiving treatment for mental health or substance use disorder; or
new text end
new text begin
(vi) facing documented barriers, including a medical condition, disability, pregnancy,
parenting, or domestic violence.
new text end
new text begin
(b) In order to maintain eligibility, the youth must maintain monthly contact with the
youth's case manager.
new text end
new text begin
(c) Youth may be eligible for services under this section whether the youth is living with
others or living independently.
new text end
new text begin Subd. 4. new text end
new text begin Services. new text end
new text begin
Grantees must provide to eligible youth:
new text end
new text begin
(1) monthly stipends that cover basic living expenses of the youth, including education
costs. Stipends must be adjusted for geographic cost of living and inflation. When the youth
reaches 25 years of age, the stipend must gradually decrease according to the schedule
developed by the commissioner;
new text end
new text begin
(2) case management services, including conducting monthly financial wellness check-ins;
new text end
new text begin
(3) access to training on budgeting and employment readiness to develop financial
literacy;
new text end
new text begin
(4) assistance in establishing a savings account;
new text end
new text begin
(5) housing navigation services, including assistance in finding stable housing; and
new text end
new text begin
(6) transition planning, including a comprehensive plan with step-down preparation
beginning when the youth reaches 24 years of age and helping the youth coordinate adult
services.
new text end
new text begin Subd. 5. new text end
new text begin Report. new text end
new text begin
(a) The commissioner must track and report outcomes disaggregated
by protected classes and geography to track disparities in the grant program.
new text end
new text begin
(b) Beginning February 1, 2029, and each February 1 thereafter, a grantee must report
to the commissioner the number of youth the grantee served, the amount of money the
grantee spends on stipends, any outcomes disaggregated by protected classes and geography,
and any other information the grantee determines as relevant.
new text end
new text begin
(c) Beginning July 1, 2029, and each July 1 thereafter, the commissioner must report to
the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction
over children, youth, and families on the grant program, including program outcomes, costs,
and equity determinations.
new text end
new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
new text begin
This section is effective July 1, 2028.
new text end
Sec. 2. new text begin DIRECTION TO COMMISSIONER OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND
FAMILIES; EXTENDED FOSTER CARE SERVICES GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end
new text begin
(a) By January 1, 2027, the commissioner of children, youth, and families must establish
application procedures, stipend rates, performance metrics for grantees, and a stipend
decrease schedule for the extended foster care services grant program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 260C.453.
new text end
new text begin
(b) The commissioner of children, youth, and families must consult with youth leadership
councils, stakeholders, and foster youth when developing the requirements under paragraph
(a) and when implementing the extended foster care services grant program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 260C.453.
new text end
new text begin
(c) By March 1, 2028, the commissioner must coordinate with the successful transition
to adulthood for youth program to avoid duplication of services and must contract with
eligible grantees for the extended foster care services grant program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 260C.453.
new text end
Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATION; EXTENDED FOSTER CARE SERVICES GRANT
PROGRAM.
new text end
new text begin
$....... in fiscal year 2027 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
children, youth, and families to begin implementation of the extended foster care services
grant program under Minnesota Statutes, section 260C.453, and to establish the application
procedures, rates, and metrics for the grant program.
new text end