1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to human services; modifying provisions governing children and families 
1.3 	services, mental health services, and operations;amending Minnesota Statutes 
1.4 	2016, sections 13.46, subdivisions 2, 3; 13.461, subdivision 28; 119B.02, 
1.5 	subdivision 6; 144.057, subdivision 1; 245A.02, subdivision 3, by adding a 
1.6 	subdivision; 245A.03, subdivision 3; 245A.04, subdivision 1; 245A.07, subdivisions 
1.7 	1, 3; 245A.08, subdivision 3; 245C.02, subdivisions 5, 13b, by adding subdivisions; 
1.8 	245C.05, subdivisions 1, 5; 245C.08, subdivisions 1, 3; 245C.12; 245C.32, 
1.9 	subdivisions 1a, 2, 3; 245C.33, subdivision 4; 245C.34, subdivision 4; 245D.10, 
1.10 	subdivision 3a; 256.01, subdivisions 18d, 18e; 256.045, subdivisions 3, 4; 256.0451, 
1.11 	subdivisions 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 21; 256.046, subdivision 1; 256.9685, 
1.12 	subdivisions 1, 1a; 256B.064, subdivision 2, by adding subdivisions; 256B.0943, 
1.13 	subdivision 8; 256D.051, subdivisions 1, 1a, 2, 3, 3a, 3b, 6b, 8, 18; 256J.626, 
1.14 	subdivision 5; 256J.751, subdivisions 2, 5, by adding subdivisions; 256P.02, 
1.15 	subdivisions 1, 1a; 259.35, subdivision 1; 259.53, subdivision 4; 259.83, subdivision 
1.16 	1a; 260C.101, by adding a subdivision; 260C.171, subdivision 2; 260C.178, 
1.17 	subdivision 1; 260C.212, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding a subdivision; 260C.219; 
1.18 	260C.503, subdivision 2; 260C.515, subdivision 4; 260C.605, subdivision 1; 
1.19 	260C.607, subdivision 6; 260C.609; 260C.611; 260C.613, subdivision 6; 260C.615, 
1.20 	subdivision 1; 260C.623, subdivision 4; 260C.625; 260C.629, subdivision 2; 
1.21 	393.07, subdivision 10; 518A.41, subdivision 4; 518A.685; 626.556, subdivisions 
1.22 	2, 3, 3c, 3e, 7, 10, 10f, 10m, 11; 626.5561, subdivision 1; 626.558, subdivision 2; 
1.23 	proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 256B; 518; repealing 
1.24 	Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 119B.125, subdivision 8; 256J.751, subdivision 
1.25 	1.
1.26 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.27 	ARTICLE 1
1.28 	CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVICES

1.29 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 13.46, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
1.30 		Subd. 2.General. (a) Data on individuals collected, maintained, used, or disseminated 
1.31 	by the welfare system are private data on individuals, and shall not be disclosed except:
2.1 	(1) according to section 13.05;
2.2 	(2) according to court order;
2.3 	(3) according to a statute specifically authorizing access to the private data;
2.4 	(4) to an agent of the welfare system and an investigator acting on behalf of a county, 
2.5 	the state, or the federal government, including a law enforcement person or attorney in the 
2.6 	investigation or prosecution of a criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding relating to the 
2.7 	administration of a program;
2.8 	(5) to personnel of the welfare system who require the data to verify an individual's 
2.9 	identity; determine eligibility, amount of assistance, and the need to provide services to an 
2.10 	individual or family across programs; coordinate services for an individual or family; 
2.11 	evaluate the effectiveness of programs; assess parental contribution amounts; and investigate 
2.12 	suspected fraud;
2.13 	(6) to administer federal funds or programs;
2.14 	(7) between personnel of the welfare system working in the same program;
2.15 	(8) to the Department of Revenue to assess parental contribution amounts for purposes 
2.16 	of section 252.27, subdivision 2a, administer and evaluate tax refund or tax credit programs 
2.17 	and to identify individuals who may benefit from these programs. The following information 
2.18 	may be disclosed under this paragraph: an individual's and their dependent's names, dates 
2.19 	of birth, Social Security numbers, income, addresses, and other data as required, upon 
2.20 	request by the Department of Revenue. Disclosures by the commissioner of revenue to the 
2.21 	commissioner of human services for the purposes described in this clause are governed by 
2.22 	section 270B.14, subdivision 1. Tax refund or tax credit programs include, but are not limited 
2.23 	to, the dependent care credit under section 290.067, the Minnesota working family credit 
2.24 	under section 290.0671, the property tax refund and rental credit under section 290A.04, 
2.25 	and the Minnesota education credit under section 290.0674;
2.26 	(9) between the Department of Human Services, the Department of Employment and 
2.27 	Economic Development, and when applicable, the Department of Education, for the following 
2.28 	purposes:
2.29 	(i) to monitor the eligibility of the data subject for unemployment benefits, for any 
2.30 	employment or training program administered, supervised, or certified by that agency;
2.31 	(ii) to administer any rehabilitation program or child care assistance program, whether 
2.32 	alone or in conjunction with the welfare system;
3.1 	(iii) to monitor and evaluate the Minnesota family investment program or the child care 
3.2 	assistance program by exchanging data on recipients and former recipients of food support, 
3.3 	cash assistance under chapter 256, 256D, 256J, or 256K, child care assistance under chapter 
3.4 	119B, medical programs under chapter 256B or 256L, or a medical program formerly 
3.5 	codified under chapter 256D; and
3.6 	(iv) to analyze public assistance employment services and program utilization, cost, 
3.7 	effectiveness, and outcomes as implemented under the authority established in Title II, 
3.8 	Sections 201-204 of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. 
3.9 	Health records governed by sections 144.291 to 144.298 and "protected health information" 
3.10 	as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, section 160.103, and governed by Code 
3.11 	of Federal Regulations, title 45, parts 160-164, including health care claims utilization 
3.12 	information, must not be exchanged under this clause;
3.13 	(10) to appropriate parties in connection with an emergency if knowledge of the 
3.14 	information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the individual or other individuals 
3.15 	or persons;
3.16 	(11) data maintained by residential programs as defined in section 245A.02 may be 
3.17 	disclosed to the protection and advocacy system established in this state according to Part 
3.18 	C of Public Law 98-527 to protect the legal and human rights of persons with developmental 
3.19 	disabilities or other related conditions who live in residential facilities for these persons if 
3.20 	the protection and advocacy system receives a complaint by or on behalf of that person and 
3.21 	the person does not have a legal guardian or the state or a designee of the state is the legal 
3.22 	guardian of the person;
3.23 	(12) to the county medical examiner or the county coroner for identifying or locating 
3.24 	relatives or friends of a deceased person;
3.25 	(13) data on a child support obligor who makes payments to the public agency may be 
3.26 	disclosed to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education to the extent necessary to determine 
3.27 	eligibility under section 136A.121, subdivision 2, clause (5);
3.28 	(14) participant Social Security numbers and names collected by the telephone assistance 
3.29 	program may be disclosed to the Department of Revenue to conduct an electronic data 
3.30 	match with the property tax refund database to determine eligibility under section 237.70, 
3.31 	subdivision 4a;
3.32 	(15) the current address of a Minnesota family investment program participant may be 
3.33 	disclosed to law enforcement officers who provide the name of the participant and notify 
3.34 	the agency that:
4.1 	(i) the participant:
4.2 	(A) is a fugitive felon fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody or confinement after 
4.3 	conviction, for a crime or attempt to commit a crime that is a felony under the laws of the 
4.4 	jurisdiction from which the individual is fleeing; or
4.5 	(B) is violating a condition of probation or parole imposed under state or federal law;
4.6 	(ii) the location or apprehension of the felon is within the law enforcement officer's 
4.7 	official duties; and
4.8 	(iii) the request is made in writing and in the proper exercise of those duties;
4.9 	(16) the current address of a recipient of general assistance may be disclosed to probation 
4.10 	officers and corrections agents who are supervising the recipient and to law enforcement 
4.11 	officers who are investigating the recipient in connection with a felony level offense;
4.12 	(17) information obtained from food support applicant or recipient households may be 
4.13 	disclosed to local, state, or federal law enforcement officials, upon their written request, for 
4.14 	the purpose of investigating an alleged violation of the Food Stamp Act, according to Code 
4.15 	of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 272.1(c);
4.16 	(18) the address, Social Security number, and, if available, photograph of any member 
4.17 	of a household receiving food support shall be made available, on request, to a local, state, 
4.18 	or federal law enforcement officer if the officer furnishes the agency with the name of the 
4.19 	member and notifies the agency that:
4.20 	(i) the member:
4.21 	(A) is fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody or confinement after conviction, for a 
4.22 	crime or attempt to commit a crime that is a felony in the jurisdiction the member is fleeing;
4.23 	(B) is violating a condition of probation or parole imposed under state or federal law; 
4.24 	or
4.25 	(C) has information that is necessary for the officer to conduct an official duty related 
4.26 	to conduct described in subitem (A) or (B);
4.27 	(ii) locating or apprehending the member is within the officer's official duties; and
4.28 	(iii) the request is made in writing and in the proper exercise of the officer's official duty;
4.29 	(19) the current address of a recipient of Minnesota family investment program, general 
4.30 	assistance, or food support may be disclosed to law enforcement officers who, in writing, 
4.31 	provide the name of the recipient and notify the agency that the recipient is a person required 
5.1 	to register under section 243.166, but is not residing at the address at which the recipient is 
5.2 	registered under section 243.166;
5.3 	(20) certain information regarding child support obligors who are in arrears may be 
5.4 	made public according to section 518A.74;
5.5 	(21) data on child support payments made by a child support obligor and data on the 
5.6 	distribution of those payments excluding identifying information on obligees may be 
5.7 	disclosed to all obligees to whom the obligor owes support, and data on the enforcement 
5.8 	actions undertaken by the public authority, the status of those actions, and data on the income 
5.9 	of the obligor or obligee may be disclosed to the other party;
5.10 	(22) data in the work reporting system may be disclosed under section 256.998, 
5.11 	subdivision 7;
5.12 	(23) to the Department of Education for the purpose of matching Department of Education 
5.13 	student data with public assistance data to determine students eligible for free and 
5.14 	reduced-price meals, meal supplements, and free milk according to United States Code, 
5.15 	title 42, sections 1758, 1761, 1766, 1766a, 1772, and 1773; to allocate federal and state 
5.16 	funds that are distributed based on income of the student's family; and to verify receipt of 
5.17 	energy assistance for the telephone assistance plan;
5.18 	(24) the current address and telephone number of program recipients and emergency 
5.19 	contacts may be released to the commissioner of health or a community health board as 
5.20 	defined in section 145A.02, subdivision 5, when the commissioner or community health 
5.21 	board has reason to believe that a program recipient is a disease case, carrier, suspect case, 
5.22 	or at risk of illness, and the data are necessary to locate the person;
5.23 	(25) to other state agencies, statewide systems, and political subdivisions of this state, 
5.24 	including the attorney general, and agencies of other states, interstate information networks, 
5.25 	federal agencies, and other entities as required by federal regulation or law for the 
5.26 	administration of the child support enforcement program;
5.27 	(26) to personnel of public assistance programs as defined in section 256.741, for access 
5.28 	to the child support system database for the purpose of administration, including monitoring 
5.29 	and evaluation of those public assistance programs;
5.30 	(27) to monitor and evaluate the Minnesota family investment program by exchanging 
5.31 	data between the Departments of Human Services and Education, on recipients and former 
5.32 	recipients of food support, cash assistance under chapter 256, 256D, 256J, or 256K, child 
6.1 	care assistance under chapter 119B, medical programs under chapter 256B or 256L, or a 
6.2 	medical program formerly codified under chapter 256D;
6.3 	(28) to evaluate child support program performance and to identify and prevent fraud 
6.4 	in the child support program by exchanging data between the Department of Human Services, 
6.5 	Department of Revenue under section 270B.14, subdivision 1, paragraphs (a) and (b), 
6.6 	without regard to the limitation of use in paragraph (c), Department of Health, Department 
6.7 	of Employment and Economic Development, and other state agencies as is reasonably 
6.8 	necessary to perform these functions;
6.9 	(29) counties and the Department of Human Services operating child care assistance 
6.10 	programs under chapter 119B may disseminate data on program participants, applicants, 
6.11 	and providers to the commissioner of education;
6.12 	(30) child support data on the child, the parents, and relatives of the child may be 
6.13 	disclosed to agencies administering programs under titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social 
6.14 	Security Act, as authorized by federal law; or
6.15 	(31) to a health care provider governed by sections 144.291 to 144.298, to the extent 
6.16 	necessary to coordinate services.; or
6.17 	(32) to the Department of Education for the purpose of matching Department of Education 
6.18 	student data with public assistance data to determine students eligible for early learning 
6.19 	scholarships.
6.20 	(b) Information on persons who have been treated for drug or alcohol abuse may only 
6.21 	be disclosed according to the requirements of Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, sections 
6.22 	2.1 to 2.67.
6.23 	(c) Data provided to law enforcement agencies under paragraph (a), clause (15), (16), 
6.24 	(17), or (18), or paragraph (b), are investigative data and are confidential or protected 
6.25 	nonpublic while the investigation is active. The data are private after the investigation 
6.26 	becomes inactive under section 13.82, subdivision 5, paragraph (a) or (b).
6.27 	(d) Mental health data shall be treated as provided in subdivisions 7, 8, and 9, but are 
6.28 	not subject to the access provisions of subdivision 10, paragraph (b).
6.29 	For the purposes of this subdivision, a request will be deemed to be made in writing if 
6.30 	made through a computer interface system.

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

7.1 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 13.461, subdivision 28, is amended to read:
7.2 		Subd. 28.Child care assistance program. Data collected, maintained, used, or 
7.3 	disseminated by the welfare system pertaining to persons selected as legal nonlicensed child 
7.4 	care providers by families receiving child care assistance are classified under section 119B.02, 
7.5 	subdivision 6, paragraph (a). Child care assistance program payment data is classified under 
7.6 	section 119B.02, subdivision 6, paragraph (b).

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

7.8 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 119B.02, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
7.9 		Subd. 6.Data. (a) Data collected, maintained, used, or disseminated by the welfare 
7.10 	system pertaining to persons selected as legal nonlicensed child care providers by families 
7.11 	receiving child care assistance shall be treated as licensing data as provided in section 13.46, 
7.12 	subdivision 4.
7.13 	(b) For purposes of this paragraph, "payment data" means data showing that a child care 
7.14 	assistance program payment under this chapter was made and the amount of child care 
7.15 	assistance payments made to a child care center for a specified time period. Payment data 
7.16 	may include the number of families and children on whose behalf payments were made for 
7.17 	the specified time period. Any payment data that may identify a specific child care assistance  
7.18 	recipient or benefit paid on behalf of a specific child care assistance recipient, as determined 
7.19 	by the commissioner, is private data on individuals. Data related to a child care assistance 
7.20 	payment is public:
7.21 	(1) when the data relates to a child care assistance payment made to a licensed child care 
7.22 	center or a child care center exempt from licensure; and
7.23 	(2) when the commissioner or county agency either:
7.24 	(i) disqualified the center from receipt of a payment from the child care assistance 
7.25 	program under this chapter for wrongfully obtaining child care assistance under section 
7.26 	256.98, subdivision 8, paragraph (c);
7.27 	(ii) refused a child care authorization, revoked a child care authorization, stopped 
7.28 	payment, or denied payment for a bill for the center under section 119B.13, subdivision 6, 
7.29 	paragraph (d); or
7.30 	(iii) made a finding of financial misconduct under section 245E.02.

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

8.1 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256D.051, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
8.2 		Subdivision 1.Food stamp employment and training program. The commissioner 
8.3 	shall implement a food stamp employment and training program in order to meet the food 
8.4 	stamp employment and training participation requirements of the United States Department 
8.5 	of Agriculture. Unless exempt under subdivision 3a, each adult recipient in the unit must 
8.6 	participate in the food stamp employment and training program each month that the person 
8.7 	is eligible for food stamps. The person's participation in food stamp employment and training 
8.8 	services must begin no later than the first day of the calendar month following the 
8.9 	determination of eligibility for food stamps. With the county agency's consent, and To the 
8.10 	extent of available resources, the person a recipient may voluntarily continue volunteer to 
8.11 	participate in food stamp employment and training services for up to three additional 
8.12 	consecutive months immediately following termination of food stamp benefits in order to 
8.13 	complete the provisions of the person's employability development plan. A recipient who 
8.14 	volunteers for employment and training services is subject to the work requirements in Code 
8.15 	of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 273.7.

8.16 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2017.

