1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to children; modifying provisions related to prekindergarten through grade 
1.3 	12 general education, education excellence, the Read Act, American Indian 
1.4 	education, teachers, charter schools, special education, school facilities, school 
1.5 	nutrition, libraries, state agencies, early childhood education, child protection and 
1.6 	welfare, economic supports, housing and homelessness, child care licensing, the 
1.7 	Department of Children, Youth, and Families, the Minnesota Indian Family 
1.8 	Preservation Act, children and families policy, and Department of Human Services 
1.9 	policy; providing for Human Services forecast adjustments; providing for 
1.10 	supplemental funding; providing for rulemaking; requiring reports; appropriating 
1.11 	money;amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 13.321, by adding a 
1.12 	subdivision; 16A.103, by adding a subdivision; 120A.41; 121A.035; 121A.15, 
1.13 	subdivision 3, by adding a subdivision; 122A.415, by adding a subdivision; 
1.14 	122A.73, subdivision 4; 123B.71, subdivision 8; 124D.093, subdivisions 4, 5; 
1.15 	124D.19, subdivision 8; 124D.65, by adding a subdivision; 124D.957, subdivision 
1.16 	1; 124E.22; 125A.63, subdivision 5; 126C.05, subdivision 15; 126C.10, subdivision 
1.17 	13a; 127A.45, subdivisions 12, 13, 14a; 127A.51; 144.966, subdivision 2; 243.166, 
1.18 	subdivision 7, as amended; 245.975, subdivisions 2, 4, 9; 245A.04, subdivision 
1.19 	10; 245A.065; 245A.10, subdivisions 1, as amended, 2, as amended; 245A.14, 
1.20 	subdivision 17; 245A.144; 245A.175; 245A.52, subdivision 2, by adding a 
1.21 	subdivision; 245A.66, subdivision 2; 245C.08, subdivision 4; 245E.08; 245H.01, 
1.22 	by adding subdivisions; 245H.08, subdivision 1; 245H.14, subdivisions 1, 4; 
1.23 	256.029, as amended; 256.045, subdivisions 3b, as amended, 5, as amended, 7, as 
1.24 	amended; 256.0451, subdivisions 1, as amended, 22, 24; 256.046, subdivision 2, 
1.25 	as amended; 256E.35, subdivision 5; 256J.08, subdivision 34a; 256J.28, subdivision 
1.26 	1; 256N.22, subdivision 10; 256N.24, subdivision 10; 256N.26, subdivisions 12, 
1.27 	13, 15, 16, 18, 21, 22; 256P.05, by adding a subdivision; 259.20, subdivision 2; 
1.28 	259.37, subdivision 2; 259.53, by adding a subdivision; 259.79, subdivision 1; 
1.29 	259.83, subdivision 4; 260.755, subdivisions 2a, 5, 14, 17a, by adding subdivisions; 
1.30 	260.775; 260.785, subdivisions 1, 3; 260.810, subdivision 3; 260C.007, subdivisions 
1.31 	5, 6, 26b, by adding subdivisions; 260C.141, by adding a subdivision; 260C.178, 
1.32 	subdivisions 1, as amended, 7; 260C.202; 260C.209, subdivision 1; 260C.212, 
1.33 	subdivisions 1, 2, 13; 260C.301, subdivision 1, as amended; 260C.331, by adding 
1.34 	a subdivision; 260C.515, subdivision 4; 260C.607, subdivisions 1, 6; 260C.611; 
1.35 	260C.613, subdivision 1; 260C.615, subdivision 1; 260D.01; 260E.03, subdivision 
1.36 	23, as amended, by adding a subdivision; 260E.14, subdivision 3; 260E.30, 
1.37 	subdivision 3, as amended; 260E.36, subdivision 1a; 393.07, subdivision 10a; 
1.38 	518.17, by adding a subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, sections 
2.1 	13.46, subdivision 4, as amended; 119B.011, subdivision 15; 119B.16, subdivisions 
2.2 	1a, 1c; 119B.161, subdivision 2; 120B.018, subdivision 6; 120B.021, subdivisions 
2.3 	1, 2, 3, 4, 5; 120B.024, subdivision 1; 120B.124, subdivision 1, by adding a 
2.4 	subdivision; 121A.642; 122A.415, subdivision 4; 122A.73, subdivisions 2, 3; 
2.5 	122A.77, subdivisions 1, 2; 123B.71, subdivision 12; 123B.92, subdivision 11; 
2.6 	124D.111, subdivision 3; 124D.142, subdivision 2, as amended; 124D.151, 
2.7 	subdivision 6; 124D.165, subdivisions 3, 6; 124D.65, subdivision 5, as amended; 
2.8 	124D.81, subdivision 2b; 124D.901, subdivision 3; 124D.98, subdivision 5; 
2.9 	124D.995, subdivision 3; 124E.13, subdivision 1; 126C.10, subdivisions 2e, 3, 3a, 
2.10 	3c, 4, 18a; 126C.40, subdivision 6; 127A.21; 134.356, by adding subdivisions; 
2.11 	144.2252, subdivision 2; 144.2253; 245A.02, subdivision 2c; 245A.03, subdivision 
2.12 	7, as amended; 245A.16, subdivisions 1, as amended, 11; 245A.50, subdivisions 
2.13 	3, 4; 245A.66, subdivision 4, as amended; 245C.02, subdivision 6a; 245C.033, 
2.14 	subdivision 3; 245C.10, subdivision 15; 245H.06, subdivisions 1, 2; 245H.08, 
2.15 	subdivisions 4, 5; 256.01, subdivision 12b; 256.043, subdivisions 3, 3a; 256.045, 
2.16 	subdivision 3, as amended; 256.046, subdivision 3; 256B.0625, subdivision 26; 
2.17 	256B.0671, by adding a subdivision; 256E.35, subdivision 2; 256E.38, subdivision 
2.18 	4; 256M.42, by adding a subdivision; 256P.06, subdivision 3; 259.83, subdivisions 
2.19 	1, 1b, 3a; 260.755, subdivisions 1a, 3, 3a, 5b, 20, 22; 260.758, subdivisions 2, 4, 
2.20 	5; 260.761; 260.762; 260.763, subdivisions 1, 4, 5; 260.765, subdivisions 2, 3a, 
2.21 	4b; 260.771, subdivisions 1a, 1b, 1c, 2b, 2d, 6, by adding a subdivision; 260.773, 
2.22 	subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11; 260.774, subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 260.781, subdivision 
2.23 	1; 260.786, subdivision 2; 260.795, subdivision 1; 260E.02, subdivision 1, as 
2.24 	amended; 260E.03, subdivisions 15a, 15b, 22; 260E.14, subdivision 5; 260E.17, 
2.25 	subdivision 1; 260E.18; 260E.20, subdivision 2; 260E.24, subdivisions 2, 7; 
2.26 	260E.33, subdivision 1; 260E.35, subdivision 6; 518A.42, subdivision 3; Laws 
2.27 	1987, chapter 404, section 18, subdivision 1; Laws 2023, chapter 18, section 4, 
2.28 	subdivisions 2, as amended, 3, as amended; Laws 2023, chapter 54, section 20, 
2.29 	subdivisions 6, 24; Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 1, section 36, subdivisions 2, 
2.30 	as amended, 8, 13; article 2, sections 61, subdivision 4; 64, subdivisions 2, as 
2.31 	amended, 6, as amended, 9, 14, 16, 26, 31, 33; article 3, section 11, subdivisions 
2.32 	3, 4; article 5, sections 64, subdivisions 3, as amended, 5, 13, 15, 16; 65, 
2.33 	subdivisions 3, 6, 7; article 7, section 18, subdivision 4, as amended; article 8, 
2.34 	section 19, subdivisions 5, 6, as amended; article 12, section 17, subdivision 2; 
2.35 	Laws 2023, chapter 64, article 15, section 34, subdivision 2; Laws 2023, chapter 
2.36 	70, article 11, section 13, subdivision 8; article 12, section 30, subdivisions 2, 3; 
2.37 	article 14, section 42, subdivision 6; article 20, sections 2, subdivisions 22, 24; 
2.38 	23; Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 1, sections 38, subdivisions 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9; 96; 
2.39 	article 2, sections 5, subdivision 21, by adding a subdivision; 7, subdivision 2; 10, 
2.40 	subdivision 6; 16, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 30, subdivision 2; 31; 
2.41 	74; article 4, section 26; article 6, section 4; article 7, section 4; proposing coding 
2.42 	for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 123B; 127A; 142A; 259; 260D; 260E; 
2.43 	524; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapters 142B; 142C; 
2.44 	142F; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 127A.095, subdivision 3; 
2.45 	245.975, subdivision 8; 256.01, subdivisions 12, 12a; 260.755, subdivision 13; 
2.46 	Laws 2023, chapter 25, section 190, subdivision 10; Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 
2.47 	10, section 4; Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 1, sections 38, subdivisions 3, 4, 11; 
2.48 	39; 43, subdivision 2; article 2, sections 1, subdivision 11; 3, subdivision 3; 4, 
2.49 	subdivision 4; 10, subdivision 4; 33; 69; article 7, sections 3; 9; Minnesota Rules, 
2.50 	parts 9502.0425, subparts 5, 10; 9545.0805, subpart 1; 9545.0845; 9560.0232, 
2.51 	subpart 5.
3.1 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

3.2 	ARTICLE 1
3.3 	GENERAL EDUCATION

3.4 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 120A.41, is amended to read:
3.5 	120A.41 LENGTH OF SCHOOL YEAR; HOURS OF INSTRUCTION.
3.6 	(a) A school board's annual school calendar must include at least 425 hours of instruction 
3.7 	for a kindergarten student without a disability, 935 hours of instruction for a student in 
3.8 	grades 1 through 6, and 1,020 hours of instruction for a student in grades 7 through 12, not 
3.9 	including summer school. The school calendar for all-day kindergarten must include at least 
3.10 	850 hours of instruction for the school year. The school calendar for a prekindergarten 
3.11 	student under section 124D.151, if offered by the district, must include at least 350 hours 
3.12 	of instruction for the school year. A school board's annual calendar must include at least 
3.13 	165 days of instruction for a student in grades 1 through 11 unless a four-day week schedule 
3.14 	has been approved by the commissioner under section 124D.126.
3.15 	(b) A school board's annual school calendar may include plans for up to five days of 
3.16 	instruction provided through online instruction due to inclement weather. The inclement 
3.17 	weather plans must be developed according to section 120A.414.

3.18 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for the 2023-2024 school year and later.

3.19 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 123B.92, subdivision 11, is amended 
3.20 	to read:
3.21 		Subd. 11.Area learning center transportation aid. (a) A district or cooperative unit 
3.22 	under section 123A.24, subdivision 2, that provides transportation of pupils to and from an 
3.23 	area learning center program established under section 123A.05 is eligible for state aid to 
3.24 	reimburse the additional costs of transportation during the preceding fiscal year.
3.25 	(b) A district or cooperative unit under section 123A.24, subdivision 2, may apply to 
3.26 	the commissioner of education for state aid to reimburse the costs of transporting pupils 
3.27 	who are enrolled in an area learning center program established under section 123A.05
3.28 	during the preceding fiscal year. The commissioner shall develop the form and manner of 
3.29 	applications for state aid, the criteria to determine when transportation is necessary, and the 
3.30 	accounting procedure to determine excess costs. In determining aid amounts, the 
3.31 	commissioner shall consider other revenue received by the district or cooperative unit under 
3.32 	section 123A.24, subdivision 2, for transportation for area learning center purposes.
4.1 	(c) The total aid entitlement for this section is $1,000,000 each year. The commissioner 
4.2 	must prorate aid if this amount is insufficient to reimburse district costs for a district or 
4.3 	cooperative unit under section 123A.24, subdivision 2.

4.4 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2024 and later.

4.5 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 124D.65, subdivision 5, as amended 
4.6 	by Laws 2024, chapter 85, section 21, is amended to read:
4.7 		Subd. 5.School district EL revenue. (a) For fiscal year 2024 through fiscal year 2026, 
4.8 	a district's English learner programs revenue equals the sum of:
4.9 	(1) the product of (i) $1,228, and (ii) the greater of 20 or the adjusted average daily 
4.10 	membership of eligible English learners enrolled in the district during the current fiscal 
4.11 	year; and
4.12 	(2) $436 times the English learner pupil units under section 126C.05, subdivision 17.
4.13 	(b) For fiscal year 2027 and later, a district's English learner programs revenue equals 
4.14 	the sum of:
4.15 	(1) the product of (i) $1,775, and (ii) the greater of 20 or the adjusted average daily 
4.16 	membership of eligible English learners enrolled in the district during the current fiscal 
4.17 	year; and
4.18 	(2) $630 times the English learner pupil units under section 126C.05, subdivision 17; 
4.19 	and
4.20 	(3) the district's English learner cross subsidy aid. A district's English learner cross 
4.21 	subsidy aid equals 25 percent of the district's English learner cross subsidy under paragraph 
4.22 	(c) for fiscal year 2027 and later.
4.23 	(c) A district's English learner cross subsidy equals the greater of zero or the difference 
4.24 	between the district's expenditures for qualifying English learner services for the second 
4.25 	previous year and the district's English learner revenue for the second previous year.
4.26 	(d) A pupil ceases to generate state English learner aid in the school year following the 
4.27 	school year in which the pupil attains the state cutoff score on a commissioner-provided 
4.28 	assessment that measures the pupil's emerging academic English.

4.29 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

5.1 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 124D.65, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
5.2 	read:
5.3 		Subd. 5a.English learner cross subsidy aid. (a) For fiscal year 2027 and later, a district's 
5.4 	English learner cross subsidy aid equals 25 percent of the district's English learner cross 
5.5 	subsidy calculated under paragraph (b).
5.6 	(b) A district's English learner cross subsidy equals the greater of zero or the difference 
5.7 	between the district's expenditures for qualifying English learner services for the second  
5.8 	previous year and the district's English learner revenue under subdivision 5 for the second 
5.9 	previous year. For the purposes of this subdivision, "qualifying English learner services" 
5.10 	means the services necessary to implement the language instruction educational program 
5.11 	for students identified as English learners under sections 124D.58 to 124D.65. Only 
5.12 	expenditures that both address the English language development standards in Minnesota 
5.13 	Rules, parts 3501.1200 and 3501.1210, which may include home language instruction, and 
5.14 	are supplemental to the cost of core content  instruction may be included as expenditures 
5.15 	for qualifying English learner services. Expenditures do not include costs related to 
5.16 	construction, indirect costs, core content instruction, or core administrative personnel.

5.17 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

5.18 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 124D.995, subdivision 3, is amended 
5.19 	to read:
5.20 		Subd. 3.Money appropriated. (a) Subject to the availability of funds, money in the 
5.21 	account is annually appropriated to the commissioner of education to reimburse school 
5.22 	districts; charter schools; intermediate school districts and cooperative units under section 
5.23 	123A.24, subdivision 2; the Perpich Center for Arts Education; and the Minnesota State 
5.24 	Academies for costs associated with providing unemployment benefits to school employees 
5.25 	under section 268.085, subdivision 7, paragraph (b).
5.26 	(b) The Perpich Center for Arts Education and the Minnesota State Academies may only 
5.27 	apply to the commissioner for reimbursement of unemployment insurance amounts in excess 
5.28 	of the amounts specifically identified in their annual agency appropriations.
5.29 	(c) If the amount in the account is insufficient, the commissioner must proportionately 
5.30 	reduce the aid payment to each recipient. Notwithstanding section 127A.45, subdivision 3, 
5.31 	aid payments must be paid 100 90 percent in the current year and ten percent in the following 
5.32 	year on a schedule determined by the commissioner.

5.33 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2024 and later.

6.1 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 126C.05, subdivision 15, is amended to read:
6.2 		Subd. 15.Learning year pupil units. (a) When a pupil is enrolled in a learning year 
6.3 	program under section 124D.128, an area learning center or an alternative learning program 
6.4 	approved by the commissioner under sections 123A.05 and 123A.06, or a contract alternative 
6.5 	program under section 124D.68, subdivision 3, paragraph (d), or subdivision 4, for more 
6.6 	than 1,020 hours in a school year for a secondary student, more than 935 hours in a school 
6.7 	year for an elementary student, more than 850 hours in a school year for a kindergarten 
6.8 	student without a disability in an all-day kindergarten program, or more than 425 hours in 
6.9 	a school year for a half-day kindergarten student without a disability, that pupil may be 
6.10 	counted as more than one pupil in average daily membership for purposes of section 126C.10, 
6.11 	subdivision 2a. The amount in excess of one pupil must be determined by the ratio of the 
6.12 	number of hours of instruction provided to that pupil in excess of: (i) the greater of 1,020 
6.13 	hours or the number of hours required for a full-time secondary pupil in the district to 1,020 
6.14 	for a secondary pupil; (ii) the greater of 935 hours or the number of hours required for a 
6.15 	full-time elementary pupil in the district to 935 for an elementary pupil in grades 1 through 
6.16 	6; and (iii) the greater of 850 hours or the number of hours required for a full-time 
6.17 	kindergarten student without a disability in the district to 850 for a kindergarten student 
6.18 	without a disability. Hours that occur after the close of the instructional year in June shall 
6.19 	be attributable to the following fiscal year. A student in kindergarten or grades 1 through 
6.20 	12 must not be counted as more than 1.2 pupils in average daily membership under this 
6.21 	subdivision.
6.22 	(b)(i) To receive general education revenue for a pupil in an area learning center or 
6.23 	alternative learning program that has an independent study component, a district must meet 
6.24 	the requirements in this paragraph. The district must develop, for the pupil, a continual 
6.25 	learning plan consistent with section 124D.128, subdivision 3. Each school district that has 
6.26 	an area learning center or alternative learning program must reserve revenue in an amount 
6.27 	equal to at least 90 and not more than 100 percent of the district average general education 
6.28 	revenue per pupil unit, minus an amount equal to the product of the formula allowance 
6.29 	according to section 126C.10, subdivision 2, times .0466, calculated without basic skills 
6.30 	revenue, local optional revenue, and transportation sparsity revenue, times the number of 
6.31 	pupil units generated by students attending an area learning center or alternative learning 
6.32 	program. The amount of reserved revenue available under this subdivision may only be 
6.33 	spent for program costs associated with the area learning center or alternative learning 
6.34 	program. Basic skills revenue generated according to section 126C.10, subdivision 4, by 
6.35 	pupils attending the eligible program must be allocated to the program.
7.1 	(ii) General education revenue for a pupil in a state-approved alternative program without 
7.2 	an independent study component must be prorated for a pupil participating for less than a 
7.3 	full year, or its equivalent. The district must develop a continual learning plan for the pupil, 
7.4 	consistent with section 124D.128, subdivision 3. Each school district that has an area learning 
7.5 	center or alternative learning program must reserve revenue in an amount equal to at least 
7.6 	90 and not more than 100 percent of the district average general education revenue per pupil 
7.7 	unit, minus an amount equal to the product of the formula allowance according to section 
7.8 	126C.10, subdivision 2, times .0466, calculated without basic skills revenue, local optional 
7.9 	revenue, and transportation sparsity revenue, times the number of pupil units generated by 
7.10 	students attending an area learning center or alternative learning program. The amount of 
7.11 	reserved revenue available under this subdivision may only be spent for program costs 
7.12 	associated with the area learning center or alternative learning program. Basic skills revenue 
7.13 	generated according to section 126C.10, subdivision 4, by pupils attending the eligible 
7.14 	program must be allocated to the program.
7.15 	(iii) General education revenue for a pupil in a state-approved alternative program that 
7.16 	has an independent study component must be paid for each hour of teacher contact time 
7.17 	and each hour of independent study time completed toward a credit or graduation standards 
7.18 	necessary for graduation. Average daily membership for a pupil shall equal the number of 
7.19 	hours of teacher contact time and independent study time divided by 1,020.
7.20 	(iv) For a state-approved alternative program having an independent study component, 
7.21 	the commissioner shall require a description of the courses in the program, the kinds of 
7.22 	independent study involved, the expected learning outcomes of the courses, and the means 
7.23 	of measuring student performance against the expected outcomes.

7.24 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for the 2023-2024 school year and later.

7.25 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 126C.10, subdivision 2e, is amended 
7.26 	to read:
7.27 		Subd. 2e.Local optional revenue. (a) Local optional revenue for a school district equals 
7.28 	the sum of the district's first tier local optional revenue and second tier local optional revenue. 
7.29 	A district's first tier local optional revenue equals $300 times the adjusted pupil units of the 
7.30 	district for that school year. A district's second tier local optional revenue equals $424 times 
7.31 	the adjusted pupil units of the district for that school year.
7.32 	(b) A district's local optional levy equals the sum of the first tier local optional levy and 
7.33 	the second tier local optional levy.
8.1 	(c) A district's first tier local optional levy equals the district's first tier local optional 
8.2 	revenue times the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's referendum market value per 
8.3 	resident pupil unit to $880,000.
8.4 	(d) For fiscal year 2023, a district's second tier local optional levy equals the district's 
8.5 	second tier local optional revenue times the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's 
8.6 	referendum market value per resident pupil unit to $548,842. For fiscal year 2024, a district's 
8.7 	second tier local optional levy equals the district's second tier local optional revenue times 
8.8 	the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's referendum market value per resident pupil unit 
8.9 	to $510,000. For fiscal year 2025, a district's second tier local optional levy equals the 
8.10 	district's second tier local optional revenue times the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's 
8.11 	referendum market value per resident pupil unit to $587,244 $626,450. For fiscal year 2026, 
8.12 	a district's second tier local optional levy equals the district's second tier local optional 
8.13 	revenue times the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's referendum market value per 
8.14 	resident pupil unit to $642,038. For fiscal year 2027 and later, a district's second tier local 
8.15 	optional levy equals the district's second tier local optional revenue times the lesser of one 
8.16 	or the ratio of the district's referendum market value per resident pupil unit to $671,345.
8.17 	(e) The local optional levy must be spread on referendum market value. A district may 
8.18 	levy less than the permitted amount.
8.19 	(f) A district's local optional aid equals its local optional revenue minus its local optional 
8.20 	levy. If a district's actual levy for first or second tier local optional revenue is less than its 
8.21 	maximum levy limit for that tier, its aid must be proportionately reduced.

8.22 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2025 and later.

8.23 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 126C.10, subdivision 3, is amended 
8.24 	to read:
8.25 		Subd. 3.Compensatory education revenue. (a) For fiscal year 2024, the compensatory 
8.26 	education revenue for each building in the district equals the formula allowance minus $839 
8.27 	times the compensation revenue pupil units computed according to section 126C.05, 
8.28 	subdivision 3. A district's compensatory revenue equals the sum of its compensatory revenue 
8.29 	for each building in the district and the amounts designated under Laws 2015, First Special 
8.30 	Session chapter 3, article 2, section 70, subdivision 8, for fiscal year 2017. Revenue shall 
8.31 	be paid to the district and must be allocated according to section 126C.15, subdivision 2.
8.32 	(b) For fiscal year 2025, compensatory revenue must be calculated under Laws 2023, 
8.33 	chapter 18, section 3. For fiscal years 2024 and 2025, the compensatory education revenue 
9.1 	for each building in the district equals the formula allowance minus $839 times the 
9.2 	compensation revenue pupil units computed according to section 126C.05, subdivision 3.
9.3 	(c) For fiscal year 2026 and later, the compensatory education revenue for each building 
9.4 	in the district equals its compensatory pupils multiplied by the building compensatory 
9.5 	allowance. Revenue shall be paid to the district and must be allocated according to section 
9.6 	126C.15, subdivision 2.
9.7 	(d) When the district contracting with an alternative program under section 124D.69 
9.8 	changes prior to the start of a school year, the compensatory revenue generated by pupils 
9.9 	attending the program shall be paid to the district contracting with the alternative program 
9.10 	for the current school year, and shall not be paid to the district contracting with the alternative 
9.11 	program for the prior school year.
9.12 	(e) When the fiscal agent district for an area learning center changes prior to the start of 
9.13 	a school year, the compensatory revenue shall be paid to the fiscal agent district for the 
9.14 	current school year, and shall not be paid to the fiscal agent district for the prior school year.
9.15 	(f) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), for voluntary prekindergarten programs under section 
9.16 	124D.151, charter schools, and contracted alternative programs in the first year of operation, 
9.17 	compensatory education revenue must be computed using data for the current fiscal year. 
9.18 	If the voluntary prekindergarten program, charter school, or contracted alternative program 
9.19 	begins operation after October 1, compensatory education revenue must be computed based 
9.20 	on pupils enrolled on an alternate date determined by the commissioner, and the 
9.21 	compensatory education revenue must be prorated based on the ratio of the number of days 
9.22 	of student instruction to 170 days.
9.23 	(g) (f) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), for fiscal year 2026, if the calculation under 
9.24 	paragraph (d) results in statewide revenue of sum of the amounts calculated under paragraph 
9.25 	(c) is less than $838,947,000, additional revenue must be provided the commissioner must 
9.26 	proportionately increase the revenue to each building in a manner prescribed by the 
9.27 	commissioner of education until the total statewide revenue calculated for each building 
9.28 	equals $838,947,000.
9.29 	(h) (g) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), for fiscal year 2027 and later, if the calculation 
9.30 	under paragraph (d) results in statewide revenue of sum of the amounts calculated under 
9.31 	paragraph (c) is less than $857,152,000, additional revenue must be provided the 
9.32 	commissioner must proportionately increase the revenue to each building in a manner 
9.33 	prescribed by the commissioner of education until the total statewide revenue calculated 
9.34 	for each building equals $857,152,000.

10.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2025 and later.

10.2 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 126C.10, subdivision 3a, is amended 
10.3 	to read:
10.4 		Subd. 3a.Definitions. The definitions in this subdivision apply only to subdivisions 3, 
10.5 	3b, and 3c.
10.6 	(a) "Building compensatory allowance" means a building concentration factor multiplied 
10.7 	by the statewide compensatory allowance.
10.8 	(b) "Building concentration factor" means the ratio of a building's compensatory pupils 
10.9 	to the number of pupils enrolled in the building on October 1 of the previous fiscal year.
10.10 	(c) "Compensatory pupils" means the sum of the number of pupils enrolled in a building 
10.11 	eligible to receive free meals pursuant to subdivision 3b plus one-half of the pupils eligible 
10.12 	to receive reduced-priced meals pursuant to subdivision 3b on October 1 of the previous 
10.13 	fiscal year.
10.14 	(d) "Statewide compensatory allowance" means the amount calculated pursuant to 
10.15 	subdivision 3c.
10.16 	(e) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b) and (c), for voluntary prekindergarten programs 
10.17 	under section 124D.151, charter schools, and contracted alternative programs in the first 
10.18 	year of operation, the building concentration factor and compensatory pupils must be 
10.19 	computed using data for the current fiscal year. If the voluntary prekindergarten program, 
10.20 	charter school, or contracted alternative program begins operation after October 1, the 
10.21 	building concentration factor and compensatory pupils must be computed based on pupils 
10.22 	enrolled on an alternate date determined by the commissioner and the compensatory pupils 
10.23 	must be prorated based on the ratio of the number of days of student instruction to 170 days.

10.24 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2025 and later.

10.25 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 126C.10, subdivision 3c, is amended 
10.26 	to read:
10.27 		Subd. 3c.Statewide compensatory allowance. (a) For fiscal year 2026, the statewide 
10.28 	compensatory allowance is $6,734. For fiscal year 2027 and later, the statewide compensatory 
10.29 	allowance equals the statewide compensatory allowance in effect for the prior fiscal year 
10.30 	times the ratio of the formula allowance under section 126C.10, subdivision 2, for the current 
10.31 	fiscal year to the formula allowance under section 126C.10, subdivision 2, for the prior 
10.32 	fiscal year, rounded to the nearest whole dollar.
11.1 	(b) For fiscal year 2026 and later, the statewide compensatory allowance equals the 
11.2 	statewide compensatory allowance in effect for the prior fiscal year times the ratio of the 
11.3 	formula allowance under section 126C.10, subdivision 2, for the current fiscal year to the 
11.4 	formula allowance under section 126C.10, subdivision 2, for the prior fiscal year, rounded 
11.5 	to the nearest whole dollar.

11.6 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 126C.10, subdivision 4, is amended 
11.7 	to read:
11.8 		Subd. 4.Basic skills revenue. A school district's basic skills revenue equals the sum 
11.9 	of:
11.10 	(1) compensatory revenue under subdivision 3; and
11.11 	(2) English learner revenue under section 124D.65, subdivision subdivisions 5 and 5a.

11.12 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

11.13 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 126C.10, subdivision 13a, is amended to read:
11.14 		Subd. 13a.Operating capital levy. (a) To obtain operating capital revenue, a district 
11.15 	may levy an amount not more than the product of its operating capital equalization revenue 
11.16 	for the fiscal year times the lesser of one or the ratio of its adjusted net tax capacity per 
11.17 	adjusted pupil unit to the operating capital equalizing factor. The operating capital equalizing 
11.18 	factor equals $23,902 for fiscal year 2020, $23,885 for fiscal year 2021, and $22,912 for 
11.19 	fiscal year 2022 and later 2024, $23,138 for fiscal year 2025, and $22,912 for fiscal year 
11.20 	2026 and later.
11.21 	(b) A district's operating capital equalization revenue equals the district's total operating 
11.22 	capital revenue under subdivision 13, calculated without the amount under subdivision 13, 
11.23 	paragraph (a), clause (3).

11.24 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2024 and later.

11.25 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 126C.10, subdivision 18a, is 
11.26 	amended to read:
11.27 		Subd. 18a.Pupil transportation adjustment. (a) An independent, common, or special 
11.28 	school district's transportation sparsity revenue under subdivision 18 is increased by the 
11.29 	greater of zero or 35 percent of the difference between:
12.1 	(1) the lesser of the district's total cost for regular and excess pupil transportation under 
12.2 	section 123B.92, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), including depreciation, for the previous fiscal 
12.3 	year or 105 percent of the district's total cost for the second previous fiscal year; and
12.4 	(2) the sum of:
12.5 	(i) 4.66 percent of the district's basic revenue for the previous fiscal year;
12.6 	(ii) transportation sparsity revenue under subdivision 18 for the previous fiscal year;
12.7 	(iii) the district's charter school transportation adjustment for the previous fiscal year; 
12.8 	and
12.9 	(iv) the district's reimbursement for transportation provided under section 123B.92, 
12.10 	subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clause (1), item (vi); and
12.11 	(v) the district's area learning center transportation aid under section 123B.92, subdivision 
12.12 	11.
12.13 	(b) A charter school's pupil transportation adjustment equals the school district per pupil 
12.14 	unit adjustment under paragraph (a).

12.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2025 and later.

12.16 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 127A.51, is amended to read:
12.17 	127A.51 STATEWIDE AVERAGE REVENUE.
12.18 	(a) By December 1 of each year the commissioner must estimate the statewide average 
12.19 	adjusted general revenue per adjusted pupil unit and the disparity in adjusted general revenue 
12.20 	among pupils and districts by computing the ratio of the 95th percentile to the fifth percentile 
12.21 	of adjusted general revenue. The commissioner must provide that information to all districts.
12.22 	(b) If the disparity in adjusted general revenue as measured by the ratio of the 95th 
12.23 	percentile to the fifth percentile increases in any year, the commissioner shall recommend 
12.24 	to the legislature options for change in the general education formula that will limit the 
12.25 	disparity in adjusted general revenue to no more than the disparity for the previous school 
12.26 	year. The commissioner must submit the recommended options to the education committees 
12.27 	of the legislature by February 1.
12.28 	(c) For purposes of this section and section 126C.10, adjusted general revenue means 
12.29 	the sum of basic revenue under section 126C.10, subdivision 2; referendum revenue under 
12.30 	section 126C.17; local optional revenue under section 126C.10, subdivision 2e; and equity 
12.31 	revenue under section 126C.10, subdivisions 24a and 24b subdivision 24.

13.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

13.2 	Sec. 15. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 1, section 36, subdivision 2, as amended by Laws 
13.3 	2024, chapter 81, section 1, is amended to read:
13.4 		Subd. 2.General education aid. (a) For general education aid under Minnesota Statutes, 
13.5 	section 126C.13, subdivision 4:

13.6		$
	8,103,909,000
	.....
	2024
	
13.813.7
		$
	8,299,317,000
8,333,843,000
	.....
	2025
	
13.9 	(b) The 2024 appropriation includes $707,254,000 for 2023 and $7,396,655,000 for 
13.10 	2024.
13.11 	(c) The 2025 appropriation includes $771,421,000 for 2024 and $7,527,896,000
13.12 	$7,562,422,000 for 2025.

13.13 	Sec. 16. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 1, section 36, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
13.14 		Subd. 8.One-room schoolhouse. (a) For a grant aid to Independent School District No. 
13.15 	690, Warroad, to operate the Angle Inlet School:

13.16		$
	65,000
	.....
	2024
	
13.17		$
	65,000
	.....
	2025
	
13.18 	(b) This aid is 100 percent payable in the current year.

13.19 	Sec. 17. Laws 2023, chapter 64, article 15, section 34, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
13.20 		Subd. 2.Windom School District onetime supplemental aid.  (a) For aid to Independent 
13.21 	School District No. 177, Windom:

13.22		$
	1,000,000
	.....
	2024
	
13.23 	(b) For fiscal year 2024 only, Windom School District's onetime supplemental aid equals 
13.24 	the greater of zero or the product of: (1) $10,000, and (2) the difference between the October 
13.25 	1, 2022, pupil enrollment count and the October 1, 2023, pupil enrollment count. The amount 
13.26 	calculated under this paragraph must not exceed $1,000,000.
13.27 	(c) 100 percent of the aid must be paid in the current year.
13.28 	(d) This is a onetime appropriation.
13.29 	(e) On June 29, 2024, $840,000 from the initial fiscal year 2024 appropriation is canceled 
13.30 	to the general fund.

14.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

14.2 	Sec. 18. BASIC SKILLS REVENUE ACCOUNT TRANSFERS.
 14.3 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.15, subdivision 4, by June 30, 2025, 
14.4 	school districts with a balance in their basic skills revenue account that is restricted for use 
14.5 	on extended time programs must transfer those funds to an account that is restricted for 
14.6 	basic skills revenue.

14.7 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

14.8 	Sec. 19. TASK FORCE ON ENGLISH LEARNER PROGRAMS.
 14.9 		Subdivision 1.Task force established. A task force is established to analyze how public 
14.10 	schools use English learner revenue at the site level and administrative level, consider how 
14.11 	microcredentials or other certifications may be used to improve collaboration between 
14.12 	teachers working with English learners, and make recommendations on how English learner 
14.13 	revenue can be used more effectively to help students become proficient in English and 
14.14 	participate meaningfully and equally in education programs.
14.15 		Subd. 2.Members. The commissioner of education, in consultation with the executive 
14.16 	director of the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, must appoint the 
14.17 	following members to the task force by August 1, 2024:
14.18 	(1) the commissioner of education or the commissioner's designee;
14.19 	(2) the executive director of the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board 
14.20 	or the executive director's designee;
14.21 	(3) the executive director of the Minnesota Education Equity Partnership or the executive 
14.22 	director's designee;
14.23 	(4) one member who represents teacher preparation programs that enroll candidates 
14.24 	seeking a field license in English as a second language;
14.25 	(5) one member who represents school boards;
14.26 	(6) one member who represents the superintendent;
14.27 	(7) one member who is a teacher of English learners;
14.28 	(8) one member who is a teacher in a state-approved alternative program;
14.29 	(9) one member who is a director of an English learner program in a school district;
14.30 	(10) one member who is a director of a state-approved alternative program;
15.1 	(11) one member who is a parent of a student identified as an English learner;
15.2 	(12) one member who is a parent liaison to families of English learners in a school 
15.3 	district;
15.4 	(13) one member who is a parent of a student enrolled in a state-approved alternative 
15.5 	program;
15.6 	(14) one member from the Southeast Service Cooperative's Project Momentum; and
15.7 	(15) one member from a community organization that works with families of English 
15.8 	learners.
15.9 		Subd. 3.Duties. (a) The task force must:
15.10 	(1) review best practices in English learner programming, including:
15.11 	(i) an accountability framework that uses student performance on state assessments to 
15.12 	determine whether the program is improving academic outcomes for English learners;
15.13 	(ii) staffing and managing an English learner program, including providing appropriate 
15.14 	professional development for teachers, administrators, and other staff;
15.15 	(iii) evaluation of the efficacy of the English learner program; and
15.16 	(iv) ensuring meaningful communication and engagement with limited English proficient 
15.17 	parents;
15.18 	(2) review best practices in providing services to students who are eligible to participate 
15.19 	in the graduation incentives program under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.68, including:
15.20 	(i) an accountability framework that uses credit recovery rates and graduation rates to 
15.21 	determine whether the program is improving academic outcomes for participating students; 
15.22 	and
15.23 	(ii) professional development for teachers and other staff;
15.24 	(3) analyze how English learner revenue is used at the site level and administrative level 
15.25 	and whether expenditures align with the best practices identified under clause (1);
15.26 	(4) identify obstacles to hiring and retaining necessary staff to support effective English 
15.27 	learner programs;
15.28 	(5) analyze how microcredentials or other certifications can improve collaboration among 
15.29 	teachers working with English learners, and recommend a process for awarding the 
15.30 	microcredentials or other certifications; and
16.1 	(6) to the extent time is available, review best practices for dual enrollment programs 
16.2 	for students eligible for the graduation incentives program, including the provision of college 
16.3 	and career and readiness counselors and:
16.4 	(i) an accountability framework based on the acceleration of dual credit accumulation 
16.5 	before a student graduates from high school;
16.6 	(ii) professional development for counselors; and
16.7 	(iii) evaluation of the efficacy of the dual enrollment program.
16.8 	(b) The task force must review data regarding student access to teachers with a field 
16.9 	license in English as a second language.
16.10 	(c) The task force must report its findings and recommendations on the current use of 
16.11 	English learner revenue at the site level and administrative level, implementation of 
16.12 	microcredentials or other certifications, and how English learner funding can be used more 
16.13 	effectively to help students become proficient in English and participate meaningfully and 
16.14 	equally in an education program. The task force must submit the report to the legislative 
16.15 	committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education by February 15, 
16.16 	2025.
16.17 		Subd. 4.Compensation. Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 3, governs 
16.18 	compensation of the members of the task force.
16.19 		Subd. 5.Meetings and administrative support. (a) The commissioner of education or 
16.20 	the commissioner's designee must convene the first meeting of the task force no later than 
16.21 	August 15, 2024. The task force must establish a schedule for meetings and meet as necessary 
16.22 	to accomplish the duties under subdivision 3. Meetings are subject to Minnesota Statutes, 
16.23 	chapter 13D. The task force may meet by telephone or interactive technology consistent 
16.24 	with Minnesota Statutes, section 13D.015.
16.25 	(b) The Department of Education must provide administrative support to assist the task 
16.26 	force in its work, including providing information and technical support, and must assist in 
16.27 	the creation of the report under subdivision 3.
16.28 		Subd. 6.Expiration. The task force expires February 15, 2025, or upon submission of 
16.29 	the report required under subdivision 3, whichever is later.

16.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

17.1 	Sec. 20. STUDENT ATTENDANCE PILOT PROGRAM.
 17.2 		Subdivision 1.Pilot program established. A pilot program is established to support 
17.3 	districts developing and implementing innovative strategies to improve student attendance, 
17.4 	and help policymakers determine how to effectively support district efforts to improve 
17.5 	student attendance and engagement. The pilot program is effective for the 2024-2025, 
17.6 	2025-2026, and 2026-2027 school years.
17.7 		Subd. 2.Participating districts. (a) The pilot program consists of the following school 
17.8 	districts:
17.9 	(1) Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis;
17.10 	(2) Independent School District No. 13, Columbia Heights;
17.11 	(3) Independent School District No. 38, Red Lake;
17.12 	(4) Independent School District No. 47, Sauk Rapids-Rice;
17.13 	(5) Independent School District No. 77, Mankato;
17.14 	(6) Independent School District No. 152, Moorhead;
17.15 	(7) Independent School District No. 166, Cook County;
17.16 	(8) Independent School District No. 177, Windom;
17.17 	(9) Independent School District No. 191, Burnsville;
17.18 	(10) Independent School District No. 535, Rochester;
17.19 	(11) Independent School District No. 659, Northfield; and
17.20 	(12) Independent School District No. 695, Chisholm.
17.21 	(b) Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, must serve as the lead district in the pilot 
17.22 	program. The duties of the lead district are:
17.23 	(1) convening virtual quarterly meetings of the participating districts to share updates 
17.24 	on implementation to facilitate collaboration on promising practices;
17.25 	(2) developing a template for each district to report its goals, strategies, policies, or 
17.26 	practices for counting and reporting attendance and absences, challenges, efforts to assess 
17.27 	effectiveness, data on student absenteeism, and lessons learned; and
17.28 	(3) reporting progress and results of the pilot program in accordance with subdivision 
17.29 	4.
18.1 	(c) Independent School District No. 38, Red Lake, must partner with Charter School 
18.2 	District No. 4298, Endazhi-Nitaawiging, to implement strategies to reduce student 
18.3 	absenteeism at both the district and charter school.
18.4 	(d) By July 1, 2024, each district must designate a primary staff person responsible for 
18.5 	implementing the pilot program. The participating districts must hold their first meeting by 
18.6 	August 1, 2024.
18.7 		Subd. 3.Strategies. Participating districts must use pilot program aid to develop and 
18.8 	implement sustainable strategies to reduce student absenteeism. Allowable uses of pilot 
18.9 	program aid include but are not limited to:
18.10 	(1) addressing risk factors for high absenteeism through supports and interventions;
18.11 	(2) strategies that focus on the individual needs of each student;
18.12 	(3) personalized outreach to students who have stopped attending school, including 
18.13 	home visits and connecting with students in community centers or other public areas;
18.14 	(4) regular meetings with students to provide tutoring or other supports or to connect 
18.15 	students with resources that provide tutoring or other supports;
18.16 	(5) activities that increase students' sense of belonging in the school community;
18.17 	(6) data analysis to assess the effectiveness of district strategies; and
18.18 	(7) technology that assists districts' efforts to communicate with students and families.
18.19 		Subd. 4.Reporting. (a) The lead school district must submit reports to the chairs and 
18.20 	minority leaders of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through 
18.21 	grade 12 education by December 31, 2024; July 1, 2025; July 1, 2026; and September 1, 
18.22 	2027. Each report must include each participating district's individual reports.
18.23 	(b) The first report must identify the goals and strategies each district plans to implement 
18.24 	during the pilot program, and how each district counts and reports latenesses and absences. 
18.25 	The other reports must identify each district's goals, strategies, challenges in meeting goals 
18.26 	or implementing planned strategies, promising practices and practices that were not effective, 
18.27 	and attendance data for the school year preceding the pilot program and the three school 
18.28 	years of the pilot program. The attendance data must include attendance data for students 
18.29 	that were absent up to ten percent of classes or school days, between ten and 29 percent of 
18.30 	classes or school days, between 30 and 49 percent of classes or school days, and 50 percent 
18.31 	or more of classes or school days; and for students who are homeless or highly mobile. The 
19.1 	fourth report must also include recommendations for funding and statutory changes that 
19.2 	would facilitate district efforts to implement local solutions to improve attendance.

19.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

19.4 	Sec. 21. STUDENT ATTENDANCE AND TRUANCY LEGISLATIVE STUDY 
19.5 	GROUP.
 19.6 		Subdivision 1.Establishment. A legislative study group is established to study issues 
19.7 	related to student attendance and truancy.
19.8 		Subd. 2.Members. (a) The legislative study group on student attendance and truancy 
19.9 	consists of:
19.10 	(1) four duly elected and currently serving members of the house of representatives, two 
19.11 	appointed by the speaker of the house and two appointed by the house minority leader; and
19.12 	(2) four duly elected and currently serving senators, two appointed by the senate majority 
19.13 	leader and two appointed by the senate minority leader.
19.14 	(b) The appointments must be made by June 15, 2024, and expire December 31, 2024.
19.15 	(c) If a vacancy occurs, the leader of the caucus in the house of representatives or senate 
19.16 	to which the vacating study group member belonged must fill the vacancy.
19.17 		Subd. 3.Duties. (a) The legislative study group must study and evaluate ways to increase 
19.18 	student attendance and reduce truancy. In preparing the recommendations, the group must 
19.19 	consider the following:
19.20 	(1) current statutory requirements relating to student attendance and truancy;
19.21 	(2) currently available attendance data and additional data that would help schools and 
19.22 	policy makers understand and reduce absenteeism;
19.23 	(3) the effect of school programs and strategies to improve attendance;
19.24 	(4) the role of school principals in addressing student absenteeism;
19.25 	(5) the role of the Department of Education in addressing student absenteeism;
19.26 	(6) the role of counties in addressing truancy; and
19.27 	(7) how truant students are tracked across county lines.
19.28 	(b) The study group must identify and include in its report any statutory changes needed 
19.29 	to implement the study group recommendations.
20.1 		Subd. 4.Meetings and chair. (a) The speaker of the house must designate a member 
20.2 	to convene the first meeting of the study group, which must be held no later than July 15, 
20.3 	2024. Members of the study group must elect a chair from among the members present at 
20.4 	the first meeting. The study group must meet periodically.
20.5 	(b) Meetings of the study group are subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 3.055. The 
20.6 	meetings may be conducted by interactive television.
20.7 		Subd. 5.Administrative support. The Department of Education must cooperate with 
20.8 	the legislative study group and provide information requested in a timely fashion. The 
20.9 	Legislative Coordinating Commission must provide meeting space, technical and 
20.10 	administrative support, and staff support for the study group. The study group may hold 
20.11 	meetings in any publicly accessible location in the Capitol complex that is equipped with 
20.12 	technology that can facilitate remote testimony.
20.13 		Subd. 6.Consultation with stakeholders. In making recommendations, the study group 
20.14 	must consult with interested and affected stakeholders.
20.15 		Subd. 7.Report. The study group must submit a preliminary report with its 
20.16 	recommendations to the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over 
20.17 	kindergarten through grade 12 education by November 1, 2024, and a final report by 
20.18 	December 31, 2024.
20.19 		Subd. 8.Expiration. The study group expires December 31, 2024, or on the date upon 
20.20 	which the final report required under subdivision 7 is submitted to the legislature, whichever 
20.21 	is later.

20.22 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

20.23 	Sec. 22. APPROPRIATION.
 20.24 		Subdivision 1.Department of Education. The sums indicated in this section are 
20.25 	appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education in the fiscal years 
20.26 	designated.
20.27 		Subd. 2.Attendance pilot program. (a) For attendance pilot program aid:

20.28		$
	4,687,000
	.....
	2025
	
20.29 	(b) Of the amount in paragraph (a), the department must provide aid to the participating 
20.30 	districts in the following amounts:
20.31 	(1) $1,022,000 for Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis;
21.1 	(2) $253,000 for Independent School District No. 13, Columbia Heights;
21.2 	(3) $196,000 for Independent School District No. 38, Red Lake;
21.3 	(4) $281,000 for Independent School District No. 47, Sauk Rapids-Rice;
21.4 	(5) $398,000 for Independent School District No. 77, Mankato;
21.5 	(6) $374,000 for Independent School District No. 152, Moorhead;
21.6 	(7) $164,000 for Independent School District No. 166, Cook County;
21.7 	(8) $185,000 for Independent School District No. 177, Windom;
21.8 	(9) $378,000 for Independent School District No. 191, Burnsville;
21.9 	(10) $670,000 for Independent School District No. 535, Rochester;
21.10 	(11) $266,000 for Independent School District No. 659, Northfield; and
21.11 	(12) $170,000 for Independent School District No. 695, Chisholm.
21.12 	(c) Up to $330,000 is available for the department to administer the pilot program and 
21.13 	to support attendance data analysis and use.
21.14 	(d) Aid payments to school districts must be paid 100 percent in fiscal year 2025. Districts 
21.15 	may use the aid in the 2024-2025, 2025-2026, and 2026-2027 school years. If a school 
21.16 	district withdraws from the student attendance pilot program prior to the completion of the 
21.17 	pilot project, the commissioner must proportionately reduce the district's aid amount and 
21.18 	reduce the school district's other aid amounts by that same amount.
21.19 	(e) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026.
21.20 		Subd. 3.Minnesota Alliance With Youth. (a) For a grant to the Minnesota Alliance 
21.21 	With Youth to improve student attendance and academic engagement provided through the 
21.22 	Promise Fellow program:

21.23		$
	625,000
	.....
	2025
	
21.24 	(b) The Promise Fellow program must form partnerships with AmeriCorps members, 
21.25 	individual schools, school districts, charter schools, and community organizations to provide 
21.26 	attendance and academic engagement intervention services. Services may include family 
21.27 	and caregiver outreach and engagement, academic support, connection to out-of-school 
21.28 	activities and resources, and individual and small group mentoring designed to help students 
21.29 	return to and maintain consistent school attendance.
22.1 	(c) The Minnesota Alliance With Youth must promote Promise Fellow program 
22.2 	opportunities throughout the state.
22.3 	(d) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98, subdivision 14, up to three 
22.4 	percent of the appropriation is available for grant administration.
22.5 	(e) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026.
22.6 		Subd. 4.Student attendance and truancy legislative study group. (a) For transfer to 
22.7 	the Legislative Coordinating Commission for the student attendance and truancy legislative 
22.8 	study group:

22.9		$
	64,000
	.....
	2025
	
22.10 	(b) This is a onetime appropriation.
22.11 		Subd. 5.English learner program task force. (a) For the English learner program task 
22.12 	force:

22.13		$
	117,000
	.....
	2025
	
22.14 	(b) This is a onetime appropriation.

22.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

22.16 	ARTICLE 2
22.17 	EDUCATION EXCELLENCE

22.18 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 120B.018, subdivision 6, is 
22.19 	amended to read:
22.20 		Subd. 6.Required standard. "Required standard" means (1) a statewide adopted 
22.21 	expectation for student learning in the content areas of language arts, mathematics, science, 
22.22 	social studies, physical education, health, and the arts, and (2) a locally adopted expectation 
22.23 	for student learning in health. Locally developed academic standards in health apply until 
22.24 	statewide rules implementing statewide health standards under section 120B.021, subdivision 
22.25 	3, are required to be implemented in the classroom.

22.26 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

22.27 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 120B.021, subdivision 1, is amended 
22.28 	to read:
22.29 		Subdivision 1.Required academic standards. (a) The following subject areas are 
22.30 	required for statewide accountability:
23.1 	(1) language arts;
23.2 	(2) mathematics, encompassing algebra II, integrated mathematics III, or an equivalent 
23.3 	in high school, and to be prepared for the three credits of mathematics in grades 9 through 
23.4 	12, the grade 8 standards include completion of algebra;
23.5 	(3) science, including earth and space science, life science, and the physical sciences, 
23.6 	including chemistry and physics;
23.7 	(4) social studies, including history, geography, economics, and government and 
23.8 	citizenship that includes civics;
23.9 	(5) physical education;
23.10 	(6) health, for which locally developed academic standards apply; and
23.11 	(7) the arts. Public elementary and middle schools must offer at least three and require 
23.12 	at least two of the following five arts areas: dance; media arts; music; theater; and visual 
23.13 	arts. Public high schools must offer at least three and require at least one of the following 
23.14 	five arts areas: media arts; dance; music; theater; and visual arts.
23.15 	(b) For purposes of applicable federal law, the academic standards for language arts, 
23.16 	mathematics, and science apply to all public school students, except the very few students 
23.17 	with extreme cognitive or physical impairments for whom an individualized education 
23.18 	program team has determined that the required academic standards are inappropriate. An 
23.19 	individualized education program team that makes this determination must establish 
23.20 	alternative standards.
23.21 	(c) The department may modify SHAPE America (Society of Health and Physical 
23.22 	Educators) standards and adapt the national standards to accommodate state interest. The 
23.23 	modification and adaptations must maintain the purpose and integrity of the national 
23.24 	standards. The department must make available sample assessments, which school districts 
23.25 	may use as an alternative to local assessments, to assess students' mastery of the physical 
23.26 	education standards beginning in the 2018-2019 school year.
23.27 	(d) A school district may include child sexual abuse prevention instruction in a health 
23.28 	curriculum, consistent with paragraph (a), clause (6). Child sexual abuse prevention 
23.29 	instruction may include age-appropriate instruction on recognizing sexual abuse and assault, 
23.30 	boundary violations, and ways offenders groom or desensitize victims, as well as strategies 
23.31 	to promote disclosure, reduce self-blame, and mobilize bystanders. A school district may 
23.32 	provide instruction under this paragraph in a variety of ways, including at an annual assembly 
24.1 	or classroom presentation. A school district may also provide parents information on the 
24.2 	warning signs of child sexual abuse and available resources.
24.3 	(e) District efforts to develop, implement, or improve instruction or curriculum as a 
24.4 	result of the provisions of this section must be consistent with sections 120B.10, 120B.11, 
24.5 	and 120B.20.
24.6 	(f) Locally developed academic standards in health apply until statewide rules 
24.7 	implementing statewide health standards under subdivision 3 are required to be implemented 
24.8 	in the classroom.

24.9 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 120B.021, subdivision 2, is amended 
24.10 	to read:
24.11 		Subd. 2.Standards development. (a) The commissioner must consider advice from at 
24.12 	least the following stakeholders in developing statewide rigorous core academic standards 
24.13 	in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, including history, geography, 
24.14 	economics, government and citizenship, health, and the arts:
24.15 	(1) parents of school-age children and members of the public throughout the state;
24.16 	(2) teachers throughout the state currently licensed and providing instruction in language 
24.17 	arts, mathematics, science, social studies, health, or the arts and licensed elementary and 
24.18 	secondary school principals throughout the state currently administering a school site;
24.19 	(3) currently serving members of local school boards and charter school boards throughout 
24.20 	the state;
24.21 	(4) faculty teaching core subjects at postsecondary institutions in Minnesota;
24.22 	(5) representatives of the Minnesota business community; and
24.23 	(6) representatives from the Tribal Nations Education Committee and Tribal Nations 
24.24 	and communities in Minnesota, including both Anishinaabe and Dakota.; and
24.25 	(7) current students, with input from the Minnesota Youth Council.
24.26 	(b) Academic standards must:
24.27 	(1) be clear, concise, objective, measurable, and grade-level appropriate;
24.28 	(2) not require a specific teaching methodology or curriculum; and
24.29 	(3) be consistent with the Constitutions of the United States and the state of Minnesota.

24.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

25.1 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 120B.021, subdivision 3, is amended 
25.2 	to read:
25.3 		Subd. 3.Rulemaking. (a) The commissioner, consistent with the requirements of this 
25.4 	section and section 120B.022, must adopt statewide rules under section 14.389 for 
25.5 	implementing statewide rigorous core academic standards in language arts, mathematics, 
25.6 	science, social studies, physical education, and the arts.
25.7 	(b) The commissioner must adopt statewide rules for implementing statewide rigorous 
25.8 	core academic standards in health.

25.9 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

25.10 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 120B.021, subdivision 4, is amended 
25.11 	to read:
25.12 		Subd. 4.Revisions and reviews required. (a) The commissioner of education must 
25.13 	revise the state's academic standards and graduation requirements and implement a ten-year 
25.14 	cycle to review and, consistent with the review, revise state academic standards and related 
25.15 	benchmarks, consistent with this subdivision. During each ten-year review and revision 
25.16 	cycle, the commissioner also must examine the alignment of each required academic standard 
25.17 	and related benchmark with the knowledge and skills students need for career and college 
25.18 	readiness and advanced work in the particular subject area. The commissioner must include 
25.19 	the contributions of Minnesota American Indian Tribes and communities, including urban 
25.20 	Indigenous communities, as related to the academic standards during the review and revision 
25.21 	of the required academic standards. The commissioner must embed Indigenous education 
25.22 	for all students consistent with recommendations from Tribal Nations and urban Indigenous 
25.23 	communities in Minnesota regarding the contributions of American Indian Tribes and 
25.24 	communities in Minnesota into the state's academic standards during the review and revision 
25.25 	of the required academic standards. The recommendations to embed Indigenous education 
25.26 	for all students includes but is not limited to American Indian experiences in Minnesota, 
25.27 	including Tribal histories, Indigenous languages, sovereignty issues, cultures, treaty rights, 
25.28 	governments, socioeconomic experiences, contemporary issues, and current events.
25.29 	(b) The commissioner must ensure that the statewide mathematics assessments 
25.30 	administered to students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 are aligned with the state academic 
25.31 	standards in mathematics, consistent with section 120B.302, subdivision 3, paragraph (a). 
25.32 	The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and related 
25.33 	benchmarks in mathematics beginning in the 2021-2022 school year and every ten years 
25.34 	thereafter.
26.1 	(c) The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and related 
26.2 	benchmarks in arts beginning in the 2017-2018 school year and every ten years thereafter.
26.3 	(d) The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and related 
26.4 	benchmarks in science beginning in the 2018-2019 school year and every ten years thereafter.
26.5 	(e) The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and related 
26.6 	benchmarks in language arts beginning in the 2019-2020 school year and every ten years 
26.7 	thereafter.
26.8 	(f) The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and related 
26.9 	benchmarks in social studies beginning in the 2020-2021 school year and every ten years 
26.10 	thereafter.
26.11 	(g) The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and related 
26.12 	benchmarks in physical education beginning in the 2026-2027 school year and every ten 
26.13 	years thereafter.
26.14 	(h) The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and related 
26.15 	benchmarks in health education beginning in the 2034-2035 school year and every ten years 
26.16 	thereafter.
26.17 	(h) (i) School districts and charter schools must revise and align local academic standards 
26.18 	and high school graduation requirements in health, world languages, and career and technical 
26.19 	education to require students to complete the revised standards beginning in a school year 
26.20 	determined by the school district or charter school. School districts and charter schools must 
26.21 	formally establish a periodic review cycle for the academic standards and related benchmarks 
26.22 	in health, world languages, and career and technical education.
26.23 	(i) (j) The commissioner of education must embed technology and information literacy 
26.24 	standards consistent with recommendations from school media specialists into the state's 
26.25 	academic standards and graduation requirements.
26.26 	(j) (k) The commissioner of education must embed ethnic studies as related to the 
26.27 	academic standards during the review and revision of the required academic standards.

26.28 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

26.29 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 120B.024, subdivision 1, is amended 
26.30 	to read:
26.31 		Subdivision 1.Graduation requirements. (a) Students must successfully complete the 
26.32 	following high school level credits for graduation:
27.1 	(1) four credits of language arts sufficient to satisfy all of the academic standards in 
27.2 	English language arts;
27.3 	(2) three credits of mathematics sufficient to satisfy all of the academic standards in 
27.4 	mathematics;
27.5 	(3) three credits of science, including one credit to satisfy all the earth and space science 
27.6 	standards for grades 9 through 12, one credit to satisfy all the life science standards for 
27.7 	grades 9 through 12, and one credit to satisfy all the chemistry or physics standards for 
27.8 	grades 9 through 12;
27.9 	(4) three and one-half credits of social studies, including credit for a course in government 
27.10 	and citizenship in either grade 11 or 12 for students beginning grade 9 in the 2024-2025 
27.11 	school year and later or an advanced placement, international baccalaureate, or other rigorous 
27.12 	course on government and citizenship under section 120B.021, subdivision 1a, and a 
27.13 	combination of other credits encompassing at least United States history, geography, 
27.14 	government and citizenship, world history, and economics sufficient to satisfy all of the 
27.15 	academic standards in social studies;
27.16 	(5) one credit of the arts sufficient to satisfy all of the academic standards in the arts;
27.17 	(6) credits sufficient to satisfy the state standards in physical education; and
27.18 	(7) credits sufficient to satisfy the state standards in health upon adoption of statewide 
27.19 	rules for implementing health standards under section 120B.021; and
27.20 	(7) (8) a minimum of seven elective credits.
27.21 	(b) Students who begin grade 9 in the 2024-2025 school year and later must successfully 
27.22 	complete a course for credit in personal finance in grade 10, 11, or 12. A teacher of a personal 
27.23 	finance course that satisfies the graduation requirement must have a field license or 
27.24 	out-of-field permission in agricultural education, business, family and consumer science, 
27.25 	social studies, or math.

27.26 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

27.27 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 121A.035, is amended to read:
27.28 	121A.035 CRISIS MANAGEMENT POLICY.
27.29 		Subdivision 1.Model policy. The commissioner shall maintain and make available to 
27.30 	school boards and charter schools a model crisis management policy that includes, among 
27.31 	other items, cardiac emergency response plans, school lock-down and tornado drills, 
27.32 	consistent with subdivision 2, and school fire drills under section 299F.30.
28.1 		Subd. 2.School district and charter school policy. (a) A school board and a charter 
28.2 	school must adopt a crisis management policy to address potential violent crisis situations 
28.3 	in the district or charter school. The policy must be developed cooperatively with 
28.4 	administrators, teachers, employees, students, parents, community members, law enforcement 
28.5 	agencies, other emergency management officials, county attorney offices, social service 
28.6 	agencies, emergency medical responders, and any other appropriate individuals or 
28.7 	organizations. The policy must include at least five school lock-down drills, five school fire 
28.8 	drills consistent with section 299F.30, and one tornado drill.
28.9 	(b) A school board or a charter school may adopt the model cardiac emergency response 
28.10 	plan provided by the commissioner under subdivision 1.

28.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2025.

28.12 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 124D.093, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
28.13 		Subd. 4.Approval process. (a) The commissioner of education must appoint an advisory 
28.14 	committee to review the applications and to recommend approval for those applications 
28.15 	that meet the requirements of this section. The commissioner of education has final authority 
28.16 	over application approvals.
28.17 	(b) To the extent practicable, the commissioner must ensure an equitable geographic 
28.18 	distribution of approved P-TECH schools.
28.19 	(c) The commissioner must first begin approving applications for a P-TECH school 
28.20 	enrolling students in the 2020-2021 school year or later.

28.21 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 124D.093, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
28.22 		Subd. 5.P-TECH implementation grants: support; start-up; and mentoring
28.23 	grants. (a) When an appropriation is available, each P-TECH school is eligible for a grant 
28.24 	to support start-up and ongoing program costs, which may include, but are not limited to, 
28.25 	recruitment, student support, program materials, and P-TECH school liaisons. A P-TECH 
28.26 	school may form a partnership with a school in another school district.
28.27 	(b) For fiscal year 2026 and later, the maximum P-TECH support grant must not exceed 
28.28 	$500,000 per year.
28.29 	(c) An approved P-TECH school is eligible to receive a grant to support start-up costs 
28.30 	the year before first enrolling P-TECH students. A start-up grant may be awarded to a new 
28.31 	applicant in an amount not to exceed $50,000.
29.1 	(d) A grant recipient operating a P-TECH program may provide mentoring and technical 
29.2 	assistance to a school eligible for a start-up grant. A mentoring and technical assistance 
29.3 	grant may not exceed $50,000.
29.4 	(e) For each year that an appropriation is made for the purposes of this section, the 
29.5 	department may retain five percent of the appropriation for grant administration and program 
29.6 	oversight.

29.7 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 124D.957, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
29.8 		Subdivision 1.Establishment and membership. The Minnesota Youth Council 
29.9 	Committee is established within and under the auspices of the Minnesota Alliance With 
29.10 	Youth. The committee consists of four members from each congressional district in 
29.11 	Minnesota and four members selected at-large. Members must be selected through an 
29.12 	application and interview process conducted by the Minnesota Alliance With Youth. In 
29.13 	making its appointments, the Minnesota Alliance With Youth should strive to ensure gender 
29.14 	and ethnic diversity in the committee's membership. Members must be between the ages of 
29.15 	13 and 19 in grades 8 through 12 and serve two-year terms, except that one-half of the initial 
29.16 	members must serve a one-year term. Members may serve a maximum of two terms.

29.17 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for appointments made on or after July 
29.18 	1, 2024.

29.19 	Sec. 11. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 1, section 36, subdivision 13, is amended to read:
29.20 		Subd. 13.Emergency medical training. (a) For grants to offer high school students 
29.21 	courses in emergency medical services:

29.22		$
	500,000
	.....
	2024
	
29.2429.23
		$
	500,000
750,000
	.....
	2025
	
29.25 	(b) A school district, charter school, or cooperative unit under Minnesota Statutes, section 
29.26 	123A.24, subdivision 2, may apply for a grant under this section to offer enrolled students 
29.27 	emergency medical services courses approved by the Minnesota Emergency Medical Services 
29.28 	Regulatory Board to prepare students to take the emergency medical technician certification 
29.29 	test, including an emergency medical services course that is a prerequisite to an emergency 
29.30 	medical technician course.
29.31 	(c) A grant recipient may use grant funds to partner with a district, charter school, 
29.32 	cooperative unit, postsecondary institution, political subdivision, or entity with expertise in 
30.1 	emergency medical services, including health systems, hospitals, ambulance services, and 
30.2 	health care providers to offer an emergency medical services course.
30.3 	(d) Eligible uses of grant funds include teacher salaries, transportation, equipment costs, 
30.4 	emergency medical technician certification test fees, and student background checks.
30.5 	(e) To the extent practicable, the commissioner must award at least half of the grant 
30.6 	funds to applicants outside of the seven-county metropolitan area, and at least 30 percent 
30.7 	of the grant funds to applicants with high concentrations of students of color.
30.8 	(f) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
30.9 	(g) Up to $50,000 each year is available for grant administration.
30.10 	(h) Of the amount in fiscal year 2025 only, $250,000 is for a grant to Independent School 
30.11 	District No. 742, St. Cloud, for an emergency medical services education facility suitable 
30.12 	for coursework in emergency medical services. For the project under this paragraph, eligible 
30.13 	uses of grant funds include any design and construction costs and remodeling costs necessary 
30.14 	to prepare the education facility in addition to the eligible uses under paragraph (d). 
30.15 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98, subdivision 14, in addition to the 
30.16 	amount under paragraph (g), up to three percent of the amount in this paragraph is available 
30.17 	for grant administration.
30.18 	(i) The base for fiscal year 2026 and later is $500,000.

30.19 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

30.20 	Sec. 12. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 2, section 61, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
30.21 		Subd. 4.Computer science educator training and capacity building. (a) The 
30.22 	Department of Education shall develop and implement, or award grants or subcontract with 
30.23 	eligible entities, for the development and implementation of high-quality, coordinated 
30.24 	teacher recruitment and educator training programs for computer science courses and content 
30.25 	as defined in subdivision 1 and or aligned to the state strategic plan as developed under 
30.26 	subdivision 3.
30.27 	(b) For the purposes of this subdivision, eligible entities include:
30.28 	(1) local educational agencies or a consortium of local educational agencies in the state; 
30.29 	and or
30.30 	(2) high-quality computer science professional learning providers, including institutions 
30.31 	of higher education in the state that are reasonably accessible geographically to all Minnesota 
31.1 	educators, nonprofits, other state-funded entities, or private entities working in partnership 
31.2 	with a consortium of local educational agencies.
31.3 	(c) For purposes of this subdivision, eligible uses of funding include:
31.4 	(1) high-quality professional learning opportunities for kindergarten through grade 12 
31.5 	computer science content that:
31.6 	(i) are created and delivered in a consistent manner across the state;
31.7 	(ii) are made available with no out-of-pocket expenses to educators, including teachers, 
31.8 	counselors, administrators, and other district employees as approved by the Department of 
31.9 	Education, schools, and school districts;
31.10 	(iii) are made available asynchronously online, in person, and online or hybrid as 
31.11 	determined appropriate by the Department of Education; and
31.12 	(iv) include introductory, intermediate, and advanced trainings aligned to the kindergarten 
31.13 	through grade 12 academic standards or, as necessary, other standards approved by the 
31.14 	Department of Education, specified for each of the grade bands kindergarten through grade 
31.15 	2, grades 3 to 5, grades 6 to 8, and grades 9 to 12;
31.16 	(2) professional learning opportunities for educators of students in grades 9 to 12 that 
31.17 	may include trainings for advanced placement, international baccalaureate, and concurrent 
31.18 	enrollment credit computer science courses;
31.19 	(3) travel expenses for kindergarten through grade 12 computer science teachers:
31.20 	(i) for attending training opportunities under clauses (1) and (2); and
31.21 	(ii) deemed appropriate and approved by the commissioner of education, or the 
31.22 	commissioner of education's designee;
31.23 	(4) any future credentialing for kindergarten through grade 12 computer science teachers, 
31.24 	including Career and Technical Education and academic endorsements;
31.25 	(5) supports for kindergarten through grade 12 computer science professional learning, 
31.26 	including mentoring and coaching;
31.27 	(6) creation and deployment of resources to promote training opportunities and 
31.28 	recruitment of kindergarten through grade 12 computer science teachers;
31.29 	(7) creation or purchase of resources to support implementation approved by the 
31.30 	commissioner of education, or the commissioner of education's designee;
32.1 	(8) creation and deployment of resources to promote learning opportunities or recruit 
32.2 	students to engage in the learning opportunities;
32.3 	(9) development of teacher credentialing programs;
32.4 	(10) planning for districts to implement or expand computer science education 
32.5 	opportunities; and or
32.6 	(11) employment, or grant for employment, of personnel or contractors to oversee the 
32.7 	statewide initiative, develop programs and trainings, and deliver training opportunities under 
32.8 	clause (1).
32.9 	(d) As a condition of receiving any funding through grants or subcontracts, eligible 
32.10 	entities must submit an application to the Department of Education. The application must, 
32.11 	at a minimum, address how the entity will:
32.12 	(1) reach new and existing teachers with little to no computer science background;
32.13 	(2) attract and support educators from schools that currently do not have established 
32.14 	computer science education programs;
32.15 	(3) use research- or evidence-based practices for high-quality professional development;
32.16 	(4) focus the professional learning on the conceptual foundations of computer science;
32.17 	(5) reach and support subgroups underrepresented in computer science;
32.18 	(6) provide teachers with concrete experience through hands-on, inquiry-based practices;
32.19 	(7) accommodate the particular teacher and student needs in each district and school; 
32.20 	and
32.21 	(8) ensure that participating districts begin offering computer science courses or computer 
32.22 	science content as part of another course within the same or subsequent school year after 
32.23 	the teacher receives the professional learning.
32.24 	(e) The Department of Education shall prioritize the following applications:
32.25 	(1) local educational agencies or consortiums of local educational agencies that are 
32.26 	working in partnership with providers of high-quality professional learning for kindergarten 
32.27 	through grade 12 computer science;
32.28 	(2) proposals that describe strategies to increase computer science participation or 
32.29 	enrollment overall, including but not limited to subgroups of students that are traditionally 
32.30 	underrepresented in computer science; and
33.1 	(3) proposals from rural or urban areas with a low penetration of kindergarten through 
33.2 	grade 12 computer science offerings, including local education consortiums within these 
33.3 	areas.
33.4 	(f) The award recipient shall report, for all funding received under this section annually, 
33.5 	at a minimum:
33.6 	(1) the number of teachers:
33.7 	(i) trained within each elementary, middle, and high school; and
33.8 	(ii) trained within trainings offered as outlined in paragraph (c), clause (1), item (iv);
33.9 	(2) the number of trainings offered in advanced placement, international baccalaureate, 
33.10 	and concurrent enrollment credit computer science courses; and
33.11 	(3) the number of teachers, and percentage of teachers trained, that started implementing 
33.12 	computer science courses limited to middle and high school implementation.
33.13 	(g) The Department of Education shall make these reports public. The publicly released 
33.14 	data shall not include student-level personally identifiable information.

33.15 	Sec. 13. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 2, section 64, subdivision 2, as amended by Laws 
33.16 	2024, chapter 81, section 8, is amended to read:
33.17 		Subd. 2.Achievement and integration aid. (a) For achievement and integration aid 
33.18 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.862:

33.19		$
	82,818,000
	.....
	2024
	
33.2133.20
		$
	84,739,000
85,043,000
	.....
	2025
	
33.22 	(b) The 2024 appropriation includes $8,172,000 for 2023 and $74,646,000 for 2024.
33.23 	(c) The 2025 appropriation includes $8,294,000 for 2024 and $76,445,000 $76,749,000
33.24 	for 2025.

33.25 	Sec. 14. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 2, section 64, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
33.26 		Subd. 9.Computer science education advancement. (a) For computer science 
33.27 	advancement:

33.28		$
	500,000
	.....
	2024
	
33.29		$
	500,000
	.....
	2025
	
33.30 	(b) Of this amount, $150,000 is for the computer science supervisor.
34.1 	(c) For fiscal year 2025 only, $50,000 must be transferred to the Professional Educator 
34.2 	Licensing and Standards Board for computer science teacher licensure activities.
34.3 	(c) (d) Eligible uses of the appropriation include expenses related to the implementation 
34.4 	of article 2, section 61, and or expenses related to the development, advancement, and 
34.5 	promotion of kindergarten through grade 12 computer science education.
34.6 	(d) (e) Any balance in the first year does not cancel and is available in the second year.

34.7 	Sec. 15. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 2, section 64, subdivision 14, is amended to read:
34.8 		Subd. 14.Ethnic studies school grants. (a) For competitive grants to school districts 
34.9 	and charter schools to develop, evaluate, and implement ethnic studies courses:

34.10		$
	700,000
	.....
	2024
	
34.11		$
	700,000
	.....
	2025
	
34.12 	(b) The commissioner must consult with the Ethnic Studies Working Group to develop 
34.13 	criteria for the grants.
34.14 	(c) Up to five percent of the appropriation is available for grant administration.
34.15 	(d) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

34.16 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

34.17 	Sec. 16. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 2, section 64, subdivision 16, is amended to read:
34.18 		Subd. 16.Full-service community schools. (a) For grants to plan or expand the 
34.19 	full-service community schools program under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.231:

34.20		$
	7,500,000
	.....
	2024
	
34.21		$
	7,500,000
	.....
	2025
	
34.22 	(b) Of this amount, priority must be given to programs in the following order:
34.23 	(1) current grant recipients issued under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.231;
34.24 	(2) schools identified as low-performing under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act; 
34.25 	and
34.26 	(3) any other applicants.
34.27 	(c) Up to two percent of the appropriation is available for grant administration.
34.28 	(d) The base for fiscal year 2026 and later is $5,000,000.
34.29 	(e) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

35.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

35.2 	Sec. 17. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 2, section 64, subdivision 26, is amended to read:
35.3 		Subd. 26.Minnesota Council on Economic Education. (a) For a grant to the Minnesota 
35.4 	Council on Economic Education:

35.5		$
	200,000
	.....
	2024
	
35.6		$
	200,000
	.....
	2025
	
35.7 	(b) The grant must be used to:
35.8 	(1) provide professional development to kindergarten through grade 12 teachers 
35.9 	implementing state graduation standards in learning areas related to economic education; 
35.10 	and
35.11 	(2) support the direct-to-student ancillary economic and personal finance programs that 
35.12 	teachers supervise and coach.
35.13 	(c) By February 15 of each year following the receipt of a grant, the Minnesota Council 
35.14 	on Economic Education must report to the commissioner of education the number and type 
35.15 	of in-person and online teacher professional development opportunities provided by the 
35.16 	Minnesota Council on Economic Education or its affiliated state centers. The report must 
35.17 	include a description of the content, length, and location of the programs; the number of 
35.18 	preservice and licensed teachers receiving professional development through each of these 
35.19 	opportunities; and summaries of evaluations of teacher professional opportunities.
35.20 	(d) The Department of Education must pay the full amount of the grant to the Minnesota 
35.21 	Council on Economic Education by August 15 of each fiscal year for which the grant is 
35.22 	appropriated. The Minnesota Council on Economic Education must submit its fiscal reporting 
35.23 	in the form and manner specified by the commissioner. The commissioner may request 
35.24 	additional information as necessary.
35.25 	(e) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
35.26 	(f) The base for fiscal year 2026 and later is $0.

35.27 	Sec. 18. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 2, section 64, subdivision 31, is amended to read:
35.28 		Subd. 31.Nonexclusionary discipline. (a) For grants to school districts and charter 
35.29 	schools to provide training for school staff on nonexclusionary disciplinary practices:

35.30		$
	1,750,000
	.....
	2024
	
35.31		$
	1,750,000
	.....
	2025
	
36.1 	(b) Grants are to develop training and to work with schools to train staff on 
36.2 	nonexclusionary disciplinary practices that maintain the respect, trust, and attention of 
36.3 	students and help keep students in classrooms. These funds may also be used for grant 
36.4 	administration.
36.5 	(c) Eligible grantees include school districts, charter schools, intermediate school districts, 
36.6 	and cooperative units as defined in section 123A.24, subdivision 2.
36.7 	(d) Up to five percent of the appropriation is available for grant administration.
36.8 	(e) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

36.9 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

36.10 	Sec. 19. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 2, section 64, subdivision 33, is amended to read:
36.11 		Subd. 33.P-TECH schools. (a) For P-TECH support grants under Minnesota Statutes, 
36.12 	section 124D.093, subdivision 5:

36.13		$
	791,000
	.....
	2024
	
36.14		$
	791,000 0
	.....
	2025
	
36.15 	(b) The amounts in this subdivision are for grants, including to a public-private 
36.16 	partnership that includes Independent School District No. 535, Rochester.
36.17 	(c) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year This 
36.18 	appropriation is available until June 30, 2025. The base for fiscal year 2026 and later is $0.
36.19 	(d) Up to five percent of the fiscal year 2024 appropriation is available for grant 
36.20 	administration.

36.21 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

36.22 	Sec. 20. ALTERNATIVE TO PUBLISHING.
 36.23 	(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, when a qualified newspaper designated by 
36.24 	a school district ceases to exist for any reason except consolidation with another newspaper, 
36.25 	the school district may publish its proceedings on the school district's website instead of 
36.26 	publishing the proceedings in a newspaper. The school district must also request that the 
36.27 	same information be posted at each public library located within the school district for the 
36.28 	notice's publication period. This section expires August 1, 2026.
36.29 	(b) If, before August 1, 2026, there is a newspaper located within a school district's 
36.30 	boundaries that is qualified to be designated as the school district's official newspaper 
37.1 	pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 331A.04, then the exemption provided in this section 
37.2 	shall not apply, provided that the qualified newspaper's legal rate is not more than ten percent 
37.3 	above the rate charged by the school district's previous official newspaper and the qualified 
37.4 	newspaper provides some coverage of the activities of the school district that is publishing 
37.5 	the notice.

37.6 	Sec. 21. HEALTH EDUCATION STANDARDS.
 37.7 		Subdivision 1.Statewide standards. The commissioner of education must begin the 
37.8 	rulemaking process to adopt statewide academic standards in health in accordance with 
37.9 	Minnesota Statutes, chapter 14 and section 120B.021. The commissioner must consult with 
37.10 	the commissioner of health and the commissioner of human services in developing the 
37.11 	proposed rules. The rules must include at least the expectations for student learning listed 
37.12 	in subdivision 2, and may include the expectations in subdivision 3, in addition to other 
37.13 	expectations for learning identified through the standards development process.
37.14 		Subd. 2.Required health-related subject areas. The commissioner must include the 
37.15 	following expectations for learning in the statewide standards:
37.16 	(1) cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automatic external defibrillator education that 
37.17 	allows districts to provide instruction to students in grades 7 through 12 in accordance with 
37.18 	Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.236;
37.19 	(2) vaping awareness and prevention education that allows districts to provide instruction 
37.20 	to students in grades 6 through 8 in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.238, 
37.21 	subdivision 3;
37.22 	(3) cannabis use and substance use education that allows districts to provide instruction 
37.23 	to students in grades 6 through 12 in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.215;
37.24 	(4) sexually transmitted infections and diseases education that meets the requirements 
37.25 	of Minnesota Statutes, section 121A.23; and
37.26 	(5) mental health education for students in grades 4 through 12.
37.27 		Subd. 3.Other health-related subject areas. The commissioner may include the 
37.28 	following expectations for learning in the statewide standards:
37.29 	(1) child sexual abuse prevention education in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, 
37.30 	sections 120B.021, subdivision 1, paragraph (d); and 120B.234;
37.31 	(2) violence prevention education in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 
37.32 	120B.22;
38.1 	(3) character development education in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 
38.2 	120B.232;
38.3 	(4) safe and supportive schools education in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 
38.4 	121A.031, subdivision 5; and
38.5 	(5) other expectations for learning identified through the standards development process.

38.6 	Sec. 22. APPROPRIATIONS.
 38.7 		Subdivision 1.Department of Education. The sums indicated in this section are 
38.8 	appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years 
38.9 	designated.
38.10 		Subd. 2.Civic education grants. (a) For grants to the YMCA Youth in Government 
38.11 	program and the YMCA Center for Youth Voice program to support civic education programs 
38.12 	for youth age 18 and under by providing teacher professional development, educational 
38.13 	resources, and program support:

38.14		$
	150,000
	.....
	2025
	
38.15 	(b) The Youth in Government and Center for Youth Voice programs must instruct 
38.16 	students in:
38.17 	(1) the constitutional principles and the democratic foundation of our national, state, 
38.18 	and local institutions; and
38.19 	(2) the political processes and structures of government, grounded in the understanding 
38.20 	of constitutional government and individual rights.
38.21 	(c) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98, subdivision 14, up to three 
38.22 	percent of the appropriation is available for grant administration.
38.23 	(d) This is a onetime appropriation.
38.24 		Subd. 3.Minnesota Youth Council. (a) For a grant to the Minnesota Alliance With 
38.25 	Youth for the activities of the Minnesota Youth Council:

38.26		$
	375,000
	.....
	2025
	
38.27 	(b) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98, subdivision 14, up to three 
38.28 	percent of the appropriation is available for grant administration.
38.29 	(c) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026.
39.1 		Subd. 4.Rulemaking. (a) For rulemaking and administrative costs related to health 
39.2 	education standards:

39.3		$
	627,000
	.....
	2025
	
39.4 	(b) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.
39.5 		Subd. 5.P-TECH schools. (a) For P-TECH implementation grants under Minnesota 
39.6 	Statutes, section 124D.093, subdivision 5:

39.7		$
	791,000
	.....
	2025
	
39.8 	(b) The amount in paragraph (a) is for a grant to a public-private partnership that includes 
39.9 	Independent School District No. 535, Rochester.
39.10 	(c) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98, subdivision 14, the department 
39.11 	may retain money from this appropriation for administrative costs under Minnesota Statutes, 
39.12 	section 124D.093, subdivision 5.
39.13 	(d) This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027.
39.14 	(e) The department may award start-up and mentoring and technical assistance grants 
39.15 	beginning in fiscal year 2026. The base for fiscal year 2026 is $791,000, of which at least 
39.16 	$500,000 is for a support grant to a public-private partnership that includes Independent 
39.17 	School District No. 535, Rochester. The base for fiscal year 2027 and later is $791,000, of 
39.18 	which at least $250,000 is for a support grant to a public-private partnership that includes 
39.19 	Independent School District No. 535, Rochester.

39.20 	ARTICLE 3
39.21 	THE READ ACT

39.22 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 120B.124, subdivision 1, is 
39.23 	amended to read:
39.24 		Subdivision 1.Resources. (a) The Department of Education must partner with CAREI 
39.25 	for two years beginning July 1, 2023, until August 30, 2025, to support implementation of 
39.26 	the Read Act. The department and CAREI must jointly:
39.27 	(1) identify at least five literacy curricula and supporting materials that are evidence-based 
39.28 	or focused on structured literacy by January 1, 2024, and post a list of the curricula on the 
39.29 	department website. The list must include curricula that use culturally and linguistically 
39.30 	responsive materials that reflect diverse populations and, to the extent practicable, curricula 
39.31 	that reflect the experiences of students from diverse backgrounds, including multilingual 
39.32 	learners, biliterate students, and students who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. 
40.1 	A district that purchases an approved curriculum before the cultural responsiveness review 
40.2 	is completed is encouraged to work with the curriculum's publisher to obtain updated 
40.3 	materials that are culturally and linguistically responsive and reflect diverse populations.
40.4 	A district is not required to use an approved curriculum, unless the curriculum was purchased 
40.5 	with state funds that require a curriculum to be selected from a list of approved curricula;
40.6 	(2) identify at least three professional development programs that focus on the five pillars 
40.7 	of literacy and the components of structured literacy by August 15, 2023, subject to final 
40.8 	approval by the department. The department must post a list of the programs on the 
40.9 	department website. The programs may include a program offered by CAREI. The 
40.10 	requirements of section 16C.08 do not apply to the selection of a provider under this section;
40.11 	(3) identify evidence-based literacy intervention materials for students in kindergarten 
40.12 	through grade 12;
40.13 	(4) develop an evidence-based literacy lead training and coaching program that trains 
40.14 	and supports literacy specialists throughout Minnesota to support schools' efforts in screening, 
40.15 	measuring growth, monitoring progress, and implementing interventions in accordance with 
40.16 	subdivision 1. Literacy lead training must include instruction on how to train 
40.17 	paraprofessionals and volunteers that provide Tier 2 interventions on evidence-based literacy 
40.18 	intervention;
40.19 	(5) identify measures of foundational literacy skills and mastery that a district must 
40.20 	report on a local literacy plan;
40.21 	(6) provide guidance to districts about best practices in literacy instruction, and practices 
40.22 	that are not evidence-based;
40.23 	(7) develop MTSS model plans that districts may adopt to support efforts to screen, 
40.24 	identify, intervene, and monitor the progress of students not reading at grade level; and
40.25 	(8) ensure that teacher professional development options and MTSS framework trainings 
40.26 	are geographically equitable by supporting trainings through the regional service 
40.27 	cooperatives.;
40.28 	(9) develop a coaching and mentorship program for certified trained facilitators based 
40.29 	on the previously approved trainings; and
40.30 	(10) identify at least 15 evidence-based literacy intervention models by November 1, 
40.31 	2025, and post a list of the interventions on the department website. A district is not required 
40.32 	to use an approved intervention model.
41.1 	(b) The department must contract with a third party to develop culturally and linguistically 
41.2 	responsive supplemental materials and guidance for the approved literacy curricula to meet 
41.3 	the culturally and linguistically responsive standards under paragraph (a), clause (1).

