SF 5021

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 04/10/2026 09:15 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to children; modifying federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
disallowances; codifying and modernizing child care licensing provisions; requiring
a report; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections
142E.16, by adding a subdivision; 142F.05, by adding a subdivision; Minnesota
Statutes 2025 Supplement, sections 142A.03, subdivision 2; 256.043, subdivision
3; Laws 2024, chapter 117, section 22; Laws 2025, First Special Session chapter
3, article 20, section 18; Laws 2025, First Special Session chapter 10, article 10,
section 9, subdivision 2; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 142D.

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

ARTICLE 1

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 142A.03, subdivision 2, is
amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Duties of the commissioner.

(a) The commissioner may apply for and accept
on behalf of the state any grants, bequests, gifts, or contributions for the purpose of carrying
out the duties and responsibilities of the commissioner. Any money received under this
paragraph is appropriated and dedicated for the purpose for which the money is granted.
The commissioner must biennially report to the chairs and ranking minority members of
relevant legislative committees and divisions by January 15 of each even-numbered year a
list of all grants and gifts received under this subdivision.

(b) Pursuant to law, the commissioner may apply for and receive money made available
from federal sources for the purpose of carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the
commissioner.

(c) The commissioner may make contracts with and grants to Tribal Nations, public and
private agencies, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and individuals using appropriated
money.

(d) The commissioner must develop program objectives and performance measures for
evaluating progress toward achieving the objectives. The commissioner must identify the
objectives, performance measures, and current status of achieving the measures in a biennial
report to the chairs and ranking minority members of relevant legislative committees and
divisions. The report is due no later than January 15 each even-numbered year. The report
must include, when possible, the following objectives:

(1) centering and including the lived experiences of children and youth, including those
with disabilities and mental illness and their families, in all aspects of the department's work;

(2) increasing the effectiveness of the department's programs in addressing the needs of
children and youth facing racial, economic, or geographic inequities;

(3) increasing coordination and reducing inefficiencies among the department's programs
and the funding sources that support the programs;

(4) increasing the alignment and coordination of family access to child care and early
learning programs and improving systems of support for early childhood and learning
providers and services;

(5) improving the connection between the department's programs and the kindergarten
through grade 12 and higher education systems; and

(6) minimizing and streamlining the effort required of youth and families to receive
services to which the youth and families are entitled.

(e) The commissioner shall administer and supervise the forms of public assistance and
other activities or services that are vested in the commissioner. Administration and
supervision of activities or services includes but is not limited to assuring timely and accurate
distribution of benefits, completeness of service, and quality program management. In
addition to administering and supervising activities vested by law in the department, the
commissioner has the authority to:

(1) require county agency participation in training and technical assistance programs to
promote compliance with statutes, rules, federal laws, regulations, and policies governing
the programs and activities administered by the commissioner;

(2) monitor, on an ongoing basis, the performance of county agencies in the operation
and administration of activities and programs; enforce compliance with statutes, rules,
federal laws, regulations, and policies governing welfare services; and promote excellence
of administration and program operation;

(3) develop a quality control program or other monitoring program to review county
performance and accuracy of benefit determinations;

(4) require county agencies to make an adjustment to the public assistance benefits issued
to any individual consistent with federal law and regulation and state law and rule and to
issue or recover benefits as appropriate;

(5) delay or deny payment of all or part of the state and federal share of benefits and
administrative reimbursement according to the procedures set forth in section 142A.10;

(6) make contracts with and grants to public and private agencies and organizations,
both for-profit and nonprofit, and individuals, using appropriated funds; and

(7) enter into contractual agreements with federally recognized Indian Tribes with a
reservation in Minnesota to the extent necessary for the Tribe to operate a federally approved
family assistance program or any other program under the supervision of the commissioner.
The commissioner shall consult with the affected county or counties in the contractual
agreement negotiations, if the county or counties wish to be included, in order to avoid the
duplication of county and Tribal assistance program services. The commissioner may
establish necessary accounts for the purposes of receiving and disbursing funds as necessary
for the operation of the programs.

The commissioner shall work in conjunction with the commissioner of human services to
carry out the duties of this paragraph when necessary and feasible.