8.17 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256D.051, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
8.18 		Subd. 1a.Notices and sanctions. (a) At the time the county agency notifies the household 
8.19 	that it is eligible for food stamps, the county agency must inform all mandatory employment 
8.20 	and training services participants as identified in subdivision 1 in the household that they 
8.21 	must comply with all food stamp employment and training program requirements each 
8.22 	month, including the requirement to attend an initial orientation to the food stamp 
8.23 	employment and training program and that food stamp eligibility will end unless the 
8.24 	participants comply with the requirements specified in the notice an adult of the opportunity 
8.25 	to volunteer for and participate in SNAP employment and training activities, provide plain 
8.26 	language material that explains the benefits of voluntary participation, and provide the name 
8.27 	and address of the county's designated employment and training service provider.
8.28 	(b) A participant who fails without good cause to comply with food stamp employment 
8.29 	and training program requirements of this section, including attendance at orientation, will 
8.30 	lose food stamp eligibility for the following periods: The county must inform each recipient 
8.31 	who is an able-bodied adult without dependents that the recipient's SNAP benefits are limited 
8.32 	to three months in a 36-month period from the first full month of application unless the 
8.33 	recipient meets the work requirements in Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 273.7.
9.1 	(1) for the first occurrence, for one month or until the person complies with the 
9.2 	requirements not previously complied with, whichever is longer;
9.3 	(2) for the second occurrence, for three months or until the person complies with the 
9.4 	requirements not previously complied with, whichever is longer; or
9.5 	(3) for the third and any subsequent occurrence, for six months or until the person 
9.6 	complies with the requirements not previously complied with, whichever is longer.
9.7 	If the participant is not the food stamp head of household, the person shall be considered 
9.8 	an ineligible household member for food stamp purposes. If the participant is the food stamp 
9.9 	head of household, the entire household is ineligible for food stamps as provided in Code 
9.10 	of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 273.7(g). "Good cause" means circumstances beyond 
9.11 	the control of the participant, such as illness or injury, illness or injury of another household 
9.12 	member requiring the participant's presence, a household emergency, or the inability to 
9.13 	obtain child care for children between the ages of six and 12 or to obtain transportation 
9.14 	needed in order for the participant to meet the food stamp employment and training program 
9.15 	participation requirements.
9.16 	(c) The county agency shall mail or hand deliver a notice to the participant not later than 
9.17 	five days after determining that the participant has failed without good cause to comply 
9.18 	with food stamp employment and training program requirements which specifies the 
9.19 	requirements that were not complied with, the factual basis for the determination of 
9.20 	noncompliance, and the right to reinstate eligibility upon a showing of good cause for failure 
9.21 	to meet the requirements. The notice must ask the reason for the noncompliance and identify 
9.22 	the participant's appeal rights. The notice must request that the participant inform the county 
9.23 	agency if the participant believes that good cause existed for the failure to comply and must 
9.24 	state that the county agency intends to terminate eligibility for food stamp benefits due to 
9.25 	failure to comply with food stamp employment and training program requirements.
9.26 	(d) If the county agency determines that the participant did not comply during the month 
9.27 	with all food stamp employment and training program requirements that were in effect, and 
9.28 	if the county agency determines that good cause was not present, the county must provide 
9.29 	a ten-day notice of termination of food stamp benefits. The amount of food stamps that are 
9.30 	withheld from the household and determination of the impact of the sanction on other 
9.31 	household members is governed by Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 273.7.
9.32 	(e) The participant may appeal the termination of food stamp benefits under the provisions 
9.33 	of section 256.045.

9.34 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2017.

10.1 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256D.051, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
10.2 		Subd. 2.County agency duties. (a) The county agency shall provide to food stamp 
10.3 	recipients a food stamp employment and training program. The program must include:
10.4 	(1) orientation to the food stamp employment and training program;
10.5 	(2) an individualized employability assessment and an individualized employability 
10.6 	development plan that includes assessment of literacy, ability to communicate in the English 
10.7 	language, educational and employment history, and that estimates the length of time it will 
10.8 	take the participant to obtain employment. The employability assessment and development 
10.9 	plan must be completed in consultation with the participant, must assess the participant's 
10.10 	assets, barriers, and strengths, and must identify steps necessary to overcome barriers to 
10.11 	employment. A copy of the employability development plan must be provided to the 
10.12 	registrant;
10.13 	(3) referral to available accredited remedial or skills training or career pathways programs 
10.14 	designed to address participant's barriers to employment;
10.15 	(4) referral to available programs that provide subsidized or unsubsidized employment 
10.16 	as necessary;
10.17 	(5) a job search program, including job seeking skills training; and
10.18 	(6) other activities, to the extent of available resources designed by the county agency 
10.19 	to prepare the participant for permanent employment.
10.20 	In order to allow time for job search, the county agency may not require an individual 
10.21 	to participate in the food stamp employment and training program for more than 32 hours 
10.22 	a week. The county agency shall require an individual to spend at least eight hours a week 
10.23 	in job search or other food stamp employment and training program activities.
10.24 	(b) The county agency shall prepare an annual plan for the operation of its food stamp 
10.25 	employment and training program. The plan must be submitted to and approved by the 
10.26 	commissioner of employment and economic development. The plan must include:
10.27 	(1) a description of the services to be offered by the county agency;
10.28 	(2) a plan to coordinate the activities of all public entities and private nonprofit entities 
10.29 	providing employment-related services in order to avoid duplication of effort and to provide
10.30 	a wide range of allowable activities and services more efficiently;
10.31 	(3) a description of the factors that will be taken into account when determining a client's 
10.32 	employability development plan; and
11.1 	(4) provisions to ensure that the a county agency's employment and training service 
11.2 	provider provides each recipient with an orientation, employability assessment, and 
11.3 	employability development plan as specified in paragraph (a), clauses (1) and (2), within 
11.4 	30 days of the recipient's eligibility for assistance request to participate in employment and 
11.5 	training.

11.6 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2017.

11.7 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256D.051, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
11.8 		Subd. 3.Participant duties. In order to receive food stamp assistance employment and 
11.9 	training services, a registrant participant who volunteers shall: (1) cooperate with the county 
11.10 	agency in all aspects of the food stamp employment and training program; and (2) accept 
11.11 	any suitable employment, including employment offered through the Job Training Partnership 
11.12 	Act, and other employment and training options; and (3) participate in food stamp 
11.13 	employment and training activities assigned by the county agency. The county agency may 
11.14 	terminate employment and training assistance to a registrant voluntary participant who fails 
11.15 	to cooperate in the food stamp employment and training program, as provided in subdivision 
11.16 	1a unless good cause is provided.

11.17 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2017.

11.18 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256D.051, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:
11.19 		Subd. 3a.Requirement to register work. (a) To the extent required under Code of 
11.20 	Federal Regulations, title 7, section 273.7(a), each applicant for and recipient of food stamps 
11.21 	is required to register for work as a condition of eligibility for food stamp benefits. Applicants 
11.22 	and recipients are registered by signing an application or annual reapplication for food 
11.23 	stamps, and must be informed that they are registering for work by signing the form.
11.24 	(b) The commissioner shall determine, within federal requirements, persons required to 
11.25 	participate in the food stamp employment and training (FSET) program.
11.26 	(c) The following food stamp recipients are exempt from mandatory participation in 
11.27 	food stamp employment and training services:
11.28 	(1) recipients of benefits under the Minnesota family investment program, Minnesota 
11.29 	supplemental aid program, or the general assistance program;
11.30 	(2) a child;
11.31 	(3) a recipient over age 55;
12.1 	(4) a recipient who has a mental or physical illness, injury, or incapacity which is expected 
12.2 	to continue for at least 30 days and which impairs the recipient's ability to obtain or retain 
12.3 	employment as evidenced by professional certification or the receipt of temporary or 
12.4 	permanent disability benefits issued by a private or government source;
12.5 	(5) a parent or other household member responsible for the care of either a dependent 
12.6 	child in the household who is under age six or a person in the household who is professionally 
12.7 	certified as having a physical or mental illness, injury, or incapacity. Only one parent or 
12.8 	other household member may claim exemption under this provision;
12.9 	(6) a recipient receiving unemployment insurance or who has applied for unemployment 
12.10 	insurance and has been required to register for work with the Department of Employment 
12.11 	and Economic Development as part of the unemployment insurance application process;
12.12 	(7) a recipient participating each week in a drug addiction or alcohol abuse treatment 
12.13 	and rehabilitation program, provided the operators of the treatment and rehabilitation 
12.14 	program, in consultation with the county agency, recommend that the recipient not participate 
12.15 	in the food stamp employment and training program;
12.16 	(8) a recipient employed or self-employed for 30 or more hours per week at employment 
12.17 	paying at least minimum wage, or who earns wages from employment equal to or exceeding 
12.18 	30 hours multiplied by the federal minimum wage; or
12.19 	(9) a student enrolled at least half time in any school, training program, or institution of 
12.20 	higher education. When determining if a student meets this criteria, the school's, program's 
12.21 	or institution's criteria for being enrolled half time shall be used.

12.22 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2017.

12.23 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256D.051, subdivision 3b, is amended to read:
12.24 		Subd. 3b.Orientation. The county agency or its employment and training service 
12.25 	provider providers must provide an orientation to food stamp employment and training 
12.26 	services to each nonexempt food stamp recipient within 30 days of the date that food stamp 
12.27 	eligibility is determined the recipient agreed to volunteer. The orientation must inform the 
12.28 	participant of the requirement to participate benefits of participating in services, the date, 
12.29 	time, and address to report to for services, the name and telephone number of the food stamp 
12.30 	employment and training service provider, the consequences for failure without good cause 
12.31 	to comply, the services and support services available through food stamp employment and 
12.32 	training services and other providers of similar services, and must encourage the participant 
12.33 	to view the food stamp program as a temporary means of supplementing the family's food 
13.1 	needs until the family achieves self-sufficiency through employment. The orientation may 
13.2 	be provided through audio-visual methods, but the participant must have the opportunity 
13.3 	for face-to-face interaction with county agency staff.

13.4 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2017.

13.5 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256D.051, subdivision 6b, is amended to read:
13.6 		Subd. 6b.Federal reimbursement. (a) Federal financial participation from the United 
13.7 	States Department of Agriculture for food stamp employment and training expenditures 
13.8 	that are eligible for reimbursement through the food stamp employment and training program 
13.9 	are dedicated funds and are annually appropriated to the commissioner of human services 
13.10 	for the operation of the food stamp employment and training program.
13.11 	(b) The appropriation must be used for skill attainment through employment, training, 
13.12 	and support services for food stamp participants. By February 15, 2017, the commissioner 
13.13 	shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees having 
13.14 	jurisdiction over the food stamp employment and training program on the progress of 
13.15 	securing additional federal reimbursement dollars under this program.
13.16 	(c) Federal financial participation for the nonstate portion of food stamp employment 
13.17 	and training costs must be paid to the county agency or service provider that incurred the 
13.18 	costs at a rate to be determined by the Departments of Human Services and Employment 
13.19 	and Economic Development.

13.20 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2017.

13.21 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256D.051, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
13.22 		Subd. 8.Voluntary quit. A person who is required to participate in food stamp 
13.23 	employment and training services is not eligible for food stamps if, without good cause, the 
13.24 	person refuses a legitimate offer of, or quits, suitable employment within 60 30 days before 
13.25 	the date of application. A person who is required to participate in food stamp employment 
13.26 	and training services and, without good cause, voluntarily quits suitable employment or 
13.27 	refuses a legitimate offer of suitable employment while receiving food stamps shall be 
13.28 	terminated from the food stamp program as specified in subdivision 1a.

13.29 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2017.

14.1 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256D.051, subdivision 18, is amended to read:
14.2 		Subd. 18.Work experience placements. (a) To the extent of available resources, each 
14.3 	county agency must may establish and operate a work experience component in the food 
14.4 	stamp employment and training program for recipients who are subject to a federal limit of 
14.5 	three months of food stamp eligibility in any 36-month period. The purpose of the work 
14.6 	experience component is to enhance the participant's employability, self-sufficiency, and 
14.7 	to provide meaningful, productive work activities.
14.8 	(b) The commissioner shall assist counties in the design and implementation of these 
14.9 	components. The commissioner must ensure that job placements under a work experience 
14.10 	component comply with section 256J.72. Written or oral concurrence with job duties of 
14.11 	persons placed under the community work experience program shall be obtained from the 
14.12 	appropriate exclusive bargaining representative.
14.13 	(c) Worksites developed under this section are limited to projects that serve a useful 
14.14 	public service such as health, social service, environmental protection, education, urban 
14.15 	and rural development and redevelopment, welfare, recreation, public facilities, public 
14.16 	safety, community service, services to aged or disabled citizens, and child care. To the 
14.17 	extent possible, the prior training, skills, and experience of a recipient must be used in 
14.18 	making appropriate work experience assignments.
14.19 	(d) Structured, supervised volunteer uncompensated work with an agency or organization 
14.20 	that is monitored by the county service provider may, with the approval of the county agency, 
14.21 	be used as a work experience placement.
14.22 	(e) As a condition of placing a person receiving food stamps in a program under this 
14.23 	subdivision, the county agency shall first provide the recipient the opportunity:
14.24 	(1) for placement in suitable subsidized or unsubsidized employment through participation 
14.25 	in job search under section 256D.051; or
14.26 	(2) for placement in suitable employment through participation in on-the-job training a 
14.27 	paid work experience, if such employment is available.; or
14.28 	(3) for placement in an educational program designed to increase job skills and 
14.29 	employability.
14.30 	(f) The county agency shall limit the maximum monthly number of hours that any 
14.31 	participant may work in a work experience placement to a number equal to the amount of 
14.32 	the family's monthly food stamp allotment divided by the greater of the federal minimum 
14.33 	wage or the applicable state minimum wage.
15.1 	After a participant has been assigned to a position for nine months, the participant may 
15.2 	not continue in that assignment unless the maximum number of hours a participant works 
15.3 	is no greater than the amount of the food stamp benefit divided by the rate of pay for 
15.4 	individuals employed in the same or similar occupations by the same employer at the same 
15.5 	site.
15.6 	(g) The participant's employability development plan must include the length of time 
15.7 	needed in the work experience program, the need to continue job seeking activities while 
15.8 	participating in work experience, and the participant's employment goals.
15.9 	(h) After each six months of a recipient's participation in a work experience job placement, 
15.10 	and at the conclusion of each work experience assignment under this section, the county 
15.11 	agency shall reassess and revise, as appropriate, the participant's employability development 
15.12 	plan.
15.13 	(i) A participant has good cause for failure to cooperate with a work experience job 
15.14 	placement if, in the judgment of the employment and training service provider, the reason 
15.15 	for failure is reasonable and justified. Good cause for purposes of this section is defined in 
15.16 	subdivision 1a, paragraph (b).
15.17 	(j) A recipient who has failed without good cause to participate in or comply with the 
15.18 	work experience job placement shall be terminated from participation in work experience 
15.19 	job activities. If the recipient is not exempt from mandatory food stamp employment and 
15.20 	training program participation under subdivision 3a, the recipient will be assigned to other 
15.21 	mandatory program activities. If the recipient is exempt from mandatory participation but 
15.22 	is participating as a volunteer, the person shall be terminated from the food stamp 
15.23 	employment and training program.

15.24 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective October 1, 2017.

15.25 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256J.626, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
15.26 		Subd. 5.Innovation projects. Beginning January 1, 2005, no more than $3,000,000 of 
15.27 	the funds annually appropriated to the commissioner for use in the consolidated fund shall 
15.28 	be available to the commissioner to reward high-performing counties and tribes, support 
15.29 	promising practices, and test innovative approaches to improving outcomes, and to provide 
15.30 	for evaluation of projects, promising practices, and innovative approaches for MFIP 
15.31 	participants, family stabilization services participants, and persons at risk of receiving MFIP 
15.32 	as detailed in subdivision 3. Project funds may be targeted to geographic areas with poor 
16.1 	outcomes as specified in section 256J.751, subdivision 5, or to subgroups within the MFIP 
16.2 	case load who are experiencing poor outcomes.

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

16.4 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256J.751, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
16.5 		Subd. 2.Quarterly comparison report TANF work participation rates. (a) The 
16.6 	commissioner shall report quarterly to all counties on each county's performance on the 
16.7 	following measures:
16.8 	(1) percent of MFIP caseload working in paid employment;
16.9 	(2) percent of MFIP caseload receiving only the food portion of assistance;
16.10 	(3) number of MFIP cases that have left assistance;
16.11 	(4) median placement wage rate;
16.12 	(5) caseload by months of TANF assistance;
16.13 	(6) percent of MFIP and diversionary work program (DWP) cases off cash assistance 
16.14 	or working 30 or more hours per week at one-year, two-year, and three-year follow-up 
16.15 	points from a baseline quarter. This measure is called the self-support index. The 
16.16 	commissioner shall report quarterly an expected range of performance for each county, 
16.17 	county grouping, and tribe on the self-support index. The expected range shall be derived 
16.18 	by a statistical methodology developed by the commissioner in consultation with the counties 
16.19 	and tribes. The statistical methodology shall control differences across counties in economic 
16.20 	conditions and demographics of the MFIP and DWP case load; and
16.21 	(7) the TANF work participation rate, defined as the participation requirements specified 
16.22 	under Public Law 109-171, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.
16.23 	(b) The commissioner shall not apply the limits on vocational educational training and 
16.24 	education activities under Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, section 261.33(c), when 
16.25 	determining TANF work participation rates for individual counties under this subdivision.