41.4 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

41.5 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 120B.124, is amended by adding a 
41.6 	subdivision to read:
41.7 		Subd. 4.Volunteer and paraprofessional training. (a) The department and CAREI 
41.8 	must develop and provide training on evidence-based literacy interventions for the following 
41.9 	unlicensed persons that regularly provide Tier 2 interventions to students in Minnesota 
41.10 	districts:
41.11 	(1) paraprofessionals and other unlicensed school staff; and
41.12 	(2) volunteers, contractors, and other persons not employed by Minnesota districts.
41.13 	(b) The regional literacy networks must develop and provide training on evidence-based 
41.14 	literacy interventions consistent with paragraph (a).
41.15 	(c) CAREI and the regional literacy networks must collaborate to ensure that training 
41.16 	provided by CAREI and the regional literacy networks is consistent across providers. The 
41.17 	trainings must not exceed eight hours. The trainings must be based on approved training 
41.18 	developed for teachers, and must include a train the trainer component to enable literacy 
41.19 	leads to provide the training to paraprofessionals and volunteers. CAREI and the regional 
41.20 	literacy networks must provide the trainings at no cost to paraprofessionals and other 
41.21 	unlicensed school staff who regularly provide Tier 2 interventions to students in Minnesota 
41.22 	districts.

41.23 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

41.24 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 124D.98, subdivision 5, is amended 
41.25 	to read:
41.26 		Subd. 5.Literacy incentive aid uses. A school district must use its literacy incentive 
41.27 	aid to support implementation of evidence-based reading instruction. The following are 
41.28 	eligible uses of literacy incentive aid:
41.29 	(1) training for kindergarten through grade 3 teachers, early childhood educators, special 
41.30 	education teachers, reading intervention teachers working with students in kindergarten 
42.1 	through grade 12, curriculum directors, and instructional support staff that provide reading 
42.2 	instruction, on using evidence-based screening and progress monitoring tools;
42.3 	(2) evidence-based training using a training program approved by the Department of 
42.4 	Education under the Read Act;
42.5 	(3) employing or contracting with a literacy lead, as defined in section 120B.1118
42.6 	120B.119;
42.7 	(4) employing an intervention specialist;
42.8 	(4) (5) approved screeners, materials, training, and ongoing coaching to ensure reading 
42.9 	interventions under section 125A.56, subdivision 1, are evidence-based; and
42.10 	(5) (6) costs of substitute teachers to allow teachers to complete required training during 
42.11 	the teachers' contract day.; and
42.12 	(7) stipends for teachers completing training required under section 120B.12.

42.13 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

42.14 	Sec. 4. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 3, section 11, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
42.15 		Subd. 3.Read Act curriculum and intervention materials reimbursement literacy 
42.16 	aid. (a) To reimburse For state aid for school districts, charter schools, and cooperative 
42.17 	units for evidence-based literacy supports for children in prekindergarten through grade 12 
42.18 	based on structured literacy:

42.19		$
	35,000,000
	.....
	2024
	
42.20 	(b) The commissioner must use this appropriation to reimburse school districts, charter 
42.21 	schools, and cooperatives for approved evidence-based structured literacy curriculum and 
42.22 	supporting materials, and intervention materials purchased after July 1, 2021. An applicant 
42.23 	must apply for the reimbursement in the form and manner determined by the commissioner.
42.24 	(c) The commissioner must report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over 
42.25 	kindergarten through grade 12 education the districts, charter schools, and cooperative units 
42.26 	that receive literacy grants and the amounts of each grant, by January 15, 2025, according 
42.27 	to Minnesota Statutes, section 3.195.
42.28 	(b) The aid amount for each school district, charter school, and cooperative unit providing 
42.29 	direct instructional services equals the greater of $2,000 or $39.94 times the number of 
42.30 	students served by the school district, charter school, or cooperative as determined by the 
42.31 	fall 2023 enrollment count of students.
43.1 	(c) A school district, charter school, or cooperative unit must place any aid received 
43.2 	under this subdivision in a reserved account in the general fund. Aid in the reserved account 
43.3 	must be used to implement requirements under the Read Act or for literacy incentive aid 
43.4 	uses under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.98, subdivision 5.
43.5 	(d) A school district, charter school, or cooperative unit must purchase curriculum and 
43.6 	instructional materials that reflect diverse populations.
43.7 	(e) (d) Of this amount, up to $250,000 is available for grant administration.
43.8 	(f) (e) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2028 2025.
43.9 	(f) This aid is 100 percent payable in fiscal year 2025.

43.10 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

43.11 	Sec. 5. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 3, section 11, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
43.12 		Subd. 4.Read Act professional development. (a) For evidence-based training on 
43.13 	structured literacy for teachers working in school districts, charter schools, and cooperatives:

43.14		$
	34,950,000
	.....
	2024
	
43.1643.15
		$
	0
4,000,000
	.....
	2025
	
43.17 	(b) Of the amount for fiscal year 2024 in paragraph (a), $18,000,000 is for the Department 
43.18 	of Education and the regional literacy networks and $16,700,000 is for statewide training. 
43.19 	The department must use the funding to develop a data collection system to collect and 
43.20 	analyze the submission of the local literacy plans and student-level universal screening data, 
43.21 	to establish the regional literacy networks as a partnership between the department and the 
43.22 	Minnesota service cooperatives, and to administer statewide training based in structured 
43.23 	literacy to be offered free to school districts and charter schools and facilitated by the regional 
43.24 	literacy networks and the department. The regional literacy networks must focus on 
43.25 	implementing comprehensive literacy reform efforts based on structured literacy. Each 
43.26 	regional literacy network must add a literacy lead position and establish a team of trained 
43.27 	literacy coaches to facilitate evidence-based structured literacy training opportunities and 
43.28 	ongoing supports to school districts and charter schools in each of their regions. The amount 
43.29 	in fiscal year 2025 is for statewide training. Funds appropriated under this subdivision may 
43.30 	also be used to provide training in structured literacy to fourth and fifth grade classroom 
43.31 	teachers and literacy professors from Minnesota institutions of higher education.
43.32 	(c) Of the amount in paragraph (a), $250,000 in fiscal year 2024 only is for administration.
44.1 	(d) If funds remain unspent on July 1, 2026, the commissioner must expand eligibility 
44.2 	for approved training to include principals and other district, charter school, or cooperative 
44.3 	administrators.
44.4 	(e) The commissioner must report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over 
44.5 	kindergarten through grade 12 education the number of teachers from each district who 
44.6 	received approved structured literacy training using funds under this subdivision, and the 
44.7 	amounts awarded to districts, charter schools, or cooperatives.
44.8 	(f) The regional literacy networks and staff at the Department of Education must provide 
44.9 	ongoing support to school districts, charter schools, and cooperatives implementing 
44.10 	evidence-based literacy instruction.
44.11 	(g) This appropriation is available until June 30, 2028. The base for fiscal year 2026 and 
44.12 	later is $7,750,000, of which $6,500,000 is for the regional literacy networks and $1,250,000 
44.13 	is for statewide training.

44.14 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

44.15 	Sec. 6. READ ACT DEAF, DEAFBLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING WORKING 
44.16 	GROUP.
 44.17 		Subdivision 1.Working group purpose. The Department of Education must establish 
44.18 	a working group to make recommendations on literacy training, screeners, and curriculum 
44.19 	for students who cannot fully access sound-based approaches such as phonics.
44.20 		Subd. 2.Members. The Department of Education must appoint representatives from 
44.21 	the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement at the University of 
44.22 	Minnesota; the Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing; the 
44.23 	Minnesota State Academies; Metro Deaf School; intermediate school districts; regional 
44.24 	low-incidence facilitators; a Deaf and Hard of Hearing teacher licensure preparation program 
44.25 	in Minnesota approved by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board; and 
44.26 	teachers of students who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing.
44.27 		Subd. 3.Report. The working group must review curriculum, screeners, and training 
44.28 	approved under the Read Act and make recommendations for adapting curriculum, screeners, 
44.29 	and training available to districts, charter schools, teachers, and administrators to meet the 
44.30 	needs of students and educators who cannot fully access sound-based approaches. The report 
44.31 	must address how approved curriculum, screeners, and training may be modified and identify 
44.32 	resources for alternatives to sound-based approaches. The working group must post its 
44.33 	report on the Department of Education website, and submit the report to the legislative 
45.1 	committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education no later than 
45.2 	January 15, 2025.
45.3 		Subd. 4.Administrative provisions. (a) The commissioner, or the commissioner's 
45.4 	designee, must convene the initial meeting of the working group. At the first meeting, the 
45.5 	department must provide members of the working group information on structured literacy 
45.6 	and the curriculum, screeners, and training approved under the Read Act.
45.7 	(b) Members of the working group are eligible for per diem compensation as provided 
45.8 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 3. The working group expires January 
45.9 	16, 2025, or upon submission of the report to the legislature under subdivision 3, whichever 
45.10 	is earlier.

45.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

45.12 	Sec. 7. TEACHER COMPENSATION FOR READ ACT TRAINING.
 45.13 		Subdivision 1.Funding uses. (a) For purposes of this section, "district" means a school 
45.14 	district, charter school, or cooperative unit providing direct instructional services.
45.15 	(b) A district must use the funding appropriated under this section only to compensate 
45.16 	eligible teachers for completing approved training required under the Read Act. 
45.17 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 179A.20, subdivision 3, a district must enter 
45.18 	into a memorandum of understanding with the exclusive representative of teachers in the 
45.19 	district that provides how funding under this section may be used. Compensation of eligible 
45.20 	teachers may include but is not limited to:
45.21 	(1) stipends;
45.22 	(2) payments based on a teacher's regular hourly rate of pay and the number of hours 
45.23 	necessary to complete the approved training; and
45.24 	(3) full or partial reimbursement for training in structured literacy that was paid for by 
45.25 	the teacher, and later approved under the Read Act.
45.26 	(c) If a district's teachers are not represented by an exclusive representative, the district 
45.27 	may adopt a plan to compensate teachers for completing approved training required under 
45.28 	the Read Act in accordance with this section after consulting with its teachers.
45.29 		Subd. 2.Reserve account. A district must reserve aid provided to compensate teachers 
45.30 	for Read Act training and use the aid only for the purposes of this section.
45.31 		Subd. 3.Teacher eligibility. A teacher is eligible for compensation under this section 
45.32 	if the teacher:
46.1 	(1) is currently employed by a district, or is currently contracted between a charter school 
46.2 	and a teacher cooperative;
46.3 	(2) is currently serving in a position that requires a license issued by the Professional 
46.4 	Educator Licensing and Standards Board; and
46.5 	(3) is required to receive approved training under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.123, 
46.6 	subdivision 5, and has registered for, started, or completed the approved training.
46.7 		Subd. 4.Administrative process. (a) Within 30 days of entering into a memorandum 
46.8 	of understanding or adopting a plan under subdivision 1, a district must pay the required 
46.9 	compensation to an eligible teacher in accordance with the memorandum of understanding 
46.10 	or plan.
46.11 	(b) The Minnesota School Boards Association and Education Minnesota are encouraged 
46.12 	to collaborate to develop one or more model memoranda of understanding and make the 
46.13 	memoranda available to districts by July 1, 2024.
46.14 	(c) The Bureau of Mediation Services must make mediators available to aid districts 
46.15 	and exclusive representatives in reaching agreement on the memoranda of understanding 
46.16 	required under this section.
46.17 		Subd. 5.Stipends not considered income for certain purposes. (a) Notwithstanding 
46.18 	any law to the contrary, payments under this section must not be considered income, assets, 
46.19 	or personal property for purposes of determining eligibility or recertifying eligibility for:
46.20 	(1) child care assistance programs under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 119B, and early 
46.21 	learning scholarships under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.165;
46.22 	(2) general assistance, Minnesota supplemental aid, and food support under Minnesota 
46.23 	Statutes, chapter 256D;
46.24 	(3) housing support under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256I;
46.25 	(4) the Minnesota family investment program and diversionary work program under 
46.26 	Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256J; and
46.27 	(5) economic assistance programs under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256P.
46.28 	(b) The commissioner of human services must not consider a stipend under this section 
46.29 	as income or assets when determining medical assistance eligibility under Minnesota Statutes, 
46.30 	section 256B.055, subdivisions 7, 7a, and 12; or section 256B.057, subdivisions 3, 3a, 3b, 
46.31 	and 4. The commissioner of human services must not include the stipend received under 
47.1 	this section when calculating an individual's premiums under Minnesota Statutes, section 
47.2 	256B.057, subdivision 9.

47.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment, except 
47.4 	for subdivision 5, paragraph (b), which is effective July 1, 2024, or upon federal approval, 
47.5 	whichever is later.

47.6 	Sec. 8. APPROPRIATIONS; SUPPLEMENTAL READ ACT FUNDING.
 47.7 		Subdivision 1.Department of Education. The sums indicated in this section are 
47.8 	appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education in the fiscal years 
47.9 	designated.
47.10 		Subd. 2.Teacher compensation for Read Act training. (a) For payment of state aid 
47.11 	to school districts, charter schools, and cooperative units providing direct instructional 
47.12 	services:

47.13		$
	31,375,000
	.....
	2025
	
47.14 	(b) The state aid for each school district, charter school, and cooperative unit providing 
47.15 	direct instruction equals the greater of $2,000 or $36.06 times the number of students served 
47.16 	by the school district, charter school, or cooperative unit as determined by the fall 2023 
47.17 	enrollment count of students. The Department of Education must send payments to school 
47.18 	districts, charter schools, and cooperative units providing direct instructional services by 
47.19 	October 15, 2024. This aid is 100 percent payable in fiscal year 2025.
47.20 	(c) This is a onetime appropriation.
47.21 		Subd. 3.Culturally responsive materials. (a) For the Department of Education to issue 
47.22 	a request for proposals for a contract to develop supplemental culturally responsive materials 
47.23 	for the approved evidence-based structured literacy curricula under Minnesota Statutes, 
47.24 	section 120B.124, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (1):

47.25		$
	1,000,000
	.....
	2025
	
47.26 	(b) The contractor must review all approved instructional and intervention materials to 
47.27 	ensure they are culturally responsive within 90 days of receiving the materials from the 
47.28 	Department of Education. The contractor must work with publishers to ensure materials are 
47.29 	culturally responsive and provide districts with supplementary materials and guidance as 
47.30 	needed.
47.31 	(c) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.
48.1 		Subd. 4.Regional literacy network paraprofessional and volunteer training. (a) For 
48.2 	the regional literacy networks to develop training for paraprofessionals and volunteers that 
48.3 	regularly provide Tier 2 literacy interventions to students in accordance with Minnesota 
48.4 	Statutes, section 120B.124, subdivision 4:

48.5		$
	375,000
	.....
	2025
	
48.6 	(b) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.
48.7 		Subd. 5.CAREI paraprofessional and volunteer training. (a) For CAREI to develop 
48.8 	training for paraprofessionals and volunteers that regularly provide Tier 2 literacy 
48.9 	interventions to students in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.124, 
48.10 	subdivision 4:

48.11		$
	375,000
	.....
	2025
	
48.12 	(b) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.
48.13 		Subd. 6.Read Act Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing working group. (a) For 
48.14 	the Read Act Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of hearing working group:

48.15		$
	100,000
	.....
	2025
	
48.16 	(b) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.

48.17 	ARTICLE 4
48.18 	AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION

48.19 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 120B.021, subdivision 5, is 
48.20 	amended to read:
48.21 		Subd. 5.Indigenous education for all students. To support implementation of 
48.22 	Indigenous education for all students, the commissioner must:
48.23 	(1) provide historically accurate, Tribally endorsed, culturally relevant, community-based, 
48.24 	contemporary, and developmentally appropriate resources. Resources to implement standards 
48.25 	must include professional development and must demonstrate an awareness and 
48.26 	understanding of the importance of accurate, high-quality materials about the histories, 
48.27 	languages, cultures, and governments of local Tribes;
48.28 	(2) provide resources to support all students learning about the histories, languages, 
48.29 	cultures, governments, and experiences of their American Indian peers and neighbors. 
48.30 	Resources to implement standards across content areas must be developed to authentically 
48.31 	engage all students and support successful learning; and
49.1 	(3) conduct a needs assessment by December 31, 2023. The needs assessment must fully 
49.2 	inform the development of future resources for Indigenous education for all students by 
49.3 	using information from American Indian Tribes and communities in Minnesota, including 
49.4 	urban Indigenous communities, Minnesota's Tribal Nations Education Committee, schools 
49.5 	and districts, students, and educational organizations. The commissioner must submit a 
49.6 	report on the findings and recommendations from the needs assessment to the chairs and 
49.7 	ranking minority members of legislative committees with jurisdiction over education; to 
49.8 	the American Indian Tribes and communities in Minnesota, including urban Indigenous 
49.9 	communities; and to all schools and districts in the state by February 1, 2024. The 
49.10 	commissioner of education must consult with Tribal Nations located in Minnesota and 
49.11 	Minnesota's Tribal Nations Education Committee about the need for additional funding 
49.12 	necessary for each Tribal Nation located in Minnesota to continue developing resources for 
49.13 	Indigenous education for all students. By February 15, 2025, the commissioner must provide 
49.14 	links to the materials developed by the Tribal Nations on its website and submit a report to 
49.15 	the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction 
49.16 	over education highlighting the materials that have been developed and documenting the 
49.17 	need for additional resources. A consultation under this section does not replace or limit 
49.18 	any consultation required under section 10.65.

49.19 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 124D.81, subdivision 2b, is amended 
49.20 	to read:
49.21 		Subd. 2b.Carry forward of funds. Notwithstanding section 16A.28, if a school district 
49.22 	or Tribal contract school does not expend the full amount of the American Indian education 
49.23 	aid in accordance with the plan in the designated fiscal year, the school district or Tribal 
49.24 	contract school may carry forward and expend up to half of the remaining funds in the first 
49.25 	six months of the following fiscal year, and is not subject to an aid reduction if:
49.26 	(1) the district is otherwise following the plan submitted and approved under subdivision 
49.27 	2;
49.28 	(2) the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee for the school is aware of and has 
49.29 	approved the carry forward and has concurred with the district's educational offerings 
49.30 	extended to American Indian students under section 124D.78;
49.31 	(3) the funds carried over are used in accordance with section 124D.74, subdivision 1; 
49.32 	and
49.33 	(4) by April 1, the district reports to the Department of Education American Indian 
49.34 	education director the reason the aid was not expended in the designated fiscal year, and 
50.1 	describes how the district intends to expend the funds in the following fiscal year. The 
50.2 	district must report this information in the form and manner determined by the commissioner.

50.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2024 and later.

50.4 	Sec. 3. APPROPRIATION.
 50.5 		Subdivision 1.Department of Education. The sum indicated in this section is 
50.6 	appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal year 
50.7 	designated.
50.8 		Subd. 2.Permanent school fund supplemental aid. (a) For permanent school fund 
50.9 	supplemental aid to American Indian schools as defined under Minnesota Statutes, section 
50.10 	124D.73:

50.11		$
	40,000
	.....
	2025
	
50.12 	(b) For fiscal year 2025 only, the permanent school fund supplemental aid for an 
50.13 	American Indian school equals the product of:
50.14 	(1) the amount appropriated under paragraph (a); and
50.15 	(2) the ratio of (i) the fiscal year 2024 average daily membership served of the American 
50.16 	Indian school, to (ii) the total fiscal year 2024 average daily membership served of all 
50.17 	American Indian schools in the state.
50.18 	(c) Aid under this subdivision must be paid 100 percent in the current year on a schedule 
50.19 	determined by the commissioner.
50.20 	(d) This is a onetime appropriation.

50.21 	ARTICLE 5
50.22 	TEACHERS

50.23 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 121A.642, is amended to read:
50.24 	121A.642 PARAPROFESSIONAL TRAINING.
50.25 		Subdivision 1.Training required. (a) For purposes of this section, "school" means a 
50.26 	school district or, charter school, intermediate school district, other cooperative unit, Perpich 
50.27 	Center for Arts Education, or the Minnesota State Academies.
50.28 	(b) A school must provide a minimum of eight hours of paid orientation or professional 
50.29 	development annually to all paraprofessionals, Title I aides, and other instructional support 
50.30 	staff.
51.1 	(c) Six of the eight hours must be completed before the first instructional day of the 
51.2 	school year or within 30 days of hire.
51.3 	(d) The orientation or professional development must be relevant to the employee's 
51.4 	occupation and may include collaboration time with classroom teachers and planning for 
51.5 	the school year.
51.6 	(e) For paraprofessionals who provide direct support to students, at least 50 percent of 
51.7 	the professional development or orientation must be dedicated to meeting the requirements 
51.8 	of this section. Professional development for paraprofessionals may also address the 
51.9 	requirements of section 120B.363, subdivision 3.
51.10 	(f) A school administrator must provide an annual certification of compliance with this 
51.11 	requirement to the commissioner.
51.12 	(g) For the 2024-2025 school year only, a school may reduce the hours of training 
51.13 	required in paragraphs (b) to (e) to a minimum of six hours and must pay for paraprofessional 
51.14 	test materials and testing fees for any paraprofessional employed by the school district 
51.15 	during the 2023-2024 school year who has not yet successfully completed the 
51.16 	paraprofessional assessment or met the requirements of the paraprofessional competency 
51.17 	grid.
51.18 		Subd. 2.Reimbursement for paraprofessional training. (a) Beginning in fiscal year 
51.19 	2025, the commissioner of education must reimburse school districts, charter schools, 
51.20 	intermediate school districts and other cooperative units, the Perpich Center for Arts 
51.21 	Education, and the Minnesota State Academies schools in the form and manner specified 
51.22 	by the commissioner for paraprofessional training costs.
51.23 	(b) The paraprofessional reimbursement equals the prior year compensation expenses 
51.24 	associated with providing up to eight hours of paid orientation and professional development 
51.25 	for each paraprofessional trained under subdivision 1. For purposes of this paragraph, 
51.26 	"compensation expenses" means the sum of the following amounts attributable to the school's 
51.27 	paraprofessionals:
51.28 	(1) regular hourly wages;
51.29 	(2) Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes under United States Code, title 
51.30 	26, chapter 21; and
51.31 	(3) the employer share of retirement contributions required under chapter 352, 353, 354, 
51.32 	or 354A.
52.1 	(c) The commissioner may establish procedures to ensure that any costs reimbursed 
52.2 	under this section are excluded from other school revenue calculations.
52.3 	(d) For reimbursements paid in fiscal year 2026 only, the commissioner must reimburse 
52.4 	a school for six hours of paraprofessional training required under subdivision 1, paragraph 
52.5 	(b).
52.6 	(e) In addition to the amounts under paragraph (d), for fiscal year 2026 only, the 
52.7 	commissioner must pay each school an additional amount equal to 33.33 percent of the 
52.8 	amount in paragraph (d). The school must use these funds either for paraprofessional test 
52.9 	preparation and exam fees under subdivision 1, paragraph (g), or additional training under 
52.10 	subdivision 1, paragraph (b).

52.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

52.12 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 122A.415, subdivision 4, is amended 
52.13 	to read:
52.14 		Subd. 4.Basic alternative teacher compensation aid. (a) The basic alternative teacher 
52.15 	compensation aid for a school with a plan approved under section 122A.414, subdivision 
52.16 	2b, equals 65 percent of the alternative teacher compensation revenue under subdivision 1. 
52.17 	The basic alternative teacher compensation aid for a charter school with a plan approved 
52.18 	under section 122A.414, subdivisions 2a and 2b, equals $260 times the number of pupils 
52.19 	enrolled in the school on October 1 of the previous year, or on October 1 of the current year 
52.20 	for a charter school in the first year of operation, times the ratio of the sum of the alternative 
52.21 	teacher compensation aid and alternative teacher compensation levy for all participating 
52.22 	school districts to the maximum alternative teacher compensation revenue for those districts 
52.23 	under subdivision 1.
52.24 	(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) and subdivision 1, the state total basic alternative 
52.25 	teacher compensation aid entitlement must not exceed $88,118,000 for fiscal year 2023; 
52.26 	$88,461,000 for fiscal year 2024; $88,461,000 $88,961,000 for fiscal year 2025; and 
52.27 	$89,486,000 for fiscal year 2026 and later. The commissioner must limit the amount of 
52.28 	alternative teacher compensation aid approved under this section so as not to exceed these 
52.29 	limits by not approving new participants or by prorating the aid among participating districts, 
52.30 	intermediate school districts, school sites, and charter schools. The commissioner may also 
52.31 	reallocate a portion of the allowable aid for the biennium from the second year to the first 
52.32 	year to meet the needs of approved participants.
53.1 	(c) Basic alternative teacher compensation aid for an intermediate district or other 
53.2 	cooperative unit equals $3,000 times the number of licensed teachers employed by the 
53.3 	intermediate district or cooperative unit on October 1 of the previous school year.

53.4 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2025 and later.

53.5 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 122A.415, is amended by adding a subdivision 
53.6 	to read:
53.7 		Subd. 7.Revenue reserved. Revenue received under this section must be reserved and 
53.8 	used only for the programs authorized under section 122A.414.

53.9 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2025 and later.

53.10 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 122A.73, subdivision 2, is amended 
53.11 	to read:
53.12 		Subd. 2.Grow Your Own district programs. (a) A school district, charter school, 
53.13 	Tribal contract school, or cooperative unit under section 123A.24, subdivision 2, may apply 
53.14 	for a grant for a teacher preparation program that meets the requirements of paragraph (c) 
53.15 	to establish a Grow Your Own pathway for adults to obtain their first professional teaching 
53.16 	license. The grant recipient must use at least 80 percent of grant funds to provide tuition 
53.17 	scholarships or stipends to enable school district grant recipient employees or community 
53.18 	members affiliated with a school district grant recipient, who are of color or American 
53.19 	Indian and who seek a teaching license, to participate in the teacher preparation program. 
53.20 	Grant funds may also be used to pay for teacher licensure exams and licensure fees.
53.21 	(b) A district using grant funds under this subdivision to provide financial support to 
53.22 	teacher candidates may require a commitment as determined by the district to teach in the 
53.23 	district school district, charter school, Tribal contract school, or cooperative unit for a 
53.24 	reasonable amount of time that does not exceed five years.
53.25 	(c) A grantee must partner with:
53.26 	(1) a Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board-approved teacher preparation 
53.27 	program;
53.28 	(2) a Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation-accredited teacher preparation 
53.29 	program from a private, not for profit, institution of higher education; or
53.30 	(3) an institution that has an articulated transfer pathway with a board-approved teacher 
53.31 	preparation program.

54.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

54.2 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 122A.73, subdivision 3, is amended 
54.3 	to read:
54.4 		Subd. 3.Grants for programs serving secondary school students. (a) A school district,
54.5 	or charter school, Tribal contract school, or cooperative unit may apply for grants under 
54.6 	this section to offer other innovative programs that encourage secondary school students, 
54.7 	especially students of color and American Indian students, to pursue teaching. To be eligible 
54.8 	for a grant under this subdivision, an applicant must ensure that the aggregate percentage 
54.9 	of secondary school students of color and American Indian students participating in the 
54.10 	program is equal to or greater than the aggregate percentage of students of color and 
54.11 	American Indian students in the school district, charter school, Tribal contract school, or 
54.12 	cooperative unit.
54.13 	(b) A grant recipient must use grant funds awarded under this subdivision for:
54.14 	(1) supporting future teacher clubs or service-learning opportunities that provide middle 
54.15 	and high school students with experiential learning that supports the success of younger 
54.16 	students or peers and increases students' interest in pursuing a teaching career;
54.17 	(2) developing and offering postsecondary enrollment options for "Introduction to 
54.18 	Teaching" or "Introduction to Education" courses consistent with section 124D.09, 
54.19 	subdivision 10, that meet degree requirements for teacher licensure;
54.20 	(3) providing direct support, including wrap-around services, for students who are of 
54.21 	color or American Indian to enroll and be successful in postsecondary enrollment options 
54.22 	courses under section 124D.09 that would meet degree requirements for teacher licensure; 
54.23 	or
54.24 	(4) offering scholarships to graduating high school students who are of color or American 
54.25 	Indian to enroll in board-approved undergraduate teacher preparation programs at a college 
54.26 	or university in Minnesota or in an institution that has an articulated transfer pathway with 
54.27 	a board-approved teacher preparation program.
54.28 	(c) The maximum grant award under this subdivision is $500,000. The commissioner 
54.29 	may consider the number of participants a grant recipient intends to support when determining 
54.30 	a grant amount.

54.31 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

55.1 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 122A.73, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
55.2 		Subd. 4.Grant procedure. (a) A district An applicant must apply for a grant under this 
55.3 	section in the form and manner specified by the commissioner. The commissioner must 
55.4 	give priority to districts applicants with the highest total number or percentage of students 
55.5 	who are of color or American Indian. To the extent that there are sufficient applications, 
55.6 	the commissioner must, to the extent practicable, award an equal number of grants between 
55.7 	districts applicants in greater Minnesota and those in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
55.8 	(b) For the 2022-2023 school year and later, Grant applications for new and existing 
55.9 	programs must be received by the commissioner no later than January 15 of the year prior 
55.10 	to the school year in which the grant will be used. The commissioner must review all 
55.11 	applications and notify grant recipients by March 15 or as soon as practicable of the 
55.12 	anticipated amount awarded. If the commissioner determines that sufficient funding is 
55.13 	unavailable for the grants, the commissioner must notify grant applicants by June 30 or as 
55.14 	soon as practicable that there are insufficient funds.
55.15 	(c) For the 2021-2022 school year, the commissioner must set a timetable for awarding 
55.16 	grants as soon as practicable.

55.17 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

55.18 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 122A.77, subdivision 1, is amended 
55.19 	to read:
55.20 		Subdivision 1.Grant program established. The commissioner of education must 
55.21 	administer a grant program to develop a pipeline of trained, licensed Tier 3 or Tier 4 special 
55.22 	education teachers. A school district, charter school, Tribal contract school, or cooperative 
55.23 	unit under section 123A.24, subdivision 2, may apply for a grant under this section. An 
55.24 	applicant must partner with:
55.25 	(1) a Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board-approved teacher preparation 
55.26 	program;
55.27 	(2) a Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation-accredited teacher preparation 
55.28 	program from a private, not-for-profit, institution of higher education; or
55.29 	(3) an institution that has an articulated transfer pathway with a board-approved teacher 
55.30 	preparation program.

55.31 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

56.1 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 122A.77, subdivision 2, is amended 
56.2 	to read:
56.3 		Subd. 2.Grant uses. (a) A grant recipient must use grant funds to support participants 
56.4 	who are employed by the grant recipient as either a paraprofessional or other unlicensed 
56.5 	staff, or a teacher with a Tier 1 or Tier 2 license, and demonstrate a willingness to be a 
56.6 	special education teacher after completing the program.
56.7 	(b) A grant recipient may use grant funds for:
56.8 	(1) tuition assistance or stipends for participants;
56.9 	(2) supports for participants, including mentoring, licensure test preparation, and 
56.10 	technology support; or
56.11 	(3) participant recruitment.

56.12 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

56.13 	Sec. 9. [123B.155] PAID LEAVE FOR SCHOOL CLOSURES.
56.14 	(a) A school district or charter school that alters its calendar due to a weather event, 
56.15 	public health emergency, or any other circumstance must continue to pay the full wages for 
56.16 	scheduled work hours and benefits of all school employees for full or partial day closures, 
56.17 	if the district or charter school counts that day as an instructional day for any students in 
56.18 	the district or charter school. School employees may be allowed to work from home to the 
56.19 	extent practicable. Paid leave for an e-learning day is provided under section 120A.414, 
56.20 	subdivision 6.
56.21 	(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a school district or charter school that alters the 
56.22 	calendar of a school-age care program, school youth recreation and enrichment program, 
56.23 	or general community education program due to a weather event, public health emergency, 
56.24 	or any other circumstance, while collecting a fee for day of the closure, must continue to 
56.25 	pay the full stipend or full wages for scheduled work hours and benefits of all employees 
56.26 	in the school-age care program, school youth recreation and enrichment program, or general 
56.27 	community education program.

56.28 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

57.1 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 124D.901, subdivision 3, is amended 
57.2 	to read:
57.3 		Subd. 3.Student support personnel aid. (a) The initial student support personnel aid 
57.4 	for a school district equals the greater of the student support personnel allowance times the 
57.5 	adjusted pupil units at the district for the current fiscal year or $40,000. The initial student 
57.6 	support personnel aid for a charter school equals the greater of the student support personnel 
57.7 	allowance times the adjusted pupil units at the charter school for the current fiscal year or 
57.8 	$20,000. Aid under this paragraph must be reserved in a fund balance that, beginning in 
57.9 	fiscal year 2025, may not exceed the greater of the aid entitlement in the prior fiscal year 
57.10 	or the fund balance in the prior fiscal year.
57.11 	(b) The cooperative student support personnel aid for a school district that is a member 
57.12 	of an intermediate school district or other cooperative unit that serves students equals the 
57.13 	greater of the cooperative student support allowance times the adjusted pupil units at the 
57.14 	district for the current fiscal year or $40,000. If a district is a member of more than one 
57.15 	cooperative unit that serves students, the revenue must be allocated among the cooperative 
57.16 	units. Aid under this paragraph must not exceed actual expenditures.
57.17 	(c) The student support personnel allowance equals $11.94 for fiscal year 2024, $17.08 
57.18 	for fiscal year 2025, and $48.73 for fiscal year 2026 and later.
57.19 	(d) The cooperative student support allowance equals $0.60 for fiscal year 2024, $0.85 
57.20 	for fiscal year 2025, and $2.44 for fiscal year 2026 and later.
57.21 	(e) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b), the student support personnel aid must not 
57.22 	exceed the district's, charter school's, or cooperative unit's actual expenditures.

57.23 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2024 and later.

57.24 	Sec. 11. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 5, section 64, subdivision 3, as amended by Laws 
57.25 	2024, chapter 81, section 14, is amended to read:
57.26 		Subd. 3.Alternative teacher compensation aid. (a) For alternative teacher compensation 
57.27 	aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.415, subdivision 4:

57.28		$
	$88,706,000
	.....
	2024
	
57.3057.29
		$
	$88,562,000
89,012,000
	.....
	2025
	
57.31 	(b) The 2024 appropriation includes $8,824,000 for fiscal year 2023 and $79,882,000 
57.32 	for fiscal year 2024.
58.1 	(c) The 2025 appropriation includes $8,875,000 for fiscal year 2024 and $79,687,000
58.2 	$80,137,000 for fiscal year 2025.

58.3 	Sec. 12. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 5, section 64, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
58.4 		Subd. 5.Closing educational opportunity gaps grants. (a) To support schools in their 
58.5 	efforts to close opportunity gaps under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.113:

58.6		$
	3,000,000
	.....
	2024
	
58.7		$
	3,000,000
	.....
	2025
	
58.8 	(b) The department may retain up to five percent of this appropriation to administer the 
58.9 	grant program.
58.10 	(c) The base for fiscal year 2026 and later is $0.
58.11 	(d) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

58.12 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

58.13 	Sec. 13. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 5, section 64, subdivision 13, is amended to read:
58.14 		Subd. 13.Statewide teacher mentoring program. (a) For a statewide teacher induction 
58.15 	and mentoring program:

58.16		$
	9,940,000
	.....
	2024
	
58.17		$
	0
	.....
	2025
	
58.18 	(b) Funds may be used for:
58.19 	(1) competitive grants to Minnesota regional partners, including institutions of higher 
58.20 	education, regional service cooperatives, other district or charter collaboratives, and 
58.21 	professional organizations, to provide mentoring supports for new teachers, on-the-ground 
58.22 	training, technical assistance, and networks or communities of practice for local new teachers, 
58.23 	districts, and charter schools to implement Minnesota's induction model;
58.24 	(2) competitive grants to school districts to fund Teacher of Record mentorships to Tier 
58.25 	1 and Tier 2 special education teachers, including training and supervision; and
58.26 	(3) contracts with national content experts and research collaboratives to assist in 
58.27 	developing Minnesota's induction model, to provide ongoing training to mentors and 
58.28 	principals, and to evaluate the program over time.
58.29 	(c) Up to five percent of the appropriation is available for grant administration.
58.30 	(d) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.

59.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

59.2 	Sec. 14. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 5, section 64, subdivision 15, is amended to read:
59.3 		Subd. 15.Student support personnel workforce pipeline. (a) For a grant program to 
59.4 	develop a student support personnel workforce pipeline focused on increasing school 
59.5 	psychologists, school nurses, school counselors, and school social workers of color and 
59.6 	Indigenous providers, professional respecialization, recruitment, and retention:

59.7		$
	5,000,000
	.....
	2024
	
59.8		$
	5,000,000
	.....
	2025
	
59.9 	(b) Of the amount in paragraph (a), $150,000 is for providing support to school nurses 
59.10 	across the state.
59.11 	(c) To the extent practicable, the pipeline grants must be used to support equal numbers 
59.12 	of students pursuing careers as school psychologists, school nurses, school counselors, and 
59.13 	school social workers.
59.14 	(d) For grants awarded under this subdivision to school psychologists, the following 
59.15 	terms have the meanings given:
59.16 	(1) "eligible designated trainee" means an individual enrolled in a NASP-approved or 
59.17 	APA-accredited school psychology program granting educational specialist certificates or 
59.18 	doctoral degrees in school psychology;
59.19 	(2) "practica" means an educational experience administered and evaluated by the 
59.20 	graduate training program, with university and site supervision by appropriately credentialed 
59.21 	school psychologists, to develop trainees' competencies to provide school psychological 
59.22 	services based on the graduate program's goals and competencies relative to accreditation 
59.23 	and licensure requirements; and
59.24 	(3) "eligible employment" means a paid position within a school or local education 
59.25 	agency directly related to the training program providing direct or indirect school psychology 
59.26 	services. Direct services include assessment, intervention, prevention, or consultation services 
59.27 	to students or their family members and educational staff. Indirect services include 
59.28 	supervision, research and evaluation, administration, program development, technical 
59.29 	assistance, or professional learning to support direct services.
59.30 	(e) Grants awarded to school psychologists must be used for:
60.1 	(1) the provision of paid, supervised, and educationally meaningful practica in a public 
60.2 	school setting for an eligible designated trainee enrolled in a qualifying program within the 
60.3 	grantee's institution;
60.4 	(2) to support student recruitment and retention to enroll and hire an eligible designated 
60.5 	trainee for paid practica in public school settings; and
60.6 	(3) oversight of trainee practica and professional development by the qualifying institution 
60.7 	to ensure the qualifications and conduct by an eligible designated trainee meet requirements 
60.8 	set forth by the state and accrediting agencies.
60.9 	(f) Upon successful completion of the graduate training program, grants awarded to 
60.10 	school psychologists must maintain eligible employment within Minnesota for a minimum 
60.11 	period of one-year full-time equivalent for each academic year of paid traineeship under 
60.12 	the grant program.
60.13 	(g) Up to $150,000 of the appropriation is available for grant administration.
60.14 	(h) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

60.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

60.16 	Sec. 15. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 5, section 64, subdivision 16, is amended to read:
60.17 		Subd. 16.Teacher residency program. (a) For the teacher residency program that meets 
60.18 	the requirements of Minnesota Rules, part 8705.2100, subpart 2, item D, subitem (5), unit 
60.19 	(g):

60.20		$
	3,000,000
	.....
	2024
	
60.21		$
	3,000,000
	.....
	2025
	
60.22 	(b) Up to three percent of the appropriation is available for grant administration.
60.23 	(c) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the following fiscal
60.24 	second year.

60.25 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

60.26 	Sec. 16. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 5, section 65, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
60.27 		Subd. 3.Collaborative urban and greater Minnesota educators of color grants. (a) 
60.28 	For collaborative urban and greater Minnesota educators of color competitive grants under 
60.29 	Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.635:

61.1		$
	5,440,000
	.....
	2024
	
61.2		$
	5,440,000
	.....
	2025
	
61.3 	(b) The board may retain up to $100,000 of the appropriation amount to monitor and 
61.4 	administer the grant program.
61.5 	(c) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the following fiscal
61.6 	second year.

61.7 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

61.8 	Sec. 17. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 5, section 65, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
61.9 		Subd. 6.Mentoring, induction, and retention incentive program grants for teachers 
61.10 	of color. (a) To develop and expand mentoring, induction, and retention programs designed 
61.11 	for teachers of color or American Indian teachers under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.70:

61.12		$
	3,500,000
	.....
	2024
	
61.13		$
	3,500,000
	.....
	2025
	
61.14 	(b) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the following fiscal
61.15 	second year.
61.16 	(c) The base for grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.70, for fiscal year 2026 
61.17 	and later is $4,500,000, of which at least $3,500,000 each fiscal year is for grants to develop 
61.18 	and expand mentoring, induction, and retention programs designed for teachers of color or 
61.19 	American Indian teachers.
61.20 	(d) The board may retain up to three percent of the appropriation amount to monitor and 
61.21 	administer the grant program.

61.22 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

61.23 	Sec. 18. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 5, section 65, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
61.24 		Subd. 7.Pathway preparation grants. (a) For grants to support teachers holding a Tier 
61.25 	1 or Tier 2 license and seeking a Tier 3 or Tier 4 license:

61.26		$
	400,000
	.....
	2024
	
61.27		$
	400,000
	.....
	2025
	
61.28 	(b) The following are eligible for grants under this subdivision:
61.29 	(1) school districts;
61.30 	(2) charter schools;
62.1 	(3) service cooperatives; and
62.2 	(4) partnerships between one or more teacher preparation providers, school districts, or 
62.3 	charter schools.
62.4 	(c) Grant funds must be used to support teachers holding a Tier 1 or Tier 2 license and 
62.5 	seeking a Tier 3 or Tier 4 license through completion of a teacher preparation program or 
62.6 	the licensure via portfolio process. A grant recipient must provide teachers holding a Tier 
62.7 	1 or Tier 2 license with professional development, mentorship, and coursework aligned to 
62.8 	state standards for teacher licensure.
62.9 	(d) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board may collaborate with the 
62.10 	Department of Education and the Office of Higher Education to administer the grant program.
62.11 	(e) The board may retain up to three percent of the appropriation amount to monitor and 
62.12 	administer the grant.

62.13 	Sec. 19. GRANT PROGRAM MODIFICATIONS AUTHORIZED.
 62.14 	(a) The commissioner of education may allow a Grow Your Own pathway grant recipient 
62.15 	to modify its program to align with statutory changes to Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.73, 
62.16 	made under this act after the grant was awarded.
62.17 	(b) The commissioner of education may allow a special education teacher pipeline grant 
62.18 	recipient to modify its program to align with statutory changes to Minnesota Statutes, section 
62.19 	122A.77, made under this act after the grant was awarded.

62.20 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

62.21 	Sec. 20. STUDENT TEACHING STIPEND PILOT PROGRAM.
 62.22 		Subdivision 1.Pilot program established. A pilot program is established to support 
62.23 	student teachers placed in Minnesota school districts or charter schools to complete clinical 
62.24 	experiences necessary to obtain Minnesota teaching licenses, and help policymakers 
62.25 	determine how to reduce the financial burden of completing valuable clinical experiences 
62.26 	and strengthen the pipeline of qualified teachers. The pilot program is effective for the 
62.27 	2024-2025 school year.
62.28 		Subd. 2.Participating teacher preparation program providers. (a) The pilot program 
62.29 	consists of the following teacher preparation program providers:
62.30 	(1) St. Cloud State University;
62.31 	(2) Bemidji State University;
63.1 	(3) Minnesota State University, Mankato;
63.2 	(4) Winona State University;
63.3 	(5) Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College;
63.4 	(6) the University of Minnesota-Duluth;
63.5 	(7) the University of Minnesota-Crookston; and
63.6 	(8) Augsburg University.
63.7 	(b) A participating teacher preparation program provider must:
63.8 	(1) determine the stipend amount based on the available funding and number of eligible 
63.9 	student teachers;
63.10 	(2) use the full amount of funding provided under this section to award each student 
63.11 	teacher placed in a student teaching assignment a stipend of the same amount regardless of 
63.12 	the student teacher's financial need or intended licensure area; and
63.13 	(3) notify student teachers of their stipend amounts no later than 30 days before the 
63.14 	student teacher is placed in a student teaching assignment.
63.15 		Subd. 3.Student teacher eligibility. (a) A student teacher is eligible for a stipend through 
63.16 	the pilot program if the student teacher:
63.17 	(1) is enrolled in a teacher preparation program approved by the Professional Educator 
63.18 	Licensing and Standards Board that requires at least 12 weeks of student teaching in order 
63.19 	to be recommended for a Tier 3 teaching license;
63.20 	(2) is placed in a Minnesota school district or charter school to complete required student 
63.21 	teaching; and
63.22 	(3) is meeting satisfactory academic progress as defined under Minnesota Statutes, 
63.23 	section 136A.101, subdivision 10.
63.24 	(b) A student teacher may receive a stipend under this section, and under Minnesota 
63.25 	Statutes, section 136A.1274 or 136A.1275.
63.26 		Subd. 4.Stipends not considered income for certain purposes. (a) Notwithstanding 
63.27 	any law to the contrary, payments under this section must not be considered income, assets, 
63.28 	or personal property for purposes of determining eligibility or recertifying eligibility for:
63.29 	(1) child care assistance programs under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 119B, and early 
63.30 	learning scholarships under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.165;
64.1 	(2) general assistance, Minnesota supplemental aid, and food support under Minnesota 
64.2 	Statutes, chapter 256D;
64.3 	(3) housing support under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256I;
64.4 	(4) the Minnesota family investment program and diversionary work program under 
64.5 	Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256J; and
64.6 	(5) economic assistance programs under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256P.
64.7 	(b) The commissioner of human services must not consider a stipend under this section 
64.8 	as income or assets when determining medical assistance eligibility under Minnesota Statutes, 
64.9 	section 256B.055, subdivisions 7, 7a, and 12; or section 256B.057, subdivisions 3, 3a, 3b, 
64.10 	and 4. The commissioner of human services must not include the stipend received under 
64.11 	this section when calculating an individual's premiums under Minnesota Statutes, section 
64.12 	256B.057, subdivision 9.
64.13 		Subd. 5.Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. (a) The Professional 
64.14 	Educator Licensing and Standards Board must develop and administer a survey to students 
64.15 	who receive stipends through the pilot program, and interview a representative sample of 
64.16 	student teachers who receive stipends. The surveys and interviews must seek information 
64.17 	related to the impact of the stipend on the student teacher, whether the student teacher 
64.18 	received any other stipends or compensation for student teaching, and other information 
64.19 	relevant to development of a statewide paid student teaching program.
64.20 	(b) The board must submit reports to the chairs and minority leaders of the legislative 
64.21 	committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education and higher 
64.22 	education by February 1, 2025, and July 1, 2025, in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, 
64.23 	section 3.195. Each report must identify the number of student teachers receiving stipends 
64.24 	by teacher preparation program provider and the districts or charter schools where the student 
64.25 	teachers were placed, and the amount each student teacher received under this section. The 
64.26 	second report must also summarize the results of the surveys and interviews, and make 
64.27 	recommendations for implementing a statewide paid student teacher program.

64.28 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024, except for subdivision 4, 
64.29 	paragraph (b), which is effective July 1, 2024, or upon federal approval, whichever is later.

64.30 	Sec. 21. PARAPROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS EXAMINED.
 64.31 	(a) The Department of Education and the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
64.32 	Board must collaboratively examine Minnesota's standards for paraprofessionals in 
64.33 	consultation with at least the following:
65.1 	(1) one representative each from at least two organizations representing paraprofessionals;
65.2 	(2) one person representing the Minnesota Association of School Administrators; and
65.3 	(3) one person representing the Minnesota Administrators for Special Education.
65.4 	(b) By July 1, 2024, the agencies must announce their work plan to revise the 
65.5 	paraprofessional qualifications under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.363, and the 
65.6 	qualifications used to determine eligibility for state special education aid calculations.
65.7 	(c) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board may revise Minnesota 
65.8 	Rules, part 8710.9000. A paraprofessional may demonstrate competencies established in 
65.9 	Minnesota Rules, part 8710.9000, subpart 4, as one way to meet the federal personnel 
65.10 	qualifications required in Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 300.156.
65.11 	(d) A paraprofessional meets the federal personnel qualifications required in Code of 
65.12 	Federal Regulations, title 34, section 300.156, if the paraprofessional:
65.13 	(1) has at least two years of college credits through an accredited institution of higher 
65.14 	education, or an associate's degree or higher;
65.15 	(2) has received a passing score on a formal assessment approved by the Department of 
65.16 	Education; or
65.17 	(3) meets the local assessment criteria established by the Department of Education.
65.18 	(e) The Department of Education must revise the minimum passing score for the approved 
65.19 	formal assessments.
65.20 	(f) For the 2024-2025 school year only, a paraprofessional may be paid in whole or in 
65.21 	part by funding under paragraph (g) if the paraprofessional:
65.22 	(1) demonstrates the competencies established in Minnesota Rules, part 8710.9000, 
65.23 	subpart 4, item D (competency 4: instructional content and practice) and item I (competency 
65.24 	9: academic instructional skills); or
65.25 	(2) is enrolled in a ParaPro or Paraeducator training and testing program.
65.26 	(g) For the 2024-2025 school year only, a school district or charter school may use state 
65.27 	special education aid to continue to pay for staff in special education paraprofessional 
65.28 	positions that meet qualifications under paragraph (f) only if those positions were filled by 
65.29 	the district or charter school and paid with state special education aid in the 2023-2024 
65.30 	school year.
66.1 	(h) For the 2024-2025 school year only, upon request from a paraprofessional employed 
66.2 	by a school district, charter school, or cooperative unit providing direct instructional services, 
66.3 	the school must provide administrative assistance to the paraprofessional when completing 
66.4 	the competencies required under paragraph (d), clause (3), or paragraph (f).

66.5 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

66.6 	Sec. 22. TEACHER AND PARAPROFESSIONAL COMPENSATION WORKING 
66.7 	GROUP.
 66.8 		Subdivision 1.Establishment; membership. (a) The Teacher and Paraprofessional 
66.9 	Compensation Working Group is established and consists of the following 22 members:
66.10 	(1) one prekindergarten teacher;
66.11 	(2) one elementary school teacher;
66.12 	(3) one middle school teacher;
66.13 	(4) one high school teacher;
66.14 	(5) one physical education teacher;
66.15 	(6) one vocal music or instrumental music teacher;
66.16 	(7) one visual arts teacher;
66.17 	(8) one library media specialist;
66.18 	(9) one community education teacher;
66.19 	(10) one teacher teaching in an alternative setting;
66.20 	(11) one member working in a school setting with children from birth to age three;
66.21 	(12) one special education teacher;
66.22 	(13) four paraprofessionals working with elementary, middle, or high school students;
66.23 	(14) two superintendents;
66.24 	(15) one community education director;
66.25 	(16) two school finance directors; and
66.26 	(17) one member with expertise in school board governance.
66.27 	(b) The members under paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (13), must be appointed by the 
66.28 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. The members under paragraph (a), 
66.29 	clauses (14) to (16), must be appointed by the Minnesota Board of School Administrators. 
67.1 	The members under paragraph (a), clause (17), must be appointed by the Minnesota School 
67.2 	Boards Association. To the extent practicable, each appointing authority must appoint 
67.3 	members representing schools in regions across the state. All appointments must be made 
67.4 	no later than September 1, 2024.
67.5 		Subd. 2.Duties; report. (a) The working group is established to advise the legislature 
67.6 	on strategies and recommendations to provide competitive compensation to teachers and 
67.7 	paraprofessionals in Minnesota elementary, middle, and secondary schools.
67.8 	(b) The working group must report its proposed strategies, recommendations, and draft 
67.9 	legislation to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over prekindergarten through 
67.10 	grade 12 education finance and policy by February 14, 2025. The report must be filed 
67.11 	according to Minnesota Statutes, section 3.195.
67.12 	(c) At a minimum, the report must:
67.13 	(1) analyze data on the professional pay gap for Minnesota teachers;
67.14 	(2) provide historical analysis on pay trends for Minnesota teachers;
67.15 	(3) examine historical trends in total compensation for Minnesota teachers, including 
67.16 	wages and salary, health insurance and other benefits, and pension benefits;
67.17 	(4) examine historical trends in the tuition and opportunity costs of teacher preparation 
67.18 	and student debt burdens; and
67.19 	(5) collect and analyze data on the workloads and compensation of Minnesota education 
67.20 	support professionals.
67.21 		Subd. 3.Meetings; compensation. (a) The working group must convene its initial 
67.22 	meeting no later than September 15, 2024, and must meet regularly thereafter.
67.23 	(b) Members of the working group are eligible for per diem compensation as provided 
67.24 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 3.
67.25 		Subd. 4.Administrative provisions. (a) The executive director of the Professional 
67.26 	Educator Licensing and Standards Board or the executive director's designee must convene 
67.27 	the initial meeting of the working group. Upon request of the working group, the executive 
67.28 	director must provide meeting space and administrative services for the group. The members 
67.29 	of the working group must elect a chair or cochairs from the members of the working group 
67.30 	at the initial meeting.
67.31 	(b) Upon request of the working group, the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
67.32 	Board must provide information necessary for the working group to make its 
68.1 	recommendations, including but not limited to information on teacher and paraprofessional 
68.2 	qualifications, licensure, employment, assignment, and compensation.
68.3 		Subd. 5.Expiration. The working group expires February 14, 2025, or upon submission 
68.4 	of the report required under subdivision 2, whichever is earlier.

68.5 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

68.6 	Sec. 23. APPROPRIATION; DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
 68.7 		Subdivision 1.Department of Education. The sum indicated in this section is 
68.8 	appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education in the fiscal year 
68.9 	designated.
68.10 		Subd. 2.Special education apprenticeship programs. (a) For grants to intermediate 
68.11 	school districts for special education registered apprenticeship programs:

68.12		$
	1,030,000
	.....
	2025
	
68.13 	(b) The department must award grants of $250,000 each to Intermediate School Districts 
68.14 	Nos. 287, 288, 916, and 917. The grant funds must be used for special education registered 
68.15 	apprenticeship programs. Grant funds may be used for:
68.16 	(1) program oversight and administrative costs of the intermediate school district and 
68.17 	its partner higher education institution;
68.18 	(2) stipends and tuition, fees, and other direct program costs incurred by apprentices;
68.19 	(3) stipends for teachers serving as mentors; and
68.20 	(4) the cost of substitute teachers.
68.21 	(c) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98, subdivision 14, up to $30,000 
68.22 	of the appropriation is available for grant administration.
68.23 	(d) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.

68.24 	Sec. 24. APPROPRIATIONS; PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR LICENSING AND 
68.25 	STANDARDS BOARD.
 68.26 		Subdivision 1.Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. The sums 
68.27 	indicated in this section are appropriated from the general fund to the Professional Educator 
68.28 	Licensing and Standards Board in the fiscal years designated.
68.29 		Subd. 2.Paid student teaching pilot program. (a) For the paid student teaching pilot 
68.30 	program:

69.1		$
	6,543,000
	.....
	2025
	
69.2 	(b) Of the amount in paragraph (a), $4,868,000 is for transfer to the Board of Trustees 
69.3 	of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. The Board of Trustees must allocate the 
69.4 	funding among the following teacher preparation program providers in the amounts indicated:
69.5 	(1) $929,000 for St. Cloud State University;
69.6 	(2) $744,000 for Bemidji State University;
69.7 	(3) $1,618,000 for Minnesota State University, Mankato;
69.8 	(4) $1,570,000 for Winona State University; and
69.9 	(5) $7,000 for Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College.
69.10 	(c) Of the amount in paragraph (a), $1,218,000 is for transfer to the Board of Regents 
69.11 	of the University of Minnesota to allocate to the following teacher preparation program 
69.12 	providers in the amounts indicated:
69.13 	(1) $1,115,000 for the University of Minnesota-Duluth; and
69.14 	(2) $103,000 for the University of Minnesota-Crookston.
69.15 	(d) Of the amount in paragraph (a), $317,000 is for Augsburg University.
69.16 	(e) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board may retain up to $140,000 
69.17 	to administer the pilot program, including administering surveys and completing required 
69.18 	reports.
69.19 	(f) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026.
69.20 		Subd. 3.Teacher and paraprofessional compensation working group. (a) For 
69.21 	administration and per diem compensation for members of the teacher and paraprofessional 
69.22 	compensation working group:

69.23		$
	150,000
	.....
	2025
	
69.24 	(b) This is a onetime appropriation.
69.25 		Subd. 4.Aspiring teachers of color scholarship program. (a) For transfer to the 
69.26 	commissioner of the Office of Higher Education for the aspiring teachers of color scholarship 
69.27 	program under Laws 2021, First Special Session, chapter 2, article 2, section 45:

69.28		$
	1,000,000
	.....
	2025
	
69.29 	(b) The commissioner of the Office of Higher Education may use no more than four 
69.30 	percent of the appropriation for program administration.
70.1 	(c) This is a onetime appropriation.

70.2 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

70.3 	ARTICLE 6
70.4 	CHARTER SCHOOLS

70.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 124E.13, subdivision 1, is amended 
70.6 	to read:
70.7 		Subdivision 1.Leased space. A charter school may lease space from: an independent 
70.8 	or special school board; other public organization; private, nonprofit, nonsectarian 
70.9 	organization; private property owner; or a sectarian organization if the leased space is 
70.10 	constructed as a school facility. In all cases, the eligible lessor must also be the building 
70.11 	owner. The commissioner must review and approve or disapprove leaseslease aid 
70.12 	applications in a timely manner to determine eligibility for lease aid under section 124E.22.

70.13 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 124E.22, is amended to read:
70.14 	124E.22 BUILDING LEASE AID.
70.15 	(a) When a charter school finds it economically advantageous to rent or lease a building 
70.16 	or land for any instructional purpose and it determines that the total operating capital revenue 
70.17 	under section 126C.10, subdivision 13, is insufficient for this purpose, it may apply to the 
70.18 	commissioner for building lease aid in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner. 
70.19 	The commissioner must review and either approve or deny a lease aid application using at 
70.20 	least the following criteria:
70.21 	(1) the reasonableness of the price based on current market values;
70.22 	(2) the extent to which the lease conforms to applicable state laws and rules; and
70.23 	(3) the appropriateness of the proposed lease in the context of the space needs and 
70.24 	financial circumstances of the charter school. The commissioner must approve aid only for 
70.25 	a facility lease that has (i) a sum certain annual cost and (ii) a closure clause to relieve the 
70.26 	charter school of its lease obligations at the time the charter contract is terminated or not 
70.27 	renewed. The closure clause under item (ii) must not be constructed or construed to relieve 
70.28 	the charter school of its lease obligations in effect before the charter contract is terminated 
70.29 	or not renewed.
70.30 	(b) A charter school must not use the building lease aid it receives for custodial, 
70.31 	maintenance service, utility, or other operating costs.
71.1 	(c) The amount of annual building lease aid for a charter school shall not exceed the 
71.2 	lesser of (1) 90 percent of the approved cost or (2) the product of the charter school building 
71.3 	lease aid pupil units served for the current school year times $1,314.
71.4 	(d) A charter school's building lease aid pupil units equals the sum of the charter school 
71.5 	pupil units under section 126C.05 and the pupil units for the portion of the day that the 
71.6 	charter school's enrolled students are participating in the Postsecondary Enrollment Options 
71.7 	Act under section 124D.09 and not otherwise included in the pupil count under section 
71.8 	126C.05.

71.9 	Sec. 3. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 2, section 64, subdivision 6, as amended by Laws 
71.10 	2024, chapter 81, section 9, is amended to read:
71.11 		Subd. 6.Charter school building lease aid. (a) For building lease aid under Minnesota 
71.12 	Statutes, section 124E.22:

71.13		$
	91,457,000
	.....
	2024
	
71.1571.14
		$
	94,578,000
94,906,000
	.....
	2025
	
71.16 	(b) The 2024 appropriation includes $9,047,000 for 2023 and $82,410,000 for 2024.
71.17 	(c) The 2025 appropriation includes $9,156,000 for 2024 and $85,422,000 $85,750,000
71.18 	for 2025.

71.19 	ARTICLE 7
71.20 	SPECIAL EDUCATION

71.21 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 124D.19, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
71.22 		Subd. 8.Program approval. To be eligible for revenue for the program for adults with 
71.23 	disabilities, a program and budget must receive approval from the community education 
71.24 	section in the department. Approval may be for five years. During that time, a board must 
71.25 	report any significant changes to the department for approval. For programs offered 
71.26 	cooperatively, the request for approval must include an agreement on the method by which 
71.27 	local money is to be derived and distributed. A request for approval (a) Beginning July 1, 
71.28 	2024, and at least once every five years thereafter, a district's community education advisory 
71.29 	council must review and approve the district's adults with disabilities program and submit 
71.30 	a statement of assurances to the commissioner in the form and manner determined by the 
71.31 	commissioner. The program must seek feedback from adults with disabilities and other 
71.32 	community organizations providing services to adults with disabilities.
72.1 	(b) Each school district with an adults with disabilities program must include all of at 
72.2 	least the following information about its adults with disabilities program in its annual 
72.3 	community education report under subdivision 14:
72.4 	(1) a summary of the characteristics of the people to be served by the program;
72.5 	(2) a description of the program services and activities;
72.6 	(3) the most recent program budget and amount of aid requested;
72.7 	(4) a summary of the participation by adults with disabilities in developing the program;
72.8 	(5) an assessment of the needs of adults with disabilities; and
72.9 	(6) a description of cooperative efforts with community organizations.

72.10 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024, for plans developed on or 
72.11 	after that date.

72.12 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 256B.0625, subdivision 26, is 
72.13 	amended to read:
72.14 		Subd. 26.Special education services. (a) Medical assistance covers evaluations necessary 
72.15 	in making a determination for eligibility for individualized education program and 
72.16 	individualized family service plan services and for medical services identified in a recipient's 
72.17 	individualized education program and individualized family service plan and covered under 
72.18 	the medical assistance state plan. Covered services include occupational therapy, physical 
72.19 	therapy, speech-language therapy, clinical psychological services, nursing services, school 
72.20 	psychological services, school social work services, personal care assistants serving as 
72.21 	management aides, assistive technology devices, transportation services, health assessments, 
72.22 	and other services covered under the medical assistance state plan. Mental health services 
72.23 	eligible for medical assistance reimbursement must be provided or coordinated through a 
72.24 	children's mental health collaborative where a collaborative exists if the child is included 
72.25 	in the collaborative operational target population. The provision or coordination of services 
72.26 	does not require that the individualized education program be developed by the collaborative.
72.27 	The services may be provided by a Minnesota school district that is enrolled as a medical 
72.28 	assistance provider or its subcontractor, and only if the services meet all the requirements 
72.29 	otherwise applicable if the service had been provided by a provider other than a school 
72.30 	district, in the following areas: medical necessity; physician's, advanced practice registered 
72.31 	nurse's, or physician assistant's orders; documentation; personnel qualifications; and prior 
72.32 	authorization requirements. The nonfederal share of costs for services provided under this 
73.1 	subdivision is the responsibility of the local school district as provided in section 125A.74. 
73.2 	Services listed in a child's individualized education program are eligible for medical 
73.3 	assistance reimbursement only if those services meet criteria for federal financial participation 
73.4 	under the Medicaid program.
73.5 	(b) Approval of health-related services for inclusion in the individualized education 
73.6 	program does not require prior authorization for purposes of reimbursement under this 
73.7 	chapter. The commissioner may require physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or 
73.8 	physician assistant review and approval of the plan not more than once annually or upon 
73.9 	any modification of the individualized education program that reflects a change in 
73.10 	health-related services.
73.11 	(c) Services of a speech-language pathologist provided under this section are covered 
73.12 	notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0390, subpart 1, item L, if the person:
73.13 	(1) holds a masters degree in speech-language pathology;
73.14 	(2) is licensed by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board as an 
73.15 	educational speech-language pathologist; and
73.16 	(3) either has a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech and Hearing 
73.17 	Association, has completed the equivalent educational requirements and work experience 
73.18 	necessary for the certificate or has completed the academic program and is acquiring 
73.19 	supervised work experience to qualify for the certificate.
73.20 	(d) Medical assistance coverage for medically necessary services provided under other 
73.21 	subdivisions in this section may not be denied solely on the basis that the same or similar 
73.22 	services are covered under this subdivision.
73.23 	(e) The commissioner shall develop and implement package rates, bundled rates, or per 
73.24 	diem rates for special education services under which separately covered services are grouped 
73.25 	together and billed as a unit in order to reduce administrative complexity.
73.26 	(f) The commissioner shall develop a cost-based payment structure for payment of these 
73.27 	services. Only costs reported through the designated Minnesota Department of Education 
73.28 	data systems in distinct service categories qualify for inclusion in the cost-based payment 
73.29 	structure. The commissioner shall reimburse claims submitted based on an interim rate, and 
73.30 	shall settle at a final rate once the department has determined it. The commissioner shall 
73.31 	notify the school district of the final rate. The school district has 60 days to appeal the final 
73.32 	rate. To appeal the final rate, the school district shall file a written appeal request to the 
73.33 	commissioner within 60 days of the date the final rate determination was mailed. The appeal 
74.1 	request shall specify (1) the disputed items and (2) the name and address of the person to 
74.2 	contact regarding the appeal.
74.3 	(g) Effective July 1, 2000, medical assistance services provided under an individualized 
74.4 	education program or an individual family service plan by local school districts shall not 
74.5 	count against medical assistance authorization thresholds for that child.
74.6 	(h) Nursing services as defined in section 148.171, subdivision 15, and provided as an 
74.7 	individualized education program health-related service, are eligible for medical assistance 
74.8 	payment if they are otherwise a covered service under the medical assistance program. 
74.9 	Medical assistance covers the administration of prescription medications by a licensed nurse 
74.10 	who is employed by or under contract with a school district when the administration of 
74.11 	medications is identified in the child's individualized education program. The simple 
74.12 	administration of medications alone is not covered under medical assistance when 
74.13 	administered by a provider other than a school district or when it is not identified in the 
74.14 	child's individualized education program.
74.15 	(i) School social work Services provided by a school social worker as described in 
74.16 	paragraph (l) must be provided by a mental health professional as defined in section 245I.04, 
74.17 	subdivision 2; a clinical trainee as defined in section 245I.04, subdivision 6, under the 
74.18 	supervision of a mental health professional; or a mental health practitioner as defined in 
74.19 	section 245I.04, subdivision 4, under the supervision of a mental health professional, are
74.20 	to be eligible for medical assistance payment. A mental health practitioner performing 
74.21 	school social work services under this section must provide services within the mental health 
74.22 	practitioner's licensure scope of practice, if applicable, and within the mental health 
74.23 	practitioner scope of practice under section 245I.04, subdivision 5 reimbursement. Services 
74.24 	described in paragraph (l) must be provided within the provider's scope of practice as defined 
74.25 	in section 245I.04, subdivisions 3, 5, and 7.
74.26 	(j) Notwithstanding section 245I.10, subdivision 2, a special education evaluation, and 
74.27 	assessment for and within an individual family service plan or individualized education 
74.28 	program, or individual family service plan may be used to determine medical necessity and 
74.29 	eligibility for school social work services under paragraph (i) instead of a diagnostic 
74.30 	assessment for services described under paragraph (l). The special education evaluation and 
74.31 	assessments for and within the individualized education program, or individual family 
74.32 	service plan, that meet the requirements in section 245I.10, subdivisions 4, and 5 or 6, and 
74.33 	that is completed by a licensed mental health professional or clinical trainee supervised by 
74.34 	a licensed mental health professional can be used for determining medical necessity. In 
74.35 	addition, for services that do not require a diagnosis using an assessment as defined in 
75.1 	section 245I.10, subdivisions 4, and 5 or 6, the special education evaluation and assessments 
75.2 	for and within the individualized education program, or individual family service plan, that 
75.3 	provide an International Classification of Diseases diagnostic code and are completed by a 
75.4 	licensed mental health professional or clinical trainee supervised by a licensed mental health 
75.5 	professional can be used for determining medical necessity.
75.6 	(k) A school social worker or school providing mental health services under paragraph 
75.7 	(i) (l) is not required to be certified to provide children's therapeutic services and supports 
75.8 	under section 256B.0943.
75.9 	(l) Covered mental health services provided by a school social worker under this 
75.10 	paragraph (i) include but are not limited to are:
75.11 	(1) administering and reporting standardized measures;
75.12 	(2) care coordination;
75.13 	(3) children's mental health crisis assistance, planning, and response services;
75.14 	(1) the explanation of findings as described in section 256B.0671, subdivision 4;
75.15 	(2) psychotherapy for crisis as described in section 256B.0671, subdivision 11a;
75.16 	(4) (3) children's mental health clinical care consultation, as described in section 
75.17 	256B.0671, subdivision 7;
75.18 	(5) (4) dialectical behavioral therapy for adolescents, as described in section 256B.0671, 
75.19 	subdivision 6;
75.20 	(6) direction of mental health behavioral aides;
75.21 	(7) (5) family psychoeducation, as described in section 256B.0671, subdivision 5, which 
75.22 	includes skill development, peer group sessions, and individual sessions. Notwithstanding 
75.23 	section 256B.0671, subdivision 5, family psychoeducation services under this section may 
75.24 	be delivered by a mental health practitioner as defined under section 245I.04, subdivision 
75.25 	4; and
75.26 	(8) (6) individual, family, and group psychotherapy;, as described in section 256B.0671, 
75.27 	subdivision 11.
75.28 	(9) mental health behavioral aide services;
75.29 	(10) skills training; and
75.30 	(11) treatment plan development and review.

76.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024, or upon federal approval, 
76.2 	whichever is later.

76.3 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 256B.0671, is amended by adding 
76.4 	a subdivision to read:
76.5 		Subd. 11a.Psychotherapy for crisis. (a) Medical assistance covers psychotherapy for 
76.6 	crisis when a recipient is in need of an immediate response due to an increase of mental 
76.7 	illness symptoms that put the recipient at risk of one of the following:
76.8 	(1) experiencing a life threatening mental health crisis;
76.9 	(2) needing a higher level of care;
76.10 	(3) worsening symptoms without mental health intervention;
76.11 	(4) harm to self, others, or property damage; or
76.12 	(5) significant disruption of functioning in at least one life area.
76.13 	(b) "Psychotherapy for crisis" means treatment of a client to reduce the client's mental 
76.14 	health crisis through immediate assessment and psychotherapeutic interventions. 
76.15 	Psychotherapy for crisis must include:
76.16 	(1) emergency assessment of the crisis situation;
76.17 	(2) mental status exam;
76.18 	(3) psychotherapeutic interventions to reduce the crisis; and
76.19 	(4) development of a post-crisis plan that addresses the recipient's coping skills and 
76.20 	community resources.

76.21 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

76.22 	Sec. 4. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 7, section 18, subdivision 4, as amended by Laws 
76.23 	2024, chapter 81, section 18, is amended to read:
76.24 		Subd. 4.Special education; regular. (a) For special education aid under Minnesota 
76.25 	Statutes, section 125A.75:

76.26		$
	2,288,826,000
	.....
	2024
	
76.2876.27
		$
	2,485,140,000
2,486,181,000
	.....
	2025
	
76.29 	(b) The 2024 appropriation includes $229,860,000 for 2023 and $2,058,966,000 for 
76.30 	2024.
77.1 	(c) The 2025 appropriation includes $289,842,000 for 2024 and $2,195,298,000
77.2 	$2,196,339,000 for 2025.

77.3 	ARTICLE 8
77.4 	SCHOOL FACILITIES

77.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 123B.71, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
77.6 		Subd. 8.Review and comment. A school district, a special education cooperative, or 
77.7 	a cooperative unit of government, as defined in section 123A.24, subdivision 2, must not 
77.8 	initiate enter into an installment contract for purchase or a lease agreement, hold a referendum 
77.9 	for bonds, nor solicit bids for new construction, expansion, or remodeling of an educational 
77.10 	facility that requires an expenditure in excess of $500,000 per school site if it has a capital 
77.11 	loan outstanding, or $2,000,000 per school site if it does not have a capital loan outstanding, 
77.12 	prior to review and comment by the commissioner. A facility addition, maintenance project, 
77.13 	or remodeling project New construction, expansion, or remodeling of an educational facility
77.14 	funded only with general education revenue, lease levy proceeds from an additional capital 
77.15 	expenditure levy under section 126C.40, subdivision 1, capital facilities bond proceeds, or 
77.16 	long-term facilities maintenance revenue is exempt from this provision. A capital project 
77.17 	under section 123B.63 addressing only technology is exempt from this provision if the 
77.18 	district submits a school board resolution stating that funds approved by the voters will be 
77.19 	used only as authorized in section 126C.10, subdivision 14. A school board shall not separate 
77.20 	portions of a single project into components to avoid the requirements of this subdivision.

77.21 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 123B.71, subdivision 12, is amended 
77.22 	to read:
77.23 		Subd. 12.Publication. (a) At least 48 days but not more than 60 70 days before a 
77.24 	referendum for bonds under chapter 475 or solicitation of bids for a project that has received 
77.25 	a positive or unfavorable review and comment under section 123B.70, the school board 
77.26 	shall publish a summary of the commissioner's review and comment of that project in the 
77.27 	legal newspaper of the district. The school board must hold a public meeting to discuss the 
77.28 	commissioner's review and comment before the such a referendum for bonds. Supplementary 
77.29 	information shall be available to the public. Where no such referendum for bonds is required, 
77.30 	the publication and public meeting requirements of this subdivision shall not apply.
77.31 	(b) The publication requirement in paragraph (a) does not apply to alternative facilities 
77.32 	projects approved under section 123B.595.

78.1 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 126C.40, subdivision 6, is amended 
78.2 	to read:
78.3 		Subd. 6.Lease purchase; installment buys. (a) Upon application to, and approval by, 
78.4 	the commissioner in accordance with the procedures and limits in subdivision 1, paragraphs 
78.5 	(a) and (b), a district, as defined in this subdivision, may:
78.6 	(1) purchase real or personal property under an installment contract or may lease real 
78.7 	or personal property with an option to purchase under a lease purchase agreement, by which 
78.8 	installment contract or lease purchase agreement title is kept by the seller or vendor or 
78.9 	assigned to a third party as security for the purchase price, including interest, if any; and
78.10 	(2) annually levy the amounts necessary to pay the district's obligations under the 
78.11 	installment contract or lease purchase agreement.
78.12 	(b) The obligation created by the installment contract or the lease purchase agreement 
78.13 	must not be included in the calculation of net debt for purposes of section 475.53, and does 
78.14 	not constitute debt under other law. An election is not required in connection with the 
78.15 	execution of the installment contract or the lease purchase agreement.
78.16 	(c) The proceeds of the levy authorized by this subdivision must not be used to acquire 
78.17 	a facility to be primarily used for athletic or school administration purposes.
78.18 	(d) For the purposes of this subdivision, "district" means:
78.19 	(1) Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, Independent School District No. 625, 
78.20 	St. Paul, Independent School District No. 709, Duluth, or Independent School District No. 
78.21 	535, Rochester, if the district's desegregation plan has been determined by the commissioner 
78.22 	to be in compliance with Department of Education rules relating to equality of educational 
78.23 	opportunity and where the acquisition of property under this subdivision is determined by 
78.24 	the commissioner to contribute to the implementation of the desegregation plan; or
78.25 	(2) other districts eligible for revenue under section 124D.862 if the facility acquired 
78.26 	under this subdivision is to be primarily used for a joint program for interdistrict 
78.27 	desegregation and the commissioner determines that the joint programs are being undertaken 
78.28 	to implement the districts' desegregation plan.
78.29 	(e) Notwithstanding subdivision 1, the prohibition against a levy by a district to lease 
78.30 	or rent a district-owned building to itself does not apply to levies otherwise authorized by 
78.31 	this subdivision.
78.32 	(f) For the purposes of this subdivision, any references in subdivision 1 to building or 
78.33 	land shall include personal property.
79.1 	(g) Projects funded under this subdivision that require an expenditure in excess of 
79.2 	$500,000 per school site if the school district has a capital loan outstanding, or $2,000,000 
79.3 	per school site if the school district does not have a capital loan outstanding, are subject to 
79.4 	review and comment under section 123B.71, subdivision 8, in the same manner as other 
79.5 	school construction projects. Provided no referendum for bonds is required, the school board 
79.6 	must discuss the commissioner's determination of a review and comment and the district's 
79.7 	approved achievement and integration plan findings at a regular or special school board 
79.8 	meeting within 45 days of the commissioner's determination. A school board's failure to 
79.9 	comply with the discussion requirement in this paragraph shall not otherwise affect the 
79.10 	legality, validity, or binding nature of any school district action or obligation not subject to 
79.11 	referendum.

79.12 	Sec. 4. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 8, section 19, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
79.13 		Subd. 5.Grants for gender-neutral single-user restrooms. (a) For grants to school 
79.14 	districts for remodeling, constructing, or repurposing space for gender-neutral single-user 
79.15 	restrooms:

79.16		$
	1,000,000
	.....
	2024
	
79.17		$
	1,000,000
	.....
	2025
	
79.18 	(b) A school district or a cooperative unit under Minnesota Statutes, section 123A.24, 
79.19 	subdivision 2, may apply for a grant of not more than $75,000 per site under this subdivision 
79.20 	in the form and manner specified by the commissioner. The commissioner must award at 
79.21 	least one grant under this subdivision to Independent School District No. 709, Duluth, for 
79.22 	a demonstration grant for a project awaiting construction.
79.23 	(c) The commissioner must ensure that grants are awarded to schools to reflect the 
79.24 	geographic diversity of the state.
79.25 	(d) Up to $75,000 each year is available for grant administration and monitoring.
79.26 	(e) By February 1 of each year, the commissioner must annually report to the committees 
79.27 	of the legislature with jurisdiction over education on the number of grants that were awarded 
79.28 	each year and the number of grant applications that were unfunded during that year.
79.29 	(f) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

79.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

80.1 	Sec. 5. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 8, section 19, subdivision 6, as amended by Laws 
80.2 	2024, chapter 81, section 22, is amended to read:
80.3 		Subd. 6.Long-term facilities maintenance equalized aid. (a) For long-term facilities 
80.4 	maintenance equalized aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.595, subdivision 9:

80.5		$
	107,905,000
	.....
	2024
	
80.780.6
		$
	107,630,000
107,865,000
	.....
	2025
	
80.8 	(b) The 2024 appropriation includes $10,821,000 for 2023 and $97,084,000 for 2024.
80.9 	(c) The 2025 appropriation includes $10,787,000 for 2024 and $96,843,000 $97,078,000
80.10 	for 2025.

80.11 	ARTICLE 9
80.12 	SCHOOL NUTRITION AND LIBRARIES

80.13 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 124D.111, subdivision 3, is 
80.14 	amended to read:
80.15 		Subd. 3.School food service fund. (a) The expenses described in this subdivision must 
80.16 	be recorded as provided in this subdivision.
80.17 	(b) In each district, the expenses for a school food service program for pupils must be 
80.18 	attributed to a school food service fund. Under a food service program, the school food 
80.19 	service may prepare or serve milk, meals, or snacks in connection with school or community 
80.20 	service activities.
80.21 	(c) Revenues and expenditures for food service activities must be recorded in the food 
80.22 	service fund. The costs of processing applications, accounting for meals, preparing and 
80.23 	serving food, providing kitchen custodial services, and other expenses involving the preparing 
80.24 	of meals or the kitchen section of the lunchroom may be charged to the food service fund 
80.25 	or to the general fund of the district. The costs of lunchroom supervision, lunchroom custodial 
80.26 	services, lunchroom utilities, lunchroom furniture, and other administrative costs of the 
80.27 	food service program must be charged to the general fund.
80.28 	That portion of superintendent and fiscal manager costs that can be documented as 
80.29 	attributable to the food service program may be charged to the food service fund provided 
80.30 	that the school district does not employ or contract with a food service director or other 
80.31 	individual who manages the food service program, or food service management company. 
80.32 	If the cost of the superintendent or fiscal manager is charged to the food service fund, the 
81.1 	charge must be at a wage rate not to exceed the statewide average for food service directors 
81.2 	as determined by the department.
81.3 	(d) Capital expenditures for the purchase of food service equipment must be made from 
81.4 	the general fund and not the food service fund, unless the restricted balance in the food 
81.5 	service fund at the end of the last fiscal year is greater than the cost of the equipment to be 
81.6 	purchased.
81.7 	(e) If the condition set out in paragraph (d) applies, the equipment may be purchased 
81.8 	from the food service fund.
81.9 	(f) If a deficit in the food service fund exists at the end of a fiscal year, and the deficit 
81.10 	is not eliminated by revenues from food service operations in the next fiscal year, then the 
81.11 	deficit must be eliminated by a permanent fund transfer from the general fund at the end of 
81.12 	that second fiscal year. However, if a district contracts with a food service management 
81.13 	company during the period in which the deficit has accrued, the deficit must be eliminated 
81.14 	by a payment from the food service management company.
81.15 	(g) Notwithstanding paragraph (f), a district may incur a deficit in the food service fund 
81.16 	for up to three years without making the permanent transfer if the district submits to the 
81.17 	commissioner by January 1 of the second fiscal year a plan for eliminating that deficit at 
81.18 	the end of the third fiscal year.
81.19 	(h) If a surplus in the food service fund exists at the end of a fiscal year for three 
81.20 	successive years, a district may recode for that fiscal year the costs of lunchroom supervision, 
81.21 	lunchroom custodial services, lunchroom utilities, lunchroom furniture, and other 
81.22 	administrative costs of the food service program charged to the general fund according to 
81.23 	paragraph (c) and charge those costs to the food service fund in a total amount not to exceed 
81.24 	the amount of surplus in the food service fund.
81.25 	(i) For purposes of this subdivision, "lunchroom furniture" means tables and chairs 
81.26 	regularly used by pupils in a lunchroom from which they may consume milk, meals, or 
81.27 	snacks in connection with school or community service activities.

81.28 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for fiscal year 2024 and later.

81.29 	Sec. 2. [127A.151] STATE SCHOOL LIBRARIAN.
81.30 	(a) The Department of Education must employ a state school librarian within the State 
81.31 	Library Services Division of the department to provide technical assistance to licensed 
81.32 	school library media specialists and licensed school librarians. The state school librarian 
81.33 	must be or have been a licensed school library media specialist.
82.1 	(b) The responsibilities of the state school librarian include but are not limited to providing 
82.2 	advice and guidance in academic standards development and statewide library data collection 
82.3 	from district and charter schools, and related activities. The state school librarian may 
82.4 	provide advice and guidance to the Department of Education staff responsible for 
82.5 	administering state library aid and monitoring district compliance. The state school librarian 
82.6 	must support district and charter schools on issues of intellectual freedom, media and digital 
82.7 	literacy, and growing lifelong readers. The state school librarian must share information 
82.8 	about available grant funds and resources, work with the Professional Educator Licensing 
82.9 	and Standards Board to support licensure acquisition, and support professional development 
82.10 	for licensed school library media specialists and licensed school librarians.

82.11 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 127A.45, subdivision 12, is amended to read:
82.12 		Subd. 12.Payment percentage for certain aids.  One hundred percent of the aid for 
82.13 	the current fiscal year must be paid for the following aids: reimbursement for enrollment 
82.14 	options transportation, according to sections 124D.03, subdivision 8, and 124D.09, 
82.15 	subdivision 22, and chapter 124E; school lunch aid, according to section 124D.111;, and 
82.16 	support services aid, for persons who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing according to 
82.17 	section 124D.57.

82.18 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

82.19 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 127A.45, subdivision 13, is amended to read:
82.20 		Subd. 13.Aid payment percentage. Except as provided in subdivisions 11, 12, 12a, 
82.21 	and 14, and 14a, each fiscal year, all education aids and credits in this chapter and chapters 
82.22 	120A, 120B, 121A, 122A, 123A, 123B, 124D, 124E, 125A, 125B, 126C, 134, and section 
82.23 	273.1392, shall be paid at the current year aid payment percentage of the estimated 
82.24 	entitlement during the fiscal year of the entitlement. For the purposes of this subdivision, 
82.25 	a district's estimated entitlement for special education aid under section 125A.76 for fiscal 
82.26 	year 2014 and later equals 97.4 percent of the district's entitlement for the current fiscal 
82.27 	year. The final adjustment payment, according to subdivision 9, must be the amount of the 
82.28 	actual entitlement, after adjustment for actual data, minus the payments made during the 
82.29 	fiscal year of the entitlement.

82.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

83.1 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 127A.45, subdivision 14a, is amended to read:
83.2 		Subd. 14a.State nutrition programs. Notwithstanding subdivision subdivisions 3 and 
83.3 	13, the state shall pay 100 percent of the aid for the current year according to sections 
83.4 	124D.111, 124D.1158, and 124D.118 based on submitted monthly vouchers showing meals 
83.5 	and milk served.

83.6 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

83.7 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 134.356, is amended by adding a 
83.8 	subdivision to read:
83.9 		Subd. 1a.State school librarian.  In fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, the 
83.10 	Department of Education may retain up to $130,000 of the amount appropriated for school 
83.11 	library aid under this section for the costs of the state school librarian under section 127A.151. 
83.12 	The aid for each school district and charter school under subdivision 1 must be reduced 
83.13 	proportionately. The reduction in aid under this subdivision must be applied to the current 
83.14 	year aid payment.