(f) The commissioner shall inform county agencies, on a timely basis, of changes in
statute, rule, federal law, regulation, and policy necessary to county agency administration
of the programs and activities administered by the commissioner.

(g) The commissioner shall administer and supervise child welfare activities, including
promoting the enforcement of laws preventing child maltreatment and protecting children
with a disability and children who are in need of protection or services, licensing and
supervising child care and child-placing agencies, and supervising the care of children in
foster care. The commissioner shall coordinate with the commissioner of human services
on activities impacting children overseen by the Department of Human Services, such as
disability services, behavioral health, and substance use disorder treatment.

(h) The commissioner shall assist and cooperate with local, state, and federal departments,
agencies, and institutions.

(i) The commissioner shall establish and maintain any administrative units reasonably
necessary for the performance of administrative functions common to all divisions of the
department.

(j) The commissioner shall act as designated guardian of children pursuant to chapter
260C. For children under the guardianship of the commissioner or a Tribe in Minnesota
recognized by the Secretary of the Interior whose interests would be best served by adoptive
placement, the commissioner may contract with a licensed child-placing agency or a
Minnesota Tribal social services agency to provide adoption services. For children in
out-of-home care whose interests would be best served by a transfer of permanent legal and
physical custody to a relative under section 260C.515, subdivision 4, or equivalent in Tribal
code, the commissioner may contract with a licensed child-placing agency or a Minnesota
Tribal social services agency to provide permanency services. A contract with a licensed
child-placing agency must be designed to supplement existing county efforts and may not
replace existing county programs or Tribal social services, unless the replacement is agreed
to by the county board and the appropriate exclusive bargaining representative, Tribal
governing body, or the commissioner has evidence that child placements of the county
continue to be substantially below that of other counties. Funds encumbered and obligated
under an agreement for a specific child shall remain available until the terms of the agreement
are fulfilled or the agreement is terminated.

(k) The commissioner has the authority to conduct and administer experimental projects
to test methods and procedures of administering assistance and services to recipients or
potential recipients of public benefits. To carry out the experimental projects, the
commissioner may waive the enforcement of existing specific statutory program
requirements, rules, and standards in one or more counties. The order establishing the waiver
must provide alternative methods and procedures of administration and must not conflict
with the basic purposes, coverage, or benefits provided by law. No project under this
paragraph shall exceed four years. No order establishing an experimental project as authorized
by this paragraph is effective until the following conditions have been met:

(1) the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services has agreed, for the same
project, to waive state plan requirements relative to statewide uniformity; and

(2) a comprehensive plan, including estimated project costs, has been approved by the
Legislative Advisory Commission and filed with the commissioner of administration.

(l) The commissioner shall, according to federal requirements and in coordination with
the commissioner of human services, establish procedures to be followed by local welfare
boards in creating citizen advisory committees, including procedures for selection of
committee members.

(m) The commissioner shall allocate federal fiscal disallowances or sanctions that are
based on quality control error rates new text begin under United States Code, title 7, section 2025(c), new text end for
deleted text begin the aid to families with dependent children (AFDC) program formerly codified in sections
256.72 to 256.87 or deleted text end the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the following
manner:

(1) one-half of the total amount of the disallowance shall be borne by the county boards
responsible for administering the programs. deleted text begin For AFDC, disallowances shall be shared by
each county board in the same proportion as that county's expenditures to the total of all
counties' expenditures for AFDC. For SNAP, deleted text end Sanctions shall be shared by each county
board, with 50 percent of the sanction being distributed to each county in the same proportion
as that county's administrative costs for SNAP benefits are to the total of all SNAP
administrative costs for all counties, and 50 percent of the sanctions being distributed to
each county in the same proportion as that county's value of SNAP benefits issued are to
the total of all benefits issued for all counties. Each county shall pay its share of the
disallowance to the state of Minnesota. When a county fails to pay the amount due under
this paragraph, the commissioner may deduct the amount from reimbursement otherwise
due the county, or the attorney general, upon the request of the commissioner, may institute
civil action to recover the amount due; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(2) notwithstanding the provisions of clause (1), if the disallowance results from knowing
noncompliance by one or more counties with a specific program instruction, and that knowing
noncompliance is a matter of official county board record, the commissioner may require
payment or recover from the county or counties, in the manner prescribed in clause (1), an
amount equal to the portion of the total disallowance that resulted from the noncompliance
and may distribute the balance of the disallowance according to clause (1) deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (3) the commissioner's allocation requirements under this paragraph shall not apply to
the state share of SNAP benefit costs under section 142F.05, subdivision 5.
new text end

