SF 2743

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

A bill for an act
relating to early childhood education; modifying child care assistance
reimbursement rates; amending Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section
119B.13, subdivision 1.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 119B.13, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Subsidy restrictions.

(a) Beginning July 1, 2006, the maximum rate
paid for child care assistance in any county or multicounty region under the child care
fund shall be the rate for like-care arrangements in the county effective January 1, 2006,
increased by six percent.

(b) Rate changes shall be implemented for services provided in September 2006
unless a participant eligibility redetermination or a new provider agreement is completed
between July 1, 2006, and August 31, 2006.

As necessary, appropriate notice of adverse action must be made according to
Minnesota Rules, part 3400.0185, subparts 3 and 4.

New cases approved on or after July 1, 2006, shall have the maximum rates under
paragraph (a), implemented immediately.

(c) Every year, the commissioner shall survey rates charged by child care providers in
Minnesota to determine the 75th percentile for like-care arrangements in counties. When
the commissioner determines that, using the commissioner's established protocol, the
number of providers responding to the survey is too small to determine the 75th percentile
rate for like-care arrangements in a county or multicounty region, the commissioner may
establish the 75th percentile maximum rate based on like-care arrangements in a county,
region, or category that the commissioner deems to be similar.

(d) A rate which includes a special needs rate paid under subdivision 3 or under a
school readiness service agreement paid under section 119B.231, may be in excess of the
maximum rate allowed under this subdivision.

(e) The department shall monitor the effect of this paragraph on provider rates. The
county shall pay the provider's full charges for every child in care up to the maximum
established. The commissioner shall determine the maximum rate for each type of care on
an hourly, new text begin half-day, new text end full-day, and weekly basis, including special needs and disability care.

(f) When the provider charge is greater than the maximum provider rate allowed,
the parent is responsible for payment of the difference in the rates in addition to any
family co-payment fee.