SF 2257

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/05/2014 08:31am

A bill for an act
relating to human services; modifying child care assistance redeterminations
of eligibility; amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 119B.025, by
adding a subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2013 Supplement, section 119B.025,
subdivision 1.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2013 Supplement, section 119B.025, subdivision 1,
is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Factors which must be verified.

(a) The county shall verify the
following at all initial child care applications using the universal application:

(1) identity of adults;

(2) presence of the minor child in the home, if questionable;

(3) relationship of minor child to the parent, stepparent, legal guardian, eligible
relative caretaker, or the spouses of any of the foregoing;

(4) age;

(5) immigration status, if related to eligibility;

(6) Social Security number, if given;

(7) income;

(8) spousal support and child support payments made to persons outside the
household;

(9) residence; and

(10) inconsistent information, if related to eligibility.

deleted text begin (b) If a family did not use the universal application or child care addendum to apply
for child care assistance, the family must complete the universal application or child care
addendum at its next eligibility redetermination and the county must verify the factors
deleted text end deleted text begin listed in paragraph (a) as part of that redetermination. Once a family has completed a
universal application or child care addendum, the county shall use the redetermination
form described in paragraph (c) for that family's subsequent redeterminations. Eligibility
must be redetermined at least every six months. A family is considered to have met the
eligibility redetermination requirement if a complete redetermination form and all required
verifications are received within 30 days after the date the form was due. Assistance shall
be payable retroactively from the redetermination due date. For a family where at least
one parent is under the age of 21, does not have a high school or general equivalency
diploma, and is a student in a school district or another similar program that provides or
arranges for child care, as well as parenting, social services, career and employment
supports, and academic support to achieve high school graduation, the redetermination of
eligibility shall be deferred beyond six months, but not to exceed 12 months, to the end of
the student's school year. If a family reports a change in an eligibility factor before the
family's next regularly scheduled redetermination, the county must recalculate eligibility
without requiring verification of any eligibility factor that did not change.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (b) new text end The commissioner shall develop a redetermination form to redetermine
eligibility and a change report form to report changes that minimize paperwork for the
county and the participant.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 119B.025, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Redeterminations. new text end

new text begin (a) If a family did not use the universal application
or child care addendum to apply for child care assistance, the family must complete the
universal application or child care addendum at its next eligibility redetermination, and
the county must verify the factors listed in subdivision 1, paragraph (a), as part of that
redetermination. Once a family has completed a universal application or child care
addendum, the county shall use the redetermination form described in subdivision 1,
paragraph (b), for that family's subsequent redeterminations.
new text end

new text begin (b) Eligibility must be redetermined at least every 12 months. A family is considered
to have met the eligibility redetermination requirement if a complete redetermination form
and all required verifications are received within 30 days after the date the form was due.
Assistance shall be payable retroactively from the redetermination due date.
new text end

new text begin (c) For families who are transitioned from the MFIP child care program, transition
year child care program, or transition year extension child care program under this chapter
to the basic sliding fee child care program, eligibility shall be redetermined within 12
months of the date the basic sliding fee case is opened.
new text end

new text begin (d) If a family reports a change in an eligibility factor before the family's next
regularly scheduled redetermination, the county must recalculate eligibility without
requiring verification of any eligibility factor that did not change. When there is a change
in an eligibility factor reported by the participant at application or at the most recent
redetermination of eligibility, the participant must report the new information to the
county within ten calendar days after the change occurs. This reporting requirement
applies to changes in income, residence, employment status, education or training status,
family status, or family size.
new text end

new text begin (e) Parental fees under section 119B.12 shall be reviewed upon a reported change or
at the time of redetermination. If redetermination establishes the need for a change in the
parental fee, the parental fee must be based on an average of the gross income for at least the
past three months, or a best estimate of anticipated income in the event of new employment
or a change in regular monthly income. Notwithstanding section 119B.12, subdivision 1,
when a change in income affects the amount of the parental fee, the new parental fee is
effective on the first day of the service period following a 15-day notice period.
new text end