1st Engrossment - 82nd Legislature (2001 - 2002) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am
1.1 A bill for an act 1.2 relating to education; providing for family and early 1.3 childhood education; modifying Head Start program; 1.4 consolidating child care assistance programs; 1.5 modifying early childhood screening, early childhood 1.6 family education, and school readiness programs; 1.7 directing allocation of federal child care development 1.8 funds; consolidating certain advisory councils; 1.9 establishing youth after-school enrichment program; 1.10 modifying adult basic education program; requiring a 1.11 report; making various clarifying and technical 1.12 changes; appropriating money; amending Minnesota 1.13 Statutes 2000, sections 119A.12, by adding 1.14 subdivisions; 119A.13, subdivision 4; 119A.21; 1.15 119A.22; 119A.51, by adding a subdivision; 119A.52; 1.16 119A.53; 119B.011, subdivisions 5, 7, 11, 12, 15, 18, 1.17 19, by adding subdivisions; 119B.02, subdivisions 1, 1.18 2, 3, by adding subdivisions; 119B.061, subdivisions 1.19 1, 2, 4, 5; 121A.17, subdivision 1; 124D.13, by adding 1.20 a subdivision; 124D.135, by adding subdivisions; 1.21 124D.15, by adding a subdivision; 124D.16, subdivision 1.22 2, by adding subdivisions; 124D.19, by adding 1.23 subdivisions; 124D.20, subdivisions 1, 5, by adding a 1.24 subdivision; 124D.221, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding a 1.25 subdivision; 124D.518, subdivision 5; 124D.52, 1.26 subdivision 2; 124D.522; 124D.531, subdivisions 1, 3, 1.27 7; 125A.28; 125B.20, subdivision 1; 134.31, 1.28 subdivision 5; proposing coding for new law in 1.29 Minnesota Statutes, chapters 119A; 119B; 134; 1.30 repealing Minnesota Statutes 2000, sections 119A.13, 1.31 subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 119A.14, subdivision 2; 119A.23; 1.32 119B.011, subdivision 20; 119B.03; 119B.04; 119B.05; 1.33 119B.06; 119B.07; 119B.08; 119B.09; 119B.10; 119B.11; 1.34 119B.12; 119B.13; 119B.14; 119B.15; 119B.16; 124D.16, 1.35 subdivision 4; 124D.33; 124D.331; 125B.20, subdivision 1.36 3; Minnesota Rules, parts 3530.2610; 3530.2612; 1.37 3530.2614; 3530.2616; 3530.2618; 3530.2620; 3530.2622; 1.38 3530.2624; 3530.2626; 3530.2628; 3530.2630; 3530.2632; 1.39 3530.2634; 3530.2636; 3530.2638; 3530.2640; 3530.2642; 1.40 3530.2644. 1.41 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 1.42 ARTICLE 1 1.43 CHILDREN AND FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS 2.1 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119A.51, is 2.2 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 2.3 Subd. 6. [ELIGIBLE LOW-INCOME CHILDREN.] "Eligible 2.4 low-income children" means children who live in families with 2.5 incomes up to 100 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. 2.6 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119A.52, is 2.7 amended to read: 2.8 119A.52 [DISTRIBUTION OF APPROPRIATION.] 2.9(a)Subdivision 1. [DISTRIBUTION.] The commissioner of 2.10 children, families, and learning must distribute money 2.11 appropriated forthat purposethis section to (1) Head Start 2.12 program grantees to expand services and (2) eligible agencies. 2.13 Agencies that receive money under this section must use the 2.14 money to serve additional low-income children.Money2.15 Subd. 2. [HEAD START GRANTEES.] Eighty-five percent of the 2.16 annual appropriation must be allocated toeach projecteligible 2.17 Head Startgrantee in existence on the effective date of Laws2.181989, chapter 282. Migrantgrantees, including migrant and 2.19 Indian reservation granteesmust be initially allocated money2.20based on the grantees' share of federal funds. The remaining2.21money must be initially allocated to the remaining local2.22agencies based equally on the agencies' share of federal funds2.23and on the proportion of eligible children in the agencies'2.24service area who are not currently being served. A Head Start2.25grantee must be funded at a per child rate equal to its2.26contracted, federally funded base level for program accounts 20,2.2722, and 25 at the start of the fiscal year. In allocating funds2.28under this paragraph, the commissioner of children, families,2.29and learning must assure that each Head Start grantee is2.30allocated no less funding in any fiscal year than was allocated2.31to that grantee in fiscal year 1993. For fiscal years 2002 and 2.32 2003, the commissioner must allocate funds appropriated for the 2.33 purposes of this section to grantees based 40 percent on the 2.34 grantees' share of federal funds and 60 percent based on unmet 2.35 need measured by the number of children in poverty ages birth to 2.36 five as reported in the most recent decennial census or 3.1 intercensal estimate. The commissioner may make grants for two 3.2 years. The commissioner may provide additional funding to 3.3 grantees for start-up costs incurred by grantees due to the 3.4 increased number of children to be served. Before paying money 3.5 to the grantees, the commissioner must notify each grantee of 3.6 itsinitialallocation, how the money must be used, and the3.7number of low-income children that must be served with the3.8allocation. Each grantee must notify the commissioner of the3.9number of low-income children it will be able to serve. For any 3.10 grantee that cannot utilize its full allocation, the 3.11 commissioner must reduce the allocation proportionately. Money 3.12 available after the initial allocations are reduced must be 3.13 redistributedto eligible grantees.3.14(b)under subdivision 6. To be eligible for an allocation 3.15 under this subdivision, a grantee must have a work plan approved 3.16 under subdivision 5. Head Start grantees may not use state 3.17 grant funds toward the federally required 25 percent local match. 3.18 Subd. 3. [OTHER ELIGIBLE AGENCIES.]Up to 11(a) No less 3.19 than 15 percent of the funds appropriated annuallymaymust be 3.20 used to provide grants tolocal Head Startother eligible 3.21 agencies to providefunds for innovative programs designed3.22either to target Head Start resources to particular at-risk3.23groups of children or to provide services in addition to those3.24currently allowable under federal Head Start regulationsor 3.25 expand services in unserved or underserved areas. The 3.26 commissioner must award fundsfor innovative programsunder this 3.27paragraphsubdivision on a competitive basis., giving priority 3.28 to innovative and creative program proposals. The commissioner 3.29 may establish criteria for agencies to apply to provide services 3.30 under this subdivision. The criteria must include agencies that: 3.31 (1) are not receiving Head Start funds as of June 30, 2001; 3.32 (2) are able to provide services in unserved or underserved 3.33 areas; 3.34 (3) demonstrate experience with children ages three to 3.35 five; and 3.36 (4) include a strong learning component. 4.1 (b) Eligible agencies receiving funds under this 4.2 subdivision are not required to meet the federal Head Start 4.3 standards. 4.4 (c) The commissioner must distribute funds to a variety of 4.5 organization types and geographic locations. 4.6 (d) Eligible agencies must apply to the commissioner 4.7 according to the timelines and on the forms provided by the 4.8 commissioner. To be eligible for funds, an eligible agency must 4.9 have an approved work plan and budget under subdivision 5. 4.10 (e) The commissioner may make grants for up to two years. 4.11 Subd. 4. [SERVICE PRIORITY.] Priority must be given to 4.12 providing services to children ages three to five for 4.13 appropriations received under this section. Up to $1,000,000 in 4.14 TANF funds appropriated each year for the purposes of this 4.15 section may be set aside to provide services for children ages 4.16 zero to three. 4.17 Subd. 5. [WORK PLAN.] (a) Beginning in 2002, to be 4.18 eligible for state appropriations under this section, each 4.19 grantee must submit a work plan to the commissioner for 4.20 approval. At a minimum, the work plan must: 4.21 (1) be based on community needs; 4.22 (2) identify the services to be provided; 4.23 (3) include the estimated number of low-income children to 4.24 be served; 4.25 (4) describe the program design and service delivery areas, 4.26 ensuring fair and equitable access to all services; 4.27 (5) describe programming for children ages three to five; 4.28 (6) describe programs or plans for children under the age 4.29 of three, if applicable; 4.30 (7) describe partnerships with other programs; 4.31 (8) include a plan to maximize children's program time and 4.32 minimize transition time between programs. 4.33 (b) For federal Head Start grantees, the work plan must 4.34 specify how each Head Start grantee policy council assisted in 4.35 the development and planning and will assist in the monitoring 4.36 of the Head Start program and integration of service delivery 5.1 with other early childhood services within the area. 5.2 (c) Head Start grantees and other eligible agencies must 5.3 submit a work plan and operating budget, including all funding 5.4 sources used to provide services. 5.5 (d) The commissioner may refuse any work plan that does not 5.6 meet the criteria under this subdivision. 5.7 Subd. 6. [REDISTRIBUTION.] The commissioner must develop 5.8 and implement a plan to redistribute reductions of the initial 5.9 allocations to grantees under subdivisions 2 and 3 to eligible 5.10 grantees to serve eligible children. Any amount of the 5.11 redistribution that is allocated to an eligible grantee must be 5.12 used according to its approved work plan under subdivision 5. 5.13 Subd. 7. [EVALUATION OF OUTCOMES.] (a) The commissioner 5.14 must require each program receiving revenue under section 5.15 119A.52 to participate in the development and use of a common 5.16 set of outcomes and indicators and in an outcome-based 5.17 evaluation for Head Start. The outcomes and indicators must 5.18 include information regarding the following: 5.19 (1) parental involvement; 5.20 (2) child health; 5.21 (3) child development; and 5.22 (4) school readiness. 5.23 (b) The outcome-based evaluation must include: 5.24 (1) a comparison of children and parents participating in 5.25 Head Start programs and a control group of children and parents 5.26 who have not participated in Head Start; and 5.27 (2) cost per participant and cost per contact hour 5.28 information. 5.29 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119A.53, is 5.30 amended to read: 5.31 119A.53 [FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS.] 5.32 Grantees under section 119A.52, subdivision 2, and the 5.33 commissioner of children, families, and learning shall comply 5.34 with federal regulations governing the federal head start 5.35 program and the TANF program, except forinnovative programs5.36funded under section 119A.52, paragraph (b)other services that 6.1 are not required by federal Head Start eligibility regulations 6.2 but are included in the work plans approved under section 6.3 119A.52, subdivision 5, which may operate differently than 6.4 federal head start regulations, and except that when a state 6.5 statute or regulation conflicts with a federal statute or 6.6 regulation, the state statute or regulation prevails. 6.7 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.011, 6.8 subdivision 5, is amended to read: 6.9 Subd. 5. [CHILD CARE.] "Child care" means the care of a 6.10 child by someone other than a parent or legal guardian in or 6.11 outside the child's own homefor gain or otherwise, on a regular 6.12 basis, for any part of a 24-hour day. 6.13 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.011, 6.14 subdivision 7, is amended to read: 6.15 Subd. 7. [CHILD CARE SERVICES.] "Child care services" 6.16 means child care provided in family day care homes, group day 6.17 care homes, nursery schools, day nurseries, child day care 6.18 centers, head start, all-day every day kindergarten for the 6.19 portion of kindergarten paid through parent fees, and extended 6.20 day school age child care programs in or out of the child's home. 6.21 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.011, 6.22 subdivision 11, is amended to read: 6.23 Subd. 11. [EDUCATION PROGRAM.] "Education program" means 6.24 remedial or basic education or English as a second language 6.25 instruction, a program leading to a general equivalency or high 6.26 school diploma, post-secondary programs excluding 6.27 postbaccalaureate programs, and other education and training 6.28 needs as documented in an employment plan, as defined in 6.29 subdivision 12.The employment plan must outline education and6.30training needs of a recipient, meet state requirements for6.31employment plans, meet the requirements of this chapter, and6.32Minnesota Rules, parts 3400.0010 to 3400.0230, and meet the6.33requirements of programs that provide federal reimbursement for6.34child care services.6.35 Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.011, 6.36 subdivision 12, is amended to read: 7.1 Subd. 12. [EMPLOYMENT PLAN.] "Employment plan" means 7.2 employment of recipients financially eligible for child care 7.3 assistance, or other work activities defined under section 7.4 256J.49, approved in an employability development, job search 7.5 support plan, or employment plan that is developed by the county 7.6 agency, if it is acting as an employment and training service 7.7 provider, or by an employment and training service provider 7.8 certified by the commissioner of economic security or an 7.9 individual designated by the county to provide employment and 7.10 training services. The plans and designation of a service 7.11 provider must outline the education and training needs of a 7.12 recipient, meet the requirements of this chapter and chapter 7.13 256J or chapter 256K, Minnesota Rules, parts 3400.0010 to 7.14 3400.0230, and other programs that provide federal reimbursement 7.15 for child care services. 7.16 Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.011, 7.17 subdivision 15, is amended to read: 7.18 Subd. 15. [INCOME.] "Income" means earned or unearned 7.19 income received by all family members, including public 7.20 assistance cash benefits and at-home infant care subsidy 7.21 payments, unless specifically excluded and child support and 7.22 maintenance distributed to the family under section 256.741, 7.23 subdivision 15. The following are excluded from income: funds 7.24 used to pay for health insurance premiums for family members, 7.25 Supplemental Security Income, scholarships, work-study income, 7.26 and grants that cover costs or reimbursement for tuition, fees, 7.27 books, and educational supplies; student loans for tuition, 7.28 fees, books, supplies, and living expenses; state and federal 7.29 income and social security taxes attributable to that income 7.30 level according to state and federal standardized tax tables; 7.31 state and federal earned income tax credits; in-kind income such 7.32 as food stamps, energy assistance, foster care assistance, 7.33 medical assistance, child care assistance, and housing 7.34 subsidies; earned income of full-time or part-time students up 7.35 to the age of 19, who have not earned a high school diploma or 7.36 GED high school equivalency diploma including earnings from 8.1 summer employment; grant awards under thefamily subsidyMFIP 8.2 program; nonrecurring lump sum income only to the extent that it 8.3 is earmarked and used for the purpose for which it is paid; and 8.4 any income assigned to the public authority according to section 8.5 256.741. 8.6 Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.011, 8.7 subdivision 18, is amended to read: 8.8 Subd. 18. [POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONALSYSTEMS8.9 INSTITUTION.] "Post-secondary educationalsystemsinstitution" 8.10 meansthe University of Minnesota board of regents and the board8.11of trustees of the Minnesota state colleges and universitiesany 8.12 nationally accredited technical college, community college, 8.13 private college or university, or public college or university. 8.14 Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.011, 8.15 subdivision 19, is amended to read: 8.16 Subd. 19. [PROVIDER.] "Provider" meansa child care8.17license holder who operates a family child care home, a group8.18family child care home, a child care center, a nursery school, a8.19day nursery, a school age care program; a license-exempt school8.20age care program operating under the auspices of a local school8.21board or a park or recreation board of a city of the first class8.22that has adopted school age care guidelines which meet or exceed8.23guidelines recommended by the department, or a nonlicensedan 8.24 individual or child care center or facility, either licensed or 8.25 unlicensed, providing legal child care services as defined under 8.26 section 245A.03. A legally unlicensed registered family child 8.27 care providerwho ismust be at least 18 years of age, andwho8.28isnot a member of the MFIP assistance unit or a member of the 8.29 family receiving child care assistance under this chapter. 