(n) The commissioner shall develop and implement special projects that maximize
reimbursements and result in the recovery of money to the state. For the purpose of recovering
state money, the commissioner may enter into contracts with third parties. Any recoveries
that result from projects or contracts entered into under this paragraph shall be deposited
in the state treasury and credited to a special account until the balance in the account reaches
$1,000,000. When the balance in the account exceeds $1,000,000, the excess shall be
transferred and credited to the general fund. All money in the account is appropriated to the
commissioner for the purposes of this paragraph.

(o) The commissioner has the authority to establish and enforce the following county
reporting requirements:

(1) the commissioner shall establish fiscal and statistical reporting requirements necessary
to account for the expenditure of funds allocated to counties for programs administered by
the commissioner. When establishing financial and statistical reporting requirements, the
commissioner shall evaluate all reports, in consultation with the counties, to determine if
the reports can be simplified or the number of reports can be reduced;

(2) the county board shall submit monthly or quarterly reports to the department as
required by the commissioner. Monthly reports are due no later than 15 working days after
the end of the month. Quarterly reports are due no later than 30 calendar days after the end
of the quarter, unless the commissioner determines that the deadline must be shortened to
20 calendar days to avoid jeopardizing compliance with federal deadlines or risking a loss
of federal funding. Only reports that are complete, legible, and in the required format shall
be accepted by the commissioner;

(3) if the required reports are not received by the deadlines established in clause (2), the
commissioner may delay payments and withhold funds from the county board until the next
reporting period. When the report is needed to account for the use of federal funds and the
late report results in a reduction in federal funding, the commissioner shall withhold from
the county boards with late reports an amount equal to the reduction in federal funding until
full federal funding is received;

(4) a county board that submits reports that are late, illegible, incomplete, or not in the
required format for two out of three consecutive reporting periods is considered
noncompliant. When a county board is found to be noncompliant, the commissioner shall
notify the county board of the reason the county board is considered noncompliant and
request that the county board develop a corrective action plan stating how the county board
plans to correct the problem. The corrective action plan must be submitted to the
commissioner within 45 days after the date the county board received notice of
noncompliance;

(5) the final deadline for fiscal reports or amendments to fiscal reports is one year after
the date the report was originally due. If the commissioner does not receive a report by the
final deadline, the county board forfeits the funding associated with the report for that
reporting period and the county board must repay any funds associated with the report
received for that reporting period;

(6) the commissioner may not delay payments, withhold funds, or require repayment
under clause (3) or (5) if the county demonstrates that the commissioner failed to provide
appropriate forms, guidelines, and technical assistance to enable the county to comply with
the requirements. If the county board disagrees with an action taken by the commissioner
under clause (3) or (5), the county board may appeal the action according to sections 14.57
to 14.69; and

(7) counties subject to withholding of funds under clause (3) or forfeiture or repayment
of funds under clause (5) shall not reduce or withhold benefits or services to clients to cover
costs incurred due to actions taken by the commissioner under clause (3) or (5).

(p) The commissioner shall allocate federal fiscal disallowances or sanctions for audit
exceptions when federal fiscal disallowances or sanctions are based on a statewide random
sample in direct proportion to each county's claim for that period.

(q) The commissioner is responsible for ensuring the detection, prevention, investigation,
and resolution of fraudulent activities or behavior by applicants, recipients, and other
participants in the programs administered by the department. The commissioner shall
cooperate with the commissioner of education to enforce the requirements for program
integrity and fraud prevention for investigation for child care assistance under chapter 142E.

(r) The commissioner shall require county agencies to identify overpayments, establish
claims, and utilize all available and cost-beneficial methodologies to collect and recover
these overpayments in the programs administered by the department.