83.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

83.16 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 134.356, is amended by adding a 
83.17 	subdivision to read:
83.18 		Subd. 3.Report. By January 15, 2025, and annually thereafter, the commissioner of 
83.19 	education must report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative 
83.20 	committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education on how school 
83.21 	districts and charter schools used aid under this section in the previous fiscal year. In 
83.22 	preparing the report, the commissioner may use information available from the uniform 
83.23 	financial accounting and reporting system. The report must be filed in accordance with 
83.24 	section 3.195.

83.25 	Sec. 8. Laws 2023, chapter 18, section 4, subdivision 2, as amended by Laws 2023, chapter 
83.26 	55, article 9, section 16, and Laws 2024, chapter 81, section 23, is amended to read:
83.27 		Subd. 2.School lunch. For school lunch aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.111, 
83.28 	including the amounts for the free school meals program:

83.29		$
	218,801,000
	.....
	2024
	
83.3183.30
		$
	238,987,000
239,686,000
	.....
	2025

84.1 	Sec. 9. Laws 2023, chapter 18, section 4, subdivision 3, as amended by Laws 2023, chapter 
84.2 	55, article 9, section 17, and Laws 2024, chapter 81, section 24, is amended to read:
84.3 		Subd. 3.School breakfast. For school breakfast aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 
84.4 	124D.1158:

84.5		$
	44,178,000
	.....
	2024
	
84.784.6
		$
	48,334,000
48,747,000
	.....
	2025

84.8 	Sec. 10. REVISOR INSTRUCTION.
 84.9 	The revisor of statutes shall renumber Minnesota Statutes, section 134.356, as Minnesota 
84.10 	Statutes, section 124D.992, and make any necessary changes to statutory cross-references 
84.11 	to reflect these changes.

84.12 	ARTICLE 10
84.13 	STATE AGENCIES

84.14 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 13.321, is amended by adding a subdivision 
84.15 	to read:
84.16 		Subd. 12.Office of the Inspector General; access to data. Data involving the 
84.17 	Department of Education's Office of the Inspector General are governed by section 127A.21.

84.18 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

84.19 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 127A.21, is amended to read:
84.20 	127A.21 OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL.
84.21 		Subdivision 1.Establishment of Office of the Inspector General; powers; duties. The 
84.22 	commissioner must establish within the department an Office of the Inspector General. The 
84.23 	inspector general shall report directly to the commissioner. The Office of the Inspector 
84.24 	General is charged with protecting the integrity of the department and the state by detecting 
84.25 	and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in department programs. The Office of the Inspector 
84.26 	General must conduct independent and objective investigations to promote the integrity of 
84.27 	the department's programs and operations. When fraud or other misuse of public funds is 
84.28 	detected, the Office of the Inspector General must report it to the appropriate law enforcement 
84.29 	entity and collaborate and cooperate with law enforcement to assist in the investigation and 
84.30 	any subsequent civil and criminal prosecution.
85.1 		Subd. 1a.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the 
85.2 	meanings given.
85.3 	(b) "Abuse" means actions that may, directly or indirectly, result in unnecessary costs 
85.4 	to department programs. Abuse may involve paying for items or services when there is no 
85.5 	legal entitlement to that payment.
85.6 	(c) "Department program" means a program funded by the Department of Education 
85.7 	that involves the transfer or disbursement of public funds or other resources to a program 
85.8 	participant. "Department program" includes state and federal aids or grants received by a 
85.9 	school district or charter school or other program participant.
85.10 	(d) "Fraud" means an intentional or deliberate act to deprive another of property or 
85.11 	money or to acquire property or money by deception or other unfair means. Fraud includes 
85.12 	intentionally submitting false information to the department for the purpose of obtaining a 
85.13 	greater compensation or benefit than that to which the person is legally entitled. Fraud also 
85.14 	includes failure to correct errors in the maintenance of records in a timely manner after a 
85.15 	request by the department.
85.16 	(e) "Investigation" means an audit, investigation, proceeding, or inquiry by the Office 
85.17 	of the Inspector General related to a program participant in a department program.
85.18 	(f) "Program participant" means any entity or person, including associated persons, that 
85.19 	receives, disburses, or has custody of funds or other resources transferred or disbursed under 
85.20 	a department program.
85.21 	(g) "Waste" means practices that, directly or indirectly, result in unnecessary costs to 
85.22 	department programs, such as misusing resources.
85.23 	(h) For purposes of this section, neither "fraud," "waste," nor "abuse" includes decisions 
85.24 	on instruction, curriculum, personnel, or other discretionary policy decisions made by a 
85.25 	school district, charter school, cooperative unit as defined by section 123A.24, subdivision 
85.26 	2, or any library, library system, or library district defined in section 134.001.
85.27 		Subd. 2.Data practices; Hiring; reporting; procedures. The Office of the Inspector 
85.28 	General has access to all program data, regardless of classification under chapter 13, held 
85.29 	by the department, school districts or charter schools, grantees, and any other recipient of 
85.30 	funds from the department.(a) The commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, must 
85.31 	hire an inspector general to lead the Office of the Inspector General. The inspector general 
85.32 	must hire a deputy inspector general and, at the discretion of the inspector general, sufficient 
86.1 	assistant inspectors general to carry out the duties of the office. The inspector general, deputy 
86.2 	inspector general, and any assistant inspectors general serve in the classified service.
86.3 	(b) In a form and manner determined by the inspector general, the Office of the Inspector 
86.4 	General must develop a public platform for the public to report instances of potential fraud, 
86.5 	waste, or abuse of public funds administered by the department. Nothing in this paragraph 
86.6 	shall be construed to give a member of the public standing to sue based on allegations of 
86.7 	fraud, waste, or abuse.
86.8 	(c) The inspector general shall establish procedures for conducting investigations. 
86.9 	Procedures adopted under this subdivision are not subject to chapter 14, including section 
86.10 	14.386.
86.11 		Subd. 3.Subpoenas. (a) For the purpose of an investigation, the inspector general or a 
86.12 	designee may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel attendance, 
86.13 	take evidence, and issue subpoenas duces tecum to require the production of books, papers, 
86.14 	correspondence, memoranda, agreements, financial records, or other documents or records 
86.15 	relevant to the investigation.
86.16 	(b) A subpoena issued pursuant to this subdivision must state that the subpoena recipient 
86.17 	may not disclose the fact that the subpoena was issued or the fact that the requested records 
86.18 	have been given to the inspector general, or their staff, except:
86.19 	(1) in so far as the disclosure is necessary to find and disclose the records;
86.20 	(2) pursuant to court order; or
86.21 	(3) to legal counsel for the purposes of responding to the subpoena.
86.22 	(c) The fees for service of a subpoena must be paid in the same manner as prescribed 
86.23 	by law for a service of process issued by a district court.
86.24 	(d) The subpoena issued under this subdivision shall be enforceable through the district 
86.25 	court in the district where the subpoena is issued.
86.26 		Subd. 4.Access to records. (a) For purposes of an investigation, and regardless of the 
86.27 	data's classification under chapter 13, the Office of the Inspector General shall have access 
86.28 	to all relevant books, accounts, documents, data, and property related to department programs 
86.29 	that are maintained by a program participant, charter school, or government entity as defined 
86.30 	by section 13.02.
87.1 	(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the Office of the Inspector General must issue a 
87.2 	subpoena under subdivision 3 in order to access routing and account numbers to which 
87.3 	Department of Education funds have been disbursed.
87.4 	(c) Records requested by the Office of the Inspector General under this subdivision shall 
87.5 	be provided in a format, place, and time frame reasonably requested by the Office of the 
87.6 	Inspector General.
87.7 	(d) The department may enter into specific agreements with other state agencies related 
87.8 	to records requests by the Office of the Inspector General.
87.9 		Subd. 5.Sanctions; appeal. (a) This subdivision does not authorize any sanction that 
87.10 	reduces, pauses, or otherwise interrupts state or federal aid to a school district, charter school, 
87.11 	cooperative unit as defined by section 123A.24, subdivision 2, or any library, library system, 
87.12 	or library district defined in section 134.001.
87.13 	(b) The inspector general may recommend that the commissioner impose appropriate 
87.14 	temporary sanctions, including withholding of payments under the department program, on 
87.15 	a program participant pending an investigation by the Office of the Inspector General if:
87.16 	(1) during the course of an investigation, the Office of the Inspector General finds credible 
87.17 	indicia of fraud, waste, or abuse by the program participant;
87.18 	(2) there has been a criminal, civil, or administrative adjudication of fraud, waste, or 
87.19 	abuse against the program participant in Minnesota or in another state or jurisdiction;
87.20 	(3) the program participant was receiving funds under any contract or registered in any 
87.21 	program administered by another Minnesota state agency, a government agency in another 
87.22 	state, or a federal agency, and was excluded from that contract or program for reasons 
87.23 	credibly indicating fraud, waste, or abuse by the program participant; or
87.24 	(4) the program participant has a pattern of noncompliance with an investigation.
87.25 	(c) If an investigation finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, fraud, waste, or abuse 
87.26 	by a program participant, the inspector general may, after reviewing all facts and evidence 
87.27 	and when acting judiciously on a case-by-case basis, recommend that the commissioner 
87.28 	impose appropriate sanctions on the program participant.
87.29 	(d) Unless prohibited by law, the commissioner has the authority to implement 
87.30 	recommendations by the inspector general, including imposing appropriate sanctions, 
87.31 	temporarily or otherwise, on a program participant. Sanctions may include ending program 
87.32 	participation, stopping disbursement of funds or resources, monetary recovery, and 
87.33 	termination of department contracts with the participant for any current or future department 
88.1 	program or contract. A sanction may be imposed for up to the longest period permitted by 
88.2 	state or federal law. Sanctions authorized under this subdivision are in addition to other 
88.3 	remedies and penalties available under law.
88.4 	(e) If the commissioner imposes sanctions on a program participant under this subdivision, 
88.5 	the commissioner must notify the participant in writing within seven business days of 
88.6 	imposing the sanction, unless requested in writing by a law enforcement agency to 
88.7 	temporarily delay issuing the notice to prevent disruption of an ongoing law enforcement 
88.8 	agency investigation. A notice of sanction must state:
88.9 	(1) the sanction being imposed;
88.10 	(2) the general allegations that form the basis for the sanction;
88.11 	(3) the duration of the sanction;
88.12 	(4) the department programs to which the sanction applies; and
88.13 	(5) how the program participant may appeal the sanction pursuant to paragraph (e).
88.14 	(f) A program participant sanctioned under this subdivision may, within 30 days after 
88.15 	the date the notice of sanction was mailed to the participant, appeal the determination by 
88.16 	requesting in writing that the commissioner initiate a contested case proceeding under 
88.17 	chapter 14. The scope of any contested case hearing is limited to the sanction imposed under 
88.18 	this subdivision. An appeal request must specify with particularity each disputed item, the 
88.19 	reason for the dispute, and must include the name and contact information of the person or 
88.20 	entity that may be contacted regarding the appeal.
88.21 	(g) The commissioner shall lift sanctions imposed under this subdivision if the Office 
88.22 	of the Inspector General determines there is insufficient evidence of fraud, waste, or abuse 
88.23 	by the program participant. The commissioner must notify the participant in writing within 
88.24 	seven business days of lifting the sanction.
88.25 		Subd. 6.Data practices. (a) It is not a violation of rights conferred by chapter 13 or any 
88.26 	other statute related to the confidentiality of government data for a government entity as 
88.27 	defined in section 13.02 to provide data or information under this section.
88.28 	(b) The inspector general is subject to the Government Data Practices Act, chapter 13, 
88.29 	and shall protect from unlawful disclosure data classified as not public. Data collected, 
88.30 	created, received, or maintained by the inspector general relating to an audit, investigation, 
88.31 	proceeding, or inquiry are subject to section 13.39.
89.1 		Subd. 7.Retaliation, interference prohibited. (a) An employee or other individual 
89.2 	who discloses information to the Office of the Inspector General about fraud, waste, or 
89.3 	abuse in department programs is protected under section 181.932, governing disclosure of 
89.4 	information by employees.
89.5 	(b) No state employee may interfere with or obstruct an investigation authorized by this 
89.6 	section.

89.7 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

89.8 	Sec. 3. Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 12, section 17, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
89.9 		Subd. 2.Department. (a) For the Department of Education:

89.10		$
	47,005,000
	.....
	2024
	
89.1289.11
		$
	39,922,000
40,052,000
	.....
	2025
	
89.13 	Of these amounts:
89.14 	(1) $405,000 each year is for the Board of School Administrators;
89.15 	(2) $1,000,000 each year is for regional centers of excellence under Minnesota Statutes, 
89.16 	section 120B.115;
89.17 	(3) $720,000 each year is for implementing Minnesota's Learning for English Academic 
89.18 	Proficiency and Success Act (LEAPS) under Laws 2014, chapter 272, article 1, as amended;
89.19 	(4) $480,000 each year is for the Department of Education's mainframe update;
89.20 	(5) $7,500,000 in fiscal year 2024 only is for legal fees and costs associated with 
89.21 	litigation;
89.22 	(6) $595,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $2,609,000 in fiscal year 2025 are for modernizing 
89.23 	district data submissions. The base for fiscal year 2026 and later is $2,359,000;
89.24 	(7) $573,000 each year is for engagement and rulemaking related to Specific Learning 
89.25 	Disability;
89.26 	(8) $150,000 each year is for an ethnic studies specialist in the academic standards 
89.27 	division to provide support to the ethnic studies working group and to school districts seeking 
89.28 	to establish or strengthen ethnic studies courses;
89.29 	(9) $150,000 each year is for the comprehensive school mental health services lead under 
89.30 	Minnesota Statutes, section 127A.215;
90.1 	(10) $150,000 each year is for a school health services specialist under Minnesota 
90.2 	Statutes, section 121A.20;
90.3 	(11) $2,000,000 each year is for the Office of the Inspector General established under 
90.4 	Minnesota Statutes, section 127A.21;
90.5 	(12) $800,000 each year is for audit and internal control resources;
90.6 	(13) $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 only is for information technology infrastructure 
90.7 	and portfolio resources;
90.8 	(14) $2,000,000 each year is for staffing the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Center 
90.9 	at the Department of Education; and
90.10 	(15) $275,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $175,000 in fiscal year 2025 are for administrative 
90.11 	expenses for unemployment aid; and
90.12 	(16) $130,000 in fiscal year 2025 only is for the state school librarian under Minnesota 
90.13 	Statutes, section 127A.151.
90.14 	(b) None of the amounts appropriated under this subdivision may be used for Minnesota's 
90.15 	Washington, D.C., office.
90.16 	(c) The expenditures of federal grants and aids as shown in the biennial budget document 
90.17 	and its supplements are approved and appropriated and must be spent as indicated.
90.18 	(d) The base for fiscal year 2026 and later is $39,667,000.

90.19 	Sec. 4. PERMANENT SCHOOL FUND; DISTRIBUTION OF ENDOWMENT 
90.20 	FUND EARNINGS TASK FORCE.
 90.21 		Subdivision 1.Task force established. A task force of nine members is established to 
90.22 	examine the distribution of earnings from the permanent school fund endowment.
90.23 		Subd. 2.Membership qualifications and appointments. (a) Appointed members of 
90.24 	the task force must have outstanding professional experience in at least one of the following 
90.25 	areas:
90.26 	(1) institutional asset management;
90.27 	(2) investment finance;
90.28 	(3) trust administration;
90.29 	(4) investment fund accounting;
90.30 	(5) investment banking; or
91.1 	(6) the practice of law in the areas of capital markets, securities funds, trusts, foundations, 
91.2 	or endowments.
91.3 	(b) The task force consists of the following nine members, each of whom must be 
91.4 	appointed by September 1, 2024:
91.5 	(1) the commissioner of education or the commissioner's designee;
91.6 	(2) an employee or other member appointed by the State Board of Investment;
91.7 	(3) four members appointed by the governor; and
91.8 	(4) three members appointed by vote of the Legislative Permanent School Fund 
91.9 	Commission.
91.10 	(c) The first meeting of the task force must be called by the commissioner of education 
91.11 	no later than October 1, 2024. The Department of Education must provide staff, technical 
91.12 	assistance, and organizational support for the task force.
91.13 		Subd. 3.Duties. The task force must examine the historical returns on the permanent 
91.14 	school fund endowment and evaluate and recommend potential changes to the distribution 
91.15 	of earnings. The task force may examine school trust endowment policies in other states. 
91.16 	The task force recommendations may include proposed changes to state statutes and 
91.17 	Minnesota's constitutional provisions governing the school trust fund endowment.
91.18 		Subd. 4.Report; expiration. The task force must report its recommendations to the 
91.19 	chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over 
91.20 	the permanent school fund by January 15, 2026. The task force report must be submitted 
91.21 	consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 3.195. The task force expires on January 15, 
91.22 	2026, or upon submission of the report required under this subdivision, whichever occurs 
91.23 	earlier.

91.24 	Sec. 5. APPROPRIATION; PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR LICENSING AND 
91.25 	STANDARDS BOARD.
 91.26 		Subdivision 1.Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. The sum 
91.27 	indicated in this section is appropriated from the general fund to the Professional Educator 
91.28 	Licensing and Standards Board in the fiscal year designated.
91.29 		Subd. 2.Information technology costs. (a) For information technology costs of the 
91.30 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board:

91.31		$
	2,767,000
	.....
	2025
	
92.1 	(b) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.

92.2 	Sec. 6. APPROPRIATION; PERMANENT SCHOOL FUND TASK FORCE.
 92.3 		Subdivision 1.Department of Education. The sum indicated in this section is 
92.4 	appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal year 
92.5 	designated.
92.6 		Subd. 2.Permanent School Fund Task Force. (a) To administer the task force on the 
92.7 	distribution of earnings from the permanent school fund:

92.8		$
	64,000
	.....
	2025
	
92.9 	(b) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026.

92.10 	Sec. 7. REPEALER; FEDERAL EDUCATION LAW IMPLEMENTATION 
92.11 	REPORT.
 92.12 	Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 127A.095, subdivision 3, is repealed.

92.13 	ARTICLE 11
92.14 	EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

92.15 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 124D.151, subdivision 6, is 
92.16 	amended to read:
92.17 		Subd. 6.Participation limits. (a) Notwithstanding section 126C.05, subdivision 1, 
92.18 	paragraph (c), the pupil units for a voluntary prekindergarten program for an eligible school 
92.19 	district or charter school must not exceed 60 percent of the kindergarten pupil units for that 
92.20 	school district or charter school under section 126C.05, subdivision 1, paragraph (d).
92.21 	(b) In reviewing applications under subdivision 5, the commissioner must limit the total 
92.22 	number of participants in the voluntary prekindergarten and school readiness plus programs 
92.23 	under Laws 2017, First Special Session chapter 5, article 8, section 9, to not more than 7,160 
92.24 	participants for fiscal years 2023, year 2024, and 2025, and 12,360 participants for fiscal 
92.25 	year 2026 2025 and later.

92.26 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

93.1 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 124D.165, subdivision 3, is amended 
93.2 	to read:
93.3 		Subd. 3.Administration. (a) The commissioner shall establish a schedule of tiered 
93.4 	per-child scholarship amounts based on the results of the rate survey conducted under section 
93.5 	119B.02, subdivision 7, the cost of providing high-quality early care and learning to children 
93.6 	in varying circumstances, a family's income, and geographic location.
93.7 	(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a program that has a four-star rating under section 
93.8 	124D.142 must receive, for each scholarship recipient who meets the criteria in subdivision 
93.9 	2a, paragraph (b) or (c), an amount not less than the cost to provide full-time care at the 
93.10 	75th percentile of the most recent market rate survey under section 119B.02, subdivision 
93.11 	7.
93.12 	(c) A four-star rated program that has children eligible for a scholarship enrolled in or 
93.13 	on a waiting list for a program beginning in July, August, or September may notify the 
93.14 	commissioner, in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner, each year of the 
93.15 	program's desire to enhance program services or to serve more children than current funding 
93.16 	provides. The commissioner may designate a predetermined number of scholarship slots 
93.17 	for that program and notify the program of that number. For fiscal year 2018 and later, the 
93.18 	statewide amount of funding directly designated by the commissioner must not exceed the 
93.19 	funding directly designated for fiscal year 2017. Beginning July 1, 2016, a school district 
93.20 	or Head Start program qualifying under this paragraph may use its established registration 
93.21 	process to enroll scholarship recipients and may verify a scholarship recipient's family 
93.22 	income in the same manner as for other program participants.
93.23 	(d) A scholarship is awarded for a 12-month period. If the scholarship recipient has not 
93.24 	been accepted and subsequently enrolled in a rated program within three months of the 
93.25 	awarding of the scholarship, the scholarship cancels and the recipient must reapply in order 
93.26 	to be eligible for another scholarship. An extension may be requested if a program is 
93.27 	unavailable for the child within the three-month timeline. A child may not be awarded more 
93.28 	than one scholarship in a 12-month period.
93.29 	(e) A child who receives a scholarship who has not completed development screening 
93.30 	under sections 121A.16 to 121A.19 must complete that screening within 90 days of first 
93.31 	attending an eligible program or within 90 days after the child's third birthday if awarded 
93.32 	a scholarship under the age of three.
93.33 	(f) For fiscal year 2017 and later, A school district or Head Start program enrolling 
93.34 	scholarship recipients under paragraph (c) may apply to the commissioner, in the form and 
94.1 	manner prescribed by the commissioner, for direct payment of state aid. Upon receipt of 
94.2 	the application, the commissioner must pay each program directly for each approved 
94.3 	scholarship recipient enrolled under paragraph (c) according to the metered payment system 
94.4 	or another schedule established by the commissioner. This paragraph expires upon 
94.5 	implementation of the processes required under paragraph (g).
94.6 	(g) Beginning January 1, 2026, to the extent funding is available under subdivision 6, 
94.7 	paragraph (f), the commissioner must:
94.8 	(1) make scholarship payments to eligible programs in advance of or at the beginning 
94.9 	of the delivery of services based on an approved scholarship recipient's enrollment; and
94.10 	(2) implement a process for transferring scholarship awards between eligible programs, 
94.11 	when initiated by a scholarship recipient. Under the process, the commissioner:
94.12 	(i) may adjust scholarship payment schedules for eligible programs to account for changes 
94.13 	in a scholarship recipient's enrollment; and
94.14 	(ii) must specify a period of time for which scholarship payments must continue to an 
94.15 	eligible program for a scholarship recipient who transfers to a different eligible program.
94.16 	(h) By January 1, 2026, to the extent funding is available under subdivision 6, paragraph 
94.17 	(f), the commissioner must have information technology systems in place that prioritize 
94.18 	efficiency and usability for families and early childhood programs and that support the 
94.19 	following:
94.20 	(1) the ability for a family to apply for a scholarship through an online system that allows 
94.21 	the family to upload documents that demonstrate scholarship eligibility;
94.22 	(2) the administration of scholarships, including but not limited to verification of family 
94.23 	and child eligibility, identification of programs eligible to accept scholarships, management 
94.24 	of scholarship awards and payments, and communication with families and eligible programs; 
94.25 	and
94.26 	(3) making scholarship payments to eligible programs in advance of or at the beginning 
94.27 	of the delivery of services for an approved scholarship recipient.
94.28 	(i) In creating the information technology systems and functions under paragraph (h), 
94.29 	the commissioner must consider the requirements for and the potential transition to the great 
94.30 	start scholarships program under section 119B.99.

95.1 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 124D.165, subdivision 6, is amended 
95.2 	to read:
95.3 		Subd. 6.Early learning scholarship account. (a) An account is established in the 
95.4 	special revenue fund known as the "early learning scholarship account."
95.5 	(b) Funds appropriated for early learning scholarships under this section must be 
95.6 	transferred to the early learning scholarship account in the special revenue fund.
95.7 	(c) Money in the account is annually appropriated to the commissioner for early learning 
95.8 	scholarships under this section. Any returned funds are available to be regranted.
95.9 	(d) Up to $2,133,000 annually is appropriated to the commissioner for costs associated 
95.10 	with administering and monitoring early learning scholarships.
95.11 	(e) The commissioner may use funds under paragraph (c) for the purpose of family 
95.12 	outreach and distribution of scholarships.
95.13 	(f) The commissioner may use up to $5,000,000 $12,000,000 in funds under paragraph 
95.14 	(c) to create information technology systems, including but not limited to an online 
95.15 	application, a case management system, attendance tracking, and a centralized payment 
95.16 	system under subdivision 3, paragraph (h). Beginning July 1, 2025, the commissioner may 
95.17 	use up to $750,000 annually in funds under paragraph (c) to maintain the information 
95.18 	technology systems created under this paragraph. Beginning July 1, 2025, the commissioner 
95.19 	may use up to $2,400,000 annually in funds under paragraph (c) to maintain the information 
95.20 	technology systems that support the early learning scholarships program.
95.21 	(g) By December 31 of each year, the commissioner must provide a written report to 
95.22 	the legislative committees with jurisdiction over early care and learning programs on the 
95.23 	use of funds under paragraph (c) for purposes other than providing scholarships to eligible 
95.24 	children.

95.25 	Sec. 4. Laws 2023, chapter 54, section 20, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
95.26 		Subd. 6.Head Start program. (a) For Head Start programs under Minnesota Statutes, 
95.27 	section 119A.52:

95.28		$
	35,100,000
	.....
	2024
	
95.29		$
	35,100,000
	.....
	2025
	
95.30 	(b) For fiscal year 2025 and later, up to two percent of the appropriation in each year is 
95.31 	available for administration.
95.32 	(c) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

96.1 	Sec. 5. Laws 2023, chapter 54, section 20, subdivision 24, is amended to read:
96.2 		Subd. 24.Early childhood curriculum grants. (a) For competitive grants to Minnesota 
96.3 	postsecondary institutions to improve the curricula of the recipient institution's early 
96.4 	childhood education programs by incorporating or conforming to the Minnesota knowledge 
96.5 	and competency frameworks for early childhood professionals:

96.6		$
	250,000
	.....
	2024
	
96.7		$
	250,000
	.....
	2025
	
96.8 	(b) By December 1, 2024, and again by December 1, 2025, the commissioner must 
96.9 	submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees 
96.10 	with jurisdiction over early childhood through grade 12 education and higher education 
96.11 	finance and policy reporting on grants awarded under this subdivision. The report must 
96.12 	include the following information for the previous fiscal year:
96.13 	(1) the number of grant applications received;
96.14 	(2) the criteria applied by the commissioner for evaluating applications;
96.15 	(3) the number of grants awarded, grant recipients, and amounts awarded;
96.16 	(4) early childhood education curricular reforms proposed by each recipient institution;
96.17 	(5) grant outcomes for each recipient institution; and
96.18 	(6) other information identified by the commissioner as outcome indicators.
96.19 	(c) The commissioner may use no more than three percent of the appropriation under 
96.20 	this subdivision to administer the grant program.
96.21 	(d) This is a onetime appropriation.
96.22 	(e) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

96.23 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

96.24 	Sec. 6. DIRECTION TO THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION; ADJUSTING 
96.25 	VOLUNTARY PREKINDERGARTEN PARTICIPATION LIMITS.
 96.26 	The commissioner of education must retroactively adjust the voluntary prekindergarten 
96.27 	and school readiness plus seat allocation under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.151, 
96.28 	subdivision 5a, for fiscal year 2025 to match the participation limit under Minnesota Statutes, 
96.29 	section 124D.141, subdivision 6, for fiscal year 2025. The commissioner of education, in 
96.30 	consultation with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families Implementation Office, 
97.1 	must finish allocating the new seats for fiscal year 2025 by June 17, 2024, and must notify 
97.2 	qualifying school districts and charter schools about the new seats by July 1, 2024.

97.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

97.4 	Sec. 7. REPEALER.
 97.5 	Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 10, section 4, is repealed.

97.6 	ARTICLE 12
97.7 	CHILD PROTECTION AND WELFARE

97.8 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 256.01, subdivision 12b, is 
97.9 	amended to read:
97.10 		Subd. 12b.Department of Human Services systemic critical incident review team. (a) 
97.11 	The commissioner may establish a Department of Human Services systemic critical incident 
97.12 	review team to review (1) critical incidents reported as required under section 626.557 for 
97.13 	which the Department of Human Services is responsible under section 626.5572, subdivision 
97.14 	13; chapter 245D; or Minnesota Rules, chapter 9544; or (2) child fatalities and near fatalities 
97.15 	that occur in licensed facilities and are not due to natural causes. When reviewing a critical 
97.16 	incident, the systemic critical incident review team shall identify systemic influences to the 
97.17 	incident rather than determine the culpability of any actors involved in the incident. The 
97.18 	systemic critical incident review may assess the entire critical incident process from the 
97.19 	point of an entity reporting the critical incident through the ongoing case management 
97.20 	process. Department staff shall lead and conduct the reviews and may utilize county staff 
97.21 	as reviewers. The systemic critical incident review process may include but is not limited 
97.22 	to:
97.23 	(1) data collection about the incident and actors involved. Data may include the relevant 
97.24 	critical services; the service provider's policies and procedures applicable to the incident; 
97.25 	the community support plan as defined in section 245D.02, subdivision 4b, for the person 
97.26 	receiving services; or an interview of an actor involved in the critical incident or the review 
97.27 	of the critical incident. Actors may include:
97.28 	(i) staff of the provider agency;
97.29 	(ii) lead agency staff administering home and community-based services delivered by 
97.30 	the provider;
97.31 	(iii) Department of Human Services staff with oversight of home and community-based 
97.32 	services;
98.1 	(iv) Department of Health staff with oversight of home and community-based services;
98.2 	(v) members of the community including advocates, legal representatives, health care 
98.3 	providers, pharmacy staff, or others with knowledge of the incident or the actors in the 
98.4 	incident; and
98.5 	(vi) staff from the Office of the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental 
98.6 	Disabilities and the Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care;
98.7 	(2) systemic mapping of the critical incident. The team conducting the systemic mapping 
98.8 	of the incident may include any actors identified in clause (1), designated representatives 
98.9 	of other provider agencies, regional teams, and representatives of the local regional quality 
98.10 	council identified in section 256B.097; and
98.11 	(3) analysis of the case for systemic influences.
98.12 	Data collected by the critical incident review team shall be aggregated and provided to 
98.13 	regional teams, participating regional quality councils, and the commissioner. The regional 
98.14 	teams and quality councils shall analyze the data and make recommendations to the 
98.15 	commissioner regarding systemic changes that would decrease the number and severity of 
98.16 	critical incidents in the future or improve the quality of the home and community-based 
98.17 	service system.
98.18 	(b) Cases selected for the systemic critical incident review process shall be selected by 
98.19 	a selection committee among the following critical incident categories:
98.20 	(1) cases of caregiver neglect identified in section 626.5572, subdivision 17;
98.21 	(2) cases involving financial exploitation identified in section 626.5572, subdivision 9;
98.22 	(3) incidents identified in section 245D.02, subdivision 11;
98.23 	(4) behavior interventions identified in Minnesota Rules, part 9544.0110;
98.24 	(5) service terminations reported to the department in accordance with section 245D.10, 
98.25 	subdivision 3a; and
98.26 	(6) other incidents determined by the commissioner.
98.27 	(c) The systemic critical incident review under this section shall not replace the process 
98.28 	for screening or investigating cases of alleged maltreatment of an adult under section 626.557
98.29 	or of a child under chapter 260E. The department may select cases for systemic critical 
98.30 	incident review, under the jurisdiction of the commissioner, reported for suspected 
98.31 	maltreatment and closed following initial or final disposition.
99.1 	(d) The proceedings and records of the review team are confidential data on individuals 
99.2 	or protected nonpublic data as defined in section 13.02, subdivisions 3 and 13. Data that 
99.3 	document a person's opinions formed as a result of the review are not subject to discovery 
99.4 	or introduction into evidence in a civil or criminal action against a professional, the state, 
99.5 	or a county agency arising out of the matters that the team is reviewing. Information, 
99.6 	documents, and records otherwise available from other sources are not immune from 
99.7 	discovery or use in a civil or criminal action solely because the information, documents, 
99.8 	and records were assessed or presented during proceedings of the review team. A person 
99.9 	who presented information before the systemic critical incident review team or who is a 
99.10 	member of the team shall not be prevented from testifying about matters within the person's 
99.11 	knowledge. In a civil or criminal proceeding, a person shall not be questioned about opinions 
99.12 	formed by the person as a result of the review.
99.13 	(e) By October 1 of each year, the commissioner shall prepare an annual public report 
99.14 	containing the following information:
99.15 	(1) the number of cases reviewed under each critical incident category identified in 
99.16 	paragraph (b) and a geographical description of where cases under each category originated;
99.17 	(2) an aggregate summary of the systemic themes from the critical incidents examined 
99.18 	by the critical incident review team during the previous year;
99.19 	(3) a synopsis of the conclusions, incident analyses, or exploratory activities taken in 
99.20 	regard to the critical incidents examined by the critical incident review team; and
99.21 	(4) recommendations made to the commissioner regarding systemic changes that could 
99.22 	decrease the number and severity of critical incidents in the future or improve the quality 
99.23 	of the home and community-based service system.

99.24 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

99.25 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256N.26, subdivision 12, is amended to read:
99.26 		Subd. 12.Treatment of Supplemental Security Income. (a) If a child placed in foster 
99.27 	care receives benefits through Supplemental Security Income (SSI) at the time of foster 
99.28 	care placement or subsequent to placement in foster care, the financially responsible agency 
99.29 	may apply to be the payee for the child for the duration of the child's placement in foster 
99.30 	care. If a child continues to be eligible for SSI after finalization of the adoption or transfer 
99.31 	of permanent legal and physical custody and is determined to be eligible for a payment 
99.32 	under Northstar Care for Children, a permanent caregiver may choose to receive payment 
99.33 	from both programs simultaneously. The permanent caregiver is responsible to report the 
100.1 	amount of the payment to the Social Security Administration and the SSI payment will be 
100.2 	reduced as required by the Social Security Administration.
100.3 	(b) If a financially responsible agency applies to be the payee for a child who receives 
100.4 	benefits through SSI, or receives the benefits under this subdivision on behalf of a child, 
100.5 	the financially responsible agency must provide written notice by certified mail, return 
100.6 	receipt requested to:
100.7 	(1) the child, if the child is 13 years of age or older;
100.8 	(2) the child's parent, guardian, or custodian or if there is no legal parent or custodian 
100.9 	the child's relative selected by the agency;
100.10 	(3) the guardian ad litem;
100.11 	(4) the legally responsible agency; and
100.12 	(5) the counsel appointed for the child pursuant to section 260C.163, subdivision 3.
100.13 	(c) If a financially responsible agency receives benefits under this subdivision on behalf 
100.14 	of a child 13 years of age or older, the legally responsible agency and the guardian ad litem 
100.15 	must disclose this information to the child in person in a manner that best helps the child 
100.16 	understand the information. This paragraph does not apply in circumstances where the child 
100.17 	is living outside of Minnesota.
100.18 	(d) If a financially responsible agency receives the benefits under this subdivision on 
100.19 	behalf of a child, it cannot use those funds for any other purpose than the care of that child. 
100.20 	The financially responsible agency must not commingle any benefits received under this 
100.21 	subdivision and must not put the benefits received on behalf of a child under this subdivision 
100.22 	into a general fund.
100.23 	(e) If a financially responsible agency receives any benefits under this subdivision, it 
100.24 	must keep a record of:
100.25 	(1) the total dollar amount it received on behalf of all children it receives benefits for;
100.26 	(2) the total number of children it applied to be a payee for; and
100.27 	(3) the total number of children it received benefits for.
100.28 	(f) By July 1, 2025, and each July 1 thereafter, each financially responsible agency must 
100.29 	submit a report to the commissioner of children, youth, and families that includes the 
100.30 	information required under paragraph (e). By September 1 of each year, the commissioner 
100.31 	must submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees 
100.32 	with jurisdiction over child protection that compiles the information provided to the 
101.1 	commissioner by each financially responsible agency under paragraph (e); subdivision 13, 
101.2 	paragraph (e); and section 260C.331, subdivision 7, paragraph (d). This paragraph expires 
101.3 	January 31, 2034.

101.4 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256N.26, subdivision 13, is amended to read:
101.5 		Subd. 13.Treatment of Retirement survivor's, Survivors, and Disability Insurance,;
101.6 	veteran's benefits,; railroad retirement benefits,; and black lung benefits. (a) If a child 
101.7 	placed in foster care receives Retirement survivor's, Survivors, and Disability Insurance,;
101.8 	veteran's benefits,; railroad retirement benefits,; or black lung benefits at the time of foster 
101.9 	care placement or subsequent to placement in foster care, the financially responsible agency 
101.10 	may apply to be the payee for the child for the duration of the child's placement in foster 
101.11 	care. If it is anticipated that a child will be eligible to receive Retirement survivor's, Survivors, 
101.12 	and Disability Insurance,; veteran's benefits,; railroad retirement benefits,; or black lung 
101.13 	benefits after finalization of the adoption or assignment of permanent legal and physical 
101.14 	custody, the permanent caregiver shall apply to be the payee of those benefits on the child's 
101.15 	behalf.
101.16 	(b) If the financially responsible agency applies to be the payee for a child who receives 
101.17 	Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance; veteran's benefits; railroad retirement 
101.18 	benefits; or black lung benefits, or receives the benefits under this subdivision on behalf of 
101.19 	a child, the financially responsible agency must provide written notice by certified mail, 
101.20 	return receipt requested to:
101.21 	(1) the child, if the child is 13 years of age or older;
101.22 	(2) the child's parent, guardian, or custodian or if there is no legal parent or custodian 
101.23 	the child's relative selected by the agency;
101.24 	(3) the guardian ad litem;
101.25 	(4) the legally responsible agency; and
101.26 	(5) the counsel appointed for the child pursuant to section 260C.163, subdivision 3.
101.27 	(c) If a financially responsible agency receives benefits under this subdivision on behalf 
101.28 	of a child 13 years of age or older, the legally responsible agency and the guardian ad litem 
101.29 	must disclose this information to the child in person in a manner that best helps the child 
101.30 	understand the information. This paragraph does not apply in circumstances where the child 
101.31 	is living outside of Minnesota.
102.1 	(d) If a financially responsible agency receives the benefits under this subdivision on 
102.2 	behalf of a child, it cannot use those funds for any other purpose than the care of that child. 
102.3 	The financially responsible agency must not commingle any benefits received under this 
102.4 	subdivision and must not put the benefits received on behalf of a child under this subdivision 
102.5 	into a general fund.
102.6 	(e) If a financially responsible agency receives any benefits under this subdivision, it 
102.7 	must keep a record of:
102.8 	(1) the total dollar amount it received on behalf of all children it receives benefits for;
102.9 	(2) the total number of children it applied to be a payee for; and
102.10 	(3) the total number of children it received benefits for.
102.11 	(f) By July 1, 2025 and each July 1 thereafter, each financially responsible agency must 
102.12 	submit a report to the commissioner of children, youth, and families that includes the 
102.13 	information required under paragraph (e).

102.14 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.761, subdivision 2, is amended 
102.15 	to read:
102.16 		Subd. 2.Notice to Tribes of services or court proceedings involving an Indian 
102.17 	child. (a) When a child-placing agency has information that a family assessment, 
102.18 	investigation, or noncaregiver sex human trafficking assessment being conducted may 
102.19 	involve an Indian child, the child-placing agency shall notify the Indian child's Tribe of the 
102.20 	family assessment, investigation, or noncaregiver sex human trafficking assessment according 
102.21 	to section 260E.18. The child-placing agency shall provide initial notice by telephone and 
102.22 	by email or facsimile and shall include the child's full name and date of birth; the full names 
102.23 	and dates of birth of the child's biological parents; and if known the full names and dates 
102.24 	of birth of the child's grandparents and of the child's Indian custodian. If information 
102.25 	regarding the child's grandparents or Indian custodian is not immediately available, the 
102.26 	child-placing agency shall continue to request this information and shall notify the Tribe 
102.27 	when it is received. Notice shall be provided to all Tribes to which the child may have any 
102.28 	Tribal lineage. The child-placing agency shall request that the Tribe or a designated Tribal 
102.29 	representative participate in evaluating the family circumstances, identifying family and 
102.30 	Tribal community resources, and developing case plans. The child-placing agency shall 
102.31 	continue to include the Tribe in service planning and updates as to the progress of the case.
102.32 	(b) When a child-placing agency has information that a child receiving services may be 
102.33 	an Indian child, the child-placing agency shall notify the Tribe by telephone and by email 
103.1 	or facsimile of the child's full name and date of birth, the full names and dates of birth of 
103.2 	the child's biological parents, and, if known, the full names and dates of birth of the child's 
103.3 	grandparents and of the child's Indian custodian. This notification must be provided for the 
103.4 	Tribe to determine if the child is a member or eligible for Tribal membership, and the agency 
103.5 	must provide this notification to the Tribe within seven days of receiving information that 
103.6 	the child may be an Indian child. If information regarding the child's grandparents or Indian 
103.7 	custodian is not available within the seven-day period, the child-placing agency shall continue 
103.8 	to request this information and shall notify the Tribe when it is received. Notice shall be 
103.9 	provided to all Tribes to which the child may have any Tribal lineage.
103.10 	(c) In all child placement proceedings, when a court has reason to believe that a child 
103.11 	placed in emergency protective care is an Indian child, the court administrator or a designee 
103.12 	shall, as soon as possible and before a hearing takes place, notify the Tribal social services 
103.13 	agency by telephone and by email or facsimile of the date, time, and location of the 
103.14 	emergency protective care or other initial hearing. The court shall make efforts to allow 
103.15 	appearances by telephone or video conference for Tribal representatives, parents, and Indian 
103.16 	custodians.
103.17 	(d) The child-placing agency or individual petitioner shall effect service of any petition 
103.18 	governed by sections 260.751 to 260.835 by certified mail or registered mail, return receipt 
103.19 	requested upon the Indian child's parents, Indian custodian, and Indian child's Tribe at least 
103.20 	10 days before the admit-deny hearing is held. If the identity or location of the Indian child's 
103.21 	parents or Indian custodian and Tribe cannot be determined, the child-placing agency shall 
103.22 	provide the notice required in this paragraph to the United States Secretary of the Interior, 
103.23 	Bureau of Indian Affairs by certified mail, return receipt requested.
103.24 	(e) A Tribe, the Indian child's parents, or the Indian custodian may request up to 20 
103.25 	additional days to prepare for the admit-deny hearing. The court shall allow appearances 
103.26 	by telephone, video conference, or other electronic medium for Tribal representatives, the 
103.27 	Indian child's parents, or the Indian custodian.
103.28 	(f) A child-placing agency or individual petitioner must provide the notices required 
103.29 	under this subdivision at the earliest possible time to facilitate involvement of the Indian 
103.30 	child's Tribe. Nothing in this subdivision is intended to hinder the ability of the child-placing 
103.31 	agency, individual petitioner, and the court to respond to an emergency situation. Lack of 
103.32 	participation by a Tribe shall not prevent the Tribe from intervening in services and 
103.33 	proceedings at a later date. A Tribe may participate in a case at any time. At any stage of 
103.34 	the child-placing agency's involvement with an Indian child, the agency shall provide full 
103.35 	cooperation to the Tribal social services agency, including disclosure of all data concerning 
104.1 	the Indian child. Nothing in this subdivision relieves the child-placing agency of satisfying 
104.2 	the notice requirements in state or federal law.

104.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

104.4 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.762, subdivision 2, is amended 
104.5 	to read:
104.6 		Subd. 2.Requirements for child-placing agencies and individual petitioners. A 
104.7 	child-placing agency or individual petitioner shall:
104.8 	(1) work with the Indian child's Tribe and family to develop an alternative plan to 
104.9 	out-of-home placement;
104.10 	(2) before making a decision that may affect an Indian child's safety and well-being or 
104.11 	when contemplating out-of-home placement of an Indian child, seek guidance from the 
104.12 	Indian child's Tribe on family structure, how the family can seek help, what family and 
104.13 	Tribal resources are available, and what barriers the family faces at that time that could 
104.14 	threaten its preservation; and
104.15 	(3) request participation of the Indian child's Tribe at the earliest possible time and 
104.16 	request the Tribe's active participation throughout the case.; and
104.17 	(4) notify the Indian child's Tribe or Tribes by telephone and by email or facsimile 
104.18 	immediately but no later than 24 hours after receiving information on a missing child as 
104.19 	defined under section 260C.212, subdivision 13, paragraph (a).

104.20 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.007, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
104.21 		Subd. 5.Child abuse. "Child abuse" means an act that involves a minor victim that 
104.22 	constitutes a violation of section 609.221, 609.222, 609.223, 609.224, 609.2242, 609.282,
104.23 	609.322, 609.324, 609.342, 609.343, 609.344, 609.345, 609.3458, 609.377, 609.378, 
104.24 	617.246, or that is physical or sexual abuse as defined in section 260E.03, or an act committed 
104.25 	in another state that involves a minor victim and would constitute a violation of one of these 
104.26 	sections if committed in this state.

104.27 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

104.28 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.007, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
104.29 		Subd. 6.Child in need of protection or services. "Child in need of protection or 
104.30 	services" means a child who is in need of protection or services because the child:
105.1 	(1) is abandoned or without parent, guardian, or custodian;
105.2 	(2)(i) has been a victim of physical or sexual abuse as defined in section 260E.03, 
105.3 	subdivision 18 or 20, (ii) resides with or has resided with a victim of child abuse as defined 
105.4 	in subdivision 5 or domestic child abuse as defined in subdivision 13, (iii) resides with or 
105.5 	would reside with a perpetrator of domestic child abuse as defined in subdivision 13 or child 
105.6 	abuse as defined in subdivision 5 or 13, or (iv) is a victim of emotional maltreatment as 
105.7 	defined in subdivision 15;
105.8 	(3) is without necessary food, clothing, shelter, education, or other required care for the 
105.9 	child's physical or mental health or morals because the child's parent, guardian, or custodian 
105.10 	is unable or unwilling to provide that care;
105.11 	(4) is without the special care made necessary by a physical, mental, or emotional 
105.12 	condition because the child's parent, guardian, or custodian is unable or unwilling to provide 
105.13 	that care;
105.14 	(5) is medically neglected, which includes, but is not limited to, the withholding of 
105.15 	medically indicated treatment from an infant with a disability with a life-threatening 
105.16 	condition. The term "withholding of medically indicated treatment" means the failure to 
105.17 	respond to the infant's life-threatening conditions by providing treatment, including 
105.18 	appropriate nutrition, hydration, and medication which, in the treating physician's, advanced 
105.19 	practice registered nurse's, or physician assistant's reasonable medical judgment, will be 
105.20 	most likely to be effective in ameliorating or correcting all conditions, except that the term 
105.21 	does not include the failure to provide treatment other than appropriate nutrition, hydration, 
105.22 	or medication to an infant when, in the treating physician's, advanced practice registered 
105.23 	nurse's, or physician assistant's reasonable medical judgment:
105.24 	(i) the infant is chronically and irreversibly comatose;
105.25 	(ii) the provision of the treatment would merely prolong dying, not be effective in 
105.26 	ameliorating or correcting all of the infant's life-threatening conditions, or otherwise be 
105.27 	futile in terms of the survival of the infant; or
105.28 	(iii) the provision of the treatment would be virtually futile in terms of the survival of 
105.29 	the infant and the treatment itself under the circumstances would be inhumane;
105.30 	(6) is one whose parent, guardian, or other custodian for good cause desires to be relieved 
105.31 	of the child's care and custody, including a child who entered foster care under a voluntary 
105.32 	placement agreement between the parent and the responsible social services agency under 
105.33 	section 260C.227;
106.1 	(7) has been placed for adoption or care in violation of law;
106.2 	(8) is without proper parental care because of the emotional, mental, or physical disability, 
106.3 	or state of immaturity of the child's parent, guardian, or other custodian;
106.4 	(9) is one whose behavior, condition, or environment is such as to be injurious or 
106.5 	dangerous to the child or others. An injurious or dangerous environment may include, but 
106.6 	is not limited to, the exposure of a child to criminal activity in the child's home;
106.7 	(10) is experiencing growth delays, which may be referred to as failure to thrive, that 
106.8 	have been diagnosed by a physician and are due to parental neglect;
106.9 	(11) is a sexually exploited youth;
106.10 	(12) is a labor trafficked youth;
106.11 	(12) (13) has committed a delinquent act or a juvenile petty offense before becoming 
106.12 	ten years old;
106.13 	(13) (14) is a runaway;
106.14 	(14) (15) is a habitual truant;
106.15 	(15) (16) has been found incompetent to proceed or has been found not guilty by reason 
106.16 	of mental illness or mental deficiency in connection with a delinquency proceeding, a 
106.17 	certification under section 260B.125, an extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution, or a 
106.18 	proceeding involving a juvenile petty offense; or
106.19 	(16) (17) has a parent whose parental rights to one or more other children were 
106.20 	involuntarily terminated or whose custodial rights to another child have been involuntarily 
106.21 	transferred to a relative and there is a case plan prepared by the responsible social services 
106.22 	agency documenting a compelling reason why filing the termination of parental rights 
106.23 	petition under section 260C.503, subdivision 2, is not in the best interests of the child.

106.24 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

106.25 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.007, is amended by adding a subdivision 
106.26 	to read:
106.27 		Subd. 33.Labor trafficked youth.  For the purposes of this section, "labor trafficked 
106.28 	youth" means a child, as defined in subdivision 4, who:
106.29 	(1) is a labor trafficking victim as defined in section 609.281, subdivision 6; or
106.30 	(2) is a victim of severe forms of trafficking in persons as defined in United States Code, 
106.31 	title 22, section 7102(11)(B).

107.1 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.007, is amended by adding a subdivision 
107.2 	to read:
107.3 		Subd. 34.Human trafficking. For purposes of this section, "human trafficking" includes 
107.4 	labor trafficking as defined in section 609.281, subdivision 5; sex trafficking as defined in 
107.5 	section 609.321, subdivision 7a; and severe forms of trafficking in persons as defined in 
107.6 	United States Code, title 22, section 7102(11).

107.7 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.212, subdivision 13, is amended to read:
107.8 		Subd. 13.Protecting Responding to missing and runaway children and youth at 
107.9 	risk of sex and preventing human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation. (a) 
107.10 	For purposes of this subdivision, "missing child or youth" means a child, as defined by 
107.11 	section 260C.007, subdivision 4, who is under the legal custody of a responsible social 
107.12 	services agency, as defined by section 260C.007, subdivision 22, and is absent from the 
107.13 	foster care setting, including family foster home, residential facility or independent living 
107.14 	setting, or home of the parent or guardian during a trial home visit, and cannot be located.
107.15 	(a) (b) The local responsible social services agency shall develop protocols to 
107.16 	expeditiously locate any missing child missing from foster care or youth.
107.17 	(b) (c) When the local responsible social services agency shall report learns that a child 
107.18 	or youth is missing, the agency staff must immediately, but no later than 24 hours, after 
107.19 	receiving information on a missing or abducted child:
107.20 	(1) report to the local law enforcement agency for entry into the National Crime 
107.21 	Information Center (NCIC) database of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and to the 
107.22 	National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and document having made this report.
107.23 	When making a report to local law enforcement and National Center for Missing and 
107.24 	Exploited Children, the agency must include, when reasonably possible:
107.25 	(i) a photo of the child or youth;
107.26 	(ii) a description of the child or youth's physical features, such as height, weight, sex, 
107.27 	ethnicity, race, hair color, and eye color; and
107.28 	(iii) endangerment information, such as the child or youth's pregnancy status, 
107.29 	prescriptions, medications, suicidal tendencies, vulnerability to being trafficked, and other 
107.30 	health or risk factors; and
107.31 	(2) notify the court, parties to the case, parents and relatives who are not parties as the 
107.32 	agency deems appropriate, and any Tribe who has legal responsibility or received notice 
108.1 	under section 260.761, subdivision 2, but has not yet determined enrollment or eligibility 
108.2 	status.
108.3 	(c) (d) While the child or youth is missing, the local responsible social services agency 
108.4 	shall must:
108.5 	(1) implement protocols to expeditiously locate the child or youth;
108.6 	(2) maintain regular communication with law enforcement agencies and the National 
108.7 	Center for Missing and Exploited Children in efforts to provide a safe recovery of the missing 
108.8 	child or youth and document this communication;
108.9 	(3) share information pertaining to the child or youth's recovery, and circumstances 
108.10 	related to recovery, with law enforcement agencies and the National Center for Missing 
108.11 	and Exploited Children; and
108.12 	(4) not discharge a child or youth from foster care or close the social services case until 
108.13 	diligent efforts have been exhausted to locate the child or youth and the court terminates 
108.14 	the agency's jurisdiction.
108.15 	(d) (e) When the child or youth is located, the local responsible social services agency 
108.16 	shall must:
108.17 	(1) notify all individuals and agencies that require notification in paragraph (c) of the 
108.18 	child or youth's return;
108.19 	(2) interview the child or youth to determine and document, on a form approved by the 
108.20 	commissioner of children, youth, and families, what the child or youth experienced while 
108.21 	missing and  the primary factors that contributed to the child's running away or otherwise 
108.22 	being absent child or youth's absence from care and,;
108.23 	(3) to the extent possible and appropriate, respond to those the primary contributing
108.24 	factors in current and subsequent placements.;
108.25 	(e) The local social services agency shall determine what the child experienced while 
108.26 	absent from care, including screening (4) screen the child or youth's reported experience 
108.27 	to determine identify if the child or youth is a possible sex victim of human trafficking or 
108.28 	commercial sexual exploitation victim, as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 31. 34; 
108.29 	and
108.30 	(f) the local social services (5) if the child or youth is identified to have been a victim 
108.31 	of human trafficking,agency shall report immediately, but no later than 24 hours, to the
109.1 	local law enforcement agency any reasonable cause to believe a child is, or is at risk of 
109.2 	being, a sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation victim.
109.3 	(g) (f) With respect to any child or youth for whom the responsible social services agency 
109.4 	has responsibility for placement, care, or supervision, the local responsible social services 
109.5 	agency shall determine:
109.6 	(1) identify and document any reasonable cause to believe that the child or youth is a 
109.7 	human trafficking victim as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 34, or a youth at risk 
109.8 	of sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation as defined by the commissioner of 
109.9 	children, youth, and families; and
109.10 	(2) provide access to appropriate services, which may include services under Safe Harbor,
109.11 	as described in section 145.4717 with respect to any child for whom the local social services 
109.12 	agency has responsibility for placement, care, or supervision when the local social services 
109.13 	agency has reasonable cause to believe that the child is, or is at risk of being, a sex trafficking 
109.14 	or commercial sexual exploitation victim. 145.4716, amending the child or youth's 
109.15 	out-of-home placement plan in subdivision 1, as necessary.

109.16 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024, except for paragraph (f), 
109.17 	which is effective July 1, 2025.

109.18 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.331, is amended by adding a subdivision 
109.19 	to read:
109.20 		Subd. 7.Notice. (a) If the responsible social services agency receives Retirement, 
109.21 	Survivors, and Disability Insurance; Supplemental Security Income; veteran's benefits; 
109.22 	railroad retirement benefits; or black lung benefits on behalf of a child, it must provide 
109.23 	written notice by certified mail, return receipt requested to:
109.24 	(1) the child, if the child is 13 years of age or older;
109.25 	(2) the child's parent, guardian, or custodian or if there is no legal parent or custodian 
109.26 	the child's relative selected by the agency;
109.27 	(3) the guardian ad litem;
109.28 	(4) the legally responsible agency as defined in section 256N.02, if different than the 
109.29 	responsible social services agency; and
109.30 	(5) the counsel appointed for the child pursuant to section 260C.163, subdivision 3.
109.31 	(b) If the responsible social services agency receives benefits under this subdivision on 
109.32 	behalf of a child 13 years of age or older, the legally responsible agency as defined in section 
110.1 	256N.02, subdivision 14, if different, and the guardian ad litem must disclose this information 
110.2 	to the child in person in a manner that best helps the child understand the information. This 
110.3 	paragraph does not apply in circumstances where the child is living outside of Minnesota.
110.4 	(c) If the responsible social services agency receives the benefits listed under this 
110.5 	subdivision on behalf of a child, it cannot use those funds for any other purpose than the 
110.6 	care of that child. The responsible social services agency must not commingle any benefits 
110.7 	received under this subdivision and must not put the benefits received on behalf of a child 
110.8 	into a general fund.
110.9 	(d) If the responsible social services agency receives any benefits listed under this 
110.10 	subdivision, it must keep a record of:
110.11 	(1) the total dollar amount it received on behalf of all children it receives benefits for;
110.12 	(2) the total number of children it applied to be a payee for; and
110.13 	(3) the total number of children it receives benefits for. By July 1, 2025, and each July 
110.14 	1 thereafter, the responsible social services agency must submit a report to the commissioner 
110.15 	that includes the information required under this paragraph.

110.16 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260E.02, subdivision 1, as amended 
110.17 	by Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 8, section 31, is amended to read:
110.18 		Subdivision 1.Establishment of team. A county shall establish a multidisciplinary 
110.19 	child protection team that may include, but is not limited to, the director of the local welfare 
110.20 	agency or designees, the county attorney or designees, the county sheriff or designees, 
110.21 	representatives of health and education, representatives of mental health, representatives of 
110.22 	agencies providing specialized services or responding to youth who experience or are at 
110.23 	risk of experiencing sex or labor trafficking or sexual exploitation, or other appropriate 
110.24 	human services, children's services, or community-based agencies, and parent groups. As 
110.25 	used in this section, a "community-based agency" may include, but is not limited to, schools, 
110.26 	social services agencies, family service and mental health collaboratives, children's advocacy 
110.27 	centers, early childhood and family education programs, Head Start, or other agencies 
110.28 	serving children and families. A member of the team must be designated as the lead person 
110.29 	of the team responsible for the planning process to develop standards for the team's activities 
110.30 	with battered women's and domestic abuse programs and services.

110.31 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

111.1 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260E.03, is amended by adding a subdivision 
111.2 	to read:
111.3 		Subd. 11a.Labor trafficking. "Labor trafficking" means the subjection of a child to 
111.4 	the acts listed in section 609.281, subdivision 5, limited to the purposes of forced or coerced 
111.5 	labor or services as defined by section 609.281, subdivision 4, and debt bondage as defined 
111.6 	by section 609.281, subdivision 3, regardless of whether the alleged offender is a 
111.7 	noncaregiver human trafficker as defined in subdivision 17a.

111.8 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

111.9 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260E.03, subdivision 15a, is 
111.10 	amended to read:
111.11 		Subd. 15a.Noncaregiver sex human trafficker. "Noncaregiver sex human trafficker" 
111.12 	means an individual who is alleged to have engaged in the act of sex or labor trafficking a 
111.13 	child and who is not a person responsible for the child's care, who does not have a significant 
111.14 	relationship with the child as defined in section 609.341, and who is not a person in a current 
111.15 	or recent position of authority as defined in section 609.341, subdivision 10.

111.16 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

111.17 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260E.03, subdivision 15b, is 
111.18 	amended to read:
111.19 		Subd. 15b.Noncaregiver sex human trafficking assessment. "Noncaregiver sex human
111.20 	trafficking assessment" is a comprehensive assessment of child safety, the risk of subsequent 
111.21 	child maltreatment, and strengths and needs of the child and family. The local welfare 
111.22 	agency shall only perform a noncaregiver sex human trafficking assessment when a 
111.23 	maltreatment report alleges sex or labor trafficking of a child by someone other than the 
111.24 	child's caregiver. A noncaregiver sex human trafficking assessment does not include a 
111.25 	determination of whether child maltreatment occurred. A noncaregiver sex human trafficking 
111.26 	assessment includes a determination of a family's need for services to address the safety of 
111.27 	the child or children, the safety of family members, and the risk of subsequent child 
111.28 	maltreatment.

111.29 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

112.1 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260E.03, subdivision 22, is amended 
112.2 	to read:
112.3 		Subd. 22.Substantial child endangerment. "Substantial child endangerment" means 
112.4 	that a person responsible for a child's care, by act or omission, commits or attempts to 
112.5 	commit an act against a child in the person's care that constitutes any of the following:
112.6 	(1) egregious harm under subdivision 5;
112.7 	(2) abandonment under section 260C.301, subdivision 2;
112.8 	(3) neglect under subdivision 15, paragraph (a), clause (2), that substantially endangers 
112.9 	the child's physical or mental health, including a growth delay, which may be referred to 
112.10 	as failure to thrive, that has been diagnosed by a physician and is due to parental neglect;
112.11 	(4) murder in the first, second, or third degree under section 609.185, 609.19, or 609.195;
112.12 	(5) manslaughter in the first or second degree under section 609.20 or 609.205;
112.13 	(6) assault in the first, second, or third degree under section 609.221, 609.222, or 609.223;
112.14 	(7) sex trafficking, solicitation, inducement, or promotion of prostitution under section 
112.15 	609.322;
112.16 	(8) criminal sexual conduct under sections 609.342 to 609.3451;
112.17 	(9) sexual extortion under section 609.3458;
112.18 	(10) solicitation of children to engage in sexual conduct under section 609.352;
112.19 	(11) malicious punishment or neglect or endangerment of a child under section 609.377 
112.20 	or 609.378;
112.21 	(12) use of a minor in sexual performance under section 617.246; or
112.22 	(13) labor trafficking under sections 609.281 and 609.282; or
112.23 	(13) (14) parental behavior, status, or condition requiring the county attorney to file a 
112.24 	termination of parental rights petition under section 260C.503, subdivision 2.

112.25 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

112.26 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260E.14, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
112.27 		Subd. 3.Neglect or, physical abuse, or labor trafficking. (a) The local welfare agency 
112.28 	is responsible for immediately conducting a family assessment or investigation if the report 
112.29 	alleges neglect or physical abuse by a parent, guardian, or individual functioning within the 
112.30 	family unit as a person responsible for the child's care.
113.1 	(b) The local welfare agency is also responsible for conducting a family assessment or 
113.2 	investigation when a child is identified as a victim of labor trafficking.

113.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

113.4 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260E.14, subdivision 5, is amended 
113.5 	to read:
113.6 		Subd. 5.Law enforcement. (a) The local law enforcement agency is the agency 
113.7 	responsible for investigating a report of maltreatment if a violation of a criminal statute is 
113.8 	alleged.
113.9 	(b) Law enforcement and the responsible agency must coordinate their investigations 
113.10 	or assessments as required under this chapter when: (1) a report alleges maltreatment that 
113.11 	is a violation of a criminal statute by a person who is a parent, guardian, sibling, person 
113.12 	responsible for the child's care within the family unit, or by a person who lives in the child's 
113.13 	household and who has a significant relationship to the child in a setting other than a facility 
113.14 	as defined in section 260E.03; or (2) a report alleges sex or labor trafficking of a child.

113.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

113.16 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260E.17, subdivision 1, is amended 
113.17 	to read:
113.18 		Subdivision 1.Local welfare agency. (a) Upon receipt of a report, the local welfare 
113.19 	agency shall determine whether to conduct a family assessment, an investigation, or a 
113.20 	noncaregiver sex human trafficking assessment as appropriate to prevent or provide a remedy 
113.21 	for maltreatment.
113.22 	(b) The local welfare agency shall conduct an investigation when the report involves 
113.23 	sexual abuse, except as indicated in paragraph (f), or substantial child endangerment.
113.24 	(c) The local welfare agency shall begin an immediate investigation at any time when 
113.25 	the local welfare agency is responding with a family assessment and the local welfare agency 
113.26 	determines that there is reason to believe that sexual abuse, substantial child endangerment, 
113.27 	or a serious threat to the child's safety exists.
113.28 	(d) The local welfare agency may conduct a family assessment for reports that do not 
113.29 	allege sexual abuse, except as indicated in paragraph (f), or substantial child endangerment. 
113.30 	In determining that a family assessment is appropriate, the local welfare agency may consider 
113.31 	issues of child safety, parental cooperation, and the need for an immediate response.
114.1 	(e) The local welfare agency may conduct a family assessment for a report that was 
114.2 	initially screened and assigned for an investigation. In determining that a complete 
114.3 	investigation is not required, the local welfare agency must document the reason for 
114.4 	terminating the investigation and notify the local law enforcement agency if the local law 
114.5 	enforcement agency is conducting a joint investigation.
114.6 	(f) The local welfare agency shall conduct a noncaregiver sex human trafficking 
114.7 	assessment when a maltreatment report alleges sex or labor trafficking of a child and the 
114.8 	alleged offender is a noncaregiver sex human trafficker as defined by section 260E.03, 
114.9 	subdivision 15a.
114.10 	(g) During a noncaregiver sex human trafficking assessment, the local welfare agency 
114.11 	shall initiate an immediate investigation if there is reason to believe that a child's parent, 
114.12 	caregiver, or household member allegedly engaged in the act of sex or labor trafficking a 
114.13 	child or was alleged to have engaged in any conduct requiring the agency to conduct an 
114.14 	investigation.

114.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

114.16 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260E.18, is amended to read:
114.17 	260E.18 NOTICE TO CHILD'S TRIBE.
114.18 	The local welfare agency shall provide immediate notice, according to section 260.761, 
114.19 	subdivision 2, to an Indian child's Tribe when the agency has reason to believe that the 
114.20 	family assessment, investigation, or noncaregiver sex human trafficking assessment may 
114.21 	involve an Indian child. For purposes of this section, "immediate notice" means notice 
114.22 	provided within 24 hours.

114.23 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

114.24 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260E.20, subdivision 2, is amended 
114.25 	to read:
114.26 		Subd. 2.Face-to-face contact. (a) Upon receipt of a screened in report, the local welfare 
114.27 	agency shall have face-to-face contact with the child reported to be maltreated and with the 
114.28 	child's primary caregiver sufficient to complete a safety assessment and ensure the immediate 
114.29 	safety of the child. When it is possible and the report alleges substantial child endangerment 
114.30 	or sexual abuse, the local welfare agency is not required to provide notice before conducting 
114.31 	the initial face-to-face contact with the child and the child's primary caregiver.
115.1 	(b) Except in a noncaregiver sex human trafficking assessment, the local welfare agency 
115.2 	shall have face-to-face contact with the child and primary caregiver immediately after the 
115.3 	agency screens in a report if sexual abuse or substantial child endangerment is alleged and 
115.4 	within five calendar days of a screened in report for all other reports. If the alleged offender 
115.5 	was not already interviewed as the primary caregiver, the local welfare agency shall also 
115.6 	conduct a face-to-face interview with the alleged offender in the early stages of the 
115.7 	assessment or investigation, except in a noncaregiver sex human trafficking assessment. 
115.8 	Face-to-face contact with the child and primary caregiver in response to a report alleging 
115.9 	sexual abuse or substantial child endangerment may be postponed for no more than five 
115.10 	calendar days if the child is residing in a location that is confirmed to restrict contact with 
115.11 	the alleged offender as established in guidelines issued by the commissioner, or if the local 
115.12 	welfare agency is pursuing a court order for the child's caregiver to produce the child for 
115.13 	questioning under section 260E.22, subdivision 5.
115.14 	(c) At the initial contact with the alleged offender, the local welfare agency or the agency 
115.15 	responsible for assessing or investigating the report must inform the alleged offender of the 
115.16 	complaints or allegations made against the individual in a manner consistent with laws 
115.17 	protecting the rights of the person who made the report. The interview with the alleged 
115.18 	offender may be postponed if it would jeopardize an active law enforcement investigation. 
115.19 	In a noncaregiver sex human trafficking assessment, the local child welfare agency is not 
115.20 	required to inform or interview the alleged offender.
115.21 	(d) The local welfare agency or the agency responsible for assessing or investigating 
115.22 	the report must provide the alleged offender with an opportunity to make a statement, except 
115.23 	in a noncaregiver sex human trafficking assessment. The alleged offender may submit 
115.24 	supporting documentation relevant to the assessment or investigation.

115.25 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

115.26 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260E.24, subdivision 2, is amended 
115.27 	to read:
115.28 		Subd. 2.Determination after family assessment or a noncaregiver sex human
115.29 	trafficking assessment. After conducting a family assessment or a noncaregiver sex human
115.30 	trafficking assessment, the local welfare agency shall determine whether child protective 
115.31 	services are needed to address the safety of the child and other family members and the risk 
115.32 	of subsequent maltreatment. The local welfare agency must document the information 
115.33 	collected under section 260E.20, subdivision 3, related to the completed family assessment 
115.34 	in the child's or family's case notes.

116.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

116.2 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260E.24, subdivision 7, is amended 
116.3 	to read:
116.4 		Subd. 7.Notification at conclusion of family assessment or a noncaregiver sex human
116.5 	trafficking assessment. Within ten working days of the conclusion of a family assessment 
116.6 	or a noncaregiver sex human trafficking assessment, the local welfare agency shall notify 
116.7 	the parent or guardian of the child of the need for services to address child safety concerns 
116.8 	or significant risk of subsequent maltreatment. The local welfare agency and the family 
116.9 	may also jointly agree that family support and family preservation services are needed.

116.10 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

116.11 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260E.33, subdivision 1, is amended 
116.12 	to read:
116.13 		Subdivision 1.Following a family assessment or a noncaregiver sex human trafficking 
116.14 	assessment. Administrative reconsideration is not applicable to a family assessment or 
116.15 	noncaregiver sex human trafficking assessment since no determination concerning 
116.16 	maltreatment is made.

116.17 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

116.18 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260E.35, subdivision 6, is amended 
116.19 	to read:
116.20 		Subd. 6.Data retention. (a) Notwithstanding sections 138.163 and 138.17, a record 
116.21 	maintained or a record derived from a report of maltreatment by a local welfare agency, 
116.22 	agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report, court services agency, or school 
116.23 	under this chapter shall be destroyed as provided in paragraphs (b) to (e) by the responsible 
116.24 	authority.
116.25 	(b) For a report alleging maltreatment that was not accepted for an assessment or an 
116.26 	investigation, a family assessment case, a noncaregiver sex human trafficking assessment 
116.27 	case, and a case where an investigation results in no determination of maltreatment or the 
116.28 	need for child protective services, the record must be maintained for a period of five years 
116.29 	after the date that the report was not accepted for assessment or investigation or the date of 
116.30 	the final entry in the case record. A record of a report that was not accepted must contain 
116.31 	sufficient information to identify the subjects of the report, the nature of the alleged 
116.32 	maltreatment, and the reasons why the report was not accepted. Records under this paragraph 
117.1 	may not be used for employment, background checks, or purposes other than to assist in 
117.2 	future screening decisions and risk and safety assessments.
117.3 	(c) All records relating to reports that, upon investigation, indicate maltreatment or a 
117.4 	need for child protective services shall be maintained for ten years after the date of the final 
117.5 	entry in the case record.
117.6 	(d) All records regarding a report of maltreatment, including a notification of intent to 
117.7 	interview that was received by a school under section 260E.22, subdivision 7, shall be 
117.8 	destroyed by the school when ordered to do so by the agency conducting the assessment or 
117.9 	investigation. The agency shall order the destruction of the notification when other records 
117.10 	relating to the report under investigation or assessment are destroyed under this subdivision.
117.11 	(e) Private or confidential data released to a court services agency under subdivision 3, 
117.12 	paragraph (d), must be destroyed by the court services agency when ordered to do so by the 
117.13 	local welfare agency that released the data. The local welfare agency or agency responsible 
117.14 	for assessing or investigating the report shall order destruction of the data when other records 
117.15 	relating to the assessment or investigation are destroyed under this subdivision.

117.16 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

117.17 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260E.36, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
117.18 		Subd. 1a.Sex Human trafficking and, sexual exploitation, and youth missing from 
117.19 	care training requirement. As required by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act 
117.20 	amendments through Public Law 114-22 and to implement Public Law Laws 113-183 and
117.21 	115-123, all child protection social workers and social services staff who have responsibility 
117.22 	for child protective duties under this chapter or chapter 260C shall complete training 
117.23 	implemented by the commissioner of human services regarding sex identification, prevention, 
117.24 	and response to human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children and youth, including 
117.25 	prevention for youth missing from care.

117.26 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

117.27 	Sec. 27. [260E.39] CHILD FATALITY AND NEAR FATALITY REVIEW.
117.28 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the 
117.29 	meanings given:
117.30 	(1) "critical incident" means a child fatality or near fatality in which maltreatment was 
117.31 	a known or suspected contributing cause;
118.1 	(2) "joint review" means the critical incident review conducted by the child mortality 
118.2 	review panel jointly with the local review team under subdivision 4, paragraph (b);
118.3 	(3) "local review" means the local critical incident review conducted by the local review 
118.4 	team under subdivision 4, paragraph (c);
118.5 	(4) "local review team" means a local child mortality review team established under 
118.6 	subdivision 2; and
118.7 	(5) "panel" means the child mortality review panel established under subdivision 3.
118.8 		Subd. 2.Local child mortality review teams. (a) Each county shall establish a 
118.9 	multidisciplinary local child mortality review team and shall participate in local critical 
118.10 	incident reviews that are based on safety science principles to support a culture of learning. 
118.11 	The local welfare agency's child protection team may serve as the local review team. The 
118.12 	local review team shall include but not be limited to professionals with knowledge of the 
118.13 	critical incident being reviewed and, if the critical incident being reviewed involved an 
118.14 	Indian child as defined in section 260.755, subdivision 8, at least one representative from 
118.15 	the child's Tribe.
118.16 	(b) The local review team shall conduct reviews of critical incidents jointly with the 
118.17 	child mortality review panel or as otherwise required under subdivision 4, paragraph (c).
118.18 		Subd. 3.Child mortality review panel; establishment and membership. (a) The 
118.19 	commissioner shall establish a child mortality review panel to review critical incidents 
118.20 	attributed to child maltreatment. The purpose of the panel is to identify systemic changes 
118.21 	to improve child safety and well-being and recommend modifications in statute, rule, policy, 
118.22 	and procedure.
118.23 	(b) The panel shall consist of:
118.24 	(1) the commissioner of children, youth, and families, or a designee;
118.25 	(2) the commissioner of human services, or a designee;
118.26 	(3) the commissioner of health, or a designee;
118.27 	(4) the commissioner of education, or a designee;
118.28 	(5) the superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, or a designee;
118.29 	(6) a judge, appointed by the Minnesota judicial branch; and
118.30 	(7) other members appointed by the governor, including but not limited to:
118.31 	(i) a physician who is a medical examiner;
119.1 	(ii) a physician who is a child abuse specialist pediatrician;
119.2 	(iii) a county attorney who works on child protection cases;
119.3 	(iv) two current child protection supervisors for local welfare agencies, each of whom 
119.4 	has previous experience as a frontline child protection worker;
119.5 	(v) a current local welfare agency director who has previous experience as a frontline 
119.6 	child protection worker or supervisor;
119.7 	(vi) two current child protection supervisors or directors for Tribal child welfare agencies, 
119.8 	each of whom has previous experience as a frontline child protection worker or supervisor;
119.9 	(vii) a county or Tribal public health worker; and
119.10 	(viii) a member representing law enforcement.
119.11 	(c) The governor shall designate one member as chair of the panel from the members 
119.12 	listed in paragraph (b), clauses (6) and (7).
119.13 	(d) Members of the panel shall serve terms of four years for an unlimited number of 
119.14 	terms. A member of the panel may be removed by the appointing authority for the member.
119.15 	(e) The commissioner shall employ an executive director for the panel to:
119.16 	(1) provide administrative support to the panel and the chair, including providing the 
119.17 	panel with critical incident notices submitted by local welfare agencies;
119.18 	(2) compile and synthesize information for the panel;
119.19 	(3) draft recommendations and reports for the panel's final approval; and
119.20 	(4) conduct or otherwise direct training and consultation under subdivision 7.
119.21 		Subd. 4.Critical incident review process. (a) A local welfare agency that has determined 
119.22 	that maltreatment was the cause of or a contributing factor in a critical incident must notify 
119.23 	the commissioner and the executive director of the panel within three business days of 
119.24 	making the determination.
119.25 	(b) The panel shall conduct a joint review with the local review team for:
119.26 	(1) any critical incident relating to a family, child, or caregiver involved in a local welfare 
119.27 	agency family assessment or investigation within the 12 months preceding the critical 
119.28 	incident;
119.29 	(2) a critical incident the governor or commissioner directs the panel to review; and
119.30 	(3) any other critical incident the panel chooses for review.
120.1 	(c) The local review team must review all critical incident cases not subject to joint 
120.2 	review under paragraph (b).
120.3 	(d) Within 120 days of initiating a joint review or local review of a critical incident, 
120.4 	except as provided under paragraph (h), the panel or local review team shall complete the 
120.5 	joint review or local review and compile a report. The report must include any systemic 
120.6 	learnings that may increase child safety and well-being, and may include policy or practice 
120.7 	considerations for systems changes that may improve child well-being and safety.
120.8 	(e) A local review team must provide its report following a local review to the panel 
120.9 	within three business days after the report is complete. After receiving the local review team 
120.10 	report, the panel may conduct a further joint review.
120.11 	(f) Following the panel's joint review or after receiving a local review team report, the 
120.12 	panel may make recommendations to any state or local agency, branch of government, or 
120.13 	system partner to improve child safety and well-being.
120.14 	(g) The commissioner shall conduct additional information gathering as requested by 
120.15 	the panel or the local review team. The commissioner must conduct information gathering 
120.16 	for all cases for which the panel requests assistance. The commissioner shall compile a 
120.17 	summary report for each critical incident for which information gathering is conducted and 
120.18 	provide the report to the panel and the local welfare agency that reported the critical incident.
120.19 	(h) If the panel or local review team requests information gathering from the 
120.20 	commissioner, the panel or local review team may conduct the joint review or local review 
120.21 	and compile its report under paragraph (d) after receiving the commissioner's summary 
120.22 	information-gathering report. The timeline for a local or joint review under paragraph (d) 
120.23 	may be extended if the panel or local review team requests additional information gathering 
120.24 	to complete their review. If the local review team extends the timeline for its review and 
120.25 	report, the local welfare agency must notify the executive director of the panel of the 
120.26 	extension and the expected completion date.
120.27 	(i) The review of any critical incident shall proceed as specified in this section, regardless 
120.28 	of the status of any pending litigation or other active investigation.
120.29 		Subd. 5.Critical incident reviews; data practices and immunity. (a) In conducting 
120.30 	reviews, the panel, the local review team, and the commissioner shall have access to not 
120.31 	public data under chapter 13 maintained by state agencies, statewide systems, or political 
120.32 	subdivisions that are related to the child's critical incident or circumstances surrounding the 
120.33 	care of the child. The panel, the local review team, and the commissioner shall also have 
120.34 	access to records of private hospitals as necessary to carry out the duties prescribed by this 
121.1 	section. A state agency, statewide system, or political subdivision shall provide the data 
121.2 	upon request from the commissioner. Not public data may be shared with members of the 
121.3 	panel, a local review team, or the commissioner in connection with an individual case.
121.4 	(b) Notwithstanding the data's classification in the possession of any other agency, data 
121.5 	acquired by a local review team, the panel, or the commissioner in the exercise of their 
121.6 	duties are protected nonpublic or confidential data as defined in section 13.02 but may be 
121.7 	disclosed as necessary to carry out the duties of the review team, panel, or commissioner. 
121.8 	The data are not subject to subpoena or discovery.
121.9 	(c) The commissioner shall disclose information regarding a critical incident upon request 
121.10 	but shall not disclose data that was classified as confidential or private data on decedents 
121.11 	under section 13.10 or private, confidential, or protected nonpublic data in the disseminating 
121.12 	agency, except that the commissioner may disclose local social service agency data as 
121.13 	provided in section 260E.35 on individual cases involving a critical incident with a person 
121.14 	served by the local social service agency prior to the date of the critical incident.
121.15 	(d) A person attending a local review team or child mortality review panel meeting shall 
121.16 	not disclose what transpired at the meeting except to carry out the purposes of the local 
121.17 	review team or panel. The commissioner shall not disclose what transpired during its 
121.18 	information-gathering process except to carry out the duties of the commissioner. The 
121.19 	proceedings and records of the local review team, the panel, and the commissioner are 
121.20 	protected nonpublic data as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 13, and are not subject to 
121.21 	discovery or introduction into evidence in a civil or criminal action. Information, documents, 
121.22 	and records otherwise available from other sources are not immune from discovery or use 
121.23 	in a civil or criminal action solely because they were presented during proceedings of the 
121.24 	local review team, the panel, or the commissioner.
121.25 	(e) A person who presented information before the local review team, the panel, or the 
121.26 	commissioner or who is a member of the local review team or the panel, or an employee 
121.27 	conducting information gathering as designated by the commissioner, shall not be prevented 
121.28 	from testifying about matters within the person's knowledge. However, in a civil or criminal 
121.29 	proceeding, a person may not be questioned about the person's presentation of information 
121.30 	to the local review team, the panel, or the commissioner, or about the information reviewed 
121.31 	or discussed during a critical incident review or the information-gathering process, any 
121.32 	conclusions drawn or recommendations made related to information gathering or a critical 
121.33 	incident review, or opinions formed by the person as a result of the panel or review team 
121.34 	meetings.
122.1 	(f) A person who presented information before the local review team, the panel, or the 
122.2 	commissioner, or who is a member of the local review team or the panel, or an employee 
122.3 	conducting information gathering as designated by the commissioner, is immune from any 
122.4 	civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result from the person's presentation or 
122.5 	statements if the person was acting in good faith and assisting with information gathering 
122.6 	or in a critical incident review under this section.
122.7 		Subd. 6.Child mortality review panel; annual report. Beginning December 15, 2026, 
122.8 	and on or before December 15 annually thereafter, the commissioner shall publish a report 
122.9 	of the child mortality review panel. The report shall include but not be limited to de-identified 
122.10 	summary data on the number of critical incidents reported to the panel, the number of critical 
122.11 	incidents reviewed by the panel and local review teams, and systemic learnings identified 
122.12 	by the panel or local review teams during the period covered by the report. The report shall 
122.13 	also include recommendations on improving the child protection system, including 
122.14 	modifications to statutes, rules, policies, and procedures. The panel may make 
122.15 	recommendations to the legislature or any state or local agency at any time, outside of its 
122.16 	annual report.
122.17 		Subd. 7.Local welfare agency critical incident review training. The commissioner 
122.18 	shall provide training and support to local review teams and the panel to assist with local 
122.19 	or joint review processes and procedures. The commissioner shall also provide consultation 
122.20 	to local review teams and the panel conducting local or joint reviews pursuant to this section.
122.21 		Subd. 8.Culture of learning and improvement. The local review teams and panel 
122.22 	shall advance and support a culture of learning and improvement within Minnesota's child 
122.23 	welfare system.

122.24 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

122.25 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 518A.42, subdivision 3, is amended 
122.26 	to read:
122.27 		Subd. 3.Exception. (a) This section The minimum basic support amount under 
122.28 	subdivision 2 does not apply to an obligor who is incarcerated or is a recipient of a general 
122.29 	assistance grant, Supplemental Security Income, temporary assistance for needy families 
122.30 	(TANF) grant, or comparable state-funded Minnesota family investment program (MFIP) 
122.31 	benefits.
122.32 	(b) The minimum basic support amount under subdivision 2 does not apply to an obligor 
122.33 	who is a recipient of:
123.1 	(1) a general assistance grant;
123.2 	(2) Supplemental Security Income;
123.3 	(3) a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) grant; or
123.4 	(4) comparable state-funded Minnesota family investment program (MFIP) benefits.
123.5 	(b) (c) If the court finds the obligor receives no income and completely lacks the ability 
123.6 	to earn income, the minimum basic support amount under this subdivision 2 does not apply.
123.7 	(c) (d) If the obligor's basic support amount is reduced below the minimum basic support 
123.8 	amount due to the application of the parenting expense adjustment, the minimum basic 
123.9 	support amount under this subdivision 2 does not apply and the lesser amount is the guideline 
123.10 	basic support.

123.11 	Sec. 29. Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 14, section 42, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
123.12 		Subd. 6.Community Resource Center Advisory Council; establishment and 
123.13 	duties. (a) The commissioner, in consultation with other relevant state agencies, shall appoint 
123.14 	members to the Community Resource Center Advisory Council.
123.15 	(b) Membership must be demographically and geographically diverse and include:
123.16 	(1) parents and family members with lived experience who lack opportunities;
123.17 	(2) community-based organizations serving families who lack opportunities;
123.18 	(3) Tribal and urban American Indian representatives;
123.19 	(4) county government representatives;
123.20 	(5) school and school district representatives; and
123.21 	(6) state partner representatives.
123.22 	(c) Duties of the Community Resource Center Advisory Council include but are not 
123.23 	limited to:
123.24 	(1) advising the commissioner on the development and funding of a network of 
123.25 	community resource centers;
123.26 	(2) advising the commissioner on the development of requests for proposals and grant 
123.27 	award processes;
123.28 	(3) advising the commissioner on the development of program outcomes and 
123.29 	accountability measures; and
124.1 	(4) advising the commissioner on ongoing governance and necessary support in the 
124.2 	implementation of community resource centers.
124.3 	(d) Compensation for members of the Community Resource Center Advisory Council 
124.4 	is governed by Minnesota Statutes, section 15.0575, except that a public member may be 
124.5 	compensated at the rate of up to $125 per day.
124.6 	(e) A vacancy on the council may be filled by the appointing authority for the remainder 
124.7 	of the unexpired term.

