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Key: (1) language to be deleted (2) new language

CHAPTER 200--S.F.No. 3310

An act

relating to human services; modifying provisions relating to child care licensing;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 245A.04, subdivision 9; 245A.05; 245A.06, subdivision 1; 245A.14, by adding a subdivision; 245A.152; 245A.16, subdivision 5, by adding a subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2017 Supplement, sections 245A.07, subdivision 3; 245A.1434.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245A.04, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Variances.

new text begin (a) new text end The commissioner may grant variances to rules that do not affect the health or safety of persons in a licensed program if the following conditions are met:

(1) the variance must be requested by an applicant or license holder on a form and in a manner prescribed by the commissioner;

(2) the request for a variance must include the reasons that the applicant or license holder cannot comply with a requirement as stated in the rule and the alternative equivalent measures that the applicant or license holder will follow to comply with the intent of the rule; and

(3) the request must state the period of time for which the variance is requested.

The commissioner may grant a permanent variance when conditions under which the variance is requested do not affect the health or safety of persons being served by the licensed program, nor compromise the qualifications of staff to provide services. The permanent variance shall expire as soon as the conditions that warranted the variance are modified in any way. Any applicant or license holder must inform the commissioner of any changes or modifications that have occurred in the conditions that warranted the permanent variance. Failure to advise the commissioner shall result in revocation of the permanent variance and may be cause for other sanctions under sections 245A.06 and 245A.07.

The commissioner's decision to grant or deny a variance request is final and not subject to appeal under the provisions of chapter 14.

new text begin (b) The commissioner shall consider variances for child care center staff qualification requirements under Minnesota Rules, parts 9503.0032 and 9503.0033, that do not affect the health and safety of children served by the center. A variance request must be submitted to the commissioner in accordance with paragraph (a) and must include a plan for the staff person to gain additional experience, education, or training, as requested by the commissioner. When reviewing a variance request under this section, the commissioner shall consider the staff person's level of professional development, including but not limited to steps completed on the Minnesota career lattice. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245A.05, is amended to read:

245A.05 DENIAL OF APPLICATION.

(a) The commissioner may deny a license if an applicant or controlling individual:

(1) fails to submit a substantially complete application after receiving notice from the commissioner under section 245A.04, subdivision 1;

(2) fails to comply with applicable laws or rules;

(3) knowingly withholds relevant information from or gives false or misleading information to the commissioner in connection with an application for a license or during an investigation;

(4) has a disqualification that has not been set aside under section 245C.22 and no variance has been granted;

(5) has an individual living in the household who received a background study under section 245C.03, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2), who has a disqualification that has not been set aside under section 245C.22, and no variance has been granted;

(6) is associated with an individual who received a background study under section 245C.03, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (6), who may have unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults, and who has a disqualification that has not been set aside under section 245C.22, and no variance has been granted; or

(7) fails to comply with section 245A.04, subdivision 1, paragraph (f) or (g).

(b) An applicant whose application has been denied by the commissioner must be given notice of the denialnew text begin , which must state the reasons for the denial in plain languagenew text end . Notice must be given by certified mail or personal service. The notice must state the reasons the application was denied and must inform the applicant of the right to a contested case hearing under chapter 14 and Minnesota Rules, parts 1400.8505 to 1400.8612. The applicant may appeal the denial by notifying the commissioner in writing by certified mail or personal service. If mailed, the appeal must be postmarked and sent to the commissioner within 20 calendar days after the applicant received the notice of denial. If an appeal request is made by personal service, it must be received by the commissioner within 20 calendar days after the applicant received the notice of denial. Section 245A.08 applies to hearings held to appeal the commissioner's denial of an application.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2019. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245A.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Contents of correction orders and conditional licenses.