(s) The commissioner shall develop recommended standards for child foster care homes
that address the components of specialized therapeutic services to be provided by child
foster care homes with those services.

(t) The commissioner shall authorize the method of payment to or from the department
as part of the programs administered by the department. This authorization includes the
receipt or disbursement of funds held by the department in a fiduciary capacity as part of
the programs administered by the department.

(u) In coordination with the commissioner of human services, the commissioner shall
create and provide county and Tribal agencies with blank applications, affidavits, and other
forms as necessary for public assistance programs.

(v) The commissioner shall cooperate with the federal government and its public welfare
agencies in any reasonable manner as may be necessary to qualify for federal aid for
temporary assistance for needy families and in conformity with Title I of Public Law 104-193,
the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 and successor
amendments, including making reports that contain information required by the federal
Social Security Advisory Board and complying with any provisions the board may find
necessary to assure the correctness and verification of the reports.

(w) On or before January 15 in each even-numbered year, the commissioner shall make
a biennial report to the governor concerning the activities of the agency.

(x) The commissioner shall enter into agreements with other departments of the state as
necessary to meet all requirements of the federal government.

(y) The commissioner may cooperate with other state agencies in establishing reciprocal
agreements in instances where a child receiving Minnesota family investment program
(MFIP) assistance or its out-of-state equivalent moves or contemplates moving into or out
of the state, in order that the child may continue to receive MFIP or equivalent aid from the
state moved from until the child has resided for one year in the state moved to.

(z) The commissioner shall provide appropriate technical assistance to county agencies
to develop methods to have county financial workers remind and encourage recipients of
aid to families with dependent children, the Minnesota family investment program, the
Minnesota family investment plan, family general assistance, or SNAP benefits whose
assistance unit includes at least one child under the age of five to have each young child
immunized against childhood diseases. The commissioner must examine the feasibility of
utilizing the capacity of a statewide computer system to assist county agency financial
workers in performing this function at appropriate intervals.

(aa) The commissioner shall have the power and authority to accept on behalf of the
state contributions and gifts for the use and benefit of children under the guardianship or
custody of the commissioner. The commissioner may also receive and accept on behalf of
such children money due and payable to them as old age and survivors insurance benefits,
veterans benefits, pensions, or other such monetary benefits. Gifts, contributions, pensions,
and benefits under this paragraph must be deposited in and disbursed from the social welfare
fund provided for in sections 256.88 to 256.92.

(bb) The specific enumeration of powers and duties in this section must not be construed
to be a limitation upon the general powers granted to the commissioner.

Sec. 2.

new text begin [142D.095] PRESCHOOL ASSESSMENT.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of children, youth, and families shall implement a preschool
assessment of children's development in the year prior to kindergarten entry.
new text end

new text begin (b) School districts and charter schools must choose a commissioner-approved formative
and developmentally appropriate assessment tool approved by the department that is:
new text end

new text begin (1) aligned to the state early childhood indicators of progress and based on the criteria
to be an early learning assessment approved by the department; and
new text end

new text begin (2) based, in part, on information collected from teachers, early learning professionals,
families, and other partners.
new text end

new text begin (c) The department may provide technical assistance and professional development
related to the assessment to educators, school districts, and charter schools.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142E.16, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin Training required for payments. new text end

new text begin (a) As a condition of payment and prior to
authorization, all providers receiving child care assistance payments must complete
compliance training developed by the commissioner that addresses program integrity
requirements including but not limited to record keeping and billing requirements. The
commissioner shall develop criteria, reporting requirements, and standards for when providers
need to renew training after their initial registration.
new text end

new text begin (b) Providers that do not have an active registration to receive child care assistance on
or before April 12, 2027, must complete the training under this subdivision prior to
authorization. Providers with an active registration on or before April 12, 2027, must
complete the training under this subdivision before the provider's first renewal after April
12, 2027, or April 10, 2028, whichever is later.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142F.05, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin State share of SNAP benefit costs. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of children, youth, and
families shall pay the state share of SNAP benefit costs as determined by the United States
Department of Agriculture to meet the state cost share requirements under United States
Code, title 7, section 2013(a)(2)(B).
new text end

