SF 2474

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to human services; establishing the kinship support program;
appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 256J.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [256J.576] KINSHIP SUPPORT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin (a) There is established a kinship support program.
The commissioner of human services, in collaboration with the Minnesota Kinship
Caregivers Association, shall design a child-specific kinship support program so that
children living with kinship caregivers are categorically eligible to receive MFIP benefits
under this chapter, and basic needs grants under this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the
commissioner shall not deny MFIP benefits under this chapter to a child meeting the
requirements of this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin (b) A child living with a kinship caregiver, without the child's parent, is categorically
eligible for MFIP benefits regardless of:
new text end

new text begin (1) the kinship caregiver's income;
new text end

new text begin (2) the kinship caregiver's access to child support for the child; or
new text end

new text begin (3) any public assistance the child or the kinship caregiver receives due to other
special needs of the child.
new text end

new text begin (c) A child meeting the requirements of paragraph (b) is categorically eligible to
receive benefits from birth to age 18, except a child shall continue to receive benefits under
this section indefinitely and without interruption past age 18 so long as:
new text end

new text begin (1) the child is enrolled in an institution of higher education as defined in section
136.28, subdivision 6; or
new text end

new text begin (2) the child receives Social Security benefits due to a disability.
new text end

new text begin (d) Benefits under this section shall cease if the child is returned to the care of a
parent; however, benefits must follow the child and continue uninterrupted if the child is
transferred to another kinship caregiver.
new text end

new text begin (e) For purposes of this section, "kinship caregiver" means a child's
great-grandparent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, sibling, step-great-grandparent,
step-grandparent, step-aunt, step-uncle, step-cousin, step-sibling, or a person meeting the
definition of de facto custodian under section 257C.01, subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Requirements. new text end

new text begin The kinship support program is a preventative subsidy that
must comply with the following requirements:
new text end

new text begin (1) in addition to MFIP assistance under this chapter, additional TANF or
maintenance of effort funds must be made available to provide children under this section
grants for basic needs including, but not limited to, school-related fees, respite care, a
yearly clothing allowance, home repairs, and transportation needs;
new text end

new text begin (2) the commissioner shall design and carry out a strategy to provide assistance
through the application process to assist families under this program in finding other
available public assistance that may be available to the child including, but not limited to,
Social Security benefits, waivered services, child care, respite care, and tutoring; and
new text end

new text begin (3) the commissioner shall provide applicants to this program with a streamlined
MFIP application form which clearly identifies required information relative to the child
only.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... is appropriated in fiscal year 2009 from the general fund to the commissioner
of human services for the kinship support program under Minnesota Statutes, section
256J.576.
new text end