124.8 	Sec. 30. SUPREME COURT COUNCIL ON CHILD PROTECTION AND 
124.9 	MALTREATMENT PREVENTION.
 124.10 		Subdivision 1.Establishment. The chief justice of the supreme court is invited to 
124.11 	establish a Supreme Court Council on Child Protection and Maltreatment Prevention as 
124.12 	part of Minnesota's Court Improvement Program, the Children's Justice Initiative, authorized 
124.13 	under Public Law 116-260, Division CC, title III, section 305, of the Consolidated 
124.14 	Appropriations Act of 2021, to develop a comprehensive blueprint to improve Minnesota's 
124.15 	child protection system and prevent unnecessary entry of children and families into the 
124.16 	system.
124.17 		Subd. 2.Membership. (a) The council must consist of the following members:
124.18 	(1) the chief justice of the supreme court or a designee;
124.19 	(2) the commissioner of children, youth, and families, or a designee;
124.20 	(3) members representing Indian Tribes, including Tribal courts, appointed by the 
124.21 	executive board of the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council;
124.22 	(4) peace officers as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 626.84, subdivision 1, 
124.23 	paragraph (c); state and local community corrections probation, parole, and supervised 
124.24 	release agents; and other criminal justice professionals with substantial experience responding 
124.25 	to reports of child maltreatment and working with minors who have had contact with the 
124.26 	criminal justice system, appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court;
124.27 	(5) professionals with experience providing child maltreatment prevention services, 
124.28 	child protective services, foster care, adoption services, and postpermanency services, 
124.29 	appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court;
124.30 	(6) legal professionals and guardians ad litem, including Indian Child Welfare Act 
124.31 	guardians ad litem, with significant experience in juvenile protection matters, appointed by 
124.32 	the chief justice of the supreme court;
125.1 	(7) educational professionals, including professionals with experience in early childhood 
125.2 	education and providing educational services to children with disabilities, appointed by the 
125.3 	chief justice of the supreme court;
125.4 	(8) professionals from nonprofit community organizations with experience providing 
125.5 	services and supports to children, parents, and relatives involved in or at risk of involvement 
125.6 	in child maltreatment and juvenile protection matters, appointed by the chief justice of the 
125.7 	supreme court;
125.8 	(9) professionals with expertise on historical and generational trauma, systemic racism, 
125.9 	adverse childhood experiences, and the long-term impacts of child protection system 
125.10 	involvement on children, families, and communities historically overrepresented in the 
125.11 	system, appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court;
125.12 	(10) professionals with expertise providing services to persons with disabilities involved 
125.13 	with the child protection system, appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court;
125.14 	(11) persons with lived experience as a parent involved with the child protection system, 
125.15 	appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court;
125.16 	(12) one or more persons age 18 or older with lived experience as a child involved with 
125.17 	the child protection system, appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court; and
125.18 	(13) professionals with expertise on preventing child protection system involvement, 
125.19 	including expertise on the impact of generational and situational poverty on children and 
125.20 	child protection system involvement, appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court.
125.21 	(b) A member may satisfy more than one category of experience or expertise identified 
125.22 	in paragraph (a).
125.23 		Subd. 3.Organization and administration. (a) The council is governed by Minnesota 
125.24 	Statutes, section 15.059, except that subdivision 6 does not apply. The state court 
125.25 	administrator must provide the council with staff support, office and meeting space, and 
125.26 	access to office equipment and services.
125.27 	(b) Council members serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. The chief justice 
125.28 	of the supreme court must select a chair from among the members. The council may select 
125.29 	other officers, subcommittees, and work groups as it deems necessary.
125.30 		Subd. 4.Meetings. (a) The council must meet at the call of the chair.
125.31 	(b) The chair must convene the council's first meeting, which must occur by September 
125.32 	15, 2024.
126.1 		Subd. 5.Duties. The council must develop a comprehensive blueprint for improvement 
126.2 	that addresses all aspects of the child protection system, including prevention and early 
126.3 	intervention, by:
126.4 	(1) reviewing policies, laws, practices, latest research, and data related to children in the 
126.5 	child protection system;
126.6 	(2) gathering information through surveys or focus groups, including consultation with 
126.7 	individuals who have lived experience with the child protection system, and reviews of 
126.8 	evidence supporting federal guidance and research on the child protection system and 
126.9 	maltreatment prevention;
126.10 	(3) reviewing research that evaluates the effects of child foster care placement and 
126.11 	out-of-home placement on the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and that 
126.12 	identifies and evaluates factors designed to ensure emotional and physical safety of children 
126.13 	in the context of child placement and permanency dispositions, family preservation, and 
126.14 	reunification;
126.15 	(4) making recommendations for changes in policies and law that are designed to improve 
126.16 	outcomes for children and families in the child protection system or at risk of maltreatment; 
126.17 	and
126.18 	(5) recognizing the inherent sovereignty of Tribal Nations and the unique political status 
126.19 	of their children and families.
126.20 		Subd. 6.Reports. By July 15, 2025, the Supreme Court Council on Child Protection 
126.21 	must submit a progress report on the council's duties under subdivision 5 to the governor, 
126.22 	the chief justice of the supreme court, and the chairs and ranking minority members of the 
126.23 	legislative committees with jurisdiction over child protection. By January 15, 2026, the 
126.24 	council must submit its final report to the governor, the chief justice of the supreme court, 
126.25 	and the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction 
126.26 	over child protection, detailing the comprehensive blueprint developed under subdivision 
126.27 	5.
126.28 		Subd. 7.Expiration. The Supreme Court Council on Child Protection expires upon the 
126.29 	submission of its final report under subdivision 6.

126.30 	Sec. 31. DIRECTION TO COMMISSIONER; CHILD MALTREATMENT 
126.31 	REPORTING SYSTEMS REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
 126.32 	The commissioner of children, youth, and families must review current child maltreatment 
126.33 	reporting processes and systems in various states and evaluate the costs and benefits of each 
127.1 	reviewed state's system. In consultation with stakeholders, including but not limited to 
127.2 	counties, Tribes, and organizations with expertise in child maltreatment prevention and 
127.3 	child protection, the commissioner must develop recommendations on implementing a 
127.4 	statewide child abuse and neglect reporting system in Minnesota and outline the benefits, 
127.5 	challenges, and costs of such a transition. By June 1, 2025, the commissioner must submit 
127.6 	a report detailing the commissioner's recommendations to the chairs and ranking minority 
127.7 	members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over child protection. The 
127.8 	commissioner must also publish the report on the department's website.

127.9 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

127.10 	Sec. 32. DIRECTION TO COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN SERVICES; CHILD 
127.11 	WELFARE WORKFORCE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS.
 127.12 	When designing, developing, and implementing a data-driven, federally compliant 
127.13 	Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System, the commissioner of human services 
127.14 	must ensure that the system can, at a minimum, do the following:
127.15 	(1) allow counties to track various financial information, including benefits received by 
127.16 	counties on behalf of children in the child welfare system, and fees received by counties 
127.17 	from parents with children in out-of-home placements;
127.18 	(2) provide the ombudspersons under Minnesota Statutes, section 257.0755, the 
127.19 	ombudsperson for American Indian families under Minnesota Statutes, section 3.9215, and 
127.20 	the ombudsperson for foster youth under Minnesota Statutes, section 260C.80, with 
127.21 	case-by-case access to nonprivileged information necessary for the discharge of the 
127.22 	ombudsperson's duties, including specific child protection case information, while protecting 
127.23 	Tribal data sovereignty;
127.24 	(3) provide comprehensive statewide data reports; and
127.25 	(4) track demographic information about children in the child welfare system, including 
127.26 	race, cultural and ethnic identity, disability status, and economic status.

127.27 	Sec. 33. SUPPORTING RELATIVE CAREGIVER GRANTS.
 127.28 	(a) The commissioner of children, youth, and families must award grants to eligible 
127.29 	community-based nonprofit organizations to provide culturally competent supports to relative 
127.30 	caregivers who are caring for relative children and connection to local and statewide 
127.31 	resources.
128.1 	(b) Grant funds must be used to serve relative caregivers caring for children from 
128.2 	communities that are disproportionately overrepresented in the child welfare system based 
128.3 	on available data, as determined by the commissioner.
128.4 	(c) Grant funds may be used to assess relative caregiver and child needs, provide 
128.5 	connection to local and statewide culturally competent resources, and provide culturally 
128.6 	competent case management to assist with complex cases. Grant funds may also be used to 
128.7 	provide culturally competent supports to reduce the need for child welfare involvement or 
128.8 	risk of child welfare involvement and increase family stability by preventing nonrelative 
128.9 	foster care placement.
128.10 	(d) For purposes of this section, "relative" has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes, 
128.11 	section 260C.007, subdivision 27.

128.12 	Sec. 34. REVISOR INSTRUCTION.
 128.13 	The revisor of statutes shall renumber the subdivisions in Minnesota Statutes, section 
128.14 	260E.03, in alphabetical order except for subdivision 1 and correct any cross-reference 
128.15 	changes that result.

128.16 	Sec. 35. REPEALER.
 128.17 	(a) Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256.01, subdivisions 12 and 12a, are repealed.
128.18 	(b) Minnesota Rules, part 9560.0232, subpart 5, is repealed.

128.19 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025.

128.20 	ARTICLE 13
128.21 	ECONOMIC SUPPORTS

128.22 	Section 1. [142F.103] CAMPUS-BASED EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING 
128.23 	PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN HIGHER EDUCATION.
128.24 		Subdivision 1.Designation. (a) Within six months of the effective date of this section, 
128.25 	the Board of Trustees of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities must, and the Board of 
128.26 	Regents of the University of Minnesota is requested to, submit an application to the 
128.27 	commissioner of human services verifying whether each of its institutions meets the 
128.28 	requirements to be a campus-based employment and training program that qualifies for the 
128.29 	student exemption for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility, as 
128.30 	described in the Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 273.5(b)(11)(iv).
129.1 	(b) An institution of higher education must be designated as a campus-based employment 
129.2 	and training program by the commissioner of human services if that institution meets the 
129.3 	requirements set forth in the guidance under subdivision 3. The commissioner of human 
129.4 	services must maintain a list of approved programs on its website.
129.5 		Subd. 2.Student eligibility. A student is eligible to participate in a campus-based 
129.6 	employment and training program under this section if the student is enrolled in:
129.7 	(1) a public two-year community or technical college and received a state grant under 
129.8 	section 136A.121, received a federal Pell grant, or has a student aid index of $0 or less;
129.9 	(2) a Tribal college as defined in section 136A.62 and received a state grant under section 
129.10 	136A.121, received a federal Pell grant, or has a student aid index of $0 or less; or
129.11 	(3) a public four-year university and received a state grant under section 136A.121, 
129.12 	received a federal Pell grant, or has a student aid index of $0 or less.
129.13 		Subd. 3.Guidance. Within three months of the effective date of this section and annually 
129.14 	thereafter, the commissioner of human services, in consultation with the commissioner of 
129.15 	higher education, must issue guidance to counties, Tribal Nations, Tribal colleges, and 
129.16 	Minnesota public postsecondary institutions that:
129.17 	(1) clarifies the state and federal eligibility requirements for campus-based employment 
129.18 	and training programs for low-income households;
129.19 	(2) clarifies the application process for campus-based employment and training programs 
129.20 	for low-income households including but not limited to providing a list of the supporting 
129.21 	documents required for program approval;
129.22 	(3) clarifies how students in an institution of higher education approved as a campus-based 
129.23 	employment and training program for low-income households qualify for a SNAP student 
129.24 	exemption; and
129.25 	(4) clarifies the SNAP eligibility criteria for students that qualify for a SNAP student 
129.26 	exemption under this section.
129.27 		Subd. 4.Application. Within three months of the effective date of this section, the 
129.28 	commissioner of human services, in consultation with the commissioner of higher education, 
129.29 	must design an application for institutions of higher education to apply for a campus-based 
129.30 	employment and training program designation.
129.31 		Subd. 5.Notice. At the beginning of each academic semester, an institution of higher 
129.32 	education with a designated campus-based employment and training program must send a 
130.1 	letter to students eligible under this section to inform them that they may qualify for SNAP 
130.2 	benefits and direct them to resources to apply. The letter under this subdivision shall serve 
130.3 	as proof of a student's enrollment in a campus-based employment and training program.

130.4 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective upon federal approval. The commissioner 
130.5 	of human services must notify the revisor of statutes when federal approval is obtained.

130.6 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 256E.35, subdivision 2, is amended 
130.7 	to read:
130.8 		Subd. 2.Definitions. (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.
130.9 	(b) "Eligible educational institution" means the following:
130.10 	(1) an institution of higher education described in section 101 or 102 of the Higher 
130.11 	Education Act of 1965; or
130.12 	(2) an area vocational education school, as defined in subparagraph (C) or (D) of United 
130.13 	States Code, title 20, chapter 44, section 2302 (3) (the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and 
130.14 	Applied Technology Education Act), which is located within any state, as defined in United 
130.15 	States Code, title 20, chapter 44, section 2302 (30). This clause is applicable only to the 
130.16 	extent section 2302 is in effect on August 1, 2008.
130.17 	(c) "Family asset account" means a savings account opened by a household participating 
130.18 	in the Minnesota family assets for independence initiative.
130.19 	(d) "Fiduciary organization" means:
130.20 	(1) a community action agency that has obtained recognition under section 256E.31;
130.21 	(2) a federal community development credit union;
130.22 	(3) a women-oriented economic development agency;
130.23 	(4) a federally recognized Tribal Nation; or
130.24 	(5) a nonprofit organization as defined under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue 
130.25 	Code.
130.26 	(e) "Financial coach" means a person who:
130.27 	(1) has completed an intensive financial literacy training workshop that includes 
130.28 	curriculum on budgeting to increase savings, debt reduction and asset building, building a 
130.29 	good credit rating, and consumer protection;
131.1 	(2) participates in ongoing statewide family assets for independence in Minnesota (FAIM) 
131.2 	network training meetings under FAIM program supervision; and
131.3 	(3) provides financial coaching to program participants under subdivision 4a.
131.4 	(f) "Financial institution" means a bank, bank and trust, savings bank, savings association, 
131.5 	or credit union, the deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance 
131.6 	Corporation or the National Credit Union Administration.
131.7 	(g) "Household" means all individuals who share finances and use of a dwelling unit as 
131.8 	primary quarters for living and eating separate from other individuals. Sharing finances 
131.9 	does not include situations in which a person is living in the same dwelling unit as others 
131.10 	without sharing any other financial arrangements.
131.11 	(h) "Permissible use" means:
131.12 	(1) postsecondary educational expenses at an eligible educational institution as defined 
131.13 	in paragraph (b), including books, supplies, and equipment required for courses of instruction;
131.14 	(2) acquisition costs of acquiring, constructing, or reconstructing a residence, including 
131.15 	any usual or reasonable settlement, financing, or other closing costs;
131.16 	(3) business capitalization expenses for expenditures on capital, plant, equipment, working 
131.17 	capital, and inventory expenses of a legitimate business pursuant to a business plan approved 
131.18 	by the fiduciary organization;
131.19 	(4) acquisition costs of a principal residence within the meaning of section 1034 of the 
131.20 	Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which do not exceed 100 percent of the average area purchase 
131.21 	price applicable to the residence determined according to section 143(e)(2) and (3) of the 
131.22 	Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
131.23 	(5) acquisition costs of a personal vehicle only if approved by the fiduciary organization;
131.24 	(6) contributions to an emergency savings account; and
131.25 	(7) contributions to a Minnesota 529 savings plan.

131.26 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256E.35, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
131.27 		Subd. 5.Household eligibility; participation. (a) To be eligible for state or TANF 
131.28 	matching funds in the family assets for independence initiative, a household must meet the 
131.29 	eligibility requirements of the federal Assets for Independence Act, Public Law 105-285, 
131.30 	in Title IV, section 408 of that act have maximum income that is equal to or less than the 
131.31 	greater of:
132.1 	(1) 50 percent of the area median income as determined by the United States Department 
132.2 	of Housing and Urban Development; or
132.3 	(2) 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
132.4 	(b) To be eligible for state matching funds under this section, a household must meet 
132.5 	the requirements of this section.
132.6 	(b) (c) Each participating household must sign a family asset agreement that includes 
132.7 	the amount of scheduled deposits into its savings account, the proposed use, and the proposed 
132.8 	savings goal. A participating household must agree to complete an economic literacy training 
132.9 	program.
132.10 	(c) (d) Participating households may only deposit money that is derived from household 
132.11 	earned income or from state and federal income tax credits.

132.12 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 256E.38, subdivision 4, is amended 
132.13 	to read:
132.14 		Subd. 4.Eligible uses of grant money. An eligible applicant that receives grant money 
132.15 	under this section shall use the money to purchase diapers and wipes and may use up to 
132.16 	four ten percent of the money for administrative costs.

132.17 	Sec. 5. TRANSFER TO DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES.
 132.18 	The responsibilities for the campus-based employment and training program for students 
132.19 	enrolled in higher education under Minnesota Statutes, section 142F.103, must transfer from 
132.20 	the commissioner of human services to the commissioner of children, youth, and families. 
132.21 	Minnesota Statutes, section 142F.103, is incorporated into the transfer of duties and 
132.22 	responsibilities in Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 12, section 30, and the commissioner shall 
132.23 	give the notices of when the transfer is effective as required by Laws 2023, chapter 70, 
132.24 	article 12, section 30, subdivision 1.

132.25 	ARTICLE 14
132.26 	HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS

132.27 	Section 1. EMERGENCY SHELTER NEEDS ANALYSIS FOR TRANSGENDER 
132.28 	ADULTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
 132.29 	(a) The commissioner of human services must contract with Propel Nonprofits to conduct 
132.30 	a needs analysis for emergency shelter serving transgender adults experiencing homelessness 
132.31 	and to conduct site analysis and develop a plan for building the emergency shelter. Propel 
133.1 	Nonprofits may contract or consult with other vendors or entities as necessary to complete 
133.2 	any portion of the needs analysis and site analysis.
133.3 	(b) No later than March 1, 2025, Propel Nonprofits must submit a written report to the 
133.4 	commissioner with the results of the needs analysis and preliminary recommendations for 
133.5 	site locations. The commissioner must submit the report to the chairs and ranking minority 
133.6 	members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over services for persons 
133.7 	experiencing homelessness within five business days of receiving the report.

133.8 	Sec. 2. PREGNANT AND PARENTING HOMELESS YOUTH STUDY.
 133.9 	(a) The commissioner of human services must contract with the Wilder Foundation to 
133.10 	conduct a study of:
133.11 	(1) the statewide numbers and unique needs of pregnant and parenting youth experiencing 
133.12 	homelessness; and
133.13 	(2) best practices in supporting pregnant and parenting homeless youth within 
133.14 	programming, emergency shelter, and housing settings.
133.15 	(b) The Wilder Foundation must submit a final report to the commissioner by December 
133.16 	31, 2025. The commissioner shall submit the report to the chairs and ranking minority 
133.17 	members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over homeless youth services finance 
133.18 	and policy.

133.19 	Sec. 3. REVIVAL AND REENACTMENT.
 133.20 	Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256B.051, subdivision 7, is revived and reenacted 
133.21 	effective retroactively from August 1, 2023. Any time frames within or dependent on the 
133.22 	subdivision are based on the original effective date in Laws 2017, First Special Session 
133.23 	chapter 6, article 2, section 10.

133.24 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

133.25 	Sec. 4. REPEALER.
 133.26 	Laws 2023, chapter 25, section 190, subdivision 10, is repealed.

133.27 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

134.1 	ARTICLE 15
134.2 	CHILD CARE LICENSING

134.3 	Section 1. [142B.171] CHILD CARE WEIGHTED RISK SYSTEM.
134.4 		Subdivision 1.Implementation. The commissioner shall develop and implement a child 
134.5 	care weighted risk system that provides a tiered licensing enforcement framework for child 
134.6 	care licensing requirements in this chapter or Minnesota Rules, chapter 9502 or 9503.
134.7 		Subd. 2. Documented technical assistance.  (a) In lieu of a correction order under section 
134.8 	142B.16, the commissioner shall provide documented technical assistance to a family child 
134.9 	care or child care center license holder if the commissioner finds that:
134.10 	(1) the license holder has failed to comply with a requirement in this chapter or Minnesota 
134.11 	Rules, chapter 9502 or 9503, that the commissioner determines to be low risk as determined 
134.12 	by the child care weighted risk system;
134.13 	(2) the noncompliance does not imminently endanger the health, safety, or rights of the 
134.14 	persons served by the program; and
134.15 	(3) the license holder did not receive documented technical assistance or a correction 
134.16 	order for the same violation at the license holder's most recent annual licensing inspection.
134.17 	(b) Documented technical assistance must include communication from the commissioner 
134.18 	to the license holder that:
134.19 	(1) states the conditions that constitute a violation of a law or rule;
134.20 	(2) references the specific law or rule violated; and
134.21 	(3) explains remedies for correcting the violation.
134.22 	(c) The commissioner shall not publicly publish documented technical assistance on the 
134.23 	department's website.

134.24 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245A.065, is amended to read:
134.25 	245A.065 CHILD CARE FIX-IT TICKET.
134.26 		Subdivision 1.Fix-it ticket. (a) In lieu of a correction order under section 245A.06, the 
134.27 	commissioner shall issue a fix-it ticket to a family child care or child care center license 
134.28 	holder if the commissioner finds that:
134.29 	(1) the license holder has failed to comply with a requirement in this chapter or Minnesota 
134.30 	Rules, chapter 9502 or 9503, that the commissioner determines to be eligible for a fix-it 
134.31 	ticket;
135.1 	(2) the violation does not imminently endanger the health, safety, or rights of the persons 
135.2 	served by the program;
135.3 	(3) the license holder did not receive a fix-it ticket or correction order for the violation 
135.4 	at the license holder's last licensing inspection;
135.5 	(4) the violation can be corrected at the time of inspection or within 48 hours, excluding 
135.6 	Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays; and
135.7 	(5) the license holder corrects the violation at the time of inspection or agrees to correct 
135.8 	the violation within 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
135.9 	(b) The fix-it ticket must state:
135.10 	(1) the conditions that constitute a violation of the law or rule;
135.11 	(2) the specific law or rule violated; and
135.12 	(3) that the violation was corrected at the time of inspection or must be corrected within 
135.13 	48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
135.14 	(c) The commissioner shall not publicly publish a fix-it ticket on the department's website.
135.15 	(d) Within 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, of receiving a fix-it 
135.16 	ticket, the license holder must correct the violation and within one week submit evidence 
135.17 	to the licensing agency that the violation was corrected.
135.18 	(e) If the violation is not corrected at the time of inspection or within 48 hours, excluding 
135.19 	Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, or the evidence submitted is insufficient to establish that 
135.20 	the license holder corrected the violation, the commissioner must issue a correction order 
135.21 	for the violation of Minnesota law or rule identified in the fix-it ticket according to section 
135.22 	245A.06.
135.23 		Subd. 2.Expiration. This section expires upon the implementation of the child care 
135.24 	weighted risk system in section 142B.171. The commissioner of children, youth, and families 
135.25 	shall notify the revisor of statutes when the system has been implemented.

135.26 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 245A.50, subdivision 3, is amended 
135.27 	to read:
135.28 		Subd. 3.First aid. (a) Before initial licensure and before caring for a child, license 
135.29 	holders, second adult caregivers, and substitutes must be trained in pediatric first aid. The 
135.30 	first aid training must have been provided by an individual approved to provide first aid 
135.31 	instruction. First aid training may be less than eight hours and persons qualified to provide 
136.1 	first aid training include individuals approved as first aid instructors. License holders, second 
136.2 	adult caregivers, and substitutes must repeat pediatric first aid training every two years
136.3 	within 90 days of the date the training was previously taken. License holders, second adult 
136.4 	caregivers, and substitutes must not let the training expire.
136.5 	(b) Video training reviewed and approved by the county licensing agency satisfies the 
136.6 	training requirement of this subdivision.

136.7 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 245A.50, subdivision 4, is amended 
136.8 	to read:
136.9 		Subd. 4.Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. (a) Before initial licensure and before caring 
136.10 	for a child, license holders, second adult caregivers, and substitutes must be trained in 
136.11 	pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), including CPR techniques for infants and 
136.12 	children, and in the treatment of obstructed airways. The CPR training must have been 
136.13 	provided by an individual approved to provide CPR instruction. License holders, second 
136.14 	adult caregivers, and substitutes must repeat pediatric CPR training at least once every two 
136.15 	years within 90 days of the date the training was previously taken, and the training must 
136.16 	document the training be documented in the license holder's records. License holders, second 
136.17 	adult caregivers, and substitutes must not let the training expire.
136.18 	(b) Persons providing CPR training must use CPR training that has been developed:
136.19 	(1) by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross and incorporates 
136.20 	psychomotor skills to support the instruction; or
136.21 	(2) using nationally recognized, evidence-based guidelines for CPR training and 
136.22 	incorporates psychomotor skills to support the instruction.

136.23 	ARTICLE 16
136.24 	DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES

136.25 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 125A.63, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
136.26 		Subd. 5.Statewide hearing loss early education intervention coordinator. (a) The 
136.27 	coordinator shall:
136.28 	(1) collaborate with the early hearing detection and intervention coordinator for the 
136.29 	Department of Health, deaf and hard-of-hearing state specialist, and the Department of 
136.30 	Health Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Council;
137.1 	(2) coordinate and support Department of Education and Department of Children, Youth, 
137.2 	and Families early hearing detection and intervention teams;
137.3 	(3) leverage resources by serving as a liaison between interagency early intervention 
137.4 	committees; part C coordinators from the Departments of Education, Health, and Human 
137.5 	Services; Department of Education regional low-incidence facilitators; service coordinators 
137.6 	from school districts; Minnesota children with special health needs in the Department of 
137.7 	Health; public health nurses; child find; Department of Human Services Deaf and 
137.8 	Hard-of-Hearing Services Division; and others as appropriate;
137.9 	(4) identify, support, and promote culturally appropriate and evidence-based early 
137.10 	intervention practices for infants with hearing loss, and provide training, outreach, and use 
137.11 	of technology to increase consistency in statewide service provision;
137.12 	(5) identify culturally appropriate specialized reliable and valid instruments to assess 
137.13 	and track the progress of children with hearing loss and promote their use;
137.14 	(6) ensure that early childhood providers, parents, and members of the individual family 
137.15 	service and intervention plan are provided with child progress data resulting from specialized 
137.16 	assessments;
137.17 	(7) educate early childhood providers and teachers of the deaf and hard-of-hearing to 
137.18 	use developmental data from specialized assessments to plan and adjust individual family 
137.19 	service plans; and
137.20 	(8) make recommendations that would improve educational outcomes to the early hearing 
137.21 	detection and intervention committee, the commissioners of education; children, youth, and 
137.22 	families; and health, the Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing, and the 
137.23 	advisory council for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.
137.24 	(b) The Department of Education and Department of Children, Youth, and Families 
137.25 	must provide aggregate data regarding outcomes of deaf and hard-of-hearing children who 
137.26 	receive early intervention services within the state in accordance with the state performance 
137.27 	plan.

137.28 	Sec. 2. [142A.045] CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES 
137.29 	INTERGOVERNMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
137.30 	(a) An intergovernmental advisory committee is established to provide advice, 
137.31 	consultation, and recommendations to the commissioner on the planning, design, 
137.32 	administration, funding, and evaluation of services to children, youth, and families. Each 
137.33 	of Minnesota's federally recognized Tribal Nations may, but is not required to, participate 
138.1 	in the advisory committee required under this section. Notwithstanding section 15.059, the 
138.2 	commissioner, each participating Tribal Nation, the Association of Minnesota Counties, 
138.3 	and the Minnesota Association of County Social Services Administrators must codevelop 
138.4 	and execute a process to administer the committee that ensures each participating Tribal 
138.5 	Nation and each county are represented. The committee must meet at least quarterly and 
138.6 	special meetings may be called by the committee chair or a majority of the members. A 
138.7 	Tribal Nation may elect to participate at any time.
138.8 	(b) Subject to section 15.059, the commissioner may reimburse committee members or 
138.9 	their alternates for allowable expenses while engaged in their official duties as committee 
138.10 	members.
138.11 	(c) Notwithstanding section 15.059, the intergovernmental advisory committee does not 
138.12 	expire.
138.13 	(d) In addition to the requirements under this section, the commissioner must implement 
138.14 	a Tribal consultation process under section 10.65 to ensure recognition of the unique legal 
138.15 	relationship between the state of Minnesota and Minnesota Tribal governments.

138.16 	Sec. 3. [142B.47] TRAINING ON RISK OF SUDDEN UNEXPECTED INFANT 
138.17 	DEATH AND ABUSIVE HEAD TRAUMA FOR CHILD FOSTER CARE 
138.18 	PROVIDERS.
138.19 	(a) Licensed child foster care providers that care for infants or children through five 
138.20 	years of age must document that before caregivers assist in the care of infants or children 
138.21 	through five years of age, they are instructed on the standards in section 142B.46 and receive 
138.22 	training on reducing the risk of sudden unexpected infant death and abusive head trauma 
138.23 	from shaking infants and young children. This section does not apply to emergency relative 
138.24 	placement under section 142B.06. The training on reducing the risk of sudden unexpected 
138.25 	infant death and abusive head trauma may be provided as:
138.26 	(1) orientation training to child foster care providers who care for infants or children 
138.27 	through five years of age under Minnesota Rules, part 2960.3070, subpart 1; or
138.28 	(2) in-service training to child foster care providers who care for infants or children 
138.29 	through five years of age under Minnesota Rules, part 2960.3070, subpart 2.
138.30 	(b) Training required under this section must be at least one hour in length and must be 
138.31 	completed at least once every five years. At a minimum, the training must address the risk 
138.32 	factors related to sudden unexpected infant death and abusive head trauma, means of reducing 
138.33 	the risk of sudden unexpected infant death and abusive head trauma, and license holder 
139.1 	communication with parents regarding reducing the risk of sudden unexpected infant death 
139.2 	and abusive head trauma.
139.3 	(c) Training for child foster care providers must be approved by the county or private 
139.4 	licensing agency that is responsible for monitoring the child foster care provider under 
139.5 	section 142B.30. The approved training fulfills, in part, training required under Minnesota 
139.6 	Rules, part 2960.3070.

139.7 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 144.966, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
139.8 		Subd. 2.Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Committee. (a) The commissioner 
139.9 	of health shall establish a Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Committee to advise and 
139.10 	assist the Department of Health; Department of Children, Youth, and Families; and the 
139.11 	Department of Education in:
139.12 	(1) developing protocols and timelines for screening, rescreening, and diagnostic 
139.13 	audiological assessment and early medical, audiological, and educational intervention 
139.14 	services for children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing;
139.15 	(2) designing protocols for tracking children from birth through age three that may have 
139.16 	passed newborn screening but are at risk for delayed or late onset of permanent hearing 
139.17 	loss;
139.18 	(3) designing a technical assistance program to support facilities implementing the 
139.19 	screening program and facilities conducting rescreening and diagnostic audiological 
139.20 	assessment;
139.21 	(4) designing implementation and evaluation of a system of follow-up and tracking; and
139.22 	(5) evaluating program outcomes to increase effectiveness and efficiency and ensure 
139.23 	culturally appropriate services for children with a confirmed hearing loss and their families.
139.24 	(b) The commissioner of health shall appoint at least one member from each of the 
139.25 	following groups with no less than two of the members being deaf or hard-of-hearing:
139.26 	(1) a representative from a consumer organization representing culturally deaf persons;
139.27 	(2) a parent with a child with hearing loss representing a parent organization;
139.28 	(3) a consumer from an organization representing oral communication options;
139.29 	(4) a consumer from an organization representing cued speech communication options;
139.30 	(5) an audiologist who has experience in evaluation and intervention of infants and 
139.31 	young children;
140.1 	(6) a speech-language pathologist who has experience in evaluation and intervention of 
140.2 	infants and young children;
140.3 	(7) two primary care providers who have experience in the care of infants and young 
140.4 	children, one of which shall be a pediatrician;
140.5 	(8) a representative from the early hearing detection intervention teams;
140.6 	(9) a representative from the Department of Education resource center for the deaf and 
140.7 	hard-of-hearing or the representative's designee;
140.8 	(10) a representative of the Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing;
140.9 	(11) a representative from the Department of Human Services Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing 
140.10 	Services Division;
140.11 	(12) one or more of the Part C coordinators from the Department of Education,; the 
140.12 	Department of Health,; the Department of Children, Youth, and Families; or the Department 
140.13 	of Human Services or the department's designees;
140.14 	(13) the Department of Health early hearing detection and intervention coordinators;
140.15 	(14) two birth hospital representatives from one rural and one urban hospital;
140.16 	(15) a pediatric geneticist;
140.17 	(16) an otolaryngologist;
140.18 	(17) a representative from the Newborn Screening Advisory Committee under this 
140.19 	subdivision;
140.20 	(18) a representative of the Department of Education regional low-incidence facilitators;
140.21 	(19) a representative from the deaf mentor program; and
140.22 	(20) a representative of the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf from the Minnesota 
140.23 	State Academies staff.
140.24 	The commissioner must complete the initial appointments required under this subdivision 
140.25 	by September 1, 2007, and the initial appointments under clauses (19) and (20) by September 
140.26 	1, 2019.
140.27 	(c) The Department of Health member shall chair the first meeting of the committee. At 
140.28 	the first meeting, the committee shall elect a chair from its membership. The committee 
140.29 	shall meet at the call of the chair, at least four times a year. The committee shall adopt 
140.30 	written bylaws to govern its activities. The Department of Health shall provide technical 
140.31 	and administrative support services as required by the committee. These services shall 
141.1 	include technical support from individuals qualified to administer infant hearing screening, 
141.2 	rescreening, and diagnostic audiological assessments.
141.3 	Members of the committee shall receive no compensation for their service, but shall be 
141.4 	reimbursed as provided in section 15.059 for expenses incurred as a result of their duties 
141.5 	as members of the committee.
141.6 	(d) By February 15, 2015, and by February 15 of the odd-numbered years after that date, 
141.7 	the commissioner shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative 
141.8 	committees with jurisdiction over health and data privacy on the activities of the committee 
141.9 	that have occurred during the past two years.
141.10 	(e) This subdivision expires June 30, 2025.

141.11 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245.975, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
141.12 		Subd. 2.Duties. (a) The ombudsperson's duties shall include:
141.13 	(1) advocating on behalf of a family child care provider to address all areas of concern 
141.14 	related to the provision of child care services, including licensing monitoring activities, 
141.15 	licensing actions, and other interactions with state and county licensing staff;
141.16 	(2) providing recommendations for family child care improvement or family child care 
141.17 	provider education;
141.18 	(3) operating a telephone line to answer questions, receive complaints, and discuss 
141.19 	agency actions when a family child care provider believes that the provider's rights or 
141.20 	program may have been adversely affected; and
141.21 	(4) assisting a family child care license applicant with navigating the application process.
141.22 	(b) The ombudsperson must report annually by December 31 to the commissioner of 
141.23 	children, youth, and families and the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative 
141.24 	committees with jurisdiction over child care on the services provided by the ombudsperson 
141.25 	to child care providers, including the number and locations of child care providers served 
141.26 	and the activities of the ombudsperson in carrying out the duties under this section. The 
141.27 	commissioner shall determine the form of the report and may specify additional reporting 
141.28 	requirements.

141.29 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245.975, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
141.30 		Subd. 4.Access to records. (a) The ombudsperson or designee, excluding volunteers, 
141.31 	has access to any data of a state agency necessary for the discharge of the ombudsperson's 
142.1 	duties, including records classified as confidential data on individuals or private data on 
142.2 	individuals under chapter 13 or any other law. The ombudsperson's data request must relate 
142.3 	to a specific case and is subject to section 13.03, subdivision 4. If the data concerns an 
142.4 	individual, the ombudsperson or designee shall first obtain the individual's consent. If the 
142.5 	individual is unable to consent and has no parent or legal guardian, then the ombudsperson's 
142.6 	or designee's access to the data is authorized by this section.
142.7 	(b) The ombudsperson and designees must adhere to the Minnesota Government Data 
142.8 	Practices Act and must not disseminate any private or confidential data on individuals unless 
142.9 	specifically authorized by state, local, or federal law or pursuant to a court order.
142.10 	(c) The commissioner of human services; the commissioner of children, youth, and 
142.11 	families; and any county agency must provide the ombudsperson copies of all fix-it tickets, 
142.12 	correction orders, and licensing actions issued to family child care providers.

142.13 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245.975, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
142.14 		Subd. 9.Posting. (a) The commissioner of children, youth, and families shall post on 
142.15 	the department's website the mailing address, email address, and telephone number for the 
142.16 	office of the ombudsperson. The commissioner shall provide family child care providers 
142.17 	with the mailing address, email address, and telephone number of the ombudsperson's office 
142.18 	on the family child care licensing website and upon request of a family child care applicant 
142.19 	or provider. Counties must provide family child care applicants and providers with the 
142.20 	name, mailing address, email address, and telephone number of the ombudsperson's office 
142.21 	upon request.
142.22 	(b) The ombudsperson must approve all postings and notices required by the department 
142.23 	and counties under this subdivision.

142.24 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245A.10, subdivision 1, as amended by Laws 
142.25 	2024, chapter 80, article 2, section 48, is amended to read:
142.26 		Subdivision 1.Application or license fee required, programs exempt from fee. (a) 
142.27 	Unless exempt under paragraph (b), the commissioner shall charge a fee for evaluation of 
142.28 	applications and inspection of programs which are licensed under this chapter.
142.29 	(b) Except as provided under subdivision 2, no application or license fee shall be charged 
142.30 	for a child foster residence setting, adult foster care, or a community residential setting.

143.1 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245A.10, subdivision 2, as amended by Laws 
143.2 	2024, chapter 80, article 2, section 49, is amended to read:
143.3 		Subd. 2.County fees for applications and licensing inspections. (a) For purposes of 
143.4 	adult foster care and child foster residence setting licensing and licensing the physical plant 
143.5 	of a community residential setting, under this chapter, a county agency may charge a fee to 
143.6 	a corporate applicant or corporate license holder to recover the actual cost of licensing 
143.7 	inspections, not to exceed $500 annually.
143.8 	(b) Counties may elect to reduce or waive the fees in paragraph (a) under the following 
143.9 	circumstances:
143.10 	(1) in cases of financial hardship;
143.11 	(2) if the county has a shortage of providers in the county's area; or
143.12 	(3) for new providers.

143.13 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245A.144, is amended to read:
143.14 	245A.144 TRAINING ON RISK OF SUDDEN UNEXPECTED INFANT DEATH 
143.15 	AND ABUSIVE HEAD TRAUMA FOR CHILD FOSTER CARE PROVIDERS.
143.16 	(a) Licensed child foster care providers that care for infants or children through five 
143.17 	years of age must document that before staff persons and caregivers assist in the care of 
143.18 	infants or children through five years of age, they are instructed on the standards in section 
143.19 	245A.1435142B.46 and receive training on reducing the risk of sudden unexpected infant 
143.20 	death and abusive head trauma from shaking infants and young children. This section does 
143.21 	not apply to emergency relative placement under section 245A.035. The training on reducing 
143.22 	the risk of sudden unexpected infant death and abusive head trauma may be provided as:
143.23 	(1) orientation training to child foster care providers, who care for infants or children 
143.24 	through five years of age, under Minnesota Rules, part 2960.3070, subpart 1; or
143.25 	(2) in-service training to child foster care providers, who care for infants or children 
143.26 	through five years of age, under Minnesota Rules, part 2960.3070, subpart 2.
143.27 	(b) Training required under this section must be at least one hour in length and must be 
143.28 	completed at least once every five years. At a minimum, the training must address the risk 
143.29 	factors related to sudden unexpected infant death and abusive head trauma, means of reducing 
143.30 	the risk of sudden unexpected infant death and abusive head trauma, and license holder 
143.31 	communication with parents regarding reducing the risk of sudden unexpected infant death 
143.32 	and abusive head trauma.
144.1 	(c) Training for child foster care providers must be approved by the county or private 
144.2 	licensing agency that is responsible for monitoring the child foster care provider under 
144.3 	section 245A.16. The approved training fulfills, in part, training required under Minnesota 
144.4 	Rules, part 2960.3070.

144.5 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 245A.16, subdivision 1, as amended 
144.6 	by Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 2, section 65, is amended to read:
144.7 		Subdivision 1.Delegation of authority to agencies. (a) County agencies that have been 
144.8 	designated by the commissioner to perform licensing functions and activities under section 
144.9 	245A.04; to recommend denial of applicants under section 245A.05; to issue correction 
144.10 	orders, to issue variances, and recommend a conditional license under section 245A.06; or 
144.11 	to recommend suspending or revoking a license or issuing a fine under section 245A.07, 
144.12 	shall comply with rules and directives of the commissioner governing those functions and 
144.13 	with this section. The following variances are excluded from the delegation of variance 
144.14 	authority and may be issued only by the commissioner:
144.15 	(1) dual licensure of family child foster care and family adult foster care, dual licensure 
144.16 	of child foster residence setting and community residential setting, and dual licensure of 
144.17 	family adult foster care and family child care;
144.18 	(2) until the responsibility for family child foster care transfers to the commissioner of 
144.19 	children, youth, and families under Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 12, section 30, dual 
144.20 	licensure of family child foster care and family adult foster care;
144.21 	(3) until the responsibility for family child care transfers to the commissioner of children, 
144.22 	youth, and families under Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 12, section 30, dual licensure of 
144.23 	family adult foster care and family child care;
144.24 	(4) adult foster care maximum capacity;
144.25 	(3) (5) adult foster care minimum age requirement;
144.26 	(4) (6) child foster care maximum age requirement;
144.27 	(5) (7) variances regarding disqualified individuals;
144.28 	(6) (8) the required presence of a caregiver in the adult foster care residence during 
144.29 	normal sleeping hours;
144.30 	(7) (9) variances to requirements relating to chemical use problems of a license holder 
144.31 	or a household member of a license holder; and
145.1 	(8) (10) variances to section 142B.46 for the use of a cradleboard for a cultural 
145.2 	accommodation.
145.3 	(b) Once the respective responsibilities transfer from the commissioner of human services 
145.4 	to the commissioner of children, youth, and families, under Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 
145.5 	12, section 30, the commissioners of human services and children, youth, and families must 
145.6 	both approve a variance for dual licensure of family child foster care and family adult foster 
145.7 	care or family adult foster care and family child care. Variances under this paragraph are 
145.8 	excluded from the delegation of variance authority and may be issued only by both 
145.9 	commissioners.
145.10 	(b) (c) For family adult day services programs, the commissioner may authorize licensing 
145.11 	reviews every two years after a licensee has had at least one annual review.
145.12 	(c) (d) A license issued under this section may be issued for up to two years.
145.13 	(d) (e) During implementation of chapter 245D, the commissioner shall consider:
145.14 	(1) the role of counties in quality assurance;
145.15 	(2) the duties of county licensing staff; and
145.16 	(3) the possible use of joint powers agreements, according to section 471.59, with counties 
145.17 	through which some licensing duties under chapter 245D may be delegated by the 
145.18 	commissioner to the counties.
145.19 	Any consideration related to this paragraph must meet all of the requirements of the corrective 
145.20 	action plan ordered by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
145.21 	(e) (f) Licensing authority specific to section 245D.06, subdivisions 5, 6, 7, and 8, or 
145.22 	successor provisions; and section 245D.061 or successor provisions, for family child foster 
145.23 	care programs providing out-of-home respite, as identified in section 245D.03, subdivision 
145.24 	1, paragraph (b), clause (1), is excluded from the delegation of authority to county agencies.

145.25 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245A.175, is amended to read:
145.26 	245A.175 CHILD FOSTER CARE TRAINING REQUIREMENT; MENTAL 
145.27 	HEALTH TRAINING; FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS TRAINING.
145.28 	Prior to a nonemergency placement of a child in a foster care home, the child foster care 
145.29 	license holder and caregivers in foster family and treatment foster care settings, and all staff 
145.30 	providing care in foster residence settings must complete two hours of training that addresses 
145.31 	the causes, symptoms, and key warning signs of mental health disorders; cultural 
145.32 	considerations; and effective approaches for dealing with a child's behaviors. At least one 
146.1 	hour of the annual training requirement for the foster family license holder and caregivers, 
146.2 	and foster residence staff must be on children's mental health issues and treatment. Except 
146.3 	for providers and services under chapter 245D, the annual training must also include at least 
146.4 	one hour of training on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, which must be counted toward the 
146.5 	12 hours of required in-service training per year. Short-term substitute caregivers are exempt 
146.6 	from these requirements. Training curriculum shall be approved by the commissioner of 
146.7 	human services.

146.8 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 245A.66, subdivision 4, as amended 
146.9 	by Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 2, section 73, is amended to read:
146.10 		Subd. 4.Ongoing training requirement. (a) In addition to the orientation training 
146.11 	required by the applicable licensing rules and statutes, children's residential facility license 
146.12 	holders must provide a training annually on the maltreatment of minors reporting 
146.13 	requirements and definitions in chapter 260E to each mandatory reporter, as described in 
146.14 	section 260E.06, subdivision 1.
146.15 	(b) In addition to the orientation training required by the applicable licensing rules and 
146.16 	statutes, all foster residence setting staff and volunteers that are mandatory reporters as 
146.17 	described in section 260E.06, subdivision 1, must complete training each year on the 
146.18 	maltreatment of minors reporting requirements and definitions in chapter 260E.

146.19 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256.029, as amended by Laws 2024, chapter 
146.20 	80, article 1, section 66, is amended to read:
146.21 	256.029 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INFORMATIONAL BROCHURE.
146.22 	(a) The commissioner shall provide a domestic violence informational brochure that 
146.23 	provides information about the existence of domestic violence waivers for eligible public 
146.24 	assistance applicants to all applicants of general assistance, medical assistance, and 
146.25 	MinnesotaCare. The brochure must explain that eligible applicants may be temporarily 
146.26 	waived from certain program requirements due to domestic violence. The brochure must 
146.27 	provide information about services and other programs to help victims of domestic violence.
146.28 	(b) The brochure must be funded with TANF funds.
146.29 	(c) The commissioner must work with the commissioner of children, youth, and families 
146.30 	to create a brochure that meets the requirements of this section and section 142G.05.

147.1 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 256.043, subdivision 3, is amended 
147.2 	to read:
147.3 		Subd. 3.Appropriations from registration and license fee account. (a) The 
147.4 	appropriations in paragraphs (b) to (n) shall be made from the registration and license fee 
147.5 	account on a fiscal year basis in the order specified.
147.6 	(b) The appropriations specified in Laws 2019, chapter 63, article 3, section 1, paragraphs 
147.7 	(b), (f), (g), and (h), as amended by Laws 2020, chapter 115, article 3, section 35, shall be 
147.8 	made accordingly.
147.9 	(c) $100,000 is appropriated to the commissioner of human services for grants for opiate 
147.10 	antagonist distribution. Grantees may utilize funds for opioid overdose prevention, 
147.11 	community asset mapping, education, and opiate antagonist distribution.
147.12 	(d) $2,000,000 is appropriated to the commissioner of human services for grants to Tribal 
147.13 	nations and five urban Indian communities for traditional healing practices for American 
147.14 	Indians and to increase the capacity of culturally specific providers in the behavioral health 
147.15 	workforce.
147.16 	(e) $400,000 is appropriated to the commissioner of human services for competitive 
147.17 	grants for opioid-focused Project ECHO programs.
147.18 	(f) $277,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $321,000 each year thereafter is appropriated to the 
147.19 	commissioner of human services to administer the funding distribution and reporting 
147.20 	requirements in paragraph (o).
147.21 	(g) $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 and $3,000,000 each year thereafter is appropriated 
147.22 	to the commissioner of human services for safe recovery sites start-up and capacity building 
147.23 	grants under section 254B.18.
147.24 	(h) $395,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $415,000 each year thereafter is appropriated to 
147.25 	the commissioner of human services for the opioid overdose surge alert system under section 
147.26 	245.891.
147.27 	(i) $300,000 is appropriated to the commissioner of management and budget for 
147.28 	evaluation activities under section 256.042, subdivision 1, paragraph (c).
147.29 	(j) $261,000 is appropriated to the commissioner of human services for the provision of 
147.30 	administrative services to the Opiate Epidemic Response Advisory Council and for the 
147.31 	administration of the grants awarded under paragraph (n).
148.1 	(k) $126,000 is appropriated to the Board of Pharmacy for the collection of the registration 
148.2 	fees under section 151.066.
148.3 	(l) $672,000 is appropriated to the commissioner of public safety for the Bureau of 
148.4 	Criminal Apprehension. Of this amount, $384,000 is for drug scientists and lab supplies 
148.5 	and $288,000 is for special agent positions focused on drug interdiction and drug trafficking.
148.6 	(m) After the appropriations in paragraphs (b) to (l) are made, 50 percent of the remaining 
148.7 	amount is appropriated to the commissioner of human services children, youth, and families
148.8 	for distribution to county social service agencies and Tribal social service agency initiative 
148.9 	projects authorized under section 256.01, subdivision 14b, to provide child protection 
148.10 	services to children and families who are affected by addiction. The commissioner shall 
148.11 	distribute this money proportionally to county social service agencies and Tribal social 
148.12 	service agency initiative projects based on out-of-home placement episodes where parental 
148.13 	drug abuse is the primary reason for the out-of-home placement using data from the previous 
148.14 	calendar year. County social service agencies and Tribal social service agency initiative 
148.15 	projects receiving funds from the opiate epidemic response fund must annually report to 
148.16 	the commissioner on how the funds were used to provide child protection services, including 
148.17 	measurable outcomes, as determined by the commissioner. County social service agencies 
148.18 	and Tribal social service agency initiative projects must not use funds received under this 
148.19 	paragraph to supplant current state or local funding received for child protection services 
148.20 	for children and families who are affected by addiction.
148.21 	(n) After the appropriations in paragraphs (b) to (m) are made, the remaining amount in 
148.22 	the account is appropriated to the commissioner of human services to award grants as 
148.23 	specified by the Opiate Epidemic Response Advisory Council in accordance with section 
148.24 	256.042, unless otherwise appropriated by the legislature.
148.25 	(o) Beginning in fiscal year 2022 and each year thereafter, funds for county social service 
148.26 	agencies and Tribal social service agency initiative projects under paragraph (m) and grant 
148.27 	funds specified by the Opiate Epidemic Response Advisory Council under paragraph (n) 
148.28 	may be distributed on a calendar year basis.
148.29 	(p) Notwithstanding section 16A.28, subdivision 3, funds appropriated in paragraphs 
148.30 	(c), (d), (e), (g), (m), and (n) are available for three years after the funds are appropriated.

149.1 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 256.043, subdivision 3a, is amended 
149.2 	to read:
149.3 		Subd. 3a.Appropriations from settlement account. (a) The appropriations in paragraphs 
149.4 	(b) to (e) shall be made from the settlement account on a fiscal year basis in the order 
149.5 	specified.
149.6 	(b) If the balance in the registration and license fee account is not sufficient to fully fund 
149.7 	the appropriations specified in subdivision 3, paragraphs (b) to (l), an amount necessary to 
149.8 	meet any insufficiency shall be transferred from the settlement account to the registration 
149.9 	and license fee account to fully fund the required appropriations.
149.10 	(c) $209,000 in fiscal year 2023 and $239,000 in fiscal year 2024 and subsequent fiscal 
149.11 	years are appropriated to the commissioner of human services for the administration of 
149.12 	grants awarded under paragraph (e). $276,000 in fiscal year 2023 and $151,000 in fiscal 
149.13 	year 2024 and subsequent fiscal years are appropriated to the commissioner of human 
149.14 	services to collect, collate, and report data submitted and to monitor compliance with 
149.15 	reporting and settlement expenditure requirements by grantees awarded grants under this 
149.16 	section and municipalities receiving direct payments from a statewide opioid settlement 
149.17 	agreement as defined in section 256.042, subdivision 6.
149.18 	(d) After any appropriations necessary under paragraphs (b) and (c) are made, an amount 
149.19 	equal to the calendar year allocation to Tribal social service agency initiative projects under 
149.20 	subdivision 3, paragraph (m), is appropriated from the settlement account to the commissioner 
149.21 	of human services children, youth, and families for distribution to Tribal social service 
149.22 	agency initiative projects to provide child protection services to children and families who 
149.23 	are affected by addiction. The requirements related to proportional distribution, annual 
149.24 	reporting, and maintenance of effort specified in subdivision 3, paragraph (m), also apply 
149.25 	to the appropriations made under this paragraph.
149.26 	(e) After making the appropriations in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d), the remaining amount 
149.27 	in the account is appropriated to the commissioner of human services to award grants as 
149.28 	specified by the Opiate Epidemic Response Advisory Council in accordance with section 
149.29 	256.042.
149.30 	(f) Funds for Tribal social service agency initiative projects under paragraph (d) and 
149.31 	grant funds specified by the Opiate Epidemic Response Advisory Council under paragraph 
149.32 	(e) may be distributed on a calendar year basis.
149.33 	(g) Notwithstanding section 16A.28, subdivision 3, funds appropriated in paragraphs 
149.34 	(d) and (e) are available for three years after the funds are appropriated.

150.1 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 256.045, subdivision 3, as amended 
150.2 	by Laws 2024, chapter 79, article 3, section 3, and Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 1, section 
150.3 	67, is amended to read:
150.4 		Subd. 3.State agency hearings. (a) State agency hearings are available for the following:
150.5 	(1) any person:
150.6 	(i) applying for, receiving or having received public assistance, medical care, or a program 
150.7 	of social services administered by the commissioner or a county agency on behalf of the 
150.8 	commissioner; and
150.9 	(ii) whose application for assistance is denied, not acted upon with reasonable promptness, 
150.10 	or whose assistance is suspended, reduced, terminated, or claimed to have been incorrectly 
150.11 	paid;
150.12 	(2) any patient or relative aggrieved by an order of the commissioner under section 
150.13 	252.27;
150.14 	(3) a party aggrieved by a ruling of a prepaid health plan;
150.15 	(4) except as provided under chapter 245C, any individual or facility determined by a 
150.16 	lead investigative agency to have maltreated a vulnerable adult under section 626.557 after 
150.17 	they have exercised their right to administrative reconsideration under section 626.557;
150.18 	(5) any person to whom a right of appeal according to this section is given by other 
150.19 	provision of law;
150.20 	(6) an applicant aggrieved by an adverse decision to an application for a hardship waiver 
150.21 	under section 256B.15;
150.22 	(7) an applicant aggrieved by an adverse decision to an application or redetermination 
150.23 	for a Medicare Part D prescription drug subsidy under section 256B.04, subdivision 4a;
150.24 	(8) except as provided under chapter 245A, an individual or facility determined to have 
150.25 	maltreated a minor under chapter 260E, after the individual or facility has exercised the 
150.26 	right to administrative reconsideration under chapter 260E;
150.27 	(8) (9) except as provided under chapter 245Cand except for a subject of a background 
150.28 	study that the commissioner has conducted on behalf of another agency for a program or 
150.29 	facility not otherwise overseen by the commissioner, an individual disqualified under sections 
150.30 	245C.14 and 245C.15, following a reconsideration decision issued under section 245C.23, 
150.31 	on the basis of serious or recurring maltreatment; a preponderance of the evidence that the 
150.32 	individual has committed an act or acts that meet the definition of any of the crimes listed 
151.1 	in section 245C.15, subdivisions 1 to 4; or for failing to make reports required under section 
151.2 	260E.06, subdivision 1, or 626.557, subdivision 3. Hearings regarding a maltreatment 
151.3 	determination under clause (4) or (8) or section 142A.20, subdivision 3, clause (4), and a 
151.4 	disqualification under this clause in which the basis for a disqualification is serious or 
151.5 	recurring maltreatment, shall be consolidated into a single fair hearing. In such cases, the 
151.6 	scope of review by the human services judge shall include both the maltreatment 
151.7 	determination and the disqualification. The failure to exercise the right to an administrative 
151.8 	reconsideration shall not be a bar to a hearing under this section if federal law provides an 
151.9 	individual the right to a hearing to dispute a finding of maltreatment;
151.10 	(9) (10) any person with an outstanding debt resulting from receipt of public assistance 
151.11 	administered by the commissioner or medical care who is contesting a setoff claim by the 
151.12 	Department of Human Services or a county agency. The scope of the appeal is the validity 
151.13 	of the claimant agency's intention to request a setoff of a refund under chapter 270A against 
151.14 	the debt;
151.15 	(10) (11) a person issued a notice of service termination under section 245D.10, 
151.16 	subdivision 3a, by a licensed provider of any residential supports or services listed in section 
151.17 	245D.03, subdivision 1, paragraphs (b) and (c), that is not otherwise subject to appeal under 
151.18 	subdivision 4a;
151.19 	(11) (12) an individual disability waiver recipient based on a denial of a request for a 
151.20 	rate exception under section 256B.4914;
151.21 	(12) (13) a person issued a notice of service termination under section 245A.11, 
151.22 	subdivision 11, that is not otherwise subject to appeal under subdivision 4a; or
151.23 	(13) (14) a recovery community organization seeking medical assistance vendor eligibility 
151.24 	under section 254B.01, subdivision 8, that is aggrieved by a membership or accreditation 
151.25 	determination and that believes the organization meets the requirements under section 
151.26 	254B.05, subdivision 1, paragraph (d), clauses (1) to (10). The scope of the review by the 
151.27 	human services judge shall be limited to whether the organization meets each of the 
151.28 	requirements under section 254B.05, subdivision 1, paragraph (d), clauses (1) to (10).
151.29 	(b) The hearing for an individual or facility under paragraph (a), clause (4), (8), or (9), 
151.30 	is the only administrative appeal to the final agency determination specifically, including 
151.31 	a challenge to the accuracy and completeness of data under section 13.04. Hearings requested 
151.32 	under paragraph (a), clause (4), apply only to incidents of maltreatment that occur on or 
151.33 	after October 1, 1995. Hearings requested by nursing assistants in nursing homes alleged 
151.34 	to have maltreated a resident prior to October 1, 1995, shall be held as a contested case 
152.1 	proceeding under the provisions of chapter 14. Hearings requested under paragraph (a), 
152.2 	clause (8), apply only to incidents of maltreatment that occur on or after July 1, 1997. A 
152.3 	hearing for an individual or facility under paragraph (a), clause (4), (8), or (9), is only 
152.4 	available when there is no district court action pending. If such action is filed in district 
152.5 	court while an administrative review is pending that arises out of some or all of the events 
152.6 	or circumstances on which the appeal is based, the administrative review must be suspended 
152.7 	until the judicial actions are completed. If the district court proceedings are completed, 
152.8 	dismissed, or overturned, the matter may be considered in an administrative hearing.
152.9 	(c) For purposes of this section, bargaining unit grievance procedures are not an 
152.10 	administrative appeal.
152.11 	(d) The scope of hearings involving claims to foster care payments under section 142A.20, 
152.12 	subdivision 2, clause (2), shall be limited to the issue of whether the county is legally 
152.13 	responsible for a child's placement under court order or voluntary placement agreement 
152.14 	and, if so, the correct amount of foster care payment to be made on the child's behalf and 
152.15 	shall not include review of the propriety of the county's child protection determination or 
152.16 	child placement decision.
152.17 	(d) (e) The scope of hearings under paragraph (a), clauses (11) and (13), shall be limited 
152.18 	to whether the proposed termination of services is authorized under section 245D.10, 
152.19 	subdivision 3a, paragraph (b), or 245A.11, subdivision 11, and whether the requirements 
152.20 	of section 245D.10, subdivision 3a, paragraphs (c) to (e), or 245A.11, subdivision 2a, 
152.21 	paragraphs (d) and (e), were met. If the appeal includes a request for a temporary stay of 
152.22 	termination of services, the scope of the hearing shall also include whether the case 
152.23 	management provider has finalized arrangements for a residential facility, a program, or 
152.24 	services that will meet the assessed needs of the recipient by the effective date of the service 
152.25 	termination.
152.26 	(e) (f) A vendor of medical care as defined in section 256B.02, subdivision 7, or a vendor 
152.27 	under contract with a county agency to provide social services is not a party and may not 
152.28 	request a hearing under this section, except if assisting a recipient as provided in subdivision 
152.29 	4.
152.30 	(f) (g) An applicant or recipient is not entitled to receive social services beyond the 
152.31 	services prescribed under chapter 256M or other social services the person is eligible for 
152.32 	under state law.
153.1 	(g) (h) The commissioner may summarily affirm the county or state agency's proposed 
153.2 	action without a hearing when the sole issue is an automatic change due to a change in state 
153.3 	or federal law, except in matters covered by paragraph (h) (i).
153.4 	(h) (i) When the subject of an administrative review is a matter within the jurisdiction 
153.5 	of the direct care and treatment executive board as a part of the board's powers and duties 
153.6 	under chapter 246C, the executive board may summarily affirm the county or state agency's 
153.7 	proposed action without a hearing when the sole issue is an automatic change due to a 
153.8 	change in state or federal law.
153.9 	(i) (j) Unless federal or Minnesota law specifies a different time frame in which to file 
153.10 	an appeal, an individual or organization specified in this section may contest the specified 
153.11 	action, decision, or final disposition before the state agency by submitting a written request 
153.12 	for a hearing to the state agency within 30 days after receiving written notice of the action, 
153.13 	decision, or final disposition, or within 90 days of such written notice if the applicant, 
153.14 	recipient, patient, or relative shows good cause, as defined in section 256.0451, subdivision 
153.15 	13, why the request was not submitted within the 30-day time limit. The individual filing 
153.16 	the appeal has the burden of proving good cause by a preponderance of the evidence.

153.17 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256.045, subdivision 3b, as amended by Laws 
153.18 	2024, chapter 80, article 1, section 68, is amended to read:
153.19 		Subd. 3b.Standard of evidence for maltreatment and disqualification hearings. (a) 
153.20 	The state human services judge shall determine that maltreatment has occurred if a 
153.21 	preponderance of evidence exists to support the final disposition under section 626.557 and 
153.22 	chapter 260E. For purposes of hearings regarding disqualification, the state human services 
153.23 	judge shall affirm the proposed disqualification in an appeal under subdivision 3, paragraph 
153.24 	(a), clause (9), if a preponderance of the evidence shows the individual has:
153.25 	(1) committed maltreatment under section 626.557 or chapter 260E that is serious or 
153.26 	recurring;
153.27 	(2) committed an act or acts meeting the definition of any of the crimes listed in section 
153.28 	245C.15, subdivisions 1 to 4; or
153.29 	(3) failed to make required reports under section 626.557 or chapter 260E, for incidents 
153.30 	in which the final disposition under section 626.557 or chapter 260E was substantiated 
153.31 	maltreatment that was serious or recurring.
153.32 	(b) If the disqualification is affirmed, the state human services judge shall determine 
153.33 	whether the individual poses a risk of harm in accordance with the requirements of section 
154.1 	245C.22, and whether the disqualification should be set aside or not set aside. In determining 
154.2 	whether the disqualification should be set aside, the human services judge shall consider 
154.3 	all of the characteristics that cause the individual to be disqualified, including those 
154.4 	characteristics that were not subject to review under paragraph (a), in order to determine 
154.5 	whether the individual poses a risk of harm. A decision to set aside a disqualification that 
154.6 	is the subject of the hearing constitutes a determination that the individual does not pose a 
154.7 	risk of harm and that the individual may provide direct contact services in the individual 
154.8 	program specified in the set aside.
154.9 	(c) If a disqualification is based solely on a conviction or is conclusive for any reason 
154.10 	under section 245C.29, the disqualified individual does not have a right to a hearing under 
154.11 	this section.
154.12 	(d) The state human services judge shall recommend an order to the commissioner of 
154.13 	health,; education,; children, youth, and families; or human services, as applicable, who 
154.14 	shall issue a final order. The commissioner shall affirm, reverse, or modify the final 
154.15 	disposition. Any order of the commissioner issued in accordance with this subdivision is 
154.16 	conclusive upon the parties unless appeal is taken in the manner provided in subdivision 7. 
154.17 	In any licensing appeal under chapters 245A and 245C and sections 144.50 to 144.58 and 
154.18 	144A.02 to 144A.482, the commissioner's determination as to maltreatment is conclusive, 
154.19 	as provided under section 245C.29.

154.20 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256.045, subdivision 5, as amended by Laws 
154.21 	2024, chapter 79, article 3, section 4, is amended to read:
154.22 		Subd. 5.Orders of the commissioner of human services. (a) Except as provided for 
154.23 	under subdivision 5a for matters under the jurisdiction of the direct care and treatment 
154.24 	executive board and for hearings held under section 142A.20, subdivision 2, a state human 
154.25 	services judge shall conduct a hearing on the appeal and shall recommend an order to the 
154.26 	commissioner of human services. The recommended order must be based on all relevant 
154.27 	evidence and must not be limited to a review of the propriety of the state or county agency's 
154.28 	action. A human services judge may take official notice of adjudicative facts. The 
154.29 	commissioner of human services may accept the recommended order of a state human 
154.30 	services judge and issue the order to the county agency and the applicant, recipient, former 
154.31 	recipient, or prepaid health plan. The commissioner on refusing to accept the recommended 
154.32 	order of the state human services judge, shall notify the petitioner, the agency, or prepaid 
154.33 	health plan of that fact and shall state reasons therefor and shall allow each party ten days' 
154.34 	time to submit additional written argument on the matter. After the expiration of the ten-day 
155.1 	period, the commissioner shall issue an order on the matter to the petitioner, the agency, or 
155.2 	prepaid health plan.
155.3 	(b) A party aggrieved by an order of the commissioner may appeal under subdivision 
155.4 	7, or request reconsideration by the commissioner within 30 days after the date the 
155.5 	commissioner issues the order. The commissioner may reconsider an order upon request of 
155.6 	any party or on the commissioner's own motion. A request for reconsideration does not stay 
155.7 	implementation of the commissioner's order. The person seeking reconsideration has the 
155.8 	burden to demonstrate why the matter should be reconsidered. The request for reconsideration 
155.9 	may include legal argument and proposed additional evidence supporting the request. If 
155.10 	proposed additional evidence is submitted, the person must explain why the proposed 
155.11 	additional evidence was not provided at the time of the hearing. If reconsideration is granted, 
155.12 	the other participants must be sent a copy of all material submitted in support of the request 
155.13 	for reconsideration and must be given ten days to respond. Upon reconsideration, the 
155.14 	commissioner may issue an amended order or an order affirming the original order.
155.15 	(c) Any order of the commissioner issued under this subdivision shall be conclusive 
155.16 	upon the parties unless appeal is taken in the manner provided by subdivision 7. Any order 
155.17 	of the commissioner is binding on the parties and must be implemented by the state agency, 
155.18 	a county agency, or a prepaid health plan according to subdivision 3a, until the order is 
155.19 	reversed by the district court, or unless the commissioner or a district court orders monthly 
155.20 	assistance or aid or services paid or provided under subdivision 10.
155.21 	(d) A vendor of medical care as defined in section 256B.02, subdivision 7, or a vendor 
155.22 	under contract with a county agency to provide social services is not a party and may not 
155.23 	request a hearing or seek judicial review of an order issued under this section, unless assisting 
155.24 	a recipient as provided in subdivision 4. A prepaid health plan is a party to an appeal under 
155.25 	subdivision 3a, but cannot seek judicial review of an order issued under this section.

155.26 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256.045, subdivision 7, as amended by Laws 
155.27 	2024, chapter 79, article 3, section 7, is amended to read:
155.28 		Subd. 7.Judicial review. Except for a prepaid health plan, any party who is aggrieved 
155.29 	by an order of the commissioner of human services,; the commissioner of health; or the 
155.30 	commissioner of children, youth, and families in appeals within the commissioner's 
155.31 	jurisdiction under subdivision 3b,; or the direct care and treatment executive board in appeals 
155.32 	within the jurisdiction of the executive board under subdivision 5a may appeal the order to 
155.33 	the district court of the county responsible for furnishing assistance, or, in appeals under 
155.34 	subdivision 3b, the county where the maltreatment occurred, by serving a written copy of 
156.1 	a notice of appeal upon the applicable commissioner or executive board and any adverse 
156.2 	party of record within 30 days after the date the commissioner or executive board issued 
156.3 	the order, the amended order, or order affirming the original order, and by filing the original 
156.4 	notice and proof of service with the court administrator of the district court. Service may 
156.5 	be made personally or by mail; service by mail is complete upon mailing; no filing fee shall 
156.6 	be required by the court administrator in appeals taken pursuant to this subdivision, with 
156.7 	the exception of appeals taken under subdivision 3b. The applicable commissioner or 
156.8 	executive board may elect to become a party to the proceedings in the district court. Except 
156.9 	for appeals under subdivision 3b, any party may demand that the commissioner or executive 
156.10 	board furnish all parties to the proceedings with a copy of the decision, and a transcript of 
156.11 	any testimony, evidence, or other supporting papers from the hearing held before the human 
156.12 	services judge, by serving a written demand upon the applicable commissioner or executive 
156.13 	board within 30 days after service of the notice of appeal. Any party aggrieved by the failure 
156.14 	of an adverse party to obey an order issued by the commissioner or executive board under 
156.15 	subdivisions 5 or 5a may compel performance according to the order in the manner prescribed 
156.16 	in sections 586.01 to 586.12.

156.17 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256.0451, subdivision 1, as amended by Laws 
156.18 	2024, chapter 80, article 1, section 72, is amended to read:
156.19 		Subdivision 1.Scope. (a) The requirements in this section apply to all fair hearings and 
156.20 	appeals under section sections 142A.20, subdivision 2, and256.045, subdivision 3, paragraph 
156.21 	(a), clauses (1), (2), (3), (5), (6), (7), (8), (11) (10), and (13) (12). Except as provided in 
156.22 	subdivisions 3 and 19, the requirements under this section apply to fair hearings and appeals 
156.23 	under section 256.045, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clauses (4), (8), (9), (10), and (12) (11).
156.24 	(b) For purposes of this section, "person" means an individual who, on behalf of 
156.25 	themselves or their household, is appealing or disputing or challenging an action, a decision, 
156.26 	or a failure to act, by an agency in the human services system. When a person involved in 
156.27 	a proceeding under this section is represented by an attorney or by an authorized 
156.28 	representative, the term "person" also means the person's attorney or authorized 
156.29 	representative. Any notice sent to the person involved in the hearing must also be sent to 
156.30 	the person's attorney or authorized representative.
156.31 	(c) For purposes of this section, "agency" means the county human services agency, the 
156.32 	state human services agency, and, where applicable, any entity involved under a contract, 
156.33 	subcontract, grant, or subgrant with the state agency or with a county agency, that provides 
156.34 	or operates programs or services in which appeals are governed by section 256.045.

157.1 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256.0451, subdivision 22, is amended to read:
157.2 		Subd. 22.Decisions. A timely, written decision must be issued in every appeal. Each 
157.3 	decision must contain a clear ruling on the issues presented in the appeal hearing and should 
157.4 	contain a ruling only on questions directly presented by the appeal and the arguments raised 
157.5 	in the appeal.
157.6 	(a) A written decision must be issued within 90 days of the date the person involved 
157.7 	requested the appeal unless a shorter time is required by law. An additional 30 days is 
157.8 	provided in those cases where the commissioner refuses to accept the recommended decision. 
157.9 	In appeals of maltreatment determinations or disqualifications filed pursuant to section 
157.10 	256.045, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (4), (8), or (9), or (10), that also give rise to 
157.11 	possible licensing actions, the 90-day period for issuing final decisions does not begin until 
157.12 	the later of the date that the licensing authority provides notice to the appeals division that 
157.13 	the authority has made the final determination in the matter or the date the appellant files 
157.14 	the last appeal in the consolidated matters.
157.15 	(b) The decision must contain both findings of fact and conclusions of law, clearly 
157.16 	separated and identified. The findings of fact must be based on the entire record. Each 
157.17 	finding of fact made by the human services judge shall be supported by a preponderance 
157.18 	of the evidence unless a different standard is required under the regulations of a particular 
157.19 	program. The "preponderance of the evidence" means, in light of the record as a whole, the 
157.20 	evidence leads the human services judge to believe that the finding of fact is more likely to 
157.21 	be true than not true. The legal claims or arguments of a participant do not constitute either 
157.22 	a finding of fact or a conclusion of law, except to the extent the human services judge adopts 
157.23 	an argument as a finding of fact or conclusion of law.
157.24 	The decision shall contain at least the following:
157.25 	(1) a listing of the date and place of the hearing and the participants at the hearing;
157.26 	(2) a clear and precise statement of the issues, including the dispute under consideration 
157.27 	and the specific points which must be resolved in order to decide the case;
157.28 	(3) a listing of the material, including exhibits, records, reports, placed into evidence at 
157.29 	the hearing, and upon which the hearing decision is based;
157.30 	(4) the findings of fact based upon the entire hearing record. The findings of fact must 
157.31 	be adequate to inform the participants and any interested person in the public of the basis 
157.32 	of the decision. If the evidence is in conflict on an issue which must be resolved, the findings 
157.33 	of fact must state the reasoning used in resolving the conflict;
158.1 	(5) conclusions of law that address the legal authority for the hearing and the ruling, and 
158.2 	which give appropriate attention to the claims of the participants to the hearing;
158.3 	(6) a clear and precise statement of the decision made resolving the dispute under 
158.4 	consideration in the hearing; and
158.5 	(7) written notice of the right to appeal to district court or to request reconsideration, 
158.6 	and of the actions required and the time limits for taking appropriate action to appeal to 
158.7 	district court or to request a reconsideration.
158.8 	(c) The human services judge shall not independently investigate facts or otherwise rely 
158.9 	on information not presented at the hearing. The human services judge may not contact 
158.10 	other agency personnel, except as provided in subdivision 18. The human services judge's 
158.11 	recommended decision must be based exclusively on the testimony and evidence presented 
158.12 	at the hearing, and legal arguments presented, and the human services judge's research and 
158.13 	knowledge of the law.
158.14 	(d) The commissioner will review the recommended decision and accept or refuse to 
158.15 	accept the decision according to section 142A.20, subdivision 3, or256.045, subdivision 
158.16 	5.

158.17 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256.0451, subdivision 24, is amended to read:
158.18 		Subd. 24.Reconsideration. (a) Reconsideration may be requested within 30 days of 
158.19 	the date of the commissioner's final order. If reconsideration is requested under section
158.20 	142A.20, subdivision 3, or256.045, subdivision 5, the other participants in the appeal shall 
158.21 	be informed of the request. The person seeking reconsideration has the burden to demonstrate 
158.22 	why the matter should be reconsidered. The request for reconsideration may include legal 
158.23 	argument and may include proposed additional evidence supporting the request. The other 
158.24 	participants shall be sent a copy of all material submitted in support of the request for 
158.25 	reconsideration and must be given ten days to respond.
158.26 	(b) When the requesting party raises a question as to the appropriateness of the findings 
158.27 	of fact, the commissioner shall review the entire record.
158.28 	(c) When the requesting party questions the appropriateness of a conclusion of law, the 
158.29 	commissioner shall consider the recommended decision, the decision under reconsideration, 
158.30 	and the material submitted in connection with the reconsideration. The commissioner shall 
158.31 	review the remaining record as necessary to issue a reconsidered decision.
158.32 	(d) The commissioner shall issue a written decision on reconsideration in a timely fashion. 
158.33 	The decision must clearly inform the parties that this constitutes the final administrative 
159.1 	decision, advise the participants of the right to seek judicial review, and the deadline for 
159.2 	doing so.

159.3 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256.046, subdivision 2, as amended by Laws 
159.4 	2024, chapter 80, article 1, section 75, is amended to read:
159.5 		Subd. 2.Combined hearing. (a) The human services judge may combine a fair hearing 
159.6 	under section 142A.20 or 256.045 and administrative fraud disqualification hearing under 
159.7 	this section or section 142A.27 into a single hearing if the factual issues arise out of the 
159.8 	same, or related, circumstances; the commissioner of human services has jurisdiction over 
159.9 	at least one of the hearings; and the individual receives prior notice that the hearings will 
159.10 	be combined. If the administrative fraud disqualification hearing and fair hearing are 
159.11 	combined, the time frames for administrative fraud disqualification hearings specified in 
159.12 	Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 273.16, apply. If the individual accused of 
159.13 	wrongfully obtaining assistance is charged under section 256.98 for the same act or acts 
159.14 	which are the subject of the hearing, the individual may request that the hearing be delayed 
159.15 	until the criminal charge is decided by the court or withdrawn.
159.16 	(b) The human services judge must conduct any hearings under section 142A.20 or 
159.17 	142A.27 pursuant to the relevant laws and rules governing children, youth, and families 
159.18 	judges.

159.19 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 256M.42, is amended by adding a 
159.20 	subdivision to read:
159.21 		Subd. 7.Adult protection grant allocation under Reform 2020. The requirements of 
159.22 	subdivisions 2 to 6 apply to the Reform 2020 adult protection state grants in Minnesota 
159.23 	Statutes 2013 Supplement, section 256M.40, subdivision 1, and Laws 2013, chapter 108, 
159.24 	article 15. The Reform 2020 state adult protection grant must be allocated annually consistent 
159.25 	with the calendar year 2023 allocation made under section 256M.40.

159.26 	Sec. 26. Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 12, section 30, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
159.27 		Subd. 2.Department of Human Services. The powers and duties of the Department 
159.28 	of Human Services with respect to the following responsibilities and related elements are 
159.29 	transferred to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families according to Minnesota 
159.30 	Statutes, section 15.039:
159.31 	(1) family services and community-based collaboratives under Minnesota Statutes, 
159.32 	section 124D.23;
160.1 	(2) child care programs under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 119B;
160.2 	(3) Parent Aware quality rating and improvement system under Minnesota Statutes, 
160.3 	section 124D.142;
160.4 	(4) migrant child care services under Minnesota Statutes, section 256M.50;
160.5 	(5) early childhood and school-age professional development training under Laws 2007, 
160.6 	chapter 147, article 2, section 56;
160.7 	(6) licensure of family child care and child care centers, child foster care, and private 
160.8 	child placing agencies under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 245A;
160.9 	(7) certification of license-exempt child care centers under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 
160.10 	245H;
160.11 	(8) program integrity and fraud related to the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), 
160.12 	the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), and the Supplemental Nutrition 
160.13 	Assistance Program (SNAP) under Minnesota Statutes, chapters 119B and 245E;
160.14 	(9) SNAP under Minnesota Statutes, sections 256D.60 to 256D.63;
160.15 	(10) electronic benefit transactions under Minnesota Statutes, sections 256.9862, 
160.16 	256.9863, 256.9865, 256.987, 256.9871, 256.9872, and 256J.77;
160.17 	(11) Minnesota food assistance program under Minnesota Statutes, section 256D.64;
160.18 	(12) Minnesota food shelf program under Minnesota Statutes, section 256E.34;
160.19 	(13) MFIP and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) under Minnesota 
160.20 	Statutes, sections 256.9864 and 256.9865 and chapters 256J and 256P;
160.21 	(14) Diversionary Work Program (DWP) under Minnesota Statutes, section 256J.95;
160.22 	(15) resettlement programs under Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.06, subdivision 6
160.23 	American Indian food sovereignty program under Minnesota Statutes, section 256E.342;
160.24 	(16) child abuse under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256E;
160.25 	(17) reporting of the maltreatment of minors under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 260E;
160.26 	(18) children in voluntary foster care for treatment under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 
160.27 	260D;
160.28 	(19) juvenile safety and placement under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 260C;
160.29 	(20) the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act under Minnesota Statutes, sections 
160.30 	260.751 to 260.835;
161.1 	(21) the Interstate Compact for Juveniles under Minnesota Statutes, section 260.515, 
161.2 	and the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children under Minnesota Statutes, sections 
161.3 	260.851 to 260.93;
161.4 	(22) adoption under Minnesota Statutes, sections 259.20 to 259.89;
161.5 	(23) Northstar Care for Children under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256N;
161.6 	(24) child support under Minnesota Statutes, chapters 13, 13B, 214, 256, 256J, 257, 259, 
161.7 	518, 518A, 518C, 551, 552, 571, and 588, and Minnesota Statutes, section 609.375;
161.8 	(25) community action programs under Minnesota Statutes, sections 256E.30 to 256E.32; 
161.9 	and
161.10 	(26) Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota under Minnesota Statutes, section 
161.11 	256E.35.;
161.12 	(27) capital for emergency food distribution facilities under Laws 2023, chapter 70, 
161.13 	article 20, section 2, subdivision 24, paragraph (i);
161.14 	(28) community resource centers under Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 14, section 42;
161.15 	(29) diaper distribution grant program under Minnesota Statutes, section 256E.38;
161.16 	(30) Family First Prevention Services Act support and development grant program under 
161.17 	Minnesota Statutes, section 256.4793;
161.18 	(31) Family First Prevention Services Act kinship navigator program under Minnesota 
161.19 	Statutes, section 256.4794;
161.20 	(32) family first prevention and early intervention allocation program under Minnesota 
161.21 	Statutes, section 260.014;
161.22 	(33) grants for prepared meals food relief under Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 12, section 
161.23 	33;
161.24 	(34) independent living skills for foster youth under Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 14, 
161.25 	section 41;
161.26 	(35) legacy adoption assistance under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 259A;
161.27 	(36) quality parenting initiative grant program under Minnesota Statutes, section 
161.28 	245.0962;
161.29 	(37) relative custody assistance under Minnesota Statutes, section 257.85;
162.1 	(38) reimbursement to counties and Tribes for certain out-of-home placements under 
162.2 	Minnesota Statutes, section 477A.0126; and
162.3 	(39) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program outreach under Minnesota Statutes, 
162.4 	section 256D.65.

162.5 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

162.6 	Sec. 27. Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 12, section 30, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
162.7 		Subd. 3.Department of Education. The powers and duties of the Department of 
162.8 	Education with respect to the following responsibilities and related elements are transferred 
162.9 	to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families according to Minnesota Statutes, section 
162.10 	15.039:
162.11 	(1) Head Start Program and Early Head Start under Minnesota Statutes, sections 119A.50
162.12 	to 119A.545;
162.13 	(2) the early childhood screening program under Minnesota Statutes, sections 121A.16
162.14 	to 121A.19;
162.15 	(3) early learning scholarships under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.165;
162.16 	(4) the interagency early childhood intervention system under Minnesota Statutes, 
162.17 	sections 125A.259 to 125A.48;
162.18 	(5) voluntary prekindergarten programs and school readiness plus programs under 
162.19 	Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.151;
162.20 	(6) early childhood family education programs under Minnesota Statutes, sections 
162.21 	124D.13 to 124D.135;
162.22 	(7) school readiness under Minnesota Statutes, sections 124D.15 to 124D.16; and
162.23 	(8) after-school community learning programs under Minnesota Statutes, section 
162.24 	124D.2211.; and
162.25 	(9) grow your own program under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.731.

162.26 	Sec. 28. Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 1, section 38, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
162.27 		Subdivision 1.Children, youth, and families judges; appointment Hearings held by 
162.28 	the Department of Human Services. The commissioner of children, youth, and families 
162.29 	may appoint one or more state children, youth, and families judges to conduct hearings and 
162.30 	recommend orders in accordance with subdivisions 2, 3, and 5. Children, youth, and families 
163.1 	judges designated pursuant to this section may administer oaths and shall be under the 
163.2 	control and supervision of the commissioner of children, youth, and families and shall not 
163.3 	be a part of the Office of Administrative Hearings established pursuant to sections 14.48 to 
163.4 	14.56. The commissioner shall only appoint as a full-time children, youth, and families 
163.5 	judge an individual who is licensed to practice law in Minnesota and who is:
163.6 	(1) in active status;
163.7 	(2) an inactive resident;
163.8 	(3) retired;
163.9 	(4) on disabled status; or
163.10 	(5) on retired senior status.
163.11 	All state agency hearings under subdivision 2 must be heard by a human services judge 
163.12 	pursuant to sections 256.045 and 256.0451.