Sec. 5. new text begin DIRECTION TO COMMISSIONER OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND
FAMILIES; PHASED ROADMAP TO MODERNIZED APPLICATION AND
ELIGIBILITY TECHNOLOGY.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of children, youth, and families must undertake a study on and
create a comprehensive phased roadmap for modernized program application and eligibility
technology and processes for a cross-agency, universal eligibility determination capability
for human services programs. At a minimum, the study must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) economic assistance and food support;
new text end

new text begin (2) child care and related early childhood programs;
new text end

new text begin (3) child welfare;
new text end

new text begin (4) long-term services and supports;
new text end

new text begin (5) behavioral health; and
new text end

new text begin (6) health care programs.
new text end

new text begin (b) The study must incorporate and build upon relevant current and prior modernization
reports, implementation efforts, and engagement and include:
new text end

new text begin (1) feedback solicited from counties, Tribal Nations, and individuals with lived experience
participating in human services programs and using state technology systems;
new text end

new text begin (2) information collected from other states regarding comparable eligibility technology
modernization efforts;
new text end

new text begin (3) information on how the phased roadmap will simplify policies and processes, reduce
inefficiencies and duplication, and improve service delivery through technology
modernization and alignment of state technology systems;
new text end

new text begin (4) options and high-level considerations for integration with other human services
technology platforms to improve coordination of eligibility and services, streamline eligibility
and renewal determinations, and enhance accuracy and timeliness; and
new text end

new text begin (5) a phased timeline and estimate of the costs associated with implementation of the
roadmap to modernized eligibility technology.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members
of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over children and families, health and human
services, and information technology services by September 1, 2029. The commissioner
must coordinate with the commissioners of human services, information technology services,
and management and budget and engage counties and Tribal Nations.
new text end

Sec. 6. new text begin DIRECTION TO COMMISSIONER OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND
FAMILIES; HUMAN SERVICES REDESIGN STUDY.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of children, youth, and families must prepare a study that assesses
state and local social services agency roles for administering economic assistance, child
support, and child care programs, as well as provider licensing and recipient fraud
investigation functions. The study must:
new text end

new text begin (1) identify and assess the current roles and responsibilities held by local social services
agencies and the state for oversight and administration;
new text end

new text begin (2) evaluate impacts on efficiencies, effectiveness, and outcomes associated with
county-administered and state-administered models;
new text end

new text begin (3) estimate current costs for county-administered functions and the fiscal impact of
moving to a state-administered system;
new text end

new text begin (4) analyze current financing models and resources that support county-administered
human services and the impact of shifting to a state administered model; and
new text end

new text begin (5) assess changes to policy, legal, operational, information technology, human resources,
and other areas needed to shift county-administered functions to the state.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must, at a minimum, engage with providers, advocates, and
stakeholders, including:
new text end

new text begin (1) local social services agencies;
new text end

new text begin (2) individuals and providers who have lived experience with applying for and receiving
public assistance;
new text end

new text begin (3) family child care providers that have been licensed by counties and family child care
licensing county workers; and
new text end

new text begin (4) local social service agency fraud investigators and law enforcement agencies,
including the Office of the Attorney General, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and
county attorneys.
new text end

new text begin (c) Notwithstanding chapter 13 or other statute or rule to the contrary, counties must
provide financial, human resources, and other information necessary to complete the study
to the commissioner in the form, in the manner, and on the timeline requested by the
commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner must submit a report on the study under this section to the chairs
and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over children,
youth, and families by October 1, 2028.
new text end

ARTICLE 2

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES APPROPRIATIONS

Section 1. new text begin CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES APPROPRIATIONS. new text end

new text begin The dollar amounts shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are added to or, if
shown in parentheses, are subtracted from the appropriations in Laws 2025, First Special
Session chapter 3, article 22, from the general fund or any fund named for the purposes
specified in this article, to be available for the fiscal year indicated for each purpose. The
figures "2026" and "2027" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under them
are available for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2026, or June 30, 2027, respectively. "The
first year" is fiscal year 2026. "The second year" is fiscal year 2027. "The biennium" is
fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
new text end

			new text begin APPROPRIATIONS new text end
			new text begin Available for the Year new text end
			new text begin Ending June 30 new text end
				new text begin 2026 new text end		new text begin 2027 new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin COMMISSIONER OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 1,113,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 45,114,000 new text end

