HF 3127

2nd Engrossment - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/12/2020 04:01pm

A bill for an act
relating to child welfare; creating a Parent Representation in Child Protection
Proceedings Task Force.

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

Section 1. new text begin PARENT REPRESENTATION IN CHILD PROTECTION
PROCEEDINGS TASK FORCE.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Creation and duties. new text end

new text begin The Parent Representation in Child Protection
Proceedings Task Force is created to make recommendations for expanding the right to
court-appointed counsel to all eligible parents, guardians, and custodians in all child
protection proceedings where a child is at risk of imminent removal from the child's home
or has been removed from the child's home. The task force shall make recommendations
about the following issues:
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new text begin (1) program administration;
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new text begin (2) recruitment and retention of qualified and culturally competent attorneys to provide
parent representation;
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new text begin (3) the estimated costs for implementing and maintaining the new parent representation
requirements; and
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new text begin (4) the division of funding between the state and counties.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The task force shall consist of the following members:
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new text begin (1) one member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house;
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new text begin (2) one member of the senate appointed by the president of the senate;
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new text begin (3) two members representing the Minnesota judicial branch, appointed by the chief
justice of the supreme court;
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new text begin (4) the commissioner of human services or a designee;
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new text begin (5) two members who represent parents in child welfare cases in Minnesota, one from
within the seven-county metropolitan area and one from outside the seven-county
metropolitan area, appointed by the Institute to Transform Child Protection;
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new text begin (6) two members representing county court administration, one from within the
seven-county metropolitan area and one from outside the seven-county metropolitan area,
appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court;
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new text begin (7) one member representing the Minnesota County Attorneys Association, appointed
by the Minnesota County Attorneys Association;
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new text begin (8) one member representing the Minnesota Association of County Social Service
Administrators, appointed by the Minnesota Association of County Social Services
Administrators;
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new text begin (9) one member active in and appointed by the state guardian ad litem program;
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new text begin (10) two public members who have had personal experience with Minnesota's child
welfare system, one from within the seven-county metropolitan area and one from outside
the seven-county metropolitan area, appointed by Minnesota One Stop for Families;
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new text begin (11) two members representing Indian tribes, appointed by the Indian Child Welfare
Act Law Center;
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new text begin (12) one member, appointed by the legislature, representing a national child welfare
advocacy foundation that supports reform efforts in Minnesota; and
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new text begin (13) one county administrator, appointed by the Association of Minnesota Counties.
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new text begin (b) The governor shall appoint members no later than July 15, 2020, and members shall
not receive compensation or reimbursement for expenses.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Officers; meetings; staff. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of human services shall
convene the first meeting of the task force no later than August 15, 2020, and shall provide
staff assistance to support the work of the task force.
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new text begin (b) The task force must elect co-chairs from among its members.
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new text begin (c) The task force is subject to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law under Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 13D.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report required. new text end

new text begin By February 1, 2021, the task force shall submit a report on
its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislative changes, to the chairs
and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction
over human services and judiciary policy and finance.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin The task force expires upon submission of the report required
under subdivision 4.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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