163.13 	Sec. 29. Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 1, section 38, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
163.14 		Subd. 2.State agency hearings. (a) State agency hearings are available for the following:
163.15 	(1) any person:
163.16 	(i) applying for, receiving, or having received public assistance or a program of social 
163.17 	services administered by the commissioner or a county agency on behalf of the commissioner 
163.18 	or the federal Food and Nutrition Act; and
163.19 	(ii) whose application for assistance is denied, not acted upon with reasonable promptness, 
163.20 	or whose assistance is suspended, reduced, terminated, or claimed to have been incorrectly 
163.21 	paid;
163.22 	(2) any person whose claim for foster care payment according to a placement of the 
163.23 	child resulting from a child protection assessment under chapter 260E is denied or not acted 
163.24 	upon with reasonable promptness, regardless of funding source;
163.25 	(3) any person to whom a right of appeal according to this section is given by other 
163.26 	provision of law; and
163.27 	(4) except as provided under chapter 142B, an individual or facility determined to have 
163.28 	maltreated a minor under chapter 260E, after the individual or facility has exercised the 
163.29 	right to administrative reconsideration under chapter 260E;
163.30 	(5) except as provided under chapter 245C, an individual disqualified under sections 
163.31 	245C.14 and 245C.15, following a reconsideration decision issued under section 245C.23, 
164.1 	on the basis of serious or recurring maltreatment; of a preponderance of the evidence that 
164.2 	the individual has committed an act or acts that meet the definition of any of the crimes 
164.3 	listed in section 245C.15, subdivisions 1 to 4; or for failing to make reports required under 
164.4 	section 260E.06, subdivision 1, or 626.557, subdivision 3. Hearings regarding a maltreatment 
164.5 	determination under clause (4) and a disqualification under this clause in which the basis 
164.6 	for a disqualification is serious or recurring maltreatment shall be consolidated into a single 
164.7 	fair hearing. In such cases, the scope of review by the children, youth, and families judge 
164.8 	shall include both the maltreatment determination and the disqualification. The failure to 
164.9 	exercise the right to an administrative reconsideration shall not be a bar to a hearing under 
164.10 	this section if federal law provides an individual the right to a hearing to dispute a finding 
164.11 	of maltreatment; and
164.12 	(6) (4) any person with an outstanding debt resulting from receipt of public assistance 
164.13 	or the federal Food and Nutrition Act who is contesting a setoff claim by the commissioner 
164.14 	of children, youth, and families or a county agency. The scope of the appeal is the validity 
164.15 	of the claimant agency's intention to request a setoff of a refund under chapter 270A against 
164.16 	the debt.
164.17 	(b) The hearing for an individual or facility under paragraph (a), clause (4) or (5), is the 
164.18 	only administrative appeal to the final agency determination specifically, including a 
164.19 	challenge to the accuracy and completeness of data under section 13.04. A hearing for an 
164.20 	individual or facility under paragraph (a), clause (4) or (5), is only available when there is 
164.21 	no district court action pending. If such action is filed in district court while an administrative 
164.22 	review is pending that arises out of some or all of the events or circumstances on which the 
164.23 	appeal is based, the administrative review must be suspended until the judicial actions are 
164.24 	completed. If the district court proceedings are completed, dismissed, or overturned, the 
164.25 	matter may be considered in an administrative hearing.
164.26 	(c) For purposes of this section, bargaining unit grievance procedures are not an 
164.27 	administrative appeal.
164.28 	(d) The scope of hearings involving claims to foster care payments under paragraph (a), 
164.29 	clause (2), shall be limited to the issue of whether the county is legally responsible for a 
164.30 	child's placement under court order or voluntary placement agreement and, if so, the correct 
164.31 	amount of foster care payment to be made on the child's behalf and shall not include review 
164.32 	of the propriety of the county's child protection determination or child placement decision.
165.1 	(e) An applicant or recipient is not entitled to receive social services beyond the services 
165.2 	prescribed under chapter 256M or other social services the person is eligible for under state 
165.3 	law.
165.4 	(f) The commissioner may summarily affirm the county or state agency's proposed action 
165.5 	without a hearing when the sole issue is an automatic change due to a change in state or 
165.6 	federal law.
165.7 	(g) Unless federal or Minnesota law specifies a different time frame in which to file an 
165.8 	appeal, an individual or organization specified in this section may contest the specified 
165.9 	action, decision, or final disposition before the state agency by submitting a written request 
165.10 	for a hearing to the state agency within 30 days after receiving written notice of the action, 
165.11 	decision, or final disposition or within 90 days of such written notice if the applicant, 
165.12 	recipient, patient, or relative shows good cause, as defined in section 142A.21, subdivision 
165.13 	13, why the request was not submitted within the 30-day time limit. The individual filing 
165.14 	the appeal has the burden of proving good cause by a preponderance of the evidence.

165.15 	Sec. 30. Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 1, section 38, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
165.16 		Subd. 5.Orders of the commissioner of children, youth, and families. (a) A state 
165.17 	children, youth, and families human services judge shall conduct a hearing on the an appeal
165.18 	of a matter listed in subdivision 2 and shall recommend an order to the commissioner of 
165.19 	children, youth, and families. The recommended order must be based on all relevant evidence 
165.20 	and must not be limited to a review of the propriety of the state or county agency's action. 
165.21 	A children, youth, and families state human services judge may take official notice of 
165.22 	adjudicative facts. The commissioner of children, youth, and families may accept the 
165.23 	recommended order of a state children, youth, and families human services judge and issue 
165.24 	the order to the county agency and the applicant, recipient, or former recipient. If the 
165.25 	commissioner refuses to accept the recommended order of the state children, youth, and 
165.26 	families human services judge, the commissioner shall notify the petitioner or the agency 
165.27 	of the commissioner's refusal and shall state reasons for the refusal. The commissioner shall 
165.28 	allow each party ten days' time to submit additional written argument on the matter. After 
165.29 	the expiration of the ten-day period, the commissioner shall issue an order on the matter to 
165.30 	the petitioner and the agency.
165.31 	(b) A party aggrieved by an order of the commissioner may appeal under subdivision 7
165.32 	5 or request reconsideration by the commissioner within 30 days after the date the 
165.33 	commissioner issues the order. The commissioner may reconsider an order upon request of 
165.34 	any party or on the commissioner's own motion. A request for reconsideration does not stay 
166.1 	implementation of the commissioner's order. The person seeking reconsideration has the 
166.2 	burden to demonstrate why the matter should be reconsidered. The request for reconsideration 
166.3 	may include legal argument and proposed additional evidence supporting the request. If 
166.4 	proposed additional evidence is submitted, the person must explain why the proposed 
166.5 	additional evidence was not provided at the time of the hearing. If reconsideration is granted, 
166.6 	the other participants must be sent a copy of all material submitted in support of the request 
166.7 	for reconsideration and must be given ten days to respond. Upon reconsideration, the 
166.8 	commissioner may issue an amended order or an order affirming the original order.
166.9 	(c) Any order of the commissioner issued under this subdivision shall be conclusive 
166.10 	upon the parties unless appeal is taken in the manner provided by subdivision 7 5. Any order 
166.11 	of the commissioner is binding on the parties and must be implemented by the state agency 
166.12 	or a county agency until the order is reversed by the district court or unless the commissioner 
166.13 	or a district court orders monthly assistance or aid or services paid or provided under 
166.14 	subdivision 10 8.
166.15 	(d) A vendor under contract with a county agency to provide social services is not a 
166.16 	party and may not request a hearing or seek judicial review of an order issued under this 
166.17 	section, unless assisting a recipient as provided in section 256.045, subdivision 4.

166.18 	Sec. 31. Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 1, section 38, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
166.19 		Subd. 6.Additional powers of commissioner; subpoenas. (a) The commissioner may 
166.20 	initiate a review of any action or decision of a county agency and direct that the matter be 
166.21 	presented to a state children, youth, and families human services judge for a hearing held 
166.22 	under subdivision 2 or 3 section 256.045, subdivision 3b. In all matters dealing with children, 
166.23 	youth, and families committed by law to the discretion of the county agency, the 
166.24 	commissioner's judgment may be substituted for that of the county agency. The commissioner 
166.25 	may order an independent examination when appropriate.
166.26 	(b) Any party to a hearing held pursuant to subdivision 2 or 3 section 256.045, subdivision 
166.27 	3b, may request that the commissioner issue a subpoena to compel the attendance of witnesses 
166.28 	and the production of records at the hearing. A local agency may request that the 
166.29 	commissioner issue a subpoena to compel the release of information from third parties prior 
166.30 	to a request for a hearing under section 142A.21 upon a showing of relevance to such a 
166.31 	proceeding. The issuance, service, and enforcement of subpoenas under this subdivision is 
166.32 	governed by section 357.22 and the Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure.
166.33 	(c) The commissioner may issue a temporary order staying a proposed demission by a 
166.34 	residential facility licensed under chapter 142B:
167.1 	(1) while an appeal by a recipient under subdivision 3 is pending; or
167.2 	(2) for the period of time necessary for the case management provider to implement the 
167.3 	commissioner's order.

167.4 	Sec. 32. Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 1, section 38, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
167.5 		Subd. 7.Judicial review. Any party who is aggrieved by an order of the commissioner 
167.6 	of children, youth, and families may appeal the order to the district court of the county 
167.7 	responsible for furnishing assistance, or, in appeals under section 256.045, subdivision 3
167.8 	3b, the county where the maltreatment occurred, by serving a written copy of a notice of 
167.9 	appeal upon the commissioner and any adverse party of record within 30 days after the date 
167.10 	the commissioner issued the order, the amended order, or order affirming the original order, 
167.11 	and by filing the original notice and proof of service with the court administrator of the 
167.12 	district court. Service may be made personally or by mail; service by mail is complete upon 
167.13 	mailing. The court administrator shall not require a filing fee in appeals taken pursuant to 
167.14 	this subdivision, except for appeals taken under section 256.045, subdivision 3 3b. The 
167.15 	commissioner may elect to become a party to the proceedings in the district court. Except 
167.16 	for appeals under section 256.045, subdivision 3 3b, any party may demand that the 
167.17 	commissioner furnish all parties to the proceedings with a copy of the decision, and a 
167.18 	transcript of any testimony, evidence, or other supporting papers from the hearing held 
167.19 	before the children, youth, and families state human services judge, by serving a written 
167.20 	demand upon the commissioner within 30 days after service of the notice of appeal. Any 
167.21 	party aggrieved by the failure of an adverse party to obey an order issued by the commissioner 
167.22 	under subdivision 5 may compel performance according to the order in the manner prescribed 
167.23 	in sections 586.01 to 586.12.

167.24 	Sec. 33. Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 1, section 38, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
167.25 		Subd. 9.Appeal. Any party aggrieved by the order of the district court may appeal the 
167.26 	order as in other civil cases. Except for appeals under section 256.045, subdivision 3 3b, 
167.27 	no costs or disbursements shall be taxed against any party nor shall any filing fee or bond 
167.28 	be required of any party.

168.1 	Sec. 34. Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 1, section 96, is amended to read:
168.2 	Sec. 96. REVISOR INSTRUCTION.
 168.3 	The revisor of statutes must renumber sections or subdivisions in Column A as Column 
168.4 	B.

168.5		Column A
	Column B
	
168.6		256.01, subdivision 12
	142A.03, subdivision 7
	
168.7		256.01, subdivision 12a
	142A.03, subdivision 8
	
168.8		256.01, subdivision 15
	142A.03, subdivision 10
	
168.9		256.01, subdivision 36
	142A.03, subdivision 22
	
168.10		256.0112, subdivision 10
	142A.07, subdivision 8
	
168.11		256.019, subdivision 2
	142A.28, subdivision 2
	
168.12		256.4793
	142A.45
	
168.13		256.4794
	142A.451
	
168.14		256.82
	142A.418
	
168.15		256.9831
	142A.13, subdivision 14
	
168.16		256.9862, subdivision 1
	142A.13, subdivision 10
	
168.17		256.9862, subdivision 2
	142A.13, subdivision 11
	
168.18		256.9863
	142A.13, subdivision 5
	
168.19		256.9865, subdivision 1
	142A.13, subdivision 6
	
168.20		256.9865, subdivision 2
	142A.13, subdivision 7
	
168.21		256.9865, subdivision 3
	142A.13, subdivision 8
	
168.22		256.9865, subdivision 4
	142A.13, subdivision 9
	
168.23		256.987, subdivision 2
	142A.13, subdivision 2
	
168.24		256.987, subdivision 3
	142A.13, subdivision 3
	
168.25		256.987, subdivision 4
	142A.13, subdivision 4
	
168.26		256.9871
	142A.13, subdivision 12
	
168.27		256.9872
	142A.13, subdivision 13
	
168.28		256.997
	142A.30
	
168.29		256.998
	142A.29
	
168.30		256B.06, subdivision 6
	142A.40
	
168.31		256E.20
	142A.41
	
168.32		256E.21
	142A.411
	
168.33		256E.22
	142A.412
	
168.34		256E.24
	142A.413
	
168.35		256E.25
	142A.414
	
168.36		256E.26
	142A.415
	
169.1		256E.27
	142A.416
	
169.2		256E.28
	142A.417
	
169.3		256E.37
	142A.46
	
169.4		256E.38
	142A.42
	
169.5		256N.001
	142A.60
	
169.6		256N.01
	142A.601
	
169.7		256N.02
	142A.602
	
169.8		256N.20
	142A.603
	
169.9		256N.21
	142A.604
	
169.10		256N.22
	142A.605
	
169.11		256N.23
	142A.606
	
169.12		256N.24
	142A.607
	
169.13		256N.25
	142A.608
	
169.14		256N.26
	142A.609
	
169.15		256N.261
	142A.61
	
169.16		256N.27
	142A.611
	
169.17		256N.28
	142A.612
	
169.18		257.85
	142A.65
	
169.19		257.175
	142A.03, subdivision 32
	
169.20		257.33, subdivision 1
	142A.03, subdivision 33
	
169.21		257.33, subdivision 2
	142A.03, subdivision 34
	
169.22		260.014
	142A.452
	
169.23		299A.72
	142A.75
	
169.24		299A.73
	142A.43
	
169.25		299A.95
	142A.76
	
169.26 	The revisor of statutes must correct any statutory cross-references consistent with this 
169.27 	renumbering.

169.28 	Sec. 35. Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 2, section 5, subdivision 21, is amended to read:
169.29 		Subd. 21.Plan for transfer of clients and records upon closure. (a) Except for license 
169.30 	holders who reside on the premises and child care providers, an applicant for initial or 
169.31 	continuing licensure or certification must submit a written plan indicating how the program
169.32 	or private agency will ensure the transfer of clients and records for both open and closed 
169.33 	cases if the program closes. The plan must provide for managing private and confidential 
169.34 	information concerning the clients of the program clients or private agency. The plan must 
169.35 	also provide for notifying affected clients of the closure at least 25 days prior to closure, 
170.1 	including information on how to access their records. A controlling individual of the program 
170.2 	or private agency must annually review and sign the plan.
170.3 	(b) Plans for the transfer of open cases and case records must specify arrangements the 
170.4 	program or private agency will make to transfer clients to another provider or county agency 
170.5 	for continuation of services and to transfer the case record with the client.
170.6 	(c) Plans for the transfer of closed case records must be accompanied by a signed 
170.7 	agreement or other documentation indicating that a county or a similarly licensed provider 
170.8 	has agreed to accept and maintain the program's or private agency's closed case records and 
170.9 	to provide follow-up services as necessary to affected clients.

170.10 	Sec. 36. Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 2, section 7, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
170.11 		Subd. 2.County fees for applications and licensing inspections. (a) A county agency 
170.12 	may charge a license fee to an applicant or license holder not to exceed $50 for a one-year 
170.13 	license or $100 for a two-year license.
170.14 	(b) Counties may allow providers to pay the applicant fee in paragraph (a) on an 
170.15 	installment basis for up to one year. If the provider is receiving child care assistance payments 
170.16 	from the state, the provider may have the fee under paragraph (a) deducted from the child 
170.17 	care assistance payments for up to one year and the state shall reimburse the county for the 
170.18 	county fees collected in this manner.
170.19 	(c) For purposes of child foster care licensing under this chapter, a county agency may 
170.20 	charge a fee to a corporate applicant or corporate license holder to recover the actual cost 
170.21 	of licensing inspections, not to exceed $500 annually.
170.22 	(d) Counties may elect to reduce or waive the fees in paragraph (c) under the following 
170.23 	circumstances:
170.24 	(1) in cases of financial hardship;
170.25 	(2) if the county has a shortage of providers in the county's area; or
170.26 	(3) for new providers.

170.27 	Sec. 37. Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 2, section 10, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
170.28 		Subd. 6.Appeal of multiple sanctions. (a) When the license holder appeals more than 
170.29 	one licensing action or sanction that were simultaneously issued by the commissioner, the 
170.30 	license holder shall specify the actions or sanctions that are being appealed.
171.1 	(b) If there are different timelines prescribed in statutes for the licensing actions or 
171.2 	sanctions being appealed, the license holder must submit the appeal within the longest of 
171.3 	those timelines specified in statutes.
171.4 	(c) The appeal must be made in writing by certified mail or, by personal service, or 
171.5 	through the provider licensing and reporting hub. If mailed, the appeal must be postmarked 
171.6 	and sent to the commissioner within the prescribed timeline with the first day beginning 
171.7 	the day after the license holder receives the certified letter. If a request is made by personal 
171.8 	service, it must be received by the commissioner within the prescribed timeline with the 
171.9 	first day beginning the day after the license holder receives the certified letter. If the appeal 
171.10 	is made through the provider hub, the appeal must be received by the commissioner within 
171.11 	the prescribed timeline with the first day beginning the day after the commissioner issued 
171.12 	the order through the hub.
171.13 	(d) When there are different timelines prescribed in statutes for the appeal of licensing 
171.14 	actions or sanctions simultaneously issued by the commissioner, the commissioner shall 
171.15 	specify in the notice to the license holder the timeline for appeal as specified under paragraph 
171.16 	(b).

171.17 	Sec. 38. Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 2, section 16, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
171.18 		Subdivision 1.Delegation of authority to agencies. (a) County agencies and private 
171.19 	agencies that have been designated or licensed by the commissioner to perform licensing 
171.20 	functions and activities under section 142B.10and background studies for family child care
171.21 	under chapter 245C; to recommend denial of applicants under section 142B.15; to issue 
171.22 	correction orders, to issue variances, and to recommend a conditional license under section 
171.23 	142B.16; or to recommend suspending or revoking a license or issuing a fine under section 
171.24 	142B.18, shall comply with rules and directives of the commissioner governing those 
171.25 	functions and with this section. The following variances are excluded from the delegation 
171.26 	of variance authority and may be issued only by the commissioner:
171.27 	(1) dual licensure of family child care and family child foster care, dual licensure of 
171.28 	family child foster care and family adult foster care, dual licensure of child foster residence 
171.29 	setting and community residential setting, and dual licensure of family adult foster care and 
171.30 	family child care;
171.31 	(2) child foster care maximum age requirement;
171.32 	(3) variances regarding disqualified individuals;
172.1 	(4) variances to requirements relating to chemical use problems of a license holder or a 
172.2 	household member of a license holder; and
172.3 	(5) variances to section 142B.74 for a time-limited period. If the commissioner grants 
172.4 	a variance under this clause, the license holder must provide notice of the variance to all 
172.5 	parents and guardians of the children in care.
172.6 	(b) The commissioners of human services and children, youth, and families must both 
172.7 	approve a variance for dual licensure of family child foster care and family adult foster care 
172.8 	or family adult foster care and family child care. Variances under this paragraph are excluded 
172.9 	from the delegation of variance authority and may be issued only by both commissioners.
172.10 	(c) Except as provided in section 142B.41, subdivision 4, paragraph (e), a county agency 
172.11 	must not grant a license holder a variance to exceed the maximum allowable family child 
172.12 	care license capacity of 14 children.
172.13 	(b) (d) A county agency that has been designated by the commissioner to issue family 
172.14 	child care variances must:
172.15 	(1) publish the county agency's policies and criteria for issuing variances on the county's 
172.16 	public website and update the policies as necessary; and
172.17 	(2) annually distribute the county agency's policies and criteria for issuing variances to 
172.18 	all family child care license holders in the county.
172.19 	(c) (e) Before the implementation of NETStudy 2.0, county agencies must report 
172.20 	information about disqualification reconsiderations under sections 245C.25 and 245C.27, 
172.21 	subdivision 2, paragraphs (a) and (b), and variances granted under paragraph (a), clause 
172.22 	(5), to the commissioner at least monthly in a format prescribed by the commissioner.
172.23 	(d) (f) For family child care programs, the commissioner shall require a county agency 
172.24 	to conduct one unannounced licensing review at least annually.
172.25 	(e) (g) A license issued under this section may be issued for up to two years.
172.26 	(f) (h) A county agency shall report to the commissioner, in a manner prescribed by the 
172.27 	commissioner, the following information for a licensed family child care program:
172.28 	(1) the results of each licensing review completed, including the date of the review, and 
172.29 	any licensing correction order issued;
172.30 	(2) any death, serious injury, or determination of substantiated maltreatment; and
173.1 	(3) any fires that require the service of a fire department within 48 hours of the fire. The 
173.2 	information under this clause must also be reported to the state fire marshal within two 
173.3 	business days of receiving notice from a licensed family child care provider.

173.4 	Sec. 39. Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 2, section 30, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
173.5 		Subd. 2.Maltreatment of minors ongoing training requirement. (a) In addition to 
173.6 	the orientation training required by the applicable licensing rules and statutes, private 
173.7 	child-placing agency license holders must provide a training annually on the maltreatment 
173.8 	of minors reporting requirements and definitions in chapter 260E to each mandatory reporter, 
173.9 	as described in section 260E.06, subdivision 1.
173.10 	(b) In addition to the orientation training required by the applicable licensing rules and 
173.11 	statutes, all family child foster care license holders and caregivers and foster residence 
173.12 	setting staff and volunteers who are mandatory reporters as described in section 260E.06, 
173.13 	subdivision 1, must complete training each year on the maltreatment of minors reporting 
173.14 	requirements and definitions in chapter 260E.

173.15 	Sec. 40. Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 2, section 31, is amended to read:
173.16 	Sec. 31. 142B.80 CHILD FOSTER CARE TRAINING REQUIREMENT; MENTAL 
173.17 	HEALTH TRAINING; FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS TRAINING.
173.18 	Prior to a nonemergency placement of a child in a foster care home, the child foster care 
173.19 	license holder and caregivers in foster family and treatment foster care settings, and all staff 
173.20 	providing care in foster residence settings must complete two hours of training that addresses 
173.21 	the causes, symptoms, and key warning signs of mental health disorders; cultural 
173.22 	considerations; and effective approaches for dealing with a child's behaviors. At least one 
173.23 	hour of the annual training requirement for the foster family license holder and caregivers, 
173.24 	and foster residence staff must be on children's mental health issues and treatment. Except 
173.25 	for providers and services under chapter 245D, the annual training must also include at least 
173.26 	one hour of training on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, which must be counted toward the 
173.27 	12 hours of required in-service training per year. Short-term substitute caregivers are exempt 
173.28 	from these requirements. Training curriculum shall be approved by the commissioner of 
173.29 	children, youth, and families.

174.1 	Sec. 41. Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 2, section 74, is amended to read:
174.2 	Sec. 74. REVISOR INSTRUCTION.
 174.3 	The revisor of statutes must renumber sections or subdivisions in column A as column 
174.4 	B.

174.5		Column A
	Column B
	
174.6		245A.02, subdivision 2c
	142B.01, subdivision 3
	
174.7		245A.02, subdivision 6a
	142B.01, subdivision 11
	
174.8		245A.02, subdivision 6b
	142B.01, subdivision 12
	
174.9		245A.02, subdivision 10a
	142B.01, subdivision 22
	
174.10		245A.02, subdivision 12
	142B.01, subdivision 23
	
174.11		245A.02, subdivision 16
	142B.01, subdivision 26
	
174.12		245A.02, subdivision 17
	142B.01, subdivision 27
	
174.13		245A.02, subdivision 18
	142B.01, subdivision 28
	
174.14		245A.02, subdivision 19
	142B.01, subdivision 13
	
174.15		245A.03, subdivision 2a
	142B.05, subdivision 3
	
174.16		245A.03, subdivision 2b
	142B.05, subdivision 4
	
174.17		245A.03, subdivision 4
	142B.05, subdivision 6
	
174.18		245A.03, subdivision 4a
	142B.05, subdivision 7
	
174.19		245A.03, subdivision 8
	142B.05, subdivision 10
	
174.20		245A.035
	142B.06
	
174.21		245A.04, subdivision 9a
	142B.10, subdivision 17
	
174.22		245A.04, subdivision 10
	142B.10, subdivision 18
	
174.23		245A.06, subdivision 8
	142B.16, subdivision 5
	
174.24		245A.06, subdivision 9
	142B.16, subdivision 6
	
174.25		245A.065
	142B.17
	
174.26		245A.07, subdivision 4
	142B.18, subdivision 6
	
174.27		245A.07, subdivision 5
	142B.18, subdivision 7
	
174.28		245A.14, subdivision 3
	142B.41, subdivision 3
	
174.29		245A.14, subdivision 4
	142B.41, subdivision 4
	
174.30		245A.14, subdivision 4a
	142B.41, subdivision 5
	
174.31		245A.14, subdivision 6
	142B.41, subdivision 6
	
174.32		245A.14, subdivision 8
	142B.41, subdivision 7
	
174.33		245A.14, subdivision 10
	142B.41, subdivision 8
	
174.34		245A.14, subdivision 11
	142B.41, subdivision 9
	
174.35		245A.14, subdivision 15
	142B.41, subdivision 11
	
174.36		245A.14, subdivision 16
	142B.41, subdivision 12
	
175.1		245A.14, subdivision 17
	142B.41, subdivision 13
	
175.2		245A.1434
	142B.60
	
175.3		245A.144
	142B.47
	
175.4		245A.1445
	142B.48
	
175.5		245A.145
	142B.61
	
175.6		245A.146, subdivision 2
	142B.45, subdivision 2
	
175.7		245A.146, subdivision 3
	142B.45, subdivision 3
	
175.8		245A.146, subdivision 4
	142B.45, subdivision 4
	
175.9		245A.146, subdivision 5
	142B.45, subdivision 5
	
175.10		245A.146, subdivision 6
	142B.45, subdivision 6
	
175.11		245A.147
	142B.75
	
175.12		245A.148
	142B.76
	
175.13		245A.149
	142B.77
	
175.14		245A.15
	142B.78
	
175.15		245A.1511
	142B.79
	
175.16		245A.152
	142B.62
	
175.17		245A.16, subdivision 7
	142B.30, subdivision 7
	
175.18		245A.16, subdivision 9
	142B.30, subdivision 9
	
175.19		245A.16, subdivision 11
	142B.30, subdivision 11
	
175.20		245A.23
	142B.63
	
175.21		245A.40
	142B.65
	
175.22		245A.41
	142B.66
	
175.23		245A.42
	142B.67
	
175.24		245A.50
	142B.70
	
175.25		245A.51
	142B.71
	
175.26		245A.52
	142B.72
	
175.27		245A.53
	142B.74
	
175.28		245A.66, subdivision 2
	142B.54, subdivision 2
	
175.29		245A.66, subdivision 3
	142B.54, subdivision 3
	
175.30 	The revisor of statutes must correct any statutory cross-references consistent with this 
175.31 	renumbering.

175.32 	Sec. 42. Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 4, section 26, is amended to read:
175.33 	Sec. 26. REVISOR INSTRUCTION.
 175.34 	(a) The revisor of statutes shall renumber each section of Minnesota Statutes listed in 
175.35 	column A with the number listed in column B. The revisor shall also make necessary 
176.1 	cross-reference changes consistent with the renumbering. The revisor shall also make any 
176.2 	technical, language, and other changes necessitated by the renumbering and cross-reference 
176.3 	changes in this act.

176.4	Column A
	Column B
	
176.5	119A.50
	142D.12
	
176.6	119A.52
	142D.121
	
176.7	119A.53
	142D.122
	
176.8	119A.535
	142D.123
	
176.9	119A.5411
	142D.124
	
176.10	119A.545
	142D.125
	
176.11	119B.195
	142D.30
	
176.12	119B.196
	142D.24
	
176.13	119B.25
	142D.20
	
176.14	119B.251
	142D.31
	
176.15	119B.252
	142D.32
	
176.16	119B.27
	142D.21
	
176.17	119B.28
	142D.22
	
176.18	119B.29
	142D.23
	
176.19	119B.99
	142A.44
	
176.20	121A.16
	142D.09
	
176.21	121A.17
	142D.091
	
176.22	121A.18
	142D.092
	
176.23	121A.19
	142D.093
	
176.24	122A.731
	142D.33
	
176.25	124D.13
	142D.10
	
176.26	124D.135
	142D.11
	
176.27	124D.141
	142D.16
	
176.28	124D.142
	142D.13
	
176.29	124D.15
	142D.05
	
176.30	124D.151
	142D.08
	
176.31	124D.16
	142D.06
	
176.32	124D.165
	142D.25
	
176.33	124D.2211
	142D.14
	
176.34	124D.23
	142D.15
	
176.35 	(b) The revisor of statutes shall codify Laws 2017, First Special Session chapter 5, article 
176.36 	8, section 9, as amended by article 4, section 25, as Minnesota Statutes, section 142D.07.
177.1 	(c) The revisor of statutes shall change "commissioner of education" to "commissioner 
177.2 	of children, youth, and families" and change "Department of Education" to "Department of 
177.3 	Children, Youth, and Families" as necessary in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 119A and 120 
177.4 	to 129C, to reflect the changes in this act and Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 12. The revisor 
177.5 	shall also make any technical, language, and other changes resulting from the change of 
177.6 	term to the statutory language, sentence structure, or both, if necessary to preserve the 
177.7 	meaning of the text.

177.8 	Sec. 43. Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 6, section 4, is amended to read:
177.9 	Sec. 4. REVISOR INSTRUCTION.
 177.10 	(a) The revisor of statutes must renumber each section of Minnesota Statutes in Column 
177.11 	A with the number in Column B.

177.12		Column A
	Column B
	
177.13		245.771
	142F.05
	
177.14		256D.60
	142F.10
	
177.15		256D.61
	142F.11
	
177.16		256D.62
	142F.101
	
177.17		256D.63
	142F.102
	
177.18		256D.64
	142F.13
	
177.19		256D.65
	142F.12
	
177.20		256E.30
	142F.30
	
177.21		256E.31
	142F.301
	
177.22		256E.32
	142F.302
	
177.23		256E.34
	142F.14
	
177.24		256E.342
	142F.15
	
177.25		256E.35
	142F.20
	
177.26 	(b) The revisor of statutes must correct any statutory cross-references consistent with 
177.27 	this renumbering.

177.28 	Sec. 44. Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 7, section 4, is amended to read:
177.29 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256J.09, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
177.30 	read:
177.31 		Subd. 11.Domestic violence informational brochure. (a) The commissioner shall 
177.32 	provide a domestic violence informational brochure that provides information about the 
178.1 	existence of domestic violence waivers to all MFIP applicants. The brochure must explain 
178.2 	that eligible applicants may be temporarily waived from certain program requirements due 
178.3 	to domestic violence. The brochure must provide information about services and other 
178.4 	programs to help victims of domestic violence.
178.5 	(b) The brochure must be funded with TANF funds.
178.6 	(c) The commissioner must work with the commissioner of human services to create a 
178.7 	brochure that meets the requirements of this section and section 256.029.

178.8 	Sec. 45. CHILD FOSTER RESIDENCE SETTINGS TO STAY AT THE 
178.9 	DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.
 178.10 	The responsibility to license child foster residence settings as defined in Minnesota 
178.11 	Statutes, section 245A.02, subdivision 6e, does not transfer to the Department of Children, 
178.12 	Youth, and Families under Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 12, section 30, and remains with 
178.13 	the Department of Human Services.

178.14 	Sec. 46. DIRECTION TO THE COMMISSIONER OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND 
178.15 	FAMILIES; COORDINATION OF SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH 
178.16 	DISABILITIES AND MENTAL HEALTH.
 178.17 	The commissioner shall designate a department leader to be responsible for coordination 
178.18 	of services and outcomes around children's mental health and for children with or at risk 
178.19 	for disabilities within and between the Department of Children, Youth, and Families; the 
178.20 	Department of Human Services; and related agencies.

178.21 	Sec. 47. REPEALER.
 178.22 	(a) Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245.975, subdivision 8, is repealed.
178.23 	(b) Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 1, sections 38, subdivisions 3, 4, and 11; 39; and 43, 
178.24 	subdivision 2; Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 2, sections 1, subdivision 11; 3, subdivision 
178.25 	3; 4, subdivision 4; 10, subdivision 4; 33; and 69; and Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 7, 
178.26 	sections 3; and 9, are repealed.
178.27 	(c) Minnesota Rules, part 9545.0845, is repealed.

178.28 	Sec. 48. EFFECTIVE DATE; TRANSFER OF RESPONSIBILITIES.
 178.29 	(a) This article is effective July 1, 2024.
179.1 	(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the powers and responsibilities transferred under this 
179.2 	article are effective upon notice of the commissioner of children, youth, and families to the 
179.3 	commissioners of administration, management and budget, and other relevant departments 
179.4 	along with the secretary of the senate, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, and 
179.5 	the chairs and ranking minority members of relevant legislative committees and divisions, 
179.6 	pursuant to Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 12, section 30, subdivision 1.
179.7 	(c) By August 1, 2025, the commissioners of human services and children, youth, and 
179.8 	families shall notify the chairs and ranking minority members of relevant legislative 
179.9 	committees and divisions and the revisor of statutes of any sections of this article or programs 
179.10 	to be transferred that are waiting for federal approval to become effective pursuant to Laws 
179.11 	2023, chapter 70, article 12, section 30, subdivision 1, paragraph (b).

179.12 	ARTICLE 17
179.13 	MINNESOTA INDIAN FAMILY PRESERVATION ACT

179.14 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 259.20, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
179.15 		Subd. 2.Other applicable law. (a) Portions of chapters 245A, 245C, 257, 260, and 
179.16 	317A may also affect the adoption of a particular child.
179.17 	(b) Provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act, United States Code, title 25, chapter 21, 
179.18 	sections 1901-1923, may also and the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act under 
179.19 	sections 260.751 to 260.835 apply in the adoption of an Indian child, and may preempt 
179.20 	specific provisions of this chapter as described in section 259.201.
179.21 	(c) Consistent with section 245C.33 and Public Law 109-248, a completed background 
179.22 	study is required before the approval of any foster or adoptive placement in a related or an 
179.23 	unrelated home.

179.24 	Sec. 2. [259.201] COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL INDIAN CHILD WELFARE 
179.25 	ACT AND MINNESOTA INDIAN FAMILY PRESERVATION ACT.
179.26 	Adoption proceedings under this chapter that involve an Indian child are child custody 
179.27 	proceedings governed by the Indian Child Welfare Act, United States Code, title 25, sections 
179.28 	1901 to 1963; by the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act, sections 260.751 to 260.835; 
179.29 	by section 259.20, subdivision 2, paragraph (b); and by this chapter when not inconsistent 
179.30 	with the federal Indian Child Welfare Act and the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation 
179.31 	Act.

180.1 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.755, subdivision 1a, is amended 
180.2 	to read:
180.3 		Subd. 1a.Active efforts. (a) "Active efforts" means a rigorous and concerted level of 
180.4 	effort to preserve the Indian child's family that is ongoing throughout the involvement of 
180.5 	the child-placing agency to continuously involve the Indian child's Tribe and that uses the
180.6 	or the petitioner with the Indian child. Active efforts require the engagement of the Indian 
180.7 	child, the Indian child's parents, the Indian custodian, the extended family, and the Tribe in 
180.8 	using the prevailing social and cultural values, conditions, and way of life of the Indian 
180.9 	child's Tribe to: (1) preserve the Indian child's family and; (2) prevent placement of an 
180.10 	Indian child and,; (3) if placement occurs, to return the Indian child to the Indian child's 
180.11 	family at the earliest possible time; and (4) where a permanent change in parental rights or 
180.12 	custody are necessary, ensure the Indian child retains meaningful connections to the Indian 
180.13 	child's family, extended family, and Tribe.
180.14 	(b) Active efforts under section for all Indian child placements includes this section and 
180.15 	sections 260.012 and260.762and require a higher standard than reasonable efforts as defined 
180.16 	in section 260.012 to preserve the family, prevent breakup of the family, and reunify the 
180.17 	family. Active efforts include reasonable efforts as required by Title IV-E of the Social 
180.18 	Security Act, United States Code, title 42, sections 670 to 679c are required for all Indian 
180.19 	child placement proceedings and for all voluntary Indian child placements that involve a 
180.20 	child-placing agency regardless of whether the reasonable efforts would have been relieved 
180.21 	under section 260.012.

180.22 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260.755, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
180.23 		Subd. 2a.Best interests of an Indian child. "Best interests of an Indian child" means 
180.24 	compliance with the federal Indian Child Welfare Act and the Minnesota Indian Family 
180.25 	Preservation Act to preserve and maintain an Indian child's family. The best interests of an 
180.26 	Indian child support the Indian child's sense of belonging to family, extended family, and 
180.27 	Tribe. The best interests of an Indian child are interwoven with the best interests of the 
180.28 	Indian child's Tribe.

180.29 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.755, subdivision 3, is amended 
180.30 	to read:
180.31 		Subd. 3.Child placement proceeding. (a) "Child placement proceeding" includes a 
180.32 	judicial proceeding which could result in:
181.1 	(1) "adoptive placement," meaning the permanent placement of an Indian child for 
181.2 	adoption, including an action resulting in a final decree of adoption;
181.3 	(2) "involuntary foster care placement," meaning an action removing an Indian child 
181.4 	from the child's parents or Indian custodian for temporary placement in a foster home, 
181.5 	institution, or the home of a guardian. The parent or Indian custodian cannot have the Indian 
181.6 	child returned upon demand, but parental rights have not been terminated;
181.7 	(3) "preadoptive placement," meaning the temporary placement of an Indian child in a 
181.8 	foster home or institution after the termination of parental rights, before or instead of adoptive 
181.9 	placement; or
181.10 	(4) "termination of parental rights," meaning an action resulting in the termination of 
181.11 	the parent-child relationship under section 260C.301.
181.12 	(b) The term child placement proceeding is a domestic relations proceeding that includes 
181.13 	all placements where Indian children are placed out-of-home or away from the care, custody, 
181.14 	and control of their parent or parents or Indian custodian that do not implicate custody 
181.15 	between the parents. Child placement proceeding also includes any placement based upon 
181.16 	juvenile status offenses, but does not include a placement based upon an act which if 
181.17 	committed by an adult would be deemed a crime, or upon an award of custody in a divorce 
181.18 	proceeding to one of the parents.

181.19 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.755, subdivision 3a, is amended 
181.20 	to read:
181.21 		Subd. 3a.Child-placing agency. "Child-placing agency" means a public, private, or 
181.22 	nonprofit legal entity: (1) providing assistance to a an Indian child and the Indian child's 
181.23 	parent or parents or Indian custodian; or (2) placing a an Indian child in foster care or for 
181.24 	adoption on a voluntary or involuntary basis.

181.25 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260.755, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
181.26 		Subd. 5.Demand. "Demand" means a written and notarized statement signed by a parent 
181.27 	or Indian custodian of a an Indian child which requests the return of the Indian child who 
181.28 	has been voluntarily placed in foster care.

182.1 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.755, subdivision 5b, is amended 
182.2 	to read:
182.3 		Subd. 5b.Extended family member. "Extended family member" is as defined by the 
182.4 	law or custom of the Indian child's Tribe or, in the absence of any law or custom of the 
182.5 	Tribe, is a person who has reached the age of 18 and who is the Indian child's grandparent, 
182.6 	aunt or uncle, brother or sister, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, niece or nephew, first or 
182.7 	second cousin, or stepparent. For the purposes of provision of active efforts and foster care 
182.8 	and permanency placement decisions, the legal parent, guardian, or custodian of the Indian 
182.9 	child's sibling is not an extended family member or relative of an Indian child unless they 
182.10 	are independently related to the Indian child or recognized by the Indian child's Tribe as an 
182.11 	extended family member.

182.12 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260.755, subdivision 14, is amended to read:
182.13 		Subd. 14.Parent. "Parent" means the biological parent of an Indian child, or any Indian
182.14 	person who has lawfully adopted an Indian child, including a person who has adopted a an 
182.15 	Indian child by Tribal law or custom. Parent includes a father as defined by Tribal law or 
182.16 	custom. Parent does not include an unmarried father whose paternity has not been 
182.17 	acknowledged or established. Paternity has been acknowledged when an unmarried father 
182.18 	takes any action to hold himself out as the biological father of an Indian child.

182.19 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260.755, is amended by adding a subdivision 
182.20 	to read:
182.21 		Subd. 15a.Petitioner. "Petitioner" means one or more individuals other than a parent 
182.22 	or Indian custodian who has filed a petition or motion seeking a grant of temporary or 
182.23 	permanent guardianship, custody, or adoption of an Indian child.

182.24 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260.755, subdivision 17a, is amended to read:
182.25 		Subd. 17a.Qualified expert witness. "Qualified expert witness" means an individual 
182.26 	who (1) has specific knowledge of the Indian child's tribe's culture and customs, or meets 
182.27 	the criteria in section 260.771, subdivision 6, paragraph (d), and (2) provides testimony as 
182.28 	required by the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, United States Code, title 25, section 
182.29 	1912, and the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act, regarding out-of-home placement 
182.30 	or termination of parental rights child placement or permanency proceedings relating to an 
182.31 	Indian child.

183.1 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.755, subdivision 20, is amended 
183.2 	to read:
183.3 		Subd. 20.Tribal court. "Tribal court" means a court with jurisdiction over child custody 
183.4 	proceedings and which is either a court of Indian offenses, or a court established and operated 
183.5 	under the code or custom of an Indian Tribe, or any other administrative body of a Tribe 
183.6 	which is vested with authority over child custody proceedings.

183.7 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260.755, is amended by adding a subdivision 
183.8 	to read:
183.9 		Subd. 20a.Tribal representative. "Tribal representative" means a representative 
183.10 	designated by and acting on behalf of a Tribe in connection with an Indian child placement 
183.11 	proceeding as defined in subdivision 3. It is not required that the designated representative 
183.12 	be an attorney to represent the Tribe in these matters. An individual appearing as a Tribal 
183.13 	representative on behalf of a Tribe and participating in a court proceeding under this chapter 
183.14 	is not engaged in the unauthorized practice of law.

183.15 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.755, subdivision 22, is amended 
183.16 	to read:
183.17 		Subd. 22.Voluntary foster care placement. "Voluntary foster care placement" means 
183.18 	a decision in which there has been participation by a child-placing agency resulting in the 
183.19 	temporary placement of an Indian child away from the home of the Indian child's parents 
183.20 	or Indian custodian in a foster home, institution, or the home of a guardian, and the parent 
183.21 	or Indian custodian may have the Indian child returned upon demand.

183.22 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.758, subdivision 2, is amended 
183.23 	to read:
183.24 		Subd. 2.Temporary emergency jurisdiction of state courts. (a) The child-placing 
183.25 	agency, petitioner, or court shall ensure that the emergency removal or placement terminates 
183.26 	immediately when removal or placement is no longer necessary to prevent imminent physical 
183.27 	damage or harm to the Indian child. The child-placing agency, petitioner, or court shall 
183.28 	expeditiously initiate a child placement proceeding subject to the provisions of sections 
183.29 	260.751 to 260.835, transfer the Indian child to the jurisdiction of the appropriate Indian 
183.30 	Tribe, or return the Indian child to the Indian child's parent or Indian custodian as may be 
183.31 	appropriate.
184.1 	(b) If the Indian child is a resident of or is domiciled on a reservation but temporarily 
184.2 	located off the reservation, a court of this state has only temporary emergency jurisdiction 
184.3 	until the Indian child is transferred to the jurisdiction of the appropriate Indian Tribe unless 
184.4 	the Indian child's Tribe has expressly declined to exercise its jurisdiction, or the Indian child 
184.5 	is returned to the Indian child's parent or Indian custodian.

184.6 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.758, subdivision 4, is amended 
184.7 	to read:
184.8 		Subd. 4.Emergency proceeding requirements. (a) The court shall hold a hearing no 
184.9 	later than 72 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, after the emergency removal of the 
184.10 	Indian child. The court shall determine whether the emergency removal continues to be 
184.11 	necessary to prevent imminent physical damage or harm to the Indian child.
184.12 	(b) The court shall hold additional hearings whenever new information indicates that 
184.13 	the emergency situation has ended and must determine at any court hearing during the 
184.14 	emergency proceeding to determine whether the emergency removal or placement is no 
184.15 	longer necessary to prevent imminent physical damage or harm to the Indian child.

184.16 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.758, subdivision 5, is amended 
184.17 	to read:
184.18 		Subd. 5.Termination of emergency removal or placement. (a) An emergency removal 
184.19 	or placement of an Indian child must immediately terminate once the child-placing agency 
184.20 	or court possesses sufficient evidence to determine that the emergency removal or placement 
184.21 	is no longer necessary to prevent imminent physical damage or harm to the Indian child 
184.22 	and the Indian child shall be immediately returned to the custody of the Indian child's parent 
184.23 	or Indian custodian.
184.24 	(b) An emergency removal or placement ends when the Indian child is transferred to 
184.25 	the jurisdiction of the Indian child's Tribe, or when the court orders, after service upon the 
184.26 	Indian child's parents, Indian custodian, and Indian child's Tribe, that placement of the 
184.27 	Indian child shall be placed in foster care upon a determination supported by clear and 
184.28 	convincing evidence, including testimony by a qualified expert witness, that custody of the 
184.29 	Indian child by the Indian child's parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious 
184.30 	emotional or physical damage to the Indian child.
184.31 	(c) In no instance shall emergency removal or emergency placement of an Indian child 
184.32 	extend beyond 30 days unless the court finds by a showing of clear and convincing evidence 
184.33 	that: (1) continued emergency removal or placement is necessary to prevent imminent 
185.1 	physical damage or harm to the Indian child; (2) the court has been unable to transfer the 
185.2 	proceeding to the jurisdiction of the Indian child's Tribal court; and (3) it has not been 
185.3 	possible to initiate a child placement proceeding with all of the protections under sections 
185.4 	260.751 to 260.835, including obtaining the testimony of a qualified expert witness.

185.5 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.761, is amended to read:
185.6 	260.761 INQUIRY OF TRIBAL LINEAGE; NOTICE TO TRIBES, PARENTS, 
185.7 	AND INDIAN CUSTODIANS; ACCESS TO FILES.
185.8 		Subdivision 1.Inquiry of Tribal lineage. (a) The child-placing agency or individual
185.9 	petitioner shall inquire of the child, the child's parents and custodians, and other appropriate 
185.10 	persons whether there is any reason to believe that a child brought to the agency's attention 
185.11 	may have lineage to an Indian Tribe. This inquiry shall occur at the time the child comes 
185.12 	to the attention of the child-placing agency or individual petitioner and shall continue 
185.13 	throughout the involvement of the child-placing agency or individual petitioner.
185.14 	(b) In any child placement proceeding, the court shall inquire of the child, the child's 
185.15 	parents, custodian, and any person participating in the proceedings whether the child has 
185.16 	any American Indian heritage or lineage to an Indian Tribe. The inquiry shall be made at 
185.17 	the commencement of the proceeding and all responses must be on the record. The court 
185.18 	must instruct the parties to inform the court if they subsequently receive information that 
185.19 	provides reason to believe the child is an Indian child.
185.20 	(c) If there is reason to believe the child is an Indian child, but the court does not have 
185.21 	sufficient evidence to determine whether the child is an Indian child, the court shall:
185.22 	(1) confirm with a report, declaration, or testimony in the record that the child-placing 
185.23 	agency or petitioner used due diligence to identify and work with all of the Tribes for which 
185.24 	there is reason to believe the child may be a member of or eligible for membership to verify 
185.25 	whether the child is an Indian child; and
185.26 	(2) proceed with the case as if the child is an Indian child until it is determined on the 
185.27 	record that the child does not meet the definition of Indian child.
185.28 		Subd. 2.Notice to Tribes of services or court proceedings involving an Indian 
185.29 	child. (a) When a child-placing agency or petitioner has information that a family assessment, 
185.30 	investigation, or noncaregiver sex trafficking assessment being conducted may involve an 
185.31 	Indian child, the child-placing agency or petitioner shall notify the Indian child's Tribe of 
185.32 	the family assessment, investigation, or noncaregiver sex trafficking assessment according 
185.33 	to section 260E.18. The child-placing agency or petitioner shall provide initial notice by 
186.1 	telephone and by email or facsimile and shall include the child's full name and date of birth; 
186.2 	the full names and dates of birth of the child's biological parents; and if known the full 
186.3 	names and dates of birth of the child's grandparents and of the child's Indian custodian. If 
186.4 	information regarding the child's grandparents or Indian custodian is not immediately 
186.5 	available, the child-placing agency or petitioner shall continue to request this information 
186.6 	and shall notify the Tribe when it is received. Notice shall be provided to all Tribes to which 
186.7 	the child may have any Tribal lineage. The child-placing agency or petitioner shall request 
186.8 	that the Tribe or a designated Tribal representative participate in evaluating the family 
186.9 	circumstances, identifying family and Tribal community resources, and developing case 
186.10 	plans. The child-placing agency or petitioner shall continue to include the Tribe in service 
186.11 	planning and updates as to the progress of the case.
186.12 	(b) When a child-placing agency or petitioner has information that a child receiving 
186.13 	services may be an Indian child, the child-placing agency or petitioner shall notify the Tribe 
186.14 	by telephone and by email or facsimile of the child's full name and date of birth, the full 
186.15 	names and dates of birth of the child's biological parents, and, if known, the full names and 
186.16 	dates of birth of the child's grandparents and of the child's Indian custodian. This notification 
186.17 	must be provided for the Tribe to determine if the child is a member or eligible for Tribal 
186.18 	membership, and the child-placing agency or petitioner must provide this notification to 
186.19 	the Tribe within seven days of receiving information that the child may be an Indian child. 
186.20 	If information regarding the child's grandparents or Indian custodian is not available within 
186.21 	the seven-day period, the child-placing agency or petitioner shall continue to request this 
186.22 	information and shall notify the Tribe when it is received. Notice shall be provided to all 
186.23 	Tribes to which the child may have any Tribal lineage.
186.24 	(c) In all child placement proceedings, when a court has reason to believe that a child 
186.25 	placed in emergency protective care is an Indian child, the court administrator or a designee 
186.26 	shall, as soon as possible and before a hearing takes place, notify the Tribal social services 
186.27 	agency by telephone and by email or facsimile of the date, time, and location of the 
186.28 	emergency protective care or other initial hearing. The court shall make efforts to allow 
186.29 	appearances by telephone or video conference for Tribal representatives, parents, and Indian 
186.30 	custodians allow appearances by telephone, video conference, or other electronic medium 
186.31 	for Tribal representatives, the Indian child's parents, or the Indian custodian.
186.32 	(d) In all child placement proceedings, except for adoptive or preadoptive placement 
186.33 	proceedings, when a court has reason to believe the child is an Indian child, the child-placing 
186.34 	agency or individual petitioner shall effect service of any petition governed by sections 
186.35 	260.751 to 260.835 provide notice of the proceedings and a copy of any petition to the 
187.1 	Indian child's parents, Indian custodian, and the Indian child's Tribe and shall effect service 
187.2 	of any notice and petition governed by sections 260.751 to 260.835 upon the parent, Indian 
187.3 	custodian, and the Indian child's Tribe by certified mail or registered mail, return receipt 
187.4 	requested upon the Indian child's parents, Indian custodian, and Indian child's Tribe at least 
187.5 	10 days before the admit-deny hearing is held. If the identity or location of the Indian child's 
187.6 	parents or Indian custodian and or Tribe cannot be determined, the child-placing agency or 
187.7 	petitioner shall provide the notice required in this paragraph to the United States Secretary 
187.8 	of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs by certified or registered mail, return receipt 
187.9 	requested. Where service is only accomplished through the United States Secretary of the 
187.10 	Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, the initial hearing shall not be held until 20 days after 
187.11 	notice upon the Tribe or the Secretary of the Interior.
187.12 	(e) Notice under this subdivision must be in clear and understandable language and 
187.13 	include the following:
187.14 	(1) the child's name, date of birth, and birth place;
187.15 	(2) all names known for the parents and Indian custodian, including maiden, married, 
187.16 	former names, and aliases, correctly spelled;
187.17 	(3) the dates of birth, birth place, and Tribal enrollment numbers of the Indian child, the 
187.18 	Indian child's parents, and the Indian custodian, if known;
187.19 	(4) the full names, dates of birth, birth places, and Tribal enrollment or affiliation 
187.20 	information of direct lineal ancestors of the child, other extended family members, and 
187.21 	custodians of the child, if known;
187.22 	(5) the name of any and all Indian Tribes in which the child is or may be a member or 
187.23 	eligible for membership in; and
187.24 	(6) statements setting out:
187.25 	(i) the name of the petitioner and name and address of the petitioner's attorney;
187.26 	(ii) the right of any parent or Indian custodian of the Indian child, to intervene in the 
187.27 	child placement proceedings, if not already a party;
187.28 	(iii) the right of the Indian child's Tribe to intervene in the proceedings at any time;
187.29 	(iv) the right of the Indian child, the Indian child's parent, and the Indian custodian to 
187.30 	court-appointed counsel if they meet the requirements in section 611.17;
187.31 	(v) the right to be granted, upon request, up to 20 additional days to prepare for the 
187.32 	child-placement proceedings;
188.1 	(vi) the right of the Indian child's parent, the Indian custodian, and the Indian child's 
188.2 	Tribe to petition the court for transfer of the proceedings to Tribal court;
188.3 	(vii) the mailing addresses and telephone numbers of the court and information related 
188.4 	to all parental and custodial rights of the parent or Indian custodian; and
188.5 	(viii) that all parties must maintain confidentiality of all information contained in the 
188.6 	notice and must not provide the information to anyone other than their attorney.
188.7 	(e) (f) A Tribe, the Indian child's parents, or the Indian custodian may request up to 20 
188.8 	additional days to prepare for the admit-deny initial hearing. The court shall allow 
188.9 	appearances by telephone, video conference, or other electronic medium for Tribal 
188.10 	representatives, the Indian child's parents, or the Indian custodian.
188.11 	(f) (g) A child-placing agency or individual petitioner must provide the notices required 
188.12 	under this subdivision at the earliest possible time to facilitate involvement of the Indian 
188.13 	child's Tribe. Nothing in this subdivision is intended to hinder the ability of the child-placing 
188.14 	agency, individual petitioner, and the court to respond to an emergency situation. Lack of 
188.15 	participation by a Tribe shall not prevent the Tribe from intervening in services and 
188.16 	proceedings at a later date. A Tribe may participate in a case at any time. At any stage of 
188.17 	the child-placing agency's agency or petitioner's involvement with an Indian child, the 
188.18 	child-placing agency or petitioner shall provide full cooperation to the Tribal social services 
188.19 	agency, including disclosure of all data concerning the Indian child. Nothing in this 
188.20 	subdivision relieves the child-placing agency or petitioner of satisfying the notice 
188.21 	requirements in state or federal law.
188.22 	(h) The court shall allow appearances by telephone, video conference, or other electronic 
188.23 	means for Tribal representatives at all hearings and trials. The court shall allow appearances 
188.24 	by telephone, video conference, or other electronic means for the Indian child's parents or 
188.25 	Indian custodian for all hearings, except that the court may require an in-person appearance 
188.26 	for trials or other evidentiary or contested hearings.
188.27 		Subd. 3.Notice of potential preadoptive or adoptive placement. In any adoptive or 
188.28 	preadoptive placement proceeding, including voluntary proceedings, where any party or 
188.29 	participant has reason to believe that a child who is the subject of an adoptive or preadoptive 
188.30 	placement proceeding is or may be an "Indian child," as defined in section 260.755, 
188.31 	subdivision 8, and United States Code, title 25, section 1903(4), the child-placing agency 
188.32 	or individual petitioner shall notify the Indian child's Tribe by registered mail or certified 
188.33 	mail with return receipt requested of the pending proceeding and of the right of intervention 
188.34 	under subdivision 6. If the identity or location of the Indian child's Tribe cannot be 
189.1 	determined, the notice must be given to the United States Secretary of Interior in like manner. 
189.2 	No preadoptive or adoptive placement proceeding may be held until at least 20 days after 
189.3 	receipt of the notice by the Tribe or the secretary. Upon request, the Tribe must be granted 
189.4 	up to 20 additional days to prepare for the proceeding. The child-placing agency or individual
189.5 	petitioner shall include in the notice the identity of the birth parents and Indian child absent 
189.6 	written objection by the birth parents. The child-placing agency or petitioner shall inform 
189.7 	the birth parents of the Indian child of any services available to the Indian child through the 
189.8 	child's Tribal social services agency, including child placement services, and shall 
189.9 	additionally provide the birth parents of the Indian child with all information sent from the 
189.10 	Tribal social services agency in response to the notice.
189.11 		Subd. 4.Unknown father. If the child-placing agency, individual petitioner, the court, 
189.12 	or any party has reason to believe that a child who is the subject of a child placement 
189.13 	proceeding is or may be an Indian child but the father of the child is unknown and has not 
189.14 	registered with the fathers' adoption registry pursuant to section 259.52, the child-placing 
189.15 	agency or individual petitioner shall provide to the Tribe believed to be the Indian child's 
189.16 	Tribe information sufficient to enable the Tribe to determine the child's eligibility for 
189.17 	membership in the Tribe, including, but not limited to, the legal and maiden name of the 
189.18 	birth mother, her date of birth, the names and dates of birth of her parents and grandparents, 
189.19 	and, if available, information pertaining to the possible identity, Tribal affiliation, or location 
189.20 	of the birth father. If the identity or location of the Indian child's Tribe cannot be determined, 
189.21 	the notice must be given to the United States Secretary of Interior in like manner.
189.22 		Subd. 5.Proof of service of notice upon Tribe or secretary. In cases where a 
189.23 	child-placing agency or party to an adoptive placement knows or has reason to believe that 
189.24 	a child is or may be an Indian child, proof of service upon the Indian child's Tribe or the 
189.25 	secretary of interior must be filed with the adoption petition.
189.26 		Subd. 6.Indian Tribe's right of intervention. In any child placement proceeding under 
189.27 	sections 260.751 to 260.835, the Indian child's Tribe shall have a right to intervene at any 
189.28 	point in the proceeding.
189.29 		Subd. 6a.Indian Tribe's access to files. At any stage of the child-placing agency's
189.30 	agency or petitioner's involvement with an Indian child, the child-placing agency or petitioner 
189.31 	shall, upon request, give the Tribal social services agency full cooperation including access 
189.32 	to all files concerning the Indian child. If the files contain confidential or private data, the 
189.33 	child-placing agency or petitioner may require execution of an agreement with the Tribal 
189.34 	social services agency to maintain the data according to statutory provisions applicable to 
189.35 	the data.

190.1 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.762, is amended to read:
190.2 	260.762 DUTY TO PREVENT OUT-OF-HOME CHILD PLACEMENT, 
190.3 	PRESERVE THE CHILD'S FAMILY, AND PROMOTE FAMILY REUNIFICATION; 
190.4 	ACTIVE EFFORTS.
190.5 		Subdivision 1.Active efforts. Active efforts includes acknowledging traditional helping 
190.6 	and healing systems of an Indian child's Tribe and using these systems as the core to help 
190.7 	and heal the Indian child and family regardless of whether the Indian child's Tribe has 
190.8 	intervened in the proceedings. Active efforts are not required to prevent voluntary 
190.9 	out-of-home placement and to effect voluntary permanency for the Indian child.
190.10 		Subd. 2.Requirements for child-placing agencies and individual petitioners. A 
190.11 	child-placing agency or individual petitioner shall:
190.12 	(1) work with the Indian child's Tribe and family to develop an alternative plan to 
190.13 	out-of-home placement;
190.14 	(2) before making a decision that may affect an Indian child's safety and well-being or 
190.15 	when contemplating out-of-home placement of an Indian child, seek guidance from the 
190.16 	Indian child's Tribe on family structure, how the family can seek help, what family and 
190.17 	Tribal resources are available, and what barriers the family faces at that time that could 
190.18 	threaten its preservation; and
190.19 	(3) request participation of the Indian child's Tribe at the earliest possible time and 
190.20 	request the Tribe's active participation throughout the case.
190.21 		Subd. 2a.Required findings that active efforts were provided. (a) A court shall not 
190.22 	order a child placement, termination of parental rights, guardianship to the commissioner 
190.23 	of human services under section 260C.325, or temporary or permanent change in custody 
190.24 	of an Indian child unless the court finds that the child-placing agency or petitioner 
190.25 	demonstrated that active efforts were made to preserve the Indian child's family. Active 
190.26 	efforts to preserve the Indian child's family include efforts to prevent placement of the Indian 
190.27 	child to correct the conditions that led to the placement by ensuring remedial services and 
190.28 	rehabilitative programs designed to prevent the breakup of the family were provided in a 
190.29 	manner consistent with the prevailing social and cultural conditions of the Indian child's 
190.30 	Tribe and in partnership with the Indian child, the Indian child's parents, the Indian custodian, 
190.31 	extended family members, and Tribe, and that these efforts have proved unsuccessful.
190.32 	(b) The court, in determining whether active efforts were made to preserve the Indian 
190.33 	child's family for purposes of child placement or permanency, shall ensure the provision of 
191.1 	active efforts designed to correct the conditions that led to the placement of the Indian child 
191.2 	and shall make findings regarding whether the following activities were appropriate and 
191.3 	necessary, and whether the child-placing agency or petitioner ensured appropriate and 
191.4 	meaningful services were available based upon the family's specific needs, whether listed 
191.5 	in this paragraph or not:
191.6 	(1) whether active efforts were made at the earliest point possible to inquire into the 
191.7 	child's heritage, to identify any federally recognized Indian Tribe the child may be affiliated 
191.8 	with, to notify all potential Tribes at the earliest point possible, and to request participation 
191.9 	of the Indian child's Tribe;
191.10 	(2) whether a Tribally designated representative with substantial knowledge of the 
191.11 	prevailing social and cultural standards and child-rearing practices within the Tribal 
191.12 	community was provided an opportunity to consult with and be involved in any investigations 
191.13 	or assessments of the family's circumstances, participate in identifying the family's needs, 
191.14 	and participate in development of any plan to keep the Indian child safely in the home, 
191.15 	identify services designed to prevent the breakup of the Indian child's family, and to reunify 
191.16 	the Indian child's family as soon as safety can be assured if out-of-home placement has 
191.17 	occurred;
191.18 	(3) whether the Tribal representative was provided with all information available 
191.19 	regarding the proceeding, and whether it was requested that the Tribal representative assist 
191.20 	in identifying services designed to prevent the breakup of the Indian child's family and to 
191.21 	reunify the Indian child's family as soon as safety can be assured if out-of-home placement 
191.22 	has occurred;
191.23 	(4) whether, before making a decision that may affect an Indian child's safety and 
191.24 	well-being or when contemplating placement of an Indian child, guidance from the Indian 
191.25 	child's Tribe was sought regarding family structure, how the family can seek help, what 
191.26 	family and Tribal resources are available, and what barriers the family faces that could 
191.27 	threaten the family's preservation;
191.28 	(5) whether a Tribal representative was consulted to determine and arrange for visitation 
191.29 	in the most natural setting that ensures the Indian child's safety, when the Indian child's 
191.30 	safety requires supervised visitation;
191.31 	(6) whether early and ongoing efforts occurred to identify, locate, and include extended 
191.32 	family members as supports for the Indian child and the Indian child's family;
191.33 	(7) whether continued active efforts were made to identify and place the Indian child in 
191.34 	a home that is compliant with the placement preferences in sections 260.751 to 260.835, 
192.1 	including whether extended family members were consulted to provide support to the Indian 
192.2 	child and Indian child's parents; to inform the child-placing agency, petitioner, and court 
192.3 	as to cultural connections and family structure; to assist in identifying appropriate cultural 
192.4 	services and supports for the Indian child and Indian child's parents; and to identify and 
192.5 	serve as placement and permanency resources for the Indian child. If there was difficulty 
192.6 	contacting or engaging extended family members, whether assistance was sought from the 
192.7 	Tribe, the Department of Human Services, or other agencies with expertise in working with 
192.8 	Indian families;
192.9 	(8) whether services and resources were provided to extended family members who are 
192.10 	considered the primary placement option for an Indian child, as agreed upon by the 
192.11 	child-placing agency or petitioner and the Tribe, to overcome licensing and other barriers 
192.12 	to providing care to an Indian child. The need for services or resources shall not be a basis 
192.13 	to exclude an extended family member from consideration as a primary placement. Services 
192.14 	and resources include but are not limited to child care assistance, financial assistance, 
192.15 	housing resources, emergency resources, and foster care licensing assistance and resources;
192.16 	(9) whether concrete services and access to both Tribal and non-Tribal services were 
192.17 	provided to the Indian child's parents and Indian custodian and, where necessary, members 
192.18 	of the Indian child's extended family members who provide support to the Indian child and 
192.19 	the Indian child's parents; and whether these services were provided in an ongoing manner 
192.20 	throughout the child-placing agency or petitioner's involvement with the Indian family to 
192.21 	directly assist the Indian family in accessing and utilizing services to maintain the Indian 
192.22 	family, or to reunify the Indian family as soon as safety can be assured if out-of-home 
192.23 	placement has occurred. Services include but are not limited to financial assistance, food, 
192.24 	housing, health care, transportation, in-home services, community support services, and 
192.25 	specialized services; and
192.26 	(10) whether visitation occurred whenever possible in the home of the Indian child's 
192.27 	parent, Indian custodian, or extended family member or in another noninstitutional setting 
192.28 	in order to keep the Indian child in close contact with the Indian child's parents, siblings, 
192.29 	and other relatives regardless of the Indian child's age and to allow the Indian child and 
192.30 	those with whom the Indian child visits to have natural, unsupervised interaction when 
192.31 	consistent with protecting the child's safety.
192.32 		Subd. 2b.Adoptions. For adoptions under chapter 259, the court may find that active 
192.33 	efforts were made to prevent placement of an Indian child or to reunify the Indian child 
192.34 	with the Indian child's parents upon a finding that: (1) subdivision 2a, paragraph (b), clauses 
192.35 	(1) to (4), were met; (2) the Indian child's parent knowingly and voluntarily consented to 
193.1 	placement of the Indian child for adoption on the record as described in section 260.765, 
193.2 	subdivision 3a; (3) fraud was not present, and the Indian child's parent was not under duress; 
193.3 	(4) the Indian child's parent was offered and declined services that would enable the Indian 
193.4 	child's parent to maintain custody of the Indian child; and (5) the Indian child's parent was 
193.5 	counseled on alternatives to adoption, and adoption contact agreements.
193.6 		Subd. 3.Required findings that active efforts were provided. (a) Any party seeking 
193.7 	to affect a termination of parental rights, other permanency action, or a placement where 
193.8 	custody of an Indian child may be temporarily or permanently transferred to a person or 
193.9 	entity who is not the Indian child's parent or Indian custodian, and where the Indian child's 
193.10 	parent or Indian custodian cannot have the Indian child returned to their care upon demand, 
193.11 	must satisfy the court that active efforts have been made to provide remedial services and 
193.12 	rehabilitative programs designed to prevent the breakup of the Indian family and that these 
193.13 	efforts have proved unsuccessful.
193.14 	(b) A court shall not order an out-of-home or permanency placement for an Indian child 
193.15 	unless the court finds that the child-placing agency made active efforts to, as required by 
193.16 	section 260.012 and this section, provide remedial services and rehabilitative programs 
193.17 	designed to prevent the breakup of the Indian child's family, and that these efforts have 
193.18 	proved unsuccessful. To the extent possible, active efforts must be provided in a manner 
193.19 	consistent with the prevailing social and cultural conditions of the Indian child's Tribe and 
193.20 	in partnership with the Indian child, Indian parents, extended family, and Tribe.
193.21 	(c) Regardless of whether the Indian child's Tribe has intervened in the proceedings, the 
193.22 	court, in determining whether the child-placing agency made active efforts to preserve the 
193.23 	Indian child's family for purposes of out-of-home placement and permanency, shall ensure 
193.24 	the provision of active efforts designed to correct the conditions that led to the out-of-home 
193.25 	placement of the Indian child and shall make findings regarding whether the following 
193.26 	activities were appropriate and necessary, and whether the child-placing agency made 
193.27 	appropriate and meaningful services, whether listed in this paragraph or not, available to 
193.28 	the family based upon that family's specific needs:
193.29 	(1) whether the child-placing agency made efforts at the earliest point possible to (i) 
193.30 	identify whether a child may be an Indian child as defined in section 260.755, subdivision 
193.31 	8; and (ii) identify and request participation of the Indian child's Tribe at the earliest point 
193.32 	possible and throughout the investigation or assessment, case planning, provision of services, 
193.33 	and case completion;
194.1 	(2) whether the child-placing agency requested that a Tribally designated representative 
194.2 	with substantial knowledge of prevailing social and cultural standards and child-rearing 
194.3 	practices within the Tribal community evaluate the circumstances of the Indian child's 
194.4 	family, provided the Tribally designated representative with all information available 
194.5 	regarding the case, and requested that the Tribally designated representative assist in 
194.6 	developing a case plan that uses Tribal and Indian community resources;
194.7 	(3) whether the child-placing agency provided concrete services and access to both 
194.8 	Tribal and non-Tribal services to members of the Indian child's family, including but not 
194.9 	limited to financial assistance, food, housing, health care, transportation, in-home services, 
194.10 	community support services, and specialized services; and whether these services are being 
194.11 	provided in an ongoing manner throughout the agency's involvement with the family, to 
194.12 	directly assist the family in accessing and utilizing services to maintain the Indian family, 
194.13 	or reunify the Indian family as soon as safety can be assured if out-of-home placement has 
194.14 	occurred;
194.15 	(4) whether the child-placing agency made early and ongoing efforts to identify, locate, 
194.16 	and include extended family members;
194.17 	(5) whether the child-placing agency notified and consulted with the Indian child's 
194.18 	extended family members, as identified by the child, the child's parents, or the Tribe; whether 
194.19 	extended family members were consulted to provide support to the child and parents, to 
194.20 	inform the child-placing agency and court as to cultural connections and family structure, 
194.21 	to assist in identifying appropriate cultural services and supports for the child and parents, 
194.22 	and to identify and serve as a placement and permanency resource for the child; and if there 
194.23 	was difficulty contacting or engaging with extended family members, whether assistance 
194.24 	was sought from the Tribe, the Department of Human Services, or other agencies with 
194.25 	expertise in working with Indian families;
194.26 	(6) whether the child-placing agency provided services and resources to relatives who 
194.27 	are considered the primary placement option for an Indian child, as agreed by the 
194.28 	child-placing agency and the Tribe, to overcome barriers to providing care to an Indian 
194.29 	child. Services and resources shall include but are not limited to child care assistance, 
194.30 	financial assistance, housing resources, emergency resources, and foster care licensing 
194.31 	assistance and resources; and
194.32 	(7) whether the child-placing agency arranged for visitation to occur, whenever possible, 
194.33 	in the home of the Indian child's parent, Indian custodian, or other family member or in 
194.34 	another noninstitutional setting, in order to keep the child in close contact with parents, 
195.1 	siblings, and other relatives regardless of the child's age and to allow the child and those 
195.2 	with whom the child visits to have natural, unsupervised interaction when consistent with 
195.3 	protecting the child's safety; and whether the child-placing agency consulted with a Tribal 
195.4 	representative to determine and arrange for visitation in the most natural setting that ensures 
195.5 	the child's safety, when the child's safety requires supervised visitation.

195.6 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.763, subdivision 1, is amended 
195.7 	to read:
195.8 		Subdivision 1.Indian Tribe jurisdiction. (a) An Indian Tribe has exclusive jurisdiction 
195.9 	over all child placement proceedings involving an Indian child who resides or is domiciled 
195.10 	within the reservation of the Tribe, except where jurisdiction is otherwise vested in the state 
195.11 	by existing federal law. The child-placing agencies and the courts shall defer to a Tribal 
195.12 	determination of the Tribe's exclusive jurisdiction when an Indian child resides or is 
195.13 	domiciled within the reservation of the Tribe.
195.14 	(b) Where an Indian child is a ward of the Tribal court, the Indian Tribe retains exclusive 
195.15 	jurisdiction, notwithstanding the residence or domicile of the child unless the Tribe agrees 
195.16 	to allow concurrent jurisdiction with the state.
195.17 	(c) An Indian Tribe and the state of Minnesota share concurrent jurisdiction over a child 
195.18 	placement proceeding involving an Indian child who resides or is domiciled outside of the 
195.19 	reservation of the Tribe, or if the Tribe agrees to concurrent jurisdiction.

195.20 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.763, subdivision 4, is amended 
195.21 	to read:
195.22 		Subd. 4.Transfer of proceedings.  In any child placement proceeding, upon a motion 
195.23 	or request by the Indian child's parent, Indian custodian, or Tribe, the court, in the absence 
195.24 	of good cause to the contrary, shall transfer the proceeding to the jurisdiction of the Tribe 
195.25 	absent objection by either of the Indian child's parent or the Indian custodian. The petition
195.26 	motion or request to transfer may be filed made by the Indian child's parent, the Indian 
195.27 	custodian, or the Indian child's Tribe at any stage in the proceedings by: (1) filing a written 
195.28 	motion with the court and serving the motion upon the other parties; or (2) making a request 
195.29 	on the record during the hearing, which shall be reflected in the court's findings. A request 
195.30 	or motion to transfer made by a Tribal representative of the Indian child's Tribe under this 
195.31 	subdivision shall not be considered the unauthorized practice of law. The transfer is subject 
195.32 	to declination by the Tribal court of the Tribe.

196.1 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.763, subdivision 5, is amended 
196.2 	to read:
196.3 		Subd. 5.Good cause to deny transfer. (a) Establishing good cause to deny transfer of 
196.4 	jurisdiction to a Tribal court is a fact-specific inquiry to be determined on a case-by-case 
196.5 	basis. Socioeconomic conditions and the perceived adequacy of Tribal or Bureau of Indian 
196.6 	Affairs social services or judicial systems must not be considered in a determination that 
196.7 	good cause exists. The party opposed to transfer of jurisdiction to a Tribal court has the 
196.8 	burden to prove by clear and convincing evidence that good cause to deny transfer exists. 
196.9 	Opposition to a motion to transfer jurisdiction to Tribal court must be in writing and must 
196.10 	be served upon all parties.
196.11 	(b) Upon a motion or request by an Indian child's parent, Indian custodian, or Tribe, the 
196.12 	court may find good cause to deny transfer to Tribal court if shall transfer jurisdiction to a 
196.13 	Tribal court unless the court determines that there is good cause to deny transfer based on 
196.14 	the following:
196.15 	(1) the Indian child's Tribe does not have a Tribal court or any other administrative body 
196.16 	of a Tribe vested with authority over child placement proceedings, as defined in section 
196.17 	260.755, subdivision 3, to which the case can be transferred, and no other Tribal court has 
196.18 	been designated by the Indian child's Tribe; or
196.19 	(2) the evidence necessary to decide the case could not be adequately presented in the 
196.20 	Tribal court without undue hardship to the parties or the witnesses and the Tribal court is 
196.21 	unable to mitigate the hardship by any means permitted in the Tribal court's rules. Without 
196.22 	evidence of undue hardship, travel distance alone is not a basis for denying a transfer.

196.23 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.765, subdivision 2, is amended 
196.24 	to read:
196.25 		Subd. 2.Notice. When an Indian child is voluntarily placed in foster care out of the care 
196.26 	of the Indian child's parent or Indian custodian, the child-placing agency involved in the 
196.27 	decision to place the Indian child shall give notice as described in section 260.761 of the 
196.28 	placement to the Indian child's parent, parents, Indian custodian, and the Tribal social 
196.29 	services agency within seven days of placement, excluding weekends and holidays.
196.30 	If a child-placing agency makes a temporary voluntary foster care placement pending 
196.31 	a decision on adoption by a an Indian child's parent or Indian custodian, notice of the 
196.32 	placement shall be given to the Indian child's parents, Tribal social services agency, and 
197.1 	the Indian custodian upon the filing of a petition for termination of parental rights or three 
197.2 	months following the temporary placement, whichever occurs first.

197.3 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.765, subdivision 3a, is amended 
197.4 	to read:
197.5 		Subd. 3a.Court requirements for consent. Where any parent or Indian custodian 
197.6 	voluntarily consents to a foster care child placement or to termination of parental rights or 
197.7 	adoption, the consent shall not be valid unless executed in writing and recorded before a 
197.8 	judge and accompanied by the presiding judge's finding that the terms and consequences 
197.9 	of the consent were fully explained in detail and were fully understood by the parent or 
197.10 	Indian custodian. The court shall also find that either the parent or Indian custodian fully 
197.11 	understood the explanation in English or that it was interpreted into a language the parent 
197.12 	or Indian custodian understood. Any consent given prior to, or within ten days after, the 
197.13 	birth of an Indian child shall not be valid.

197.14 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.765, subdivision 4b, is amended 
197.15 	to read:
197.16 		Subd. 4b.Collateral attack; vacation of decree and return of custody; 
197.17 	limitations. After the entry of a final decree of adoption of an Indian child in any state 
197.18 	court, the Indian child's parent may withdraw consent upon the grounds that consent was 
197.19 	obtained through fraud or duress and may petition the court to vacate the decree. Upon a 
197.20 	finding that consent was obtained through fraud or duress, the court shall vacate the decree 
197.21 	and return the Indian child to the Indian child's parent. No adoption that has been effective 
197.22 	for at least two years may be invalidated under the provisions of this subdivision unless 
197.23 	otherwise permitted under a provision of state law.

197.24 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.771, subdivision 1a, is amended 
197.25 	to read:
197.26 		Subd. 1a.Active efforts. In any child placement proceeding, the child-placing agency 
197.27 	or individual petitioner shall ensure that appropriate active efforts as described in section 
197.28 	260.762 are provided to the Indian child's parent or parents, Indian custodian, and family 
197.29 	to support reunification and preservation of the Indian child's placement with and relationship 
197.30 	to the Indian child's extended family.

198.1 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.771, subdivision 1b, is amended 
198.2 	to read:
198.3 		Subd. 1b.Placement preference. In any child placement proceeding, the child-placing 
198.4 	agency or individual petitioner shall follow the placement preferences described in section 
198.5 	260.773 or, where preferred placement is not available even with the provision of active 
198.6 	efforts, shall follow section 260.773, subdivisions 12 to 15.

198.7 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.771, subdivision 1c, is amended 
198.8 	to read:
198.9 		Subd. 1c.Identification of extended family members. Any child-placing agency or 
198.10 	individual petitioner considering placement of an Indian child shall make ensure active 
198.11 	efforts are made to identify and locate siblings and extended family members and to explore 
198.12 	placement with an extended family member and facilitate continued involvement in the 
198.13 	Indian child's life members and ensure the Indian child's relationship with the Indian child's 
198.14 	extended family and Tribe.

198.15 	Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.771, subdivision 2b, is amended 
198.16 	to read:
198.17 		Subd. 2b.Appointment of counsel. (a) In any state court child placement proceeding, 
198.18 	including but not limited to any proceeding where the petitioner or another party seeks to 
198.19 	temporarily or permanently remove an Indian child from the Indian child's parent or parents 
198.20 	or Indian custodian, the Indian child's parent or parents or Indian custodian shall have the 
198.21 	right to be represented by an attorney. If the parent or parents or Indian custodian cannot 
198.22 	afford an attorney and meet the requirements of section 611.17, an attorney will be appointed 
198.23 	to represent them.
198.24 	(b) In any state court child placement proceeding, any Indian child ten years of age or 
198.25 	older shall have the right to court-appointed counsel. The court may appoint counsel for 
198.26 	any Indian child under ten years of age in any state court child placement proceeding if the 
198.27 	court determines that appointment is appropriate and in the best interest of the Indian child.
198.28 	(c) If the court appoints counsel to represent a person pursuant to this subdivision, the 
198.29 	court shall appoint counsel to represent the person prior to the first hearing on the petition, 
198.30 	but may appoint counsel at any stage of the proceeding if the court deems it necessary. The 
198.31 	court shall not appoint a public defender to represent the person unless such appointment 
198.32 	is authorized by section 611.14.

199.1 	Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.771, subdivision 2d, is amended 
199.2 	to read:
199.3 		Subd. 2d.Tribal access to files and other documents. At any subsequent stage of the 
199.4 	child-placing agency or petitioner's involvement with an Indian child, the child-placing 
199.5 	agency or individual petitioner shall, upon request, give the Tribal social services agency 
199.6 	full cooperation including access to all files concerning the Indian child. If the files contain 
199.7 	confidential or private data, the child-placing agency or individual petitioner may require 
199.8 	execution of an agreement with the Tribal social services agency specifying that the Tribal 
199.9 	social services agency shall maintain the data according to statutory provisions applicable 
199.10 	to the data.

199.11 	Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.771, is amended by adding a 
199.12 	subdivision to read:
199.13 		Subd. 2e.Participation of Indian child's Tribe in court proceedings. (a) In any child 
199.14 	placement proceeding that involves an Indian child, any Tribe that the Indian child may be 
199.15 	eligible for membership in, as determined by the Tribe, is a party to the proceedings without 
199.16 	the need to file a motion.
199.17 	(b) An Indian child's Tribe, Tribal representative, or attorney representing the Tribe:
199.18 	(1) may appear remotely at hearings by telephone, video conference, or other electronic 
199.19 	medium without prior request;
199.20 	(2) is not required to use the court's electronic filing and service system and may use 
199.21 	United States mail, facsimile, or other alternative method for filing and service;
199.22 	(3) may file documents with the court using an alternative method that the clerk of court 
199.23 	shall accept and file electronically;
199.24 	(4) is exempt from any filing fees required under section 357.021; and
199.25 	(5) is exempt from the pro hac vice requirements of Rule 5 of the Minnesota General 
199.26 	Rules of Practice.

199.27 	Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.771, subdivision 6, is amended 
199.28 	to read:
199.29 		Subd. 6.Qualified expert witness and evidentiary requirements. (a) In an any
199.30 	involuntary foster care placement proceeding, the court must determine by clear and 
199.31 	convincing evidence, including testimony of a qualified expert witness, that continued 
200.1 	custody of the Indian child by the parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious 
200.2 	emotional damage or serious physical damage to the Indian child.
200.3 	In a termination of parental rights proceeding, the court must determine by evidence 
200.4 	beyond a reasonable doubt, including testimony of a qualified expert witness, that continued 
200.5 	custody of the Indian child by the parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious 
200.6 	emotional damage or serious physical damage to the Indian child.
200.7 	In an involuntary permanent transfer of legal and physical custody proceeding, permanent 
200.8 	custody to the agency proceeding, temporary custody to the agency, or other permanency 
200.9 	proceeding, the court must determine by clear and convincing evidence, including testimony 
200.10 	of a qualified expert witness, that the continued custody of the Indian child by the Indian 
200.11 	child's parent or parents or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious emotional damage 
200.12 	or serious physical damage to the Indian child. Qualified expert witness testimony is not 
200.13 	required where custody is transferred to the Indian child's parent.
200.14 	Testimony of a qualified expert witness shall be provided for involuntary foster care
200.15 	child placement and permanency proceedings independently.
200.16 	(b) The child-placing agency, individual petitioner, or any other party shall make diligent 
200.17 	efforts to locate and present to the court a qualified expert witness designated by the Indian 
200.18 	child's Tribe. The qualifications of a qualified expert witness designated by the Indian child's 
200.19 	Tribe are not subject to a challenge in Indian child placement proceedings.
200.20 	(c) If a party cannot obtain testimony from a Tribally designated qualified expert witness, 
200.21 	the party shall submit to the court the diligent efforts made to obtain a Tribally designated 
200.22 	qualified expert witness.
200.23 	(d) If clear and convincing evidence establishes that a party's diligent efforts cannot 
200.24 	produce testimony from a Tribally designated qualified expert witness, the party shall 
200.25 	demonstrate to the court that a proposed qualified expert witness is, in descending order of 
200.26 	preference:
200.27 	(1) a member of the Indian child's Tribe who is recognized by the Indian child's Tribal 
200.28 	community as knowledgeable in Tribal customs as they pertain to family organization and 
200.29 	child-rearing practices; or
200.30 	(2) an Indian person from an Indian community who has substantial experience in the 
200.31 	delivery of child and family services to Indians and extensive knowledge of prevailing social 
200.32 	and cultural standards and contemporary and traditional child-rearing practices of the Indian 
200.33 	child's Tribe.
201.1 	If clear and convincing evidence establishes that diligent efforts have been made to obtain 
201.2 	a qualified expert witness who meets the criteria in clause (1) or (2), but those efforts have 
201.3 	not been successful, a party may use an expert witness, as defined by the Minnesota Rules 
201.4 	of Evidence, rule 702, who has substantial experience in providing services to Indian families 
201.5 	and who has substantial knowledge of prevailing social and cultural standards and 
201.6 	child-rearing practices within the Indian community. The court or any party may request 
201.7 	the assistance of the Indian child's Tribe or the Bureau of Indian Affairs agency serving the 
201.8 	Indian child's Tribe in locating persons qualified to serve as expert witnesses.
201.9 	(e) The court may allow alternative methods of participation and testimony in state court 
201.10 	proceedings by a qualified expert witness, such as participation or testimony by telephone, 
201.11 	videoconferencing video conference, or other methods electronic medium.

201.12 	Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.773, subdivision 1, is amended 
201.13 	to read:
201.14 		Subdivision 1.Least restrictive setting. In all proceedings where custody of the Indian 
201.15 	child may be removed from the Indian child's parent or Indian custodian, the Indian child 
201.16 	shall be placed in the least restrictive setting which most approximates a family and in which 
201.17 	the Indian child's special needs, if any, may be met. The Indian child shall also be placed 
201.18 	within reasonable proximity to the Indian child's home, taking into account any special 
201.19 	needs of the Indian child.

201.20 	Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.773, subdivision 2, is amended 
201.21 	to read:
201.22 		Subd. 2.Tribe's order of placement recognized. In the case of a placement under 
201.23 	subdivision 3 or 4, if the Indian child's Tribe has established a different order of placement 
201.24 	preference by resolution, the child-placing agency or petitioner and the court shall recognize 
201.25 	the Indian child's Tribe's order of placement in the form provided by the Tribe.

201.26 	Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.773, subdivision 3, is amended 
201.27 	to read:
201.28 		Subd. 3.Placement options preferences for temporary proceedings. Preference shall 
201.29 	be given, in the absence of good cause to the contrary, to a placement with:
201.30 	(1) a noncustodial parent or Indian custodian;
201.31 	(2) a member of the Indian child's extended family;
202.1 	(3) a foster home licensed, approved, or specified by the Indian child's Tribe;
202.2 	(4) an Indian foster home licensed or approved by an authorized non-Indian licensing 
202.3 	authority; or
202.4 	(5) an institution for children approved by an Indian Tribe or operated by an Indian 
202.5 	organization which has a program suitable to meet the Indian child's needs.

202.6 	Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.773, subdivision 4, is amended 
202.7 	to read:
202.8 		Subd. 4.Placement preference preferences for permanent proceedings. In any 
202.9 	adoptive placement, transfer of custody placement, or other permanency placement of an 
202.10 	Indian child, a preference shall be given, in the absence of good cause to the contrary, to a 
202.11 	placement with:
202.12 	(1) the Indian child's noncustodial parent or Indian custodian;
202.13 	(2) a member of the Indian child's extended family;
202.14 	(3) other members of the Indian child's Tribe; or
202.15 	(4) other persons or entities recognized as appropriate to be a permanency resource for 
202.16 	the Indian child, by the Indian child's parent or parents, Indian custodian, or Indian Tribe.

