HF 1094

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 02/19/2015 01:48pm

A bill for an act
relating to education finance; prioritizing early brain development in the early
childhood family education home visiting program; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2014, section 124D.13, subdivision 4.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.13, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Home visiting program.

new text begin (a) new text end A district that levies for home visiting under
section 124D.135, subdivision 6, shall use this revenue to include as part of the early
childhood family education programs a parent education component that is designed to
reach isolated or at-risk families.

The home visiting program must:

(1) incorporate evidence-informed parenting education practices designed to support
the healthy growth and development of children, with a priority focus on new text begin reaching new text end those
children who have high needs new text begin at as early an age as possible new text end ;

(2) establish clear objectives and protocols for home visits;

(3) encourage families to make a transition from home visits to site-based parenting
programs;

(4) provide program services that are community-based, accessible, and culturally
relevant;

(5) foster collaboration among existing agencies and community-based organizations
that serve young children and their families, such as public health evidence-based models
of home visiting and Head Start home visiting; and

(6) provide information about and assist in making arrangements for an early
childhood health and developmental screening when the child nears his or her third birthday.

The home visiting program should be provided by licensed parenting educators,
certified family life educators, or professionals with an equivalent license that reflect the
demographic composition of the community to the extent possible.

new text begin (b) A home visiting program must include information focused on early brain
development, including but not limited to brain development at different stages of life,
expectations of cognitive functions at different stages of life, suggested activities to
encourage healthy brain development, and suggested activities to discourage negative
brain development based on a child's surroundings.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2015.
new text end