1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to child protection; modifying the face-to-face contact requirement for 
1.3 	child maltreatment investigations;amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 
1.4 	260E.20, subdivision 2.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 260E.20, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
1.7 		Subd. 2.Face-to-face contact. (a) Upon receipt of a screened in report, the local welfare 
1.8 	agency shall conduct a face-to-face contact with the child reported to be maltreated and 
1.9 	with the child's primary caregiver sufficient to complete a safety assessment and ensure the 
1.10 	immediate safety of the child.
1.11 	(b) The face-to-face contact with the child and primary caregiver shall occur immediately 
1.12 	if sexual abuse or substantial child endangerment is alleged and within five calendar days 
1.13 	for all other reports. If the alleged offender was not already interviewed as the primary 
1.14 	caregiver, the local welfare agency shall also conduct a face-to-face interview with the 
1.15 	alleged offender in the early stages of the assessment or investigation. Face-to-face contact 
1.16 	with the child and primary caregiver in response to a report alleging sexual abuse or 
1.17 	substantial child endangerment may be postponed for no more than five calendar days if 
1.18 	the child is residing in a location that is confirmed to restrict contact with the alleged offender 
1.19 	as established in guidelines issued by the commissioner, or if the local welfare agency is 
1.20 	pursuing a court order for the child's caregiver to produce the child for questioning under 
1.21 	section 260E.22, subdivision 5.
1.22 	(c) At the initial contact with the alleged offender, the local welfare agency or the agency 
1.23 	responsible for assessing or investigating the report must inform the alleged offender of the 
2.1 	complaints or allegations made against the individual in a manner consistent with laws 
2.2 	protecting the rights of the person who made the report. The interview with the alleged 
2.3 	offender may be postponed if it would jeopardize an active law enforcement investigation.
2.4 	(d) The local welfare agency or the agency responsible for assessing or investigating 
2.5 	the report must provide the alleged offender with an opportunity to make a statement. The 
2.6 	alleged offender may submit supporting documentation relevant to the assessment or 
2.7 	investigation.