202.17 	Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.773, subdivision 5, is amended 
202.18 	to read:
202.19 		Subd. 5.Suitability of placement. The county child-placing agency and petitioner shall 
202.20 	defer to the judgment of the Indian child's Tribe as to the suitability of a placement.

202.21 	Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.773, subdivision 10, is amended 
202.22 	to read:
202.23 		Subd. 10.Exceptions to placement preferences. The court shall follow the placement 
202.24 	preferences in subdivisions 1 to 9, except as follows:
202.25 	(1) where a parent evidences a desire for anonymity, the child-placing agency or petitioner 
202.26 	and the court shall give weight to the parent's desire for anonymity in applying the 
202.27 	preferences. A parent's desire for anonymity does not excuse the application of sections 
202.28 	260.751 to 260.835; or
202.29 	(2) where the court determines there is good cause based on:
203.1 	(i) the reasonable request of the Indian child's parents, if one or both parents attest that 
203.2 	they have reviewed the placement options that comply with the order of placement 
203.3 	preferences;
203.4 	(ii) the reasonable request of the Indian child if the Indian child is able to understand 
203.5 	and comprehend the decision that is being made;
203.6 	(iii) the testimony of a qualified expert designated by the Indian child's Tribe and, if 
203.7 	necessary, testimony from an expert witness who meets qualifications of section 260.771, 
203.8 	subdivision 6, paragraph (d), clause (2), that supports placement outside the order of 
203.9 	placement preferences due to extraordinary physical or emotional needs of the Indian child 
203.10 	that require highly specialized services; or
203.11 	(iv) the testimony by the child-placing agency or petitioner that a diligent search has 
203.12 	been conducted that did not locate any available, suitable families for the Indian child that 
203.13 	meet the placement preference criteria.

203.14 	Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.773, subdivision 11, is amended 
203.15 	to read:
203.16 		Subd. 11.Factors considered in determining placement. Testimony of the Indian 
203.17 	child's bonding or attachment to a foster family alone, without the existence of at least one 
203.18 	of the factors in subdivision 10, clause (2), shall not be considered good cause to keep an 
203.19 	Indian child in a lower preference or nonpreference placement. Ease of visitation and 
203.20 	facilitation of relationship with the Indian child's parents, Indian custodian, extended family, 
203.21 	or Tribe may be considered when determining placement.

203.22 	Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.774, subdivision 1, is amended 
203.23 	to read:
203.24 		Subdivision 1.Improper removal. In any proceeding where custody of the Indian child 
203.25 	was improperly removed from the parent or parents Indian custodian or where the petitioner 
203.26 	has improperly retained custody after a visit or other temporary relinquishment of custody, 
203.27 	the court shall decline jurisdiction over the petition and shall immediately return the Indian 
203.28 	child to the Indian child's parent or parents or Indian custodian unless returning the Indian 
203.29 	child to the Indian child's parent or parents or Indian custodian would subject the Indian 
203.30 	child to a substantial and immediate danger or threat of such danger.

204.1 	Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.774, subdivision 2, is amended 
204.2 	to read:
204.3 		Subd. 2.Invalidation. (a) Any order for out-of-home child placement, transfer of custody, 
204.4 	termination of parental rights, or other permanent change in custody of an Indian child shall 
204.5 	be invalidated upon a showing, by a preponderance of the evidence, that a violation of any 
204.6 	one of the provisions in section 260.761, 260.762, 260.763, 260.765, 260.771, 260.773, or 
204.7 	260.7745 has occurred.
204.8 	(b) The Indian child, the Indian child's parent or parents, guardian, Indian custodian, or 
204.9 	Indian Tribe may file a petition or motion to invalidate under this subdivision.
204.10 	(c) Upon a finding that a violation of one of the provisions in section 260.761, 260.762, 
204.11 	260.763, 260.765, 260.771, 260.773, or 260.7745 has occurred, the court shall:
204.12 	(1) dismiss the petition without prejudice; and
204.13 	(2) return the Indian child to the care, custody, and control of the parent or parents or 
204.14 	Indian custodian, unless the Indian child would be subjected to imminent physical damage 
204.15 	or harm.; and
204.16 	(3) determine whether the Indian child's parent or Indian custodian has been assessed 
204.17 	placement costs and order reimbursement of those costs.
204.18 	(d) Upon a finding that a willful, intentional, knowing, or reckless violation of one of 
204.19 	the provisions in section 260.761, 260.762, 260.763, 260.765, 260.771, 260.773, or 260.7745 
204.20 	has occurred, the court may consider whether sanctions, reasonable costs, and attorney fees 
204.21 	should be imposed against the offending party.

204.22 	Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.774, subdivision 3, is amended 
204.23 	to read:
204.24 		Subd. 3.Return of custody following adoption. (a) Whenever a final decree of adoption 
204.25 	of an Indian child has been vacated, set aside, or there is a termination of the parental rights 
204.26 	of the adoptive parents to the Indian child, a biological parent or prior Indian custodian may 
204.27 	petition for return of custody and the court shall grant the petition unless there is a showing, 
204.28 	in proceedings subject to the provision of sections 260.751 to 260.835, that the return of 
204.29 	custody is not in the best interests of the Indian child.
204.30 	(b) The county attorney, Indian child, Indian child's Tribe, Indian custodian, or a an 
204.31 	Indian child's parent whose parental rights were terminated under a previous order of the 
204.32 	court may file a petition for the return of custody.
205.1 	(c) A petition for return of custody may be filed in court when:
205.2 	(1) the parent or Indian custodian has corrected the conditions that led to an order 
205.3 	terminating parental rights;
205.4 	(2) the parent or Indian custodian is willing and has the capability to provide day-to-day 
205.5 	care and maintain the health, safety, and welfare of the Indian child; and
205.6 	(3) the adoption has been vacated, set aside, or termination of the parental rights of the 
205.7 	adoptive parents to the Indian child has occurred.
205.8 	(d) A petition for reestablishment of the legal parent and child relationship for aan Indian 
205.9 	child who has not been adopted must meet the requirements in section 260C.329.

205.10 	Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260.775, is amended to read:
205.11 	260.775 PLACEMENT RECORDS.
205.12 	(a) The commissioner of human services shall publish annually an inventory of all Indian 
205.13 	children in residential facilities. The inventory shall include, by county and statewide, 
205.14 	information on legal status, living arrangement, age, sex, Tribe in which the Indian child is 
205.15 	a member or eligible for membership, accumulated length of time in foster care, and other 
205.16 	demographic information deemed appropriate concerning all Indian children in residential 
205.17 	facilities. The report must also state the extent to which authorized child-placing agencies 
205.18 	comply with the order of preference described in United States Code, title 25, section 1901, 
205.19 	et seq. The commissioner shall include the information required under this paragraph in the 
205.20 	annual report on child maltreatment and on children in out-of-home placement under section 
205.21 	257.0725.
205.22 	(b) This section expires January 1, 2032.

205.23 	Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.781, subdivision 1, is amended 
205.24 	to read:
205.25 		Subdivision 1.Court decree information. (a) A state court entering a final decree or 
205.26 	order in an Indian child adoptive placement shall provide the Department of Human Services 
205.27 	and the child's Tribal social services agency with a copy of the decree or order together with 
205.28 	such other information to show:
205.29 	(1) the name and Tribal affiliation of the Indian child;
205.30 	(2) the names and addresses of the biological parents and Indian custodian, if any;
205.31 	(3) the names and addresses of the adoptive parents; and
206.1 	(4) the identity of any agency having files or information relating to the adoptive 
206.2 	placement.
206.3 	If the court records contain an affidavit of the biological or adoptive parent or parents 
206.4 	or Indian custodian requesting anonymity, the court shall delete the name and address of 
206.5 	the biological or adoptive parents or Indian custodian from the information sent to the Indian 
206.6 	child's Tribal social services agency. The court shall include the affidavit with the other 
206.7 	information provided to the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Secretary 
206.8 	of the Interior. The Minnesota Department of Human Services shall and the Secretary of 
206.9 	the Interior is requested to ensure that the confidentiality of the information is maintained 
206.10 	and the information shall not be subject to the Freedom of Information Act, United States 
206.11 	Code, title 5, section 552, as amended.
206.12 	(b) For:
206.13 	(1) disclosure of information for enrollment membership of an Indian child in the Tribe;
206.14 	(2) determination of member rights or benefits; or
206.15 	(3) certification of entitlement to membership upon the request of the adopted Indian 
206.16 	child over the age of eighteen, the adoptive or foster parents of an Indian child, or an Indian 
206.17 	Tribe,
206.18 	the Secretary of the Interior is requested to disclose any other necessary information for the 
206.19 	membership of an Indian child in the Tribe in which the Indian child may be eligible for 
206.20 	membership or for determining any rights or benefits associated with that membership. 
206.21 	Where the documents relating to the Indian child contain an affidavit from the biological 
206.22 	parent or parents Indian custodian requesting anonymity, the Secretary of the Interior is 
206.23 	requested to certify to the Indian child's Tribe, where the information warrants, that the 
206.24 	Indian child's parentage and other circumstances of birth entitle the Indian child to 
206.25 	membership under the criteria established by the Tribe.

206.26 	Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260.785, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
206.27 		Subdivision 1.Primary support grants. The commissioner shall establish direct grants 
206.28 	to Indian Tribes, Indian organizations, and Tribal social services agency programs located 
206.29 	off-reservation that serve Indian children and their families to provide primary support for 
206.30 	Indian child welfare programs to implement the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act.

207.1 	Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260.785, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
207.2 		Subd. 3.Compliance grants. The commissioner shall establish direct grants to an Indian 
207.3 	child welfare defense corporation, as defined in Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 611.216, 
207.4 	subdivision 1a, to promote statewide compliance with the Minnesota Indian Family 
207.5 	Preservation Act and the Indian Child Welfare Act, United States Code, title 25, section 
207.6 	1901, et seq. The commissioner shall give priority consideration to applicants with 
207.7 	demonstrated capability of providing legal advocacy services statewide.

207.8 	Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.786, subdivision 2, is amended 
207.9 	to read:
207.10 		Subd. 2.Purposes. Money must be used to address staffing for responding to notifications 
207.11 	under the federal Indian Child Welfare Act and the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation 
207.12 	Act, to the extent necessary, or to provide other child protection and child welfare services. 
207.13 	Money must not be used to supplant current Tribal expenditures for these purposes.

207.14 	Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 260.795, subdivision 1, is amended 
207.15 	to read:
207.16 		Subdivision 1.Types of services. (a) Eligible Indian child welfare services provided 
207.17 	under primary support grants include:
207.18 	(1) placement prevention and reunification services;
207.19 	(2) family-based services;
207.20 	(3) individual and family counseling;
207.21 	(4) access to professional individual, group, and family counseling;
207.22 	(5) crisis intervention and crisis counseling;
207.23 	(6) development of foster and adoptive placement resources, including recruitment, 
207.24 	licensing, and support;
207.25 	(7) court advocacy;
207.26 	(8) training and consultation to county and private social services agencies regarding 
207.27 	the federal Indian Child Welfare Act and the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act;
207.28 	(9) advocacy in working with the county and private social services agencies, and 
207.29 	activities to help provide access to agency services, including but not limited to 24-hour 
207.30 	caretaker and homemaker services, day care, emergency shelter care up to 30 days in 12 
208.1 	months, access to emergency financial assistance, and arrangements to provide temporary 
208.2 	respite care to a family for up to 72 hours consecutively or 30 days in 12 months;
208.3 	(10) transportation services to the child and parents to prevent placement or reunite the 
208.4 	family; and
208.5 	(11) other activities and services approved by the commissioner that further the goals 
208.6 	of the federal Indian Child Welfare Act and the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act, 
208.7 	including but not limited to recruitment of Indian staff for child-placing agencies and licensed 
208.8 	child-placing agencies. The commissioner may specify the priority of an activity and service 
208.9 	based on its success in furthering these goals.
208.10 	(b) Eligible services provided under special focus grants include:
208.11 	(1) permanency planning activities that meet the special needs of Indian families;
208.12 	(2) teenage pregnancy;
208.13 	(3) independent living skills;
208.14 	(4) family and community involvement strategies to combat child abuse and chronic 
208.15 	neglect of children;
208.16 	(5) coordinated child welfare and mental health services to Indian families;
208.17 	(6) innovative approaches to assist Indian youth to establish better self-image, decrease 
208.18 	isolation, and decrease the suicide rate;
208.19 	(7) expanding or improving services by packaging and disseminating information on 
208.20 	successful approaches or by implementing models in Indian communities relating to the 
208.21 	development or enhancement of social structures that increase family self-reliance and links 
208.22 	with existing community resources;
208.23 	(8) family retrieval services to help adopted individuals reestablish legal affiliation with 
208.24 	the Indian Tribe; and
208.25 	(9) other activities and services approved by the commissioner that further the goals of 
208.26 	the federal Indian Child Welfare Act and the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act. 
208.27 	The commissioner may specify the priority of an activity and service based on its success 
208.28 	in furthering these goals.
208.29 	(c) The commissioner shall give preference to programs that use Indian staff, contract 
208.30 	with Indian organizations or Tribes, or whose application is a joint effort between the Indian 
208.31 	and non-Indian community to achieve the goals of the federal Indian Child Welfare Act 
209.1 	and the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act. Programs must have input and support 
209.2 	from the Indian community.

209.3 	Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260.810, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
209.4 		Subd. 3.Final report. A final evaluation report must be submitted by each approved 
209.5 	program to the commissioner. It must include client outcomes, cost and effectiveness in 
209.6 	meeting the goals of the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act and permanency planning 
209.7 	goals. The commissioner must compile the final reports into one document and provide a 
209.8 	copy to each Tribe.

209.9 	Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.007, subdivision 26b, is amended to read:
209.10 		Subd. 26b.Relative of an Indian child. "Relative of an Indian child" means a person 
209.11 	who is a member of the Indian child's family as defined in the Indian Child Welfare Act of 
209.12 	1978, United States Code, title 25, section 1903, paragraphs (2), (6), and (9), and who is an 
209.13 	extended family member as defined in section 260.755, subdivision 5b, of the Minnesota 
209.14 	Indian Family Preservation Act.

209.15 	Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.178, subdivision 1, as amended by Laws 
209.16 	2024, chapter 80, article 8, section 24, is amended to read:
209.17 		Subdivision 1.Hearing and release requirements. (a) If a child was taken into custody 
209.18 	under section 260C.175, subdivision 1, clause (1) or (2), item (ii), the court shall hold a 
209.19 	hearing within 72 hours of the time that the child was taken into custody, excluding 
209.20 	Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, to determine whether the child should continue to be in 
209.21 	custody.
209.22 	(b) Unless there is reason to believe that the child would endanger self or others or not 
209.23 	return for a court hearing, or that the child's health or welfare would be immediately 
209.24 	endangered, the child shall be released to the custody of a parent, guardian, custodian, or 
209.25 	other suitable person, subject to reasonable conditions of release including, but not limited 
209.26 	to, a requirement that the child undergo a chemical use assessment as provided in section 
209.27 	260C.157, subdivision 1.
209.28 	(c) If the court determines that there is reason to believe that the child would endanger 
209.29 	self or others or not return for a court hearing, or that the child's health or welfare would be 
209.30 	immediately endangered if returned to the care of the parent or guardian who has custody 
209.31 	and from whom the child was removed, the court shall order the child:
210.1 	(1) into the care of the child's noncustodial parent and order the noncustodial parent to 
210.2 	comply with any conditions that the court determines appropriate to ensure the safety and 
210.3 	care of the child, including requiring the noncustodial parent to cooperate with paternity 
210.4 	establishment proceedings if the noncustodial parent has not been adjudicated the child's 
210.5 	father; or
210.6 	(2) into foster care as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 18, under the legal 
210.7 	responsibility of the responsible social services agency or responsible probation or corrections 
210.8 	agency for the purposes of protective care as that term is used in the juvenile court rules. 
210.9 	The court shall not give the responsible social services legal custody and order a trial home 
210.10 	visit at any time prior to adjudication and disposition under section 260C.201, subdivision 
210.11 	1, paragraph (a), clause (3), but may order the child returned to the care of the parent or 
210.12 	guardian who has custody and from whom the child was removed and order the parent or 
210.13 	guardian to comply with any conditions the court determines to be appropriate to meet the 
210.14 	safety, health, and welfare of the child.
210.15 	(d) In determining whether the child's health or welfare would be immediately 
210.16 	endangered, the court shall consider whether the child would reside with a perpetrator of 
210.17 	domestic child abuse.
210.18 	(e) The court, before determining whether a child should be placed in or continue in 
210.19 	foster care under the protective care of the responsible agency, shall also make a 
210.20 	determination, consistent with section 260.012 as to whether reasonable efforts were made 
210.21 	to prevent placement or whether reasonable efforts to prevent placement are not required. 
210.22 	In the case of an Indian child, the court shall determine whether active efforts, according 
210.23 	to section 260.762 and the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, United States Code, title 25, 
210.24 	section 1912(d), were made to prevent placement. The court shall enter a finding that the 
210.25 	responsible social services agency has made reasonable efforts to prevent placement when 
210.26 	the agency establishes either:
210.27 	(1) that the agency has actually provided services or made efforts in an attempt to prevent 
210.28 	the child's removal but that such services or efforts have not proven sufficient to permit the 
210.29 	child to safely remain in the home; or
210.30 	(2) that there are no services or other efforts that could be made at the time of the hearing 
210.31 	that could safely permit the child to remain home or to return home. The court shall not 
210.32 	make a reasonable efforts determination under this clause unless the court is satisfied that 
210.33 	the agency has sufficiently demonstrated to the court that there were no services or other 
210.34 	efforts that the agency was able to provide at the time of the hearing enabling the child to 
211.1 	safely remain home or to safely return home. When reasonable efforts to prevent placement 
211.2 	are required and there are services or other efforts that could be ordered that would permit 
211.3 	the child to safely return home, the court shall order the child returned to the care of the 
211.4 	parent or guardian and the services or efforts put in place to ensure the child's safety. When 
211.5 	the court makes a prima facie determination that one of the circumstances under paragraph 
211.6 	(g) exists, the court shall determine that reasonable efforts to prevent placement and to 
211.7 	return the child to the care of the parent or guardian are not required.
211.8 	(f) If the court finds the social services agency's preventive or reunification efforts have 
211.9 	not been reasonable but further preventive or reunification efforts could not permit the child 
211.10 	to safely remain at home, the court may nevertheless authorize or continue the removal of 
211.11 	the child.
211.12 	(g) The court may not order or continue the foster care placement of the child unless the 
211.13 	court makes explicit, individualized findings that continued custody of the child by the 
211.14 	parent or guardian would be contrary to the welfare of the child and that placement is in the 
211.15 	best interest of the child.
211.16 	(h) At the emergency removal hearing, or at any time during the course of the proceeding, 
211.17 	and upon notice and request of the county attorney, the court shall determine whether a 
211.18 	petition has been filed stating a prima facie case that:
211.19 	(1) the parent has subjected a child to egregious harm as defined in section 260C.007, 
211.20 	subdivision 14;
211.21 	(2) the parental rights of the parent to another child have been involuntarily terminated;
211.22 	(3) the child is an abandoned infant under section 260C.301, subdivision 2, paragraph 
211.23 	(a), clause (2);
211.24 	(4) the parents' custodial rights to another child have been involuntarily transferred to a 
211.25 	relative under a juvenile protection proceeding or a similar process of another jurisdiction;
211.26 	(5) the parent has committed sexual abuse as defined in section 260E.03, against the 
211.27 	child or another child of the parent;
211.28 	(6) the parent has committed an offense that requires registration as a predatory offender 
211.29 	under section 243.166, subdivision 1b, paragraph (a) or (b); or
211.30 	(7) the provision of services or further services for the purpose of reunification is futile 
211.31 	and therefore unreasonable.
212.1 	(i) When a petition to terminate parental rights is required under section 260C.301, 
212.2 	subdivision 4, or 260C.503, subdivision 2, but the county attorney has determined not to 
212.3 	proceed with a termination of parental rights petition, and has instead filed a petition to 
212.4 	transfer permanent legal and physical custody to a relative under section 260C.507, the 
212.5 	court shall schedule a permanency hearing within 30 days of the filing of the petition.
212.6 	(j) If the county attorney has filed a petition under section 260C.307, the court shall 
212.7 	schedule a trial under section 260C.163 within 90 days of the filing of the petition except 
212.8 	when the county attorney determines that the criminal case shall proceed to trial first under 
212.9 	section 260C.503, subdivision 2, paragraph (c).
212.10 	(k) If the court determines the child should be ordered into foster care and the child's 
212.11 	parent refuses to give information to the responsible social services agency regarding the 
212.12 	child's father or relatives of the child, the court may order the parent to disclose the names, 
212.13 	addresses, telephone numbers, and other identifying information to the responsible social 
212.14 	services agency for the purpose of complying with sections 260C.150, 260C.151, 260C.212, 
212.15 	260C.215, 260C.219, and 260C.221.
212.16 	(l) If a child ordered into foster care has siblings, whether full, half, or step, who are 
212.17 	also ordered into foster care, the court shall inquire of the responsible social services agency 
212.18 	of the efforts to place the children together as required by section 260C.212, subdivision 2, 
212.19 	paragraph (d), if placement together is in each child's best interests, unless a child is in 
212.20 	placement for treatment or a child is placed with a previously noncustodial parent who is 
212.21 	not a parent to all siblings. If the children are not placed together at the time of the hearing, 
212.22 	the court shall inquire at each subsequent hearing of the agency's reasonable efforts to place 
212.23 	the siblings together, as required under section 260.012. If any sibling is not placed with 
212.24 	another sibling or siblings, the agency must develop a plan to facilitate visitation or ongoing 
212.25 	contact among the siblings as required under section 260C.212, subdivision 1, unless it is 
212.26 	contrary to the safety or well-being of any of the siblings to do so.
212.27 	(m) When the court has ordered the child into the care of a noncustodial parent or in 
212.28 	foster care, the court may order a chemical dependency evaluation, mental health evaluation, 
212.29 	medical examination, and parenting assessment for the parent as necessary to support the 
212.30 	development of a plan for reunification required under subdivision 7 and section 260C.212, 
212.31 	subdivision 1, or the child protective services plan under section 260E.26, and Minnesota 
212.32 	Rules, part 9560.0228.
213.1 	(n) When the court has ordered an Indian child into an emergency child placement, the 
213.2 	Indian child shall be placed according to the placement preferences in the Minnesota Indian 
213.3 	Family Preservation Act, section 260.773.

213.4 	Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260D.01, is amended to read:
213.5 	260D.01 CHILD IN VOLUNTARY FOSTER CARE FOR TREATMENT.
213.6 	(a) Sections 260D.01 to 260D.10, may be cited as the "child in voluntary foster care for 
213.7 	treatment" provisions of the Juvenile Court Act.
213.8 	(b) The juvenile court has original and exclusive jurisdiction over a child in voluntary 
213.9 	foster care for treatment upon the filing of a report or petition required under this chapter. 
213.10 	All obligations of the responsible social services agency to a child and family in foster care 
213.11 	contained in chapter 260C not inconsistent with this chapter are also obligations of the 
213.12 	agency with regard to a child in foster care for treatment under this chapter.
213.13 	(c) This chapter shall be construed consistently with the mission of the children's mental 
213.14 	health service system as set out in section 245.487, subdivision 3, and the duties of an agency 
213.15 	under sections 256B.092 and 260C.157 and Minnesota Rules, parts 9525.0004 to 9525.0016, 
213.16 	to meet the needs of a child with a developmental disability or related condition. This 
213.17 	chapter:
213.18 	(1) establishes voluntary foster care through a voluntary foster care agreement as the 
213.19 	means for an agency and a parent to provide needed treatment when the child must be in 
213.20 	foster care to receive necessary treatment for an emotional disturbance or developmental 
213.21 	disability or related condition;
213.22 	(2) establishes court review requirements for a child in voluntary foster care for treatment 
213.23 	due to emotional disturbance or developmental disability or a related condition;
213.24 	(3) establishes the ongoing responsibility of the parent as legal custodian to visit the 
213.25 	child, to plan together with the agency for the child's treatment needs, to be available and 
213.26 	accessible to the agency to make treatment decisions, and to obtain necessary medical, 
213.27 	dental, and other care for the child;
213.28 	(4) applies to voluntary foster care when the child's parent and the agency agree that the 
213.29 	child's treatment needs require foster care either:
213.30 	(i) due to a level of care determination by the agency's screening team informed by the 
213.31 	child's diagnostic and functional assessment under section 245.4885; or
214.1 	(ii) due to a determination regarding the level of services needed by the child by the 
214.2 	responsible social services agency's screening team under section 256B.092, and Minnesota 
214.3 	Rules, parts 9525.0004 to 9525.0016; and
214.4 	(5) includes the requirements for a child's placement in sections 260C.70 to 260C.714, 
214.5 	when the juvenile treatment screening team recommends placing a child in a qualified 
214.6 	residential treatment program, except as modified by this chapter.
214.7 	(d) This chapter does not apply when there is a current determination under chapter 
214.8 	260E that the child requires child protective services or when the child is in foster care for 
214.9 	any reason other than treatment for the child's emotional disturbance or developmental 
214.10 	disability or related condition. When there is a determination under chapter 260E that the 
214.11 	child requires child protective services based on an assessment that there are safety and risk 
214.12 	issues for the child that have not been mitigated through the parent's engagement in services 
214.13 	or otherwise, or when the child is in foster care for any reason other than the child's emotional 
214.14 	disturbance or developmental disability or related condition, the provisions of chapter 260C 
214.15 	apply.
214.16 	(e) The paramount consideration in all proceedings concerning a child in voluntary foster 
214.17 	care for treatment is the safety, health, and the best interests of the child. The purpose of 
214.18 	this chapter is:
214.19 	(1) to ensure that a child with a disability is provided the services necessary to treat or 
214.20 	ameliorate the symptoms of the child's disability;
214.21 	(2) to preserve and strengthen the child's family ties whenever possible and in the child's 
214.22 	best interests, approving the child's placement away from the child's parents only when the 
214.23 	child's need for care or treatment requires out-of-home placement and the child cannot be 
214.24 	maintained in the home of the parent; and
214.25 	(3) to ensure that the child's parent retains legal custody of the child and associated 
214.26 	decision-making authority unless the child's parent willfully fails or is unable to make 
214.27 	decisions that meet the child's safety, health, and best interests. The court may not find that 
214.28 	the parent willfully fails or is unable to make decisions that meet the child's needs solely 
214.29 	because the parent disagrees with the agency's choice of foster care facility, unless the 
214.30 	agency files a petition under chapter 260C, and establishes by clear and convincing evidence 
214.31 	that the child is in need of protection or services.
214.32 	(f) The legal parent-child relationship shall be supported under this chapter by maintaining 
214.33 	the parent's legal authority and responsibility for ongoing planning for the child and by the 
215.1 	agency's assisting the parent, when necessary, to exercise the parent's ongoing right and 
215.2 	obligation to visit or to have reasonable contact with the child. Ongoing planning means:
215.3 	(1) actively participating in the planning and provision of educational services, medical, 
215.4 	and dental care for the child;
215.5 	(2) actively planning and participating with the agency and the foster care facility for 
215.6 	the child's treatment needs;
215.7 	(3) planning to meet the child's need for safety, stability, and permanency, and the child's 
215.8 	need to stay connected to the child's family and community;
215.9 	(4) engaging with the responsible social services agency to ensure that the family and 
215.10 	permanency team under section 260C.706 consists of appropriate family members. For 
215.11 	purposes of voluntary placement of a child in foster care for treatment under chapter 260D, 
215.12 	prior to forming the child's family and permanency team, the responsible social services 
215.13 	agency must consult with the child's parent or legal guardian, the child if the child is 14 
215.14 	years of age or older, and, if applicable, the child's Tribe to obtain recommendations regarding 
215.15 	which individuals to include on the team and to ensure that the team is family-centered and 
215.16 	will act in the child's best interests. If the child, child's parents, or legal guardians raise 
215.17 	concerns about specific relatives or professionals, the team should not include those 
215.18 	individuals unless the individual is a treating professional or an important connection to the 
215.19 	youth as outlined in the case or crisis plan; and
215.20 	(5) for a voluntary placement under this chapter in a qualified residential treatment 
215.21 	program, as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 26d, for purposes of engaging in a 
215.22 	relative search as provided in section 260C.221, the county agency must consult with the 
215.23 	child's parent or legal guardian, the child if the child is 14 years of age or older, and, if 
215.24 	applicable, the child's Tribe to obtain recommendations regarding which adult relatives the 
215.25 	county agency should notify. If the child, child's parents, or legal guardians raise concerns 
215.26 	about specific relatives, the county agency should not notify those relatives.
215.27 	(g) The provisions of section 260.012 to ensure placement prevention, family 
215.28 	reunification, and all active and reasonable effort requirements of that section apply. This 
215.29 	chapter shall be construed consistently with the requirements of the Indian Child Welfare 
215.30 	Act of 1978, United States Code, title 25, section 1901, et al., and the provisions of the 
215.31 	Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act, sections 260.751 to 260.835.

216.1 	Sec. 53. [260D.011] COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL INDIAN CHILD WELFARE 
216.2 	ACT AND MINNESOTA INDIAN FAMILY PRESERVATION ACT.
216.3 	Proceedings under this chapter concerning an Indian child are child custody proceedings 
216.4 	governed by the Indian Child Welfare Act, United States Code, title 25, sections 1901 to 
216.5 	1963; by the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act, sections 260.751 to 260.835; and 
216.6 	by this chapter when not inconsistent with the federal Indian Child Welfare Act or the 
216.7 	Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act.

216.8 	Sec. 54. [260E.015] COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL INDIAN CHILD WELFARE 
216.9 	ACT AND MINNESOTA INDIAN FAMILY PRESERVATION ACT.
216.10 	Proceedings under this chapter concerning an Indian child are child custody proceedings 
216.11 	governed by the Indian Child Welfare Act, United States Code, title 25, sections 1901 to 
216.12 	1963; by the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act, sections 260.751 to 260.835; and 
216.13 	by this chapter when not inconsistent with the federal Indian Child Welfare Act or the 
216.14 	Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act.

216.15 	Sec. 55. [524.5-2011] COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL INDIAN CHILD WELFARE 
216.16 	ACT AND MINNESOTA INDIAN FAMILY PRESERVATION ACT.
216.17 	Proceedings under this chapter concerning an Indian child are child custody proceedings 
216.18 	governed by the Indian Child Welfare Act, United States Code, title 25, sections 1901 to 
216.19 	1963; by the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act, sections 260.751 to 260.835; and 
216.20 	by this chapter when not inconsistent with the federal Indian Child Welfare Act or the 
216.21 	Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act.

216.22 	Sec. 56. REPEALER.
 216.23 	Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260.755, subdivision 13, is repealed.

216.24 	ARTICLE 18
216.25 	CHILDREN AND FAMILIES POLICY

216.26 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 119B.011, subdivision 15, is 
216.27 	amended to read:
216.28 		Subd. 15.Income. "Income" means earned income as defined under section 256P.01, 
216.29 	subdivision 3,; unearned income as defined under section 256P.01, subdivision 8,; income 
216.30 	under Minnesota Rules, part 3400.0170; and public assistance cash benefits, including the 
216.31 	Minnesota family investment program, work benefit, Minnesota supplemental aid, general 
217.1 	assistance, refugee cash assistance, at-home infant child care subsidy payments, and child 
217.2 	support and maintenance distributed to the family under section 256.741, subdivision 2a.
217.3 	The following are deducted from income: funds used to pay for health insurance 
217.4 	premiums for family members, and child or spousal support paid to or on behalf of a person 
217.5 	or persons who live outside of the household. Income sources not included in this subdivision 
217.6 	and; section 256P.06, subdivision 3,; and Minnesota Rules, part 3400.0170, are not counted 
217.7 	as income.

217.8 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 119B.16, subdivision 1a, is amended 
217.9 	to read:
217.10 		Subd. 1a.Fair hearing allowed for providers. (a) This subdivision applies to providers 
217.11 	caring for children receiving child care assistance.
217.12 	(b) A provider may request a fair hearing according to sections 256.045 and 256.046 
217.13 	only if a county agency or the commissioner:
217.14 	(1) denies or revokes a provider's authorization, unless the action entitles the provider 
217.15 	to:
217.16 	(i) an administrative review under section 119B.161; or
217.17 	(ii) a contested case hearing or an administrative reconsideration under section 245.095;
217.18 	(2) assigns responsibility for an overpayment to a provider under section 119B.11, 
217.19 	subdivision 2a;
217.20 	(3) establishes an overpayment for failure to comply with section 119B.125, subdivision 
217.21 	6;
217.22 	(4) seeks monetary recovery or recoupment under section 245E.02, subdivision 4, 
217.23 	paragraph (c), clause (2);
217.24 	(5) ends a provider's rate differential under section 119B.13, subdivision 3a or 3b;
217.25 	(5) (6) initiates an administrative fraud disqualification hearing; or
217.26 	(6) (7) issues a payment and the provider disagrees with the amount of the payment.
217.27 	(c) A provider may request a fair hearing by submitting a written request to the 
217.28 	Department of Human Services, Appeals Division state agency. A provider's request must 
217.29 	be received by the Appeals Division state agency no later than 30 days after the date a 
217.30 	county or the commissioner mails sends the notice under subdivision 1c.
217.31 	(d) The provider's appeal request must contain the following:
218.1 	(1) each disputed item, the reason for the dispute, and, if applicable, an estimate of the 
218.2 	dollar amount involved for each disputed item;
218.3 	(2) the computation the provider believes to be correct, if applicable;
218.4 	(3) the statute or rule relied on for each disputed item; and
218.5 	(4) the name, address, and telephone number of the person at the provider's place of 
218.6 	business with whom contact may be made regarding the appeal.

218.7 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2024.

218.8 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 119B.16, subdivision 1c, is amended 
218.9 	to read:
218.10 		Subd. 1c.Notice to providers. (a) Before taking an action appealable under subdivision 
218.11 	1a, paragraph (b), clauses (1) to (5), a county agency or the commissioner must mail send
218.12 	written notice to the provider against whom the action is being taken. Unless otherwise 
218.13 	specified under this chapter, chapter 245E, or Minnesota Rules, chapter 3400, a county 
218.14 	agency or the commissioner must mail send the written notice at least 15 calendar days 
218.15 	before the adverse action's effective date. If the appealable action is a denial of an 
218.16 	authorization under subdivision 1a, paragraph (b), clause (1), the provider's notice is effective 
218.17 	on the date the notice is sent.
218.18 	(b) The notice of adverse action in paragraph (a) shall state (1) the factual basis for the 
218.19 	county agency or department's determination, (2) the action the county agency or department 
218.20 	intends to take, (3) the dollar amount of the monetary recovery or recoupment, if known, 
218.21 	and (4) the provider's right to appeal the department's proposed action.
218.22 	(c) Notice requirements for administrative fraud disqualifications under subdivision 1a, 
218.23 	paragraph (b), clause (6), are set forth in section 256.046, subdivision 3.
218.24 	(d) A provider must receive notices that include:
218.25 	(1) the right to appeal if a county issues a payment and the provider disagrees with the 
218.26 	amount of the payment under subdivision 1a, paragraph (b), clause (7), at the time of 
218.27 	authorization and reauthorization under section 119B.125, subdivision 1; and
218.28 	(2) the amount of each payment when a payment is issued.
218.29 	(e) A provider's request to appeal a payment amount must be received by the state agency 
218.30 	no later than 30 days after the date a county sends the notice informing the provider of its 
218.31 	payment amount.

219.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2024.

219.2 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 119B.161, subdivision 2, is amended 
219.3 	to read:
219.4 		Subd. 2.Notice. (a) The commissioner must mail send written notice to a provider within 
219.5 	five days of suspending payment or denying or revoking the provider's authorization under 
219.6 	subdivision 1.
219.7 	(b) The notice must:
219.8 	(1) state the provision under which the commissioner is denying, revoking, or suspending 
219.9 	the provider's authorization or suspending payment to the provider;
219.10 	(2) set forth the general allegations leading to the denial, revocation, or suspension of 
219.11 	the provider's authorization. The notice need not disclose any specific information concerning 
219.12 	an ongoing investigation;
219.13 	(3) state that the denial, revocation, or suspension of the provider's authorization is for 
219.14 	a temporary period and explain the circumstances under which the action expires; and
219.15 	(4) inform the provider of the right to submit written evidence and argument for 
219.16 	consideration by the commissioner.
219.17 	(c) Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 3400.0185, if the commissioner suspends 
219.18 	payment to a provider under chapter 245E or denies or revokes a provider's authorization 
219.19 	under section 119B.13, subdivision 6, paragraph (d), clause (1) or (2), a county agency or 
219.20 	the commissioner must send notice of service authorization closure to each affected family. 
219.21 	The notice sent to an affected family is effective on the date the notice is created.

219.22 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2024.

219.23 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 121A.15, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
219.24 		Subd. 3.Exemptions from immunizations. (a) If a person is at least seven years old 
219.25 	and has not been immunized against pertussis, the person must not be required to be 
219.26 	immunized against pertussis.
219.27 	(b) If a person is at least 18 years old and has not completed a series of immunizations 
219.28 	against poliomyelitis, the person must not be required to be immunized against poliomyelitis.
219.29 	(c) If a statement, signed by a physician, is submitted to the administrator or other person 
219.30 	having general control and supervision of the school or child care facility stating that an 
219.31 	immunization is contraindicated for medical reasons or that laboratory confirmation of the 
220.1 	presence of adequate immunity exists, the immunization specified in the statement need 
220.2 	not be required.
220.3 	(d) If a notarized statement signed by the minor child's parent or guardian or by the 
220.4 	emancipated person is submitted to the administrator or other person having general control 
220.5 	and supervision of the school or child care facility stating that the person has not been 
220.6 	immunized as prescribed in subdivision 1 because of the conscientiously held beliefs of the 
220.7 	parent or guardian of the minor child or of the emancipated person, the immunizations 
220.8 	specified in the statement shall not be required. This statement must also be forwarded to 
220.9 	the commissioner of the Department of Health. This paragraph does not apply to a child 
220.10 	enrolling or enrolled in a child care center or family child care program that adopts a policy 
220.11 	under subdivision 3b.
220.12 	(e) If the person is under 15 months, the person is not required to be immunized against 
220.13 	measles, rubella, or mumps.
220.14 	(f) If a person is at least five years old and has not been immunized against haemophilus 
220.15 	influenzae type b, the person is not required to be immunized against haemophilus influenzae 
220.16 	type b.
220.17 	(g) If a person who is not a Minnesota resident enrolls in a Minnesota school online 
220.18 	learning course or program that delivers instruction to the person only by computer and 
220.19 	does not provide any teacher or instructor contact time or require classroom attendance, the 
220.20 	person is not subject to the immunization, statement, and other requirements of this section.

220.21 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 121A.15, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
220.22 	read:
220.23 		Subd. 3b.Child care programs. A child care center licensed under chapter 245A and 
220.24 	Minnesota Rules, chapter 9503, and a family child care provider licensed under chapter 
220.25 	245A and Minnesota Rules, chapter 9502, may adopt a policy prohibiting a child over two 
220.26 	months of age from enrolling or remaining enrolled in the child care center or family child 
220.27 	care program if the child:
220.28 	(1) has not been immunized in accordance with subdivision 1 or 2 and in accordance 
220.29 	with Minnesota Rules, chapter 4604; and
220.30 	(2) is not exempt from immunizations under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), (c), (e), or (f).

221.1 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 124D.142, subdivision 2, as amended 
221.2 	by Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 4, section 10, is amended to read:
221.3 		Subd. 2.System components. (a) The standards-based voluntary quality rating and 
221.4 	improvement system includes:
221.5 	(1) effective July 1, 2026, at least a one-star rating for all programs licensed under 
221.6 	Minnesota Rules, chapter 9502 or 9503, or Tribally licensed that do not opt out of the system 
221.7 	under paragraph (b) and that are not:
221.8 	(i) the subject of a finding of fraud for which the program or individual is currently 
221.9 	serving a penalty or exclusion;
221.10 	(ii) prohibited from receiving public funds under section 245.095, regardless of whether 
221.11 	the action is under appeal;
221.12 	(iii) under revocation, suspension, temporary immediate suspension, or decertification, 
221.13 	or is operating under a conditional license, regardless of whether the action is under appeal; 
221.14 	or
221.15 	(iv) the subject of suspended, denied, or terminated payments to a provider under section 
221.16 	119B.13, subdivision 6, paragraph (d), clause (1) or (2); 245E.02, subdivision 4, paragraph 
221.17 	(c), clause (4); or 256.98, subdivision 1, regardless of whether the action is under appeal;
221.18 	(2) quality opportunities in order to improve the educational outcomes of children so 
221.19 	that they are ready for school;
221.20 	(3) a framework based on the Minnesota quality rating system rating tool and a common 
221.21 	set of child outcome and program standards informed by evaluation results;
221.22 	(4) a tool to increase the number of publicly funded and regulated early learning and 
221.23 	care services in both public and private market programs that are high quality;
221.24 	(5) voluntary participation ensuring that if a program or provider chooses to participate, 
221.25 	the program or provider will be rated and may receive public funding associated with the 
221.26 	rating; and
221.27 	(6) tracking progress toward statewide access to high-quality early learning and care 
221.28 	programs, progress toward the number of low-income children whose parents can access 
221.29 	quality programs, and progress toward increasing the number of children who are fully 
221.30 	prepared to enter kindergarten.
221.31 	(b) By July 1, 2026, the commissioner of children, youth, and families shall establish a 
221.32 	process by which a program may opt out of the rating under paragraph (a), clause (1). The 
222.1 	commissioner shall consult with Tribes to develop a process for rating Tribally licensed 
222.2 	programs that is consistent with the goal outlined in paragraph (a), clause (1).

222.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

222.4 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 144.2252, subdivision 2, is amended 
222.5 	to read:
222.6 		Subd. 2.Release of original birth record. (a) The state registrar must provide to an 
222.7 	adopted person who is 18 years of age or older or a person related to the adopted person a 
222.8 	copy of the adopted person's original birth record and any evidence of the adoption previously 
222.9 	filed with the state registrar. To receive a copy of an original birth record under this 
222.10 	subdivision, the adopted person or person related to the adopted person must make the 
222.11 	request to the state registrar in writing. The copy of the original birth record must clearly 
222.12 	indicate that it may not be used for identification purposes. All procedures, fees, and waiting 
222.13 	periods applicable to a nonadopted person's request for a copy of a birth record apply in the 
222.14 	same manner as requests made under this section.
222.15 	(b) If a contact preference form is attached to the original birth record as authorized 
222.16 	under section 144.2253, the state registrar must provide a copy of the contact preference 
222.17 	form along with the copy of the adopted person's original birth record.
222.18 	(c) The state registrar shall provide a transcript of an adopted person's original birth 
222.19 	record to an authorized representative of a federally recognized American Indian Tribe for 
222.20 	the sole purpose of determining the adopted person's eligibility for enrollment or membership. 
222.21 	Information contained in the birth record may not be used to provide the adopted person 
222.22 	information about the person's birth parents, except as provided in this section or section 
222.23 	259.83.
222.24 	(d) For a replacement birth record issued under section 144.218, the adopted person or 
222.25 	a person related to the adopted person may obtain from the state registrar copies of the order 
222.26 	or decree of adoption, certificate of adoption, or decree issued under section 259.60, as filed 
222.27 	with the state registrar.
222.28 	(e) The state registrar may request assistance from the commissioner of children, youth, 
222.29 	and families if needed to discharge duties under this section, as authorized under section 
222.30 	259.79.

222.31 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

223.1 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 144.2253, is amended to read:
223.2 	144.2253 BIRTH PARENT CONTACT PREFERENCE FORM.
223.3 	(a) The commissioner must make available to the public a contact preference form as 
223.4 	described in paragraph (b).
223.5 	(b) The contact preference form must provide the following information to be completed 
223.6 	at the option of a birth parent:
223.7 	(1) "I would like to be contacted."
223.8 	(2) "I would prefer to be contacted only through an intermediary."
223.9 	(3) "I prefer not to be contacted at this time. If I decide later that I would like to be 
223.10 	contacted, I will submit an updated contact preference form to the Minnesota Department 
223.11 	of Health."
223.12 	(c) A contact preference form must include space where the birth parent may include 
223.13 	information that the birth parent feels is important for the adopted person to know.
223.14 	(d) If a birth parent of an adopted person submits a completed contact preference form 
223.15 	to the commissioner, the commissioner must:
223.16 	(1) match the contact preference form to the adopted person's original birth record. The 
223.17 	commissioner may request assistance from the commissioner of children, youth, and families 
223.18 	if needed to discharge duties under this clause, as authorized under section 259.79; and
223.19 	(2) attach the contact preference form to the original birth record as required under 
223.20 	section 144.2252.
223.21 	(e) A contact preference form submitted to the commissioner under this section is private 
223.22 	data on an individual as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12, except that the contact 
223.23 	preference form may be released as provided under section 144.2252, subdivision 2.

223.24 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

223.25 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 243.166, subdivision 7, as amended by Laws 
223.26 	2024, chapter 79, article 9, section 5, is amended to read:
223.27 		Subd. 7.Use of data. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision 4b or 7a or sections 
223.28 	244.052 and 299C.093, the data provided under this section is private data on individuals 
223.29 	under section 13.02, subdivision 12.
223.30 	(b) The data may be used only by law enforcement and corrections agencies for law 
223.31 	enforcement and corrections purposes. Law enforcement or a corrections agent may disclose 
224.1 	the status of an individual as a predatory offender to a child protection worker with a local 
224.2 	welfare agency for purposes of doing a an investigation or family assessment under chapter 
224.3 	260E. A corrections agent may also disclose the status of an individual as a predatory 
224.4 	offender to comply with section 244.057.
224.5 	(c) The commissioner of human services is authorized to have access to the data for 
224.6 	purposes of completing background studies under chapter 245C.
224.7 	(d) The direct care and treatment executive board is authorized to have access to data 
224.8 	for any service, program, or facility owned or operated by the state of Minnesota and under 
224.9 	the programmatic direction and fiscal control of the executive board for purposes described 
224.10 	in section 246.13, subdivision 2, paragraph (b).

224.11 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 245A.03, subdivision 7, as amended 
224.12 	by Laws 2024, chapter 85, section 53, and Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 2, section 37, is 
224.13 	amended to read:
224.14 		Subd. 7.Licensing moratorium. (a) The commissioner shall not issue an initial license 
224.15 	for child foster care licensed under Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.3000 to 2960.3340, which 
224.16 	does not include child foster residence settings with residential program certifications for 
224.17 	compliance with the Family First Prevention Services Act under section 245A.25, subdivision 
224.18 	1, paragraph (a), or adult foster care licensed under Minnesota Rules, parts 9555.5105 to 
224.19 	9555.6265, under this chapter for a physical location that will not be the primary residence 
224.20 	of the license holder for the entire period of licensure. If a child foster residence setting that 
224.21 	was previously exempt from the licensing moratorium under this paragraph has its Family 
224.22 	First Prevention Services Act certification rescinded under section 245A.25, subdivision 9, 
224.23 	orif a family adult foster care home license is issued during this moratorium, and the license 
224.24 	holder changes the license holder's primary residence away from the physical location of 
224.25 	the foster care license, the commissioner shall revoke the license according to section 
224.26 	245A.07. The commissioner shall not issue an initial license for a community residential 
224.27 	setting licensed under chapter 245D. When approving an exception under this paragraph, 
224.28 	the commissioner shall consider the resource need determination process in paragraph (h), 
224.29 	the availability of foster care licensed beds in the geographic area in which the licensee 
224.30 	seeks to operate, the results of a person's choices during their annual assessment and service 
224.31 	plan review, and the recommendation of the local county board. The determination by the 
224.32 	commissioner is final and not subject to appeal. Exceptions to the moratorium include:
224.33 	(1) a license for a person in a foster care setting that is not the primary residence of the 
224.34 	license holder and where at least 80 percent of the residents are 55 years of age or older;
225.1 	(2) foster care licenses replacing foster care licenses in existence on May 15, 2009, or 
225.2 	community residential setting licenses replacing adult foster care licenses in existence on 
225.3 	December 31, 2013, and determined to be needed by the commissioner under paragraph 
225.4 	(b);
225.5 	(3) new foster care licenses or community residential setting licenses determined to be 
225.6 	needed by the commissioner under paragraph (b) for the closure of a nursing facility, ICF/DD, 
225.7 	or regional treatment center; restructuring of state-operated services that limits the capacity 
225.8 	of state-operated facilities; or allowing movement to the community for people who no 
225.9 	longer require the level of care provided in state-operated facilities as provided under section 
225.10 	256B.092, subdivision 13, or 256B.49, subdivision 24;
225.11 	(4) new foster care licenses or community residential setting licenses determined to be 
225.12 	needed by the commissioner under paragraph (b) for persons requiring hospital-level care; 
225.13 	or
225.14 	(5) new foster care licenses or community residential setting licenses for people receiving 
225.15 	customized living or 24-hour customized living services under the brain injury or community 
225.16 	access for disability inclusion waiver plans under section 256B.49 or elderly waiver plan 
225.17 	under chapter 256S and residing in the customized living setting for which a license is 
225.18 	required. A customized living service provider subject to this exception may rebut the 
225.19 	presumption that a license is required by seeking a reconsideration of the commissioner's 
225.20 	determination. The commissioner's disposition of a request for reconsideration is final and 
225.21 	not subject to appeal under chapter 14. The exception is available until December 31, 2023. 
225.22 	This exception is available when:
225.23 	(i) the person's customized living services are provided in a customized living service 
225.24 	setting serving four or fewer people in a single-family home operational on or before June 
225.25 	30, 2021. Operational is defined in section 256B.49, subdivision 28;
225.26 	(ii) the person's case manager provided the person with information about the choice of 
225.27 	service, service provider, and location of service, including in the person's home, to help 
225.28 	the person make an informed choice; and
225.29 	(iii) the person's services provided in the licensed foster care or community residential 
225.30 	setting are less than or equal to the cost of the person's services delivered in the customized 
225.31 	living setting as determined by the lead agency.
225.32 	(b) The commissioner shall determine the need for newly licensed foster care homes or 
225.33 	community residential settings as defined under this subdivision. As part of the determination, 
225.34 	the commissioner shall consider the availability of foster care capacity in the area in which 
226.1 	the licensee seeks to operate, and the recommendation of the local county board. The 
226.2 	determination by the commissioner must be final. A determination of need is not required 
226.3 	for a change in ownership at the same address.
226.4 	(c) When an adult resident served by the program moves out of a foster home that is not 
226.5 	the primary residence of the license holder according to section 256B.49, subdivision 15, 
226.6 	paragraph (f), or the adult community residential setting, the county shall immediately 
226.7 	inform the Department of Human Services Licensing Division. The department may decrease 
226.8 	the statewide licensed capacity for adult foster care settings.
226.9 	(d) Residential settings that would otherwise be subject to the decreased license capacity 
226.10 	established in paragraph (c) shall must be exempt if the license holder's beds are occupied 
226.11 	by residents whose primary diagnosis is mental illness and the license holder is certified 
226.12 	under the requirements in subdivision 6a or section 245D.33.
226.13 	(e) A resource need determination process, managed at the state level, using the available 
226.14 	data required by section 144A.351, and other data and information shall must be used to 
226.15 	determine where the reduced capacity determined under section 256B.493 will be 
226.16 	implemented. The commissioner shall consult with the stakeholders described in section 
226.17 	144A.351, and employ a variety of methods to improve the state's capacity to meet the 
226.18 	informed decisions of those people who want to move out of corporate foster care or 
226.19 	community residential settings, long-term service needs within budgetary limits, including 
226.20 	seeking proposals from service providers or lead agencies to change service type, capacity, 
226.21 	or location to improve services, increase the independence of residents, and better meet 
226.22 	needs identified by the long-term services and supports reports and statewide data and 
226.23 	information.
226.24 	(f) At the time of application and reapplication for licensure, the applicant and the license 
226.25 	holder that are subject to the moratorium or an exclusion established in paragraph (a) are 
226.26 	required to inform the commissioner whether the physical location where the foster care 
226.27 	will be provided is or will be the primary residence of the license holder for the entire period 
226.28 	of licensure. If the primary residence of the applicant or license holder changes, the applicant 
226.29 	or license holder must notify the commissioner immediately. The commissioner shall print 
226.30 	on the foster care license certificate whether or not the physical location is the primary 
226.31 	residence of the license holder.
226.32 	(g) License holders of foster care homes identified under paragraph (f) that are not the 
226.33 	primary residence of the license holder and that also provide services in the foster care home 
226.34 	that are covered by a federally approved home and community-based services waiver, as 
227.1 	authorized under chapter 256S or section 256B.092 or 256B.49, must inform the human 
227.2 	services licensing division that the license holder provides or intends to provide these 
227.3 	waiver-funded services.
227.4 	(h) The commissioner may adjust capacity to address needs identified in section 
227.5 	144A.351. Under this authority, the commissioner may approve new licensed settings or 
227.6 	delicense existing settings. Delicensing of settings will be accomplished through a process 
227.7 	identified in section 256B.493.
227.8 	(i) The commissioner must notify a license holder when its corporate foster care or 
227.9 	community residential setting licensed beds are reduced under this section. The notice of 
227.10 	reduction of licensed beds must be in writing and delivered to the license holder by certified 
227.11 	mail or personal service. The notice must state why the licensed beds are reduced and must 
227.12 	inform the license holder of its right to request reconsideration by the commissioner. The 
227.13 	license holder's request for reconsideration must be in writing. If mailed, the request for 
227.14 	reconsideration must be postmarked and sent to the commissioner within 20 calendar days 
227.15 	after the license holder's receipt of the notice of reduction of licensed beds. If a request for 
227.16 	reconsideration is made by personal service, it must be received by the commissioner within 
227.17 	20 calendar days after the license holder's receipt of the notice of reduction of licensed beds.
227.18 	(j) The commissioner shall not issue an initial license for children's residential treatment 
227.19 	services licensed under Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.0580 to 2960.0700, under this chapter 
227.20 	for a program that Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services would consider an institution 
227.21 	for mental diseases. Facilities that serve only private pay clients are exempt from the 
227.22 	moratorium described in this paragraph. The commissioner has the authority to manage 
227.23 	existing statewide capacity for children's residential treatment services subject to the 
227.24 	moratorium under this paragraph and may issue an initial license for such facilities if the 
227.25 	initial license would not increase the statewide capacity for children's residential treatment 
227.26 	services subject to the moratorium under this paragraph.

227.27 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 256.046, subdivision 3, is amended 
227.28 	to read:
227.29 		Subd. 3.Administrative disqualification of child care providers caring for children 
227.30 	receiving child care assistance. (a) The department shall pursue an administrative 
227.31 	disqualification, if the child care provider is accused of committing an intentional program 
227.32 	violation, in lieu of a criminal action when it has not been pursued. Intentional program 
227.33 	violations include intentionally making false or misleading statements; intentionally 
227.34 	misrepresenting, concealing, or withholding facts; and repeatedly and intentionally violating 
228.1 	program regulations under chapters 119B and 245E. Intent may be proven by demonstrating 
228.2 	a pattern of conduct that violates program rules under chapters 119B and 245E.
228.3 	(b) To initiate an administrative disqualification, the commissioner must mail send
228.4 	written notice by certified mail using a signature-verified confirmed delivery method to the 
228.5 	provider against whom the action is being taken. Unless otherwise specified under chapter 
228.6 	119B or 245E or Minnesota Rules, chapter 3400, the commissioner must mail send the 
228.7 	written notice at least 15 calendar days before the adverse action's effective date. The notice 
228.8 	shall state (1) the factual basis for the agency's determination, (2) the action the agency 
228.9 	intends to take, (3) the dollar amount of the monetary recovery or recoupment, if known, 
228.10 	and (4) the provider's right to appeal the agency's proposed action.
228.11 	(c) The provider may appeal an administrative disqualification by submitting a written 
228.12 	request to the Department of Human Services, Appeals Division state agency. A provider's 
228.13 	request must be received by the Appeals Division state agency no later than 30 days after 
228.14 	the date the commissioner mails the notice.
228.15 	(d) The provider's appeal request must contain the following:
228.16 	(1) each disputed item, the reason for the dispute, and, if applicable, an estimate of the 
228.17 	dollar amount involved for each disputed item;
228.18 	(2) the computation the provider believes to be correct, if applicable;
228.19 	(3) the statute or rule relied on for each disputed item; and
228.20 	(4) the name, address, and telephone number of the person at the provider's place of 
228.21 	business with whom contact may be made regarding the appeal.
228.22 	(e) On appeal, the issuing agency bears the burden of proof to demonstrate by a 
228.23 	preponderance of the evidence that the provider committed an intentional program violation.
228.24 	(f) The hearing is subject to the requirements of sections 256.045 and 256.0451. The 
228.25 	human services judge may combine a fair hearing and administrative disqualification hearing 
228.26 	into a single hearing if the factual issues arise out of the same or related circumstances and 
228.27 	the provider receives prior notice that the hearings will be combined.
228.28 	(g) A provider found to have committed an intentional program violation and is 
228.29 	administratively disqualified shall must be disqualified, for a period of three years for the 
228.30 	first offense and permanently for any subsequent offense, from receiving any payments 
228.31 	from any child care program under chapter 119B.
229.1 	(h) Unless a timely and proper appeal made under this section is received by the 
229.2 	department, the administrative determination of the department is final and binding.

229.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2024.

229.4 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256J.08, subdivision 34a, is amended to read:
229.5 		Subd. 34a.Family violence. (a) "Family violence" means the following, if committed 
229.6 	against a family or household member by a family or household member:
229.7 	(1) physical harm, bodily injury, or assault;
229.8 	(2) the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, or assault; or
229.9 	(3) terroristic threats, within the meaning of section 609.713, subdivision 1; criminal 
229.10 	sexual conduct, within the meaning of section 609.342, 609.343, 609.344, 609.345, or 
229.11 	609.3451; or interference with an emergency call within the meaning of section 609.78, 
229.12 	subdivision 2.
229.13 	(b) For the purposes of family violence, "family or household member" means:
229.14 	(1) spouses and former spouses;
229.15 	(2) parents and children;
229.16 	(3) persons related by blood;
229.17 	(4) persons who are residing together or who have resided together in the past;
229.18 	(5) persons who have a child in common regardless of whether they have been married 
229.19 	or have lived together at any time;
229.20 	(6) a man and woman if the woman is pregnant and the man is alleged to be the father, 
229.21 	regardless of whether they have been married or have lived together at anytime; and
229.22 	(7) persons involved in a current or past significant romantic or sexual relationship.

229.23 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256J.28, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
229.24 		Subdivision 1.Expedited issuance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 
229.25 	(SNAP) benefits. The following households are entitled to expedited issuance of SNAP 
229.26 	benefits assistance:
229.27 	(1) households with less than $150 in monthly gross income provided their liquid assets 
229.28 	do not exceed $100;
230.1 	(2) migrant or seasonal farm worker households who are destitute as defined in Code 
230.2 	of Federal Regulations, title 7, subtitle B, chapter 2, subchapter C, part 273, section 273.10, 
230.3 	paragraph (e)(3), provided their liquid assets do not exceed $100; and
230.4 	(3) eligible households whose combined monthly gross income and liquid resources are 
230.5 	less than the household's monthly rent or mortgage and utilities.
230.6 	For any month an individual receives expedited SNAP benefits, the individual is not 
230.7 	eligible for the MFIP food portion of assistance.

230.8 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256N.22, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
230.9 		Subd. 10.Assigning a successor relative custodian for a child's Northstar kinship 
230.10 	assistance. (a) In the event of the death or incapacity of the relative custodian, eligibility 
230.11 	for Northstar kinship assistance and title IV-E assistance, if applicable, is not affected if the 
230.12 	relative custodian is replaced by a successor named in the Northstar kinship assistance 
230.13 	benefit agreement. Northstar kinship assistance shall must be paid to a named successor 
230.14 	who is not the child's legal parent, biological parent or stepparent, or other adult living in 
230.15 	the home of the legal parent, biological parent, or stepparent.
230.16 	(b) In order to receive Northstar kinship assistance, a named successor must:
230.17 	(1) meet the background study requirements in subdivision 4;
230.18 	(2) renegotiate the agreement consistent with section 256N.25, subdivision 2, including 
230.19 	cooperating with an assessment under section 256N.24;
230.20 	(3) be ordered by the court to be the child's legal relative custodian in a modification 
230.21 	proceeding under section 260C.521, subdivision 2; and
230.22 	(4) satisfy the requirements in this paragraph within one year of the relative custodian's 
230.23 	death or incapacity unless the commissioner certifies that the named successor made 
230.24 	reasonable attempts to satisfy the requirements within one year and failure to satisfy the 
230.25 	requirements was not the responsibility of the named successor.
230.26 	(c) Payment of Northstar kinship assistance to the successor guardian may be temporarily 
230.27 	approved through the policies, procedures, requirements, and deadlines under section 
230.28 	256N.28, subdivision 2. Ongoing payment shall begin in the month when all the requirements 
230.29 	in paragraph (b) are satisfied.
230.30 	(d) Continued payment of Northstar kinship assistance may occur in the event of the 
230.31 	death or incapacity of the relative custodian when:
231.1 	(1) no successor has been named in the benefit agreement when or a named successor 
231.2 	is not able or willing to accept custody or guardianship of the child; and
231.3 	(2) the commissioner gives written consent to an individual who is a guardian or custodian 
231.4 	appointed by a court for the child upon the death of both relative custodians in the case of 
231.5 	assignment of custody to two individuals, or the sole relative custodian in the case of 
231.6 	assignment of custody to one individual, unless the child is under the custody of a county, 
231.7 	tribal, or child-placing agency.
231.8 	(e) Temporary assignment of Northstar kinship assistance may be approved for a 
231.9 	maximum of six consecutive months from the death or incapacity of the relative custodian 
231.10 	or custodians as provided in paragraph (a) and must adhere to the policies, procedures, 
231.11 	requirements, and deadlines under section 256N.28, subdivision 2, that are prescribed by 
231.12 	the commissioner. If a court has not appointed a permanent legal guardian or custodian 
231.13 	within six months, the Northstar kinship assistance must terminate and must not be resumed.
231.14 	(f) Upon assignment of assistance payments under paragraphs (d) and (e), assistance 
231.15 	must be provided from funds other than title IV-E.

231.16 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256N.24, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
231.17 		Subd. 10.Caregiver requests for reassessments. (a) A caregiver may initiate a 
231.18 	reassessment request for an eligible child in writing to the financially responsible agency 
231.19 	or, if there is no financially responsible agency, the agency designated by the commissioner. 
231.20 	The written request must include the reason for the request and the name, address, and 
231.21 	contact information of the caregivers. The caregiver may request a reassessment if at least 
231.22 	six months have elapsed since any previous assessment or reassessment. For an eligible 
231.23 	foster child, a foster parent may request reassessment in less than six months with written 
231.24 	documentation that there have been significant changes in the child's needs that necessitate 
231.25 	an earlier reassessment.
231.26 	(b) A caregiver may request a reassessment of an at-risk child for whom an adoption 
231.27 	assistance agreement has been executed if the caregiver has satisfied the commissioner with 
231.28 	written documentation from a qualified expert that the potential disability upon which 
231.29 	eligibility for the agreement was based has manifested itself, consistent with section 256N.25, 
231.30 	subdivision 3, paragraph (b).
231.31 	(c) If the reassessment cannot be completed within 30 days of the caregiver's request, 
231.32 	the agency responsible for reassessment must notify the caregiver of the reason for the delay 
231.33 	and a reasonable estimate of when the reassessment can be completed.
232.1 	(d) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in paragraph (a) or subdivision 9, 
232.2 	when a Northstar kinship assistance agreement or adoption assistance agreement under 
232.3 	section 256N.25 has been signed by all parties, no reassessment may be requested or 
232.4 	conducted until the court finalizes the transfer of permanent legal and physical custody or 
232.5 	finalizes the adoption, or the assistance agreement expires according to section 256N.25, 
232.6 	subdivision 1.

232.7 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256N.26, subdivision 15, is amended to read:
232.8 		Subd. 15.Payments. (a) Payments to caregivers or youth under Northstar Care for 
232.9 	Children must be made monthly. Consistent with section 256N.24, subdivision 13, the 
232.10 	financially responsible agency must send the caregiver or youth the required written notice 
232.11 	within 15 days of a completed assessment or reassessment.
232.12 	(b) Unless paragraph (c) or, (d), or (e) applies, the financially responsible agency shall 
232.13 	pay foster parents directly for eligible children in foster care.
232.14 	(c) When the legally responsible agency is different than the financially responsible 
232.15 	agency, the legally responsible agency may make the payments to the caregiver or youth, 
232.16 	provided payments are made on a timely basis. The financially responsible agency must 
232.17 	pay the legally responsible agency on a timely basis. Caregivers must have access to the 
232.18 	financially and legally responsible agencies' records of the transaction, consistent with the 
232.19 	retention schedule for the payments.
232.20 	(d) For eligible children in foster care, the financially responsible agency may pay the 
232.21 	foster parent's payment for a licensed child-placing agency instead of paying the foster 
232.22 	parents directly. The licensed child-placing agency must timely pay the foster parents and 
232.23 	maintain records of the transaction. Caregivers must have access to the financially responsible 
232.24 	agency's records of the transaction and the child-placing agency's records of the transaction, 
232.25 	consistent with the retention schedule for the payments.
232.26 	(e) If a foster youth aged 18 to 21 years old is placed in an unlicensed supervised 
232.27 	independent living setting, payments must be made directly to the youth or to a vendor if 
232.28 	the legally responsible agency determines it to be in the youth's best interests. If the legally 
232.29 	responsible agency has reason to believe that the youth is being financially exploited or at 
232.30 	risk of being financially exploited in the approved unlicensed supervised independent living 
232.31 	setting, the legally responsible agency shall advise the financially responsible agency to 
232.32 	make the payments to a vendor.

233.1 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256N.26, subdivision 16, is amended to read:
233.2 		Subd. 16.Effect of benefit on other aid. Payments received under this section must 
233.3 	not be considered as income for child care assistance under chapter 119B or any other 
233.4 	financial benefit. Consistent with section 256J.24, a child or youth receiving a maintenance 
233.5 	payment under Northstar Care for Children is excluded from any Minnesota family 
233.6 	investment program assistance unit.

233.7 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256N.26, subdivision 18, is amended to read:
233.8 		Subd. 18.Overpayments. The commissioner has the authority to collect any amount 
233.9 	of foster care payment, adoption assistance, or Northstar kinship assistance paid to a caregiver 
233.10 	or youth in excess of the payment due. Payments covered by this subdivision include basic 
233.11 	maintenance needs payments, supplemental difficulty of care payments, and reimbursement 
233.12 	of home and vehicle modifications under subdivision 10. Prior to any collection, the 
233.13 	commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall notify the caregiver or youth in writing, 
233.14 	including:
233.15 	(1) the amount of the overpayment and an explanation of the cause of overpayment;
233.16 	(2) clarification of the corrected amount;
233.17 	(3) a statement of the legal authority for the decision;
233.18 	(4) information about how the caregiver can correct the overpayment;
233.19 	(5) if repayment is required, when the payment is due and a person to contact to review 
233.20 	a repayment plan;
233.21 	(6) a statement that the caregiver or youth has a right to a fair hearing review by the 
233.22 	department; and
233.23 	(7) the procedure for seeking a fair hearing review by the department.

233.24 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256N.26, subdivision 21, is amended to read:
233.25 		Subd. 21.Correct and true information. The caregiver or youth must be investigated 
233.26 	for fraud if the caregiver or youth reports information the caregiver or youth knows is untrue, 
233.27 	the caregiver or youth fails to notify the commissioner of changes that may affect eligibility, 
233.28 	or the agency administering the program receives relevant information that the caregiver 
233.29 	or youth did not report.

234.1 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256N.26, subdivision 22, is amended to read:
234.2 		Subd. 22.Termination notice for caregiver or youth. The agency that issues the 
234.3 	maintenance payment shall provide the child's caregiver or the youth with written notice of 
234.4 	termination of payment. Termination notices must be sent at least 15 days before the final 
234.5 	payment or, in the case of an unplanned termination, the notice is sent within three days of 
234.6 	the end of the payment. The written notice must minimally include the following:
234.7 	(1) the date payment will end;
234.8 	(2) the reason payments will end and the event that is the basis to terminate payment;
234.9 	(3) a statement that the provider caregiver or youth has a right to a fair hearing review 
234.10 	by the department consistent with section 256.045, subdivision 3;
234.11 	(4) the procedure to request a fair hearing; and
234.12 	(5) the name, telephone number, and email address of a contact person at the agency.

234.13 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256P.05, is amended by adding a subdivision 
234.14 	to read:
234.15 		Subd. 4.Rental income. Rental income is subject to the requirements of this section.

234.16 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 256P.06, subdivision 3, is amended 
234.17 	to read:
234.18 		Subd. 3.Income inclusions. The following must be included in determining the income 
234.19 	of an assistance unit:
234.20 	(1) earned income; and
234.21 	(2) unearned income, which includes:
234.22 	(i) interest and dividends from investments and savings;
234.23 	(ii) capital gains as defined by the Internal Revenue Service from any sale of real property;
234.24 	(iii) proceeds from rent and contract for deed payments in excess of the principal and 
234.25 	interest portion owed on property;
234.26 	(iv) income from trusts, excluding special needs and supplemental needs trusts;
234.27 	(v) interest income from loans made by the participant or household;
234.28 	(vi) cash prizes and winnings;
235.1 	(vii) unemployment insurance income that is received by an adult member of the 
235.2 	assistance unit unless the individual receiving unemployment insurance income is:
235.3 	(A) 18 years of age and enrolled in a secondary school; or
235.4 	(B) 18 or 19 years of age, a caregiver, and is enrolled in school at least half-time;
235.5 	(viii) for the purposes of programs under chapters 256D and 256I, retirement, survivors, 
235.6 	and disability insurance payments;
235.7 	(ix) retirement benefits;
235.8 	(x) cash assistance benefits, as defined by each program in chapters 119B, 256D, 256I, 
235.9 	and 256J;
235.10 	(xi) income from members of the United States armed forces unless excluded from 
235.11 	income taxes according to federal or state law;
235.12 	(xii) for the purposes of programs under chapters 119B, 256D, and 256I, all child support 
235.13 	payments;
235.14 	(xiii) for the purposes of programs under chapter 256J, the amount of child support 
235.15 	received that exceeds $100 for assistance units with one child and $200 for assistance units 
235.16 	with two or more children;
235.17 	(xiv) spousal support;
235.18 	(xv) workers' compensation; and
235.19 	(xvi) for the purposes of programs under chapters 119B and 256J, the amount of 
235.20 	retirement, survivors, and disability insurance payments that exceeds the applicable monthly 
235.21 	federal maximum Supplemental Security Income payments.

235.22 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 259.37, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
235.23 		Subd. 2.Disclosure to birth parents and adoptive parents. An agency shall provide 
235.24 	a disclosure statement written in clear, plain language to be signed by the prospective 
235.25 	adoptive parents and birth parents, except that in intercountry adoptions, the signatures of 
235.26 	birth parents are not required. The disclosure statement must contain the following 
235.27 	information:
235.28 	(1) fees charged to the adoptive parent, including any policy on sliding scale fees or fee 
235.29 	waivers and an itemization of the amount that will be charged for the adoption study, 
235.30 	counseling, postplacement services, family of origin searches, birth parent expenses 
235.31 	authorized under section 259.55, or any other services;
236.1 	(2) timeline for the adoptive parent to make fee payments;
236.2 	(3) likelihood, given the circumstances of the prospective adoptive parent and any specific 
236.3 	program to which the prospective adoptive parent is applying, that an adoptive placement 
236.4 	may be made and the estimated length of time for making an adoptive placement. These 
236.5 	estimates must be based on adoptive placements made with prospective parents in similar 
236.6 	circumstances applying to a similar program with the agency during the immediately 
236.7 	preceding three to five years. If an agency has not been in operation for at least three years, 
236.8 	it must provide summary data based on whatever adoptive placements it has made and may 
236.9 	include a statement about the kind of efforts it will make to achieve an adoptive placement, 
236.10 	including a timetable it will follow in seeking a child. The estimates must include a statement 
236.11 	that the agency cannot guarantee placement of a child or a time by which a child will be 
236.12 	placed;
236.13 	(4) a statement of the services the agency will provide the birth and adoptive parents;
236.14 	(5) a statement prepared by the commissioner under section 259.39 that explains the 
236.15 	child placement and adoption process and the respective legal rights and responsibilities of 
236.16 	the birth parent and prospective adoptive parent during the process including a statement 
236.17 	that the prospective adoptive parent is responsible for filing an adoption petition not later 
236.18 	than 12 months after the child is placed in the prospective adoptive home;
236.19 	(6) a statement regarding any information the agency may have about attorney referral 
236.20 	services, or about obtaining assistance with completing legal requirements for an adoption; 
236.21 	and
236.22 	(7) a statement regarding the right of an adopted person to request and obtain a copy of 
236.23 	the adopted person's original birth record at the age and circumstances specified in section 
236.24 	144.2253 and the right of the birth parent named on the adopted person's original birth 
236.25 	record to file a contact preference form with the state registrar pursuant to section 144.2253; 
236.26 	and
236.27 	(7) (8) an acknowledgment to be signed by the birth parent and prospective adoptive 
236.28 	parent that they have received, read, and had the opportunity to ask questions of the agency 
236.29 	about the contents of the disclosure statement.

236.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

237.1 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 259.53, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
237.2 	read:
237.3 		Subd. 7.Supportive parenting services for parents with disabilities. (a) A court or 
237.4 	agency shall not deny a prospective parent the ability to proceed with an adoption due to 
237.5 	the prospective parent's disability. A person who raises a prospective parent's disability as 
237.6 	a basis for denying an adoption has the burden to prove by clear and convincing evidence 
237.7 	that specific behaviors of the prospective parent would endanger the health or safety of the 
237.8 	child. If the person meets the burden, the prospective parent with a disability shall have the 
237.9 	opportunity to demonstrate how implementing supportive services would alleviate any 
237.10 	concerns.
237.11 	(b) The court may require the agency that conducted the postplacement assessment and 
237.12 	filed the report with the court under subdivision 2 to provide the opportunity to use supportive 
237.13 	parenting services to a prospective parent, conduct a new postplacement assessment that is 
237.14 	inclusive of the prospective parent's use of supportive parenting services, and file a revised 
237.15 	report with the court under subdivision 2. This paragraph does not confer additional 
237.16 	responsibility to the agency to provide supportive parenting services directly to the 
237.17 	prospective parent. Within a reasonable period of time, the prospective parent has the right 
237.18 	to a court hearing to review the need for continuing services.
237.19 	(c) If a court denies or limits the ability of a prospective parent with a disability to adopt 
237.20 	a child, the court shall make specific written findings stating the basis for the determination 
237.21 	and why providing supportive parenting services is not a reasonable accommodation that 
237.22 	could prevent the denial or limitation.
237.23 	(d) For purposes of this subdivision, "disability" and "supportive parenting services" 
237.24 	have the meanings given in section 260C.141, subdivision 1a.

237.25 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2024, and applies to pleadings 
237.26 	and motions pending on or after that date.

237.27 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 259.79, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
237.28 		Subdivision 1.Content. (a) The adoption records of the commissioner's agents and 
237.29 	licensed child-placing agencies shall contain copies of all relevant legal documents, 
237.30 	responsibly collected genetic, medical and social history of the child and the child's birth 
237.31 	parents, the child's placement record, copies of all pertinent agreements, contracts, and 
237.32 	correspondence relevant to the adoption, and copies of all reports and recommendations 
237.33 	made to the court.
238.1 	(b) The commissioner of human services shall maintain a permanent record of all 
238.2 	adoptions granted in district court in Minnesota regarding children who are:
238.3 	(1) under guardianship of the commissioner or a licensed child-placing agency according 
238.4 	to section 260C.317 or 260C.515, subdivision 3;
238.5 	(2) placed by the commissioner, commissioner's agent, or licensed child-placing agency 
238.6 	after a consent to adopt according to section 259.24 or under an agreement conferring 
238.7 	authority to place for adoption according to section 259.25; or
238.8 	(3) adopted after a direct adoptive placement approved by the district court under section 
238.9 	259.47.
238.10 	Each record shall contain identifying information about the child, the birth or legal 
238.11 	parents, and adoptive parents, including race where such data is available. The record must 
238.12 	also contain: (1) the date the child was legally freed for adoption; (2) the date of the adoptive 
238.13 	placement; (3) the name of the placing agency; (4) the county where the adoptive placement 
238.14 	occurred; (5) the date that the petition to adopt was filed; (6) the county where the petition 
238.15 	to adopt was filed; and (7) the date and county where the adoption decree was granted.
238.16 	(c) Identifying information contained in the adoption record shall must be confidential 
238.17 	and shall must be disclosed only pursuant to section 259.61 or, for adoption records 
238.18 	maintained by the commissioner of human services, upon request from the commissioner 
238.19 	of health or state registrar pursuant to sections 144.2252 and 144.2253.

238.20 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 259.83, subdivision 1, is amended 
238.21 	to read:
238.22 		Subdivision 1.Services provided. (a) Agencies shall provide assistance and counseling 
238.23 	services upon receiving a request for current information from adoptive parents, birth parents, 
238.24 	or adopted persons aged 18 years of age and older, or adult siblings of adopted persons. 
238.25 	The agency shall contact the other adult persons or the adoptive parents of a minor child in 
238.26 	a personal and confidential manner to determine whether there is a desire to receive or share 
238.27 	information or to have contact. If there is such a desire, the agency shall provide the services 
238.28 	requested. The agency shall provide services to adult genetic siblings if there is no known 
238.29 	violation of the confidentiality of a birth parent or if the birth parent gives written consent
238.30 	complete the search request within six months of the request being made. If the agency is 
238.31 	unable to complete the search request within the specified time frame, the agency shall 
238.32 	inform the requester of the status of the request and include a reasonable estimate of when 
238.33 	the request can be completed.
239.1 	(b) Upon a request for assistance or services from an adoptive parent of a minor child, 
239.2 	birth parent, or an adopted person 18 years of age or older, the agency must inform the 
239.3 	person:
239.4 	(1) about the right of an adopted person to request and obtain a copy of the adopted 
239.5 	person's original birth record at the age and circumstances specified in section 144.2253; 
239.6 	and
239.7 	(2) about the right of the birth parent named on the adopted person's original birth record 
239.8 	to file a contact preference form with the state registrar pursuant to section 144.2253.
239.9 	In When making or supervising an adoptive placements placement, the agency must provide 
239.10 	in writing to the birth parents listed on the original birth record the information required 
239.11 	under this section paragraph and section 259.37, subdivision 2, clause (7).

239.12 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 259.83, subdivision 1b, is amended 
239.13 	to read:
239.14 		Subd. 1b.Genetic Siblings. (a) A person who is at least 18 years of age who was adopted 
239.15 	or, because of a termination of parental rights, who was committed to the guardianship of 
239.16 	the commissioner of human services, whether adopted or and not, adopted must upon request 
239.17 	be advised of other siblings who were adopted or who were committed to the guardianship 
239.18 	of the commissioner of human services and not adopted.
239.19 	(b) The agency must provide assistance must be provided by the county or placing agency 
239.20 	of to the person requesting information to the extent that information is available in the 
239.21 	existing records at the Department of Human Services required to be kept under section 
239.22 	259.79. If the sibling received services from another agency, the agencies must share 
239.23 	necessary information in order to locate the other siblings and to offer services, as requested. 
239.24 	Upon the determination that parental rights with respect to another sibling were terminated, 
239.25 	identifying information and contact must be provided only upon mutual consent. A reasonable 
239.26 	fee may be imposed by the county or placing agency.

239.27 	Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 259.83, subdivision 3a, is amended 
239.28 	to read:
239.29 		Subd. 3a.Birth parent identifying information. (a) This subdivision applies to adoptive 
239.30 	placements where an adopted person does not have a record of live birth registered in this 
239.31 	state. Upon written request by an adopted person 18 years of age or older, the agency 
239.32 	responsible for or supervising the placement must provide to the requester the following 
240.1 	identifying information related to the birth parents listed on that adopted person's original 
240.2 	birth record, to the extent the information is available:
240.3 	(1) each of the birth parent's names; and
240.4 	(2) each of the birth parent's birthdate and birthplace.
240.5 	(b) The agency may charge a reasonable fee to the requester for providing the required 
240.6 	information under paragraph (a).
240.7 	(c) The agency, acting in good faith and in a lawful manner in disclosing the identifying 
240.8 	information under this subdivision, is not civilly liable for such disclosure.

240.9 	Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 259.83, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
240.10 		Subd. 4.Confidentiality. Agencies shall provide adoptive parents, birth parents and 
240.11 	adult siblings, and adopted persons aged 19 18 years and over reasonable assistance in a 
240.12 	manner consistent with state and federal laws, rules, and regulations regarding the 
240.13 	confidentiality and privacy of child welfare and adoption records.

240.14 	Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.007, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
240.15 		Subd. 6.Child in need of protection or services. "Child in need of protection or 
240.16 	services" means a child who is in need of protection or services because the child:
240.17 	(1) is abandoned or without parent, guardian, or custodian;
240.18 	(2)(i) has been a victim of physical or sexual abuse as defined in section 260E.03, 
240.19 	subdivision 18 or 20, (ii) resides with or has resided with a victim of child abuse as defined 
240.20 	in subdivision 5 or domestic child abuse as defined in subdivision 13, (iii) resides with or 
240.21 	would reside with a perpetrator of domestic child abuse as defined in subdivision 13 or child 
240.22 	abuse as defined in subdivision 5 or 13, or (iv) is a victim of emotional maltreatment as 
240.23 	defined in subdivision 15;
240.24 	(3) is without necessary food, clothing, shelter, education, or other required care for the 
240.25 	child's physical or mental health or morals because the child's parent, guardian, or custodian 
240.26 	is unable or unwilling to provide that care;
240.27 	(4) is without the special care made necessary by a physical, mental, or emotional 
240.28 	condition because the child's parent, guardian, or custodian is unable or unwilling to provide 
240.29 	that care;
240.30 	(5) is medically neglected, which includes, but is not limited to, the withholding of 
240.31 	medically indicated treatment from an infant with a disability with a life-threatening 
241.1 	condition. The term "withholding of medically indicated treatment" means the failure to 
241.2 	respond to the infant's life-threatening conditions by providing treatment, including 
241.3 	appropriate nutrition, hydration, and medication which, in the treating physician's, advanced 
241.4 	practice registered nurse's, or physician assistant's reasonable medical judgment, will be 
241.5 	most likely to be effective in ameliorating or correcting all conditions, except that the term 
241.6 	does not include the failure to provide treatment other than appropriate nutrition, hydration, 
241.7 	or medication to an infant when, in the treating physician's, advanced practice registered 
241.8 	nurse's, or physician assistant's reasonable medical judgment:
241.9 	(i) the infant is chronically and irreversibly comatose;
241.10 	(ii) the provision of the treatment would merely prolong dying, not be effective in 
241.11 	ameliorating or correcting all of the infant's life-threatening conditions, or otherwise be 
241.12 	futile in terms of the survival of the infant; or
241.13 	(iii) the provision of the treatment would be virtually futile in terms of the survival of 
241.14 	the infant and the treatment itself under the circumstances would be inhumane;
241.15 	(6) is one whose parent, guardian, or other custodian for good cause desires to be relieved 
241.16 	of the child's care and custody, including a child who entered foster care under a voluntary 
241.17 	placement agreement between the parent and the responsible social services agency under 
241.18 	section 260C.227;
241.19 	(7) has been placed for adoption or care in violation of law;
241.20 	(8) is without proper parental care because of the emotional, mental, or physical disability, 
241.21 	or state of immaturity of the child's parent, guardian, or other custodian. A child is not 
241.22 	considered to be without proper parental care based solely on the disability of the child's 
241.23 	parent, guardian, or custodian;
241.24 	(9) is one whose behavior, condition, or environment is such as to be injurious or 
241.25 	dangerous to the child or others. An injurious or dangerous environment may include, but 
241.26 	is not limited to, the exposure of a child to criminal activity in the child's home;
241.27 	(10) is experiencing growth delays, which may be referred to as failure to thrive, that 
241.28 	have been diagnosed by a physician and are due to parental neglect;
241.29 	(11) is a sexually exploited youth;
241.30 	(12) has committed a delinquent act or a juvenile petty offense before becoming ten 
241.31 	years old;
241.32 	(13) is a runaway;
242.1 	(14) is a habitual truant;
242.2 	(15) has been found incompetent to proceed or has been found not guilty by reason of 
242.3 	mental illness or mental deficiency in connection with a delinquency proceeding, a 
242.4 	certification under section 260B.125, an extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution, or a 
242.5 	proceeding involving a juvenile petty offense; or
242.6 	(16) has a parent whose parental rights to one or more other children were involuntarily 
242.7 	terminated or whose custodial rights to another child have been involuntarily transferred to 
242.8 	a relative and there is a case plan prepared by the responsible social services agency 
242.9 	documenting a compelling reason why filing the termination of parental rights petition under 
242.10 	section 260C.503, subdivision 2, is not in the best interests of the child.