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

16.27 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256J.751, is amended by adding a subdivision 
16.28 	to read:
16.29 		Subd. 2a.Comparison reports. The commissioner, in cooperation with counties, tribes, 
16.30 	and employment services agencies, shall develop and provide monthly and quarterly reports 
17.1 	to all counties, tribes, and employment service agencies on each county's and tribe's 
17.2 	performance, including work participation rate and racial and geographic data that measures 
17.3 	disparities within MFIP.

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

17.5 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256J.751, is amended by adding a subdivision 
17.6 	to read:
17.7 		Subd. 4a.Self-support index. The self-support index is the percentage of MFIP and 
17.8 	diversionary work program (DWP) cases off cash assistance or working 30 hours or more 
17.9 	per week at one-, two-, and three-year follow-up points from a baseline quarter. The 
17.10 	commissioner shall report quarterly an expected range of performance for each county, 
17.11 	county grouping, and tribe on the self-support index. The expected range shall be based on 
17.12 	a statistical methodology developed by the commissioner in consultation with the counties 
17.13 	and tribes. The statistical methodology shall control differences across counties in economic 
17.14 	conditions and demographics of the MFIP and DWP caseload.

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

17.16 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256J.751, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
17.17 		Subd. 5.Failure to meet federal performance standards. (a) If sanctions occur for 
17.18 	failure to meet the performance standards specified in title 1 of Public Law 104-193 of the 
17.19 	Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996, and under Public Law 109-171, 
17.20 	the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, the state shall pay 88 percent of the sanction. The 
17.21 	remaining 12 percent of the sanction will be paid by the counties. The county portion of the 
17.22 	sanction will be distributed across all counties in proportion to each county's percentage of 
17.23 	the MFIP average monthly caseload during the period for which the sanction was applied.
17.24 	(b) If a county fails to meet the performance standards specified in title 1 of Public Law 
17.25 	104-193 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996, and Public Law 
17.26 	109-171, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, for any year, the commissioner shall work with 
17.27 	counties to organize a joint state-county technical assistance team to work with the county. 
17.28 	The commissioner shall coordinate any technical assistance with other departments and 
17.29 	agencies including the Departments of Employment and Economic Development and 
17.30 	Education as necessary to achieve the purpose of this paragraph.
17.31 	(c) For state performance measures, a low-performing county is one that:
18.1 	(1) performs below the bottom of their expected range for the measure in subdivision 
18.2 	2, clause (6), 5 in an annualized measurement reported in October of each year; or
18.3 	(2) performs below 40 percent for the measure in subdivision 2, clause (7) TANF work 
18.4 	participation rate, as averaged across the four quarterly measurements for the year, or the 
18.5 	ten counties with the lowest rates if more than ten are below 40 percent.
18.6 	(d) Low-performing counties under paragraph (c) must engage in corrective action 
18.7 	planning as defined by the commissioner. The commissioner may coordinate technical 
18.8 	assistance as specified in paragraph (b) for low-performing counties under paragraph (c).

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

18.10 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256P.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
18.11 		Subdivision 1.Property ownership. (a) The agency must apply paragraphs (b) to (e) 
18.12 	to determine the value of personal property. The agency must use the equity value of legally 
18.13 	available personal property to determine whether an applicant or participant is eligible for 
18.14 	assistance.
18.15 	(b) When personal property is jointly owned by two or more persons, the agency shall 
18.16 	assume that each person owns an equal share, except that either person owns the entire sum 
18.17 	of a joint personal checking or savings account. When an applicant or participant documents 
18.18 	greater or lesser ownership, the agency must use that greater or lesser share to determine 
18.19 	the equity value held by the applicant or participant. Other types of ownership must be 
18.20 	evaluated according to law.
18.21 	(c) Personal property owned by the applicant or participant must be presumed legally 
18.22 	available to the applicant or participant unless the applicant or participant documents that 
18.23 	the property is not legally available to the applicant or participant. When personal property 
18.24 	is not legally available, its equity value must not be applied against the limits of subdivision 
18.25 	2.
18.26 	(d) An applicant must disclose whether the applicant has transferred personal property 
18.27 	valued in excess of the property limits in subdivision 2 for which reasonable compensation 
18.28 	was not received within one year prior to application. A participant must disclose all transfers 
18.29 	of property valued in excess of these limits, according to the reporting requirements in 
18.30 	section 256J.30, subdivision 9. When a transfer of personal property without reasonable 
18.31 	compensation has occurred:
19.1 	(1) the person who transferred the property must provide the property's description, 
19.2 	information needed to determine the property's equity value, the names of the persons who 
19.3 	received the property, and the circumstances of and reasons for the transfer; and
19.4 	(2) when the transferred property can be reasonably reacquired, or when reasonable 
19.5 	compensation can be secured, the property is presumed legally available to the applicant or 
19.6 	participant.
19.7 	(e) A participant may build the equity value of personal property to the limits in 
19.8 	subdivision 2.
19.9 	(f) Any lump sum payment that remains in the third month after the month of receipt is 
19.10 	counted in the asset limit.

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

19.12 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256P.02, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
19.13 		Subd. 1a.Exemption. Participants who qualify for child care assistance programs under 
19.14 	chapter 119B and funds under chapter 256Q are exempt from this section.

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

19.16 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 259.35, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
19.17 		Subdivision 1.Parental responsibilities. Prior to commencing an investigation of the 
19.18 	suitability of proposed adoptive parents, a child-placing agency shall give the individuals 
19.19 	the following written notice in all capital letters at least one-eighth inch high:
19.20 	"Minnesota Statutes, section 259.59, provides that upon legally adopting a child, adoptive 
19.21 	parents assume all the rights and responsibilities of birth parents. The responsibilities include 
19.22 	providing for the child's financial support and caring for health, emotional, and behavioral 
19.23 	problems. Except for subsidized adoptions under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 259A 256N, 
19.24 	or any other provisions of law that expressly apply to adoptive parents and children, adoptive 
19.25 	parents are not eligible for state or federal financial subsidies besides those that a birth 
19.26 	parent would be eligible to receive for a child. Adoptive parents may not terminate their 
19.27 	parental rights to a legally adopted child for a reason that would not apply to a birth parent 
19.28 	seeking to terminate rights to a child. An individual who takes guardianship of a child for 
19.29 	the purpose of adopting the child shall, upon taking guardianship from the child's country 
19.30 	of origin, assume all the rights and responsibilities of birth and adoptive parents as stated 
19.31 	in this paragraph."

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

20.2 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 259.53, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
20.3 		Subd. 4.Preadoption residence. No petition shall be granted under this chapter until 
20.4 	the child shall have lived three months in the proposed home, subject to a right of visitation 
20.5 	by the commissioner or an agency or their authorized representatives.

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

20.7 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 259.83, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
20.8 		Subd. 1a.Social and medical history. (a) If a person aged 19 years and over who was 
20.9 	adopted on or after August 1, 1994, or the adoptive parent requests the detailed nonidentifying 
20.10 	social and medical history of the adopted person's birth family that was provided at the time 
20.11 	of the adoption, agencies must provide the information to the adopted person or adoptive 
20.12 	parent on the applicable form required under section sections259.43 and 260C.611.
20.13 	(b) If an adopted person aged 19 years and over or the adoptive parent requests the 
20.14 	agency to contact the adopted person's birth parents to request current nonidentifying social 
20.15 	and medical history of the adopted person's birth family, agencies must use the applicable 
20.16 	form required under section sections259.43 and 260C.611 when obtaining the information 
20.17 	for the adopted person or adoptive parent.

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

20.19 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 260C.101, is amended by adding a subdivision 
20.20 	to read:
20.21 		Subd. 6.Provisions inapplicable to a child in foster care. If the court orders a child 
20.22 	placed under the protective care or legal custody of the responsible social services agency 
20.23 	pursuant to section 260C.151, subdivision 6; 260C.178; or 260C.201, then the provisions 
20.24 	of section 524.5-211 and chapter 257B have no force and effect and any delegation of power 
20.25 	by parent or guardian or designation of standby custodian are terminated by the court's 
20.26 	order.

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

20.28 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 260C.171, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
20.29 		Subd. 2.Public inspection of records. (a) The records from proceedings or portions of 
20.30 	proceedings involving a child in need of protection or services, permanency, or termination 
21.1 	of parental rights are accessible to the public as authorized by the Minnesota Rules of 
21.2 	Juvenile Protection Procedure, except that the court shall maintain the confidentiality of a 
21.3 	child's education, physical health, and mental health records or information. A petition filed 
21.4 	alleging a child to be habitually truant under section 260C.007, subdivision 6, clause (14), 
21.5 	shall not be considered a record or information of the child's education. The court shall 
21.6 	maintain the confidentiality of any record filed in proceedings under chapter 260D.
21.7 	(b) None of the records relating to an appeal from a nonpublic juvenile court proceeding, 
21.8 	except the written appellate opinion, shall be open to public inspection or their contents 
21.9 	disclosed except by order of a court.
21.10 	(c) The records of juvenile probation officers are records of the court for the purposes 
21.11 	of this subdivision. This subdivision applies to all proceedings under this chapter, including 
21.12 	appeals from orders of the juvenile court. The court shall maintain the confidentiality of 
21.13 	adoption files and records in accordance with the provisions of laws relating to adoptions. 
21.14 	In juvenile court proceedings any report or social history furnished to the court shall be 
21.15 	open to inspection by the attorneys of record and the guardian ad litem a reasonable time 
21.16 	before it is used in connection with any proceeding before the court.

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

21.18 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 260C.178, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
21.19 		Subdivision 1.Hearing and release requirements. (a) If a child was taken into custody 
21.20 	under section 260C.175, subdivision 1, clause (1) or (2), item (ii), the court shall hold a 
21.21 	hearing within 72 hours of the time the child was taken into custody, excluding Saturdays, 
21.22 	Sundays, and holidays, to determine whether the child should continue in custody.
21.23 	(b) Unless there is reason to believe that the child would endanger self or others or not 
21.24 	return for a court hearing, or that the child's health or welfare would be immediately 
21.25 	endangered, the child shall be released to the custody of a parent, guardian, custodian, or 
21.26 	other suitable person, subject to reasonable conditions of release including, but not limited 
21.27 	to, a requirement that the child undergo a chemical use assessment as provided in section 
21.28 	260C.157, subdivision 1.
21.29 	(c) If the court determines there is reason to believe that the child would endanger self 
21.30 	or others or not return for a court hearing, or that the child's health or welfare would be 
21.31 	immediately endangered if returned to the care of the parent or guardian who has custody 
21.32 	and from whom the child was removed, the court shall order the child into foster care under 
21.33 	the legal responsibility of the responsible social services agency or responsible probation 
22.1 	or corrections agency for the purposes of protective care as that term is used in the juvenile 
22.2 	court rules or into the home of a noncustodial parent and order the noncustodial parent to 
22.3 	comply with any conditions the court determines to be appropriate to the safety and care of 
22.4 	the child, including cooperating with paternity establishment proceedings in the case of a 
22.5 	man who has not been adjudicated the child's father. The court shall not give the responsible 
22.6 	social services legal custody and order a trial home visit at any time prior to adjudication 
22.7 	and disposition under section 260C.201, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (3), but may 
22.8 	order the child returned to the care of the parent or guardian who has custody and from 
22.9 	whom the child was removed and order the parent or guardian to comply with any conditions 
22.10 	the court determines to be appropriate to meet the safety, health, and welfare of the child.
22.11 	(d) In determining whether the child's health or welfare would be immediately 
22.12 	endangered, the court shall consider whether the child would reside with a perpetrator of 
22.13 	domestic child abuse.
22.14 	(e) The court, before determining whether a child should be placed in or continue in 
22.15 	foster care under the protective care of the responsible agency, shall also make a 
22.16 	determination, consistent with section 260.012 as to whether reasonable efforts were made 
22.17 	to prevent placement or whether reasonable efforts to prevent placement are not required. 
22.18 	In the case of an Indian child, the court shall determine whether active efforts, according 
22.19 	to section 260.762 and the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, United States Code, title 25, 
22.20 	section 1912(d), were made to prevent placement. The court shall enter a finding that the 
22.21 	responsible social services agency has made reasonable efforts to prevent placement when 
22.22 	the agency establishes either:
22.23 	(1) that it has actually provided services or made efforts in an attempt to prevent the 
22.24 	child's removal but that such services or efforts have not proven sufficient to permit the 
22.25 	child to safely remain in the home; or
22.26 	(2) that there are no services or other efforts that could be made at the time of the hearing 
22.27 	that could safely permit the child to remain home or to return home. When reasonable efforts 
22.28 	to prevent placement are required and there are services or other efforts that could be ordered 
22.29 	which would permit the child to safely return home, the court shall order the child returned 
22.30 	to the care of the parent or guardian and the services or efforts put in place to ensure the 
22.31 	child's safety. When the court makes a prima facie determination that one of the 
22.32 	circumstances under paragraph (g) exists, the court shall determine that reasonable efforts 
22.33 	to prevent placement and to return the child to the care of the parent or guardian are not 
22.34 	required.
23.1 	If the court finds the social services agency's preventive or reunification efforts have 
23.2 	not been reasonable but further preventive or reunification efforts could not permit the child 
23.3 	to safely remain at home, the court may nevertheless authorize or continue the removal of 
23.4 	the child.
23.5 	(f) The court may not order or continue the foster care placement of the child unless the 
23.6 	court makes explicit, individualized findings that continued custody of the child by the 
23.7 	parent or guardian would be contrary to the welfare of the child and that placement is in the 
23.8 	best interest of the child.
23.9 	(g) At the emergency removal hearing, or at any time during the course of the proceeding, 
23.10 	and upon notice and request of the county attorney, the court shall determine whether a 
23.11 	petition has been filed stating a prima facie case that:
23.12 	(1) the parent has subjected a child to egregious harm as defined in section 260C.007, 
23.13 	subdivision 14;
23.14 	(2) the parental rights of the parent to another child have been involuntarily terminated;
23.15 	(3) the child is an abandoned infant under section 260C.301, subdivision 2, paragraph 
23.16 	(a), clause (2);
23.17 	(4) the parents' custodial rights to another child have been involuntarily transferred to a 
23.18 	relative under Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 260C.201, subdivision 11, paragraph (e), 
23.19 	clause (1); section 260C.515, subdivision 4; or a similar law of another jurisdiction;
23.20 	(5) the parent has committed sexual abuse as defined in section 626.556, subdivision 2, 
23.21 	against the child or another child of the parent;
23.22 	(6) the parent has committed an offense that requires registration as a predatory offender 
23.23 	under section 243.166, subdivision 1b, paragraph (a) or (b); or
23.24 	(7) the provision of services or further services for the purpose of reunification is futile 
23.25 	and therefore unreasonable.
23.26 	(h) When a petition to terminate parental rights is required under section 260C.301, 
23.27 	subdivision 4, or 260C.503, subdivision 2, but the county attorney has determined not to 
23.28 	proceed with a termination of parental rights petition, and has instead filed a petition to 
23.29 	transfer permanent legal and physical custody to a relative under section 260C.507, the 
23.30 	court shall schedule a permanency hearing within 30 days of the filing of the petition.
23.31 	(i) If the county attorney has filed a petition under section 260C.307, the court shall 
23.32 	schedule a trial under section 260C.163 within 90 days of the filing of the petition except 
24.1 	when the county attorney determines that the criminal case shall proceed to trial first under 
24.2 	section 260C.503, subdivision 2, paragraph (c).
24.3 	(j) If the court determines the child should be ordered into foster care and the child's 
24.4 	parent refuses to give information to the responsible social services agency regarding the 
24.5 	child's father or relatives of the child, the court may order the parent to disclose the names, 
24.6 	addresses, telephone numbers, and other identifying information to the responsible social 
24.7 	services agency for the purpose of complying with sections 260C.151, 260C.212, 260C.215,
24.8 	and 260C.221.
24.9 	(k) If a child ordered into foster care has siblings, whether full, half, or step, who are 
24.10 	also ordered into foster care, the court shall inquire of the responsible social services agency 
24.11 	of the efforts to place the children together as required by section 260C.212, subdivision 2, 
24.12 	paragraph (d), if placement together is in each child's best interests, unless a child is in 
24.13 	placement for treatment or a child is placed with a previously noncustodial parent who is 
24.14 	not a parent to all siblings. If the children are not placed together at the time of the hearing, 
24.15 	the court shall inquire at each subsequent hearing of the agency's reasonable efforts to place 
24.16 	the siblings together, as required under section 260.012. If any sibling is not placed with 
24.17 	another sibling or siblings, the agency must develop a plan to facilitate visitation or ongoing 
24.18 	contact among the siblings as required under section 260C.212, subdivision 1, unless it is 
24.19 	contrary to the safety or well-being of any of the siblings to do so.
24.20 	(l) When the court has ordered the child into foster care or into the home of a noncustodial 
24.21 	parent, the court may order a chemical dependency evaluation, mental health evaluation, 
24.22 	medical examination, and parenting assessment for the parent as necessary to support the 
24.23 	development of a plan for reunification required under subdivision 7 and section 260C.212, 
24.24 	subdivision 1, or the child protective services plan under section 626.556, subdivision 10, 
24.25 	and Minnesota Rules, part 9560.0228.