8.30 Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.011, is 8.31 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 8.32 Subd. 21. [ANNUAL GROSS INCOME.] "Annual gross income" of 8.33 the applicant family means the current monthly gross income of 8.34 the family multiplied by 12, the income for the 12-month period 8.35 immediately preceding the date of application, or income 8.36 calculated by the method which provides the most accurate 9.1 assessment of income available to the family. Self-employment 9.2 income must be calculated based on gross receipts less operating 9.3 expenses. 9.4 Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.011, is 9.5 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 9.6 Subd. 22. [FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES.] "Federal poverty 9.7 guidelines" means the annual poverty guidelines for a family of 9.8 four, adjusted for family size, published annually by the United 9.9 States Department of Health and Human Services in the Federal 9.10 Register. 9.11 Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.011, is 9.12 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 9.13 Subd. 23. [RECOUPMENT OF OVERPAYMENTS.] "Recoupment of 9.14 overpayments" means the reduction of child care assistance 9.15 payments to an eligible family in order to correct an 9.16 overpayment to the family even when the overpayment is due to 9.17 agency error or other circumstances outside the responsibility 9.18 or control of the family. 9.19 Sec. 14. [119B.014] [ESTABLISHMENT OF CHILD CARE 9.20 ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.] 9.21 Subdivision 1. [CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.] (a) A 9.22 child care assistance program is established for the purpose of 9.23 subsidizing the child care costs of eligible families. The 9.24 child care assistance program may be funded by county 9.25 contributions, state appropriations, and federal funds. Child 9.26 care assistance payments are authorized for eligible families 9.27 within the limits of available appropriations. 9.28 (b) Child care services must be made available as in-kind 9.29 services. 9.30 (c) Families enrolled in the child care assistance program 9.31 must be continued until they are no longer eligible. 9.32 (d) Child care assistance provided through the child care 9.33 fund is considered assistance to the parent. 9.34 Subd. 2. [SPECIAL REVENUE ACCOUNT FOR CHILD CARE.] A child 9.35 support collection account is established in the special revenue 9.36 fund for the deposit of collections through the assignment of 10.1 child support under section 256.741, subdivision 2. The 10.2 commissioner of human services must deposit all collections made 10.3 under section 256.741, subdivision 2, in the child support 10.4 collection account. Money in this account is appropriated to 10.5 the commissioner for child care assistance under chapter 119B 10.6 and is in addition to other state and federal appropriations. 10.7 Subd. 3. [GENERAL ELIGIBILITY.] (a) To be eligible for the 10.8 child care assistance program, families must be participating in 10.9 an authorized activity under subdivision 4 and meet income 10.10 eligibility requirements under subdivision 5 and requirements 10.11 under this subdivision. 10.12 (b) To be eligible for child care assistance, students 10.13 enrolled in an education program under section 119B.011, 10.14 subdivision 11, must be in good standing and be making 10.15 satisfactory progress toward completion of the program as 10.16 stipulated in the school's satisfactory progress policy. 10.17 (c) All applicants for child care assistance and families 10.18 currently receiving child care assistance must cooperate in 10.19 establishment of paternity and enforcement of child support 10.20 obligations under section 256.741 for all children in the family 10.21 as a condition of program eligibility. 10.22 Subd. 4. [AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.] Families must be 10.23 participating in at least one of the following authorized 10.24 activities: 10.25 (1) employment orientation or job search, or other 10.26 employment or training activities that are included in an 10.27 approved employability development plan under chapter 256K; 10.28 (2) work activities as required in their job search support 10.29 or employment plan, or in appeals, hearings, assessments, or 10.30 orientations under chapter 256J. Child care assistance to 10.31 support work activities as required under section 256J.49 must 10.32 be available according to sections 119A.52; 119B.011, 10.33 subdivision 12; 124D.13; 256E.08; and 611A.32; and titles IVA; 10.34 IVB; IVE; and XX of the Social Security Act of 1935; 10.35 (3) a job search conducted outside of an approved 10.36 employability development plan under chapter 256K, not to exceed 11.1 240 hours of child care assistance per calendar year; 11.2 (4) employment outside of an employment plan under section 11.3 119B.011, subdivision 12, in which the caregiver works at least 11.4 an average of 20 hours per week and students not participating 11.5 in MFIP work at least an average of ten hours per week and 11.6 receive at least minimum wage for all hours worked. For 11.7 purposes of this section, work-study programs must be counted as 11.8 employment; 11.9 (5) post-secondary education up to the maximum length of 11.10 time necessary to complete the credit requirements for an 11.11 associate or baccalaureate degree as determined by the 11.12 educational institution, excluding basic or remedial education 11.13 programs needed to prepare for post-secondary education or 11.14 employment. Basic or remedial education programs include, but 11.15 are not limited to, high school, general equivalency diploma, 11.16 and English as a second language. Programs exempt from this 11.17 time limit must not run concurrently with a post-secondary 11.18 program; or 11.19 (6) the at-home infant child care program under section 11.20 119B.061. 11.21 Subd. 5. [INCOME ELIGIBILITY.] (a) Beginning January 1, 11.22 2002, all families participating in an authorized activity with 11.23 an annual gross income at or below 250 percent of the federal 11.24 poverty guidelines, adjusted for family size, are eligible for 11.25 child care assistance regardless of MFIP status. 11.26 (b) If there is a waiting list for child care assistance 11.27 under section 119B.025, subdivision 5, the commissioner must 11.28 make recommendations to the legislature to change income 11.29 eligibility requirements or make other changes in order to 11.30 eliminate the waiting list. 11.31 Subd. 6. [CONTINUATION OF ASSISTANCE.] All families 11.32 eligible for and receiving child care assistance under chapter 11.33 119B as of December 31, 2001, continue to be eligible for child 11.34 care assistance until June 30, 2003, provided each family 11.35 continues to meet all eligibility requirements as of December 11.36 31, 2001. 12.1 Sec. 15. [119B.017] [ASSISTANCE.] 12.2 Subdivision 1. [CALCULATION OF BENEFITS.] (a) Child care 12.3 assistance must be authorized as provided in clause (1) or (2): 12.4 (1) when the caregiver or student works for an hourly wage 12.5 and the hourly wage is equal to or greater than the applicable 12.6 minimum wage, child care assistance must be provided for the 12.7 actual hours of employment, break, and mealtime during the 12.8 employment and travel time up to two hours per day, and 12.9 classroom time in the case of students; or 12.10 (2) when the caregiver does not work for an hourly wage, 12.11 child care assistance must be provided for the lesser of: 12.12 (i) the amount of child care determined by dividing gross 12.13 earned income by the applicable minimum wage, up to one hour 12.14 every eight hours for meals and break time, plus up to two hours 12.15 per day for travel time, and classroom time; or 12.16 (ii) the amount of child care equal to the actual amount of 12.17 child care used during employment, including break and mealtime 12.18 during employment, plus up to two hours per day for travel time, 12.19 and classroom time. 12.20 (b) The maximum amount of child care assistance a local 12.21 agency may authorize in a two-week period is 120 hours per child. 12.22 Subd. 2. [STUDENTS.] Counties may not limit the duration 12.23 of child care assistance for a student except when the student 12.24 is found to be ineligible under the child care assistance 12.25 eligibility standards. Any limitation must be based on a 12.26 student's employment plan in the case of an MFIP recipient and 12.27 county policies included in the child care fund plan. 12.28 Subd. 3. [CONTINUATION OF ASSISTANCE.] (a) If a caregiver 12.29 who is receiving child care assistance under this chapter moves 12.30 to another county, continues to participate in an authorized 12.31 activity, and continues to be eligible for child care assistance 12.32 under this chapter, the caregiver must receive, without 12.33 interruption, continued child care assistance from the county in 12.34 which the family currently resides. The family must notify the 12.35 new county of residence within 60 days of moving and apply for 12.36 child care assistance in the new county of residence. 13.1 (b) Financially eligible students who have received child 13.2 care assistance for one academic year must be provided child 13.3 care assistance in the following academic year. 13.4 Subd. 4. [DATE OF ELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTANCE.] Within the 13.5 limits of available appropriations: 13.6 (1) the date of eligibility for child care assistance under 13.7 this chapter is the latest of: 13.8 (i) the date the application was signed; 13.9 (ii) the beginning date of employment, education, or 13.10 training; or 13.11 (iii) the date a determination has been made that the 13.12 applicant is a participant in employment and training services 13.13 under chapter 256J or 256K or Minnesota Rules, part 3400.0080, 13.14 subpart 2; 13.15 (2) payment of child care assistance for employed persons 13.16 on MFIP is effective the date of employment or the date of MFIP 13.17 eligibility, whichever is later; and 13.18 (3) payment of child care assistance for MFIP or work first 13.19 participants in employment and training services is effective 13.20 the date of commencement of the services or the date of MFIP or 13.21 work first eligibility, whichever is later. 13.22 Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.02, 13.23 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 13.24 Subdivision 1. [CHILD CARE SERVICES.] The commissioner 13.25shallmust: 13.26 (1) develop standards for county and human services boards 13.27 to provide child care services to enable eligible families to 13.28 participate in employment, training, or education programs.13.29Within the limits of available appropriations, the commissioner13.30shall; 13.31 (2) distribute money to counties, within the limits of 13.32 available appropriations, to reduce the costs of child care for 13.33 eligible families. The commissioner shallunder section 13.34 119B.014; 13.35 (3) adopt rules under chapter 14 to govern the program in 13.36 accordance with this section, to implement and coordinate 14.1 federal program requirements, and to administer the child care 14.2 development fund. The rules must establish a sliding schedule 14.3 of fees for parents receiving child care services. The 14.4 rulesshallmust provide thatfundsmoney received as a lump sum 14.5 payment of child support arrearagesshallis notbecounted as 14.6 income to a family in the month received butshall beis 14.7 prorated over the 12 months following receipt and added to the 14.8 family income during those months. In the rules adopted under14.9this section, county and human services boards shall be14.10authorized to establish policies for payment of child care14.11spaces for absent children, when the payment is required by the14.12child's regular provider. The rules shall not set a maximum14.13number of days for which absence payments can be made, but14.14instead shall direct the county agency to set limits and pay for14.15absences according to the prevailing market practice in the14.16county. County policies for payment of absences shall be14.17subject to the approval of the commissioner. The commissioner14.18shall; 14.19 (4) maximize the use of federal money under title I and 14.20 title IV of Public Law Number 104-193, the Personal 14.21 Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, 14.22 and other programs that provide federal or state reimbursement 14.23 for child care services for low-income families who are in 14.24 education, training, job search, or other activities allowed 14.25 under those programs. Money appropriated under this section14.26must be coordinated; and 14.27 (5) coordinate state child care assistance money with the 14.28 programs that provide federal reimbursement for child care 14.29 servicesto accomplish this purpose. Federalreimbursement14.30obtainedreimbursements must be allocated tothe countycounties 14.31 thatspent moneyexpend funds for federally reimbursable child 14.32 carethat is federally reimbursable under programs that provide14.33federal reimbursement for child care services. The counties14.34shall use the federal money to expand child care services. The14.35commissioner may adopt rules under chapter 14 to implement and14.36coordinate federal program requirements. 15.1 Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.02, 15.2 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 15.3 Subd. 2. [CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS WITH TRIBES.] The 15.4 commissioner may enter into contractual agreements with a 15.5 federally recognized Indian tribe with a reservation in 15.6 Minnesota to carry out the responsibilities of county human 15.7 service agencies to the extent necessary for the tribe to 15.8 operate child care assistance programs undersections 119B.0315.9and 119B.05chapter 119B. An agreement may allow for the tribe 15.10 to be reimbursed for child care assistance services provided 15.11 undersection 119B.05chapter 119B. The commissioner shall 15.12 consult with the affected county or counties in the contractual 15.13 agreement negotiations, if the county or counties wish to be 15.14 included, in order to avoid the duplication of county and tribal 15.15 child care services. Funding to support child care services 15.16under section 119B.03may be transferred to the federally 15.17 recognized Indian tribe with a reservation in Minnesota from 15.18 allocations available to counties in which reservation 15.19 boundaries lie.When funding is transferred under section15.20119B.03,The amountshallof the transfer must be commensurate 15.21 to estimates of the proportion of reservation residents with 15.22 characteristicsidentified in section 119B.03, subdivision15.236eligible under section 119B.045, to the total population of 15.24 county residentswith those same characteristicseligible under 15.25 section 119B.045. 15.26 Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.02, 15.27 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 15.28 Subd. 3. [SUPERVISION OF COUNTIES.] The commissionershall15.29 must supervise child care programs administered by the counties 15.30 through standard-setting, technical assistance to the counties, 15.31 approval of county child care fund plans, and distribution of 15.32 public money for services. The commissionershallmust provide 15.33 training and other support services to assist counties in 15.34 planning for and implementing child care assistance programs. 15.35The commissioner shall adopt rules under chapter 14 that15.36establish minimum administrative standards for the provision of16.1child care services by county boards of commissioners.16.2 Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.02, is 16.3 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 16.4 Subd. 6. [FEDERAL MONEY; STATE RECOVERY.] The commissioner 16.5 must recover from counties any state or federal money that was 16.6 spent for persons found to be ineligible, except if the recovery 16.7 is made by a county agency using any method other than 16.8 recoupment, the county may keep 25 percent of the recovery. If 16.9 a federal audit exception is taken based on a percentage of 16.10 federal earnings, all counties must pay a share proportional to 16.11 their respective federal earnings during the period in question. 