(a) If the commissioner finds that the applicant or license holder has failed to comply with an applicable law or rule and this failure does not imminently endanger the health, safety, or rights of the persons served by the program, the commissioner may issue a correction order and an order of conditional license to the applicant or license holder. When issuing a conditional license, the commissioner shall consider the nature, chronicity, or severity of the violation of law or rule and the effect of the violation on the health, safety, or rights of persons served by the program. The correction order or conditional license must statenew text begin the following in plain languagenew text end :

(1) the conditions that constitute a violation of the law or rule;

(2) the specific law or rule violated;

(3) the time allowed to correct each violation; and

(4) if a license is made conditional, the length and terms of the conditional licensenew text begin , and the reasons for making the license conditionalnew text end .

(b) Nothing in this section prohibits the commissioner from proposing a sanction as specified in section 245A.07, prior to issuing a correction order or conditional license.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2019. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2017 Supplement, section 245A.07, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

License suspension, revocation, or fine.

(a) The commissioner may suspend or revoke a license, or impose a fine if:

(1) a license holder fails to comply fully with applicable laws or rules;

(2) a license holder, a controlling individual, or an individual living in the household where the licensed services are provided or is otherwise subject to a background study has a disqualification which has not been set aside under section 245C.22;

(3) a license holder knowingly withholds relevant information from or gives false or misleading information to the commissioner in connection with an application for a license, in connection with the background study status of an individual, during an investigation, or regarding compliance with applicable laws or rules; or

(4) after July 1, 2012, and upon request by the commissioner, a license holder fails to submit the information required of an applicant under section 245A.04, subdivision 1, paragraph (f) or (g).

A license holder who has had a license suspended, revoked, or has been ordered to pay a fine must be given notice of the action by certified mail or personal service. If mailed, the notice must be mailed to the address shown on the application or the last known address of the license holder. The notice must state new text begin in plain language new text end the reasons the license was suspendeddeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin ornew text end revoked, or a fine was ordered.

(b) If the license was suspended or revoked, the notice must inform the license holder of the right to a contested case hearing under chapter 14 and Minnesota Rules, parts 1400.8505 to 1400.8612. The license holder may appeal an order suspending or revoking a license. The appeal of an order suspending or revoking a license must be made in writing by certified mail or personal service. If mailed, the appeal must be postmarked and sent to the commissioner within ten calendar days after the license holder receives notice that the license has been suspended or revoked. If a request is made by personal service, it must be received by the commissioner within ten calendar days after the license holder received the order. Except as provided in subdivision 2a, paragraph (c), if a license holder submits a timely appeal of an order suspending or revoking a license, the license holder may continue to operate the program as provided in section 245A.04, subdivision 7, paragraphs (g) and (h), until the commissioner issues a final order on the suspension or revocation.

(c)(1) If the license holder was ordered to pay a fine, the notice must inform the license holder of the responsibility for payment of fines and the right to a contested case hearing under chapter 14 and Minnesota Rules, parts 1400.8505 to 1400.8612. The appeal of an order to pay a fine must be made in writing by certified mail or personal service. If mailed, the appeal must be postmarked and sent to the commissioner within ten calendar days after the license holder receives notice that the fine has been ordered. If a request is made by personal service, it must be received by the commissioner within ten calendar days after the license holder received the order.

(2) The license holder shall pay the fines assessed on or before the payment date specified. If the license holder fails to fully comply with the order, the commissioner may issue a second fine or suspend the license until the license holder complies. If the license holder receives state funds, the state, county, or municipal agencies or departments responsible for administering the funds shall withhold payments and recover any payments made while the license is suspended for failure to pay a fine. A timely appeal shall stay payment of the fine until the commissioner issues a final order.

(3) A license holder shall promptly notify the commissioner of human services, in writing, when a violation specified in the order to forfeit a fine is corrected. If upon reinspection the commissioner determines that a violation has not been corrected as indicated by the order to forfeit a fine, the commissioner may issue a second fine. The commissioner shall notify the license holder by certified mail or personal service that a second fine has been assessed. The license holder may appeal the second fine as provided under this subdivision.