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

24.27 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 260C.212, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
24.28 		Subdivision 1.Out-of-home placement; plan. (a) An out-of-home placement plan shall 
24.29 	be prepared within 30 days after any child is placed in foster care by court order or a 
24.30 	voluntary placement agreement between the responsible social services agency and the 
24.31 	child's parent pursuant to section 260C.227 or chapter 260D.
24.32 	(b) An out-of-home placement plan means a written document which is prepared by the 
24.33 	responsible social services agency jointly with the parent or parents or guardian of the child 
25.1 	and in consultation with the child's guardian ad litem, the child's tribe, if the child is an 
25.2 	Indian child, the child's foster parent or representative of the foster care facility, and, where 
25.3 	appropriate, the child. When a child is age 14 or older, the child may include two other 
25.4 	individuals on the team preparing the child's out-of-home placement plan. The child may 
25.5 	select one member of the case planning team to be designated as the child's advisor adviser
25.6 	and to advocate with respect to the application of the reasonable and prudent parenting 
25.7 	standards. The responsible social services agency may reject an individual selected by the 
25.8 	child if the agency has good cause to believe that the individual would not act in the best 
25.9 	interest of the child. For a child in voluntary foster care for treatment under chapter 260D, 
25.10 	preparation of the out-of-home placement plan shall additionally include the child's mental 
25.11 	health treatment provider. For a child 18 years of age or older, the responsible social services 
25.12 	agency shall involve the child and the child's parents as appropriate. As appropriate, the 
25.13 	plan shall be:
25.14 	(1) submitted to the court for approval under section 260C.178, subdivision 7;
25.15 	(2) ordered by the court, either as presented or modified after hearing, under section 
25.16 	260C.178, subdivision 7, or 260C.201, subdivision 6; and
25.17 	(3) signed by the parent or parents or guardian of the child, the child's guardian ad litem, 
25.18 	a representative of the child's tribe, the responsible social services agency, and, if possible, 
25.19 	the child.
25.20 	(c) The out-of-home placement plan shall be explained to all persons involved in its 
25.21 	implementation, including the child who has signed the plan, and shall set forth:
25.22 	(1) a description of the foster care home or facility selected, including how the 
25.23 	out-of-home placement plan is designed to achieve a safe placement for the child in the 
25.24 	least restrictive, most family-like, setting available which is in close proximity to the home 
25.25 	of the parent or parents or guardian of the child when the case plan goal is reunification, 
25.26 	and how the placement is consistent with the best interests and special needs of the child 
25.27 	according to the factors under subdivision 2, paragraph (b);
25.28 	(2) the specific reasons for the placement of the child in foster care, and when 
25.29 	reunification is the plan, a description of the problems or conditions in the home of the 
25.30 	parent or parents which necessitated removal of the child from home and the changes the 
25.31 	parent or parents must make for the child to safely return home;
25.32 	(3) a description of the services offered and provided to prevent removal of the child 
25.33 	from the home and to reunify the family including:
26.1 	(i) the specific actions to be taken by the parent or parents of the child to eliminate or 
26.2 	correct the problems or conditions identified in clause (2), and the time period during which 
26.3 	the actions are to be taken; and
26.4 	(ii) the reasonable efforts, or in the case of an Indian child, active efforts to be made to 
26.5 	achieve a safe and stable home for the child including social and other supportive services 
26.6 	to be provided or offered to the parent or parents or guardian of the child, the child, and the 
26.7 	residential facility during the period the child is in the residential facility;
26.8 	(4) a description of any services or resources that were requested by the child or the 
26.9 	child's parent, guardian, foster parent, or custodian since the date of the child's placement 
26.10 	in the residential facility, and whether those services or resources were provided and if not, 
26.11 	the basis for the denial of the services or resources;
26.12 	(5) the visitation plan for the parent or parents or guardian, other relatives as defined in 
26.13 	section 260C.007, subdivision 26b or 27, and siblings of the child if the siblings are not 
26.14 	placed together in foster care, and whether visitation is consistent with the best interest of 
26.15 	the child, during the period the child is in foster care;
26.16 	(6) when a child cannot return to or be in the care of either parent, documentation of 
26.17 	steps to finalize adoption as the permanency plan for the child through reasonable efforts 
26.18 	to place the child for adoption. At a minimum, the documentation must include consideration 
26.19 	of whether adoption is in the best interests of the child, child-specific recruitment efforts 
26.20 	such as relative search and the use of state, regional, and national adoption exchanges to 
26.21 	facilitate orderly and timely placements in and outside of the state. A copy of this 
26.22 	documentation shall be provided to the court in the review required under section 260C.317, 
26.23 	subdivision 3, paragraph (b);
26.24 	(7) when a child cannot return to or be in the care of either parent, documentation of 
26.25 	steps to finalize the transfer of permanent legal and physical custody to a relative as the 
26.26 	permanency plan for the child. This documentation must support the requirements of the 
26.27 	kinship placement agreement under section 256N.22 and must include the reasonable efforts 
26.28 	used to determine that it is not appropriate for the child to return home or be adopted, and 
26.29 	reasons why permanent placement with a relative through a Northstar kinship assistance 
26.30 	arrangement is in the child's best interest; how the child meets the eligibility requirements 
26.31 	for Northstar kinship assistance payments; agency efforts to discuss adoption with the child's 
26.32 	relative foster parent and reasons why the relative foster parent chose not to pursue adoption, 
26.33 	if applicable; and agency efforts to discuss with the child's parent or parents the permanent 
27.1 	transfer of permanent legal and physical custody or the reasons why these efforts were not 
27.2 	made;
27.3 	(8) efforts to ensure the child's educational stability while in foster care for a child who 
27.4 	attained the minimum age for compulsory school attendance under state law and is enrolled 
27.5 	full time in elementary or secondary school, or instructed in elementary or secondary 
27.6 	education at home, or instructed in an independent study elementary or secondary program, 
27.7 	or incapable of attending school on a full-time basis due to a medical condition that is 
27.8 	documented and supported by regularly updated information in the child's case plan. 
27.9 	Educational stability efforts include:
27.10 	(i) efforts to ensure that the child remains in the same school in which the child was 
27.11 	enrolled prior to placement or upon the child's move from one placement to another, including 
27.12 	efforts to work with the local education authorities to ensure the child's educational stability 
27.13 	and attendance; or
27.14 	(ii) if it is not in the child's best interest to remain in the same school that the child was 
27.15 	enrolled in prior to placement or move from one placement to another, efforts to ensure 
27.16 	immediate and appropriate enrollment for the child in a new school;
27.17 	(9) the educational records of the child including the most recent information available 
27.18 	regarding:
27.19 	(i) the names and addresses of the child's educational providers;
27.20 	(ii) the child's grade level performance;
27.21 	(iii) the child's school record;
27.22 	(iv) a statement about how the child's placement in foster care takes into account 
27.23 	proximity to the school in which the child is enrolled at the time of placement; and
27.24 	(v) any other relevant educational information;
27.25 	(10) the efforts by the responsible social services agency to ensure the oversight and 
27.26 	continuity of health care services for the foster child, including:
27.27 	(i) the plan to schedule the child's initial health screens;
27.28 	(ii) how the child's known medical problems and identified needs from the screens, 
27.29 	including any known communicable diseases, as defined in section 144.4172, subdivision 
27.30 	2, shall be monitored and treated while the child is in foster care;
27.31 	(iii) how the child's medical information shall be updated and shared, including the 
27.32 	child's immunizations;
28.1 	(iv) who is responsible to coordinate and respond to the child's health care needs, 
28.2 	including the role of the parent, the agency, and the foster parent;
28.3 	(v) who is responsible for oversight of the child's prescription medications;
28.4 	(vi) how physicians or other appropriate medical and nonmedical professionals shall be 
28.5 	consulted and involved in assessing the health and well-being of the child and determine 
28.6 	the appropriate medical treatment for the child; and
28.7 	(vii) the responsibility to ensure that the child has access to medical care through either 
28.8 	medical insurance or medical assistance;
28.9 	(11) the health records of the child including information available regarding:
28.10 	(i) the names and addresses of the child's health care and dental care providers;
28.11 	(ii) a record of the child's immunizations;
28.12 	(iii) the child's known medical problems, including any known communicable diseases 
28.13 	as defined in section 144.4172, subdivision 2;
28.14 	(iv) the child's medications; and
28.15 	(v) any other relevant health care information such as the child's eligibility for medical 
28.16 	insurance or medical assistance;
28.17 	(12) an independent living plan for a child 14 years of age or older, developed in 
28.18 	consultation with the child. The child may select one member of the case planning team to 
28.19 	be designated as the child's advisor adviser and to advocate with respect to the application 
28.20 	of the reasonable and prudent parenting standards in subdivision 14. The plan should include, 
28.21 	but not be limited to, the following objectives:
28.22 	(i) educational, vocational, or employment planning;
28.23 	(ii) health care planning and medical coverage;
28.24 	(iii) transportation including, where appropriate, assisting the child in obtaining a driver's 
28.25 	license;
28.26 	(iv) money management, including the responsibility of the responsible social services 
28.27 	agency to ensure that the child annually receives, at no cost to the child, a consumer report 
28.28 	as defined under section 13C.001 and assistance in interpreting and resolving any inaccuracies 
28.29 	in the report;
28.30 	(v) planning for housing;
28.31 	(vi) social and recreational skills;
29.1 	(vii) establishing and maintaining connections with the child's family and community; 
29.2 	and
29.3 	(viii) regular opportunities to engage in age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate 
29.4 	activities typical for the child's age group, taking into consideration the capacities of the 
29.5 	individual child;
29.6 	(13) for a child in voluntary foster care for treatment under chapter 260D, diagnostic 
29.7 	and assessment information, specific services relating to meeting the mental health care 
29.8 	needs of the child, and treatment outcomes; and
29.9 	(14) for a child 14 years of age or older, a signed acknowledgment that describes the 
29.10 	child's rights regarding education, health care, visitation, safety and protection from 
29.11 	exploitation, and court participation; receipt of the documents identified in section 260C.452; 
29.12 	and receipt of an annual credit report. The acknowledgment shall state that the rights were 
29.13 	explained in an age-appropriate manner to the child.
29.14 	(d) The parent or parents or guardian and the child each shall have the right to legal 
29.15 	counsel in the preparation of the case plan and shall be informed of the right at the time of 
29.16 	placement of the child. The child shall also have the right to a guardian ad litem. If unable 
29.17 	to employ counsel from their own resources, the court shall appoint counsel upon the request 
29.18 	of the parent or parents or the child or the child's legal guardian. The parent or parents may 
29.19 	also receive assistance from any person or social services agency in preparation of the case 
29.20 	plan.
29.21 	After the plan has been agreed upon by the parties involved or approved or ordered by 
29.22 	the court, the foster parents shall be fully informed of the provisions of the case plan and 
29.23 	shall be provided a copy of the plan.
29.24 	Upon discharge from foster care, the parent, adoptive parent, or permanent legal and 
29.25 	physical custodian, as appropriate, and the child, if appropriate 14 years of age or older, 
29.26 	must be provided with a current copy of the child's health and education record. and, for a 
29.27 	child who meets the conditions in subdivision 15, paragraph (b), the child's social and 
29.28 	medical history. A child younger than 14 years of age may be given a copy of the child's 
29.29 	health and education record and social and medical history, if appropriate and applicable 
29.30 	according to subdivision 15, paragraph (b).

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

30.1 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 260C.212, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
30.2 		Subd. 2.Placement decisions based on best interests of the child. (a) The policy of 
30.3 	the state of Minnesota is to ensure that the child's best interests are met by requiring an 
30.4 	individualized determination of the needs of the child and of how the selected placement 
30.5 	will serve the needs of the child being placed. The authorized child-placing agency shall 
30.6 	assess a noncustodial or nonadjudicated parent's capacity and willingness to provide for the 
30.7 	day-to-day care of a child pursuant to section 260C.219. Upon assessment, if a noncustodial 
30.8 	or nonadjudicated parent cannot provide for the day-to-day care of a child, the authorized 
30.9 	child-placing agency shall place a child, released by court order or by voluntary release by 
30.10 	the parent or parents, in a family foster home selected by considering placement with relatives 
30.11 	and important friends in the following order:
30.12 	(1) with an individual who is related to the child by blood, marriage, or adoption, 
30.13 	including the legal parent, guardian, or custodian of the child's sibling; or
30.14 	(2) with an individual who is an important friend with whom the child has resided or 
30.15 	had significant contact.
30.16 	For an Indian child, the agency shall follow the order of placement preferences in the Indian 
30.17 	Child Welfare Act of 1978, United States Code, title 25, section 1915.
30.18 	(b) Among the factors the agency shall consider in determining the needs of the child 
30.19 	are the following:
30.20 	(1) the child's current functioning and behaviors;
30.21 	(2) the medical needs of the child;
30.22 	(3) the educational needs of the child;
30.23 	(4) the developmental needs of the child;
30.24 	(5) the child's history and past experience;
30.25 	(6) the child's religious and cultural needs;
30.26 	(7) the child's connection with a community, school, and faith community;
30.27 	(8) the child's interests and talents;
30.28 	(9) the child's relationship to current caretakers, parents, siblings, and relatives;
30.29 	(10) the reasonable preference of the child, if the court, or the child-placing agency in 
30.30 	the case of a voluntary placement, deems the child to be of sufficient age to express 
30.31 	preferences; and
31.1 	(11) for an Indian child, the best interests of an Indian child as defined in section 260.755, 
31.2 	subdivision 2a.
31.3 	(c) Placement of a child cannot be delayed or denied based on race, color, or national 
31.4 	origin of the foster parent or the child.
31.5 	(d) Siblings should be placed together for foster care and adoption at the earliest possible 
31.6 	time unless it is documented that a joint placement would be contrary to the safety or 
31.7 	well-being of any of the siblings or unless it is not possible after reasonable efforts by the 
31.8 	responsible social services agency. In cases where siblings cannot be placed together, the 
31.9 	agency is required to provide frequent visitation or other ongoing interaction between 
31.10 	siblings unless the agency documents that the interaction would be contrary to the safety 
31.11 	or well-being of any of the siblings.
31.12 	(e) Except for emergency placement as provided for in section 245A.035, the following 
31.13 	requirements must be satisfied before the approval of a foster or adoptive placement in a 
31.14 	related or unrelated home: (1) a completed background study under section 245C.08; and 
31.15 	(2) a completed review of the written home study required under section 260C.215, 
31.16 	subdivision 4, clause (5), or 260C.611, to assess the capacity of the prospective foster or 
31.17 	adoptive parent to ensure the placement will meet the needs of the individual child.

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

31.19 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 260C.212, is amended by adding a subdivision 
31.20 	to read:
31.21 		Subd. 15.Social and medical history. (a) The commissioner shall develop forms for 
31.22 	the responsible social services agency to complete a child's social and medical history. The 
31.23 	responsible social services agency shall work with the child's birth family, foster family, 
31.24 	medical and treatment providers, and school to ensure there is a detailed and up-to-date 
31.25 	social and medical history of the child on the forms provided by the commissioner.
31.26 	(b) If the child continues in foster care, the responsible social services agency's reasonable 
31.27 	efforts to complete the history shall begin no later than the permanency progress review 
31.28 	hearing required in section 260C.204 or six months after the child's placement in foster 
31.29 	care, whichever occurs earlier.
31.30 	(c) A child's social and medical history must include background and health history 
31.31 	specific to the child, the child's birth parents, and the child's other birth relatives. Applicable 
31.32 	background and health information about the child includes the child's current health 
31.33 	condition, behavior, and demeanor; placement history; education history; sibling information; 
32.1 	and birth, medical, dental, and immunization information. Redacted copies of pertinent 
32.2 	records, assessments, and evaluations must be attached to the child's social and medical 
32.3 	history. Applicable background information about the child's birth parents and other birth 
32.4 	relatives includes general background information; education and employment histories; 
32.5 	physical and mental health histories; and reasons for the child's placement.