16.12 Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.02, is 16.13 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 16.14 Subd. 7. [REPORTS.] The commissioner must specify 16.15 requirements for reports under the same authority as provided to 16.16 the commissioner of human services in section 256.01, 16.17 subdivision 2, paragraph (17). 16.18 Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.02, is 16.19 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 16.20 Subd. 8. [APPROVAL OF CHILD CARE PLAN.] Within 90 days of 16.21 the date the child care fund plan under section 119B.025, 16.22 subdivision 7, the commissioner must notify counties whether or 16.23 not the plan is approved or if corrections or other information 16.24 is needed to approve the plan. The commissioner must withhold 16.25 payments to a county until it has an approved plan. Counties 16.26 must maintain services despite any withholding of payments due 16.27 to plans not being approved. 16.28 Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.02, is 16.29 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 16.30 Subd. 9. [ALLOCATION PERIOD; NOTICE OF ALLOCATION.] (a) 16.31 The commissioner must notify county and human service boards of 16.32 the forms and instructions they must follow in the development 16.33 of their child care fund plans required under section 119B.025, 16.34 subdivision 7. 16.35 (b) The commissioner must notify county and human services 16.36 boards of their estimated child care fund program allocation for 17.1 the two years covered by the plan. 17.2 (c) By October 1 of each year, the commissioner must notify 17.3 all counties of their final child care fund program allocation. 17.4 Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.02, is 17.5 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 17.6 Subd. 10. [QUARTERLY PAYMENTS.] The commissioner may make 17.7 payments to each county in quarterly installments. The 17.8 commissioner may certify an advance of up to 25 percent of the 17.9 allocation. Subsequent payments must be made on a reimbursement 17.10 basis for reported expenditures and may be adjusted for 17.11 anticipated spending patterns. Payments may be withheld if 17.12 quarterly reports are incomplete or untimely. 17.13 Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.02, is 17.14 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 17.15 Subd. 11. [REVIEW OF USE OF FUNDS; REALLOCATION.] (a) 17.16 After each quarter, the commissioner must review the use of 17.17 child care assistance program allocations by county. The 17.18 commissioner may reallocate unexpended or unencumbered money 17.19 among those counties that have expended their full allocation or 17.20 may allow a county to expend up to ten percent of its allocation 17.21 in the subsequent allocation period. 17.22 (b) Any unexpended state and federal appropriations from 17.23 the first year of the biennium may be carried forward to the 17.24 second year of the biennium. 17.25 Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.02, is 17.26 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 17.27 Subd. 12. [TERMINATION OF ALLOCATION.] The commissioner 17.28 may withhold, reduce, or terminate the allocation of any county 17.29 that does not meet the reporting or other requirements of this 17.30 program. The commissioner must reallocate to other counties 17.31 money so reduced or terminated. Counties are to maintain 17.32 services despite any reduction in their allocation due to 17.33 failure to meet the reporting or other requirements of this 17.34 program. 17.35 Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.02, is 17.36 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 18.1 Subd. 13. [COMMISSIONER TO ADMINISTER FEDERAL CHILD CARE 18.2 AND DEVELOPMENT FUND.] The commissioner is authorized and 18.3 directed to receive, administer, and expend funds available 18.4 under the child care and development fund under Title VI of 18.5 Public Law Number 104-193. Supplemental distributions received 18.6 from the federal government after July 1 of each year shall be 18.7 submitted for review and appropriations pursuant to section 18.8 3.3005. 18.9 Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.02, is 18.10 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 18.11 Subd. 14. [CHILD CARE DEVELOPMENT FUND PLAN DEVELOPMENT; 18.12 REVIEW.] In an effort to improve state legislative involvement 18.13 in the development of the Minnesota child care and development 18.14 fund plan, the commissioner must present a draft copy of the 18.15 plan to the legislative finance committees that oversee child 18.16 care assistance funding no less than 30 days prior to the 18.17 required deadline for submission of the plan to the federal 18.18 government. The legislature must submit any adjustments to the 18.19 plan to the commissioner for consideration within ten business 18.20 days of receiving the draft plan. The commissioner must present 18.21 a copy of the final plan to the chairs of the legislative 18.22 finance committees that oversee child care assistance funding no 18.23 less than four days prior to the deadline for submission of the 18.24 plan to the federal government. 18.25 Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.02, is 18.26 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 18.27 Subd. 15. [FEDERAL EARNINGS.] The commissioner must 18.28 allocate any federal earnings to the county to be used to expand 18.29 child care services to serve additional families under this 18.30 chapter. 18.31 Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.02, is 18.32 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 18.33 Subd. 16. [ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.] The commissioner must 18.34 use up to 1/21 of the state and federal funds available for the 18.35 child care assistance program for the county administrative 18.36 costs of the delivery of direct services. 19.1 Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.02, is 19.2 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 19.3 Subd. 17. [MAXIMUM RATE DETERMINATION.] The commissioner 19.4 must determine the maximum rate for each type of care, including 19.5 special needs and handicapped care and extended day care. The 19.6 commissioner must annually survey child care providers, 19.7 including all providers licensed by the department of human 19.8 services, to determine the 75th percentile of the market rate. 19.9 The commissioner must implement any resulting rate changes by 19.10 August 1 of each year. Not less than once every two years, the 19.11 commissioner must evaluate market practices for payment of 19.12 absences and must establish policies for payment of absent days 19.13 that reflect current market practice. 19.14 Sec. 31. [119B.025] [DUTIES OF COUNTIES.] 19.15 Subdivision 1. [EXTENSION OF EMPLOYMENT 19.16 OPPORTUNITIES.] The county board must ensure that child care 19.17 services available to eligible residents are well advertised and 19.18 that everyone who receives or applies for MFIP cash assistance 19.19 is informed of training and employment opportunities, programs, 19.20 and requirements including child care assistance and child care 19.21 resource and referral services. 19.22 Subd. 2. [APPLICATION; ENTRY POINTS.] Each county must 19.23 make available to applicants two or more methods of applying for 19.24 the child care assistance program. To meet the requirements of 19.25 this subdivision, a county may provide alternative methods of 19.26 applying for assistance, including, but not limited to, a mail 19.27 application or application sites that are located outside of 19.28 government offices. 19.29 Subd. 3. [CONTRACTS; OTHER USES ALLOWED.] Counties may 19.30 contract for administration of the program or may arrange for or 19.31 contract for child care funds to be used by other appropriate 19.32 programs in accordance with this section and as permitted by 19.33 federal law and regulations. 19.34 Subd. 4. [ASSISTANCE PRIORITY.] (a) Each county must give 19.35 first priority for child care assistance under the child care 19.36 assistance program to eligible MFIP families. 20.1 (b) Each county must give second priority for child care 20.2 assistance to eligible non-MFIP families who do not have a high 20.3 school or general equivalency diploma or who need remedial and 20.4 basic skill courses in order to pursue employment or education 20.5 leading to employment and who need child care assistance to 20.6 participate in the education program. Within this priority, 20.7 each county must use the following subpriorities for child care 20.8 assistance: 20.9 (1) child care needs of minor parents; 20.10 (2) child care needs of parents under 21 years of age; and 20.11 (3) child care needs of other parents within the priority 20.12 group described in this paragraph. 20.13 (c) Each county must give third priority to families who 20.14 continue to be eligible for child care assistance and were 20.15 receiving child care assistance in a county but have moved to 20.16 another county. Families must receive, without interruption, 20.17 continued child care assistance from the county in which they 20.18 currently live. 20.19 (d) If a county projects that its child care allocation is 20.20 insufficient to meet the needs of all eligible families, it may 20.21 prioritize among the families that remain to be served after the 20.22 county has complied with the priority requirements of this 20.23 section. Counties that have established a priority for families 20.24 beyond those established under this section must submit the 20.25 policy in the annual child care fund plan. 20.26 Subd. 5. [WAITING LIST.] (a) Each county that receives 20.27 state or federal child care assistance funds must keep a written 20.28 record and report to the commissioner the number of eligible 20.29 families who have applied for a child care subsidy or have 20.30 requested child care assistance. 20.31 (b) Counties must perform a preliminary determination of 20.32 eligibility when a family requests child care assistance. At a 20.33 minimum, a county must make a preliminary determination of 20.34 eligibility based on family size, income, and authorized 20.35 activity. A family seeking child care assistance must provide 20.36 the required information to the county. 21.1 (c) A family that appears to be eligible must be put on a 21.2 waiting list if funds are not immediately available. The 21.3 waiting list must identify individuals in need of child care by 21.4 priority categories. Counties must review and update their 21.5 waiting list at least every six months. 21.6 Subd. 6. [FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT.] Counties must maximize 21.7 their federal reimbursement under federal reimbursement programs 21.8 for money spent for persons eligible under this chapter. 21.9 Subd. 7. [CHILD CARE FUND PLAN.] The county and designated 21.10 administering agency must submit a child care fund plan to the 21.11 commissioner. The commissioner must establish the dates by 21.12 which the county must submit the child care fund plan. The plan 21.13 must include: 21.14 (1) a narrative of the total program for child care 21.15 services, including all policies and procedures that affect 21.16 eligible families and are used to administer the child care 21.17 funds; 21.18 (2) the methods used by the county to inform eligible 21.19 families of the availability of child care assistance and 21.20 related services; 21.21 (3) the provider rates paid for all children with special 21.22 needs by provider type; 21.23 (4) the county prioritization policy for all eligible 21.24 families under the child care assistance program; and 21.25 (5) other information as requested by the department to 21.26 ensure compliance with the child care fund statutes and rules 21.27 promulgated by the commissioner. 21.28 Subd. 8. [COUNTY CONTRIBUTIONS REQUIRED.] In addition to 21.29 payments from child care assistance program participants, each 21.30 county must contribute from county tax or other sources a fixed 21.31 local match equal to its calendar year 2000 required county 21.32 contribution. The commissioner must recover funds from the 21.33 county as necessary to bring county expenditures into compliance 21.34 with this subdivision. 21.35 Subd. 9. [MAINTENANCE OF FUNDING EFFORT.] To receive money 21.36 through this program, each county must certify, in its annual 22.1 plan to the commissioner, that the county has not reduced 22.2 allocations from other federal and state sources, which, in the 22.3 absence of the child care fund, would have been available for 22.4 child care assistance. However, the county must continue 22.5 contributions, as necessary, to maintain on the child care 22.6 assistance program, families who are receiving assistance on 22.7 December 31, 2001, until the family loses eligibility for the 22.8 program or until a family voluntarily withdraws from the 22.9 program. This subdivision does not affect the local match 22.10 required for this program under other sections of the law. 22.11 Subd. 10. [QUALITY CHILD CARE SERVICES INFORMATION.] Each 22.12 county must make resources available to parents in choosing 22.13 quality child care services. A county may require a parent to 22.14 sign a release stating the parent's knowledge and 22.15 responsibilities in choosing a legal provider described under 22.16 section 119B.011. When a county knows that a particular 22.17 provider is unsafe, or that the circumstances of the child care 22.18 arrangement chosen by the parent are unsafe, the county may deny 22.19 a child care subsidy. A county may not restrict access to a 22.20 general category of provider allowed under section 119B.011, 22.21 subdivision 19. 22.22 Subd. 11. [INCOME REDETERMINATION.] A county must 22.23 redetermine income when the family's income changes, but no less 22.24 often than every six months. Income must be verified with 22.25 documentary evidence. If the applicant does not have sufficient 22.26 evidence of income, verification must be obtained from the 22.27 source of the income. 22.28 Subd. 12. [PROVIDER NOTICE.] Each county must inform both 22.29 the family receiving assistance under this chapter and the child 22.30 care provider of the child care assistance payment amount and 22.31 how and when payment will be received. If a county sends a 22.32 family a notice that child care assistance will be terminated, 22.33 the county must inform the provider that unless the family 22.34 requests to continue to receive assistance pending an appeal, 22.35 child care payments will no longer be made. The notice to the 22.36 provider must not contain any private data on the family or 23.1 information on why payment will no longer be made. 23.2 Subd. 13. [PROVIDER PAYMENTS.] Each county must make 23.3 vendor payments to the child care provider or pay the parent 23.4 directly for eligible child care expenses. If payments for 23.5 child care assistance are made to providers, the provider must 23.6 bill the county for services provided within ten days of the end 23.7 of the month of service. If bills are submitted in accordance 23.8 with the requirements of this subdivision, a county must issue 23.9 payment to the provider of child care under the child care fund 23.10 within 30 days of receiving an invoice from the provider. Each 23.11 county may establish policies that make payments on a more 23.12 frequent basis. A county's payment policies must be included in 23.13 the county's child care plan under subdivision 7. 23.14 Subd. 14. [ABSENCE PAYMENTS.] County and human services 23.15 boards are authorized to establish policies for payment of child 23.16 care spaces for absent children when payments are required by 23.17 the child's regular provider. The county agency is authorized 23.18 to set limits and pay for absences according to the prevailing 23.19 market practice in the county. County policies for payment of 23.20 absences must be subject to the approval of the commissioner. 23.21 Subd. 15. [DOCUMENTATION.] Each county must obtain, from 23.22 all child care assistance applicants, information documenting 23.23 all children in the applicant's household eligible for 23.24 subsidized child care. The documentation may include a social 23.25 security number, certified copy of a birth certificate, or other 23.26 similar documentation. 23.27 Sec. 32. [119B.035] [PROGRAM INTEGRITY AND FAIR HEARING.] 23.28 Subdivision 1. [PROGRAM INTEGRITY.] For the child care 23.29 assistance program under this chapter, the commissioner must 23.30 enforce, in cooperation with the commissioner of human services, 23.31 the requirements for program integrity and fraud prevention 23.32 investigations under sections 256.046, 256.98, and 256.983. 23.33 Subd. 2. [RECOVERY OF OVERPAYMENTS.] (a) A county agency 23.34 may recover an amount of child care assistance paid to a 23.35 recipient in excess of the payment due. If the family remains 23.36 eligible for child care assistance, the overpayment must be 24.1 recovered through recoupment. If the family no longer remains 24.2 eligible for child care assistance, the county may choose to 24.3 initiate efforts to recover overpayments from the family for an 24.4 overpayment less than $50. If the overpayment is greater than 24.5 or equal to $50, the county must seek voluntary repayment of the 24.6 overpayment from the family. If the county is unable to recoup 24.7 the overpayment through voluntary repayment, the county must 24.8 initiate civil court proceedings to recover the overpayment 24.9 unless the county's costs to recover the overpayment will exceed 24.10 the amount of the overpayment. 24.11 (b) A family with an outstanding debt under this 24.12 subdivision is not eligible for child care assistance until: 24.13 (1) the debt is paid in full; or (2) satisfactory arrangements 24.14 are made with the county to retire the debt consistent with the 24.15 requirements of this chapter and Minnesota Rules, chapter 3400, 24.16 and the family is in compliance with the arrangements. 24.17 Subd. 3. [FAIR HEARING ALLOWED.] An applicant or recipient 24.18 adversely affected by a county agency action may request a fair 24.19 hearing in accordance with section 256.045. 24.20 Subd. 4. [INFORMAL CONFERENCE.] Each county agency must 24.21 offer an informal conference to applicants and recipients 24.22 adversely affected by an agency action to attempt to resolve the 24.23 dispute. Each county agency must advise adversely affected 24.24 applicants and recipients that a request for a conference with 24.25 the agency is optional and does not delay or replace the right 24.26 to a fair hearing. 24.27 Sec. 33. [119B.045] [CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 24.28 FUNDING.] 24.29 Subdivision 1. [ALLOCATION FORMULA.] The state and federal 24.30 child care assistance funds must be allocated on a calendar year 24.31 basis. Funds must be allocated first in amounts equal to each 24.32 county's guaranteed floor according to subdivision 3 with any 24.33 remaining available funds allocated according to the following 24.34 formula: 24.35 (a) one-third of the funds must be allocated in proportion 24.36 to each county's total expenditures for the child care 25.1 assistance program reported during the most recent fiscal year 25.2 completed at the time of the notice of allocation; 25.3 (b) one-third of the funds must be allocated in proportion 25.4 to each county's most recently reported first, second, and third 25.5 priority waiting list as defined in section 119B.025, 25.6 subdivision 4; and 25.7 (c) one-third of the funds must be allocated in proportion 25.8 to each county's most recently reported waiting list as defined 25.9 in section 119B.025, subdivision 5. 25.10 Subd. 2. [ALLOCATION DUE TO INCREASED FUNDING.] When 25.11 funding increases are implemented within a calendar year, every 25.12 county must receive an allocation at least equal and 25.13 proportionate to its original allocation for the same time 25.14 period. The remainder of the allocation must be recalculated to 25.15 reflect the funding increase according to formulas identified in 25.16 subdivision 1. 25.17 Subd. 3. [GUARANTEED FLOOR.] (a) Beginning January 1, 25.18 2002, each county's guaranteed floor must equal 90 percent of 25.19 the allocation received in the preceding calendar year for child 25.20 care assistance programs under chapter 119B. 25.21 (b) When the amount of funds available for allocation is 25.22 less than the amount available in the previous year, each 25.23 county's previous year allocation must be reduced in proportion 25.24 to the reduction in the statewide funding for the purpose of 25.25 establishing the guaranteed floor. 25.26 Subd. 4. [CHILD CARE AT-RISK SET-ASIDE.] A child care 25.27 assistance at-risk set-aside is established to provide child 25.28 care assistance for families who: 25.29 (1) are eligible for child care assistance; 25.30 (2) are not receiving MFIP cash assistance; 25.31 (3) are employed at least an average of 20 hours per week; 25.32 and 25.33 (4) have an income at or below 175 percent of the federal 25.34 poverty guidelines. 25.35 Funding in this set-aside must be used only when all other 25.36 available child care assistance funding in a county has been 26.1 expended or encumbered. Before expending these funds, the 26.2 county must make a determination that the family is at risk of 26.3 using MFIP cash assistance. 26.4 Sec. 34. [119B.048] [SLIDING FEE AND PARENT FEES.] 26.5 Subdivision 1. [SLIDING FEE.] Child care services to 26.6 families with incomes at or below 250 percent of the federal 26.7 poverty guidelines, adjusted for family size, must be made 26.8 available on a sliding fee basis. 26.9 Subd. 2. [PARENT FEES.] A family's monthly parent fees 26.10 must be a fixed percentage of its annual gross income. Parent 26.11 fees must apply to families eligible for child care assistance 26.12 under section 119B.014. Income must be as defined in section 26.13 119B.011, subdivision 15. The fixed percent is based on the 26.14 relationship of the family's annual gross income to the 26.15 established income eligibility level under section 119B.014. 26.16 Parent fees must begin at 75 percent of the poverty level. The 26.17 minimum parent fees for families between 75 percent and 100 26.18 percent of poverty level must be $5 per month. Parent fees must 26.19 be established in rule and must provide for graduated movement 26.20 to full payment. 26.21 When the provider charge is greater than the maximum 26.22 provider rate allowed, the parent is responsible for payment of 26.23 the difference in the rates in addition to any family copayment 26.24 fee. 26.25 Sec. 35. [119B.055] [CHILD CARE PROVIDERS; CHOICE AND 26.26 RATES.] 26.27 Subdivision 1. [PROVIDER CHOICE.] Parents may choose child 26.28 care providers, as defined under section 119B.011, that best 26.29 meet the needs of their family. 26.30 Subd. 2. [SUBSIDY RESTRICTIONS.] The maximum rate paid for 26.31 child care assistance under the child care fund may not exceed 26.32 the 75th percentile rate for like-care arrangements in the 26.33 county as surveyed by the commissioner. A rate which includes a 26.34 provider bonus paid under subdivision 3 or a special needs rate 26.35 paid under subdivision 4 may be in excess of the maximum rate 26.36 allowed under this subdivision. The department must monitor the 27.1 effect of this section on provider rates. The county must pay 27.2 the provider's full charges for every child in care up to the 27.3 maximum established. 27.4 Subd. 3. [PROVIDER RATE BONUS FOR ACCREDITATION.] A family 27.5 child care provider or child care center with a current early 27.6 childhood development credential approved by the commissioner 27.7 must be paid a ten percent bonus above the maximum rate 27.8 established in subdivision 2, up to the actual provider rate. 27.9 Subd. 4. [PROVIDER RATE FOR CARE OF CHILDREN WITH 27.10 HANDICAPS OR SPECIAL NEEDS.] Counties must reimburse providers 27.11 for the care of children with handicaps or special needs at a 27.12 special rate to be approved by the county for care of these 27.13 children, subject to the approval of the commissioner. 27.14 Subd. 5. [RATES CHARGED TO PUBLICLY SUBSIDIZED FAMILIES.] 27.15 Child care providers receiving reimbursement under this chapter 27.16 may not charge a rate to clients receiving assistance under this 27.17 chapter that is higher than the private, full-paying client rate. 27.18 Subd. 6. [EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIPS.] Receipt of 27.19 federal, state, or local funds by a child care provider either 27.20 directly or through a parent who is a child care assistance 27.21 recipient does not establish an employer-employee relationship 27.22 between the county or state and the child care provider. 27.23 Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.061, 27.24 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 27.25 Subdivision 1. [ESTABLISHMENT.] A family in which a parent 27.26 provides care for the family's infant child may receive a 27.27 subsidy in lieu of assistance if the family is eligible for, or 27.28 is receiving assistance under thebasic sliding feechild care 27.29 assistance program. An eligible family must meet the 27.30 eligibility factors under section119B.09, the income criteria27.31under section 119B.12119B.014, and the requirements of this 27.32 section. Subject to federal match and maintenance of effort 27.33 requirements for the child care and development fund, the 27.34 commissioner shall establish a pool of up toseventhree percent 27.35 of the annual appropriation for thebasic sliding feechild care 27.36 assistance program to provide assistance under the at-home 28.1 infant child care program. At the end of a fiscal year, the 28.2 commissioner may carry forward any unspent funds under this 28.3 section to the next fiscal year within the same biennium for 28.4 assistance under thebasic sliding feechild care assistance 28.5 program. 28.6 Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.061, 28.7 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 28.8 Subd. 2. [ELIGIBLE FAMILIES.] (a) A family with an infant 28.9 under the age of one year is eligible for assistance if: 28.10 (1) the family is not receiving MFIP, other cash 28.11 assistance, or other child care assistance; 28.12 (2) the family has not previously received all of the 28.13 one-year exemption from the work requirement for infant care 28.14 under the MFIP program; 28.15 (3) the family has not previously received a life-long 28.16 total of1236 months of assistance under this section; and 28.17 (4) the family is participating in thebasic sliding fee28.18 child care assistance program or provides verification of 28.19 participation in an authorized activity at the time of 28.20 application and meets the program requirements. 28.21 (b) A family is limited to 12 months of assistance per 28.22 child. 28.23 Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.061, 28.24 subdivision 4, is amended to read: 28.25 Subd. 4. [ASSISTANCE.] (a) A family is limited to a 28.26 lifetime total of1236 months of assistance underthis28.27sectionsubdivision 2. The maximum rate of assistance is equal 28.28 to7590 percent of the rate established under section119B.1328.29 119B.055 for care of infants in licensed family child care in 28.30 the applicant's county of residence. Assistance must be 28.31 calculated to reflect the parent fee requirement under 28.32 section119B.12119B.048 for the family's actual income level 28.33 and family size while the family is participating in the at-home 28.34 infant child care program under this section. 28.35 (b) A participating family must report income and other 28.36 family changes as specified in the county's plan under section 29.1119B.08, subdivision 3119B.025, subdivision 7. The family must 29.2 treat any assistance received under this section as unearned 29.3 income. 29.4 (c) Persons who are admitted to the at-home infant care 29.5 program retain their position in anybasic sliding feechild 29.6 care assistance program or on any waiting list attained at the 29.7 time of admittance. If they are on the waiting list, they must 29.8 advance as if they had not been admitted to the program. 29.9 Persons leaving the at-home infant care program re-enter 29.10 thebasic sliding feechild care assistance program at the 29.11 position they would have occupiedoron the waiting list or at 29.12 the position to which they would have advanced. Persons who 29.13 would have attained eligibility for thebasic sliding feechild 29.14 care assistance program must be given assistance or advance to 29.15 the top of the waiting list when they leave the at-home infant 29.16 care program. Persons admitted to the at-home infant care 29.17 program who are not on abasic sliding feechild care assistance 29.18 waiting list may apply to thebasic sliding feechild care 29.19 assistance program, and if eligible, be placed on the waiting 29.20 list. 29.21 (d) The time that a family receives assistance under this 29.22 section must be deducted from the one-year exemption from work 29.23 requirements under the MFIP program. 29.24 (e) Assistance under this section does not establish an 29.25 employer-employee relationship between any member of the 29.26 assisted family and the county or state. 29.27 (f) The date of eligibility for the at-home infant child 29.28 care program is the later of the date the infant is born or, in 29.29 a county with a waiting list, the date the family applies for 29.30 at-home infant child care. 29.31 Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119B.061, 29.32 subdivision 5, is amended to read: 29.33 Subd. 5. [IMPLEMENTATION.](a)The commissioner shall 29.34 implement the at-home infant child care program under this 29.35 section through counties that administer thebasic sliding fee29.36 child care assistance program under section119B.03119B.014. 30.1 The commissioner must develop and distribute consumer 30.2 information on the at-home infant care program to assist parents 30.3 of infants or expectant parents in making informed child care 30.4 decisions. 30.5(b) The commissioner shall evaluate this program and report30.6the impact to the legislature by January 1, 2000. The30.7evaluation must include data on the number of families30.8participating in the program; the number of families continuing30.9to pursue employment or education while participating in the30.10program; the average income of families prior to, during, and30.11after participation in the program; family size; and single30.12parent and two-parent status.30.13 Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 121A.17, 30.14 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 30.15 Subdivision 1. [EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING.] 30.16 Every school board must provide for a mandatory program of early 30.17 childhood developmental screening for children once before 30.18 school entrance, targeting children who are between 3-1/2 and30.19four years old. Screening must be targeted to children who are 30.20 between three and four years old. At the request of the child's 30.21 parent or legal guardian, a child may be screened as early as 30.22 age two. This screening program must be established either by 30.23 one board, by two or more boards acting in cooperation, by 30.24 service cooperatives, by early childhood family education 30.25 programs, or by other existing programs. This screening 30.26 examination is a mandatory requirement for a student to continue 30.27 attending kindergarten or first grade in a public school. A 30.28 child need not submit to developmental screening provided by a 30.29 board if the child's health records indicate to the board that 30.30 the child has received comparable developmental screening from a 30.31 public or private health care organizationor, individual health 30.32 care provider, or Head Start program. Districts are encouraged 30.33 to reduce the costs of preschool developmental screening 30.34 programs by utilizing volunteers in implementing the program. 30.35 Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 124D.13, is 30.36 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 31.1 Subd. 13. [PROGRAM EVALUATION.] (a) The commissioner must 31.2 require each program receiving revenue under section 124D.135 to 31.3 participate in the development and use of a common set of 31.4 outcomes and indicators and in an outcome-based evaluation for 31.5 early childhood family education. The outcomes and indicators 31.6 must include information regarding the following: 31.7 (1) parental awareness of child development; 31.8 (2) parental satisfaction; 31.9 (3) parental involvement; 31.10 (4) child development; and 31.11 (5) school readiness. 31.12 (b) The outcome-based evaluation must include: 31.13 (1) a comparison of children and parents participating in 31.14 early childhood family education programs and a control group of 31.15 children and parents who have not participated in early 31.16 childhood family education; and 31.17 (2) cost per participant and cost per contact hour 31.18 information. 