SF 2228

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/02/2023 08:37am

A bill for an act
relating to health and human services; creating the Great Start Childcare and Early
Learning Workforce Grant Program; appropriating money; proposing coding for
new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 119B.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [119B.30] GREAT START CHILDCARE AND EARLY LEARNING
WORKFORCE GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Grants. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services must award grant money
to eligible child care programs to support increased compensation and benefits to teachers
and staff.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligible programs. new text end

new text begin (a) The following programs are eligible to receive grants
under this section:
new text end

new text begin (1) family and group family child care homes licensed under Minnesota Rules, chapter
9502;
new text end

new text begin (2) child care centers licensed under Minnesota Rules, chapter 9503;
new text end

new text begin (3) certified license-exempt child care centers under chapter 245H;
new text end

new text begin (4) legal nonlicensed child care providers as defined in section 119B.011, subdivision
16; or
new text end

new text begin (5) other programs as determined by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (b) Eligible programs under this section must not be prohibited from receiving public
funds under section 245.095 or under license revocation, suspension, temporary immediate
suspension, or decertification.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Applications and requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) To receive grant money under this section,
an eligible program must:
new text end

new text begin (1) complete an application developed by the commissioner;
new text end

new text begin (2) attest and agree in writing that, for the duration of the grant period, the program will
comply with applicable requirements regarding compensation levels for employees, including
maintaining compensation levels for employees; and
new text end

new text begin (3) attest and agree in writing that the program intends to remain operating and serving
children for the duration of the grant period, with the exceptions of service disruptions or
planned temporary closures, including for provider vacation or holidays, for a duration
specified by the commissioner for each grant period.
new text end

new text begin (b) Grant recipients must comply with all requirements listed in the application for grants
under this section.
new text end

new text begin (c) Grant recipients must use at least 70 percent of base grant awards under subdivision
4, paragraph (b), to provide increased compensation, benefits, or premium pay to all paid
employees, sole proprietors, or independent contractors regularly caring for children. Grant
recipients may request a waiver from this requirement if they cannot increase compensation,
benefits, or premium pay due to restrictions included in agreements with employee bargaining
units, or if the program is experiencing unusual and significant financial hardship.
new text end

new text begin (d) Grant recipients that fail to meet the requirements under this section are subject to
discontinuation of future installment payments, recoupment of payments already made, or
referral to the Office of Inspector General for additional action. Except when based on a
finding of fraud, actions to establish recoupment must be made within six years of the
conclusion of the grant program established under this section. Once recoupment is
established, collection may continue until funds have been repaid in full.
new text end

new text begin (e) The commissioner of human services must:
new text end

new text begin (1) structure grant applications in a manner so that providers only have to apply one
time in a calendar year;
new text end

new text begin (2) distribute payments to providers monthly; and
new text end

new text begin (3) allow providers to submit supplemental applications when changes to the program
occur that would result in increased grant amounts under subdivision 4.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Grant awards. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must award base grant amounts to all
eligible programs on a noncompetitive basis beginning July 1, 2023. The base grant amounts
shall be:
new text end

new text begin (1) based on the full-time equivalent number of staff positions who care for children in
the program, including any employees, sole proprietors, or independent contractors; and
new text end

new text begin (2) enhanced in amounts determined by the commissioner for any providers receiving
payments through the child care assistance program under sections 119B.03 and 119B.05,
or early learning scholarships under section 124D.165 or for eligible programs in extreme
financial hardship as determined by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this subdivision, an employee working over 50 hours per week is
the equivalent of two full-time staff positions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Eligible uses of grant money. new text end

new text begin Grant recipients may use grant money awarded
under this section for one or more of the following uses directly related to the operation of
a child care program:
new text end

new text begin (1) paying personnel costs, such as payroll, salaries, or similar compensation, employee
benefits, premium pay, or costs for employee recruitment and retention for an employee,
including a sole proprietor or an independent contractor;
new text end

new text begin (2) providing relief from co-payments and tuition payments for the families enrolled in
the program, to the extent possible, with eligible programs prioritizing relief for families
struggling to make co-payments or tuition payments;
new text end

new text begin (3) paying rent, including rent under a lease agreement, or making payments on any
mortgage obligation, utilities, facility maintenance or improvements, or insurance;
new text end

new text begin (4) purchasing personal protective equipment, purchasing cleaning and sanitization
supplies and services, or obtaining training and professional development related to health
and safety practices;
new text end

new text begin (5) purchasing goods and services necessary to maintain child care services; or
new text end

new text begin (6) providing mental health supports for children and employees.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; GREAT START CHILDCARE AND EARLY
EDUCATION GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2024 and $....... in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from the general
fund to the commissioner of human services for the great start childcare and early education
grant program under Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.30.
new text end