1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to human services; establishing an ombudsperson for family child care; 
1.3 	appropriating money;proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 
1.4 	245A.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [245A.23] LICENSING AND REGULATORY ASSISTANCE; FAMILY 
1.7 	CHILD CARE.
1.8 	(a) A family child care ombudsperson office is established within the Department of 
1.9 	Human Services to provide one-stop access for persons in need of information or assistance 
1.10 	related to family day care or group family day care licensing, investigations, and sanctions, 
1.11 	child care regulatory requirements, or resolving disputes with state or county agencies. The 
1.12 	family child care ombudsperson shall:
1.13 	(1) serve as a neutral, independent resource for dispute and issue a resolution between 
1.14 	the department, counties, family day care and group family day care providers, and the 
1.15 	general public;
1.16 	(2) gather information about decisions, acts, and other matters of the department that 
1.17 	relate to family day care and group family day care;
1.18 	(3) provide information to family day care and group family day care providers and to 
1.19 	the general public;
1.20 	(4) promptly respond to inquiries and complaints related to family day care and group 
1.21 	family day care licensing and regulatory issues; and
1.22 	(5) facilitate discussions or arrange mediation when appropriate.
2.1 	(b) The commissioner shall appoint a person to the position of family child care 
2.2 	ombudsperson. The family child care ombudsperson reports directly to the commissioner. 
2.3 	The ombudsperson must be selected without regard to political affiliation and must be 
2.4 	qualified to perform the duties specified in this section. The ombudsperson must not hold 
2.5 	another formal position within the department and must not impose a complaint fee.

2.6 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.
 2.7 	$....... in fiscal year 2019 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of 
2.8 	human services to establish and administer the family child care ombudsperson office under 
2.9 	Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.23.