31.19 Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 124D.135, is 31.20 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 31.21 Subd. 8. [RESERVE ACCOUNT LIMIT.] Under this section, the 31.22 average annual revenue, during the most recent three-year 31.23 period, in a district's early childhood family education reserve 31.24 account must not be greater than 25 percent of the district's 31.25 early childhood family education annual revenue for the prior 31.26 year. If a district's average early childhood family education 31.27 reserve, over the most recent three-year period, is in excess of 31.28 25 percent of the prior year state revenue, the district's 31.29 current year early childhood family education state aid and levy 31.30 authority must be reduced by the excess reserve amount. The 31.31 commissioner must reallocate aid reduced under this subdivision 31.32 to other eligible early childhood family education programs. 31.33 Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 124D.135, is 31.34 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 31.35 Subd. 9. [WAIVER.] If a district anticipates that the 31.36 reserve account may exceed 25 percent because of extenuating 32.1 circumstances, prior approval to exceed the limit must be 32.2 obtained in writing from the commissioner. 32.3 Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 124D.15, is 32.4 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 32.5 Subd. 14. [PROGRAM EVALUATION.] (a) The commissioner must 32.6 require each program receiving revenue under section 124D.16 to 32.7 participate in the development and use of a common set of 32.8 outcomes and indicators and in an outcome-based evaluation for 32.9 school readiness. The outcomes and indicators must include 32.10 information regarding the following: 32.11 (1) kindergarten readiness; 32.12 (2) parental satisfaction; and 32.13 (3) parental involvement. 32.14 (b) The outcome-based evaluation must include; 32.15 (1) a comparison of children and parents participating in 32.16 school readiness programs and a control group of children and 32.17 parents who have not participated in a school readiness program; 32.18 and 32.19 (2) cost per participation and cost per contact hour 32.20 information. 32.21 Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 124D.16, 32.22 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 32.23 Subd. 2. [AMOUNT OF AID.] (a) A district is eligible to 32.24 receive school readiness aid if the program plan as required by 32.25 subdivision 1 has been approved by the commissioner. 32.26 (b) For fiscal year 1998 and thereafter, a district must 32.27 receive school readiness aid equal to: 32.28 (1) the number of eligible four-year-old children in the 32.29 district on October 1 for the previous school year times the 32.30 ratio of 50 percent of the total school readiness aid for that 32.31 year to the total number of eligible four-year-old children 32.32 reported to the commissioner forthatthe previous school year; 32.33 plus 32.34 (2) the number of pupils enrolled in the school district 32.35 from families eligible for the free or reduced school lunch 32.36 program for the second previous school year times the ratio of 33.1 50 percent of the total school readiness aid for that year to 33.2 the total number of pupils in the state from families eligible 33.3 for the free or reduced school lunch program for the second 33.4 previous school year. 33.5 Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 124D.16, is 33.6 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 33.7 Subd. 5. [RESERVE ACCOUNT.] School readiness revenue, 33.8 which includes aids, fees, grants, and all other revenues 33.9 received by the district school readiness programs, must be 33.10 maintained in a reserve account within the community service 33.11 fund. 33.12 Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 124D.16, is 33.13 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 33.14 Subd. 6. [RESERVE ACCOUNT LIMIT.] Under this section, the 33.15 average annual revenue, during the most recent three-year 33.16 period, in a district's school readiness reserve account must 33.17 not be greater than 25 percent of the district's school 33.18 readiness annual revenue for the prior year. If a district's 33.19 average school readiness reserve, over the most recent 33.20 three-year period, is in excess of 25 percent of the prior year 33.21 state revenue, the district's current year school readiness 33.22 state aid must be reduced by the excess reserve amount. The 33.23 commissioner must reallocate aid reduced under this subdivision 33.24 to other eligible school readiness programs. 33.25 Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 124D.16, is 33.26 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 33.27 Subd. 7. [WAIVER.] If a district anticipates that the 33.28 reserve account may exceed 25 percent because of extenuating 33.29 circumstances, prior approval to exceed the limit must be 33.30 obtained in writing from the commissioner. 33.31 Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 125A.28, is 33.32 amended to read: 33.33 125A.28 [STATE INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL.] 33.34 An interagency coordinating council of at least 17, but not 33.35 more than 25 members is established, in compliance with Public 33.36 Law Number 102-119, section 682. The members must be appointed 34.1 by the governor. Council members must elect the council chair. 34.2 The representative of the commissioner may not serve as the 34.3 chair. The council must be composed of at least five parents, 34.4 including persons of color, of children with disabilities under 34.5 age 12, including at least three parents of a child with a 34.6 disability under age seven, five representatives of public or 34.7 private providers of services for children with disabilities 34.8 under age five, including a special education director, county 34.9 social service director, local Head Start director, and a 34.10 community health services or public health nursing 34.11 administrator, one member of the senate, one member of the house 34.12 of representatives, one representative of teacher preparation 34.13 programs in early childhood-special education or other 34.14 preparation programs in early childhood intervention, at least 34.15 one representative of advocacy organizations for children with 34.16 disabilities under age five, one physician who cares for young 34.17 children with special health care needs, one representative each 34.18 from the commissioners of commerce, children, families, and 34.19 learning, health, human services, a representative from the 34.20 state agency responsible for child care, and a representative 34.21 from Indian health services or a tribal council. Section 34.22 15.059, subdivisions 2 to 5, apply to the council. The council 34.23 must meet at least quarterly. 34.24 The council must address methods of implementing the state 34.25 policy of developing and implementing comprehensive, 34.26 coordinated, multidisciplinary interagency programs of early 34.27 intervention services for children with disabilities and their 34.28 families. 34.29 The duties of the council include recommending policies to 34.30 ensure a comprehensive and coordinated system of all state and 34.31 local agency services for children under age five with 34.32 disabilities and their families. The policies must address how 34.33 to incorporate each agency's services into a unified state and 34.34 local system of multidisciplinary assessment practices, 34.35 individual intervention plans, comprehensive systems to find 34.36 children in need of services, methods to improve public 35.1 awareness, and assistance in determining the role of interagency 35.2 early intervention committees. 35.3 ByJuneSeptember 1, the council must recommend to the 35.4 governor and the commissioners of children, families, and 35.5 learning, health, human services, commerce, and economic 35.6 security policies for a comprehensive and coordinated system. 35.7 Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the state 35.8 interagency coordinating council expires on June 30,20012003. 35.9 Sec. 50. [CHILD CARE DEVELOPMENT FUND STATEWIDE PLAN.] 35.10 Subdivision 1. [CHILD CARE DEVELOPMENT FUND STATEWIDE 35.11 PLAN.] (a) In accordance with the requirements found in Code of 35.12 Federal Regulations, title 45, part 98, and in conjunction with 35.13 other federal, state, and local child care and early childhood 35.14 development programs, the commissioner of children, families, 35.15 and learning must continue to coordinate the creation of a 35.16 Minnesota child care and development fund plan to determine 35.17 statewide grant activities for the 2002-2003 biennium. 35.18 (b) The plan must identify grant activities that: 35.19 (1) directly respond to federal requirements, including 35.20 school-age care, infant and toddler care, child care resource 35.21 and referral, and quality and availability; 35.22 (2) promote community partnerships among a variety of 35.23 family providers as well as child care centers; and 35.24 (3) create new opportunities for employer involvement in 35.25 the provision of child care. 35.26 (c) The plan must provide no less than 35 percent of the 35.27 total funding in each fiscal year for child care development 35.28 grants for federally required activities, no less than five 35.29 percent of the total funding in each fiscal year for quality 35.30 improvement activities with existing early childhood family 35.31 education programs and child care providers, and no less than 15 35.32 percent of the general fund appropriation for child care 35.33 development for the development of child care facilities under 35.34 Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.25. 35.35 Subd. 2. [CHILD CARE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.] (a) Total 35.36 funding for child care development grants consists of money 36.1 received from state general funds, federal child care 36.2 development funds, federal TANF funds, and benevolent gifts. 36.3 36.4 Total child care development grant funding is $10,808,000 in 36.5 fiscal year 2002 and $11,123,000 in fiscal year 2003. 36.6 (b) In accordance with federal requirements for the 36.7 development of a comprehensive child care development plan and 36.8 in an effort to provide for a variety of child care needs 36.9 statewide, the Minnesota child care and development fund plan 36.10 must provide, at a minimum: 36.11 (1) $1,000,000 in the 2002-2003 fiscal biennium for early 36.12 childhood family education programs, under Minnesota Statutes, 36.13 section 124D.13, in communities throughout the state to enhance 36.14 the learning experiences of children in family- or center-based 36.15 child care programs through the provision of supplementary 36.16 services and resources, staff training, parent education, and 36.17 assistance with children who have special needs; 36.18 (2) $500,000 from the general fund in the 2002-2003 fiscal 36.19 biennium for loans to improve or construct child care sites, 36.20 under Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.25. Each loan must be 36.21 matched with nonpublic funding on a one-to-one basis; 36.22 (3) $120,000 in the 2002-2003 fiscal biennium for early 36.23 childhood professional development grants. No less than four 36.24 grants must be awarded to support child care professional 36.25 development activities. Two of the grants must focus on the 36.26 development needs of child care professionals in rural areas and 36.27 two of the grants must focus on the development needs of child 36.28 care professionals located in the seven-county metropolitan 36.29 area. Grants to successful applicants may not exceed $30,000 36.30 per grant; 36.31 (4) $200,000 in the 2002-2003 fiscal biennium for the 36.32 facilities loan and business program. These funds must be used 36.33 to heighten business awareness and streamline the process to 36.34 support the development of new child care facilities in 36.35 workplace settings. No less than 40 percent of these funds must 36.36 be used by the commissioner to work with the Minnesota chamber 36.37 of commerce and its affiliates and other trade organizations to 37.1 develop a statewide approach to encourage employers to establish 37.2 tax-deferred child care accounts for their employees; 37.3 (5) $1,000,000 in the 2002-2003 fiscal biennium for the 37.4 loan forgiveness scholarship program for credit-based education 37.5 or C.D.A. classes for child care providers that agree to work in 37.6 the Minnesota child care industry for two years. 37.7 Sec. 51. [APPROPRIATIONS.] 37.8 Subdivision 1. [DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND 37.9 LEARNING.] The sums indicated in this section are appropriated 37.10 from the general fund to the department of children, families, 37.11 and learning for the fiscal years designated, unless otherwise 37.12 indicated. 37.13 Subd. 2. [SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM REVENUE.] For revenue 37.14 for school readiness programs according to Minnesota Statutes, 37.15 sections 124D.15 and 124D.16: 37.16 $10,395,000 ..... 2002 37.17 $10,395,000 ..... 2003 37.18 The 2002 appropriation includes $1,039,000 for 2001 and 37.19 $9,356,000 for 2002. 37.20 The 2003 appropriation includes $1,039,000 for 2002 and 37.21 $9,356,000 for 2003. 37.22 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 37.23 available in the second year. 37.24 Subd. 3. [EARLY CHILDHOOD FAMILY EDUCATION AID.] For early 37.25 childhood family education aid according to Minnesota Statutes, 37.26 section 124D.135: 37.27 $20,758,000 ..... 2002 37.28 $20,663,000 ..... 2003 37.29 The 2002 appropriation includes $2,036,000 for 2001 and 37.30 $18,722,000 for 2002. 37.31 The 2003 appropriation includes $2,081,000 for 2002 and 37.32 $18,582,000 for 2003. 37.33 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 37.34 available in the second year. 37.35 Subd. 4. [HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING AID.] For 37.36 health and developmental screening aid according to Minnesota 38.1 Statutes, sections 121A.17 and 121A.19: 38.2 $2,661,000 ..... 2002 38.3 $2,661,000 ..... 2003 38.4 The 2002 appropriation includes $266,000 for 2001 and 38.5 $2,395,000 for 2002. 38.6 The 2003 appropriation includes $266,000 for 2002 and 38.7 $2,395,000 for 2003. 38.8 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 38.9 available in the second year. 38.10 Subd. 5. [WAY TO GROW.] For grants for existing way to 38.11 grow programs according to Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.17: 38.12 $475,000 ..... 2002 38.13 $475,000 ..... 2003 38.14 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 38.15 available in the second year. 38.16 Subd. 6. [HEAD START PROGRAM.] For Head Start programs 38.17 according to Minnesota Statutes, section 119A.52: 38.18 $17,375,000 ..... 2002 38.19 $17,375,000 ..... 2003 38.20 The general fund base for fiscal years 2004 and 2005 is 38.21 $17,375,000 for each year. Any balance in the first year does 38.22 not cancel but is available in the second year. 38.23 Subd. 7. [SCHOOL AGE CARE AID.] For school age care aid 38.24 according to Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.22: 38.25 $221,000 ..... 2002 38.26 $133,000 ..... 2003 38.27 The 2002 appropriation includes $30,000 for 2001 and 38.28 $191,000 for 2002. 38.29 The 2003 appropriation includes $21,000 for 2002 and 38.30 $112,000 for 2003. 38.31 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 38.32 available in the second year. 38.33 Subd. 8. [CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE.] For child care 38.34 assistance according to Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.014: 38.35 $134,252,000 ..... 2002 38.36 $130,604,000 ..... 2003 39.1 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 39.2 available in the second year. 39.3 Subd. 9. [CHILD CARE INTEGRITY.] For the administrative 39.4 costs of program integrity and fraud prevention for child care 39.5 assistance under chapter 119B: 39.6 $175,000 ..... 2002 39.7 $175,000 ..... 2003 39.8 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 39.9 available in the second year. 39.10 Subd. 10. [CHILD CARE DEVELOPMENT.] For child care 39.11 development grants according to Minnesota Statutes, section 39.12 119B.21: 39.13 $1,865,000 ..... 2002 39.14 $1,865,000 ..... 2003 39.15 These funds must be used in accordance with section 50, 39.16 paragraph (b), clause (2). 39.17 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 39.18 available in the second year. 39.19 Subd. 11. [EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM EVALUATIONS.] For early 39.20 childhood program evaluations according to Minnesota Statutes, 39.21 sections 119A.52, 124D.13, and 124D.15: 39.22 $110,000 ..... 2002 39.23 $110,000 ..... 