(4) Fines shall be assessed as follows:

(i) the license holder shall forfeit $1,000 for each determination of maltreatment of a child under section 626.556 or the maltreatment of a vulnerable adult under section 626.557 for which the license holder is determined responsible for the maltreatment under section 626.556, subdivision 10e, paragraph (i), or 626.557, subdivision 9c, paragraph (c);

(ii) if the commissioner determines that a determination of maltreatment for which the license holder is responsible is the result of maltreatment that meets the definition of serious maltreatment as defined in section 245C.02, subdivision 18, the license holder shall forfeit $5,000;

(iii) for a program that operates out of the license holder's home and a program licensed under Minnesota Rules, parts 9502.0300 to 9502.0495, the fine assessed against the license holder shall not exceed $1,000 for each determination of maltreatment;

(iv) the license holder shall forfeit $200 for each occurrence of a violation of law or rule governing matters of health, safety, or supervision, including but not limited to the provision of adequate staff-to-child or adult ratios, and failure to comply with background study requirements under chapter 245C; and

(v) the license holder shall forfeit $100 for each occurrence of a violation of law or rule other than those subject to a $5,000, $1,000, or $200 fine in items (i) to (iv).

For purposes of this section, "occurrence" means each violation identified in the commissioner's fine order. Fines assessed against a license holder that holds a license to provide home and community-based services, as identified in section 245D.03, subdivision 1, and a community residential setting or day services facility license under chapter 245D where the services are provided, may be assessed against both licenses for the same occurrence, but the combined amount of the fines shall not exceed the amount specified in this clause for that occurrence.

(5) When a fine has been assessed, the license holder may not avoid payment by closing, selling, or otherwise transferring the licensed program to a third party. In such an event, the license holder will be personally liable for payment. In the case of a corporation, each controlling individual is personally and jointly liable for payment.

(d) Except for background study violations involving the failure to comply with an order to immediately remove an individual or an order to provide continuous, direct supervision, the commissioner shall not issue a fine under paragraph (c) relating to a background study violation to a license holder who self-corrects a background study violation before the commissioner discovers the violation. A license holder who has previously exercised the provisions of this paragraph to avoid a fine for a background study violation may not avoid a fine for a subsequent background study violation unless at least 365 days have passed since the license holder self-corrected the earlier background study violation.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2019. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245A.14, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 4a. new text end

new text begin Specialized infant and toddler family child care. new text end

new text begin A group family day care program licensed as a class D specialized infant and toddler group family day care under Minnesota Rules, part 9502.0367, may operate as a class B specialized infant and toddler family day care program on days when only one caregiver is present. new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2017 Supplement, section 245A.1434, is amended to read:

245A.1434 INFORMATION FOR CHILD CARE LICENSE HOLDERS.

The commissioner shall inform family child care and child care center license holders on a timely basis of changes to state and federal statute, rule, regulation, and policy relating to the provision of licensed child care, the child care assistance program under chapter 119B, the quality rating and improvement system under section 124D.142, and child care licensing functions delegated to counties. Communications under this section shall new text begin be in plain language and new text end include information to promote license holder compliance with identified changes. Communications under this section may be accomplished by electronic means and shall be made available to the public online.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2019. new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245A.152, is amended to read:

245A.152 CHILD CARE LICENSE HOLDER INSURANCE.

(a) A license holder must provide a written notice to all parents or guardians of all children to be accepted for care prior to admission stating whether the license holder has liability insurance. This notice may be incorporated into and provided on the admission form used by the license holder.

(b) If the license holder has liability insurance:

(1) the license holder shall inform parents in writing that a current certificate of coverage for insurance is available for inspection to all parents or guardians of children receiving services and to all parents seeking services from the family child care program;

(2) the notice must provide the parent or guardian with the date of expiration or next renewal of the policy; and

(3) upon the expiration deleted text begin datedeleted text end of the policynew text begin or a change in coveragenew text end , the license holder must provide a new written notice new text begin informing all parents or guardians of children receiving services of the change and new text end indicating whether the insurance policy has lapsed deleted text begin or whether the license holder has renewed the policydeleted text end .

deleted text begin If the policy was renewed, the license holder must provide the new expiration date of the policy in writing to the parents or guardians. deleted text end

new text begin If a license holder has a continuous insurance policy that renews each year, the license holder may indicate the policy's renewal date in the initial written notice to parents and guardians. This initial written notice shall remain valid and no further notices are required until the insurance coverage changes or the policy lapses. new text end

(c) If the license holder does not have liability insurance, the license holder must provide an annual notice, on a form developed and made available by the commissioner, to the parents or guardians of children in care indicating that the license holder does not carry liability insurance.