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

32.7 	Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 260C.219, is amended to read:
32.8 	260C.219 AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN IN 
32.9 	PLACEMENT.
32.10 	(a) When a child is in foster care, the responsible social services agency shall make 
32.11 	diligent efforts to identify, locate, and, where appropriate, offer services to both parents of 
32.12 	the child.
32.13 	(1) The responsible social services agency shall assess whether a noncustodial or 
32.14 	nonadjudicated parent is willing and capable of providing for the day-to-day care of the 
32.15 	child temporarily or permanently. An assessment under this clause may include, but is not 
32.16 	limited to, obtaining information under section 260C.209. If after assessment, the responsible 
32.17 	social services agency determines that a noncustodial or nonadjudicated parent is willing 
32.18 	and capable of providing day-to-day care of the child, the responsible social services agency 
32.19 	may seek authority from the custodial parent or the court to have that parent assume 
32.20 	day-to-day care of the child. If a parent is not an adjudicated parent, the responsible social 
32.21 	services agency shall require the nonadjudicated parent to cooperate with paternity 
32.22 	establishment procedures as part of the case plan.
32.23 	(2) If, after assessment, the responsible social services agency determines that the child 
32.24 	cannot be in the day-to-day care of either parent, the agency shall:
32.25 	(i) prepare an out-of-home placement plan addressing the conditions that each parent 
32.26 	must meet before the child can be in that parent's day-to-day care; and
32.27 	(ii) provide a parent who is the subject of a background study under section 260C.209
32.28 	15 days' notice that it intends to use the study to recommend against putting the child with 
32.29 	that parent, and the court shall afford the parent an opportunity to be heard concerning the 
32.30 	study.
32.31 	The results of a background study of a noncustodial parent shall not be used by the 
32.32 	agency to determine that the parent is incapable of providing day-to-day care of the child 
33.1 	unless the agency reasonably believes that placement of the child into the home of that 
33.2 	parent would endanger the child's health, safety, or welfare.
33.3 	(3) If, after the provision of services following an out-of-home placement plan under 
33.4 	this section, the child cannot return to the care of the parent from whom the child was 
33.5 	removed or who had legal custody at the time the child was placed in foster care, the agency 
33.6 	may petition on behalf of a noncustodial parent to establish legal custody with that parent 
33.7 	under section 260C.515, subdivision 4. If paternity has not already been established, it may 
33.8 	be established in the same proceeding in the manner provided for under chapter 257.
33.9 	(4) The responsible social services agency may be relieved of the requirement to locate 
33.10 	and offer services to both parents by the juvenile court upon a finding of good cause after 
33.11 	the filing of a petition under section 260C.141.
33.12 	(b) The responsible social services agency shall give notice to the parent or guardian of 
33.13 	each child in foster care, other than a child in voluntary foster care for treatment under 
33.14 	chapter 260D, of the following information:
33.15 	(1) that the child's placement in foster care may result in termination of parental rights 
33.16 	or an order permanently placing the child out of the custody of the parent, but only after 
33.17 	notice and a hearing as required under this chapter and the juvenile court rules;
33.18 	(2) time limits on the length of placement and of reunification services, including the 
33.19 	date on which the child is expected to be returned to and safely maintained in the home of 
33.20 	the parent or parents or placed for adoption or otherwise permanently removed from the 
33.21 	care of the parent by court order;
33.22 	(3) the nature of the services available to the parent;
33.23 	(4) the consequences to the parent and the child if the parent fails or is unable to use 
33.24 	services to correct the circumstances that led to the child's placement;
33.25 	(5) the first consideration for placement with relatives;
33.26 	(6) the benefit to the child in getting the child out of foster care as soon as possible, 
33.27 	preferably by returning the child home, but if that is not possible, through a permanent legal 
33.28 	placement of the child away from the parent;
33.29 	(7) when safe for the child, the benefits to the child and the parent of maintaining 
33.30 	visitation with the child as soon as possible in the course of the case and, in any event, 
33.31 	according to the visitation plan under this section; and
34.1 	(8) the financial responsibilities and obligations, if any, of the parent or parents for the 
34.2 	support of the child during the period the child is in foster care.
34.3 	(c) The responsible social services agency shall inform a parent considering voluntary 
34.4 	placement of a child under section 260C.227 of the following information:
34.5 	(1) the parent and the child each has a right to separate legal counsel before signing a 
34.6 	voluntary placement agreement, but not to counsel appointed at public expense;
34.7 	(2) the parent is not required to agree to the voluntary placement, and a parent who enters 
34.8 	a voluntary placement agreement may at any time request that the agency return the child. 
34.9 	If the parent so requests, the child must be returned within 24 hours of the receipt of the 
34.10 	request;
34.11 	(3) evidence gathered during the time the child is voluntarily placed may be used at a 
34.12 	later time as the basis for a petition alleging that the child is in need of protection or services 
34.13 	or as the basis for a petition seeking termination of parental rights or other permanent 
34.14 	placement of the child away from the parent;
34.15 	(4) if the responsible social services agency files a petition alleging that the child is in 
34.16 	need of protection or services or a petition seeking the termination of parental rights or other 
34.17 	permanent placement of the child away from the parent, the parent would have the right to 
34.18 	appointment of separate legal counsel and the child would have a right to the appointment 
34.19 	of counsel and a guardian ad litem as provided by law, and that counsel will be appointed 
34.20 	at public expense if they are unable to afford counsel; and
34.21 	(5) the timelines and procedures for review of voluntary placements under section 
34.22 	260C.212, subdivision 3, and the effect the time spent in voluntary placement on the 
34.23 	scheduling of a permanent placement determination hearing under sections 260C.503 to 
34.24 	260C.521.
34.25 	(d) When an agency accepts a child for placement, the agency shall determine whether 
34.26 	the child has had a physical examination by or under the direction of a licensed physician 
34.27 	within the 12 months immediately preceding the date when the child came into the agency's 
34.28 	care. If there is documentation that the child has had an examination within the last 12 
34.29 	months, the agency is responsible for seeing that the child has another physical examination 
34.30 	within one year of the documented examination and annually in subsequent years. If the 
34.31 	agency determines that the child has not had a physical examination within the 12 months 
34.32 	immediately preceding placement, the agency shall ensure that the child has an examination 
34.33 	within 30 days of coming into the agency's care and once a year in subsequent years.
35.1 	(e) Whether under state guardianship or not, if a child leaves foster care by reason of 
35.2 	having attained the age of majority under state law, the child must be given at no cost a 
35.3 	copy of the child's social and medical history, as defined in section 259.43260C.212, 
35.4 	subdivision 15, andincluding the child's health and education report.

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

35.6 	Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 260C.503, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
35.7 		Subd. 2.Termination of parental rights. (a) The responsible social services agency 
35.8 	must ask the county attorney to immediately file a termination of parental rights petition 
35.9 	when:
35.10 	(1) the child has been subjected to egregious harm as defined in section 260C.007, 
35.11 	subdivision 14;
35.12 	(2) the child is determined to be the sibling of a child who was subjected to egregious 
35.13 	harm;
35.14 	(3) the child is an abandoned infant as defined in section 260C.301, subdivision 2, 
35.15 	paragraph (a), clause (2);
35.16 	(4) the child's parent has lost parental rights to another child through an order involuntarily 
35.17 	terminating the parent's rights;
35.18 	(5) the parent has committed sexual abuse as defined in section 626.556, subdivision 2, 
35.19 	against the child or another child of the parent;
35.20 	(6) the parent has committed an offense that requires registration as a predatory offender 
35.21 	under section 243.166, subdivision 1b, paragraph (a) or (b); or
35.22 	(7) another child of the parent is the subject of an order involuntarily transferring 
35.23 	permanent legal and physical custody of the child to a relative under this chapter or a similar 
35.24 	law of another jurisdiction;
35.25 	The county attorney shall file a termination of parental rights petition unless the conditions 
35.26 	of paragraph (d) are met.
35.27 	(b) When the termination of parental rights petition is filed under this subdivision, the 
35.28 	responsible social services agency shall identify, recruit, and approve an adoptive family 
35.29 	for the child. If a termination of parental rights petition has been filed by another party, the 
35.30 	responsible social services agency shall be joined as a party to the petition.
36.1 	(c) If criminal charges have been filed against a parent arising out of the conduct alleged 
36.2 	to constitute egregious harm, the county attorney shall determine which matter should 
36.3 	proceed to trial first, consistent with the best interests of the child and subject to the 
36.4 	defendant's right to a speedy trial.
36.5 	(d) The requirement of paragraph (a) does not apply if the responsible social services 
36.6 	agency and the county attorney determine and file with the court:
36.7 	(1) a petition for transfer of permanent legal and physical custody to a relative under 
36.8 	sections 260C.505 and 260C.515, subdivision 3 4, including a determination that adoption 
36.9 	is not in the child's best interests and that transfer of permanent legal and physical custody 
36.10 	is in the child's best interests; or
36.11 	(2) a petition under section 260C.141 alleging the child, and where appropriate, the 
36.12 	child's siblings, to be in need of protection or services accompanied by a case plan prepared 
36.13 	by the responsible social services agency documenting a compelling reason why filing a 
36.14 	termination of parental rights petition would not be in the best interests of the child.

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

36.16 	Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 260C.515, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
36.17 		Subd. 4.Custody to relative. The court may order permanent legal and physical custody 
36.18 	to a fit and willing relative in the best interests of the child according to the following 
36.19 	requirements:
36.20 	(1) an order for transfer of permanent legal and physical custody to a relative shall only 
36.21 	be made after the court has reviewed the suitability of the prospective legal and physical 
36.22 	custodian;
36.23 	(2) in transferring permanent legal and physical custody to a relative, the juvenile court 
36.24 	shall follow the standards applicable under this chapter and chapter 260, and the procedures 
36.25 	in the Minnesota Rules of Juvenile Protection Procedure;
36.26 	(3) a transfer of legal and physical custody includes responsibility for the protection, 
36.27 	education, care, and control of the child and decision making on behalf of the child;
36.28 	(4) a permanent legal and physical custodian may not return a child to the permanent 
36.29 	care of a parent from whom the court removed custody without the court's approval and 
36.30 	without notice to the responsible social services agency;
36.31 	(5) the social services agency may file a petition naming a fit and willing relative as a 
36.32 	proposed permanent legal and physical custodian. A petition for transfer of permanent legal 
37.1 	and physical custody to a relative who is not a parent shall be accompanied by a kinship 
37.2 	placement agreement under section 256N.22, subdivision 2, between the agency and proposed 
37.3 	permanent legal and physical custodian;
37.4 	(6) another party to the permanency proceeding regarding the child may file a petition 
37.5 	to transfer permanent legal and physical custody to a relative. The petition must include 
37.6 	facts upon which the court can make the determination required under clause (7) and must 
37.7 	be filed not later than the date for the required admit-deny hearing under section 260C.507; 
37.8 	or if the agency's petition is filed under section 260C.503, subdivision 2, the petition must 
37.9 	be filed not later than 30 days prior to the trial required under section 260C.509;
37.10 	(7) where a petition is for transfer of permanent legal and physical custody to a relative 
37.11 	who is not a parent, the court must find that:
37.12 	(i) transfer of permanent legal and physical custody and receipt of Northstar kinship 
37.13 	assistance under chapter 256N, when requested and the child is eligible, are in the child's 
37.14 	best interests;
37.15 	(ii) adoption is not in the child's best interests based on the determinations in the kinship 
37.16 	placement agreement required under section 256N.22, subdivision 2;
37.17 	(iii) the agency made efforts to discuss adoption with the child's parent or parents, or 
37.18 	the agency did not make efforts to discuss adoption and the reasons why efforts were not 
37.19 	made; and
37.20 	(iv) there are reasons to separate siblings during placement, if applicable;. The court 
37.21 	may find there is a reason to separate siblings when the court finds both (A) that the 
37.22 	responsible social services agency made reasonable efforts to place siblings together and 
37.23 	(B) that placing siblings together is not in the best interest of one or more of the siblings;
37.24 	(8) the court may defer finalization of an order transferring permanent legal and physical 
37.25 	custody to a relative when deferring finalization is necessary to determine eligibility for 
37.26 	Northstar kinship assistance under chapter 256N;
37.27 	(9) the court may finalize a permanent transfer of physical and legal custody to a relative 
37.28 	regardless of eligibility for Northstar kinship assistance under chapter 256N; and
37.29 	(10) the juvenile court may maintain jurisdiction over the responsible social services 
37.30 	agency, the parents or guardian of the child, the child, and the permanent legal and physical 
37.31 	custodian for purposes of ensuring appropriate services are delivered to the child and 
37.32 	permanent legal custodian for the purpose of ensuring conditions ordered by the court related 
37.33 	to the care and custody of the child are met.; and
38.1 	(11) after finalization of the permanent transfer of physical and legal custody to a relative 
38.2 	who is not a parent, the court administrator must mail a copy of the final order to the 
38.3 	commissioner of human services.

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

38.5 	Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 260C.605, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
38.6 		Subdivision 1.Requirements. (a) Reasonable efforts to finalize the adoption of a child 
38.7 	under the guardianship of the commissioner shall be made by the responsible social services 
38.8 	agency responsible for permanency planning for the child.
38.9 	(b) Reasonable efforts to make a placement in a home according to the placement 
38.10 	considerations under section 260C.212, subdivision 2, with a relative or foster parent who 
38.11 	will commit to being the permanent resource for the child in the event the child cannot be 
38.12 	reunified with a parent are required under section 260.012 and may be made concurrently 
38.13 	with reasonable, or if the child is an Indian child, active efforts to reunify the child with the 
38.14 	parent.
38.15 	(c) Reasonable efforts under paragraph (b) must begin as soon as possible when the 
38.16 	child is in foster care under this chapter, but not later than the hearing required under section 
38.17 	260C.204.
38.18 	(d) Reasonable efforts to finalize the adoption of the child include, but are not limited 
38.19 	to:
38.20 	(1) using age-appropriate engagement strategies to plan for adoption with the child;
38.21 	(2) identifying an appropriate prospective adoptive parent for the child by updating the 
38.22 	child's identified needs using the factors in section 260C.212, subdivision 2;
38.23 	(3) making an adoptive placement that meets the child's needs by:
38.24 	(i) completing or updating the relative search required under section 260C.221 and giving 
38.25 	notice of the need for an adoptive home for the child to a child's relative who:
38.26 	(A) (i)relatives who have kept the agency or the court apprised of their the relative's
38.27 	whereabouts and who have indicated an interest in adopting the child; or
38.28 	(B) (ii)relatives of the child who are is located in an updated search; (ii). An updated 
38.29 	search is required whenever:
39.1 	(A) there is no identified prospective adoptive placement for the child notwithstanding 
39.2 	a finding by the court that the agency made diligent efforts under section 260C.221, in a 
39.3 	hearing required under section 260C.202;
39.4 	(B) the child is removed from the home of an adopting parent; or
39.5 	(C) the court determines a relative search by the agency is in the best interests of the 
39.6 	child;
39.7 	(iii) (4) engaging the child's foster parent and the child's relatives relative identified as 
39.8 	an adoptive resource during the search conducted under section 260C.221, to commit to 
39.9 	being the prospective adoptive parent of the child; or
39.10 	(iv) (5) when there is no identified prospective adoptive parent:
39.11 	(A) (i) registering the child on the state adoption exchange as required in section 259.75 
39.12 	unless the agency documents to the court an exception to placing the child on the state 
39.13 	adoption exchange reported to the commissioner;
39.14 	(B) (ii) reviewing all families with approved adoption home studies associated with the 
39.15 	responsible social services agency;
39.16 	(C) (iii) presenting the child to adoption agencies and adoption personnel who may assist 
39.17 	with finding an adoptive home for the child;
39.18 	(D) (iv) using newspapers and other media as appropriate to promote the particular child;
39.19 	(E) (v) using a private agency under grant contract with the commissioner to provide 
39.20 	adoption services for intensive child-specific recruitment efforts; and
39.21 	(F) (vi) making any other efforts or using any other resources reasonably calculated to 
39.22 	identify a prospective adoption parent for the child;
39.23 	(4) (6) updating and completing the social and medical history required under sections 
39.24 	259.43 260C.212, subdivision 15, and 260C.609;
39.25 	(5) (7) making, and keeping updated, appropriate referrals required by section 260.851, 
39.26 	the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children;
39.27 	(6) (8) giving notice regarding the responsibilities of an adoptive parent to any prospective 
39.28 	adoptive parent as required under section 259.35 260C.613, subdivision 9;
39.29 	(7) (9) offering the adopting parent the opportunity to apply for or decline adoption 
39.30 	assistance under chapter 259A 256N;
40.1 	(8) (10) certifying the child for adoption assistance, assessing the amount of adoption 
40.2 	assistance, and ascertaining the status of the commissioner's decision on the level of payment 
40.3 	if the adopting parent has applied for adoption assistance;
40.4 	(9) (11) placing the child with siblings. If the child is not placed with siblings, the agency 
40.5 	must document reasonable efforts to place the siblings together, as well as the reason for 
40.6 	separation. The agency may not cease reasonable efforts to place siblings together for final 
40.7 	adoption until the court finds further reasonable efforts would be futile or that placement 
40.8 	together for purposes of adoption is not in the best interests of one of the siblings; and
40.9 	(10) (12) working with the adopting parent to file a petition to adopt the child and with 
40.10 	the court administrator to obtain a timely hearing to finalize the adoption.