2003 39.24 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 39.25 available in the second year. 39.26 Sec. 52. [FEDERAL TANF TRANSFERS.] 39.27 Subdivision 1. [DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES, and 39.28 LEARNING.] The sums indicated in this section are transferred 39.29 from the federal TANF fund to the child care and development 39.30 fund and appropriated to the department of children, families, 39.31 and learning for the fiscal years designated. 39.32 Subd. 2. [CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE.] For child care 39.33 assistance according to Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.014: 39.34 $24,473,000 ..... 2002 39.35 $24,038,000 ..... 2003 39.36 Of this appropriation, $3,500,000 per year must be used for 40.1 the child care at-risk set-aside under Minnesota Statutes, 40.2 section 119B.045, subdivision 4. 40.3 Any balance the first year does not cancel but is available 40.4 in the second year. 40.5 Sec. 53. [FEDERAL TANF TRANSFERS.] 40.6 Subdivision 1. [DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND 40.7 LEARNING.] The sums indicated in this section are transferred 40.8 from the federal TANF fund to the Head Start program and 40.9 appropriated to the department of children, families, and 40.10 learning for the fiscal years designated. These funds shall be 40.11 used to provide Head Start services for children ages zero to 40.12 three. 40.13 Subd. 2. [HEAD START PROGRAM.] For Head Start programs 40.14 according to Minnesota Statutes, section 119A.52: 40.15 $1,000,000 ..... 2002 40.16 $1,000,000 ..... 2003 40.17 The TANF base for fiscal years 2004 and 2005 is $1,000,000 40.18 each year. 40.19 Any balance the first year does not cancel but is available 40.20 in the second year. 40.21 Sec. 54. [REPEALER.] 40.22 (a) Minnesota Statutes 2000, sections 119B.011, subdivision 40.23 20; 119B.03; 119B.04; 119B.05; 119B.06; 119B.07; 119B.08; 40.24 119B.09; 119B.10; 119B.11; 119B.12; 119B.13; 119B.14; 119B.15; 40.25 and 119B.16, are repealed effective December 31, 2001. 40.26 (b) Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 124D.16, subdivision 40.27 4, is repealed effective July 1, 2001. 40.28 ARTICLE 2 40.29 PREVENTION 40.30 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119A.12, is 40.31 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 40.32 Subd. 4. [AUTHORITY TO DISBURSE FUNDS.] The commissioner 40.33 may disburse trust fund money to any public or private nonprofit 40.34 agency to fund a child abuse prevention program. State funds 40.35 appropriated for child maltreatment prevention grants may be 40.36 transferred to the children's trust fund special revenue account 41.1 and are available to carry out this section. 41.2 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119A.12, is 41.3 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 41.4 Subd. 5. [PLAN FOR DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS.] The 41.5 commissioner shall develop a plan to disburse money from the 41.6 trust fund. The plan must ensure that all geographic areas of 41.7 the state have an equal opportunity to establish prevention 41.8 programs and receive trust fund money. 41.9 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119A.12, is 41.10 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 41.11 Subd. 6. [OPERATIONAL COSTS.] $120,000 each year is 41.12 appropriated from the children's trust fund to the special 41.13 revenue fund for administration and indirect costs of the 41.14 children's trust fund program. 41.15 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119A.13, 41.16 subdivision 4, is amended to read: 41.17 Subd. 4. [RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMMISSIONER.] (a) The 41.18 commissioner shall: 41.19 (1) provide for the coordination and exchange of 41.20 information on the establishment and maintenance of prevention 41.21 programs; 41.22 (2) develop and publish criteria for receiving trust fund 41.23 money by prevention programs; 41.24 (3) review, approve, and monitor the spending of trust fund 41.25 money by prevention programs; 41.26 (4) provide statewide educational and public informational 41.27 seminars to develop public awareness on preventing child abuse; 41.28 to encourage professional persons and groups to recognize 41.29 instances of child abuse and work to prevent them; to make 41.30 information on child abuse prevention available to the public 41.31 and to organizations and agencies; and to encourage the 41.32 development of prevention programs, including programs that 41.33 provide support for adolescent parents, fathering education 41.34 programs, and other prevention activities designed to prevent 41.35 teen pregnancy; 41.36 (5) establish a procedure for an annual, internal 42.1 evaluation of the functions, responsibilities, and performance 42.2 of the commissioner in carrying out Laws 1986, chapter 423; 42.3 (6) provide technical assistance to local councils and 42.4 agencies working in the area of child abuse prevention; and 42.5 (7) accept and review grant applications beginning June 1, 42.6 1987. 42.7 (b) The commissioner shall recommend to the governor 42.8 changes in state programs, statutes, policies, budgets, and 42.9 standards that will reduce the problems of child abuse, improve 42.10 coordination among state agencies that provide prevention 42.11 services, and improve the condition of children, parents, or 42.12 guardians in need of prevention program services. 42.13 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119A.21, is 42.14 amended to read: 42.15 119A.21 [GRANTS TO SERVICE PROVIDER PROGRAMS.] 42.16 Subdivision 1. [GRANTS AWARDED.] The commissioner shall 42.17 award grants to programs which provideabused children42.18 services to abused or neglected children. Grants shall be 42.19 awarded in a manner that ensures that they are equitably 42.20 distributed to programs serving metropolitan and nonmetropolitan 42.21 populations. 42.22 Subd. 2. [APPLICATIONS.] Any public or private nonprofit 42.23 agency may apply to the commissioner for a grantto provide42.24abused children services. The application shall be submittedin42.25 on a formapprovedprescribed by the commissionerafter42.26consultation with the abused children advisory council and shall42.27include:. 42.28(1) a proposal for the provision of abused children42.29services to, or on behalf of, abused children, children at risk,42.30and their families;42.31(2) a proposed budget;42.32(3) evidence of ability to represent the interests of42.33abused children and their families to local law enforcement42.34agencies and courts, social services, and health agencies;42.35(4) evidence of ability to do outreach to unserved and42.36underserved populations and to provide culturally and43.1linguistically appropriate services; and43.2(5) any other information the commissioner may require by43.3policy or by rule adopted under chapter 14, after considering43.4the recommendations of the abused children advisory council.43.5Programs which have been approved for grants in prior years43.6may submit materials which indicate changes in items listed in43.7clauses (1) to (5), in order to qualify for renewal funding.43.8Nothing in this subdivision may be construed to require programs43.9to submit complete applications for each year of funding.43.10 Subd. 3. [DUTIES.] Every public or private nonprofit 43.11 agency which receives a grant under this sectionto provide43.12abused children servicesshall comply with all requirements of 43.13 the commissioner related to the administration of the grants. 43.14 Subd. 4. [CLASSIFICATION OF DATA COLLECTED BY GRANTEES.] 43.15 Personal history information and other information collected, 43.16 used, or maintained by a grantee from which the identity of any 43.17 abused child or family members may be determined is private data 43.18 on individuals as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12, and 43.19 the grantee shall maintain the data in accordance with 43.20 provisions of chapter 13. 43.21 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 119A.22, is 43.22 amended to read: 43.23 119A.22 [DUTIES OF THE COMMISSIONER.] 43.24 The commissioner shall: 43.25 (1) review applications and award grants to programs 43.26 pursuant to section 119A.21after considering the recommendation43.27of the abused children advisory council; 43.28 (2)appoint members of the abused children advisory council43.29created under section 119A.23 and provide consultative staff and43.30other administrative services to the council;43.31(3) after considering the recommendation of the abused43.32children advisory council, appoint a program director to perform43.33the duties set forth in this clause. In appointing the program43.34director the commissioner shall give due consideration to the43.35list of applicants submitted to the commissioner pursuant to43.36this section. The program director shall administer the funds44.1appropriated for sections 119A.20 to 119A.23, consult with and44.2provide staff to the advisory council and perform other duties44.3related to abused children's programs as the commissioner may44.4assign;44.5(4)design a uniform method of collecting dataon abused44.6children's programsto be used to monitor and assure compliance 44.7 of the programs funded under section 119A.21; 44.8(5)(3) provide technicalaidassistance to applicants in 44.9 the development of grant requests and toprogramsgrantees in 44.10 meeting the data collection requirements established by the 44.11 commissioner; and 44.12(6)(4) adopt, under chapter 14, all rules necessary to 44.13 implement the provisions of sections 119A.20 to 119A.23. 44.14 Sec. 7. [119A.35] [ADVISORY COUNCIL.] 44.15 Subdivision 1. [GENERALLY.] The council is established 44.16 under section 15.059 to advise the commissioner of children, 44.17 families, and learning on the implementation and continued 44.18 operations of sections 119A.10 to 119A.16 and 119A.20 to 44.19 119A.22. The council shall expire June 30, 2005. 44.20 Subd. 2. [COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP.] The council shall consist 44.21 of a total of 22 members. The governor shall appoint 18 of 44.22 these members. The commissioners of human services and health 44.23 shall each appoint one member. The senate shall appoint one 44.24 member from the senate family and early childhood education 44.25 finance committee and the house of representatives shall appoint 44.26 one member from the house family and early childhood budget 44.27 committee. 44.28 Council members shall have knowledge in the areas of child 44.29 abuse and neglect prevention and intervention and knowledge of 44.30 the risk factors that can lead to child abuse and neglect. 44.31 Council members shall be representative of: local government, 44.32 criminal justice, parents, consumers of services, health and 44.33 human services professionals, faith community, professional and 44.34 volunteer providers of child abuse and neglect prevention and 44.35 intervention services, racial and ethnic minority communities, 44.36 and the demographic and geographic composition of the state. 45.1 Ten council members shall reside in the seven-county 45.2 metropolitan area and eight shall reside in nonmetropolitan 45.3 areas. 45.4 Subd. 3. [RESPONSIBILITIES.] The council shall: 45.5 (1) advise the commissioner on planning, policy 45.6 development, data collection, rulemaking, funding, and 45.7 evaluation of the programs under the sections listed in 45.8 subdivision 1; 45.9 (2) coordinate and exchange information on the 45.10 establishment and ongoing operation of the programs listed in 45.11 subdivision 1; 45.12 (3) develop and publish criteria and guidelines for 45.13 receiving grants relating to child abuse and neglect prevention 45.14 and safety and support of child victims, including, but not 45.15 limited to, funds dedicated to the children's trust fund and 45.16 abused children program; 45.17 (4) provide guidance in the development of statewide 45.18 education and public information activities that increase public 45.19 awareness in the prevention and intervention of child abuse and 45.20 neglect and encourage the development of prevention and 45.21 intervention programs, which includes the safety of child 45.22 victims; 45.23 (5) guide, analyze, and disseminate results in the 45.24 development of appropriate evaluation procedures for all 45.25 programs receiving funds under subdivision 1; and 45.26 (6) assist the commissioner in identifying service gaps or 45.27 duplication in services including geographic dispersion of 45.28 resources, programs reflecting the cycle of child abuse, and the 45.29 availability of culturally appropriate intervention and 45.30 prevention services. 45.31 Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 124D.19, is 45.32 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 45.33 Subd. 12. [YOUTH AFTER-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS.] Each 45.34 district operating a community education program under this 45.35 section may establish a youth after-school enrichment program to 45.36 maintain and expand participation by school-age youth in 46.1 supervised activities during nonschool hours. The youth 46.2 after-school enrichment programs must include activities that 46.3 support development of social, mental, physical, and creative 46.4 abilities of school-age youth; provide structured youth programs 46.5 during high-risk times; and design programming to promote youth 46.6 leadership development and improved academic performance. Youth 46.7 after-school enrichment programs must collaborate with former 46.8 after-school enrichment grantees. 46.9 Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 124D.19, is 46.10 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 46.11 Subd. 13. [YOUTH AFTER-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM 46.12 GOALS.] The goals of youth after-school enrichment programs are 46.13 to: 46.14 (1) collaborate with and leverage existing community 46.15 resources that have demonstrated effectiveness; 46.16 (2) reach out to children and youth, including at-risk 46.17 youth, in the community; 46.18 (3) increase the number of children participating in 46.19 adult-supervised programs during nonschool hours; 46.20 (4) support academic achievement; and 46.21 (5) increase skills in technology, the arts, sports, and 46.22 other activities. 46.23 Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 124D.19, is 46.24 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 46.25 Subd. 14. [COMMUNITY EDUCATION; ANNUAL REPORT.] Each 46.26 district offering a community education program under this 46.27 section must annually report to the department of children, 46.28 families, and learning information regarding the cost per 46.29 participant and cost per contact hour for each community 46.30 education program, including youth after-school enrichment 46.31 programs, that receive aid or levy. The department of children, 46.32 families, and learning must include cost per participant and 46.33 cost per contact hour information by program in the community 46.34 education annual report. 46.35 Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 124D.20, 46.36 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 47.1 Subdivision 1. [TOTAL COMMUNITY EDUCATION REVENUE.] Total 47.2 community education revenue equals the sum of a district's 47.3 general community education revenueand, youth service program 47.4 revenue, and youth after-school enrichment revenue. 47.5 Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 124D.20, is 47.6 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 47.7 Subd. 4a. [YOUTH AFTER-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT 47.8 REVENUE.] Beginning in 2002, youth after-school enrichment 47.9 revenue is available to a district that has implemented a youth 47.10 after-school enrichment program. Youth after-school enrichment 47.11 revenue equals: 47.12 (1) $0.93 times the greater of 1,335 or the population of 47.13 the district, as defined in section 275.14, not to exceed 47.14 10,000; and 47.15 (2) $0.24 times the population of the district, as defined 47.16 in section 275.14, in excess of 10,000. 47.17 In fiscal year 2003 and thereafter, youth after-school 47.18 enrichment revenue equals: 47.19 (1) $2.78 times the greater of 1,335 or the population of 47.20 the district, as defined in section 275.14, not to exceed 47.21 10,000; and 47.22 (2) $0.67 times the population of the district, as defined 47.23 in section 275.14, in excess of 10,000. Youth after-school 47.24 enrichment revenue must be reserved for youth after-school 47.25 enrichment programs. 