(d) The license holder must notify all parents and guardians in writing immediately of any change in insurance status.

(e) The license holder must make available upon request the certificate of liability insurance to the parents of children in care, to the commissioner, and to county licensing agents.

(f) The license holder must document, with the signature of the parent or guardian, that the parent or guardian received the notices required by this section.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245A.16, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Instruction and technical assistance.

new text begin (a) new text end The commissioner shall provide instruction and technical assistance to county and private agencies that are subject to this section. County and private agencies shall cooperate with the commissioner in carrying out this section by ensuring that affected employees participate in instruction and technical assistance provided by the commissioner.

new text begin (b) Within existing appropriations, the commissioner shall provide training to county and private licensing agencies that perform child care licensing functions on identifying and preventing fraud relating to provider reimbursement in the child care assistance program, by December 31, 2019. new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245A.16, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Notice of county recommendation. new text end

new text begin The county or private agency shall provide written notice to the license holder when the agency recommends a licensing action to the commissioner under subdivision 2 or subdivision 3. The written notice shall inform the license holder about the process for determining a licensing action and how the license holder will be notified of a licensing action determination. The notice shall include the following: new text end

new text begin (1) that the county or private agency made a recommendation to the commissioner to deny an application or suspend, revoke, or make conditional a license; new text end

new text begin (2) that the commissioner will review the recommendation from the county or private agency and then determine if a licensing action will be issued; new text end

new text begin (3) that the license holder will receive written notice from the commissioner indicating the reasons for the licensing action issued; and new text end

new text begin (4) instructions on how to request reconsideration or appeal, if a licensing action is issued. new text end

new text begin County or private agency recommendations under this section are classified as confidential data under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13, and may only be disclosed as permitted by law. new text end

Sec. 10.

new text begin DIRECTION TO COMMISSIONER; CHILD CARE LICENSING REFORM. new text end

new text begin (a) By December 31, 2018, the commissioner shall: new text end

new text begin (1) make enhancements to the department's licensing information lookup Web site that comply with federal requirements to make program-specific monitoring results available, including the date of inspections, any violations noted, and how the violation was addressed by the provider; new text end

new text begin (2) provide each license holder with a printed copy of the posting guidelines for child care licensing information; and new text end

new text begin (3) convene regional meetings with license holders and county licensing agencies to review the posting guidelines and the enhancements made to the department's licensing Web site and obtain feedback and recommendations for future enhancements to ensure accuracy and transparency for license holders and families using or seeking licensed child care. new text end

new text begin (b) In the 2019 report to the legislature on the status of child care required under Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.153, the commissioner shall include the following: new text end

new text begin (1) a description of the federal and state requirements and any guidelines established for the posting of child care licensing information and monitoring results; new text end

new text begin (2) a summary of how the department is engaging licensed child care providers, county licensing agencies, and families seeking or using child care services to obtain feedback about the posting guidelines on the department's Web site; new text end

new text begin (3) a summary of the administrative reform and actions identified by licensed child care providers through stakeholder meetings that could be implemented without statutory changes that would reduce the regulatory and administrative burden to license holders; new text end

new text begin (4) a description of administrative reforms and actions the department has taken in the prior year or is in the process of implementing; and new text end

new text begin (5) an evaluation of existing laws, models, and initiatives from other states that have implemented child care licensing reforms to reduce barriers and unnecessary administrative burdens for child care providers. new text end

Presented to the governor May 21, 2018

Signed by the governor May 29, 2018, 1:14 p.m.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes