SF 4094

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/10/2020 08:40am

A bill for an act
relating to economic development; appropriating money for grants to local
communities to increase the supply of quality child care providers.

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

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION; GRANTS FOR CHILD CARE.
new text end

new text begin (a) $10,000,000 in fiscal year 2021 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of employment and economic development for grants to local communities
to increase the supply of quality child care providers to support economic development.
This is a onetime appropriation. Fifty percent of grant funds must go to communities located
outside of the seven-county metropolitan area as defined under Minnesota Statutes, section
473.121, subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin (b) Grant recipients must obtain a 50 percent nonstate match to grant funds in either
cash or in-kind contribution. Grant funds available under this section must be used to
implement projects to reduce the child care shortage in the state including but not limited
to funding for child care business start-ups or expansion, training, facility modifications,
direct subsidies or incentives to retain employees, or improvements required for licensing,
and assistance with licensing and other regulatory requirements. In awarding grants, the
commissioner must give priority to communities that have demonstrated a shortage of child
care providers in the area.
new text end

new text begin (c) Within one year of receiving grant funds, grant recipients must report to the
commissioner on the outcomes of the grant program including but not limited to the number
of new providers, the number of additional child care provider jobs created, the number of
additional child care slots, and the amount of cash and in-kind local funds invested.
new text end