47.26 Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 124D.20, 47.27 subdivision 5, is amended to read: 47.28 Subd. 5. [TOTAL COMMUNITY EDUCATION LEVY.] To obtain total 47.29 community education revenue, a district may levy the amount 47.30 raised by a maximum tax rate of.4795.7431 percent times the 47.31 adjusted net tax capacity of the district. This amount reflects 47.32 a community education levy of .4795 percent times the adjusted 47.33 net tax capacity of the district plus a youth after-school 47.34 enrichment levy of .2636 percent times the adjusted net tax 47.35 capacity of the district. If the amount of the total community 47.36 education levy would exceed the total community education 48.1 revenue, the total community education levy shall be determined 48.2 according to subdivision 6. 48.3 Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 124D.221, 48.4 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 48.5 Subdivision 1. [ESTABLISHMENT.] A competitivestatewide48.6 after-school enrichment grant program is established to provide 48.7 implementation grants to community or nonprofit organizations, 48.8 to political subdivisions, or to school-based programs in cities 48.9 of the first class. A community or nonprofit organization must 48.10 be a charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the 48.11 Internal Revenue Code of 1986. An after-school enrichment grant 48.12 to a successful applicant may not exceed $750,000. The 48.13 commissioner shall develop criteria for after-school enrichment 48.14 programs. 48.15 Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 124D.221, 48.16 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 48.17 Subd. 2. [PRIORITYNEIGHBORHOODS.] (a) The commissioner 48.18 must give priority to applicants who: 48.19 (1) beginning in fiscal year 2002, demonstrate a match of 48.20 $1 of nonstate funding for every $3 of the grant amount awarded 48.21 for implementation of an after-school enrichment program; 48.22 (2) beginning in fiscal year 2003, demonstrate a match of 48.23 $1 of nonstate funding for each $1 of the grant amount awarded 48.24 for the implementation of an after-school enrichment program; 48.25 and 48.26 (3) establish an accountability system that sets measurable 48.27 goals and outcomes that support academic achievement, school 48.28 attendance, reduces the number of suspensions, and assesses 48.29 participants' progress on these measures annually. 48.30 (b) For grants in Minneapolis and St. Paul, the 48.31 commissioner must give priority to neighborhoods in this 48.32 subdivision. In Minneapolis, priority neighborhoods are Near 48.33 North, Hawthorne, Sumner-Glenwood, Harrison, Jordan, Powderhorn, 48.34 Central, Whittier, Cleveland, McKinley, Waite Park, Sheridan, 48.35 Holland, Lyndale, Folwell, and Phillips. In St. Paul, priority 48.36 neighborhoods are Summit-University, Thomas-Dale, North End, 49.1 Payne-Phalen, Daytons Bluff, and the West Side. 49.2 Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 124D.221, is 49.3 amended by adding a subdivision to read: 49.4 Subd. 6. [PROGRAM COST; REPORT.] Each program that 49.5 receives a grant under this section must annually report to the 49.6 commissioner information regarding the cost per participant and 49.7 cost per contact hour for the program. 49.8 Sec. 17. [APPROPRIATIONS.] 49.9 Subdivision 1. [DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND 49.10 LEARNING.] The sums indicated in this section are appropriated 49.11 from the general fund to the department of children, families, 49.12 and learning for the fiscal years designated. 49.13 Subd. 2. [FAMILY COLLABORATIVES.] For family 49.14 collaboratives according to Laws 1995, First Special Session 49.15 chapter 3, article 4, section 29, subdivision 10, as amended by 49.16 Laws 1996, chapter 412, article 4, section 27: 49.17 $1,477,000 ..... 2002 49.18 $ 863,000 ..... 2003 49.19 No new family services collaboratives shall be funded with 49.20 this appropriation. 49.21 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 49.22 available in the second year. 49.23 Subd. 3. [COMMUNITY EDUCATION AID.] For community 49.24 education aid according to Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.20: 49.25 $16,459,000 ..... 2002 49.26 $15,611,000 ..... 2003 49.27 The 2002 appropriation includes $1,528,000 for 2001 and 49.28 $14,931,000 for 2002. 49.29 The 2003 appropriation includes $1,659,000 for 2002 and 49.30 $13,952,000 for 2003. 49.31 Of this appropriation, $250,000 must be set aside each year 49.32 for the guard our youth program sponsored by the department of 49.33 military affairs to serve at-risk and underserved youth ages 49.34 nine to 16 years. 49.35 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 49.36 available in the second year. 50.1 Subd. 4. [ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES PROGRAM AID.] For 50.2 adults with disabilities programs according to Minnesota 50.3 Statutes, section 124D.56: 50.4 $710,000 ..... 2002 50.5 $710,000 ..... 2003 50.6 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 50.7 available in the second year. 50.8 Subd. 5. [HEARING-IMPAIRED ADULTS.] For programs for 50.9 hearing-impaired adults according to Minnesota Statutes, section 50.10 124D.57: 50.11 $70,000 ..... 2002 50.12 $70,000 ..... 2003 50.13 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 50.14 available in the second year. 50.15 Subd. 6. [VIOLENCE PREVENTION EDUCATION GRANTS.] For 50.16 violence prevention education grants according to Minnesota 50.17 Statutes, section 120B.23: 50.18 $1,450,000 ..... 2002 50.19 $1,450,000 ..... 2003 50.20 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 50.21 available in the second year. 50.22 Subd. 7. [ABUSED CHILDREN.] For abused children programs 50.23 according to Minnesota Statutes, section 119A.21: 50.24 $945,000 ..... 2002 50.25 $945,000 ..... 2003 50.26 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 50.27 available in the second year. 50.28 Subd. 8. [CHILDREN'S TRUST FUND.] For children's trust 50.29 fund according to Minnesota Statutes, sections 119A.12 and 50.30 119A.13: 50.31 $875,000 ..... 2002 50.32 $875,000 ..... 2003 50.33 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 50.34 available in the second year. 50.35 Subd. 9. [FAMILY VISITATION CENTERS.] (a) For family 50.36 visitation centers according to Minnesota Statutes, section 51.1 119A.37: 51.2 $200,000 ..... 2002 51.3 $200,000 ..... 2003 51.4 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 51.5 available in the second year. 51.6 (b) An additional $96,000 in fiscal year 2002 and $96,000 51.7 in fiscal year 2003 are appropriated from the special revenue 51.8 fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 517.08, subdivision 1c, 51.9 for family visitation centers. Any balance in the first year 51.10 does not cancel but is available for the second year. 51.11 Subd. 10. [AFTER-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT GRANTS.] For 51.12 after-school enrichment grants according to Minnesota Statutes, 51.13 section 124D.221: 51.14 $3,010,000 ..... 2002 51.15 $3,010,000 ..... 2003 51.16 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 51.17 available in the second year. 51.18 Subd. 11. [CHEMICAL ABUSE PREVENTION GRANTS.] (a) For 51.19 grants with funds received under Minnesota Statutes, section 51.20 171.29, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), clause (4): 51.21 $200,000 ..... 2002 51.22 $200,000 ..... 2003 51.23 (b) These appropriations are from the alcohol-impaired 51.24 driver account of the special revenue fund for chemical abuse 51.25 prevention grants. 51.26 Sec. 18. [REVISOR INSTRUCTION.] 51.27 In the next and subsequent editions of Minnesota Statutes 51.28 and Minnesota Rules, the revisor shall renumber Minnesota 51.29 Statutes, section 119A.13, subdivision 4, as Minnesota Statutes, 51.30 section 119A.12, subdivision 4, and make necessary 51.31 cross-reference changes consistent with the renumbering. 51.32 Sec. 19. [REPEALER.] 51.33 Minnesota Statutes 2000, sections 119A.13, subdivisions 1, 51.34 2, and 3; 119A.14, subdivision 2; 119A.23; 124D.33; and 51.35 124D.331, are repealed. 51.36 ARTICLE 3 52.1 SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND LIFELONG LEARNING 52.2 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 124D.518, 52.3 subdivision 5, is amended to read: 52.4 Subd. 5. [UNREIMBURSED EXPENSES.] "Unreimbursed expenses" 52.5 means allowable adult basic education expenses of a program, in 52.6 the current program year, that are not covered by payments from 52.7 federal or private for-profit sources. 52.8 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 124D.52, 52.9 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 52.10 Subd. 2. [PROGRAM APPROVAL.] (a) To receive aid under this 52.11 section, a district, a consortium of districts, the department 52.12 of corrections, or a private nonprofit organization must submit 52.13 an application by June 1 describing the program, on a form 52.14 provided by the department. The program must be approved by the 52.15 commissioner according to the following criteria: 52.16 (1) how the needs of different levels of learning will be 52.17 met; 52.18 (2) for continuing programs, an evaluation of results; 52.19 (3) anticipated number and education level of participants; 52.20 (4) coordination with other resources and services; 52.21 (5) participation in a consortium, if any, and money 52.22 available from other participants; 52.23 (6) management and program design; 52.24 (7) volunteer training and use of volunteers; 52.25 (8) staff development services; 52.26 (9) program sites and schedules; 52.27 (10) program expenditures that qualify for aid; 52.28 (11) program ability to provide data related to learner 52.29 outcomes as required by law; and 52.30 (12) a copy of the memorandum of understanding described in 52.31 subdivision 1 submitted to the commissioner. 52.32 (b) Adult basic education programs may be approved under 52.33 this subdivision for up to five years. Five-year program 52.34 approval must be granted to an applicant who has demonstrated 52.35 the capacity to: 52.36 (1) offer comprehensive learning opportunities and support 53.1 service choices appropriate for and accessible to adults at all 53.2 basic skill need levels; 53.3 (2) provide a participatory and experiential learning 53.4 approach based on the strengths, interests, and needs of each 53.5 adult, that enables adults with basic skill needs to: 53.6 (i) identify, plan for, and evaluate their own progress 53.7 toward achieving their defined educational and occupational 53.8 goals; 53.9 (ii) master the basic academic reading, writing, and 53.10 computational skills, as well as the problem-solving, decision 53.11 making, interpersonal effectiveness, and other life and learning 53.12 skills they need to function effectively in a changing society; 53.13 (iii) locate and be able to use the health, governmental, 53.14 and social services and resources they need to improve their own 53.15 and their families' lives; and 53.16 (iv) continue their education, if they desire, to at least 53.17 the level of secondary school completion, with the ability to 53.18 secure and benefit from continuing education that will enable 53.19 them to become more employable, productive, and responsible 53.20 citizens; 53.21 (3) plan, coordinate, and develop cooperative agreements 53.22 with community resources to address the needs that the adults 53.23 have for support services, such as transportation, flexible 53.24 course scheduling, convenient class locations, and child care; 53.25 (4) collaborate with business, industry, labor unions, and 53.26 employment-training agencies, as well as with family and 53.27 occupational education providers, to arrange for resources and 53.28 services through which adults can attain economic 53.29 self-sufficiency; 53.30 (5) provide sensitive and well trained adult education 53.31 personnel who participate in local, regional, and statewide 53.32 adult basic education staff development events to master 53.33 effective adult learning and teaching techniques; 53.34 (6) participate in regional adult basic education peer 53.35 program reviews and evaluations; 53.36 (7) submit accurate and timely performance and fiscal 54.1 reports; 54.2 (8) submit accurate and timely reports related to program 54.3 outcomes and learner follow-up information; and 54.4 (9) spend adult basic education aid on adult basic 54.5 education purposes only, which are specified in sections 54.6 124D.518 to 124D.531. 54.7 (c) The commissioner shall require each district to provide 54.8 notification by February 1, 2001, of its intent to apply for 54.9 funds under this section as a single district or as part of an 54.10 identified consortium of districts. A district receiving funds 54.11 under this section must notify the commissioner by February 1 of 54.12 its intent to change its application status for applications due 54.13 the following June 1. 54.14 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 124D.522, is 54.15 amended to read: 54.16 124D.522 [ADULT BASIC EDUCATION SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICE 54.17 GRANTS.] 54.18 (a) The commissioner, in consultation with the policy 54.19 review task force under section 124D.521, may make grants to 54.20 nonprofit organizations to provide services that are not offered 54.21 by a district adult basic education program or that are 54.22 supplemental to either the statewide adult basic education 54.23 program, or a district's adult basic education program. The 54.24 commissioner may make grants for: staff development for adult 54.25 basic education teachers and administrators; training for 54.26 volunteer tutors; training, services, and materials for serving 54.27 disabled students through adult basic education programs; 54.28 statewide promotion of adult basic education services and 54.29 programs; development and dissemination of instructional and 54.30 administrative technology for adult basic education programs; 54.31 programs which primarily serve communities of color; adult basic 54.32 education distance learning projects, including television 54.33 instruction programs; and other supplemental services to support 54.34 the mission of adult basic education and innovative delivery of 54.35 adult basic education services. 54.36 (b) The commissioner must establish eligibility criteria 55.1 and grant application procedures. Grants under this section 55.2 must support services throughout the state, focus on educational 55.3 results for adult learners, and promote outcome-based 55.4 achievement through adult basic education programs. Beginning 55.5 in fiscal year 2002, the commissioner may make grants under this 55.6 section fromfunds specifically appropriatedthe state total 55.7 adult basic education aid set aside for supplemental service 55.8 grants under section 124D.531. Up toone-thirdone-fourth of 55.9 the appropriation for supplemental service grants must be used 55.10 for grants for adult basic education programs to encourage and 55.11 support innovations in adult basic education instruction and 55.12 service delivery. A grant to a single organization cannot 55.13 exceed $100,000. Nothing in this section prevents an approved 55.14 adult basic education program from using state or federal aid to 55.15 purchase supplemental services. 55.16 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 124D.531, 55.17 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 55.18 Subdivision 1. [STATE TOTAL ADULT BASIC EDUCATION AID.] 55.19 (a) The state total adult basic education aid for fiscal year 55.20 2001 equals $30,157,000. The state total adult basic education 55.21 aid for later years equals: 55.22 (1) the state total adult basic education aid for the 55.23 preceding fiscal year; times 55.24 (2) the lesser of: 55.25 (i) 1.08, or 55.26 (ii) the greater of 1.00 or the ratio of the state total 55.27 contact hours in the first prior program year to the state total 55.28 contact hours in the second prior program year. Beginning in 55.29 fiscal year 2002, two percent of the state total adult basic 55.30 education aid must be set aside for adult basic education 55.31 supplemental service grants under section 124D.522. 55.32 (b) The state total adult basic education aid, excluding 55.33 basic population aid, equals the difference between the amount 55.34 computed in paragraph (a), and the state total basic population 55.35 aid under subdivision 2. 55.36 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 124D.531, 56.1 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 56.2 Subd. 3. [PROGRAM REVENUE.] Adult basic education programs 56.3 established under section 124D.52 and approved by the 56.4 commissioner are eligible for revenue under this subdivision. 