HF 910

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 04/06/2021 12:52pm

A bill for an act
relating to children; requiring a report on participation in early childhood programs
by children in foster care; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin REPORT ON PARTICIPATION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS
BY CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Reporting requirement. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of human services shall
report on the participation in early care and education programs by children under age six
who have experienced foster care, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 260C.007,
subdivision 18, at any time during the reporting period.
new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this section, "early care and education program" means Early Head
Start and Head Start under the federal Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of
2007; special education programs under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 125A; early learning
scholarships under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.165; school readiness under Minnesota
Statutes, sections 124D.15 and 124D.16; school readiness plus under Laws 2017, First
Special Session chapter 5, article 8, section 9; voluntary prekindergarten under Minnesota
Statutes, section 124D.151; child care assistance under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 119B;
and other programs as determined by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Report content. new text end

new text begin (a) The report shall provide counts and rates of participation
by early care and education program and child's race, ethnicity, age, and county of residence.
The report shall use the most current administrative data and include recommendations for
collecting any data listed in this paragraph that is not currently available.
new text end

new text begin (b) The report shall include recommendations to:
new text end

new text begin (1) provide the data described in paragraph (a) on an annual basis as part of the report
required under Minnesota Statutes, section 257.0725;
new text end

new text begin (2) facilitate children's continued participation in early care and education programs
after reunification, adoption, or transfer of permanent legal and physical custody; and
new text end

new text begin (3) regularly report measures of early childhood well-being for children who have
experienced foster care. "Measures of early childhood well-being" include developmental
screening, school readiness assessments, well-child medical visits, and other indicators as
determined by the commissioner, in consultation with the commissioners of health, education,
and management and budget, county social service and public health agencies, and school
districts.
new text end

new text begin (c) The report shall include an implementation plan to increase the rates of participation
among children and their foster families in early care and education programs, including
processes for referrals and follow-up. The plan shall be developed in collaboration with
affected communities and families, incorporating their experiences and feedback. County
social service and public health agencies and school districts shall also collaborate on the
plan's development and implementation strategy.
new text end

new text begin (d) The report shall identify barriers to be addressed to ensure that early care and
education programs are responsive to the cultural, logistical, and racial equity concerns and
needs of children's foster families and families of origin, and the report shall identify methods
to ensure the experiences and feedback from children's foster families and families of origin
are included in the ongoing implementation of early care and education programs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Submission to legislature. new text end

new text begin By January 15, 2022, the commissioner shall submit
an interim report, and by June 30, 2022, the commissioner shall submit the final report
required under this section to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over human
services, early childhood, and education.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; REPORT ON PARTICIPATION IN EARLY
CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS BY CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2022 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
human services for the interim and final reports required under section 1. This is a onetime
appropriation.
new text end