SF 270

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 07/30/2021 03:33pm

A bill for an act
relating to human services; establishing the retaining early educators through
attaining incentives now grant program; requiring reports; 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.195] RETAINING EARLY EDUCATORS THROUGH ATTAINING
INCENTIVES NOW (REETAIN) GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment; purpose. new text end

new text begin The retaining early educators through attaining
incentives now (REETAIN) grant program is established to provide competitive grants to
incentivize well-trained child care professionals to remain in the workforce. The overall
goal of the REETAIN grant program is to create more consistent care for children over time.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Administration. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall allocate grant money to child care
resource and referral agencies to administer the REETAIN grant program. Up to ten percent
of grant money may be used for administration of the grant program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin Applicants must apply for the grant program using the forms and
according to timelines established by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin (a) To be eligible for a grant, an applicant must:
new text end

new text begin (1) be licensed to provide child care or work for a licensed child care program;
new text end

new text begin (2) work directly with children at least 30 hours per week;
new text end

new text begin (3) have worked in the applicant's current position for at least 12 months;
new text end

new text begin (4) agree to work in the applicant's current position for at least 12 months upon receiving
a grant under this section;
new text end

new text begin (5) have a career lattice step of five or higher;
new text end

new text begin (6) have a current membership with the Minnesota quality improvement and registry
tool;
new text end

new text begin (7) not be a current teacher education and compensation helps scholarship recipient; and
new text end

new text begin (8) meet any other requirements determined by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (b) Grant recipients must sign a contract agreeing to remain in their current position for
12 months.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Grant awards. new text end

new text begin Grant awards must be made annually and may be made up to
$3,500 per recipient. Grant recipients may use grant money for program supplies, training,
or personal expenses.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must report annually to the legislative committees
with jurisdiction over child care on January 1, 2022, about the number of grants awarded
to recipients and outcomes of the grant program.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; RETAINING EARLY EDUCATORS THROUGH
ATTAINING INCENTIVES NOW (REETAIN) GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin $250,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $250,000 in fiscal year 2023 are appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of human services for purposes of REETAIN grants under
Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.195. This appropriation is in addition to federal funding
and is added to the base.
new text end