56.5 For fiscal year 2001 and later, adult basic education revenue 56.6 for each approved program equals the sum of: 56.7 (1) the basic population aid under subdivision 2 for 56.8 districts participating in the program during the current 56.9 program year; plus 56.10 (2) 84 percent times the amount computed in subdivision 1, 56.11 paragraph (b), times the ratio of the contact hours for students 56.12 participating in the program during the first prior program year 56.13 to the state total contact hours during the first prior program 56.14 year; plus 56.15 (3) eight percent times the amount computed in subdivision 56.16 1, paragraph (b), times the ratio of the enrollment of students 56.17 with limited English proficiency during the second prior school 56.18 year in districts participating in the program during the 56.19 current program year to the state total enrollment of students 56.20 with limited English proficiency during the second prior school 56.21 year in districts participating in adult basic education 56.22 programs during the current program year; plus 56.23 (4) eight percent times the amount computed in subdivision 56.24 1, paragraph (b), times the ratio of the latest federal census 56.25 count of the number of adults aged 20 or older with no diploma 56.26 residing in the districts participating in the program during 56.27 the current program year to the latest federal census count of 56.28 the state total number of adults aged 20 or older with no 56.29 diploma residing in the districts participating in adult basic 56.30 education programs during the current program year. 56.31 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 124D.531, 56.32 subdivision 7, is amended to read: 56.33 Subd. 7. [PROGRAM AUDITS.] Programs that receive aid under 56.34 this section must maintain records that support the aid 56.35 payments. The commissioner may audit these records upon 56.36 request. The commissioner must establish procedures for 57.1 conducting fiscal audits of adult basic education programs 57.2 according to the schedule in this subdivision.In calendar year57.32002, the commissioner must audit one-half of approved adult57.4basic education programs that received aid for fiscal year 2001,57.5and in calendar year 2003, the commissioner must audit the57.6remaining unaudited programs for aid received in fiscal year57.72002.Beginning with fiscal year20042003, the commissioner 57.8 must, at a minimum, audit each adult basic education program 57.9 once every five years. The commissioner must establish 57.10 procedures to reconcile any discrepancies between aid payments 57.11 based on information reported to the commissioner and aid 57.12 estimates based on a program audit. 57.13 Sec. 7. [ADULT BASIC EDUCATION POLICY TASK FORCE.] 57.14 The adult basic education policy task force, under Laws 57.15 2000, chapter 489, article 1, section 42, must recommend to the 57.16 legislative finance committees with responsibility for adult 57.17 basic education an equitable funding formula for nondistrict 57.18 programs based on an evaluation of costs and revenues. The task 57.19 force must report to the legislature by February 1, 2002. 57.20 Sec. 8. [DIRECTION TO COMMISSIONER.] 57.21 The commissioner of children, families, and learning must 57.22 hire an additional permanent full-time staff person to oversee 57.23 the state adult basic education program. The duties of the 57.24 state adult basic education coordinator include, but are not 57.25 limited to: 57.26 (1) oversight of the supplemental service grants; 57.27 (2) oversight of the adult basic education program audits; 57.28 (3) coordination of the adult basic education policy task 57.29 force; 57.30 (4) working with adult basic education directors around the 57.31 state; and 57.32 (5) providing information to the legislative finance 57.33 committees that oversee the adult basic education program. 57.34 Sec. 9. [APPROPRIATIONS.] 57.35 Subdivision 1. [DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND 57.36 LEARNING.] The sums indicated in this section are appropriated 58.1 from the general fund to the department of children, families, 58.2 and learning for the fiscal years designated. 58.3 Subd. 2. [MINNESOTA ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY GRANTS.] For 58.4 Minnesota economic opportunity grants, sections 119A.374 to 58.5 119A.376: 58.6 $8,514,000 ..... 2002 58.7 $8,514,000 ..... 2003 58.8 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 58.9 available in the second year. 58.10 Subd. 3. [TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAMS.] For transitional 58.11 housing programs according to Minnesota Statutes, section 58.12 119A.43: 58.13 $1,988,000 ..... 2002 58.14 $1,988,000 ..... 2003 58.15 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 58.16 available in the second year. 58.17 Subd. 4. [EMERGENCY SERVICES.] For emergency services 58.18 according to Minnesota Statutes, section 119A.43: 58.19 $350,000 ..... 2002 58.20 $350,000 ..... 2003 58.21 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 58.22 available in the second year. 58.23 Subd. 5. [ADULT BASIC EDUCATION AID.] For adult basic 58.24 education aid according to Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.531: 58.25 $32,368,000 ..... 2002 58.26 $34,994,000 ..... 2003 58.27 The 2002 appropriation includes $3,019,000 for 2001 and 58.28 $29,306,000 for 2002. 58.29 The 2003 appropriation includes $3,237,000 for 2002 and 58.30 $31,669,000 for 2003. 58.31 Subd. 6. [ADULT BASIC EDUCATION AUDITS; STATE 58.32 COORDINATOR.] 58.33 For adult basic education audits under Minnesota Statutes, 58.34 section 124D.531 and for a state adult basic education 58.35 coordinator: 58.36 $145,000 ..... 2002 59.1 $145,000 ..... 2003 59.2 Of this appropriation, $70,000 in each fiscal year must be 59.3 used for adult basic education audits and $75,000 must be used 59.4 to hire an additional permanent, full-time state adult basic 59.5 education coordinator. Any balance in the first year does not 59.6 cancel but is available in the second year. 59.7 Subd. 7. [ADULT GRADUATION AID.] For adult graduation aid 59.8 according to Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.54: 59.9 $3,195,000 ..... 2002 59.10 $3,356,000 ..... 2003 59.11 The 2002 appropriation includes $305,000 for 2001 and 59.12 $2,890,000 for 2002. 59.13 The 2003 appropriation includes $321,000 for 2002 and 59.14 $3,035,000 for 2003. 59.15 Subd. 8. [GED TESTS.] For payment of 60 percent of the 59.16 costs of GED tests according to Laws 1993, chapter 224, article 59.17 4, section 44, subdivision 10: 59.18 $125,000 ..... 2002 59.19 $125,000 ..... 2003 59.20 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 59.21 available in the second year. 59.22 Subd. 9. [FOODSHELF PROGRAM.] For foodshelf programs 59.23 according to Minnesota Statutes, section 119A.44: 59.24 $1,278,000 ..... 2002 59.25 $1,278,000 ..... 2003 59.26 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 59.27 available in the second year. 59.28 Subd. 10. [FAMILY ASSETS FOR INDEPENDENCE.] 59.29 $500,000 ..... 2002 59.30 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 59.31 available in the second year. 59.32 Subd. 11. [LEAD ABATEMENT.] For lead abatement according 59.33 to Minnesota Statutes, section 119A.46: 59.34 $100,000 ..... 2002 59.35 $100,000 ..... 2003 59.36 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 60.1 available in the second year. 60.2 Sec. 10. [TANF APPROPRIATIONS.] 60.3 Subdivision 1. [DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND 60.4 LEARNING.] The sums indicated in this section are appropriated 60.5 to the commissioner of children, families, and learning from the 60.6 federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant for 60.7 the fiscal years designated. These amounts are available for 60.8 expenditure until June 30, 2003. Appropriations under this 60.9 section are one-time appropriations and are not added to the 60.10 base for fiscal years 2004 and 2005. 60.11 Subd. 2. [INTENSIVE ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE.] For 60.12 intensive English as a second language for eligible MFIP 60.13 participants under Laws 2000, chapter 489, article 1, section 39: 60.14 $1,100,000 ..... 2002 60.15 $1,100,000 ..... 2003 60.16 Subd. 3. [TRANSITIONAL HOUSING.] For reimbursement grants 60.17 to transitional housing programs under Minnesota Statutes, 60.18 section 119A.43: 60.19 $1,900,000 ..... 2002 60.20 $1,950,000 ..... 2003 60.21 These appropriations must be used for up to four months of 60.22 transitional housing for families with incomes below 200 percent 60.23 of the federal poverty guidelines. Payment must be made to 60.24 programs on a reimbursement basis. 60.25 ARTICLE 4 60.26 LIBRARIES 60.27 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 125B.20, 60.28 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 60.29 Subdivision 1. [ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSE.] The purpose of 60.30 developing a statewide school district telecommunications 60.31 network is to expand the availability of a broad range of 60.32 courses and degrees to students throughout the state, to share 60.33 information resources to improve access, quality, and 60.34 efficiency, to improve learning, and distance cooperative 60.35 learning opportunities, and to promote the exchange of ideas 60.36 among students, parents, teachers, media generalists, 61.1 librarians, and the public. In addition, through the 61.2 development of this statewide telecommunications network 61.3 emphasizing cost-effective, competitive connections, all 61.4 Minnesotans will benefit by enhancing access to 61.5 telecommunications technology throughout the state. Network 61.6 connections for school districts and public libraries are 61.7 coordinated and fully integrated into the existing state 61.8 telecommunications and interactive television networks to 61.9 achieve comprehensive and efficient interconnectivity of school 61.10 districts and libraries to higher education institutions, state 61.11 agencies, other governmental units, agencies, and institutions 61.12 throughout Minnesota. A school district may apply to the 61.13 commissioner for a grant under subdivision 2, and a regional61.14public library may apply under subdivision 3. The Minnesota 61.15 education telecommunications council established in Laws 1995, 61.16 First Special Session chapter 3, article 12, section 7, shall 61.17 establish priorities for awarding grants, making grant awards, 61.18 and being responsible for the coordination of networks. 61.19 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 134.31, 61.20 subdivision 5, is amended to read: 61.21 Subd. 5. [ADVISORY COMMITTEE.] The commissioner shall 61.22 appoint an advisory committee of five members to advise the 61.23 staff of the Minnesota library for the blind and physically 61.24 handicapped on long-range plans and library services. Members 61.25 shall be people who use the library. Section 15.059 governs 61.26 this committee except that the committee shall expire on June 61.27 30,20012005. 61.28 Sec. 3. [134.47] [REGIONAL LIBRARY TELECOMMUNICATIONS 61.29 AID.] 61.30 Subdivision 1. [ELIGIBILITY.] (a) A regional public 61.31 library system may apply for regional library telecommunications 61.32 aid. The aid must be used for data and video access costs and 61.33 other related costs to improve or maintain electronic access and 61.34 connect the library system with the state information 61.35 infrastructure administered by the department of administration 61.36 under section 16B.465. Priority shall be given to public 62.1 libraries that have not received access. To be eligible, a 62.2 regional public library system must be officially designated by 62.3 the commissioner of children, families, and learning as a 62.4 regional public library system as defined in section 134.34, 62.5 subdivision 3, and each of its participating cities and counties 62.6 must meet local support levels defined in section 134.34, 62.7 subdivision 1. A public library building that receives aid 62.8 under this section must be open a minimum of 20 hours per week. 62.9 (b) Aid received under this section may not be used to 62.10 substitute for any existing local funds allocated to provide 62.11 electronic access, equipment for library staff or the public, or 62.12 local funds dedicated to other library operations. 62.13 (c) An application for regional library telecommunications 62.14 aid must, at a minimum, contain information to document the 62.15 following: 62.16 (1) that the data line or video link relies on a transport 62.17 medium that operates at a minimum speed of 1.544 megabytes per 62.18 second for each regional public library system headquarters or a 62.19 minimum of 64 kilobits per second for each public library 62.20 building and employs an open network architecture that will 62.21 ensure interconnectivity and interoperability with school 62.22 districts, post-secondary education, or other governmental 62.23 agencies; 62.24 (2) that the connection is established through the most 62.25 cost-effective means and that the regional library has explored 62.26 and coordinated connections through school districts, 62.27 post-secondary education, or other governmental agencies; 62.28 (3) the regional library system has filed an e-rate 62.29 application; and 62.30 (4) other information, as determined by the commissioner of 62.31 children, families, and learning, to ensure that connections are 62.32 coordinated, efficient, and cost-effective; take advantage of 62.33 discounts; and meet applicable state standards. 62.34 The library system may include costs associated with 62.35 cooperative arrangements with post-secondary institutions, 62.36 school districts, and other governmental agencies. 63.1 Subd. 2. [AWARD OF FUNDS.] The commissioner of children, 63.2 families, and learning shall develop application and reporting 63.3 forms and procedures for regional library telecommunications 63.4 aid. Aid shall be based on actual costs of connections and 63.5 funds available for this purpose. The commissioner shall make 63.6 payments directly to the regional public library system. 63.7 Sec. 4. [APPROPRIATIONS.] 63.8 Subdivision 1. [DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND 63.9 LEARNING.] The sums indicated in this section are appropriated 63.10 from the general fund to the department of children, families, 63.11 and learning for the fiscal years designated. 63.12 Subd. 2. [BASIC SUPPORT GRANTS.] For basic support grants 63.13 according to Minnesota Statutes, sections 134.32 to 134.35: 63.14 $8,570,000 ..... 2002 63.15 $8,570,000 ..... 2003 63.16 The 2002 appropriation includes $857,000 for 2001 and 63.17 $7,713,000 for 2002. 63.18 The 2003 appropriation includes $857,000 for 2002 and 63.19 $7,713,000 for 2003. 63.20 Subd. 3. [STATE AGENCY LIBRARIES.] For maintaining and 63.21 upgrading the online computer-based library catalog system in 63.22 state agency libraries: 63.23 $120,000 ..... 2002 63.24 $120,000 ..... 2003 63.25 This appropriation is in addition to funding provided in 63.26 the K-12 education finance omnibus bill for the administrative 63.27 budget of the department of children, families, and learning. 63.28 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 63.29 available in the second year. 63.30 Subd. 4. [MULTICOUNTY, MULTITYPE LIBRARY SYSTEMS.] For 63.31 grants according to Minnesota Statutes, sections 134.353 and 63.32 134.354, to multicounty, multitype library systems: 63.33 $903,000 ..... 2002 63.34 $903,000 ..... 2003 63.35 The 2002 appropriation includes $90,000 for 2001 and 63.36 $813,000 for 2002. 64.1 The 2003 appropriation includes $90,000 for 2002 and 64.2 $813,000 for 2003. 64.3 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 64.4 available in the second year. 64.5 Subd. 5. [REGIONAL LIBRARY TELECOMMUNICATIONS AID.] For 64.6 aid to regional public library systems under Minnesota Statutes, 64.7 section 134.47: 64.8 $2,000,000 ..... 2002 64.9 $2,000,000 ..... 2003 64.10 The general fund base for fiscal years 2004 and 2005 is 64.11 $2,000,000 in each year. 64.12 Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is 64.13 available in the second year. 64.14 Sec. 5. [REPEALER.] 64.15 (a) Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 125B.20, subdivision 64.16 3, is repealed. 64.17 (b) Minnesota Rules, parts 3530.2610; 3530.2612; 3530.2614; 64.18 3530.2616; 3530.2618; 3530.2620; 3530.2622; 3530.2624; 64.19 3530.2626; 3530.2628; 3530.2630; 3530.2632; 3530.2634; 64.20 3530.2636; 3530.2638; 3530.2640; 3530.2642; and 3530.2644, are 64.21 repealed.