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

40.12 	Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 260C.607, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
40.13 		Subd. 6.Motion and hearing to order adoptive placement. (a) At any time after the 
40.14 	district court orders the child under the guardianship of the commissioner of human services, 
40.15 	but not later than 30 days after receiving notice required under section 260C.613, subdivision 
40.16 	1, paragraph (c), that the agency has made an adoptive placement, a relative or the child's 
40.17 	foster parent may file a motion for an order for adoptive placement of a child who is under 
40.18 	the guardianship of the commissioner if the relative or the child's foster parent:
40.19 	(1) has an adoption home study under section 259.41 260C.611 approving the relative 
40.20 	or foster parent for adoption and has been a resident of Minnesota for at least six months 
40.21 	before filing the motion; the court may waive the residency requirement for the moving 
40.22 	party if there is a reasonable basis to do so; or
40.23 	(2) is not a resident of Minnesota, but has an approved adoption home study by an agency 
40.24 	licensed or approved to complete an adoption home study in the state of the individual's 
40.25 	residence and the study is filed with the motion for adoptive placement.
40.26 	(b) The motion shall be filed with the court conducting reviews of the child's progress 
40.27 	toward adoption under this section. The motion and supporting documents must make a 
40.28 	prima facie showing that the agency has been unreasonable in failing to make the requested 
40.29 	adoptive placement. The motion must be served according to the requirements for motions 
40.30 	under the Minnesota Rules of Juvenile Protection Procedure and shall be made on all 
40.31 	individuals and entities listed in subdivision 2.
40.32 	(c) If the motion and supporting documents do not make a prima facie showing for the 
40.33 	court to determine whether the agency has been unreasonable in failing to make the requested 
41.1 	adoptive placement, the court shall dismiss the motion. If the court determines a prima facie 
41.2 	basis is made, the court shall set the matter for evidentiary hearing.
41.3 	(d) At the evidentiary hearing, the responsible social services agency shall proceed first 
41.4 	with evidence about the reason for not making the adoptive placement proposed by the 
41.5 	moving party. The moving party then has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the 
41.6 	evidence that the agency has been unreasonable in failing to make the adoptive placement.
41.7 	(e) At the conclusion of the evidentiary hearing, if the court finds that the agency has 
41.8 	been unreasonable in failing to make the adoptive placement and that the relative or the 
41.9 	child's foster parent is the most suitable adoptive home to meet the child's needs using the 
41.10 	factors in section 260C.212, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), the court may order the responsible 
41.11 	social services agency to make an adoptive placement in the home of the relative or the 
41.12 	child's foster parent.
41.13 	(f) If, in order to ensure that a timely adoption may occur, the court orders the responsible 
41.14 	social services agency to make an adoptive placement under this subdivision, the agency 
41.15 	shall:
41.16 	(1) make reasonable efforts to obtain a fully executed adoption placement agreement;
41.17 	(2) work with the moving party regarding eligibility for adoption assistance as required 
41.18 	under chapter 259A 256N; and
41.19 	(3) if the moving party is not a resident of Minnesota, timely refer the matter for approval 
41.20 	of the adoptive placement through the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.
41.21 	(g) Denial or granting of a motion for an order for adoptive placement after an evidentiary 
41.22 	hearing is an order which may be appealed by the responsible social services agency, the 
41.23 	moving party, the child, when age ten or over, the child's guardian ad litem, and any 
41.24 	individual who had a fully executed adoption placement agreement regarding the child at 
41.25 	the time the motion was filed if the court's order has the effect of terminating the adoption 
41.26 	placement agreement. An appeal shall be conducted according to the requirements of the 
41.27 	Rules of Juvenile Protection Procedure.

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

41.29 	Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 260C.609, is amended to read:
41.30 	260C.609 SOCIAL AND MEDICAL HISTORY.
41.31 	(a) The responsible social services agency shall work with the birth family of the child, 
41.32 	foster family, medical and treatment providers, and the child's school to ensure there is a 
42.1 	detailed, thorough, and currently up-to-date social and medical history of the child as required 
42.2 	under section 259.43 on the forms required by the commissioner.
42.3 	(b) When the child continues in foster care, the agency's reasonable efforts to complete 
42.4 	the history shall begin no later than the permanency progress review hearing required under 
42.5 	section 260C.204 or six months after the child's placement in foster care.
42.6 	(c) (a) The agency shall thoroughly discuss the child's history with the adopting parent 
42.7 	of the child and shall give a redacted copy of the report of the child's social and medical 
42.8 	history as defined in section 260C.212, subdivision 15, to the adopting parent. A redacted 
42.9 	copy of the child's social and medical history may also be given to the child, as appropriate
42.10 	according to section 260C.212, subdivision 1.
42.11 	(d) (b) The report shall not include information that identifies birth relatives. Redacted 
42.12 	copies of all the child's relevant evaluations, assessments, and records must be attached to 
42.13 	the social and medical history.
42.14 	(c) The agency must submit the child's social and medical history to the Department of 
42.15 	Human Services when an adoptive placement is made and the history must be filed with 
42.16 	the court when the adoption petition is filed.

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

42.18 	Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 260C.611, is amended to read:
42.19 	260C.611 ADOPTION STUDY REQUIRED.
42.20 	(a) An adoption study under section 259.41 approving placement of the child in the 
42.21 	home of the prospective adoptive parent shall be completed before placing any child under 
42.22 	the guardianship of the commissioner in a home for adoption. If a prospective adoptive 
42.23 	parent has a current child foster care license under chapter 245A and is seeking to adopt a 
42.24 	foster child who is placed in the prospective adoptive parent's home and is under the 
42.25 	guardianship of the commissioner according to section 260C.325, subdivision 1, the child 
42.26 	foster care home study meets the requirements of this section for an approved adoption 
42.27 	home study if:
42.28 	(1) the written home study on which the foster care license was based is completed in 
42.29 	the commissioner's designated format, consistent with the requirements in sections 259.41, 
42.30 	subdivision 2; and 260C.215, subdivision 4, clause (5); and Minnesota Rules, part 2960.3060, 
42.31 	subpart 4;
43.1 	(2) the background studies on each prospective adoptive parent and all required household 
43.2 	members were completed according to section 245C.33;
43.3 	(3) the commissioner has not issued, within the last three years, a sanction on the license 
43.4 	under section 245A.07 or an order of a conditional license under section 245A.06; and
43.5 	(4) the legally responsible agency determines that the individual needs of the child are 
43.6 	being met by the prospective adoptive parent through an assessment under section 256N.24, 
43.7 	subdivision 2, or a documented placement decision consistent with section 260C.212, 
43.8 	subdivision 2.
43.9 	(b) Before investigating the suitability of a prospective adoptive parent for a child under 
43.10 	guardianship of the commissioner, a child-placing agency shall give the prospective adoptive 
43.11 	parent the following written notice in all capital letters at least one-eighth inch high: 
43.12 	"Minnesota Statutes, section 260C.635, provides that upon legally adopting a child under 
43.13 	guardianship of the commissioner, an adoptive parent assumes all the rights and 
43.14 	responsibilities of a birth parent. The responsibilities include providing for the child's 
43.15 	financial support and caring for the child's health and emotional and behavioral problems. 
43.16 	Except for a subsidized adoption under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256N, or any other 
43.17 	provision of law that expressly applies to an adoptive parent and child, an adoptive parent 
43.18 	is not eligible for state or federal financial subsidies aside from those that a birth parent 
43.19 	would be eligible to receive for a child. An adoptive parent may not terminate the adoptive 
43.20 	parent's parental rights to a legally adopted child for a reason that would not apply to a birth 
43.21 	parent seeking to terminate rights to a child."
43.22 	(b) (c) If a prospective adoptive parent has previously held a foster care license or 
43.23 	adoptive home study, any update necessary to the foster care license, or updated or new 
43.24 	adoptive home study, if not completed by the licensing authority responsible for the previous 
43.25 	license or home study, shall include collateral information from the previous licensing or 
43.26 	approving agency, if available.

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

43.28 	Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 260C.613, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
43.29 		Subd. 6.Death notification. (a) The agency shall inform the adoptive parents that the 
43.30 	adoptive parents of an adopted child under age 19 or an adopted person age 19 or older may 
43.31 	maintain a current address on file with the agency and indicate a desire to be notified if the 
43.32 	agency receives information of the death of a birth parent. The agency shall notify birth 
43.33 	parents of the child's death and the cause of death, if known, provided that the birth parents 
44.1 	desire notice and maintain current addresses on file with the agency. The agency shall inform 
44.2 	birth parents entitled to notice under section 259.27 259.49 that they may designate 
44.3 	individuals to notify the agency if a birth parent dies and that the agency receiving 
44.4 	information of the birth parent's death will share the information with adoptive parents, if 
44.5 	the adopted person is under age 19, or an adopted person age 19 or older who has indicated 
44.6 	a desire to be notified of the death of a birth parent and who maintains a current address on 
44.7 	file with the agency.
44.8 	(b) Notice to a birth parent that a child has died or to the adoptive parents or an adopted 
44.9 	person age 19 or older that a birth parent has died shall be provided by an employee of the 
44.10 	agency through personal and confidential contact, but not by mail.

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

44.12 	Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 260C.615, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
44.13 		Subdivision 1.Duties. (a) For any child who is under the guardianship of the 
44.14 	commissioner, the commissioner has the exclusive rights to consent to:
44.15 	(1) the medical care plan for the treatment of a child who is at imminent risk of death 
44.16 	or who has a chronic disease that, in a physician's judgment, will result in the child's death 
44.17 	in the near future including a physician's order not to resuscitate or intubate the child; and
44.18 	(2) the child donating a part of the child's body to another person while the child is living; 
44.19 	the decision to donate a body part under this clause shall take into consideration the child's 
44.20 	wishes and the child's culture.
44.21 	(b) In addition to the exclusive rights under paragraph (a), the commissioner has a duty 
44.22 	to:
44.23 	(1) process any complete and accurate request for home study and placement through 
44.24 	the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children under section 260.851;
44.25 	(2) process any complete and accurate application for adoption assistance forwarded by 
44.26 	the responsible social services agency according to chapter chapters 256N and 259A;
44.27 	(3) complete the execution of review and process an adoption placement agreement 
44.28 	forwarded to the commissioner by the responsible social services agency and return it to 
44.29 	the agency in a timely fashion; and
44.30 	(4) maintain records as required in chapter 259.

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

45.1 	Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 260C.623, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
45.2 		Subd. 4.Attachments to the petition. The following must be filed with the petition:
45.3 	(1) the adoption study report required under section 259.41 260C.611;
45.4 	(2) the social and medical history required under sections 259.43 andsection 260C.609; 
45.5 	and
45.6 	(3) a document prepared by the petitioner that establishes who must be given notice 
45.7 	under section 260C.627, subdivision 1, that includes the names and mailing addresses of 
45.8 	those to be served by the court administrator.

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

45.10 	Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 260C.625, is amended to read:
45.11 	260C.625 DOCUMENTS FILED BY SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCY.
45.12 	(a) The following shall be filed with the court by the responsible social services agency 
45.13 	prior to finalization of the adoption:
45.14 	(1) a certified an electronic copy of the child's certified birth record;
45.15 	(2) a certified an electronic copy of the certified findings and order terminating parental 
45.16 	rights or order accepting the parent's consent to adoption under section 260C.515, subdivision 
45.17 	3, and for guardianship to the commissioner;
45.18 	(3) a copy of any communication or contact agreement under section 260C.619;
45.19 	(4) certification that the Minnesota Fathers' Adoption Registry has been searched which 
45.20 	requirement may be met according to the requirements of the Minnesota Rules of Adoption 
45.21 	Procedure, Rule 32.01, subdivision 2;
45.22 	(5) an electronic copy of the original of each consent to adoption required, if any, unless 
45.23 	the original was filed in the permanency proceeding conducted under section 260C.515, 
45.24 	subdivision 3, and the order filed under clause (2) has a copy of the consent attached; and
45.25 	(6) the postplacement assessment report required under section 259.53, subdivision 2.
45.26 	(b) The responsible social services agency shall provide any known aliases of the child 
45.27 	to the court.

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

46.1 	Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 260C.629, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
46.2 		Subd. 2.Required documents. In order to issue a decree for adoption and enter judgment 
46.3 	accordingly, the court must have the following documents in the record:
46.4 	(1) an electronic copy of the original birth record of the child;
46.5 	(2) an adoption study report including a background study required under section 259.41
46.6 	260C.611;
46.7 	(3) a an electronic copy of the certified copy of the findings and order terminating parental 
46.8 	rights or order accepting the parent's consent to adoption under section 260C.515, subdivision 
46.9 	3, and for guardianship to the commissioner;
46.10 	(4) any consents required under subdivision 1;
46.11 	(5) the child's social and medical history under section 260C.609;
46.12 	(6) the postplacement assessment report required under section 259.53, subdivision 2, 
46.13 	unless waived by the court on the record at a hearing under section 260C.607; and
46.14 	(7) a report from the child's guardian ad litem.

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

46.16 	Sec. 41. [518.181] MOTION TO TRANSFER TO TRIBAL COURT.
46.17 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined have the 
46.18 	meanings given them.
46.19 	(b) "Case participant" means a party to the case that is a natural person.
46.20 	(c) "District court" means a district court of the state of Minnesota.
46.21 	(d) "Party" means a person or entity named or admitted as a party or seeking to be 
46.22 	admitted as a party in the district court action, including the county IV-D agency, whether 
46.23 	or not named in the caption.
46.24 	(e) "Tribal court" means a tribal court of a federally recognized Indian tribe located in 
46.25 	Minnesota that is receiving funding from the federal government to operate a child support 
46.26 	program under United States Code, title 42, chapter 7, subchapter IV, part D, sections 654 
46.27 	to 669b.
46.28 	(f) "Tribal IV-D agency" has the meaning given to "tribal IV-D agency" in Code of 
46.29 	Federal Regulations, title 45, part 309.05.
47.1 	(g) "Title IV-D child support case" has the meaning given to "IV-D case" in section 
47.2 	518A.26, subdivision 10.
47.3 		Subd. 2.Actions eligible for transfer. For purposes of this section, a postjudgment 
47.4 	child support, custody, or parenting time action is eligible for transfer to tribal court. A child 
47.5 	protection action or a dissolution action involving a child is not eligible for transfer to tribal 
47.6 	court pursuant to this section.
47.7 		Subd. 3.Motion to transfer. (a) A party's or tribal IV-D agency's motion to transfer to 
47.8 	tribal court shall state and allege:
47.9 	(1) the address of each case participant;
47.10 	(2) the tribal affiliation of each case participant, if any;
47.11 	(3) the name, tribal affiliation, if any, and date of birth of each living minor or dependent 
47.12 	child of a case participant who is subject to the action; and
47.13 	(4) the legal and factual basis for the court to make a finding that there is concurrent 
47.14 	jurisdiction in the case.
47.15 	(b) A party or tribal IV-D agency bringing a motion to transfer to tribal court must file 
47.16 	with the court and serve the required documents on each party and the tribal IV-D agency, 
47.17 	regardless of whether the tribal IV-D agency is a party.
47.18 	(c) A party's or tribal IV-D agency's motion to transfer must be accompanied by an 
47.19 	affidavit setting forth facts in support of its motion.
47.20 	(d) When a motion to transfer is not brought by the tribal IV-D agency, the tribal IV-D 
47.21 	agency must file with the court and serve on each party an affidavit within 15 days from 
47.22 	the date of service of the motion stating whether the tribal IV-D agency provides services 
47.23 	to a party.
47.24 		Subd. 4.Order to transfer to tribal court. (a) Except as provided in subdivision 6, 
47.25 	upon motion of a party or a tribal IV-D agency, a district court must transfer a postjudgment 
47.26 	child support, custody, or parenting time action to a tribal court when the district court finds:
47.27 	(1) the district court and tribal court have concurrent jurisdiction;
47.28 	(2) a case participant is receiving services from the tribal IV-D agency; and
47.29 	(3) no party or tribal IV-D agency files and serves a timely objection to the transfer.
48.1 	(b) When the requirements of this subdivision are satisfied, the district court is not 
48.2 	required to hold a hearing. The district court's order transferring the action to tribal court 
48.3 	must contain written findings on each requirement of this subdivision.
48.4 		Subd. 5.Objection to motion to transfer. (a) To object to a motion to transfer to a 
48.5 	tribal court, a party or tribal IV-D agency must file with the court and serve on each party 
48.6 	and the tribal IV-D agency a responsive motion objecting to the motion to transfer within 
48.7 	30 days from the date of service of the motion to transfer.
48.8 	(b) If a party or tribal IV-D agency files with the court and properly serves a timely 
48.9 	objection to the motion to transfer to a tribal court, the district court must conduct a hearing.
48.10 		Subd. 6.Hearing. If a hearing is held under this section, the district court must evaluate 
48.11 	and make written findings on all relevant factors, including:
48.12 	(1) whether an issue requires interpretation of tribal law, including the tribal constitution, 
48.13 	statutes, bylaws, ordinances, resolutions, treaties, or case law;
48.14 	(2) whether the action involves tribal traditional or cultural matters;
48.15 	(3) whether the tribe is a party;
48.16 	(4) whether tribal sovereignty, jurisdiction, or territory is an issue;
48.17 	(5) the tribal membership status of each case participant;
48.18 	(6) where the claim arises;
48.19 	(7) the location of the residence of each case participant and the child;
48.20 	(8) whether the parties have by contract chosen a forum or the law to be applied in the 
48.21 	event of a dispute;
48.22 	(9) the timing of any motion to transfer to tribal court, considering each party's and the 
48.23 	court's expenditure of time and resources, and the district court's scheduling order;
48.24 	(10) the court in which the action can be heard and decided most expeditiously;
48.25 	(11) the burdens on each party, including cost, access to and admissibility of evidence, 
48.26 	and matters of procedure; and
48.27 	(12) any other factor the court determines relevant.
48.28 		Subd. 7.Future exercise of jurisdiction. Nothing in this section shall be construed to 
48.29 	limit the district court's exercise of jurisdiction where the tribal court waives jurisdiction, 
48.30 	transfers the action back to district court, or otherwise declines to exercise jurisdiction over 
48.31 	the action.
49.1 		Subd. 8.Transfer to Red Lake Nation Tribal Court. When a party or tribal IV-D 
49.2 	agency brings a motion to transfer to the Red Lake Nation Tribal Court, the court must 
49.3 	transfer the action if the case participants and child resided within the boundaries of the 
49.4 	Red Lake Reservation for the preceding six months.