242.11 	Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.141, is amended by adding a subdivision 
242.12 	to read:
242.13 		Subd. 1a.Supportive parenting services. (a) A person or agency shall not file a petition 
242.14 	alleging that a child is in need of protection or services on the basis of a parent's disability. 
242.15 	To make a prima facie showing that a child protection matter exists, the petitioner must 
242.16 	demonstrate in the petition that the child is in need of protection or services due to specific 
242.17 	behaviors of a parent or household member. The local agency or court must offer a parent 
242.18 	with a disability the opportunity to use supportive parenting services to assist the parent if 
242.19 	the petitioner makes a prima facie showing that through specific behaviors, a parent with a 
242.20 	disability cannot provide for the child's safety, health, or welfare. If a court removes a child 
242.21 	from a parent's home, the court shall make specific written findings stating the basis for 
242.22 	removing the child and why providing supportive parenting services is not a reasonable 
242.23 	accommodation that could prevent the child's out-of-home placement.
242.24 	(b) For purposes of this subdivision, "supportive parenting services" means services that 
242.25 	may assist a parent with a disability in the effective use of techniques and methods to enable 
242.26 	the parent to discharge the parent's responsibilities to a child as successfully as a parent who 
242.27 	does not have a disability, including nonvisual techniques for a parent who is blind.
242.28 	(c) For purposes of this subdivision, "disability" means:
242.29 	(1) physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of a parent's 
242.30 	major life activities;
242.31 	(2) a record of having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or 
242.32 	more of a parent's major life activities; or
243.1 	(3) being regarded as having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits 
243.2 	one or more of a parent's major life activities.
243.3 	(d) The term "disability" must be construed in accordance with the ADA Amendments 
243.4 	Act of 2008, Public Law 110-325.

243.5 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2024, and applies to pleadings 
243.6 	and motions pending on or after that date.

243.7 	Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.178, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
243.8 		Subd. 7.Out-of-home placement Case plan. (a) When the court has ordered the child 
243.9 	into the care of a parent under subdivision 1, paragraph (c), clause (1), the child protective 
243.10 	services plan under section 260E.26 must be filed within 30 days of the filing of the juvenile 
243.11 	protection petition under section 260C.141, subdivision 1.
243.12 	(a) (b) When the court orders the child into foster care under subdivision 1, paragraph 
243.13 	(c), clause (2), and not into the care of a parent, an out-of-home placement plan required 
243.14 	under section 260C.212shall must be filed with the court within 30 days of the filing of a 
243.15 	juvenile protection petition under section 260C.141, subdivision 1, when the court orders 
243.16 	emergency removal of the child under this section, or filed with the petition if the petition 
243.17 	is a review of a voluntary placement under section 260C.141, subdivision 2.
243.18 	(b) (c) Upon the filing of the child protective services plan under section 260E.26 or 
243.19 	out-of-home placement plan which that has been developed jointly with the parent and in 
243.20 	consultation with others as required under section 260C.212, subdivision 1, the court may 
243.21 	approve implementation of the plan by the responsible social services agency based on the 
243.22 	allegations contained in the petition and any evaluations, examinations, or assessments 
243.23 	conducted under subdivision 1, paragraph (l) (m). The court shall send written notice of the 
243.24 	approval of the child protective services plan or out-of-home placement plan to all parties 
243.25 	and the county attorney or may state such approval on the record at a hearing. A parent may 
243.26 	agree to comply with the terms of the plan filed with the court.
243.27 	(c) (d) The responsible social services agency shall make reasonable efforts to engage 
243.28 	both parents of the child in case planning. The responsible social service agency shall report 
243.29 	the results of its efforts to engage the child's parents in the child protective services plan or 
243.30 	out-of-home placement plan filed with the court. The agency shall notify the court of the 
243.31 	services it will provide or efforts it will attempt under the plan notwithstanding the parent's 
243.32 	refusal to cooperate or disagreement with the services. The parent may ask the court to 
243.33 	modify the plan to require different or additional services requested by the parent, but which 
244.1 	the agency refused to provide. The court may approve the plan as presented by the agency 
244.2 	or may modify the plan to require services requested by the parent. The court's approval 
244.3 	shall must be based on the content of the petition.
244.4 	(d) (e) Unless the parent agrees to comply with the terms of the child protective services 
244.5 	plan or out-of-home placement plan, the court may not order a parent to comply with the 
244.6 	provisions of the plan until the court finds the child is in need of protection or services and 
244.7 	orders disposition under section 260C.201, subdivision 1. However, the court may find that 
244.8 	the responsible social services agency has made reasonable efforts for reunification if the 
244.9 	agency makes efforts to implement the terms of an the child protective services plan or
244.10 	out-of-home placement plan approved under this section.

244.11 	Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.202, is amended to read:
244.12 	260C.202 COURT REVIEW OF FOSTER CARE DISPOSITION.
244.13 		Subdivision 1.Court review for a child in the home of a parent under protective 
244.14 	supervision. If the court orders a child into the home of a parent under the protective 
244.15 	supervision of the responsible social services agency or child-placing agency under section 
244.16 	260C.201, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (1), the court shall review the child protective 
244.17 	services plan under section 260E.26 at least every 90 days. The court shall notify the parents 
244.18 	of the provisions of sections 260C.503 to 260C.521, as required under juvenile court rules.
244.19 		Subd. 2.Court review for a child placed in foster care. (a) If the court orders a child 
244.20 	placed in foster care, the court shall review the out-of-home placement plan and the child's 
244.21 	placement at least every 90 days as required in juvenile court rules to determine whether 
244.22 	continued out-of-home placement is necessary and appropriate or whether the child should 
244.23 	be returned home.
244.24 	(b) This review is not required if the court has returned the child home, ordered the child 
244.25 	permanently placed away from the parent under sections 260C.503 to 260C.521, or 
244.26 	terminated rights under section 260C.301. Court review for a child permanently placed 
244.27 	away from a parent, including where the child is under guardianship of the commissioner, 
244.28 	shall be is governed by section 260C.607.
244.29 	(c) When a child is placed in a qualified residential treatment program setting as defined 
244.30 	in section 260C.007, subdivision 26d, the responsible social services agency must submit 
244.31 	evidence to the court as specified in section 260C.712.
244.32 	(b) (d) No later than three months after the child's placement in foster care, the court 
244.33 	shall review agency efforts to search for and notify relatives pursuant to section 260C.221, 
245.1 	and order that the agency's efforts begin immediately, or continue, if the agency has failed 
245.2 	to perform, or has not adequately performed, the duties under that section. The court must 
245.3 	order the agency to continue to appropriately engage relatives who responded to the notice 
245.4 	under section 260C.221 in placement and case planning decisions and to consider relatives 
245.5 	for foster care placement consistent with section 260C.221. Notwithstanding a court's finding 
245.6 	that the agency has made reasonable efforts to search for and notify relatives under section 
245.7 	260C.221, the court may order the agency to continue making reasonable efforts to search 
245.8 	for, notify, engage, and consider relatives who came to the agency's attention after sending 
245.9 	the initial notice under section 260C.221.
245.10 	(c) (e) The court shall review the out-of-home placement plan and may modify the plan 
245.11 	as provided under section 260C.201, subdivisions 6 and 7.
245.12 	(d) (f) When the court transfers the custody of a child to a responsible social services 
245.13 	agency resulting in foster care or protective supervision with a noncustodial parent under 
245.14 	subdivision 1, the court shall notify the parents of the provisions of sections 260C.204 and 
245.15 	260C.503 to 260C.521, as required under juvenile court rules.
245.16 	(e) (g) When a child remains in or returns to foster care pursuant to section 260C.451
245.17 	and the court has jurisdiction pursuant to section 260C.193, subdivision 6, paragraph (c), 
245.18 	the court shall at least annually conduct the review required under section 260C.203.

245.19 	Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.209, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
245.20 		Subdivision 1.Subjects. The responsible social services agency may have access to the 
245.21 	criminal history and history of child and adult maltreatment on the following individuals:
245.22 	(1) a noncustodial parent or nonadjudicated parent who is being assessed for purposes 
245.23 	of providing day-to-day care of a child temporarily or permanently under section 260C.219
245.24 	and any member of the parent's household who is over the age of 13 when there is a 
245.25 	reasonable cause to believe that the parent or household member over age 13 has a criminal 
245.26 	history or a history of maltreatment of a child or vulnerable adult which that would endanger 
245.27 	the child's health, safety, or welfare;
245.28 	(2) an individual whose suitability for relative placement under section 260C.221 is 
245.29 	being determined and any member of the relative's individual's household who is over the 
245.30 	age of 13 when:
245.31 	(i) the relative must be licensed for foster care; or
245.32 	(i) the individual is being considered for relative placement under section 260C.221;
246.1 	(ii) the background study is required under section 259.53, subdivision 2; or
246.2 	(iii) the agency or the commissioner has reasonable cause to believe the relative or 
246.3 	household member over the age of 13 has a criminal history which would not make a petition 
246.4 	to transfer of permanent legal and physical custody to the relative under has been filed 
246.5 	according to section 260C.515, subdivision 4, in the child's best interest paragraph (d), and 
246.6 	the relative is not pursuing Northstar kinship assistance eligibility for the child under chapter 
246.7 	256N; and
246.8 	(3) a parent, following an out-of-home placement, when the responsible social services 
246.9 	agency has reasonable cause to believe that the parent has been convicted of a crime directly 
246.10 	related to the parent's capacity to maintain the child's health, safety, or welfare or the parent 
246.11 	is the subject of an open investigation of, or has been the subject of a substantiated allegation 
246.12 	of, child or vulnerable-adult maltreatment within the past ten years.
246.13 	"Reasonable cause" means that the agency has received information or a report from the 
246.14 	subject or a third person that creates an articulable suspicion that the individual has a history 
246.15 	that may pose a risk to the health, safety, or welfare of the child. The information or report 
246.16 	must be specific to the potential subject of the background check and shall must not be 
246.17 	based on the race, religion, ethnic background, age, class, or lifestyle of the potential subject.

246.18 	Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.212, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
246.19 		Subdivision 1.Out-of-home placement; plan. (a) An out-of-home placement plan shall 
246.20 	be prepared within 30 days after any child is placed in foster care by court order or a 
246.21 	voluntary placement agreement between the responsible social services agency and the 
246.22 	child's parent pursuant to section 260C.227 or chapter 260D.
246.23 	(b) An out-of-home placement plan means a written document individualized to the 
246.24 	needs of the child and the child's parents or guardians that is prepared by the responsible 
246.25 	social services agency jointly with the child's parents or guardians and in consultation with 
246.26 	the child's guardian ad litem; the child's tribe, if the child is an Indian child; the child's foster 
246.27 	parent or representative of the foster care facility; and, when appropriate, the child. When 
246.28 	a child is age 14 or older, the child may include two other individuals on the team preparing 
246.29 	the child's out-of-home placement plan. The child may select one member of the case 
246.30 	planning team to be designated as the child's advisor and to advocate with respect to the 
246.31 	application of the reasonable and prudent parenting standards. The responsible social services 
246.32 	agency may reject an individual selected by the child if the agency has good cause to believe 
246.33 	that the individual would not act in the best interest of the child. For a child in voluntary 
246.34 	foster care for treatment under chapter 260D, preparation of the out-of-home placement 
247.1 	plan shall additionally include the child's mental health treatment provider. For a child 18 
247.2 	years of age or older, the responsible social services agency shall involve the child and the 
247.3 	child's parents as appropriate. As appropriate, the plan shall be:
247.4 	(1) submitted to the court for approval under section 260C.178, subdivision 7;
247.5 	(2) ordered by the court, either as presented or modified after hearing, under section 
247.6 	260C.178, subdivision 7, or 260C.201, subdivision 6; and
247.7 	(3) signed by the parent or parents or guardian of the child, the child's guardian ad litem, 
247.8 	a representative of the child's tribe, the responsible social services agency, and, if possible, 
247.9 	the child.
247.10 	(c) The out-of-home placement plan shall be explained by the responsible social services 
247.11 	agency to all persons involved in the plan's implementation, including the child who has 
247.12 	signed the plan, and shall set forth:
247.13 	(1) a description of the foster care home or facility selected, including how the 
247.14 	out-of-home placement plan is designed to achieve a safe placement for the child in the 
247.15 	least restrictive, most family-like setting available that is in close proximity to the home of 
247.16 	the child's parents or guardians when the case plan goal is reunification; and how the 
247.17 	placement is consistent with the best interests and special needs of the child according to 
247.18 	the factors under subdivision 2, paragraph (b);
247.19 	(2) the specific reasons for the placement of the child in foster care, and when 
247.20 	reunification is the plan, a description of the problems or conditions in the home of the 
247.21 	parent or parents that necessitated removal of the child from home and the changes the 
247.22 	parent or parents must make for the child to safely return home;
247.23 	(3) a description of the services offered and provided to prevent removal of the child 
247.24 	from the home and to reunify the family including:
247.25 	(i) the specific actions to be taken by the parent or parents of the child to eliminate or 
247.26 	correct the problems or conditions identified in clause (2), and the time period during which 
247.27 	the actions are to be taken; and
247.28 	(ii) the reasonable efforts, or in the case of an Indian child, active efforts to be made to 
247.29 	achieve a safe and stable home for the child including social and other supportive services 
247.30 	to be provided or offered to the parent or parents or guardian of the child, the child, and the 
247.31 	residential facility during the period the child is in the residential facility;
247.32 	(4) a description of any services or resources that were requested by the child or the 
247.33 	child's parent, guardian, foster parent, or custodian since the date of the child's placement 
248.1 	in the residential facility, and whether those services or resources were provided and if not, 
248.2 	the basis for the denial of the services or resources;
248.3 	(5) the visitation plan for the parent or parents or guardian, other relatives as defined in 
248.4 	section 260C.007, subdivision 26b or 27, and siblings of the child if the siblings are not 
248.5 	placed together in foster care, and whether visitation is consistent with the best interest of 
248.6 	the child, during the period the child is in foster care;
248.7 	(6) when a child cannot return to or be in the care of either parent, documentation of 
248.8 	steps to finalize adoption as the permanency plan for the child through reasonable efforts 
248.9 	to place the child for adoption pursuant to section 260C.605. At a minimum, the 
248.10 	documentation must include consideration of whether adoption is in the best interests of 
248.11 	the child and child-specific recruitment efforts such as a relative search, consideration of 
248.12 	relatives for adoptive placement, and the use of state, regional, and national adoption 
248.13 	exchanges to facilitate orderly and timely placements in and outside of the state. A copy of 
248.14 	this documentation shall be provided to the court in the review required under section 
248.15 	260C.317, subdivision 3, paragraph (b);
248.16 	(7) when a child cannot return to or be in the care of either parent, documentation of 
248.17 	steps to finalize the transfer of permanent legal and physical custody to a relative as the 
248.18 	permanency plan for the child. This documentation must support the requirements of the 
248.19 	kinship placement agreement under section 256N.22 and must include the reasonable efforts 
248.20 	used to determine that it is not appropriate for the child to return home or be adopted, and 
248.21 	reasons why permanent placement with a relative through a Northstar kinship assistance 
248.22 	arrangement is in the child's best interest; how the child meets the eligibility requirements 
248.23 	for Northstar kinship assistance payments; agency efforts to discuss adoption with the child's 
248.24 	relative foster parent and reasons why the relative foster parent chose not to pursue adoption, 
248.25 	if applicable; and agency efforts to discuss with the child's parent or parents the permanent 
248.26 	transfer of permanent legal and physical custody or the reasons why these efforts were not 
248.27 	made;
248.28 	(8) efforts to ensure the child's educational stability while in foster care for a child who 
248.29 	attained the minimum age for compulsory school attendance under state law and is enrolled 
248.30 	full time in elementary or secondary school, or instructed in elementary or secondary 
248.31 	education at home, or instructed in an independent study elementary or secondary program, 
248.32 	or incapable of attending school on a full-time basis due to a medical condition that is 
248.33 	documented and supported by regularly updated information in the child's case plan. 
248.34 	Educational stability efforts include:
249.1 	(i) efforts to ensure that the child remains in the same school in which the child was 
249.2 	enrolled prior to placement or upon the child's move from one placement to another, including 
249.3 	efforts to work with the local education authorities to ensure the child's educational stability 
249.4 	and attendance; or
249.5 	(ii) if it is not in the child's best interest to remain in the same school that the child was 
249.6 	enrolled in prior to placement or move from one placement to another, efforts to ensure 
249.7 	immediate and appropriate enrollment for the child in a new school;
249.8 	(9) the educational records of the child including the most recent information available 
249.9 	regarding:
249.10 	(i) the names and addresses of the child's educational providers;
249.11 	(ii) the child's grade level performance;
249.12 	(iii) the child's school record;
249.13 	(iv) a statement about how the child's placement in foster care takes into account 
249.14 	proximity to the school in which the child is enrolled at the time of placement; and
249.15 	(v) any other relevant educational information;
249.16 	(10) the efforts by the responsible social services agency to ensure the oversight and 
249.17 	continuity of health care services for the foster child, including:
249.18 	(i) the plan to schedule the child's initial health screens;
249.19 	(ii) how the child's known medical problems and identified needs from the screens, 
249.20 	including any known communicable diseases, as defined in section 144.4172, subdivision 
249.21 	2, shall be monitored and treated while the child is in foster care;
249.22 	(iii) how the child's medical information shall be updated and shared, including the 
249.23 	child's immunizations;
249.24 	(iv) who is responsible to coordinate and respond to the child's health care needs, 
249.25 	including the role of the parent, the agency, and the foster parent;
249.26 	(v) who is responsible for oversight of the child's prescription medications;
249.27 	(vi) how physicians or other appropriate medical and nonmedical professionals shall be 
249.28 	consulted and involved in assessing the health and well-being of the child and determine 
249.29 	the appropriate medical treatment for the child; and
249.30 	(vii) the responsibility to ensure that the child has access to medical care through either 
249.31 	medical insurance or medical assistance;
250.1 	(11) the health records of the child including information available regarding:
250.2 	(i) the names and addresses of the child's health care and dental care providers;
250.3 	(ii) a record of the child's immunizations;
250.4 	(iii) the child's known medical problems, including any known communicable diseases 
250.5 	as defined in section 144.4172, subdivision 2;
250.6 	(iv) the child's medications; and
250.7 	(v) any other relevant health care information such as the child's eligibility for medical 
250.8 	insurance or medical assistance;
250.9 	(12) an independent living plan for a child 14 years of age or older, developed in 
250.10 	consultation with the child. The child may select one member of the case planning team to 
250.11 	be designated as the child's advisor and to advocate with respect to the application of the 
250.12 	reasonable and prudent parenting standards in subdivision 14. The plan should include, but 
250.13 	not be limited to, the following objectives:
250.14 	(i) educational, vocational, or employment planning;
250.15 	(ii) health care planning and medical coverage;
250.16 	(iii) transportation including, where appropriate, assisting the child in obtaining a driver's 
250.17 	license;
250.18 	(iv) money management, including the responsibility of the responsible social services 
250.19 	agency to ensure that the child annually receives, at no cost to the child, a consumer report 
250.20 	as defined under section 13C.001 and assistance in interpreting and resolving any inaccuracies 
250.21 	in the report;
250.22 	(v) planning for housing;
250.23 	(vi) social and recreational skills;
250.24 	(vii) establishing and maintaining connections with the child's family and community; 
250.25 	and
250.26 	(viii) regular opportunities to engage in age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate 
250.27 	activities typical for the child's age group, taking into consideration the capacities of the 
250.28 	individual child;
250.29 	(13) for a child in voluntary foster care for treatment under chapter 260D, diagnostic 
250.30 	and assessment information, specific services relating to meeting the mental health care 
250.31 	needs of the child, and treatment outcomes;
251.1 	(14) for a child 14 years of age or older, a signed acknowledgment that describes the 
251.2 	child's rights regarding education, health care, visitation, safety and protection from 
251.3 	exploitation, and court participation; receipt of the documents identified in section 260C.452; 
251.4 	and receipt of an annual credit report. The acknowledgment shall state that the rights were 
251.5 	explained in an age-appropriate manner to the child; and
251.6 	(15) for a child placed in a qualified residential treatment program, the plan must include 
251.7 	the requirements in section 260C.708.
251.8 	(d) The parent or parents or guardian and the child each shall have the right to legal 
251.9 	counsel in the preparation of the case plan and shall be informed of the right at the time of 
251.10 	placement of the child. The child shall also have the right to a guardian ad litem. If unable 
251.11 	to employ counsel from their own resources, the court shall appoint counsel upon the request 
251.12 	of the parent or parents or the child or the child's legal guardian. The parent or parents may 
251.13 	also receive assistance from any person or social services agency in preparation of the case 
251.14 	plan.
251.15 	(e) Before an out-of-home placement plan is signed by the parent or parents or guardian 
251.16 	of the child, the responsible social services agency must provide the parent or parents or 
251.17 	guardian with a one- to two-page summary of the plan using a form developed by the 
251.18 	commissioner. The out-of-home placement plan summary must clearly summarize the plan's 
251.19 	contents under paragraph (c) and list the requirements and responsibilities for the parent or 
251.20 	parents or guardian using plain language. The summary must be updated and provided to 
251.21 	the parent or parents or guardian when the out-of-home placement plan is updated under 
251.22 	subdivision 1a.
251.23 	(e) (f) After the plan has been agreed upon by the parties involved or approved or ordered 
251.24 	by the court, the foster parents shall be fully informed of the provisions of the case plan and 
251.25 	shall be provided a copy of the plan.
251.26 	(f) (g) Upon the child's discharge from foster care, the responsible social services agency 
251.27 	must provide the child's parent, adoptive parent, or permanent legal and physical custodian, 
251.28 	and the child, if the child is 14 years of age or older, with a current copy of the child's health 
251.29 	and education record. If a child meets the conditions in subdivision 15, paragraph (b), the 
251.30 	agency must also provide the child with the child's social and medical history. The responsible 
251.31 	social services agency may give a copy of the child's health and education record and social 
251.32 	and medical history to a child who is younger than 14 years of age, if it is appropriate and 
251.33 	if subdivision 15, paragraph (b), applies.

251.34 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective March 1, 2025.

252.1 	Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.212, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
252.2 		Subd. 2.Placement decisions based on best interests of the child. (a) The policy of 
252.3 	the state of Minnesota is to ensure that the child's best interests are met by requiring an 
252.4 	individualized determination of the needs of the child in consideration of paragraphs (a) to 
252.5 	(f), and of how the selected placement will serve the current and future needs of the child 
252.6 	being placed. The authorized child-placing agency shall place a child, released by court 
252.7 	order or by voluntary release by the parent or parents, in a family foster home selected by 
252.8 	considering placement with relatives in the following order:
252.9 	(1) with an individual who is related to the child by blood, marriage, or adoption, 
252.10 	including the legal parent, guardian, or custodian of the child's sibling; or
252.11 	(2) with an individual who is an important friend of the child or of the child's parent or 
252.12 	custodian, including an individual with whom the child has resided or had significant contact 
252.13 	or who has a significant relationship to the child or the child's parent or custodian.
252.14 	For an Indian child, the agency shall follow the order of placement preferences in the Indian 
252.15 	Child Welfare Act of 1978, United States Code, title 25, section 1915.
252.16 	(b) Among the factors the agency shall consider in determining the current and future 
252.17 	needs of the child are the following:
252.18 	(1) the child's current functioning and behaviors;
252.19 	(2) the medical needs of the child;
252.20 	(3) the educational needs of the child;
252.21 	(4) the developmental needs of the child;
252.22 	(5) the child's history and past experience;
252.23 	(6) the child's religious and cultural needs;
252.24 	(7) the child's connection with a community, school, and faith community;
252.25 	(8) the child's interests and talents;
252.26 	(9) the child's current and long-term needs regarding relationships with parents, siblings, 
252.27 	relatives, and other caretakers;
252.28 	(10) the reasonable preference of the child, if the court, or the child-placing agency in 
252.29 	the case of a voluntary placement, deems the child to be of sufficient age to express 
252.30 	preferences; and
253.1 	(11) for an Indian child, the best interests of an Indian child as defined in section 260.755, 
253.2 	subdivision 2a.
253.3 	When placing a child in foster care or in a permanent placement based on an individualized 
253.4 	determination of the child's needs, the agency must not use one factor in this paragraph to 
253.5 	the exclusion of all others, and the agency shall consider that the factors in paragraph (b) 
253.6 	may be interrelated.
253.7 	(c) Placement of a child cannot be delayed or denied based on race, color, or national 
253.8 	origin of the foster parent or the child.
253.9 	(d) Siblings should be placed together for foster care and adoption at the earliest possible 
253.10 	time unless it is documented that a joint placement would be contrary to the safety or 
253.11 	well-being of any of the siblings or unless it is not possible after reasonable efforts by the 
253.12 	responsible social services agency. In cases where siblings cannot be placed together, the 
253.13 	agency is required to provide frequent visitation or other ongoing interaction between 
253.14 	siblings unless the agency documents that the interaction would be contrary to the safety 
253.15 	or well-being of any of the siblings.
253.16 	(e) Except for emergency placement as provided for in section 245A.035, The following 
253.17 	requirements must be satisfied before the approval of a foster or adoptive placement in a 
253.18 	related or unrelated home: (1) a completed background study under section 245C.08; and 
253.19 	(2) a completed review of the written home study required under section 260C.215, 
253.20 	subdivision 4, clause (5), or 260C.611, to assess the capacity of the prospective foster or 
253.21 	adoptive parent to ensure the placement will meet the needs of the individual child. For 
253.22 	adoptive placements in a related or unrelated home, the home must meet the requirements 
253.23 	of section 260C.611.
253.24 	(f) The agency must determine whether colocation with a parent who is receiving services 
253.25 	in a licensed residential family-based substance use disorder treatment program is in the 
253.26 	child's best interests according to paragraph (b) and include that determination in the child's 
253.27 	case plan under subdivision 1. The agency may consider additional factors not identified 
253.28 	in paragraph (b). The agency's determination must be documented in the child's case plan 
253.29 	before the child is colocated with a parent.
253.30 	(g) The agency must establish a juvenile treatment screening team under section 260C.157 
253.31 	to determine whether it is necessary and appropriate to recommend placing a child in a 
253.32 	qualified residential treatment program, as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 26d.
253.33 	(h) A child in foster care must not be placed in an unlicensed emergency relative 
253.34 	placement under section 245A.035 or licensed family foster home when the responsible 
254.1 	social services agency is aware that a prospective foster parent, license applicant, license 
254.2 	holder, or adult household member has a permanent disqualification under section 245C.15, 
254.3 	subdivision 4a, paragraphs (a) and (b).

254.4 	Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.301, subdivision 1, as amended by Laws 
254.5 	2024, chapter 80, article 8, section 27, is amended to read:
254.6 		Subdivision 1.Voluntary and involuntary. The juvenile court may upon petition, 
254.7 	terminate all rights of a parent to a child:
254.8 	(a) with the written consent of a parent who for good cause desires to terminate parental 
254.9 	rights; or
254.10 	(b) if it finds that one or more of the following conditions exist:
254.11 	(1) that the parent has abandoned the child;
254.12 	(2) that the parent has substantially, continuously, or repeatedly refused or neglected to 
254.13 	comply with the duties imposed upon that parent by the parent and child relationship, 
254.14 	including but not limited to providing the child with necessary food, clothing, shelter, 
254.15 	education, and other care and control necessary for the child's physical, mental, or emotional 
254.16 	health and development, if the parent is physically and financially able, and either reasonable 
254.17 	efforts by the social services agency have failed to correct the conditions that formed the 
254.18 	basis of the petition or reasonable efforts would be futile and therefore unreasonable;
254.19 	(3) that a parent has been ordered to contribute to the support of the child or financially 
254.20 	aid in the child's birth and has continuously failed to do so without good cause. This clause 
254.21 	shall not be construed to state a grounds for termination of parental rights of a noncustodial 
254.22 	parent if that parent has not been ordered to or cannot financially contribute to the support 
254.23 	of the child or aid in the child's birth;
254.24 	(4) (3) that a parent is palpably unfit to be a party to the parent and child relationship 
254.25 	because of a consistent pattern of specific conduct before the child or of specific conditions 
254.26 	directly relating to the parent and child relationship either of which are determined by the 
254.27 	court to be of a duration or nature that renders the parent unable, for the reasonably 
254.28 	foreseeable future, to care appropriately for the ongoing physical, mental, or emotional 
254.29 	needs of the child. It is presumed that a parent is palpably unfit to be a party to the parent 
254.30 	and child relationship upon a showing that the parent's parental rights to one or more other 
254.31 	children were involuntarily terminated or that the parent's custodial rights to another child 
254.32 	have been involuntarily transferred to a relative under a juvenile protection proceeding or 
254.33 	a similar process of another jurisdiction;
255.1 	(5) (4) that following the child's placement out of the home, reasonable efforts, under 
255.2 	the direction of the court, have failed to correct the conditions leading to the child's 
255.3 	placement. It is presumed that reasonable efforts under this clause have failed upon a showing 
255.4 	that:
255.5 	(i) a child has resided out of the parental home under court order for a cumulative period 
255.6 	of 12 months within the preceding 22 months. In the case of a child under age eight at the 
255.7 	time the petition was filed alleging the child to be in need of protection or services, the 
255.8 	presumption arises when the child has resided out of the parental home under court order 
255.9 	for six months unless the parent has maintained regular contact with the child and the parent 
255.10 	is complying with the out-of-home placement plan;
255.11 	(ii) the court has approved the out-of-home placement plan required under section 
255.12 	260C.212 and filed with the court under section 260C.178;
255.13 	(iii) conditions leading to the out-of-home placement have not been corrected. It is 
255.14 	presumed that conditions leading to a child's out-of-home placement have not been corrected 
255.15 	upon a showing that the parent or parents have not substantially complied with the court's 
255.16 	orders and a reasonable case plan; and
255.17 	(iv) reasonable efforts have been made by the social services agency to rehabilitate the 
255.18 	parent and reunite the family.
255.19 	This clause does not prohibit the termination of parental rights prior to one year, or in 
255.20 	the case of a child under age eight, prior to six months after a child has been placed out of 
255.21 	the home.
255.22 	It is also presumed that reasonable efforts have failed under this clause upon a showing 
255.23 	that:
255.24 	(A) the parent has been diagnosed as chemically dependent by a professional certified 
255.25 	to make the diagnosis;
255.26 	(B) the parent has been required by a case plan to participate in a chemical dependency 
255.27 	treatment program;
255.28 	(C) the treatment programs offered to the parent were culturally, linguistically, and 
255.29 	clinically appropriate;
255.30 	(D) the parent has either failed two or more times to successfully complete a treatment 
255.31 	program or has refused at two or more separate meetings with a caseworker to participate 
255.32 	in a treatment program; and
256.1 	(E) the parent continues to abuse chemicals.
256.2 	(6) (5) that a child has experienced egregious harm in the parent's care which that is of 
256.3 	a nature, duration, or chronicity that indicates a lack of regard for the child's well-being, 
256.4 	such that a reasonable person would believe it contrary to the best interest of the child or 
256.5 	of any child to be in the parent's care;
256.6 	(7) (6) that in the case of a child born to a mother who was not married to the child's 
256.7 	father when the child was conceived nor when the child was born the person is not entitled 
256.8 	to notice of an adoption hearing under section 259.49 and the person has not registered with 
256.9 	the fathers' adoption registry under section 259.52;
256.10 	(8) (7) that the child is neglected and in foster care; or
256.11 	(9) (8) that the parent has been convicted of a crime listed in section 260.012, paragraph 
256.12 	(g), clauses (1) to (5).
256.13 	In an action involving an American Indian child, sections 260.751 to 260.835 and the 
256.14 	Indian Child Welfare Act, United States Code, title 25, sections 1901 to 1923, control to 
256.15 	the extent that the provisions of this section are inconsistent with those laws.

256.16 	Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.515, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
256.17 		Subd. 4.Transfer of permanent legal and physical custody to relative. (a) The court 
256.18 	may order a transfer of permanent legal and physical custody to:
256.19 	(1) a parent. The court must find that the parent understands a transfer of permanent 
256.20 	legal and physical custody includes permanent, ongoing responsibility for the protection, 
256.21 	education, care, and control of the child and decision making on behalf of the child until 
256.22 	adulthood; or
256.23 	(2) a fit and willing relative in the best interests of the child according to the following
256.24 	requirements: in paragraph (b).
256.25 	(1) (b) An order for transfer of permanent legal and physical custody to a relative shall
256.26 	must only be made after the court has reviewed the suitability of the prospective legal and 
256.27 	physical custodian;, including a summary of information obtained from required background 
256.28 	studies under section 245C.33 or 260C.209, if the court finds the permanency disposition 
256.29 	to be in the child's best interests.
256.30 	(2) In transferring permanent legal and physical custody to a relative, the juvenile court 
256.31 	shall follow the standards applicable under this chapter and chapter 260, and the procedures 
257.1 	in the Minnesota Rules of Juvenile Protection Procedure;. The court must issue written 
257.2 	findings that include the following:
257.3 	(1) the prospective legal and physical custodian understands that:
257.4 	(3) (i) a transfer of permanent legal and physical custody includes permanent, ongoing 
257.5 	responsibility for the protection, education, care, and control of the child and decision 
257.6 	making on behalf of the child until adulthood; and
257.7 	(4) (ii) a permanent legal and physical custodian may shall not return a child to the 
257.8 	permanent care of a parent from whom the court removed custody without the court's 
257.9 	approval and without notice to the responsible social services agency;
257.10 	(2) transfer of permanent legal and physical custody and receipt of Northstar kinship 
257.11 	assistance under chapter 256N, when requested and the child is eligible, are in the child's 
257.12 	best interests;
257.13 	(3) when the agency files the petition under paragraph (c) or supports the petition filed 
257.14 	under paragraph (d), adoption is not in the child's best interests based on the determinations 
257.15 	in the kinship placement agreement required under section 256N.22, subdivision 2;
257.16 	(4) the agency made efforts to discuss adoption with the child's parent or parents, or the 
257.17 	agency did not make efforts to discuss adoption and the reasons why efforts were not made; 
257.18 	and
257.19 	(5) there are reasons to separate siblings during placement, if applicable.
257.20 	(5) (c) The responsible social services agency may file a petition naming a fit and willing 
257.21 	relative as a proposed permanent legal and physical custodian. A petition for transfer of 
257.22 	permanent legal and physical custody to a relative who is not a parent shall include facts 
257.23 	upon which the court can determine suitability of the proposed custodian, including a 
257.24 	summary of results from required background studies completed under section 245C.33. 
257.25 	The petition must be accompanied by a kinship placement agreement under section 256N.22, 
257.26 	subdivision 2, between the agency and proposed permanent legal and physical custodian;.
257.27 	(6) (d) Another party to the permanency proceeding regarding the child may file a petition 
257.28 	to transfer permanent legal and physical custody to a relative. The petition must include 
257.29 	facts upon which the court can make the determination determinations required under clause 
257.30 	(7) and paragraph (b), including suitability of the proposed custodian and, if completed, a 
257.31 	summary of results from required background studies completed under section 245C.33 or 
257.32 	260C.209. If background studies have not been completed at the time of filing the petition, 
257.33 	they must be completed and a summary of results provided to the court prior to the court 
258.1 	granting the petition or finalizing the order according to paragraph (e). The petition must 
258.2 	be filed not no later than the date for the required admit-deny hearing under section 260C.507; 
258.3 	or if the agency's petition is filed under section 260C.503, subdivision 2, the petition must 
258.4 	be filed not later than 30 days prior to the trial required under section 260C.509;.
258.5 	(7) where a petition is for transfer of permanent legal and physical custody to a relative 
258.6 	who is not a parent, the court must find that:
258.7 	(i) transfer of permanent legal and physical custody and receipt of Northstar kinship 
258.8 	assistance under chapter 256N, when requested and the child is eligible, are in the child's 
258.9 	best interests;
258.10 	(ii) adoption is not in the child's best interests based on the determinations in the kinship 
258.11 	placement agreement required under section 256N.22, subdivision 2;
258.12 	(iii) the agency made efforts to discuss adoption with the child's parent or parents, or 
258.13 	the agency did not make efforts to discuss adoption and the reasons why efforts were not 
258.14 	made; and
258.15 	(iv) there are reasons to separate siblings during placement, if applicable;
258.16 	(8) (e) The court may:
258.17 	(1) defer finalization of an order transferring permanent legal and physical custody to a 
258.18 	relative when deferring finalization is necessary to determine eligibility for Northstar kinship 
258.19 	assistance under chapter 256N;
258.20 	(9) the court may (2) finalize a permanent transfer of permanent legal and physical and 
258.21 	legal custody to a relative regardless of eligibility for Northstar kinship assistance under 
258.22 	chapter 256N, provided that the court has reviewed the suitability of the proposed custodian, 
258.23 	including the summary of background study results, consistent with paragraph (b); and
258.24 	(10) the juvenile court may (3) following a transfer of permanent legal and physical 
258.25 	custody to a relative, maintain jurisdiction over the responsible social services agency, the 
258.26 	parents or guardian of the child, the child, and the permanent legal and physical custodian 
258.27 	for purposes of ensuring appropriate services are delivered to the child and permanent legal 
258.28 	custodian for the purpose of ensuring conditions ordered by the court related to the care and 
258.29 	custody of the child are met.

258.30 	Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.607, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
258.31 		Subdivision 1.Review hearings. (a) The court shall conduct a review of the responsible 
258.32 	social services agency's reasonable efforts to finalize adoption for any child under the 
259.1 	guardianship of the commissioner and of the progress of the case toward adoption at least 
259.2 	every 90 days after the court issues an order that the commissioner is the guardian of the 
259.3 	child.
259.4 	(b) The review of progress toward adoption shall continue notwithstanding that an appeal 
259.5 	is made of the order for guardianship or termination of parental rights.
259.6 	(c) The agency's reasonable efforts to finalize the adoption must continue during the 
259.7 	pendency of the appeal under paragraph (b) or subdivision 6, paragraph (h), and all progress 
259.8 	toward adoption shall continue except that the court may not finalize an adoption while the 
259.9 	appeal is pending.

259.10 	Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.607, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
259.11 		Subd. 6.Motion and hearing to order adoptive placement. (a) At any time after the 
259.12 	district court orders the child under the guardianship of the commissioner of human services, 
259.13 	but not later than 30 days after receiving notice required under section 260C.613, subdivision 
259.14 	1, paragraph (c), that the agency has made an adoptive placement, a relative or the child's 
259.15 	foster parent may file a motion for an order for adoptive placement of a child who is under 
259.16 	the guardianship of the commissioner if the relative or the child's foster parent:
259.17 	(1) has an adoption home study under section 259.41 or 260C.611 approving the relative 
259.18 	or foster parent for adoption. If the relative or foster parent does not have an adoption home 
259.19 	study, an affidavit attesting to efforts to complete an adoption home study may be filed with 
259.20 	the motion instead. The affidavit must be signed by the relative or foster parent and the 
259.21 	responsible social services agency or licensed child-placing agency completing the adoption 
259.22 	home study. The relative or foster parent must also have been a resident of Minnesota for 
259.23 	at least six months before filing the motion; the court may waive the residency requirement 
259.24 	for the moving party if there is a reasonable basis to do so; or
259.25 	(2) is not a resident of Minnesota, but has an approved adoption home study by an agency 
259.26 	licensed or approved to complete an adoption home study in the state of the individual's 
259.27 	residence and the study is filed with the motion for adoptive placement. If the relative or 
259.28 	foster parent does not have an adoption home study in the relative or foster parent's state 
259.29 	of residence, an affidavit attesting to efforts to complete an adoption home study may be 
259.30 	filed with the motion instead. The affidavit must be signed by the relative or foster parent 
259.31 	and the agency completing the adoption home study.
259.32 	(b) The motion shall must be filed with the court conducting reviews of the child's 
259.33 	progress toward adoption under this section. The motion and supporting documents must 
260.1 	make a prima facie showing that the agency has been unreasonable in failing to make the 
260.2 	requested adoptive placement. The motion must be served according to the requirements 
260.3 	for motions under the Minnesota Rules of Juvenile Protection Procedure and shall must be 
260.4 	made on all individuals and entities listed in subdivision 2.
260.5 	(c) If the motion and supporting documents do not make a prima facie showing for the 
260.6 	court to determine whether the agency has been unreasonable in failing to make the requested 
260.7 	adoptive placement, the court shall dismiss the motion. If the court determines a prima facie 
260.8 	basis is made, the court shall set the matter for evidentiary hearing.
260.9 	(d) At the evidentiary hearing, the responsible social services agency shall proceed first 
260.10 	with evidence about the reason for not making the adoptive placement proposed by the 
260.11 	moving party. When the agency presents evidence regarding the child's current relationship 
260.12 	with the identified adoptive placement resource, the court must consider the agency's efforts 
260.13 	to support the child's relationship with the moving party consistent with section 260C.221. 
260.14 	The moving party then has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that 
260.15 	the agency has been unreasonable in failing to make the adoptive placement.
260.16 	(e) The court shall review and enter findings regarding whether the agency, in making 
260.17 	an adoptive placement decision for the child:
260.18 	(1) considered relatives for adoptive placement in the order specified under section 
260.19 	260C.212, subdivision 2, paragraph (a); and
260.20 	(2) assessed how the identified adoptive placement resource and the moving party are 
260.21 	each able to meet the child's current and future needs, based on an individualized 
260.22 	determination of the child's needs, as required under sections 260C.212, subdivision 2, and 
260.23 	260C.613, subdivision 1, paragraph (b).
260.24 	(f) At the conclusion of the evidentiary hearing, if the court finds that the agency has 
260.25 	been unreasonable in failing to make the adoptive placement and that the moving party is 
260.26 	the most suitable adoptive home to meet the child's needs using the factors in section 
260.27 	260C.212, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), the court may:
260.28 	(1) order the responsible social services agency to make an adoptive placement in the 
260.29 	home of the moving party if the moving party has an approved adoption home study; or
260.30 	(2) order the responsible social services agency to place the child in the home of the 
260.31 	moving party upon approval of an adoption home study. The agency must promote and 
260.32 	support the child's ongoing visitation and contact with the moving party until the child is 
260.33 	placed in the moving party's home. The agency must provide an update to the court after 
261.1 	90 days, including progress and any barriers encountered. If the moving party does not have 
261.2 	an approved adoption home study within 180 days, the moving party and the agency must 
261.3 	inform the court of any barriers to obtaining the approved adoption home study during a 
261.4 	review hearing under this section. If the court finds that the moving party is unable to obtain 
261.5 	an approved adoption home study, the court must dismiss the order for adoptive placement 
261.6 	under this subdivision and order the agency to continue making reasonable efforts to finalize 
261.7 	the adoption of the child as required under section 260C.605.
261.8 	(g) If, in order to ensure that a timely adoption may occur, the court orders the responsible 
261.9 	social services agency to make an adoptive placement under this subdivision, the agency 
261.10 	shall:
261.11 	(1) make reasonable efforts to obtain a fully executed adoption placement agreement, 
261.12 	including assisting the moving party with the adoption home study process;
261.13 	(2) work with the moving party regarding eligibility for adoption assistance as required 
261.14 	under chapter 256N; and
261.15 	(3) if the moving party is not a resident of Minnesota, timely refer the matter for approval 
261.16 	of the adoptive placement through the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.
261.17 	(h) Denial or granting of a motion for an order for adoptive placement after an evidentiary 
261.18 	hearing is an order which that may be appealed by the responsible social services agency, 
261.19 	the moving party, the child, when age ten or over, the child's guardian ad litem, and any 
261.20 	individual who had a fully executed adoption placement agreement regarding the child at 
261.21 	the time the motion was filed if the court's order has the effect of terminating the adoption 
261.22 	placement agreement. An appeal shall must be conducted according to the requirements of 
261.23 	the Rules of Juvenile Protection Procedure. Pursuant to subdivision 1, paragraph (c), the 
261.24 	court shall not finalize an adoption while an appeal is pending.

261.25 	Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.611, is amended to read:
261.26 	260C.611 ADOPTION STUDY REQUIRED.
261.27 	(a) An adoption study under section 259.41 approving placement of the child in the 
261.28 	home of the prospective adoptive parent shall must be completed before placing any child 
261.29 	under the guardianship of the commissioner in a home for adoption. If a prospective adoptive 
261.30 	parent has a current child foster care license under chapter 245A and is seeking to adopt a 
261.31 	foster child who is placed in the prospective adoptive parent's home and is under the 
261.32 	guardianship of the commissioner according to section 260C.325, subdivision 1, the child 
262.1 	foster care home study meets the requirements of this section for an approved adoption 
262.2 	home study if:
262.3 	(1) the written home study on which the foster care license was based is completed in 
262.4 	the commissioner's designated format, consistent with the requirements in sections 259.41, 
262.5 	subdivision 2; and 260C.215, subdivision 4, clause (5); and Minnesota Rules, part 2960.3060, 
262.6 	subpart 4;
262.7 	(2) the background studies on each prospective adoptive parent and all required household 
262.8 	members were completed according to section 245C.33;
262.9 	(3) the commissioner has not issued, within the last three years, a sanction on the license 
262.10 	under section 245A.07 or an order of a conditional license under section 245A.06 within 
262.11 	the last three years, or the commissioner has determined it to be in the child's best interests 
262.12 	to allow the child foster care home study to meet requirements of an approved adoption 
262.13 	home study upon review of the legally responsible agency's adoptive placement decision; 
262.14 	and
262.15 	(4) the legally responsible agency determines that the individual needs of the child are 
262.16 	being met by the prospective adoptive parent through an assessment under section 256N.24, 
262.17 	subdivision 2, or a documented placement decision consistent with section 260C.212, 
262.18 	subdivision 2.
262.19 	(b) If a prospective adoptive parent has previously held a foster care license or adoptive 
262.20 	home study, any update necessary to the foster care license, or updated or new adoptive 
262.21 	home study, if not completed by the licensing authority responsible for the previous license 
262.22 	or home study, shall include collateral information from the previous licensing or approving 
262.23 	agency, if available.

262.24 	Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.613, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
262.25 		Subdivision 1.Adoptive placement decisions. (a) The responsible social services agency 
262.26 	has exclusive authority to make an adoptive placement of decision for a child under the 
262.27 	guardianship of the commissioner. The child shall be considered is legally placed for adoption 
262.28 	when the adopting parent, the agency, and the commissioner have fully executed an adoption 
262.29 	placement agreement on the form prescribed by the commissioner.
262.30 	(b) The responsible social services agency shall use an individualized determination of 
262.31 	the child's current and future needs, pursuant to section 260C.212, subdivision 2, paragraph 
262.32 	(b), to determine the most suitable adopting parent for the child in the child's best interests. 
263.1 	The responsible social services agency must consider adoptive placement of the child with 
263.2 	relatives in the order specified in section 260C.212, subdivision 2, paragraph (a).
263.3 	(c) The responsible social services agency shall notify the court and parties entitled to 
263.4 	notice under section 260C.607, subdivision 2, when there is a fully executed adoption 
263.5 	placement agreement for the child.
263.6 	(d) Pursuant to section 260C.615, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clause (4), the responsible 
263.7 	social services agency shall immediately notify the commissioner if the agency learns of 
263.8 	any new or previously undisclosed criminal or maltreatment information involving an 
263.9 	adoptive placement of a child under guardianship of the commissioner.
263.10 	(d) (e) In the event a party to an adoption placement agreement terminates the agreement, 
263.11 	the responsible social services agency shall notify the court, the parties entitled to notice 
263.12 	under section 260C.607, subdivision 2, and the commissioner that the agreement and the 
263.13 	adoptive placement have terminated.

263.14 	Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.615, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
263.15 		Subdivision 1.Duties. (a) For any child who is under the guardianship of the 
263.16 	commissioner, the commissioner has the exclusive rights to consent to:
263.17 	(1) the medical care plan for the treatment of a child who is at imminent risk of death 
263.18 	or who has a chronic disease that, in a physician's judgment, will result in the child's death 
263.19 	in the near future including a physician's order not to resuscitate or intubate the child; and
263.20 	(2) the child donating a part of the child's body to another person while the child is living; 
263.21 	the decision to donate a body part under this clause shall take into consideration the child's 
263.22 	wishes and the child's culture.
263.23 	(b) In addition to the exclusive rights under paragraph (a), the commissioner has a duty 
263.24 	to:
263.25 	(1) process any complete and accurate request for home study and placement through 
263.26 	the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children under section 260.851;
263.27 	(2) process any complete and accurate application for adoption assistance forwarded by 
263.28 	the responsible social services agency according to chapter 256N;
263.29 	(3) review and process an adoption placement agreement forwarded to the commissioner 
263.30 	by the responsible social services agency and return it to the agency in a timely fashion; 
263.31 	and
264.1 	(4) review new or previously undisclosed information received from the agency or other 
264.2 	individuals or entities that may impact the health, safety, or well-being of a child who is 
264.3 	the subject of a fully executed adoption placement agreement; and
264.4 	(4) (5) maintain records as required in chapter 259.

264.5 	Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260E.03, subdivision 23, as amended by Laws 
264.6 	2024, chapter 80, article 8, section 33, is amended to read:
264.7 		Subd. 23.Threatened injury. (a) "Threatened injury" means a statement, overt act, 
264.8 	condition, or status that represents a substantial risk of physical or sexual abuse or mental 
264.9 	injury.
264.10 	(b) Threatened injury includes, but is not limited to, exposing a child to a person 
264.11 	responsible for the child's care, as defined in subdivision 17, who has:
264.12 	(1) subjected a child to, or failed to protect a child from, an overt act or condition that 
264.13 	constitutes egregious harm under subdivision 5 or a similar law of another jurisdiction;
264.14 	(2) been found to be palpably unfit under section 260C.301, subdivision 1, paragraph 
264.15 	(b), clause (4), or a similar law of another jurisdiction;
264.16 	(3) committed an act that resulted in an involuntary termination of parental rights under 
264.17 	section 260C.301, or a similar law of another jurisdiction; or
264.18 	(4) committed an act that resulted in the involuntary transfer of permanent legal and 
264.19 	physical custody of a child to a relative or parent under section 260C.515, subdivision 4, 
264.20 	or a similar law of another jurisdiction.
264.21 	(c) A child is the subject of a report of threatened injury when the local welfare agency 
264.22 	receives birth match data under section 260E.14, subdivision 4, from the Department of 
264.23 	Human Services.

264.24 	Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 393.07, subdivision 10a, is amended to read:
264.25 		Subd. 10a.Expedited issuance of SNAP benefits. The commissioner of human services 
264.26 	shall continually monitor the expedited issuance of SNAP benefits to ensure that each county 
264.27 	complies with federal regulations and that households eligible for expedited issuance of 
264.28 	SNAP benefits are identified, processed, and certified within the time frames prescribed in 
264.29 	federal regulations.
265.1 	County SNAP benefits offices shall screen applicants on the day of application. 
265.2 	Applicants who meet the federal criteria for expedited issuance and have an immediate need 
265.3 	for food assistance shall receive within five working days the issuance of SNAP benefits.
265.4 	The local SNAP agency shall conspicuously post in each SNAP office a notice of the 
265.5 	availability of and the procedure for applying for expedited issuance and verbally advise 
265.6 	each applicant of the availability of the expedited process.

265.7 	Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 518.17, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
265.8 	read:
265.9 		Subd. 2a.Parents with disabilities. (a) A court shall not deny nor restrict a parent's 
265.10 	parenting time or custody due to the parent's disability. A party raising disability as a basis 
265.11 	for denying or restricting parenting time has the burden to prove by clear and convincing 
265.12 	evidence that a parent's specific behaviors during parenting time would endanger the health 
265.13 	or safety of the child. If the party meets the burden, a parent with a disability shall have the 
265.14 	opportunity to demonstrate how implementing supportive services can alleviate any concerns. 
265.15 	The court may require a parent with a disability to use supportive parenting services to 
265.16 	facilitate parenting time.
265.17 	(b) If a court denies or limits the right of a parent with a disability to custody of a child 
265.18 	or visitation with a child, the court shall make specific written findings stating the basis for 
265.19 	the denial or limitation and why providing supportive parenting services is not a reasonable 
265.20 	accommodation that could prevent denying or limiting the parent's custody or parenting 
265.21 	time.
265.22 	(c) For purposes of this subdivision, "disability" and "supportive parenting services" 
265.23 	have the meanings given in section 260C.141, subdivision 1a.

265.24 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2024, and applies to pleadings 
265.25 	and motions pending on or after that date.

265.26 	ARTICLE 19
265.27 	DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES POLICY

265.28 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 13.46, subdivision 4, as amended 
265.29 	by Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 8, section 4, is amended to read:
265.30 		Subd. 4.Licensing data. (a) As used in this subdivision:
265.31 	(1) "licensing data" are all data collected, maintained, used, or disseminated by the 
265.32 	welfare system pertaining to persons licensed or registered or who apply for licensure or 
266.1 	registration or who formerly were licensed or registered under the authority of the 
266.2 	commissioner of human services;
266.3 	(2) "client" means a person who is receiving services from a licensee or from an applicant 
266.4 	for licensure; and
266.5 	(3) "personal and personal financial data" are Social Security numbers, identity of and 
266.6 	letters of reference, insurance information, reports from the Bureau of Criminal 
266.7 	Apprehension, health examination reports, and social/home studies.
266.8 	(b)(1)(i) Except as provided in paragraph (c), the following data on applicants, license 
266.9 	holders, certification holders, and former licensees are public: name, address, telephone 
266.10 	number of licensees, email addresses except for family child foster care, date of receipt of 
266.11 	a completed application, dates of licensure, licensed capacity, type of client preferred, 
266.12 	variances granted, record of training and education in child care and child development, 
266.13 	type of dwelling, name and relationship of other family members, previous license history, 
266.14 	class of license, the existence and status of complaints, and the number of serious injuries 
266.15 	to or deaths of individuals in the licensed program as reported to the commissioner of human 
266.16 	services; the commissioner of children, youth, and families; the local social services agency; 
266.17 	or any other county welfare agency. For purposes of this clause, a serious injury is one that 
266.18 	is treated by a physician.
266.19 	(ii) Except as provided in item (v), when a correction order, an order to forfeit a fine, 
266.20 	an order of license suspension, an order of temporary immediate suspension, an order of 
266.21 	license revocation, an order of license denial, or an order of conditional license has been 
266.22 	issued, or a complaint is resolved, the following data on current and former licensees and 
266.23 	applicants are public: the general nature of the complaint or allegations leading to the 
266.24 	temporary immediate suspension; the substance and investigative findings of the licensing 
266.25 	or maltreatment complaint, licensing violation, or substantiated maltreatment; the existence 
266.26 	of settlement negotiations; the record of informal resolution of a licensing violation; orders 
266.27 	of hearing; findings of fact; conclusions of law; specifications of the final correction order, 
266.28 	fine, suspension, temporary immediate suspension, revocation, denial, or conditional license 
266.29 	contained in the record of licensing action; whether a fine has been paid; and the status of 
266.30 	any appeal of these actions.
266.31 	(iii) When a license denial under section 142A.15 or 245A.05 or a sanction under section 
266.32 	142B.18 or 245A.07 is based on a determination that a license holder, applicant, or controlling 
266.33 	individual is responsible for maltreatment under section 626.557 or chapter 260E, the identity 
267.1 	of the applicant, license holder, or controlling individual as the individual responsible for 
267.2 	maltreatment is public data at the time of the issuance of the license denial or sanction.
267.3 	(iv) When a license denial under section 142A.15 or 245A.05 or a sanction under section 
267.4 	142B.18 or 245A.07 is based on a determination that a license holder, applicant, or controlling 
267.5 	individual is disqualified under chapter 245C, the identity of the license holder, applicant, 
267.6 	or controlling individual as the disqualified individual is public data at the time of the 
267.7 	issuance of the licensing sanction or denial. If the applicant, license holder, or controlling 
267.8 	individual requests reconsideration of the disqualification and the disqualification is affirmed, 
267.9 	the reason for the disqualification and the reason to not set aside the disqualification are 
267.10 	private data.
267.11 	(v) A correction order or fine issued to a child care provider for a licensing violation is 
267.12 	private data on individuals under section 13.02, subdivision 12, or nonpublic data under 
267.13 	section 13.02, subdivision 9, if the correction order or fine is seven years old or older.
267.14 	(2) For applicants who withdraw their application prior to licensure or denial of a license, 
267.15 	the following data are public: the name of the applicant, the city and county in which the 
267.16 	applicant was seeking licensure, the dates of the commissioner's receipt of the initial 
267.17 	application and completed application, the type of license sought, and the date of withdrawal 
267.18 	of the application.
267.19 	(3) For applicants who are denied a license, the following data are public: the name and 
267.20 	address of the applicant, the city and county in which the applicant was seeking licensure, 
267.21 	the dates of the commissioner's receipt of the initial application and completed application, 
267.22 	the type of license sought, the date of denial of the application, the nature of the basis for 
267.23 	the denial, the existence of settlement negotiations, the record of informal resolution of a 
267.24 	denial, orders of hearings, findings of fact, conclusions of law, specifications of the final 
267.25 	order of denial, and the status of any appeal of the denial.
267.26 	(4) When maltreatment is substantiated under section 626.557 or chapter 260E and the 
267.27 	victim and the substantiated perpetrator are affiliated with a program licensed under chapter 
267.28 	142B or 245A; the commissioner of human services; commissioner of children, youth, and 
267.29 	families; local social services agency; or county welfare agency may inform the license 
267.30 	holder where the maltreatment occurred of the identity of the substantiated perpetrator and 
267.31 	the victim.
267.32 	(5) Notwithstanding clause (1), for child foster care, only the name of the license holder 
267.33 	and the status of the license are public if the county attorney has requested that data otherwise 
268.1 	classified as public data under clause (1) be considered private data based on the best interests 
268.2 	of a child in placement in a licensed program.
268.3 	(c) The following are private data on individuals under section 13.02, subdivision 12, 
268.4 	or nonpublic data under section 13.02, subdivision 9: personal and personal financial data 
268.5 	on family day care program and family foster care program applicants and licensees and 
268.6 	their family members who provide services under the license.
268.7 	(d) The following are private data on individuals: the identity of persons who have made 
268.8 	reports concerning licensees or applicants that appear in inactive investigative data, and the 
268.9 	records of clients or employees of the licensee or applicant for licensure whose records are 
268.10 	received by the licensing agency for purposes of review or in anticipation of a contested 
268.11 	matter. The names of reporters of complaints or alleged violations of licensing standards 
268.12 	under chapters 142B, 245A, 245B, 245C, and 245D, and applicable rules and alleged 
268.13 	maltreatment under section 626.557 and chapter 260E, are confidential data and may be 
268.14 	disclosed only as provided in section 260E.21, subdivision 4; 260E.35; or 626.557, 
268.15 	subdivision 12b.
268.16 	(e) Data classified as private, confidential, nonpublic, or protected nonpublic under this 
268.17 	subdivision become public data if submitted to a court or administrative law judge as part 
268.18 	of a disciplinary proceeding in which there is a public hearing concerning a license which 
268.19 	has been suspended, immediately suspended, revoked, or denied.
268.20 	(f) Data generated in the course of licensing investigations that relate to an alleged 
268.21 	violation of law are investigative data under subdivision 3.
268.22 	(g) Data that are not public data collected, maintained, used, or disseminated under this 
268.23 	subdivision that relate to or are derived from a report as defined in section 260E.03, or 
268.24 	626.5572, subdivision 18, are subject to the destruction provisions of sections 260E.35, 
268.25 	subdivision 6, and 626.557, subdivision 12b.
268.26 	(h) Upon request, not public data collected, maintained, used, or disseminated under 
268.27 	this subdivision that relate to or are derived from a report of substantiated maltreatment as 
268.28 	defined in section 626.557 or chapter 260E may be exchanged with the Department of 
268.29 	Health for purposes of completing background studies pursuant to section 144.057 and with 
268.30 	the Department of Corrections for purposes of completing background studies pursuant to 
268.31 	section 241.021.
268.32 	(i) Data on individuals collected according to licensing activities under chapters 142B, 
268.33 	245A, and 245C, data on individuals collected by the commissioner of human services 
268.34 	according to investigations under section 626.557 and chapters 142B, 245A, 245B, 245C, 
269.1 	245D, and 260E may be shared with the Department of Human Rights, the Department of 
269.2 	Health, the Department of Corrections, the ombudsman for mental health and developmental 
269.3 	disabilities, and the individual's professional regulatory board when there is reason to believe 
269.4 	that laws or standards under the jurisdiction of those agencies may have been violated or 
269.5 	the information may otherwise be relevant to the board's regulatory jurisdiction. Background 
269.6 	study data on an individual who is the subject of a background study under chapter 245C 
269.7 	for a licensed service for which the commissioner of human services or children, youth, 
269.8 	and families is the license holder may be shared with the commissioner and the 
269.9 	commissioner's delegate by the licensing division. Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, 
269.10 	the identity of a reporter of alleged maltreatment or licensing violations may not be disclosed.
269.11 	(j) In addition to the notice of determinations required under sections 260E.24, 
269.12 	subdivisions 5 and 7, and 260E.30, subdivision 6, paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f), if the 
269.13 	commissioner of children, youth, and families or the local social services agency has 
269.14 	determined that an individual is a substantiated perpetrator of maltreatment of a child based 
269.15 	on sexual abuse, as defined in section 260E.03, and the commissioner or local social services 
269.16 	agency knows that the individual is a person responsible for a child's care in another facility, 
269.17 	the commissioner or local social services agency shall notify the head of that facility of this 
269.18 	determination. The notification must include an explanation of the individual's available 
269.19 	appeal rights and the status of any appeal. If a notice is given under this paragraph, the 
269.20 	government entity making the notification shall provide a copy of the notice to the individual 
269.21 	who is the subject of the notice.
269.22 	(k) All not public data collected, maintained, used, or disseminated under this subdivision 
269.23 	and subdivision 3 may be exchanged between the Department of Human Services, Licensing 
269.24 	Division, and the Department of Corrections for purposes of regulating services for which 
269.25 	the Department of Human Services and the Department of Corrections have regulatory 
269.26 	authority.

269.27 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2025.

269.28 	Sec. 2. [142C.18] CHILDREN'S RECORDS.
269.29 	(a) A certification holder must maintain a record for each child enrolled in the certification 
269.30 	holder's program. The record must contain:
269.31 	(1) the child's full name, birth date, and home address;
269.32 	(2) the name and telephone number of the child's parents or legal guardians;
270.1 	(3) the name and telephone number of at least one emergency contact person other than 
270.2 	the child's parents who can be reached in an emergency or when there is an injury requiring 
270.3 	medical attention and who is authorized to pick up the child; and
270.4 	(4) the names and telephone numbers of any additional persons authorized by the parents 
270.5 	or legal guardians to pick up the child from the center.
270.6 	(b) The certification holder must maintain in the child's record and ensure that during 
270.7 	all hours of operation staff can access the following information:
270.8 	(1) immunization information as required under section 121A.15 and Minnesota Rules, 
270.9 	chapter 4604;
270.10 	(2) medication administration documentation as required under section 142C.11, 
270.11 	subdivision 3; and
270.12 	(3) documentation of any known allergy as required under section 142C.11, subdivision 
270.13 	4.

270.14 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2024.

270.15 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 245A.02, subdivision 2c, is amended 
270.16 	to read:
270.17 		Subd. 2c.Annual or annually; family child care and family child foster care. For 
270.18 	the purposes of family child care under sections 245A.50 to 245A.53 and family child foster 
270.19 	care training, "annual" or "annually" means each calendar year.

270.20 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2025.

270.21 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245A.04, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
270.22 		Subd. 10.Adoption agency; additional requirements. In addition to the other 
270.23 	requirements of this section, an individual or organization applying for a license to place 
270.24 	children for adoption must:
270.25 	(1) incorporate as a nonprofit corporation under chapter 317A;
270.26 	(2) file with the application for licensure a copy of the disclosure form required under 
270.27 	section 259.37, subdivision 2;
270.28 	(3) provide evidence that a bond has been obtained and will be continuously maintained 
270.29 	throughout the entire operating period of the agency, to cover the cost of transfer of records 
270.30 	to and storage of records by the agency which has agreed, according to rule established by 
271.1 	the commissioner, to receive the applicant agency's records if the applicant agency voluntarily 
271.2 	or involuntarily ceases operation and fails to provide for proper transfer of the records. The 
271.3 	bond must be made in favor of the agency which has agreed to receive the records; and
271.4 	(4) submit a certified audit financial review completed by an accountant to the 
271.5 	commissioner each year the license is renewed as required under section 245A.03, subdivision 
271.6 	1.

271.7 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2025.

271.8 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245A.14, subdivision 17, is amended to read:
271.9 		Subd. 17.Reusable water bottles or cups. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a 
271.10 	licensed child care center may provide drinking water to a child in a reusable water bottle 
271.11 	or reusable cup if the center develops and ensures implementation of a written policy that 
271.12 	at a minimum includes the following procedures:
271.13 	(1) each day the water bottle or cup is used, the child care center cleans and sanitizes 
271.14 	the water bottle or cup using procedures that comply with the Food Code under Minnesota 
271.15 	Rules, chapter 4626, or allows the child's parent or legal guardian to bring the water bottle 
271.16 	or cup home to be cleaned and sanitized each day the water bottle or cup is used;
271.17 	(2) a water bottle or cup is assigned to a specific child and labeled with the child's first 
271.18 	and last name;
271.19 	(3) water bottles and cups are stored in a manner that reduces the risk of a child using 
271.20 	the wrong water bottle or cup; and
271.21 	(4) a water bottle or cup is used only for water.

271.22 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 245A.16, subdivision 11, is amended 
271.23 	to read:
271.24 		Subd. 11.Electronic checklist use by family child care licensors. County and private 
271.25 	agency staff who perform family child care delegated licensing functions must use the 
271.26 	commissioner's electronic licensing checklist in the manner prescribed by the commissioner.

271.27 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

271.28 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245A.52, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
271.29 		Subd. 2.Door to attached garage. Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 9502.0425, 
271.30 	subpart 5, day care residences with an attached garage are not required to have a self-closing 
272.1 	door to the residence. The door to the residence may be (a) If there is an opening between 
272.2 	an attached garage and a day care residence, there must be a door that is:
272.3 	(1) a solid wood bonded-core door at least 1-3/8 inches thick;
272.4 	(2) a steel insulated door if the door is at least 1-3/8 inches thick.; or
272.5 	(3) a door with a fire protection rating of 20 minutes.
272.6 	(b) The separation wall on the garage side between the residence and garage must consist 
272.7 	of 1/2-inch-thick gypsum wallboard or its equivalent.

272.8 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245A.52, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
272.9 	read:
272.10 		Subd. 8.Stairways. (a) All stairways must meet the requirements in this subdivision.
272.11 	(b) Stairways of four or more steps must have handrails on at least one side.
272.12 	(c) Any open area between the handrail and stair tread must be enclosed with a protective 
272.13 	guardrail as specified in the State Building Code. At open risers, openings located more 
272.14 	than 30 inches or 762 millimeters as measured vertically to the floor or grade below must 
272.15 	not permit the passage of a sphere four inches or 102 millimeters in diameter.
272.16 	(d) Gates or barriers must be used when children aged six to 18 months are in care.
272.17 	(e) Stairways must be well lit, in good repair, and free of clutter and obstructions.

272.18 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245A.66, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
272.19 		Subd. 2.Child care centers; risk reduction plan. (a) Child care centers licensed under 
272.20 	this chapter and Minnesota Rules, chapter 9503, must develop a risk reduction plan that 
272.21 	identifies the general risks to children served by the child care center. The license holder 
272.22 	must establish procedures to minimize identified risks, train staff on the procedures, and 
272.23 	annually review the procedures.
272.24 	(b) The risk reduction plan must include an assessment of risk to children the center 
272.25 	serves or intends to serve and identify specific risks based on the outcome of the assessment. 
272.26 	The assessment of risk must be based on the following:
272.27 	(1) an assessment of the risks presented by the physical plant where the licensed services 
272.28 	are provided, including an evaluation of the following factors: the condition and design of 
272.29 	the facility and its outdoor space, bathrooms, storage areas, and accessibility of medications 
273.1 	and cleaning products that are harmful to children when children are not supervised and the 
273.2 	existence of areas that are difficult to supervise; and
273.3 	(2) an assessment of the risks presented by the environment for each facility and for 
273.4 	each site, including an evaluation of the following factors: the type of grounds and terrain 
273.5 	surrounding the building and the proximity to hazards, busy roads, and publicly accessed 
273.6 	businesses.
273.7 	(c) The risk reduction plan must include a statement of measures that will be taken to 
273.8 	minimize the risk of harm presented to children for each risk identified in the assessment 
273.9 	required under paragraph (b) related to the physical plant and environment. At a minimum, 
273.10 	the stated measures must include the development and implementation of specific policies 
273.11 	and procedures or reference to existing policies and procedures that minimize the risks 
273.12 	identified.
273.13 	(d) In addition to any program-specific risks identified in paragraph (b), the plan must 
273.14 	include development and implementation of specific policies and procedures or refer to 
273.15 	existing policies and procedures that minimize the risk of harm or injury to children, 
273.16 	including:
273.17 	(1) closing children's fingers in doors, including cabinet doors;
273.18 	(2) leaving children in the community without supervision;
273.19 	(3) children leaving the facility without supervision;
273.20 	(4) caregiver dislocation of children's elbows;
273.21 	(5) burns from hot food or beverages, whether served to children or being consumed by 
273.22 	caregivers, and the devices used to warm food and beverages;
273.23 	(6) injuries from equipment, such as scissors and glue guns;
273.24 	(7) sunburn;
273.25 	(8) feeding children foods to which they are allergic;
273.26 	(9) children falling from changing tables; and
273.27 	(10) children accessing dangerous items or chemicals or coming into contact with residue 
273.28 	from harmful cleaning products.
273.29 	(e) The plan shall prohibit the accessibility of hazardous items to children.
274.1 	(f) The plan must include specific policies and procedures to ensure adequate supervision 
274.2 	of children at all times as defined under section 245A.02, subdivision 18, with particular 
274.3 	emphasis on:
274.4 	(1) times when children are transitioned from one area within the facility to another;
274.5 	(2) nap-time supervision, including infant crib rooms as specified under section 245A.02, 
274.6 	subdivision 18, which requires that when an infant is placed in a crib to sleep, supervision 
274.7 	occurs when a staff person is within sight or hearing of the infant. When supervision of a 
274.8 	crib room is provided by sight or hearing, the center must have a plan to address the other 
274.9 	supervision components;
274.10 	(3) child drop-off and pick-up times;
274.11 	(4) supervision during outdoor play and on community activities, including but not 
274.12 	limited to field trips and neighborhood walks;
274.13 	(5) supervision of children in hallways; and
274.14 	(6) supervision of school-age children when using the restroom and visiting the child's 
274.15 	personal storage space.; and
274.16 	(7) supervision of preschool children when using an individual, private restroom within 
274.17 	the classroom.

274.18 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2024.

274.19 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 245C.02, subdivision 6a, is amended 
274.20 	to read:
274.21 		Subd. 6a.Child care background study subject. (a) "Child care background study 
274.22 	subject" means an individual who is affiliated with a licensed child care center, certified 
274.23 	license-exempt child care center, licensed family child care program, or legal nonlicensed 
274.24 	child care provider authorized under chapter 119B, and who is:
274.25 	(1) employed by a child care provider for compensation;
274.26 	(2) assisting in the care of a child for a child care provider;
274.27 	(3) a person applying for licensure, certification, or enrollment;
274.28 	(4) a controlling individual as defined in section 245A.02, subdivision 5a;
274.29 	(5) an individual 13 years of age or older who lives in the household where the licensed 
274.30 	program will be provided and who is not receiving licensed services from the program;
275.1 	(6) an individual ten to 12 years of age who lives in the household where the licensed 
275.2 	services will be provided when the commissioner has reasonable cause as defined in section 
275.3 	245C.02, subdivision 15;
275.4 	(7) an individual who, without providing direct contact services at a licensed program, 
275.5 	certified program, or program authorized under chapter 119B, may have unsupervised access 
275.6 	to a child receiving services from a program when the commissioner has reasonable cause 
275.7 	as defined in section 245C.02, subdivision 15; or
275.8 	(8) a volunteer, contractor providing services for hire in the program, prospective 
275.9 	employee, or other individual who has unsupervised physical access to a child served by a 
275.10 	program and who is not under supervision by an individual listed in clause (1) or (5), 
275.11 	regardless of whether the individual provides program services.; or
275.12 	(9) an authorized agent in a license-exempt certified child care center as defined in 
275.13 	section 142C.01, subdivision 3.
275.14 	(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), an individual who is providing services that are not 
275.15 	part of the child care program is not required to have a background study if:
275.16 	(1) the child receiving services is signed out of the child care program for the duration 
275.17 	that the services are provided;
275.18 	(2) the licensed child care center, certified license-exempt child care center, licensed 
275.19 	family child care program, or legal nonlicensed child care provider authorized under chapter 
275.20 	119B has obtained advanced written permission from the parent authorizing the child to 
275.21 	receive the services, which is maintained in the child's record;
275.22 	(3) the licensed child care center, certified license-exempt child care center, licensed 
275.23 	family child care program, or legal nonlicensed child care provider authorized under chapter 
275.24 	119B maintains documentation on site that identifies the individual service provider and 
275.25 	the services being provided; and
275.26 	(4) the licensed child care center, certified license-exempt child care center, licensed 
275.27 	family child care program, or legal nonlicensed child care provider authorized under chapter 
275.28 	119B ensures that the service provider does not have unsupervised access to a child not 
275.29 	receiving the provider's services.

275.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2024.

276.1 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 245C.033, subdivision 3, is amended 
276.2 	to read:
276.3 		Subd. 3.Procedure; maltreatment and state licensing agency data. (a) For requests 
276.4 	paid directly by the guardian or conservator, requests for maltreatment and state licensing 
276.5 	agency data checks must be submitted by the guardian or conservator to the commissioner 
276.6 	on the form or in the manner prescribed by the commissioner. Upon receipt of a signed 
276.7 	informed consent and payment under section 245C.10, the commissioner shall complete 
276.8 	the maltreatment and state licensing agency checks. Upon completion of the checks, the 
276.9 	commissioner shall provide the requested information to the courts on the form or in the 
276.10 	manner prescribed by the commissioner.
276.11 	(b) For requests paid by the court based on the in forma pauperis status of the guardian 
276.12 	or conservator, requests for maltreatment and state licensing agency data checks must be 
276.13 	submitted by the court to the commissioner on the form or in the manner prescribed by the 
276.14 	commissioner. The form will serve as certification that the individual has been granted in 
276.15 	forma pauperis status. Upon receipt of a signed data request consent form from the court, 
276.16 	the commissioner shall initiate the maltreatment and state licensing agency checks. Upon 
276.17 	completion of the checks, the commissioner shall provide the requested information to the 
276.18 	courts on the form or in the manner prescribed by the commissioner.

276.19 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245C.08, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
276.20 		Subd. 4.Juvenile court records. (a) For a background study conducted by the 
276.21 	Department of Human Services, the commissioner shall review records from the juvenile 
276.22 	courts for an individual studied under section 245C.03, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), this 
276.23 	chapter when the commissioner has reasonable cause.
276.24 	(b) For a background study conducted by a county agency for family child care before 
276.25 	the implementation of NETStudy 2.0, the commissioner shall review records from the 
276.26 	juvenile courts for individuals listed in section 245C.03, subdivision 1, who are ages 13 
276.27 	through 23 living in the household where the licensed services will be provided. The 
276.28 	commissioner shall also review records from juvenile courts for any other individual listed 
276.29 	under section 245C.03, subdivision 1, when the commissioner has reasonable cause.
276.30 	(c) (b) The juvenile courts shall help with the study by giving the commissioner existing 
276.31 	juvenile court records relating to delinquency proceedings held on individuals described in 
276.32 	section 245C.03, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), who are subjects of studies under this chapter
276.33 	when requested pursuant to this subdivision.
277.1 	(d) (c) For purposes of this chapter, a finding that a delinquency petition is proven in 
277.2 	juvenile court shall be considered a conviction in state district court.
277.3 	(e) (d) Juvenile courts shall provide orders of involuntary and voluntary termination of 
277.4 	parental rights under section 260C.301 to the commissioner upon request for purposes of 
277.5 	conducting a background study under this chapter.

277.6 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 245C.10, subdivision 15, is amended 
277.7 	to read:
277.8 		Subd. 15.Guardians and conservators. (a) The commissioner shall recover the cost 
277.9 	of conducting maltreatment and state licensing agency checks for guardians and conservators 
277.10 	under section 245C.033 through a fee of no more than $50. The fees collected under this 
277.11 	subdivision are appropriated to the commissioner for the purpose of conducting maltreatment 
277.12 	and state licensing agency checks.
277.13 	(b) The fee must be paid directly to and in the manner prescribed by the commissioner 
277.14 	before any maltreatment and state licensing agency checks under section 245C.033 may be 
277.15 	conducted.
277.16 	(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), the court shall pay the fee for an applicant who has 
277.17 	been granted in forma pauperis status upon receipt of the invoice from the commissioner.

277.18 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245E.08, is amended to read:
277.19 	245E.08 REPORTING OF SUSPECTED FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY.
277.20 	(a) A person who, in good faith, makes a report of or testifies in any action or proceeding 
277.21 	in which financial misconduct is alleged, and who is not involved in, has not participated 
277.22 	in, or has not aided and abetted, conspired, or colluded in the financial misconduct, shall 
277.23 	have immunity from any liability, civil or criminal, that results by reason of the person's 
277.24 	report or testimony. For the purpose of any proceeding, the good faith of any person reporting 
277.25 	or testifying under this provision shall be presumed.
277.26 	(b) If a person that is or has been involved in, participated in, aided and abetted, conspired, 
277.27 	or colluded in the financial misconduct reports the financial misconduct, the department 
277.28 	may consider that person's report and assistance in investigating the misconduct as a 
277.29 	mitigating factor in the department's pursuit of civil, criminal, or administrative remedies.
277.30 	(c) After an investigation is complete, the reporter's name must be kept confidential. 
277.31 	The subject of the report may compel disclosure of the reporter's name only with the consent 
277.32 	of the reporter or upon a written finding by a district court that the report was false and there 
278.1 	is evidence that the report was made in bad faith. This paragraph does not alter disclosure 
278.2 	responsibilities or obligations under the Rules of Criminal Procedure, except that when the 
278.3 	identity of the reporter is relevant to a criminal prosecution the district court shall conduct 
278.4 	an in-camera review before determining whether to order disclosure of the reporter's identity.

278.5 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245H.01, is amended by adding a subdivision 
278.6 	to read:
278.7 		Subd. 6a.Infant. "Infant" means a child who is at least six weeks old but less than 16 
278.8 	months old.

278.9 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2024.

278.10 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245H.01, is amended by adding a subdivision 
278.11 	to read:
278.12 		Subd. 6b.Preschooler. "Preschooler" means a child who is at least 33 months old but 
278.13 	who has not yet attended the first day of kindergarten.

278.14 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2024.

278.15 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245H.01, is amended by adding a subdivision 
278.16 	to read:
278.17 		Subd. 6c.School-age child. "School-age child" means a child who is of sufficient age 
278.18 	to have attended the first day of kindergarten or is eligible to enter kindergarten within four 
278.19 	months and who:
278.20 	(1) is no more than 13 years old;
278.21 	(2) is 14 years old and has a disability and is eligible for child care assistance under 
278.22 	chapter 142E;
278.23 	(3) is eligible for child care assistance until redetermination under section 142E.10, 
278.24 	subdivision 1, paragraph (e); or
278.25 	(4) attends a certified center that serves only school-age children in a setting that has no 
278.26 	students enrolled in a grade higher than 8th grade.

278.27 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2024.

279.1 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245H.01, is amended by adding a subdivision 
279.2 	to read:
279.3 		Subd. 8a.Toddler. "Toddler" means a child who is at least 16 months old but less than 
279.4 	33 months old.

279.5 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2024.

279.6 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 245H.06, subdivision 1, is amended 
279.7 	to read:
279.8 		Subdivision 1.Correction order and conditional certification requirements. (a) If 
279.9 	the applicant or certification holder failed fails to comply with a law or rule, the commissioner 
279.10 	may issue a correction order. The correction order must state:
279.11 	(1) the condition that constitutes a violation of the law or rule;
279.12 	(2) the specific law or rule violated; and
279.13 	(3) the time allowed to correct each violation.
279.14 	(b) The commissioner may issue a correction order to the applicant or certification holder 
279.15 	through the provider licensing and reporting hub. If the applicant or certification holder 
279.16 	fails to comply with a law or rule, the commissioner may issue a conditional certification. 
279.17 	When issuing a conditional certification, the commissioner shall consider the nature, 
279.18 	chronicity, or severity of the violation of law or rule and the effect of the violation on the 
279.19 	health, safety, or rights of persons served by the program. The conditional order must state:
279.20 	(1) the conditions that constitute a violation of the law or rule;
279.21 	(2) the specific law or rule violated;
279.22 	(3) the time allowed to correct each violation; and
279.23 	(4) the length and terms of the conditional certification, and the reasons for making the 
279.24 	certification conditional.
279.25 	(c) Nothing in this section prohibits the commissioner from decertifying a center under 
279.26 	section 142C.07 before issuing a correction order or conditional certification.
279.27 	(d) The commissioner may issue a correction order or conditional certification to the 
279.28 	applicant or certification holder through the provider licensing and reporting hub.

279.29 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2024.

280.1 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 245H.06, subdivision 2, is amended 
280.2 	to read:
280.3 		Subd. 2.Reconsideration request. (a) If the applicant or certification holder believes 
280.4 	that the commissioner's correction order or conditional certification is erroneous, the applicant 
280.5 	or certification holder may ask the commissioner to reconsider the part of the correction 
280.6 	order or conditional certification that is allegedly erroneous. A request for reconsideration 
280.7 	must be made in writing and postmarked or submitted through the provider licensing and 
280.8 	reporting hub and sent to the commissioner within 20 calendar days after the applicant or 
280.9 	certification holder received the correction order or conditional certification, and must:
280.10 	(1) specify the part of the correction order or conditional certification that is allegedly 
280.11 	erroneous;
280.12 	(2) explain why the specified part is erroneous; and
280.13 	(3) include documentation to support the allegation of error.
280.14 	(b) A request for reconsideration of a correction order does not stay any provision or 
280.15 	requirement of the correction order. The commissioner's disposition of a request for 
280.16 	reconsideration is final and not subject to appeal.
280.17 	(c) A timely request for reconsideration of a conditional certification shall stay imposition 
280.18 	of the terms of the conditional certification until the commissioner issues a decision on the 
280.19 	request for reconsideration.
280.20 	(c) (d) Upon implementation of the provider licensing and reporting hub, the provider 
280.21 	must use the hub to request reconsideration. If the order is issued through the provider hub, 
280.22 	the request must be received by the commissioner within 20 calendar days from the date 
280.23 	the commissioner issued the order through the hub.

280.24 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2024.

280.25 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245H.08, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
280.26 		Subdivision 1.Staffing requirements. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), during 
280.27 	hours of operation, a certified center must have a director or designee on site who is 
280.28 	responsible for overseeing implementation of written policies relating to the management 
280.29 	and control of the daily activities of the program, ensuring the health and safety of program 
280.30 	participants, and supervising staff and volunteers.
280.31 	(b) When the director is absent, a certified center must designate a staff person who is 
280.32 	at least 18 years old to fulfill the director's responsibilities under this subdivision to ensure 
281.1 	continuity of program oversight. The designee does not have to meet the director 
281.2 	qualifications in subdivision 2 but must be aware of their designation and responsibilities 
281.3 	under this subdivision.

281.4 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2024.

281.5 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 245H.08, subdivision 4, is amended 
281.6 	to read:
281.7 		Subd. 4.Maximum group size. (a) For a child six weeks old through 16 months old an 
281.8 	infant, the maximum group size shall be no more than is eight children.
281.9 	(b) For a child 16 months old through 33 months old toddler, the maximum group size 
281.10 	shall be no more than is 14 children.
281.11 	(c) For a child 33 months old through prekindergarten preschooler, a the maximum 
281.12 	group size shall be no more than is 20 children.
281.13 	(d) For a child in kindergarten through 13 years old school-age child, a the maximum 
281.14 	group size shall be no more than is 30 children.
281.15 	(e) The maximum group size applies at all times except during group activity coordination 
281.16 	time not exceeding 15 minutes, during a meal, outdoor activity, field trip, nap and rest, and 
281.17 	special activity including a film, guest speaker, indoor large muscle activity, or holiday 
281.18 	program.
281.19 	(f) Notwithstanding paragraph (d), a certified center may continue to serve a child 14 
281.20 	years of age or older if one of the following conditions is true:
281.21 	(1) the child remains eligible for child care assistance under section 119B.09, subdivision 
281.22 	1, paragraph (e); or
281.23 	(2) the certified center serves only school-age children in a setting that has students 
281.24 	enrolled in no grade higher than 8th grade.

281.25 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2024.

281.26 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 245H.08, subdivision 5, is amended 
281.27 	to read:
281.28 		Subd. 5.Ratios. (a) The minimally acceptable staff-to-child ratios are:

281.29	six weeks old through 16 months old infants
	1:4
	
281.30	16 months old through 33 months old toddlers
	1:7
	
282.1
282.2	33 months old through prekindergarten
preschoolers
	1:10
	
282.3
282.4	kindergarten through 13 years old school-age 
children
	1:15
	
282.5 	(b) Kindergarten includes a child of sufficient age to have attended the first day of 
282.6 	kindergarten or who is eligible to enter kindergarten within the next four months.
282.7 	(c) (b) For mixed mixed-age groups, the ratio for the age group of the youngest child 
282.8 	applies.
282.9 	(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a certified center may continue to serve a child 14 
282.10 	years of age or older if one of the following conditions is true:
282.11 	(1) the child remains eligible for child care assistance under section 119B.09, subdivision 
282.12 	1, paragraph (e); or
282.13 	(2) the certified center serves only school-age children in a setting that has students 
282.14 	enrolled in no grade higher than 8th grade.