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
	new text begin 2026 new text end	new text begin 2027 new text end
new text begin General new text end	new text begin 1,113,000 new text end	new text begin 45,114,000 new text end

new text begin The amounts that may be spent for each
purpose are specified in the following sections.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION; AGENCY-WIDE SUPPORTS new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 38,993,000 new text end

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
	new text begin 2026 new text end	new text begin 2027 new text end
new text begin General new text end	new text begin -0- new text end	new text begin 38,994,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Systems Improvement new text end

new text begin $8,217,000 in fiscal year 2027 is from the
general fund to improve and sustain
information technology systems supporting
the delivery of the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program. The general fund base
for this appropriation is $10,993,000 in fiscal
year 2028 and $10,147,000 in fiscal year 2029.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end new text begin MAXIS new text end

new text begin $25,000,000 in fiscal year 2027 is for
information technology improvements to
MAXIS and related systems. The base for this
appropriation is $2,500,000 in fiscal year 2028
and $2,500,000 in fiscal year 2029.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end new text begin Information Technology Systems Study new text end

new text begin $2,650,000 in fiscal year 2027 is for a study
on eligibility processes, policies, and
modernization approaches for information
technology systems. This is a onetime
appropriation.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end new text begin Modernized Eligibility Systems new text end

new text begin $653,000 in fiscal year 2027 is for the
development and implementation of
modernized program eligibility processes and
information technology solutions. The base
for this appropriation is $1,306,000 in fiscal
year 2028 and $1,306,000 in fiscal year 2029.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end new text begin Program Integrity Technology new text end

new text begin $922,000 in fiscal year 2027 is for enhancing
program integrity information technology
resources. The base for this appropriation is
$519,000 in fiscal year 2028 and $520,000 in
fiscal year 2029.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end new text begin Expanded Program Integrity Capacity new text end

new text begin $1,201,000 in fiscal year 2027 is for enhanced
program integrity capacity within the Office
of Inspector General. The base for this
appropriation is $1,387,000 in fiscal year 2028
and $1,387,000 in fiscal year 2029.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end new text begin Training Compliance Information Technology new text end

new text begin $350,000 in fiscal year 2027 is for updated
information technology to track compliance
with training requirements for the child care
assistance program. The base for this
appropriation is $153,000 in fiscal year 2028
and $153,000 in fiscal year 2029.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION; EARLY CHILDHOOD new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 281,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 893,000 new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Child Care Provider Training new text end

new text begin $465,000 in fiscal year 2027 is for increased
training for child care providers participating
in the child care assistance program and other
related programs administered by the
commissioner of children, youth, and families.
The base for this appropriation is $354,000 in
fiscal year 2028 and $515,000 in fiscal year
2029.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Early Childhood Program Integrity new text end

new text begin $147,000 in fiscal year 2027 is for enhanced
program integrity capacity within the Early
Childhood Administration. The base for this
appropriation is $172,000 in fiscal year 2028
and $172,000 in fiscal year 2029.
new text end

Sec. 5. new text begin OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION; FAMILY WELL-BEING new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 3,577,000 new text end

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
	new text begin 2026 new text end	new text begin 2027 new text end
new text begin General new text end	new text begin -0- new text end	new text begin 3,577,000 new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Training and Oversight new text end

new text begin $3,577,000 in fiscal year 2027 is from the
general fund for additional staffing to enhance
oversight, training, and administration for the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
The general fund base for this appropriation
is $4,201,000 in fiscal year 2028 and
$4,201,000 in fiscal year 2029.
new text end

Sec. 6. new text begin GRANT PROGRAMS; CHILD AND ECONOMIC SUPPORT GRANTS new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 832,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 1,651,000 new text end

new text begin $819,000 in fiscal year 2027 is from the
general fund for the fraud prevention
investigation grants under Minnesota Statutes,
section 256.983. The general fund base for
this appropriation is $803,000 in fiscal year
2028 and $803,000 in fiscal year 2029.
new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 256.043, subdivision 3, is amended
to read:

Subd. 3.