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

49.6 	Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 518A.41, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
49.7 		Subd. 4.Ordering health care coverage. (a) If a joint child is presently enrolled in 
49.8 	health care coverage, the court must order that the parent who currently has the joint child 
49.9 	enrolled continue that enrollment unless the parties agree otherwise or a party requests a 
49.10 	change in coverage and the court determines that other health care coverage is more 
49.11 	appropriate.
49.12 	(b) If a joint child is not presently enrolled in health care coverage providing medical 
49.13 	benefits, upon motion of a parent or the public authority, the court must determine whether 
49.14 	one or both parents have appropriate health care coverage providing medical benefits for 
49.15 	the joint child.
49.16 	(c) If only one parent has appropriate health care coverage providing medical benefits 
49.17 	available, the court must order that parent to carry the coverage for the joint child.
49.18 	(d) If both parents have appropriate health care coverage providing medical benefits 
49.19 	available, the court must order the parent with whom the joint child resides to carry the 
49.20 	coverage for the joint child, unless:
49.21 	(1) a party expresses a preference for health care coverage providing medical benefits 
49.22 	available through the parent with whom the joint child does not reside;
49.23 	(2) the parent with whom the joint child does not reside is already carrying dependent 
49.24 	health care coverage providing medical benefits for other children and the cost of contributing 
49.25 	to the premiums of the other parent's coverage would cause the parent with whom the joint 
49.26 	child does not reside extreme hardship; or
49.27 	(3) the parties agree as to which parent will carry health care coverage providing medical 
49.28 	benefits and agree on the allocation of costs.
49.29 	(e) If the exception in paragraph (d), clause (1) or (2), applies, the court must determine 
49.30 	which parent has the most appropriate coverage providing medical benefits available and 
49.31 	order that parent to carry coverage for the joint child.
50.1 	(f) If neither parent has appropriate health care coverage available, the court must order 
50.2 	the parents to:
50.3 	(1) contribute toward the actual health care costs of the joint children based on a pro 
50.4 	rata share; or
50.5 	(2) if the joint child is receiving any form of public coverage, the parent with whom the 
50.6 	joint child does not reside shall contribute a monthly amount toward the actual cost of public 
50.7 	coverage. The amount of the noncustodial parent's contribution is determined by applying 
50.8 	the noncustodial parent's PICS to the premium scale for MinnesotaCare under section 
50.9 	256L.15, subdivision 2, paragraph (d). If the noncustodial parent's PICS meets the eligibility 
50.10 	requirements for MinnesotaCare, the contribution is the amount the noncustodial parent 
50.11 	would pay for the child's premium. If the noncustodial parent's PICS exceeds the eligibility 
50.12 	requirements, the contribution is the amount of the premium for the highest eligible income 
50.13 	on the premium scale for MinnesotaCare under section 256L.15, subdivision 2, paragraph 
50.14 	(d). For purposes of determining the premium amount, the noncustodial parent's household 
50.15 	size is equal to one parent plus the child or children who are the subject of the child support 
50.16 	order. The custodial parent's obligation is determined under the requirements for public 
50.17 	coverage as set forth in chapter 256B; or
50.18 	(3) if the noncustodial parent's PICS meet the eligibility requirement for public coverage 
50.19 	under chapter 256B or the noncustodial parent receives public assistance coverage, the 
50.20 	noncustodial parent must not be ordered to contribute toward the cost of public coverage.
50.21 	(g) If neither parent has appropriate health care coverage available, the court may order 
50.22 	the parent with whom the child resides to apply for public coverage for the child.
50.23 	(h) The commissioner of human services must publish a table with the premium schedule 
50.24 	for public coverage and update the chart for changes to the schedule by July 1 of each year.
50.25 	(i) If a joint child is not presently enrolled in health care coverage providing dental 
50.26 	benefits, upon motion of a parent or the public authority, the court must determine whether 
50.27 	one or both parents have appropriate dental health care coverage for the joint child, and the 
50.28 	court may order a parent with appropriate dental health care coverage available to carry the 
50.29 	coverage for the joint child.
50.30 	(j) If a joint child is not presently enrolled in available health care coverage providing 
50.31 	benefits other than medical benefits or dental benefits, upon motion of a parent or the public 
50.32 	authority, the court may determine whether that other health care coverage for the joint 
50.33 	child is appropriate, and the court may order a parent with that appropriate health care 
50.34 	coverage available to carry the coverage for the joint child.

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

51.2 	Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 518A.685, is amended to read:
51.3 	518A.685 CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCY; REPORTING ARREARS.
51.4 	(a) If a public authority determines that an obligor has not paid the current monthly 
51.5 	support obligation plus any required arrearage payment for three months, the public authority 
51.6 	must report this information to a consumer reporting agency.
51.7 	(b) Before reporting that an obligor is in arrears for court-ordered child support, the 
51.8 	public authority must:
51.9 	(1) provide written notice to the obligor that the public authority intends to report the 
51.10 	arrears to a consumer reporting agency; and
51.11 	(2) mail the written notice to the obligor's last known mailing address at least 30 days 
51.12 	before the public authority reports the arrears to a consumer reporting agency.
51.13 	(c) The obligor may, within 21 days of receipt of the notice, do the following to prevent 
51.14 	the public authority from reporting the arrears to a consumer reporting agency:
51.15 	(1) pay the arrears in full; or
51.16 	(2) request an administrative review. An administrative review is limited to issues of 
51.17 	mistaken identity, a pending legal action involving the arrears, or an incorrect arrears balance.
51.18 	(d) If the public authority has reported that an obligor is in arrears for court-ordered 
51.19 	child support and subsequently determines that the obligor has paid the court-ordered child 
51.20 	support arrears in full, or is paying the current monthly support obligation plus any required 
51.21 	arrearage payment, the public authority must report to the consumer reporting agency that 
51.22 	the obligor is currently paying child support as ordered by the court.
51.23 	(e) (d) A public authority that reports arrearage information under this section must 
51.24 	make monthly reports to a consumer reporting agency. The monthly report must be consistent 
51.25 	with credit reporting industry standards for child support.
51.26 	(f) (e) For purposes of this section, "consumer reporting agency" has the meaning given 
51.27 	in section 13C.001, subdivision 4, and United States Code, title 15, section 1681a(f).

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

52.1 	Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 626.556, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
52.2 		Subd. 2.Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms have the meanings 
52.3 	given them unless the specific content indicates otherwise:
52.4 	(a) "Accidental" means a sudden, not reasonably foreseeable, and unexpected occurrence 
52.5 	or event which:
52.6 	(1) is not likely to occur and could not have been prevented by exercise of due care; and
52.7 	(2) if occurring while a child is receiving services from a facility, happens when the 
52.8 	facility and the employee or person providing services in the facility are in compliance with 
52.9 	the laws and rules relevant to the occurrence or event.
52.10 	(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of human services.
52.11 	(c) "Facility" means:
52.12 	(1) a licensed or unlicensed day care facility or provider, residential facility, agency, 
52.13 	hospital, sanitarium, or other facility or institution required to be licensed under sections 
52.14 	144.50 to 144.58, 241.021, or 245A.01 to 245A.16, or chapter 245D;
52.15 	(2) a school as defined in section 120A.05, subdivisions 9, 11, and 13; and chapter 124E; 
52.16 	or
52.17 	(3) a nonlicensed personal care provider organization as defined in section 256B.0625, 
52.18 	subdivision 19a 256B.0659.
52.19 	(d) "Family assessment" means a comprehensive assessment of child safety, risk of 
52.20 	subsequent child maltreatment, and family strengths and needs that is applied to a child 
52.21 	maltreatment report that does not allege sexual abuse or substantial child endangerment. 
52.22 	Family assessment does not include a determination as to whether child maltreatment 
52.23 	occurred but does determine the need for services to address the safety of family members 
52.24 	and the risk of subsequent maltreatment.
52.25 	(e) "Investigation" means fact gathering related to the current safety of a child and the 
52.26 	risk of subsequent maltreatment that determines whether child maltreatment occurred and 
52.27 	whether child protective services are needed. An investigation must be used when reports 
52.28 	involve sexual abuse or substantial child endangerment, and for reports of maltreatment in 
52.29 	facilities required to be licensed under chapter 245A or 245D; under sections 144.50 to 
52.30 	144.58 and 241.021; in a school as defined in section 120A.05, subdivisions 9, 11, and 13, 
52.31 	and chapter 124E; or in a nonlicensed personal care provider association as defined in section 
52.32 	256B.0625, subdivision 19a 256B.0659.
53.1 	(f) "Mental injury" means an injury to the psychological capacity or emotional stability 
53.2 	of a child as evidenced by an observable or substantial impairment in the child's ability to 
53.3 	function within a normal range of performance and behavior with due regard to the child's 
53.4 	culture.
53.5 	(g) "Neglect" means the commission or omission of any of the acts specified under 
53.6 	clauses (1) to (9) (10), other than by accidental means:
53.7 	(1) failure by a person responsible for a child's care to supply a child with necessary 
53.8 	food, clothing, shelter, health, medical, or other care required for the child's physical or 
53.9 	mental health when reasonably able to do so;
53.10 	(2) failure to protect a child from conditions or actions that seriously endanger the child's 
53.11 	physical or mental health when reasonably able to do so, including a growth delay, which 
53.12 	may be referred to as a failure to thrive, that has been diagnosed by a physician and is due 
53.13 	to parental neglect;
53.14 	(3) failure to provide for necessary supervision or child care arrangements appropriate 
53.15 	for a child after considering factors as the child's age, mental ability, physical condition, 
53.16 	length of absence, or environment, when the child is unable to care for the child's own basic 
53.17 	needs or safety, or the basic needs or safety of another child in their care;
53.18 	(4) failure to ensure that the child is educated as defined in sections 120A.22 and 
53.19 	260C.163, subdivision 11, which does not include a parent's refusal to provide the parent's 
53.20 	child with sympathomimetic medications, consistent with section 125A.091, subdivision 
53.21 	5;
53.22 	(5) nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that a child is neglected solely 
53.23 	because the child's parent, guardian, or other person responsible for the child's care in good 
53.24 	faith selects and depends upon spiritual means or prayer for treatment or care of disease or 
53.25 	remedial care of the child in lieu of medical care; except that a parent, guardian, or caretaker, 
53.26 	or a person mandated to report pursuant to subdivision 3, has a duty to report if a lack of 
53.27 	medical care may cause serious danger to the child's health. This section does not impose 
53.28 	upon persons, not otherwise legally responsible for providing a child with necessary food, 
53.29 	clothing, shelter, education, or medical care, a duty to provide that care;
53.30 	(6) prenatal exposure to alcohol or a controlled substance, as defined in section 253B.02, 
53.31 	subdivision 2, used by the mother for a nonmedical purpose, as evidenced by withdrawal 
53.32 	symptoms in the child at birth, results of a toxicology test performed on the mother at 
53.33 	delivery or the child at birth, medical effects or developmental delays during the child's first 
54.1 	year of life that medically indicate prenatal exposure to a controlled substance, or the 
54.2 	presence of a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder;
54.3 	(7) "medical neglect" as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 6, clause (5);
54.4 	(8) chronic and severe use of alcohol or a controlled substance by a parent or person 
54.5 	responsible for the care of the child that adversely affects the child's basic needs and safety; 
54.6 	or
54.7 	(9) emotional harm from a pattern of behavior which contributes to impaired emotional 
54.8 	functioning of the child which may be demonstrated by a substantial and observable effect 
54.9 	in the child's behavior, emotional response, or cognition that is not within the normal range 
54.10 	for the child's age and stage of development, with due regard to the child's culture.; or
54.11 	(10) abandonment of the child exhibited when a parent or person responsible for a child's 
54.12 	care, does not have regular contact with the child and failed to demonstrate consistent interest 
54.13 	in the child's well-being; unless the parent or person responsible for a child's care establishes 
54.14 	an extreme financial hardship, physical hardship, treatment for mental disability or chemical 
54.15 	dependency, or other good cause that prevented the parent or person responsible for a child's 
54.16 	care from making contact with the child. A child custody determination under chapter 257 
54.17 	or 518 is not abandonment of the child.
54.18 	(h) "Nonmaltreatment mistake" means:
54.19 	(1) at the time of the incident, the individual was performing duties identified in the 
54.20 	center's child care program plan required under Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0045;
54.21 	(2) the individual has not been determined responsible for a similar incident that resulted 
54.22 	in a finding of maltreatment for at least seven years;
54.23 	(3) the individual has not been determined to have committed a similar nonmaltreatment 
54.24 	mistake under this paragraph for at least four years;
54.25 	(4) any injury to a child resulting from the incident, if treated, is treated only with 
54.26 	remedies that are available over the counter, whether ordered by a medical professional or 
54.27 	not; and
54.28 	(5) except for the period when the incident occurred, the facility and the individual 
54.29 	providing services were both in compliance with all licensing requirements relevant to the 
54.30 	incident.
54.31 	This definition only applies to child care centers licensed under Minnesota Rules, chapter 
54.32 	9503. If clauses (1) to (5) apply, rather than making a determination of substantiated 
55.1 	maltreatment by the individual, the commissioner of human services shall determine that a 
55.2 	nonmaltreatment mistake was made by the individual.
55.3 	(i) "Operator" means an operator or agency as defined in section 245A.02.
55.4 	(j) "Person responsible for the child's care" means (1) an individual functioning within 
55.5 	the family unit and having responsibilities for the care of the child such as a parent, guardian, 
55.6 	or other person having similar care responsibilities, or (2) an individual functioning outside 
55.7 	the family unit and having responsibilities for the care of the child such as a teacher, school 
55.8 	administrator, other school employees or agents, or other lawful custodian of a child having 
55.9 	either full-time or short-term care responsibilities including, but not limited to, day care, 
55.10 	babysitting whether paid or unpaid, counseling, teaching, and coaching.
55.11 	(k) "Physical abuse" means any physical injury, mental injury, or threatened injury, 
55.12 	inflicted by a person responsible for the child's care on a child other than by accidental 
55.13 	means, or any physical or mental injury that cannot reasonably be explained by the child's 
55.14 	history of injuries, or any aversive or deprivation procedures, or regulated interventions, 
55.15 	that have not been authorized under section 125A.0942 or 245.825.
55.16 	Abuse does not include reasonable and moderate physical discipline of a child 
55.17 	administered by a parent or legal guardian which does not result in an injury. Abuse does 
55.18 	not include the use of reasonable force by a teacher, principal, or school employee as allowed 
55.19 	by section 121A.582. Actions which are not reasonable and moderate include, but are not 
55.20 	limited to, any of the following:
55.21 	(1) throwing, kicking, burning, biting, or cutting a child;
55.22 	(2) striking a child with a closed fist;
55.23 	(3) shaking a child under age three;
55.24 	(4) striking or other actions which result in any nonaccidental injury to a child under 18 
55.25 	months of age;
55.26 	(5) unreasonable interference with a child's breathing;
55.27 	(6) threatening a child with a weapon, as defined in section 609.02, subdivision 6;
55.28 	(7) striking a child under age one on the face or head;
55.29 	(8) striking a child who is at least age one but under age four on the face or head, which 
55.30 	results in an injury;
55.31 	(9) purposely giving a child poison, alcohol, or dangerous, harmful, or controlled 
55.32 	substances which were not prescribed for the child by a practitioner, in order to control or 
56.1 	punish the child; or other substances that substantially affect the child's behavior, motor 
56.2 	coordination, or judgment or that results in sickness or internal injury, or subjects the child 
56.3 	to medical procedures that would be unnecessary if the child were not exposed to the 
56.4 	substances;
56.5 	(10) unreasonable physical confinement or restraint not permitted under section 609.379, 
56.6 	including but not limited to tying, caging, or chaining; or
56.7 	(11) in a school facility or school zone, an act by a person responsible for the child's 
56.8 	care that is a violation under section 121A.58.
56.9 	(l) "Practice of social services," for the purposes of subdivision 3, includes but is not 
56.10 	limited to employee assistance counseling and the provision of guardian ad litem and 
56.11 	parenting time expeditor services.
56.12 	(m) "Report" means any communication received by the local welfare agency, police 
56.13 	department, county sheriff, or agency responsible for child protection pursuant to this section 
56.14 	that describes neglect or physical or sexual abuse of a child and contains sufficient content 
56.15 	to identify the child and any person believed to be responsible for the neglect or abuse, if 
56.16 	known.
56.17 	(n) "Sexual abuse" means the subjection of a child an action by a person responsible for 
56.18 	the child's care, by a person who has a significant relationship to the child, as defined in 
56.19 	section 609.341, including the child's parent, stepparent, guardian, brother, sister, stepbrother, 
56.20 	stepsister, first cousin, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, grandparent, great-grandparent, 
56.21 	great-uncle, or great-aunt, whether that person resides in the same dwelling as the child, or 
56.22 	other child or adult who jointly resides intermittently or regularly in the same dwelling as 
56.23 	the child, or by a any person in a position of authority, as defined in section 609.341, 
56.24 	subdivision 10, that subjects a child to any act which constitutes a violation of section 
56.25 	609.342 (criminal sexual conduct in the first degree), 609.343 (criminal sexual conduct in 
56.26 	the second degree), 609.344 (criminal sexual conduct in the third degree), 609.345 (criminal 
56.27 	sexual conduct in the fourth degree), or 609.3451 (criminal sexual conduct in the fifth 
56.28 	degree). Sexual abuse also includes any act which involves a minor which constitutes a 
56.29 	violation of prostitution offenses under sections 609.321 to 609.324 or 617.246. Effective 
56.30 	May 29, 2017, sexual abuse includes all reports of known or suspected child sex trafficking 
56.31 	involving a child who is identified as a victim of sex trafficking. Sexual abuse includes 
56.32 	child sex trafficking as defined in section 609.321, subdivisions 7a and 7b. Sexual abuse 
56.33 	includes threatened sexual abuse which includes the status of a parent or household member 
56.34 	who has committed a violation which requires registration as an offender under section 
57.1 	243.166, subdivision 1b, paragraph (a) or (b), or required registration under section 243.166, 
57.2 	subdivision 1b, paragraph (a) or (b).
57.3 	(o) "Substantial child endangerment" means a person responsible for a child's care, by 
57.4 	act or omission, commits or attempts to commit an act against a child under their care that 
57.5 	constitutes any of the following:
57.6 	(1) egregious harm as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 14;
57.7 	(2) abandonment under section 260C.301, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (2);
57.8 	(3) neglect as defined in paragraph (g), clause (2), that substantially endangers the child's 
57.9 	physical or mental health, including a growth delay, which may be referred to as failure to 
57.10 	thrive, that has been diagnosed by a physician and is due to parental neglect;
57.11 	(4) murder in the first, second, or third degree under section 609.185, 609.19, or 609.195;
57.12 	(5) manslaughter in the first or second degree under section 609.20 or 609.205;
57.13 	(6) assault in the first, second, or third degree under section 609.221, 609.222, or 609.223;
57.14 	(7) solicitation, inducement, and promotion of prostitution under section 609.322;
57.15 	(8) criminal sexual conduct under sections 609.342 to 609.3451;
57.16 	(9) solicitation of children to engage in sexual conduct under section 609.352;
57.17 	(10) malicious punishment or neglect or endangerment of a child under section 609.377
57.18 	or 609.378;
57.19 	(11) use of a minor in sexual performance under section 617.246; or
57.20 	(12) parental behavior, status, or condition which mandates that the county attorney file 
57.21 	a termination of parental rights petition under section 260C.503, subdivision 2.
57.22 	(p) "Threatened injury" means a statement, overt act, condition, or status that represents 
57.23 	a substantial risk of physical or sexual abuse or mental injury. Threatened injury includes, 
57.24 	but is not limited to, exposing a child to a person responsible for the child's care, as defined 
57.25 	in paragraph (j), clause (1), who has:
57.26 	(1) subjected a child to, or failed to protect a child from, an overt act or condition that 
57.27 	constitutes egregious harm, as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 14, or a similar law 
57.28 	of another jurisdiction;
57.29 	(2) been found to be palpably unfit under section 260C.301, subdivision 1, paragraph 
57.30 	(b), clause (4), or a similar law of another jurisdiction;
58.1 	(3) committed an act that has resulted in an involuntary termination of parental rights 
58.2 	under section 260C.301, or a similar law of another jurisdiction; or
58.3 	(4) committed an act that has resulted in the involuntary transfer of permanent legal and 
58.4 	physical custody of a child to a relative under Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 260C.201, 
58.5 	subdivision 11, paragraph (d), clause (1), section 260C.515, subdivision 4, or a similar law 
58.6 	of another jurisdiction.;
58.7 	(5) A child is the subject of subjected a child to a status or condition requiring a report 
58.8 	of threatened injury when the responsible social services agency receives birth match data 
58.9 	under paragraph (q) from the Department of Human Services.; or
58.10 	(6) committed a violation which requires registration as an offender under section 
58.11 	243.166, subdivision 1b, paragraph (a) or (b), and is a parent or a household member.
58.12 	(q) Upon receiving data under section 144.225, subdivision 2b, contained in a birth 
58.13 	record or recognition of parentage identifying a child who is subject to threatened injury 
58.14 	under paragraph (p), the Department of Human Services shall send the data to the responsible 
58.15 	social services agency. The data is known as "birth match" data. Unless the responsible 
58.16 	social services agency has already begun an investigation or assessment of the report due 
58.17 	to the birth of the child or execution of the recognition of parentage and the parent's previous 
58.18 	history with child protection, the agency shall accept the birth match data as a report under 
58.19 	this section. The agency may shall use either a family assessment oran investigation to 
58.20 	determine whether the child is safe. All of the provisions of this section apply. If the child 
58.21 	is determined to be safe, the agency shall consult with the county attorney to determine the 
58.22 	appropriateness of filing a petition alleging the child is in need of protection or services 
58.23 	under section 260C.007, subdivision 6, clause (16), in order to deliver needed services. If 
58.24 	the child is determined not to be safe, the agency and the county attorney shall take 
58.25 	appropriate action as required under section 260C.503, subdivision 2.
58.26 	(r) Persons who conduct assessments or investigations under this section shall take into 
58.27 	account accepted child-rearing practices of the culture in which a child participates and 
58.28 	accepted teacher discipline practices, which are not injurious to the child's health, welfare, 
58.29 	and safety.
58.30 	(s) "Safety plan" means a written or oral plan made with the local social services agency 
58.31 	and the child's parent or legal custodian or ordered by the court that sets out the conditions 
58.32 	necessary to keep the child safe. A safety plan is developed, when required, after a safety 
58.33 	assessment. The plan may be part of a child protective services plan, out-of-home placement 
58.34 	plan, or reunification plan when the child leaves foster care.

