1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to human services; modifying the maximum rate 
  1.3             paid for child care assistance; limiting the number of 
  1.4             absent days reimbursed under child care assistance; 
  1.5             amending Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 119B.13, by 
  1.6             adding a subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2003 
  1.7             Supplement, section 119B.13, subdivision 1. 
  1.8   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.9      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2003 Supplement, section 
  1.10  119B.13, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  1.11     Subdivision 1.  [SUBSIDY RESTRICTIONS.] The maximum rate 
  1.12  paid for child care assistance under the child care fund may not 
  1.13  exceed the 75th percentile rate for like-care arrangements in 
  1.14  the county as surveyed by the commissioner.  A rate which 
  1.15  includes a provider bonus paid under subdivision 2 or a special 
  1.16  needs rate paid under subdivision 3 may be in excess of the 
  1.17  maximum rate allowed under this subdivision.  The department 
  1.18  shall monitor the effect of this paragraph on provider rates.  
  1.19  The county shall pay the provider's full charges for every child 
  1.20  in care up to the maximum established.  The commissioner shall 
  1.21  determine the maximum rate for each type of care on an hourly, 
  1.22  full-day, and weekly basis, including special needs and 
  1.23  handicapped care.  Not less than once every two years, the 
  1.24  commissioner shall evaluate market practices for payment of 
  1.25  absences and shall establish policies for payment of absent days 
  1.26  that reflect current market practice. 
  2.1      When the provider charge is greater than the maximum 
  2.2   provider rate allowed, the parent is responsible for payment of 
  2.3   the difference in the rates in addition to any family co-payment 
  2.4   fee. 
  2.5      <b>[EFFECTIVE DATE.]</b> This section is effective July 1, 2005. 
  2.6      Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 119B.13, is 
  2.7   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  2.8      Subd. 7.  [ABSENT DAYS.] Child care providers may not be 
  2.9   reimbursed for more than 25 absent days per child in a 12-month 
  2.10  period, or for more than ten consecutive absent days, unless the 
  2.11  child has a documented medical condition that causes more 
  2.12  frequent absences.  Documentation of medical conditions must be 
  2.13  on the forms and submitted according to the timelines 
  2.14  established by the commissioner. 
  2.15     <b>[EFFECTIVE DATE.]</b> This section is effective July 1, 2004.