282.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2024.

282.16 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245H.14, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
282.17 		Subdivision 1.First aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. (a) Before having 
282.18 	unsupervised direct contact with a child, but within the first 90 days of employment for
282.19 	after the first date of direct contact with a child, the director and, all staff persons, and within 
282.20 	90 days after the first date of direct contact with a child for substitutes, and unsupervised 
282.21 	volunteers, each person must successfully complete pediatric first aid and pediatric 
282.22 	cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, unless the training has been completed within 
282.23 	the previous two calendar years. Staff must complete the pediatric first aid and pediatric 
282.24 	CPR training at least every other calendar year and the center must document the training 
282.25 	in the staff person's personnel record.
282.26 	(b) Training completed under this subdivision may be used to meet the in-service training 
282.27 	requirements under subdivision 6.

282.28 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2024.

282.29 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245H.14, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
282.30 		Subd. 4.Child development. The certified center must ensure that the director and all 
282.31 	staff persons complete child development and learning training within 90 days of employment 
282.32 	and every second calendar year thereafter. Substitutes and unsupervised volunteers must 
283.1 	complete child development and learning training within 90 days after the first date of direct 
283.2 	contact with a child and every second calendar year thereafter. Before having unsupervised 
283.3 	direct contact with a child, but within 90 days after the first date of direct contact with a 
283.4 	child, the director, all staff persons, substitutes, and unsupervised volunteers must complete 
283.5 	child development and learning training. Child development and learning training must be 
283.6 	repeated every second calendar year thereafter. The director and staff persons not including 
283.7 	substitutes must complete at least two hours of training on child development. The training 
283.8 	for substitutes and unsupervised volunteers is not required to be of a minimum length. For 
283.9 	purposes of this subdivision, "child development and learning training" means how a child 
283.10 	develops physically, cognitively, emotionally, and socially and learns as part of the child's 
283.11 	family, culture, and community.

283.12 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2024.

283.13 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260E.30, subdivision 3, as amended by Laws 
283.14 	2024, chapter 80, article 8, section 41, is amended to read:
283.15 		Subd. 3.Nonmaltreatment mistake. (a) If paragraph (b) applies, rather than making a 
283.16 	determination of substantiated maltreatment by the individual, the commissioner of children, 
283.17 	youth, and families shall determine that the individual made a nonmaltreatment mistake.
283.18 	(b) A nonmaltreatment mistake occurs when:
283.19 	(1) at the time of the incident, the individual was performing duties identified in the 
283.20 	facility's child care program plan required under Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0045;
283.21 	(2) (1) the individual has not been determined responsible for a similar incident that 
283.22 	resulted in a finding of maltreatment for at least seven years;
283.23 	(3) (2) the individual has not been determined to have committed a similar 
283.24 	nonmaltreatment mistake under this paragraph for at least four years;
283.25 	(4) (3) any injury to a child resulting from the incident, if treated, is treated only with 
283.26 	remedies that are available over the counter, whether ordered by a medical professional or 
283.27 	not; and
283.28 	(5) (4) except for the period when the incident occurred, the facility and the individual 
283.29 	providing services were both in compliance with all licensing and certification requirements 
283.30 	relevant to the incident.; and
284.1 	(5) at the time of the incident, the individual was performing duties identified in the 
284.2 	licensed center's child care program plan required under Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0045. 
284.3 	This clause applies only to child care centers licensed under Minnesota Rules, chapter 9503.
284.4 	(c) This subdivision only applies to child care centers certified under chapter 142C and 
284.5 	licensed under Minnesota Rules, chapter 9503.

284.6 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2024.

284.7 	Sec. 27. Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 2, section 5, is amended by adding a subdivision 
284.8 	to read:
284.9 		Subd. 23.Family child foster care annual program evaluation. Upon implementation 
284.10 	of a continuous license process for family child foster care, the annual program evaluation 
284.11 	required under Minnesota Rules, part 2960.3100, subpart 1, item G, must be conducted 
284.12 	utilizing the electronic licensing inspection checklist information and the provider licensing 
284.13 	and reporting hub in a manner prescribed by the commissioner.

284.14 	Sec. 28. Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 2, section 16, is amended by adding a subdivision 
284.15 	to read:
284.16 		Subd. 9.Licensed child-placing agency personnel requirements. (a) A licensed 
284.17 	child-placing agency must have an individual designated on staff or contract who supervises 
284.18 	the agency's casework. Supervising an agency's casework includes but is not limited to:
284.19 	(1) reviewing and approving each written home study the agency completes on 
284.20 	prospective foster parents or applicants to adopt;
284.21 	(2) ensuring ongoing compliance with licensing requirements; and
284.22 	(3) overseeing staff and ensuring they have the training and resources needed to perform 
284.23 	their responsibilities.
284.24 	(b) The individual who supervises the agency's casework must meet at least one of the 
284.25 	following qualifications:
284.26 	(1) is a licensed social worker, licensed graduate social worker, licensed independent 
284.27 	social worker, or licensed independent clinical social worker;
284.28 	(2) is a trained culturally competent professional with experience in a relevant field; or
284.29 	(3) is a licensed clinician with experience in a related field, including a clinician licensed 
284.30 	by a health-related licensing board under section 214.01, subdivision 2.
285.1 	(c) The commissioner may grant a variance under section 142B.10, subdivision 16, to 
285.2 	the requirements in this section.

285.3 	Sec. 29. DIRECTION TO COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN SERVICES; FAMILY 
285.4 	CHILD FOSTER CARE CONTINUOUS LICENSES.
 285.5 	The commissioner of human services, and upon transfer of responsibility for family 
285.6 	child foster care licensing the commissioner of children, youth, and families, shall develop 
285.7 	a continuous license process for family child foster care licenses. The continuous license 
285.8 	process shall be incorporated into the development of the electronic licensing inspection 
285.9 	checklist information and provider licensing and reporting hub for family child foster care.

285.10 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2024.

285.11 	Sec. 30. REPEALER.
 285.12 	Minnesota Rules, parts 9502.0425, subparts 5 and 10; and 9545.0805, subpart 1, are 
285.13 	repealed.

285.14 	ARTICLE 20
285.15 	MISCELLANEOUS

285.16 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 16A.103, is amended by adding a subdivision 
285.17 	to read:
285.18 		Subd. 1j.Federal reimbursement for administrative costs. In preparing the forecast 
285.19 	of state revenues and expenditures under subdivision 1, the commissioner must include 
285.20 	estimates of the amount of federal reimbursement for administrative costs for the Department 
285.21 	of Human Services and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families in the forecast as 
285.22 	an expenditure reduction. The amount included under this subdivision must conform with 
285.23 	generally accepted accounting principles.

285.24 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

285.25 	Sec. 2. Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 11, section 13, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
285.26 		Subd. 8.Expiration. This section expires June 30, 2027 2028.

285.27 	ARTICLE 21
285.28 	HUMAN SERVICES FORECAST ADJUSTMENTS

285.29	Section 1. HUMAN SERVICES FORECAST ADJUSTMENTS.
 	
286.1 	The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are added to or, if shown in 
286.2 	parentheses, subtracted from the appropriations in Laws 2023, chapter 61, article 9, and 
286.3 	Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 20, to the commissioner of human services from the general 
286.4 	fund or other named fund for the purposes specified in section 2 and are available for the 
286.5 	fiscal years indicated for each purpose. The figures "2024" and "2025" used in this article 
286.6 	mean that the addition to or subtraction from the appropriation listed under them is available 
286.7 	for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, or June 30, 2025, respectively.

286.8				APPROPRIATIONS
	
286.9				Available for the Year
	
286.10				Ending June 30
	
286.11					2024
		2025

286.12
286.13	Sec. 2. COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN 
SERVICES

286.14	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	137,604,000
	$
	329,432,000

286.15	Appropriations by Fund
	
286.16	General Fund
	139,746,000
	325,606,000
	
286.17
286.18	Health Care Access 
Fund
	10,542,000
	6,224,000
	
286.19	Federal TANF
	(12,684,000)
	(2,398,000)

286.20	Subd. 2.Forecasted Programs

286.21	(a) MFIP/DWP

286.22	Appropriations by Fund
	
286.23	General Fund
	(5,990,000)
	(2,793,000)
	
286.24	Federal TANF
	(12,684,000)
	(2,398,000)

286.25	(b) MFIP Child Care Assistance
		(36,726,000)
		(26,004,000)

286.26	(c) General Assistance
		(567,000)
		292,000

286.27	(d) Minnesota Supplemental Aid
		1,424,000
		1,500,000

286.28	(e) Housing Support
		11,200,000
		14,667,000

286.29	(f) Northstar Care for Children
		(3,697,000)
		(11,309,000)

286.30	(g) MinnesotaCare
		10,542,000
		6,224,000
	
287.1 	These appropriations are from the health care 
287.2 	access fund.

287.3	(h) Medical Assistance
		180,321,000
		352,357,000

287.4	(i) Behavioral Health Fund
		(6,219,000)
		(3,104,000)

287.5 	Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 287.6 	This article is effective the day following final enactment.

287.7 	ARTICLE 22
287.8 	CHILDREN AND FAMILIES APPROPRIATIONS

287.9	Section 1. HUMAN SERVICES APPROPRIATIONS.
 	
287.10 	The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are added to or, if shown in 
287.11 	parentheses, subtracted from the appropriations in Laws 2023, chapter 61, article 9; Laws 
287.12 	2023, chapter 70, article 20; and Laws 2023, chapter 74, section 6, to the agencies and for 
287.13 	the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the general fund or other 
287.14 	named fund and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. The figures 
287.15 	"2024" and "2025" used in this article mean that the addition to or subtraction from the 
287.16 	appropriation listed under them is available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, or June 
287.17 	30, 2025, respectively. Base adjustments mean the addition to or subtraction from the base 
287.18 	level adjustment set in Laws 2023, chapter 61, article 9; Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 20; 
287.19 	and Laws 2023, chapter 74, section 6. Supplemental appropriations and reductions to 
287.20 	appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, are effective the day following final 
287.21 	enactment unless a different effective date is explicit.

287.22				APPROPRIATIONS
	
287.23				Available for the Year
	
287.24				Ending June 30
	
287.25					2024
		2025

287.26
287.27	Sec. 2. COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN 
SERVICES

287.28	Subdivision 1.Total Appropriation
 	$
	1,615,000
	$
	30,348,000
	
287.29 	The amounts that may be spent for each 
287.30 	purpose are specified in the following 
287.31 	subdivisions.

287.32	Subd. 2.Central Office; Operations

288.1	Appropriations by Fund
	
288.2	General
	2,369,000
	9,896,000
	
288.3	Federal TANF
	(990,000)
	(1,094,000)
	
288.4 	(a) Social Services Information System 
288.5 	(SSIS). $9,657,000 in fiscal year 2025 is for 
288.6 	information technology improvements to the 
288.7 	SSIS. The appropriation must be used to 
288.8 	develop and implement a modernization plan 
288.9 	for SSIS that addresses priorities established 
288.10 	through collaborative planning with counties 
288.11 	and Tribal Nations that use SSIS. Priorities 
288.12 	must take into consideration available funding 
288.13 	and have a direct impact on child welfare 
288.14 	casework. The appropriation must not be used 
288.15 	for changes to SSIS that are not part of the 
288.16 	modernization plan or for other Department 
288.17 	of Human Services information technology 
288.18 	systems. This is a onetime appropriation.
288.19 	(b) Base Level Adjustment. The general fund 
288.20 	base is increased by $4,413,000 in fiscal year 
288.21 	2026 and increased by $4,413,000 in fiscal 
288.22 	year 2027. The federal TANF fund base is 
288.23 	decreased by $1,094,000 in fiscal year 2026 
288.24 	and decreased by $1,094,000 in fiscal year 
288.25 	2027.

288.26	Subd. 3.Central Office; Children and Families

288.27	Appropriations by Fund
	
288.28	General
	2,598,000
	6,217,000
	
288.29	Federal TANF
	990,000
	1,094,000
	
288.30 	(a) Child Maltreatment Reporting Review. 
288.31 	$200,000 in fiscal year 2025 is to conduct a 
288.32 	review of child maltreatment reporting 
288.33 	processes and systems in various states, 
288.34 	evaluate the costs and benefits of each 
288.35 	reviewed state's system, and submit a report 
289.1 	to the legislature with recommendations. This 
289.2 	is a onetime appropriation.
289.3 	(b) Pregnant and Parenting Homeless 
289.4 	Youth Study. $150,000 in fiscal year 2025 is 
289.5 	from the general fund for a contract with the 
289.6 	Wilder Foundation to study the statewide 
289.7 	numbers and unique needs of pregnant and 
289.8 	parenting youth experiencing homelessness 
289.9 	and best practices in supporting those youth 
289.10 	within programming, emergency shelter, and 
289.11 	housing settings. This is a onetime 
289.12 	appropriation and is available until June 30, 
289.13 	2026.
289.14 	(c) Emergency Shelter Needs Analysis for 
289.15 	Transgender Adults Experiencing 
289.16 	Homelessness. Notwithstanding section 12, 
289.17 	$150,000 in fiscal year 2025 is for a contract 
289.18 	with Propel Nonprofits to conduct a needs 
289.19 	analysis and a site analysis for emergency 
289.20 	shelter serving transgender adults experiencing 
289.21 	homelessness. This is a onetime appropriation 
289.22 	and is available until June 30, 2026.
289.23 	(d) Base Level Adjustment. The general fund 
289.24 	base is increased by $5,208,000 in fiscal year 
289.25 	2026 and increased by $5,208,000 in fiscal 
289.26 	year 2027. The federal TANF fund base is 
289.27 	increased by $1,094,000 in fiscal year 2026 
289.28 	and increased by $1,094,000 in fiscal year 
289.29 	2027.

289.30	Subd. 4.Central Office; Health Care
 		(3,216,000)
		3,216,000

289.31
289.32	Subd. 5.Central Office; Behavioral Health, Deaf 
and Hard-of-Hearing, and Housing Services
 		(136,000)
		136,000
	
289.33 	Extended Availability. $136,000 of the 
289.34 	general fund appropriation in fiscal year 2025 
289.35 	is available until June 30, 2027.

290.1
290.2	Subd. 6.Grant Programs; Child Care 
Development Grants
 					
290.3 	Professional Development for Child Care 
290.4 	Provider Associate Credential Coursework.
290.5 	The commissioner must allocate $500,000 in 
290.6 	fiscal year 2025 from the federal child care 
290.7 	and development block grant for distribution 
290.8 	to child care resource and referral programs 
290.9 	to coordinate professional development 
290.10 	opportunities for child care providers under 
290.11 	Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.19, 
290.12 	subdivision 7, clause (5), for training related 
290.13 	to obtaining a child development associate 
290.14 	credential. This is a onetime allocation and is 
290.15 	available through June 30, 2027.

290.16
290.17	Subd. 7.Grant Programs; Children's Services 
Grants
 		-0-
		550,000
	
290.18 	Supporting Relative Caregiver Grants.
290.19 	$550,000 in fiscal year 2025 is for the 
290.20 	supporting relative caregiver grant program. 
290.21 	This is a onetime appropriation. 
290.22 	Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 
290.23 	16B.98, subdivision 14, the amount for 
290.24 	administrative costs under this paragraph is 
290.25 	$0.

290.26
290.27	Subd. 8.Grant Programs; Children and 
Community Support Grants
 		-0-
		(2,704,000)
	
290.28 	This is a onetime reduction.

290.29
290.30	Subd. 9.Grant Programs; Children and 
Economic Support Grants
 		-0-
		10,019,000
	
290.31 	(a) American Indian Food Sovereignty 
290.32 	Funding Program. $1,000,000 in fiscal year 
290.33 	2025 is for the American Indian food 
290.34 	sovereignty funding program under Minnesota 
290.35 	Statutes, section 256E.342. This is a onetime 
291.1 	appropriation and is available until June 30, 
291.2 	2026. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, 
291.3 	section 16B.98, subdivision 14, the amount 
291.4 	for administrative costs under this paragraph 
291.5 	is $0.
291.6 	(b) Minnesota Food Bank Program.
291.7 	$2,392,000 in fiscal year 2025 is for 
291.8 	Minnesota's regional food banks that the 
291.9 	commissioner contracts with for the purposes 
291.10 	of the emergency food assistance program 
291.11 	(TEFAP). The commissioner shall distribute 
291.12 	funding under this paragraph in accordance 
291.13 	with the federal TEFAP formula and 
291.14 	guidelines of the United States Department of 
291.15 	Agriculture. Funding must be used by all 
291.16 	regional food banks to purchase food that will 
291.17 	be distributed free of charge to TEFAP partner 
291.18 	agencies. Funding must also cover the 
291.19 	handling and delivery fees typically paid by 
291.20 	food shelves to food banks to ensure that costs 
291.21 	associated with funding under this paragraph 
291.22 	are not incurred at the local level. This is a 
291.23 	onetime appropriation. Notwithstanding 
291.24 	Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98, 
291.25 	subdivision 14, the amount for administrative 
291.26 	costs under this paragraph is $0.
291.27 	(c) Minnesota Food Shelf Program.
291.28 	$2,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 is for the 
291.29 	Minnesota food shelf program under 
291.30 	Minnesota Statutes, section 256E.34. This is 
291.31 	a onetime appropriation. Notwithstanding 
291.32 	Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98, 
291.33 	subdivision 14, the amount for administrative 
291.34 	costs under this paragraph is $0.
292.1 	(d) Child Care Improvement Grants.
292.2 	$1,125,000 in fiscal year 2025 is for the child 
292.3 	care improvement grant program under 
292.4 	Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.25, 
292.5 	subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (7). Of 
292.6 	this appropriation, up to $300,000 may be used 
292.7 	for program costs, including but not limited 
292.8 	to conducting outreach to and engaging with 
292.9 	potential grantees, providing technical 
292.10 	assistance for applicants, reviewing 
292.11 	applications and processing grant awards, and 
292.12 	administering compliance audits and related 
292.13 	program integrity activities. This is a onetime 
292.14 	appropriation. Notwithstanding Minnesota 
292.15 	Statutes, section 16B.98, subdivision 14, the 
292.16 	amount for administrative costs under this 
292.17 	paragraph is $0.
292.18 	(e) Emergency Services Program.
292.19 	$3,391,000 in fiscal year 2025 is for 
292.20 	emergency services grants under Minnesota 
292.21 	Statutes, section 256E.36. The commissioner 
292.22 	must distribute grants under this paragraph to 
292.23 	entities that received an emergency services 
292.24 	grant award for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 
292.25 	and have emerging, critical, and immediate 
292.26 	homelessness response needs that have arisen 
292.27 	since receiving the award, including: (1) the 
292.28 	need to support overnight emergency shelter 
292.29 	capacity or daytime service capacity that has 
292.30 	a demonstrated and significant increase in the 
292.31 	number of persons served in fiscal year 2024 
292.32 	compared to fiscal year 2023; and (2) the need 
292.33 	to maintain existing overnight emergency 
292.34 	shelter bed capacity or daytime service 
292.35 	capacity that has a demonstrated and 
292.36 	significant risk of closure before April 30, 
293.1 	2025. This is a onetime appropriation and is 
293.2 	available until June 30, 2027. Notwithstanding 
293.3 	Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98, 
293.4 	subdivision 14, the amount for administrative 
293.5 	costs under this paragraph is $0.
293.6 	(f) Base Level Adjustment. The general fund 
293.7 	base is decreased by $2,593,000 in fiscal year 
293.8 	2026 and decreased by $2,593,000 in fiscal 
293.9 	year 2027.

293.10
293.11	Subd. 10.Grant Programs; Fraud Prevention 
Grants
 		-0-
		3,018,000
	
293.12 	Base Level Adjustment. The general fund 
293.13 	base is increased by $3,018,000 in fiscal year 
293.14 	2026 and $3,018,000 in fiscal year 2027.

293.15	Sec. 3. COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
 	$
	1,882,000
	$
	1,715,000
	
293.16 	(a) Summer EBT. $1,882,000 in fiscal year 
293.17 	2024 and $1,542,000 in fiscal year 2025 are 
293.18 	for administration of the summer electronic 
293.19 	benefits transfer program under Public Law 
293.20 	117-328. The base for this appropriation is 
293.21 	$572,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $572,000 in 
293.22 	fiscal year 2027.
293.23 	(b) Operating Adjustment for Department 
293.24 	of Children, Youth, and Families 
293.25 	Transition. $173,000 in fiscal year 2025 is to 
293.26 	maintain current levels of service after the 
293.27 	transition of staff and resources to the 
293.28 	Department of Children, Youth, and Families. 
293.29 	The base for this appropriation is $345,000 in 
293.30 	fiscal year 2026 and $345,000 in fiscal year 
293.31 	2027.
293.32 	(c) Base Level Adjustment. The general fund 
293.33 	base is increased by $917,000 in fiscal year 
294.1 	2026 and increased by $917,000 in fiscal year 
294.2 	2027.

294.3
294.4	Sec. 4. COMMISSIONER OF CHILDREN, 
YOUTH, AND FAMILIES
 	$
	-0-
	$
	3,279,000
	
294.5 	Base Level Adjustment. The general fund 
294.6 	base is increased by $7,183,000 in fiscal year 
294.7 	2026 and increased by $6,833,000 in fiscal 
294.8 	year 2027.

294.9294.10
	Sec. 5. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSPERSON 
FOR FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS
 					
294.11 	Child Care and Development Block Grant 
294.12 	Allocation. The commissioner of human 
294.13 	services must allocate $350,000 in fiscal year 
294.14 	2025, and each fiscal year thereafter from the 
294.15 	child care and development block grant to the 
294.16 	Ombudsperson for Family Child Care 
294.17 	Providers under Minnesota Statutes, section 
294.18 	245.975.

294.19	Sec. 6. SUPREME COURT
 	$
	-0-
	$
	1,000,000
	
294.20 	Supreme Court Council on Child 
294.21 	Protection. $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 is 
294.22 	for the establishment and administration of 
294.23 	the Supreme Court Council on Child 
294.24 	Protection. This is a onetime appropriation 
294.25 	and is available until June 30, 2026.

294.26 	Sec. 7. Laws 1987, chapter 404, section 18, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
294.27 		Subdivision 1.Total
294.28 	Appropriation 8,009,500 7,585,900
294.29 	Approved Complement - 124
294.30 	General - 124 124
294.31 	Rural Finance - 0 2
295.1 	The amounts that may be spent from this 
295.2 	appropriation for each activity are specified 
295.3 	below.
295.4 	$141,000 the first year to cover costs 
295.5 	associated with modifying the state's 
295.6 	personnel/payroll systems. Any unencumbered 
295.7 	balance remaining in the first year does not 
295.8 	cancel but is available for the second year of 
295.9 	the biennium.
295.10 	The department of finance shall reflect the 
295.11 	reimbursement of statewide indirect costs and 
295.12 	human services federal reimbursement costs 
295.13 	as expenditure reductions in the general fund 
295.14 	budgeted fund balance as they would be 
295.15 	reported in conformity with generally accepted 
295.16 	accounting principles.
295.17 	Amounts paid to the department of finance 
295.18 	pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 13.03, 
295.19 	subdivision 3, for the costs of searching for 
295.20 	and retrieving government data and for 
295.21 	making, certifying and compiling the copies 
295.22 	of the data, are appropriated to the department 
295.23 	of finance to be added to the appropriations 
295.24 	from which the costs were paid.
295.25 	The governor's budget recommendations 
295.26 	submitted to the legislature in January, 1989 
295.27 	must include as general fund revenue and 
295.28 	appropriations for fiscal years 1990 and 1991 
295.29 	all revenues and expenditures previously 
295.30 	accounted for in the statewide accounting 
295.31 	system in other operating funds. This 
295.32 	requirement does not apply (1) to revenues 
295.33 	and expenditures which, under the 
295.34 	constitution, must be accounted for in funds 
295.35 	other than the general fund; or (2) to revenues 
296.1 	and expenditures which are related to specific 
296.2 	user fees that provide a primary benefit to 
296.3 	individual fee payers, as opposed to the 
296.4 	general community.
296.5 	Notwithstanding the provision of Minnesota 
296.6 	Statutes, section 16A.11, the commissioner of 
296.7 	finance shall consult with and seek the 
296.8 	recommendations of the chair of the House 
296.9 	Appropriations committee and the chair of the 
296.10 	Senate Finance committee as well as their 
296.11 	respective division and subcommittee chairs 
296.12 	prior to adopting a format for the 1989-1991 
296.13 	biennial budget document. The commissioner 
296.14 	of finance shall not adopt a format for the 
296.15 	1989-1991 biennial budget until the 
296.16 	commissioner has received the 
296.17 	recommendations of the chair of the house 
296.18 	appropriations committee and the chair of the 
296.19 	senate finance committee. Appropriations 
296.20 	provided to the department of finance to 
296.21 	upgrade the current biennial budget system 
296.22 	shall only be expended upon receipt of the 
296.23 	recommendations of the chair of the house 
296.24 	appropriations committee and the chair of the 
296.25 	senate finance committee. These 
296.26 	recommendations are advisory only.

296.27 	Sec. 8. Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 20, section 2, subdivision 22, is amended to read:

296.28
296.29	Subd. 22.Grant Programs; Children's Services 
Grants

296.30	Appropriations by Fund
	
296.31	General
	86,212,000
	85,063,000
	
296.32	Federal TANF
	140,000
	140,000
	
296.33 	(a) Title IV-E Adoption Assistance. The 
296.34 	commissioner shall allocate funds from the 
297.1 	state's savings from the Fostering Connections 
297.2 	to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act's 
297.3 	expanded eligibility for Title IV-E adoption 
297.4 	assistance as required in Minnesota Statutes, 
297.5 	section 256N.261, and as allowable under 
297.6 	federal law. Additional savings to the state as 
297.7 	a result of the Fostering Connections to 
297.8 	Success and Increasing Adoptions Act's 
297.9 	expanded eligibility for Title IV-E adoption 
297.10 	assistance is for postadoption, foster care, 
297.11 	adoption, and kinship services, including a 
297.12 	parent-to-parent support network and as 
297.13 	allowable under federal law.
297.14 	(b) Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe American 
297.15 	Indian child welfare initiative. $3,337,000 
297.16 	in fiscal year 2024 and $5,294,000 in fiscal 
297.17 	year 2025 are from the general fund for the 
297.18 	Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe to join the 
297.19 	American Indian child welfare initiative. The 
297.20 	base for this appropriation is $7,893,000 in 
297.21 	fiscal year 2026 and $7,893,000 in fiscal year 
297.22 	2027.
297.23 	(c) Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe American 
297.24 	Indian child welfare initiative. $1,848,000 
297.25 	in fiscal year 2024 and $1,848,000 in fiscal 
297.26 	year 2025 are from the general fund for the 
297.27 	Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe to participate in 
297.28 	the American Indian child welfare initiative.
297.29 	(d) Red Lake Band of Chippewa American 
297.30 	Indian child welfare initiative. $3,000,000 
297.31 	in fiscal year 2024 and $3,000,000 in fiscal 
297.32 	year 2025 are from the general fund for the 
297.33 	Red Lake Band of Chippewa to participate in 
297.34 	the American Indian child welfare initiative.
298.1 	(e) White Earth Nation American Indian 
298.2 	child welfare initiative. $3,776,000 in fiscal 
298.3 	year 2024 and $3,776,000 in fiscal year 2025 
298.4 	are from the general fund for the White Earth 
298.5 	Nation to participate in the American Indian 
298.6 	child welfare initiative.
298.7 	(f) Indian Child welfare grants. $4,405,000 
298.8 	in fiscal year 2024 and $4,405,000 in fiscal 
298.9 	year 2025 are from the general fund for Indian 
298.10 	child welfare grants under Minnesota Statutes, 
298.11 	section 260.785. The base for this 
298.12 	appropriation is $4,640,000 in fiscal year 2026 
298.13 	and $4,640,000 in fiscal year 2027.
298.14 	(g) Child welfare staff allocation for Tribes.
298.15 	$799,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $799,000 in 
298.16 	fiscal year 2025 are from the general fund for 
298.17 	grants to Tribes for child welfare staffing 
298.18 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 260.786.
298.19 	(h) Grants for kinship navigator services. 
298.20 	$764,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $764,000 in 
298.21 	fiscal year 2025 are from the general fund for 
298.22 	grants for kinship navigator services and 
298.23 	grants to Tribal Nations for kinship navigator 
298.24 	services under Minnesota Statutes, section 
298.25 	256.4794. The base for this appropriation is 
298.26 	$506,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $507,000 in 
298.27 	fiscal year 2027.
298.28 	(i) Family first prevention and early 
298.29 	intervention assessment response grants. 
298.30 	$4,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $6,112,000 
298.31 	in fiscal year 2025 are from the general fund 
298.32 	for family assessment response grants under 
298.33 	Minnesota Statutes, section 260.014. Any 
298.34 	unexpended amount in fiscal year 2024 is 
298.35 	available in fiscal year 2025. The base for this 
299.1 	appropriation is $6,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 
299.2 	and $6,000,000 in fiscal year 2027.
299.3 	(j) Grants for evidence-based prevention 
299.4 	and early intervention services. $4,329,000 
299.5 	in fiscal year 2024 and $4,100,000 in fiscal 
299.6 	year 2025 are from the general fund for grants 
299.7 	to support evidence-based prevention and early 
299.8 	intervention services under Minnesota 
299.9 	Statutes, section 256.4793.
299.10 	(k) Grant to administer pool of qualified 
299.11 	individuals for assessments. $250,000 in 
299.12 	fiscal year 2024 and $250,000 in fiscal year 
299.13 	2025 are from the general fund for grants to 
299.14 	establish and manage a pool of state-funded 
299.15 	qualified individuals to conduct assessments 
299.16 	for out-of-home placement of a child in a 
299.17 	qualified residential treatment program.
299.18 	(l) Quality parenting initiative grant 
299.19 	program. $100,000 in fiscal year 2024 and 
299.20 	$100,000 in fiscal year 2025 are from the 
299.21 	general fund for a grant to Quality Parenting 
299.22 	Initiative Minnesota under Minnesota Statutes, 
299.23 	section 245.0962.
299.24 	(m) STAY in the community grants.
299.25 	$1,579,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $2,247,000 
299.26 	in fiscal year 2025 are from the general fund 
299.27 	for the STAY in the community program 
299.28 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 260C.452. 
299.29 	This is a onetime appropriation and is 
299.30 	available until June 30, 2027.
299.31 	(n) Grants for community resource centers.
299.32 	$5,657,000 in fiscal year 2024 is from the 
299.33 	general fund for grants to establish a network 
299.34 	of community resource centers. This is a 
300.1 	onetime appropriation and is available until 
300.2 	June 30, 2027.
300.3 	(o) Family assets for independence in 
300.4 	Minnesota. $1,405,000 in fiscal year 2024 
300.5 	and $1,391,000 in fiscal year 2025 are from 
300.6 	the general fund for the family assets for 
300.7 	independence in Minnesota program, under 
300.8 	Minnesota Statutes, section 256E.35. This is 
300.9 	a onetime appropriation and is available until 
300.10 	June 30, 2027.
300.11 	(p) (o)Base level adjustment. The general 
300.12 	fund base is $85,280,000 in fiscal year 2026 
300.13 	and $85,281,000 in fiscal year 2027.

300.14 	Sec. 9. Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 20, section 2, subdivision 24, is amended to read:

300.15
300.16	Subd. 24.Grant Programs; Children and 
Economic Support Grants
 		212,877,000
		78,333,000
	
300.17 	(a) Fraud prevention initiative start-up 
300.18 	grants. $400,000 in fiscal year 2024 is for 
300.19 	start-up grants to the Red Lake Nation, White 
300.20 	Earth Nation, and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe 
300.21 	to develop a fraud prevention program. This 
300.22 	is a onetime appropriation and is available 
300.23 	until June 30, 2025.
300.24 	(b) American Indian food sovereignty 
300.25 	funding program. $3,000,000 in fiscal year 
300.26 	2024 and $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 are 
300.27 	for Minnesota Statutes, section 256E.342. This 
300.28 	appropriation is available until June 30, 2025. 
300.29 	The base for this appropriation is $2,000,000 
300.30 	in fiscal year 2026 and $2,000,000 in fiscal 
300.31 	year 2027.
300.32 	(c) Hennepin County grants to provide 
300.33 	services to people experiencing 
300.34 	homelessness. $11,432,000 in fiscal year 2024 
301.1 	is for grants to maintain capacity for shelters 
301.2 	and services provided to persons experiencing 
301.3 	homelessness in Hennepin County. Of this 
301.4 	amount:
301.5 	(1) $4,500,000 is for a grant to Avivo Village;
301.6 	(2) $2,000,000 is for a grant to the American 
301.7 	Indian Community Development Corporation 
301.8 	Homeward Bound shelter;
301.9 	(3) $1,650,000 is for a grant to the Salvation 
301.10 	Army Harbor Lights shelter;
301.11 	(4) $500,000 is for a grant to Agate Housing 
301.12 	and Services;
301.13 	(5) $1,400,000 is for a grant to Catholic 
301.14 	Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis;
301.15 	(6) $450,000 is for a grant to Simpson 
301.16 	Housing; and
301.17 	(7) $932,000 is for a grant to Hennepin 
301.18 	County.
301.19 	Nothing shall preclude an eligible organization 
301.20 	receiving funding under this paragraph from 
301.21 	applying for and receiving funding under 
301.22 	Minnesota Statutes, section 256E.33, 256E.36, 
301.23 	256K.45, or 256K.47, nor does receiving 
301.24 	funding under this paragraph count against 
301.25 	any eligible organization in the competitive 
301.26 	processes related to those grant programs 
301.27 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 256E.33, 
301.28 	256E.36, 256K.45, or 256K.47.
301.29 	(d) Diaper distribution grant program. 
301.30 	$545,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $553,000 in 
301.31 	fiscal year 2025 are for a grant to the Diaper 
301.32 	Bank of Minnesota under Minnesota Statutes, 
301.33 	section 256E.38.
302.1 	(e) Prepared meals food relief. $1,654,000 
302.2 	in fiscal year 2024 and $1,638,000 in fiscal 
302.3 	year 2025 are for prepared meals food relief 
302.4 	grants. This is a onetime appropriation.
302.5 	(f) Emergency shelter facilities. $98,456,000 
302.6 	in fiscal year 2024 is for grants to eligible 
302.7 	applicants for emergency shelter facilities. 
302.8 	This is a onetime appropriation and is 
302.9 	available until June 30, 2028.
302.10 	(g) Homeless youth cash stipend pilot 
302.11 	project. $5,302,000 in fiscal year 2024 is for 
302.12 	a grant to Youthprise for the homeless youth 
302.13 	cash stipend pilot project. The grant must be 
302.14 	used to provide cash stipends to homeless 
302.15 	youth, provide cash incentives for stipend 
302.16 	recipients to participate in periodic surveys, 
302.17 	provide youth-designed optional services, and 
302.18 	complete a legislative report. This is a onetime 
302.19 	appropriation and is available until June 30, 
302.20 	2028.
302.21 	(h) Heading Home Ramsey County 
302.22 	continuum of care grants. $11,432,000 in 
302.23 	fiscal year 2024 is for grants to maintain 
302.24 	capacity for shelters and services provided to 
302.25 	people experiencing homelessness in Ramsey 
302.26 	County. Of this amount:
302.27 	(1) $2,286,000 is for a grant to Catholic 
302.28 	Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis;
302.29 	(2) $1,498,000 is for a grant to More Doors;
302.30 	(3) $1,734,000 is for a grant to Interfaith 
302.31 	Action Project Home;
302.32 	(4) $2,248,000 is for a grant to Ramsey 
302.33 	County;
303.1 	(5) $689,000 is for a grant to Radias Health;
303.2 	(6) $493,000 is for a grant to The Listening 
303.3 	House;
303.4 	(7) $512,000 is for a grant to Face to Face; 
303.5 	and
303.6 	(8) $1,972,000 is for a grant to the city of St. 
303.7 	Paul.
303.8 	Nothing shall preclude an eligible organization 
303.9 	receiving funding under this paragraph from 
303.10 	applying for and receiving funding under 
303.11 	Minnesota Statutes, section 256E.33, 256E.36, 
303.12 	256K.45, or 256K.47, nor does receiving 
303.13 	funding under this paragraph count against 
303.14 	any eligible organization in the competitive 
303.15 	processes related to those grant programs 
303.16 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 256E.33, 
303.17 	256E.36, 256K.45, or 256K.47.
303.18 	(i) Capital for emergency food distribution 
303.19 	facilities. $7,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 is for 
303.20 	improving and expanding the infrastructure 
303.21 	of food shelf facilities. Grant money must be 
303.22 	made available to nonprofit organizations, 
303.23 	federally recognized Tribes, and local units of 
303.24 	government. This is a onetime appropriation 
303.25 	and is available until June 30, 2027.
303.26 	(j) Emergency services program grants.
303.27 	$15,250,000 in fiscal year 2024 and 
303.28 	$14,750,000 in fiscal year 2025 are for 
303.29 	emergency services grants under Minnesota 
303.30 	Statutes, section 256E.36. Any unexpended 
303.31 	amount in the first year does not cancel and 
303.32 	is available in the second year. The base for 
303.33 	this appropriation is $25,000,000 in fiscal year 
303.34 	2026 and $30,000,000 in fiscal year 2027.
304.1 	(k) Homeless Youth Act grants. $15,136,000 
304.2 	in fiscal year 2024 and $15,136,000 in fiscal 
304.3 	year 2025 are for grants under Minnesota 
304.4 	Statutes, section 256K.45, subdivision 1. Any 
304.5 	unexpended amount in the first year does not 
304.6 	cancel and is available in the second year.
304.7 	(l) Transitional housing programs.
304.8 	$3,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $3,000,000 
304.9 	in fiscal year 2025 are for transitional housing 
304.10 	programs under Minnesota Statutes, section 
304.11 	256E.33. Any unexpended amount in the first 
304.12 	year does not cancel and is available in the 
304.13 	second year.
304.14 	(m) Safe harbor shelter and housing grants.
304.15 	$2,125,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $2,125,000 
304.16 	in fiscal year 2025 are for grants under 
304.17 	Minnesota Statutes, section 256K.47. Any 
304.18 	unexpended amount in the first year does not 
304.19 	cancel and is available in the second year. The 
304.20 	base for this appropriation is $1,250,000 in 
304.21 	fiscal year 2026 and $1,250,000 in fiscal year 
304.22 	2027.
304.23 	(n) Supplemental nutrition assistance 
304.24 	program (SNAP) outreach. $1,000,000 in 
304.25 	fiscal year 2024 and $1,000,000 in fiscal year 
304.26 	2025 are for the SNAP outreach program 
304.27 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 256D.65. 
304.28 	The base for this appropriation is $500,000 in 
304.29 	fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 in fiscal year 
304.30 	2027.
304.31 	(o) Family Assets for Independence in 
304.32 	Minnesota. $1,405,000 in fiscal year 2024 
304.33 	and $1,391,000 in fiscal year 2025 are from 
304.34 	the general fund for the family assets for 
304.35 	independence in Minnesota program, under 
305.1 	Minnesota Statutes, section 256E.35. This is 
305.2 	a onetime appropriation and is available until 
305.3 	June 30, 2027.
305.4 	(p) Minnesota Food Assistance Program.
305.5 	Unexpended funds for the Minnesota food 
305.6 	assistance program for fiscal year 2024 are 
305.7 	available until June 30, 2025.
305.8 	(o) (q)Base level adjustment. The general 
305.9 	fund base is $83,179,000 in fiscal year 2026 
305.10 	and $88,179,000 in fiscal year 2027.

305.11 	Sec. 10. Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 20, section 23, is amended to read:
305.12 	Sec. 23. TRANSFERS.
 305.13 		Subdivision 1.Grants. The commissioner of human services and commissioner of 
305.14 	children, youth, and families, with the approval of the commissioner of management and 
305.15 	budget, may transfer unencumbered appropriation balances for the biennium ending June 
305.16 	30, 2025, within fiscal years among MFIP; general assistance; medical assistance; 
305.17 	MinnesotaCare; MFIP child care assistance under Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.05; 
305.18 	Minnesota supplemental aid program; housing support program; the entitlement portion of 
305.19 	Northstar Care for Children under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256N; and the entitlement 
305.20 	portion of the behavioral health fund between fiscal years of the biennium. The commissioner 
305.21 	shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with 
305.22 	jurisdiction over health and human services quarterly about transfers made under this 
305.23 	subdivision.
305.24 		Subd. 2.Administration. Positions, salary money, and nonsalary administrative money 
305.25 	may be transferred within and between the Department of Human Services and the 
305.26 	Department of Children, Youth, and Families as the commissioners consider necessary, 
305.27 	with the advance approval of the commissioner of management and budget. The 
305.28 	commissioners shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative 
305.29 	committees with jurisdiction over health and human services finance quarterly about transfers 
305.30 	made under this section.

306.1 	Sec. 11. APPROPRIATION CANCELATION; EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING 
306.2 	AND CHILDHOOD PROTECTION FACILITIES.
 306.3 	The appropriation in Laws 2023, chapter 71, article 1, section 12, subdivision 4, for 
306.4 	early childhood learning and child protection facilities under Minnesota Statutes, section 
306.5 	256E.37, is canceled to the general fund.

306.6 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

306.7 	Sec. 12. APPROPRIATIONS GIVEN EFFECT ONCE.
 306.8 	If an appropriation or transfer under this article is enacted more than once during the 
306.9 	2024 regular session, the appropriation or transfer must be given effect once.

306.10 	Sec. 13. EXPIRATION OF UNCODIFIED LANGUAGE.
 306.11 	All uncodified language contained in this article expires June 30, 2025, unless a different 
306.12 	expiration date is explicit.

APPENDIX 

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: H5237-4 

127A.095 IMPLEMENTATION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT.Subd. 3.Department of Management and Budget certification. 
 The commissioner of management and budget shall certify and report to the legislature annually beginning January 1, 2008, the amount of federal revenue, if any, that the federal government may withhold as a result of a potential state decision to discontinue implementation of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The report shall also specify the intended purpose of the federal revenue and the amount of revenue that the federal government may withhold from the state, each school district, and each charter school in each fiscal year. 

245.975 OMBUDSPERSON FOR FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS.Subd. 8.Office support. 
The commissioner shall provide the ombudsperson with the necessary office space, supplies, equipment, and clerical support to effectively perform the duties under this section. 

256.01 COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN SERVICES; POWERS, DUTIES.Subd. 12.Child mortality review panel. 
(a) The commissioner shall establish a child mortality review panel to review deaths of children in Minnesota, including deaths attributed to maltreatment or in which maltreatment may be a contributing cause and to review near fatalities as defined in section 260E.35. The commissioners of health, education, and public safety and the attorney general shall each designate a representative to the child mortality review panel. Other panel members shall be appointed by the commissioner, including a board-certified pathologist and a physician who is a coroner or a medical examiner. The purpose of the panel shall be to make recommendations to the state and to county agencies for improving the child protection system, including modifications in statute, rule, policy, and procedure. 

(b) The commissioner may require a county agency to establish a local child mortality review panel. The commissioner may establish procedures for conducting local reviews and may require that all professionals with knowledge of a child mortality case participate in the local review. In this section, "professional" means a person licensed to perform or a person performing a specific service in the child protective service system. "Professional" includes law enforcement personnel, social service agency attorneys, educators, and social service, health care, and mental health care providers. 

(c) If the commissioner of human services has reason to believe that a child's death was caused by maltreatment or that maltreatment was a contributing cause, the commissioner has access to not public data under chapter 13 maintained by state agencies, statewide systems, or political subdivisions that are related to the child's death or circumstances surrounding the care of the child. The commissioner shall also have access to records of private hospitals as necessary to carry out the duties prescribed by this section. Access to data under this paragraph is limited to police investigative data; autopsy records and coroner or medical examiner investigative data; hospital, public health, or other medical records of the child; hospital and other medical records of the child's parent that relate to prenatal care; and records created by social service agencies that provided services to the child or family within three years preceding the child's death. A state agency, statewide system, or political subdivision shall provide the data upon request of the commissioner. Not public data may be shared with members of the state or local child mortality review panel in connection with an individual case. 

(d) Notwithstanding the data's classification in the possession of any other agency, data acquired by a local or state child mortality review panel in the exercise of its duties is protected nonpublic or confidential data as defined in section 13.02, but may be disclosed as necessary to carry out the purposes of the review panel. The data is not subject to subpoena or discovery. The commissioner may disclose conclusions of the review panel, but shall not disclose data that was classified as confidential or private data on decedents, under section 13.10, or private, confidential, or protected nonpublic data in the disseminating agency, except that the commissioner may disclose local social service agency data as provided in section 260E.35, on individual cases involving a fatality or near fatality of a person served by the local social service agency prior to the date of death. 

(e) A person attending a child mortality review panel meeting shall not disclose what transpired at the meeting, except to carry out the purposes of the mortality review panel. The proceedings and records of the mortality review panel are protected nonpublic data as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 13, and are not subject to discovery or introduction into evidence in a civil or criminal action against a professional, the state or a county agency, arising out of the matters the panel is reviewing. Information, documents, and records otherwise available from other sources are not immune from discovery or use in a civil or criminal action solely because they were presented during proceedings of the review panel. A person who presented information before the review panel or who is a member of the panel shall not be prevented from testifying about matters within the person's knowledge. However, in a civil or criminal proceeding a person shall not be questioned about the person's presentation of information to the review panel or opinions formed by the person as a result of the review meetings. 

Subd. 12a.Department of Human Services child fatality and near fatality review team. 
(a) The commissioner shall establish a Department of Human Services child fatality and near fatality review team to review child fatalities and near fatalities due to child maltreatment and child fatalities and near fatalities that occur in licensed facilities and are not due to natural causes. The review team shall assess the entire child protection services process from the point of a mandated reporter reporting the alleged maltreatment through the ongoing case management process. Department staff shall lead and conduct on-site local reviews and utilize supervisors from local county and tribal child welfare agencies as peer reviewers. The review process must focus on critical elements of the case and on the involvement of the child and family with the county or tribal child welfare agency. The review team shall identify necessary program improvement planning to address any practice issues identified and training and technical assistance needs of the local agency. Summary reports of each review shall be provided to the state child mortality review panel when completed. 

(b) A member of the child fatality and near fatality review team shall not disclose what transpired during the review, except to carry out the duties of the child fatality and near fatality review team. The proceedings and records of the child fatality and near fatality review team are protected nonpublic data as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 13, and are not subject to discovery or introduction into evidence in a civil or criminal action against a professional, the state, or a county agency arising out of the matters the team is reviewing. Information, documents, and records otherwise available from other sources are not immune from discovery or use in a civil or criminal action solely because they were assessed or presented during proceedings of the review team. A person who presented information before the review team or who is a member of the team shall not be prevented from testifying about matters within the person's knowledge. In a civil or criminal proceeding a person shall not be questioned about the person's presentation of information to the review team or opinions formed by the person as a result of the review. 

260.755 DEFINITIONS.Subd. 13.Local social services agency. 
"Local social services agency" means the local agency under the authority of the county welfare or human services board or county board of commissioners which is responsible for human services. 

Repealed Minnesota Session Laws: H5237-4 

Laws 2023, chapter 25, section 190, subdivision 10
Sec. 190. REPEALER. Subd. 10.Obsolete subdivision. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256B.051, subdivision 7, is repealed.Laws 2023, chapter 55, article 10, section 4
Sec. 4. APPROPRIATION; VOLUNTARY PREKINDERGARTEN RESERVE. Subdivision 1.Department of Education. 
The sums indicated in this section are appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education in the fiscal years designated.  

Subd. 2.Voluntary prekindergarten reserve. 
(a) The commissioner must reserve the following amount for future allocation towards 3,000 voluntary prekindergarten seats: 

		$	0	.....	2024	
		$	50,000,000	.....	2025	

(b) The 2024 legislature must provide direction to the commissioner on allocating the money reserved under paragraph (a). 

(c) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026. 

Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 1, section 38 Subdivisions 3, 4, 11, 
Sec. 38. [142A.20] ADMINISTRATIVE AND JUDICIAL REVIEW OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES MATTERS.Subd. 3.Standard of evidence for maltreatment and disqualification hearings. 
(a) The state children, youth, and families judge shall determine that maltreatment has occurred if a preponderance of evidence exists to support the final disposition under chapter 260E or section 626.557. For purposes of hearings regarding disqualification, the state children, youth, and families judge shall affirm the proposed disqualification in an appeal under subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (5), if a preponderance of the evidence shows the individual has: 

(1) committed maltreatment under section 626.557 or chapter 260E that is serious or recurring; 

(2) committed an act or acts meeting the definition of any of the crimes listed in section 245C.15, subdivisions 1 to 4; or 

(3) failed to make required reports under section 626.557 or chapter 260E, for incidents in which the final disposition under section 626.557 or chapter 260E was substantiated maltreatment that was serious or recurring. 

(b) If the disqualification is affirmed, the state children, youth, and families judge shall determine whether the individual poses a risk of harm in accordance with the requirements of section 245C.22, and whether the disqualification should be set aside or not set aside. In determining whether the disqualification should be set aside, the children, youth, and families judge shall consider all of the characteristics that cause the individual to be disqualified, including those characteristics that were not subject to review under paragraph (a), in order to determine whether the individual poses a risk of harm. A decision to set aside a disqualification that is the subject of the hearing constitutes a determination that the individual does not pose a risk of harm and that the individual may provide direct contact services in the individual program specified in the set aside. 

(c) If a disqualification is based solely on a conviction or is conclusive for any reason under section 245C.29, the disqualified individual does not have a right to a hearing under this section. 

(d) The state children, youth, and families judge shall recommend an order to the commissioner of health; education; children, youth, and families; or human services, as applicable, who shall issue a final order. The commissioner shall affirm, reverse, or modify the final disposition. Any order of the commissioner issued in accordance with this subdivision is conclusive upon the parties unless appeal is taken in the manner provided in subdivision 7. In any licensing appeal under chapters 142B and 245C and sections 144.50 to 144.58 and 144A.02 to 144A.482, the commissioner's determination as to maltreatment is conclusive, as provided under section 245C.29. 

Subd. 4.Conduct of hearings. 
(a) All hearings held pursuant to subdivision 2 or 3 shall be conducted according to the provisions of the federal Social Security Act and the regulations implemented in accordance with that act to enable this state to qualify for federal grants-in-aid and according to the rules and written policies of the commissioner. County agencies shall install equipment necessary to conduct telephone hearings. A state children, youth, and families judge may schedule a telephone conference hearing when the distance or time required to travel to the county agency offices will cause a delay in the issuance of an order, or to promote efficiency, or at the mutual request of the parties. Hearings may be conducted by telephone conferences unless the applicant, recipient, former recipient, person, or facility contesting maltreatment objects. A children, youth, and families judge may grant a request for a hearing in person by holding the hearing by interactive video technology or in person. The children, youth, and families judge must hear the case in person if the person asserts that either the person or a witness has a physical or mental disability that would impair the person's or witness's ability to fully participate in a hearing held by interactive video technology. The hearing shall not be held earlier than five days after filing of the required notice with the county or state agency. The state children, youth, and families judge shall notify all interested persons of the time, date, and location of the hearing at least five days before the date of the hearing. Interested persons may be represented by legal counsel or other representative of their choice, including a provider of therapy services, at the hearing and may appear personally, testify and offer evidence, and examine and cross-examine witnesses. The applicant, recipient, former recipient, person, or facility contesting maltreatment shall have the opportunity to examine the contents of the case file and all documents and records to be used by the county or state agency at the hearing at a reasonable time before the date of the hearing and during the hearing. In hearings under subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clauses (4) and (5), either party may subpoena the private data relating to the investigation prepared by the agency under section 626.557 or chapter 260E that are not otherwise accessible under section 13.04, provided the identity of the reporter may not be disclosed. 

(b) The private data obtained by subpoena in a hearing under subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (2), must be subject to a protective order that prohibits its disclosure for any other purpose outside the hearing provided for in this section without prior order of the district court. Disclosure without court order is punishable by a sentence of not more than 90 days imprisonment or a fine of not more than $1,000, or both. These restrictions on the use of private data do not prohibit access to the data under section 13.03, subdivision 6. Except for appeals under subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (2), upon request, the county agency shall provide reimbursement for transportation, child care, photocopying, medical assessment, witness fee, and other necessary and reasonable costs incurred by the applicant, recipient, or former recipient in connection with the appeal. All evidence, except that privileged by law, commonly accepted by reasonable people in the conduct of their affairs as having probative value with respect to the issues, shall be submitted at the hearing and the hearing shall not be "a contested case" within the meaning of section 14.02, subdivision 3. The agency must present its evidence prior to or at the hearing and may not submit evidence after the hearing except by agreement of the parties at the hearing, provided the petitioner has the opportunity to respond. 

(c) In hearings under subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clauses (2) and (5), involving determinations of maltreatment or disqualification made by more than one county agency, by a county agency and a state agency, or by more than one state agency, the hearings may be consolidated into a single fair hearing upon the consent of all parties and the state children, youth, and families judge. 

Subd. 11.Interagency agreement with DHS. 
The commissioner of children, youth, and families may enter into an agreement with the commissioner of human services so that the commissioner of human services may conduct hearings and recommend and issue orders on behalf of the commissioner of children, youth, and families in accordance with this section. 

Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 1, section 39
Sec. 39. [142A.21] HEARING PROCEDURES.Subdivision 1.Scope. 
(a) The requirements in this section apply to all fair hearings and appeals under section 142A.20, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clauses (1), (2), (3), and (6). Except as provided in subdivisions 3 and 19, the requirements under this section apply to fair hearings and appeals under section 142A.20, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (2). 

(b) For purposes of this section, "person" means an individual who, on behalf of themselves or their household, is appealing, disputing, or challenging an action, a decision, or a failure to act by an agency in the children, youth, and families system. When a person involved in a proceeding under this section is represented by an attorney or by an authorized representative, the term "person" also means the person's attorney or authorized representative. Any notice sent to the person involved in the hearing must also be sent to the person's attorney or authorized representative. 

(c) For purposes of this section, "agency" means the county human services agency, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, and, where applicable, any entity involved under a contract, subcontract, grant, or subgrant with the state agency or with a county agency, that provides or operates programs or services in which appeals are governed by section 142A.20. 

Subd. 2.Access to files. 
A person involved in a fair hearing appeal has the right of access to the person's complete case files and to examine all private welfare data on the person that has been generated, collected, stored, or disseminated by the agency. A person involved in a fair hearing appeal has the right to a free copy of all documents in the case file involved in a fair hearing appeal. For purposes of this section, "case file" means the information, documents, and data, in whatever form, that have been generated, collected, stored, or disseminated by the agency in connection with the person and the program or service involved. 

Subd. 3.Agency appeal summary. 
(a) Except in fair hearings and appeals under section 142A.20, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clauses (4) and (5), the agency involved in an appeal must prepare a state agency appeal summary for each fair hearing appeal. The state agency appeal summary shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to the person who is involved in the appeal at least three working days before the date of the hearing. The state agency appeal summary must also be mailed or otherwise delivered to the department's Appeals Office at least three working days before the date of the fair hearing appeal. 

(b) In addition, the children, youth, and families judge shall confirm that the state agency appeal summary is mailed or otherwise delivered to the person involved in the appeal as required under paragraph (a). The person involved in the fair hearing should be provided, through the state agency appeal summary or other reasonable methods, appropriate information about the procedures for the fair hearing and an adequate opportunity to prepare. These requirements apply equally to the state agency or an entity under contract when involved in the appeal. 

(c) The contents of the state agency appeal summary must be adequate to inform the person involved in the appeal of the evidence on which the agency relies and the legal basis for the agency's action or determination. 

Subd. 4.Enforcing access to files. 
A person involved in a fair hearing appeal may enforce the right of access to data and copies of the case file by making a request to the children, youth, and families judge. The children, youth, and families judge will make an appropriate order enforcing the person's rights under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, including but not limited to, ordering access to files, data, and documents; continuing a hearing to allow adequate time for access to data; or prohibiting use by the agency of files, data, or documents that have been generated, collected, stored, or disseminated without compliance with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and that have not been provided to the person involved in the appeal. 

Subd. 5.Prehearing conferences. 
(a) The children, youth, and families judge prior to a fair hearing appeal may hold a prehearing conference to further the interests of justice or efficiency and must include the person involved in the appeal. A person involved in a fair hearing appeal or the agency may request a prehearing conference. The prehearing conference may be conducted by telephone, in person, or in writing. The prehearing conference may address the following: 

(1) disputes regarding access to files, evidence, subpoenas, or testimony; 

(2) the time required for the hearing or any need for expedited procedures or decision; 

(3) identification or clarification of legal or other issues that may arise at the hearing; 

(4) identification of and possible agreement to factual issues; and 

(5) scheduling and any other matter that will aid in the proper and fair functioning of the hearing. 

(b) The children, youth, and families judge shall make a record or otherwise contemporaneously summarize the prehearing conference in writing, which shall be sent to both the person involved in the hearing, the person's attorney or authorized representative, and the agency. A children, youth, and families judge may make and issue rulings and orders while the appeal is pending. During the pendency of the appeal, these rulings and orders are not subject to a request for reconsideration or appeal. These rulings and orders are subject to review under subdivision 24 and section 142A.20, subdivision 7. 

Subd. 6.Appeal request for emergency assistance or urgent matter. 
(a) When an appeal involves an application for emergency assistance, the agency involved shall mail or otherwise deliver the state agency appeal summary to the department's Appeals Office within two working days of receiving the request for an appeal. A person may also request that a fair hearing be held on an emergency basis when the issue requires an immediate resolution. The children, youth, and families judge shall schedule the fair hearing on the earliest available date according to the urgency of the issue involved. Issuance of the recommended decision after an emergency hearing shall be expedited. 

(b) The commissioner shall issue a written decision within five working days of receiving the recommended decision, shall immediately inform the parties of the outcome by telephone, and shall mail the decision no later than two working days following the date of the decision. 

Subd. 7.Continuance, rescheduling, or adjourning a hearing. 
(a) A person involved in a fair hearing, or the agency, may request a continuance, a rescheduling, or an adjournment of a hearing for a reasonable period of time. The grounds for granting a request for a continuance, a rescheduling, or adjournment of a hearing include, but are not limited to, the following: 

(1) to reasonably accommodate the appearance of a witness; 

(2) to ensure that the person has adequate opportunity for preparation and for presentation of evidence and argument; 

(3) to ensure that the person or the agency has adequate opportunity to review, evaluate, and respond to new evidence, or where appropriate, to require that the person or agency review, evaluate, and respond to new evidence; 

(4) to permit the person involved and the agency to negotiate toward resolution of some or all of the issues where both agree that additional time is needed; 

(5) to permit the agency to reconsider a previous action or determination; 

(6) to permit or to require the performance of actions not previously taken; and 

(7) to provide additional time or to permit or require additional activity by the person or agency as the interests of fairness may require. 

(b) Requests for continuances or for rescheduling may be made orally or in writing. The person or agency requesting the continuance or rescheduling must first make reasonable efforts to contact the other participants in the hearing or their representatives and seek to obtain an agreement on the request. Requests for continuance or rescheduling should be made no later than three working days before the scheduled date of the hearing, unless there is a good cause as specified in subdivision 13. Granting a continuance or rescheduling may be conditioned upon a waiver by the requester of applicable time limits but should not cause unreasonable delay. 

Subd. 8.Subpoenas. 
(a) A person involved in a fair hearing or the agency may request a subpoena for a witness, for evidence, or for both. A reasonable number of subpoenas shall be issued to require the attendance and the testimony of witnesses, and the production of evidence relating to any issue of fact in the appeal hearing. The request for a subpoena must show a need for the subpoena and the general relevance to the issues involved. The subpoena shall be issued in the name of the department and shall be served and enforced as provided in section 357.22 and the Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure. 

(b) An individual or entity served with a subpoena may petition the children, youth, and families judge in writing to vacate or modify a subpoena. The children, youth, and families judge shall resolve such a petition in a prehearing conference involving all parties and shall make a written decision. A subpoena may be vacated or modified if the children, youth, and families judge determines that the testimony or evidence sought does not relate with reasonable directness to the issues of the fair hearing appeal; that the subpoena is unreasonable, over broad, or oppressive; that the evidence sought is repetitious or cumulative; or that the subpoena has not been served reasonably in advance of the time when the appeal hearing will be held. 

Subd. 9.No ex parte contact. 
The children, youth, and families judge shall not have ex parte contact on substantive issues with the agency or with any person or witness in a fair hearing appeal. No employee of the department or agency shall review, interfere with, change, or attempt to influence the recommended decision of the children, youth, and families judge in any fair hearing appeal, except through the procedure allowed in subdivision 18. The limitations in this subdivision do not affect the commissioner's authority to review or reconsider decisions or make final decisions. 

Subd. 10.Telephone or face-to-face hearing. 
A fair hearing appeal may be conducted by telephone, by other electronic media, or by an in-person, face-to-face hearing. At the request of the person involved in a fair hearing appeal or their representative, a face-to-face hearing shall be conducted with all participants personally present before the children, youth, and families judge. 

Subd. 11.Hearing facilities and equipment. 
The children, youth, and families judge shall conduct the hearing in the county where the person involved resides, unless an alternate location is mutually agreed upon before the hearing, or unless the person has agreed to a hearing by telephone. Hearings under section 142A.20, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clauses (4) and (5), must be conducted in the county where the determination was made, unless an alternate location is mutually agreed upon before the hearing. The hearing room shall be of sufficient size and layout to adequately accommodate both the number of individuals participating in the hearing and any identified special needs of any individual participating in the hearing. The children, youth, and families judge shall ensure that all communication and recording equipment that is necessary to conduct the hearing and to create an adequate record is present and functioning properly. If any necessary communication or recording equipment fails or ceases to operate effectively, the children, youth, and families judge shall take any steps necessary, including stopping or adjourning the hearing, until the necessary equipment is present and functioning properly. All reasonable efforts shall be undertaken to prevent and avoid any delay in the hearing process caused by defective communication or recording equipment. 

Subd. 12.Interpreter and translation services. 
The children, youth, and families judge has a duty to inquire and to determine whether any participant in the hearing needs the services of an interpreter or translator in order to participate in or to understand the hearing process. Necessary interpreter or translation services must be provided at no charge to the person involved in the hearing. If it appears that interpreter or translation services are needed but are not available for the scheduled hearing, the children, youth, and families judge shall continue or postpone the hearing until appropriate services can be provided. 

Subd. 13.Failure to appear; good cause. 
If a person involved in a fair hearing appeal fails to appear at the hearing, the children, youth, and families judge may dismiss the appeal. The children, youth, and families judge may reopen the appeal if within ten working days after the date of the dismissal the person files information in writing with the children, youth, and families judge to show good cause for not appearing. Good cause can be shown when there is: 

(1) a death or serious illness in the person's family; 

(2) a personal injury or illness that reasonably prevents the person from attending the hearing; 

(3) an emergency, crisis, or unforeseen event that reasonably prevents the person from attending the hearing; 

(4) an obligation or responsibility of the person that a reasonable person, in the conduct of one's affairs, could reasonably determine takes precedence over attending the hearing; 

(5) lack of or failure to receive timely notice of the hearing in the preferred language of the person involved in the hearing; and 

(6) excusable neglect, excusable inadvertence, excusable mistake, or other good cause as determined by the children, youth, and families judge. 

Subd. 14.Commencement of hearing. 
The children, youth, and families judge shall begin each hearing by describing the process to be followed in the hearing, including the swearing in of witnesses, how testimony and evidence are presented, the order of examining and cross-examining witnesses, and the opportunity for an opening statement and a closing statement. The children, youth, and families judge shall identify for the participants the issues to be addressed at the hearing and shall explain to the participants the burden of proof that applies to the person involved and the agency. The children, youth, and families judge shall confirm, prior to proceeding with the hearing, that the state agency appeal summary, if required under subdivision 3, has been properly completed and provided to the person involved in the hearing, and that the person has been provided documents and an opportunity to review the case file, as provided in this section. 

Subd. 15.Conduct of the hearing. 
The children, youth, and families judge shall act in a fair and impartial manner at all times. At the beginning of the hearing the agency must designate one person as their representative who shall be responsible for presenting the agency's evidence and questioning any witnesses. The children, youth, and families judge shall make sure that the person and the agency are provided sufficient time to present testimony and evidence, to confront and cross-examine all adverse witnesses, and to make any relevant statement at the hearing. The children, youth, and families judge shall make reasonable efforts to explain the hearing process to persons who are not represented and shall ensure that the hearing is conducted fairly and efficiently. Upon the reasonable request of the person or the agency involved, the children, youth, and families judge may direct witnesses to remain outside the hearing room, except during their individual testimony. The children, youth, and families judge shall not terminate the hearing before affording the person and the agency a complete opportunity to submit all admissible evidence and reasonable opportunity for oral or written statement. If a hearing lasts longer than anticipated, the hearing shall be rescheduled or continued from day-to-day until completion. Hearings that have been continued shall be timely scheduled to minimize delay in the disposition of the appeal. 

Subd. 16.Scope of issues addressed at the hearing. 
The hearing shall address the correctness and legality of the agency's action and shall not be limited simply to a review of the propriety of the agency's action. The person involved may raise and present evidence on all legal claims or defenses arising under state or federal law as a basis for appealing or disputing an agency action but not constitutional claims beyond the jurisdiction of the fair hearing. The children, youth, and families judge may take official notice of adjudicative facts. 

Subd. 17.Burden of persuasion. 
The burden of persuasion is governed by specific state or federal law and regulations that apply to the subject of the hearing. If there is no specific law, then the participant in the hearing who asserts the truth of a claim is under the burden to persuade the children, youth, and families judge that the claim is true. 

Subd. 18.Inviting comment by department. 
The children, youth, and families judge or the commissioner may determine that a written comment by the department about the policy implications of a specific legal issue could help resolve a pending appeal. Such a written policy comment from the department shall be obtained only by a written request that is also sent to the person involved and to the agency or its representative. When such a written comment is received, both the person involved in the hearing and the agency shall have adequate opportunity to review, evaluate, and respond to the written comment, including submission of additional testimony or evidence, and cross-examination concerning the written comment. 

Subd. 19.Developing the record. 
The children, youth, and families judge shall accept all evidence, except evidence privileged by law, that is commonly accepted by reasonable people in the conduct of their affairs as having probative value on the issues to be addressed at the hearing. Except in fair hearings and appeals under section 142A.20, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clauses (4) and (5), in cases involving medical issues such as a diagnosis, a physician's report, or a review team's decision, the children, youth, and families judge shall consider whether it is necessary to have a medical assessment other than that of the individual making the original decision. When necessary, the children, youth, and families judge shall require an additional assessment be obtained at agency expense and made part of the hearing record. The children, youth, and families judge shall ensure for all cases that the record is sufficiently complete to make a fair and accurate decision. 

Subd. 20.Unrepresented persons. 
In cases involving unrepresented persons, the children, youth, and families judge shall take appropriate steps to identify and develop in the hearing relevant facts necessary for making an informed and fair decision. These steps may include, but are not limited to, asking questions of witnesses and referring the person to a legal services office. An unrepresented person shall be provided an adequate opportunity to respond to testimony or other evidence presented by the agency at the hearing. The children, youth, and families judge shall ensure that an unrepresented person has a full and reasonable opportunity at the hearing to establish a record for appeal. 

Subd. 21.Closing of the record. 
The agency must present its evidence prior to or at the hearing. The agency shall not be permitted to submit evidence after the hearing except by agreement at the hearing between the person involved, the agency, and the children, youth, and families judge. If evidence is submitted after the hearing, based on such an agreement, the person involved and the agency must be allowed sufficient opportunity to respond to the evidence. When necessary, the record shall remain open to permit a person to submit additional evidence on the issues presented at the hearing. 

Subd. 22.Decisions. 
(a) A timely, written decision must be issued in every appeal. Each decision must contain a clear ruling on the issues presented in the appeal hearing and should contain a ruling only on questions directly presented by the appeal and the arguments raised in the appeal. 

(b) A written decision must be issued within 90 days of the date the person involved requested the appeal unless a shorter time is required by law. An additional 30 days is provided in those cases where the commissioner refuses to accept the recommended decision. In appeals of maltreatment determinations or disqualifications filed pursuant to section 142A.20, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (4) or (5), that also give rise to possible licensing actions, the 90-day period for issuing final decisions does not begin until the later of the date that the licensing authority provides notice to the appeals division that the authority has made the final determination in the matter or the date the appellant files the last appeal in the consolidated matters. 

(c) The decision must contain both findings of fact and conclusions of law, clearly separated and identified. The findings of fact must be based on the entire record. Each finding of fact made by the children, youth, and families judge shall be supported by a preponderance of the evidence unless a different standard is required under the regulations of a particular program. The "preponderance of the evidence" means, in light of the record as a whole, the evidence leads the children, youth, and families judge to believe that the finding of fact is more likely to be true than not true. The legal claims or arguments of a participant do not constitute either a finding of fact or a conclusion of law, except to the extent the children, youth, and families judge adopts an argument as a finding of fact or conclusion of law. 

(d) The decision shall contain at least the following: 

(1) a listing of the date and place of the hearing and the participants at the hearing; 

(2) a clear and precise statement of the issues, including the dispute under consideration and the specific points that must be resolved in order to decide the case; 

(3) a listing of the material, including exhibits, records, reports, placed into evidence at the hearing, and upon which the hearing decision is based; 

(4) the findings of fact based upon the entire hearing record. The findings of fact must be adequate to inform the participants and any interested person in the public of the basis of the decision. If the evidence is in conflict on an issue that must be resolved, the findings of fact must state the reasoning used in resolving the conflict; 

(5) conclusions of law that address the legal authority for the hearing and the ruling and give appropriate attention to the claims of the participants to the hearing; 

(6) a clear and precise statement of the decision made resolving the dispute under consideration in the hearing; and 

(7) written notice of the right to appeal to district court or to request reconsideration, and of the actions required and the time limits for taking appropriate action to appeal to district court or to request a reconsideration. 

(e) The children, youth, and families judge shall not independently investigate facts or otherwise rely on information not presented at the hearing. The children, youth, and families judge may not contact other agency personnel, except as provided in subdivision 18. The children, youth, and families judge's recommended decision must be based exclusively on the testimony and evidence presented at the hearing, and legal arguments presented, and the children, youth, and families judge's research and knowledge of the law. 

(f) The commissioner will review the recommended decision and accept or refuse to accept the decision according to section 142A.20, subdivision 5. 

Subd. 23.Refusal to accept recommended orders. 
(a) If the commissioner refuses to accept the recommended order from the children, youth, and families judge, the person involved, the person's attorney or authorized representative, and the agency shall be sent a copy of the recommended order, a detailed explanation of the basis for refusing to accept the recommended order, and the proposed modified order. 

(b) The person involved and the agency shall have at least ten business days to respond to the proposed modification of the recommended order. The person involved and the agency may submit a legal argument concerning the proposed modification, and may propose to submit additional evidence that relates to the proposed modified order. 

Subd. 24.Reconsideration. 
(a) Reconsideration may be requested within 30 days of the date of the commissioner's final order. If reconsideration is requested under section 142A.20, subdivision 5, the other participants in the appeal shall be informed of the request. The person seeking reconsideration has the burden to demonstrate why the matter should be reconsidered. The request for reconsideration may include legal argument and may include proposed additional evidence supporting the request. The other participants shall be sent a copy of all material submitted in support of the request for reconsideration and must be given ten days to respond. 

(b) When the requesting party raises a question as to the appropriateness of the findings of fact, the commissioner shall review the entire record. 

(c) When the requesting party questions the appropriateness of a conclusion of law, the commissioner shall consider the recommended decision, the decision under reconsideration, and the material submitted in connection with the reconsideration. The commissioner shall review the remaining record as necessary to issue a reconsidered decision. 

(d) The commissioner shall issue a written decision on reconsideration in a timely fashion. The decision must clearly inform the parties that this constitutes the final administrative decision, advise the participants of the right to seek judicial review, and the deadline for doing so. 

Subd. 25.Access to appeal decisions. 
Appeal decisions must be maintained in a manner so that the public has ready access to previous decisions on particular topics, subject to appropriate procedures for safeguarding names, personal identifying information, and other private data on the individual persons involved in the appeal. 

Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 1, section 43, subdivision 2
Sec. 43. [142A.27] ADMINISTRATIVE FRAUD DISQUALIFICATION HEARINGS.Subd. 2.Combined hearing. 
The children, youth, and families judge may combine a fair hearing under section 142A.20 and administrative fraud disqualification hearing under this section into a single hearing if the factual issues arise out of the same, or related, circumstances and the individual receives prior notice that the hearings will be combined. If the administrative fraud disqualification hearing and fair hearing are combined, the time frames for administrative fraud disqualification hearings specified in Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 273.16, apply. If the individual accused of wrongfully obtaining assistance is charged under section 142A.25 or 256.98 for the same act or acts that are the subject of the hearing, the individual may request that the hearing be delayed until the criminal charge is decided by the court or withdrawn. 

(b) A human services judge may combine a fair hearing and administrative fraud disqualification hearing pursuant to section 142A.27, subdivision 2, or 256.046, subdivision 2, if either is under the jurisdiction of the commissioner of human services or the commissioner of children, youth, and families. 

Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 2, section 1, subdivision 11
Section 1. [142B.01] DEFINITIONS.Subd. 11.Foster residence setting. 
"Foster residence setting" has the meaning given in Minnesota Rules, part 2960.3010, subpart 26, and includes settings licensed by the commissioner of children, youth, and families or the commissioner of corrections. 

Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 2, section 10, subdivision 4
Sec. 10. [142B.18] SANCTIONS.Subd. 4.Immediate suspension of residential programs. 
For suspensions issued to a licensed residential program as defined in section 142B.01, subdivision 24, the effective date of the order may be delayed for up to 30 calendar days to provide for the continuity of care of service recipients. The license holder must cooperate with the commissioner to ensure service recipients receive continued care during the period of the delay and to facilitate the transition of service recipients to new providers. In these cases, the suspension order takes effect when all service recipients have been transitioned to a new provider or 30 days after the suspension order was issued, whichever comes first. 

Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 2, section 3, subdivision 3
Sec. 3. [142B.03] SYSTEMS AND RECORDS.Subd. 3.First date of working in a setting; documentation requirements. 
Foster residence setting license holders must document the first date that a person who is a background study subject begins working in the license holder's setting. If the license holder does not maintain documentation of each background study subject's first date of working in the setting in the license holder's personnel files, the license holder must provide documentation to the commissioner that contains the first date that each background study subject began working in the license holder's program upon the commissioner's request. 

Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 2, section 33
Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245A.02, subdivision 6e, is amended to read:Subd. 6e.Foster residence setting. 
"Foster residence setting" has the meaning given in Minnesota Rules, part 2960.3010, subpart 26, and includes settings licensed by the commissioner of human services children, youth, and families or the commissioner of corrections. 

Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 2, section 4, subdivision 4
Sec. 4. [142B.05] WHO MUST BE LICENSED.Subd. 4.Licensing moratorium. 
(a) The commissioner shall not issue an initial license for child foster care licensed under Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.3000 to 2960.3340, under this chapter for a physical location that will not be the primary residence of the license holder for the entire period of licensure. If a family child foster care home license is issued during this moratorium and the license holder changes the license holder's primary residence away from the physical location of the foster care license, the commissioner shall revoke the license according to section 142B.18. When approving an exception under this paragraph, the commissioner shall consider the resource need determination process in paragraph (e), the availability of foster care licensed beds in the geographic area in which the licensee seeks to operate, the results of a person's choices during their annual assessment and service plan review, and the recommendation of the local county board. The determination by the commissioner is final and not subject to appeal. Exceptions to the moratorium include: 

(1) foster care licenses replacing foster care licenses in existence on May 15, 2009, and determined to be needed by the commissioner under paragraph (b); and 

(2) new foster care licenses determined to be needed by the commissioner under paragraph (b) for persons requiring hospital-level care. 

(b) The commissioner shall determine the need for newly licensed foster care homes. As part of the determination, the commissioner shall consider the availability of foster care capacity in the area in which the licensee seeks to operate, and the recommendation of the local county board. The determination by the commissioner must be final. A determination of need is not required for a change in ownership at the same address. 

(c) At the time of application and reapplication for licensure, the applicant and the license holder that are subject to the moratorium or an exclusion established in paragraph (a) are required to inform the commissioner whether the physical location where the foster care will be provided is or will be the primary residence of the license holder for the entire period of licensure. If the primary residence of the applicant or license holder changes, the applicant or license holder must notify the commissioner immediately. The commissioner shall print on the foster care license certificate whether or not the physical location is the primary residence of the license holder. 

(d) License holders of foster care homes identified under paragraph (c) that are not the primary residence of the license holder and that also provide services in the foster care home that are covered by a federally approved home and community-based services waiver, as authorized under chapter 256S or section 256B.092 or 256B.49, must inform the children, youth, and families licensing division that the license holder provides or intends to provide these waiver-funded services. 

(e) The commissioner may adjust capacity to address needs identified in section 144A.351. Under this authority, the commissioner may approve new licensed settings or delicense existing settings. Delicensing of settings will be accomplished through a process identified in section 256B.493. 

Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 2, section 69
Sec. 69. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 245A.25, subdivision 1, is amended to read:Subdivision 1.Certification scope and applicability. 
(a) This section establishes the requirements that a children's residential facility or child foster residence setting must meet to be certified for the purposes of Title IV-E funding requirements as: 

(1) a qualified residential treatment program; 

(2) a residential setting specializing in providing care and supportive services for youth who have been or are at risk of becoming victims of sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation; 

(3) a residential setting specializing in providing prenatal, postpartum, or parenting support for youth; or 

(4) a supervised independent living setting for youth who are 18 years of age or older. 

(b) This section does not apply to a foster family setting in which the license holder resides in the foster home. 

(c) Children's residential facilities licensed as detention settings according to Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.0230 to 2960.0290, or secure programs according to Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.0300 to 2960.0420, may not be certified under this section. 

(d) For purposes of this section, "license holder" means an individual, organization, or government entity that was issued a children's residential facility or foster residence setting license by the commissioner of human services under this chapter; by the commissioner of children, youth, and families under chapter 142B; or by the commissioner of corrections under chapter 241. 

(e) Certifications issued under this section for foster residence settings may only be issued by the commissioner of human services and are not delegated to county or private licensing agencies under section 245A.16. 

Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 7, section 3
Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 256J.08, subdivision 32, is amended to read:Subd. 32.Fair hearing or hearing. 
"Fair hearing" or "hearing" means the evidentiary hearing conducted by the department human services of children, youth, and families judge to resolve disputes as specified in section 256J.40, or if not applicable, section 256.045. 

Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 7, section 9
Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 256J.40, is amended to read:256J.40 FAIR HEARINGS.
Caregivers receiving a notice of intent to sanction or a notice of adverse action that includes a sanction, reduction in benefits, suspension of benefits, denial of benefits, or termination of benefits may request a fair hearing. A request for a fair hearing must be submitted in writing to the county agency or to the commissioner and must be mailed within 30 days after a participant or former participant receives written notice of the agency's action or within 90 days when a participant or former participant shows good cause for not submitting the request within 30 days. A former participant who receives a notice of adverse action due to an overpayment may appeal the adverse action according to the requirements in this section. Issues that may be appealed are: 

(1) the amount of the assistance payment; 

(2) a suspension, reduction, denial, or termination of assistance; 

(3) the basis for an overpayment, the calculated amount of an overpayment, and the level of recoupment; 

(4) the eligibility for an assistance payment; and 

(5) the use of protective or vendor payments under section 256J.39, subdivision 2, clauses (1) to (3). 

 A county agency must not reduce, suspend, or terminate payment when an aggrieved participant requests a fair hearing prior to the effective date of the adverse action or within ten days of the mailing of the notice of adverse action, whichever is later, unless the participant requests in writing not to receive continued assistance pending a hearing decision. Assistance issued pending a fair hearing is subject to recovery under section 256P.08 when as a result of the fair hearing decision the participant is determined ineligible for assistance or the amount of the assistance received. A county agency may increase or reduce an assistance payment while an appeal is pending when the circumstances of the participant change and are not related to the issue on appeal. The commissioner's order is binding on a county agency. No additional notice is required to enforce the commissioner's order. 

A county agency shall reimburse appellants for reasonable and necessary expenses of attendance at the hearing, such as child care and transportation costs and for the transportation expenses of the appellant's witnesses and representatives to and from the hearing. Reasonable and necessary expenses do not include legal fees. Fair hearings must be conducted at a reasonable time and date by an impartial human services children, youth, and families judge employed by the department. The hearing may be conducted by telephone or at a site that is readily accessible to persons with disabilities. 

The appellant may introduce new or additional evidence relevant to the issues on appeal. Recommendations of the human services children, youth, and families judge and decisions of the commissioner must be based on evidence in the hearing record and are not limited to a review of the county agency action. 

9502.0425PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT. Subp. 5.Occupancy separations.  
Day care residences with an attached garage must have a self-closing, tight fitting solid wood bonded core door at least 1-3/8 inch thick, or door with a fire protection rating of 20 minutes or greater and a separation wall consisting of 5/8 inch thick gypsum wallboard or its equivalent on the garage side between the residence and garage. 

Subp. 10.Stairways.  
All stairways must meet the following conditions. 

A.
 Stairways of three or more steps must have handrails. 

B.
 Any open area between the handrail and stair tread must be enclosed with a protective guardrail as specified in the State Building Code. The back of the stair risers must be enclosed. 

C.
 Gates or barriers must be used when children between the ages of 6 and 18 months are in care. 

D.
 Stairways must be well-lighted, in good repair, and free of clutter and obstructions. 

9545.0805PERSONNEL. Subpart 1.Supervision by a licensed independent social worker or independent clinical social worker.  
An independent social worker or independent clinical social worker as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 148B.21, must supervise an agency's case work. Supervising an agency's case work includes reviewing and approving each written home study the agency completes on prospective foster parents or applicants to adopt. An agency can meet the supervision requirement by complying with item A, B, C, or D. 

A.
 The agency's chief executive officer is a licensed independent social worker or independent clinical social worker and supervises staff members providing case work. 

B.
 The person who does the case work is licensed as an independent social worker or independent clinical social worker. 

C.
 The agency contracts with a licensed independent social worker or independent clinical social worker to supervise staff members' case work. 

D.
 The agency may retain a supervisor with education or experience comparable to the requirements stated in item A, B, or C if one of the exceptions in Minnesota Statutes, section 148B.28, applies. 

9545.0845PLAN FOR TRANSFER OF RECORDS. 
An applicant for initial or continuing licensure must submit a written plan indicating how the agency will provide for the transfer of records on both open and closed cases if the agency closes. The plan must provide for managing private and confidential information on agency clients, according to Minnesota Statutes, section 259.79. A controlling individual of the agency must sign the plan. 

A.
 Plans for the transfer of open cases and case records must specify arrangements the agency will make to transfer clients to another agency or county for continuation of services and to transfer the case record with the client. 

B.
 Plans for the transfer of closed adoption records must be accompanied by a signed agreement or other documentation indicating that a county or licensed child placing agency has agreed to accept and maintain the agency's closed case records and to provide follow-up services to affected clients. 

9560.0232ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS. Subp. 5.Child mortality review panel. A.
 For purposes of this subpart, "local review panel" means a local multidisciplinary child mortality review panel. 

B.
 Under the commissioner's authority in Minnesota Statutes, section 256.01, subdivision 12, paragraph (b), each county shall establish a local review panel and shall participate on the local review panel. The local agency's child protection team may serve as the local review panel. The local review panel shall require participation by professional representatives, including professionals with knowledge of the child mortality case being reviewed. 

C.
 The local review panel shall: 

(1)
 have access to not public data under Minnesota Statutes, section 256.01, subdivision 12, paragraph (c), maintained by state agencies, statewide systems, or political subdivisions that are related to a child's death or circumstances surrounding the care of the child; 

(2)
 conduct a local review of the case within 60 days of the death of a child if: 

(a)
 the death was caused by maltreatment; 

(b)
 the manner of death was due to sudden infant death syndrome or was other than by natural causes, and the child was a member of a family receiving social services from a local agency, a member of a family that received social services during the year before the child's death, or a member of a family that was the subject of a child protection assessment; or 

(c)
 the death occurred in a facility licensed by the department if the manner of death was by other than natural causes; and 

(3)
 submit a report of the review to the department within 30 days of completing subitem (2). 

A review may be delayed if there is pending litigation or an active assessment or investigation. 

D.
 Under Minnesota Statutes, section 256.01, subdivision 12, paragraph (d): 

(1)
 data acquired by the local review panel in the exercise of its duty is protected nonpublic or confidential data as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 13.02, but may be disclosed as necessary to carry out the purposes of the local review panel. The data is not subject to subpoena or discovery; and 

(2)
 the commissioner may disclose conclusions of the local review panel, but shall not disclose data classified as confidential or private on decedents under Minnesota Statutes, section 13.10, or data classified as private, confidential, or protected nonpublic in the disseminating agency. 

E.
 Persons attending the local review panel meeting, members of the local review panel, persons who presented information to the local review panel, and all data, information, documents, and records pertaining to the local review panel must comply with the requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section 256.01, subdivision 12, paragraph (e). 

F.
 When the department notifies the local agency that a state review will be conducted under Minnesota Statutes, section 256.01, subdivision 12, paragraph (a), the local agency shall submit a copy of the social services file within five working days.