Appropriations from registration and license fee account.

(a) The
appropriations in paragraphs (b) to (n) shall be made from the registration and license fee
account on a fiscal year basis in the order specified.

(b) The appropriations specified in Laws 2019, chapter 63, article 3, section 1, paragraphs
(b), (f), (g), and (h), as amended by Laws 2020, chapter 115, article 3, section 35, shall be
made accordingly.

(c) $100,000 is appropriated to the commissioner of human services for grants for opiate
antagonist distribution. Grantees may utilize funds for opioid overdose prevention,
community asset mapping, education, and opiate antagonist distribution.

(d) $2,000,000 is appropriated to the commissioner of human services for direct payments
to Tribal nations and five urban Indian communities for traditional healing practices for
American Indians and to increase the capacity of culturally specific providers in the
behavioral health workforce. Any evaluations of practices under this paragraph must be
designed cooperatively by the commissioner and Tribal nations or urban Indian communities.
The commissioner must not require recipients to provide the details of specific ceremonies
or identities of healers.

(e) $400,000 is appropriated to the commissioner of human services for competitive
grants for opioid-focused Project ECHO programs.

(f) deleted text begin $277,000 deleted text end new text begin $321,000 new text end in fiscal year deleted text begin 2024 deleted text end new text begin 2027 new text end and deleted text begin $321,000 deleted text end each year thereafter is
appropriated to the commissioner of deleted text begin human services deleted text end new text begin children, youth, and families new text end to
administer the funding distribution and reporting requirements in paragraph deleted text begin (o) deleted text end new text begin (m) new text end .

(g) $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 and $3,000,000 each year thereafter is appropriated
to the commissioner of human services for safe recovery sites start-up and capacity building
grants under section 254B.18.

(h) $395,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $415,000 each year thereafter is appropriated to
the commissioner of human services for the opioid overdose surge alert system under section
245.891.

(i) $300,000 is appropriated to the commissioner of management and budget for
evaluation activities under section 256.042, subdivision 1, paragraph (c).

(j) $261,000 is appropriated to the commissioner of human services for the provision of
administrative services to the Opiate Epidemic Response Advisory Council and for the
administration of the grants awarded under paragraph (n).

(k) $126,000 is appropriated to the Board of Pharmacy for the collection of the registration
fees under section 151.066.

(l) $672,000 is appropriated to the commissioner of public safety for the Bureau of
Criminal Apprehension. Of this amount, $384,000 is for drug scientists and lab supplies
and $288,000 is for special agent positions focused on drug interdiction and drug trafficking.

(m) After the appropriations in paragraphs (b) to (l) are made, 50 percent of the remaining
amount is appropriated to the commissioner of children, youth, and families for distribution
to county social service agencies and Tribal social service agency initiative projects
authorized under section 256.01, subdivision 14b, to provide prevention and child protection
services to children and families who are affected by addiction. The commissioner shall
distribute this money proportionally to county social service agencies and Tribal social
service agency initiative projects through a formula based on intake data from the previous
three calendar years related to substance use and out-of-home placement episodes where
parental drug abuse is a reason for the out-of-home placement. County social service agencies
and Tribal social service agency initiative projects receiving funds from the opiate epidemic
response fund must annually report to the commissioner on how the funds were used to
provide prevention and child protection services, including measurable outcomes, as
determined by the commissioner. County social service agencies and Tribal social service
agency initiative projects must not use funds received under this paragraph to supplant
current state or local funding received for child protection services for children and families
who are affected by addiction.

(n) After the appropriations in paragraphs (b) to (m) are made, the remaining amount in
the account is appropriated to the commissioner of human services to award grants as
specified by the Opiate Epidemic Response Advisory Council in accordance with section
256.042, unless otherwise appropriated by the legislature.

(o) Beginning in fiscal year 2022 and each year thereafter, funds for county social service
agencies and Tribal social service agency initiative projects under paragraph (m) and grant
funds specified by the Opiate Epidemic Response Advisory Council under paragraph (n)
may be distributed on a calendar year basis.

(p) Notwithstanding section 16A.28, subdivision 3, funds appropriated in paragraphs
(c), (d), (e), (g), (m), and (n) are available for three years after the funds are appropriated.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2026.
new text end

Sec. 8.

Laws 2024, chapter 117, section 22, is amended to read:

Sec. 22. APPROPRIATIONS; MINNESOTA AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILY
PRESERVATION AND CHILD WELFARE DISPROPORTIONALITY ACT.

(a) $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of human services for grants to Hennepin and Ramsey Counties to implement
the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality
Act phase-in program. Of this amount, $2,500,000 must be provided to Hennepin County
and $2,500,000 must be provided to Ramsey County. This is a onetime appropriation and
is available until deleted text begin June 30 deleted text end new text begin December 31 new text end , 2026.

(b) $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of human services for the African American and disproportionately represented
family preservation grant program under Minnesota Statutes, section 260.693.
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98, subdivision 14, the amount for
administrative costs under this paragraph is $0.

(c) $2,367,000 in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of human services to implement the African American Family Preservation
and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act. The base for this appropriation is $3,251,000 in
fiscal year 2026 and $3,110,000 in fiscal year 2027.

Sec. 9.

Laws 2025, First Special Session chapter 3, article 20, section 18, is amended to
read:

Sec. 18. GRANT PROGRAMS; HOUSING AND SUPPORT SERVICES GRANTS

$

deleted text begin 91,001,000 deleted text end new text begin 90,169,000 new text end

$

deleted text begin 94,092,000 deleted text end new text begin 93,260,000 new text end

Subdivision 1. Family Supportive Housing Grant Program

$700,000 in fiscal year 2026 is for the family
supportive housing grant program. This is a
onetime appropriation and is available until
June 30, 2027.

Subd. 2. Grant for Catholic Charities Homeless Elders Program

$959,000 in fiscal year 2026 is for a grant to
Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis
for the homeless elders program that helps
homeless, isolated, and low-income older
adults to move into stable housing. This is a
onetime appropriation and is available until
June 30, 2027.

Subd. 3. The Bridge for Youth

$250,000 in fiscal year 2026 is for a grant to
The Bridge for Youth to predesign a new
multiuse facility in Hennepin County. The
predesign of the new facility must support
future shelter and housing infrastructure
expansion in Hennepin County for
unaccompanied homeless youth and young
families experiencing homelessness. This is a
onetime appropriation and is available until
June 30, 2027.

Subd. 4. Base Level Adjustment

The general fund base for this section is
deleted text begin $96,726,000 deleted text end new text begin $95,894,000 new text end in fiscal year 2028
and deleted text begin $96,726,000 deleted text end new text begin $95,894,000 new text end in fiscal year
2029.

Sec. 10.

Laws 2025, First Special Session chapter 10, article 10, section 9, subdivision 2,
is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Kindergarten entry assessment.

For the kindergarten entry assessment under
Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.162:

	$	deleted text begin 2,357,000 deleted text end new text begin 2,076,000 new text end	.....	2026
	$	deleted text begin 1,743,000 deleted text end new text begin 1,462,000 new text end	.....	2027

Sec. 11. new text begin APPROPRIATION; MODERNIZED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.
new text end

new text begin $362,000 in fiscal year 2027 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of human services to support the development and implementation of modernized information
technology solutions. The general fund base for this appropriation is $724,000 in fiscal year
2028 and $724,000 in fiscal year 2029.
new text end

Sec. 12. new text begin BASE ADJUSTMENT; SNAP COST SHARING.
new text end

new text begin The general fund base for the commissioner of children, youth, and families for
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit cost sharing under Minnesota Statutes,
section 142F.05, subdivision 5, is $71,239,000 in fiscal year 2028 and $96,735,000 in fiscal
year 2029.
new text end

Sec. 13. new text begin CANCELLATION.
new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 of the appropriation in fiscal year 2025 from the general fund for the
establishment of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families under Laws 2023, chapter
70, article 20, section 12, paragraph (b), is canceled to the general fund on June 30, 2026.
new text end

Sec. 14. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin This article is effective the day following final enactment unless otherwise indicated.
new text end