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

59.2 	Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 626.556, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
59.3 		Subd. 3.Persons mandated to report; persons voluntarily reporting. (a) A person 
59.4 	who knows or has reason to believe a child is being neglected or physically or sexually 
59.5 	abused, as defined in subdivision 2, or has been neglected or physically or sexually abused 
59.6 	within the preceding three years, shall immediately report the information to the local welfare 
59.7 	agency, agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report, police department, 
59.8 	county sheriff, tribal social services agency, or tribal police department if the person is:
59.9 	(1) a professional or professional's delegate who is while engaged in the practice of the 
59.10 	healing arts, social services, hospital administration, psychological or psychiatric treatment, 
59.11 	child care, education, correctional supervision, probation and correctional services, or law 
59.12 	enforcement; or
59.13 	(2) employed as a member of the clergy and received the information while engaged in 
59.14 	ministerial duties, provided that a member of the clergy is not required by this subdivision 
59.15 	to report information that is otherwise privileged under section 595.02, subdivision 1, 
59.16 	paragraph (c).
59.17 	(b) Any person may voluntarily report to the local welfare agency, agency responsible 
59.18 	for assessing or investigating the report, police department, county sheriff, tribal social 
59.19 	services agency, or tribal police department if the person knows, has reason to believe, or 
59.20 	suspects a child is being or has been neglected or subjected to physical or sexual abuse.
59.21 	(c) A person mandated to report physical or sexual child abuse or neglect occurring 
59.22 	within a licensed facility shall report the information to the agency responsible for licensing 
59.23 	the facility under sections 144.50 to 144.58; 241.021; 245A.01 to 245A.16; or chapter 245D; 
59.24 	or a nonlicensed personal care provider organization as defined in section 256B.0625, 
59.25 	subdivision 19 256B.0659. A health or corrections agency receiving a report may request 
59.26 	the local welfare agency to provide assistance pursuant to subdivisions 10, 10a, and 10b. 
59.27 	A board or other entity whose licensees perform work within a school facility, upon receiving 
59.28 	a complaint of alleged maltreatment, shall provide information about the circumstances of 
59.29 	the alleged maltreatment to the commissioner of education. Section 13.03, subdivision 4, 
59.30 	applies to data received by the commissioner of education from a licensing entity.
59.31 	(d) Notification requirements under subdivision 10 apply to all reports received under 
59.32 	this section.
60.1 	(e) For purposes of this section, "immediately" means as soon as possible but in no event 
60.2 	longer than 24 hours.

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

60.4 	Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 626.556, subdivision 3c, is amended to read:
60.5 		Subd. 3c.Local welfare agency, Department of Human Services or Department of 
60.6 	Health responsible for assessing or investigating reports of maltreatment. (a) The county 
60.7 	local welfare agency is the agency responsible for assessing or investigating allegations of 
60.8 	maltreatment by a parent, guardian, or individual who resides in the child's household and 
60.9 	functions within the family unit as a person responsible for the child's care, in child foster 
60.10 	care, family child care, legally unlicensed child care, juvenile correctional facilities licensed 
60.11 	under section 241.021 located in the local welfare agency's county, and reports involving 
60.12 	children served by an unlicensed personal care provider organization under section 
60.13 	256B.0659. Copies of findings related to personal care provider organizations under section 
60.14 	256B.0659 must be forwarded to the Department of Human Services provider enrollment.
60.15 	(b) The Department of Human Services is the agency responsible for assessing or 
60.16 	investigating allegations of maltreatment in facilities licensed under chapters 245A and 
60.17 	245D, except for child foster care and family child care.
60.18 	(c) The Department of Health is the agency responsible for assessing or investigating 
60.19 	allegations of child maltreatment in facilities licensed under sections 144.50 to 144.58 and 
60.20 	144A.43 to 144A.482.

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

60.22 	Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 626.556, subdivision 3e, is amended to read:
60.23 		Subd. 3e.Agency responsible for assessing or investigating reports of sexual abuse.
 60.24 	The local welfare agency is the agency responsible for investigating allegations of sexual 
60.25 	abuse if the alleged offender is the parent, guardian, or sibling, orwhether that person resides 
60.26 	in the same dwelling as the child; an individual functioning who resides in the child's 
60.27 	household and functions within the family unit as a person responsible for the child's care,;
60.28 	or a person other child or adult who jointly resides intermittently or regularly in the same 
60.29 	dwelling as the childwith a significant relationship to the child if that person resides in the 
60.30 	child's household. Effective May 29, 2017, the local welfare agency is also responsible for 
60.31 	investigating when a child is identified as a victim of sex trafficking.

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

61.1 	Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 626.556, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
61.2 		Subd. 7.Report; information provided to parent; reporter. (a) An oral report shall 
61.3 	be made immediately by telephone or otherwise. An oral report made by a person required 
61.4 	under subdivision 3 to report shall be followed within 72 hours, exclusive of weekends and 
61.5 	holidays, by a report in writing to the appropriate police department, the county sheriff, the 
61.6 	agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report, or the local welfare agency.
61.7 	(b) The local welfare agency shall determine if the report is to be screened in or out as 
61.8 	soon as possible but in no event longer than 24 hours after the report is received. When 
61.9 	determining whether a report will be screened in or out, the agency receiving the report 
61.10 	must consider, when relevant, all previous history, including reports that were screened out. 
61.11 	The agency may communicate with treating professionals and individuals specified under 
61.12 	subdivision 10, paragraph (i) (j), clause (3), item (iii). A treating professional or individual 
61.13 	specified to provide information under this paragraph is immune from liability as specified 
61.14 	under subdivision 4.
61.15 	(c) Any report shall be of sufficient content to identify the child, any person believed to 
61.16 	be responsible for the abuse or neglect of the child if the person is known, the nature and 
61.17 	extent of the abuse or neglect and the name and address of the reporter. The local welfare 
61.18 	agency or agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report shall accept a report 
61.19 	made under subdivision 3 notwithstanding refusal by a reporter to provide the reporter's 
61.20 	name or address as long as the report is otherwise sufficient under this paragraph. Written 
61.21 	reports received by a police department or the county sheriff shall be forwarded immediately 
61.22 	to the local welfare agency or the agency responsible for assessing or investigating the 
61.23 	report. The police department or the county sheriff may keep copies of reports received by 
61.24 	them. Copies of written reports received by a local welfare department or the agency 
61.25 	responsible for assessing or investigating the report shall be forwarded immediately to the 
61.26 	local police department or the county sheriff.
61.27 	(d) When requested, The agency responsible for assessing or investigating a report shall 
61.28 	inform the reporter within ten days after the initial report was made, either orally or in 
61.29 	writing, whether the report was accepted or not, unless release would be detrimental to the 
61.30 	best interests of the child. If the responsible agency determines the report does not constitute 
61.31 	a report under this section, the agency shall advise the reporter the report was screened out.
61.32 	Any person mandated to report shall receive a summary of the final disposition of any report 
61.33 	made by that reporter, including whether the case has been opened for child protection or 
61.34 	other services, or if a referral has been made to a community organization, unless release 
61.35 	would be detrimental to the best interests of the child. Any person who is not mandated to 
62.1 	report shall, upon request to the local welfare agency, receive a concise summary of the 
62.2 	disposition of any report made by that reporter, unless release would be detrimental to the 
62.3 	best interests of the child.
62.4 	(e) Reports that are screened out must be maintained in accordance with subdivision 
62.5 	11c, paragraph (a).
62.6 	(f) A local welfare agency or agency responsible for investigating or assessing a report 
62.7 	may use a screened-out report for making an offer of social services to the subjects of the 
62.8 	screened-out report. A local welfare agency or agency responsible for evaluating a report 
62.9 	alleging maltreatment of a child shall consider prior reports, including screened-out reports, 
62.10 	to determine whether an investigation or family assessment must be conducted. The local 
62.11 	welfare agency may inform the child-placing agency or the child foster care licensing agency 
62.12 	of the screened-out report when the report alleges child maltreatment by a child or adult 
62.13 	who resides intermittently or regularly in the same dwelling as the child where any child is 
62.14 	placed in foster care.
62.15 	(g) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the commissioner of education must inform the 
62.16 	parent, guardian, or legal custodian of the child who is the subject of a report of alleged 
62.17 	maltreatment in a school facility within ten days of receiving the report, either orally or in 
62.18 	writing, whether the commissioner is assessing or investigating the report of alleged 
62.19 	maltreatment.
62.20 	(h) Regardless of whether a report is made under this subdivision, as soon as practicable 
62.21 	after a school receives information regarding an incident that may constitute maltreatment 
62.22 	of a child in a school facility, the school shall inform the parent, legal guardian, or custodian 
62.23 	of the child that an incident has occurred that may constitute maltreatment of the child, 
62.24 	when the incident occurred, and the nature of the conduct that may constitute maltreatment.
62.25 	(i) A written copy of a report maintained by personnel of agencies, other than welfare 
62.26 	or law enforcement agencies, which are subject to chapter 13 shall be confidential. An 
62.27 	individual subject of the report may obtain access to the original report as provided by 
62.28 	subdivision 11.

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

62.30 	Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 626.556, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
62.31 		Subd. 10.Duties of local welfare agency and local law enforcement agency upon 
62.32 	receipt of report; mandatory notification between police or sheriff and agency. (a) The 
62.33 	police department or the county sheriff shall immediately notify the local welfare agency 
63.1 	or agency responsible for child protection reports under this section orally and or in writing 
63.2 	when a report is received. The local welfare agency or agency responsible for child protection 
63.3 	reports shall immediately notify the local police department or the county sheriff orally and
63.4 	or in writing when a report is received. The county sheriff and the head of every local welfare 
63.5 	agency, agency responsible for child protection reports, and police department shall each 
63.6 	designate a person within their agency, department, or office who is responsible for ensuring 
63.7 	that the notification duties of this paragraph are carried out. When the alleged maltreatment 
63.8 	occurred on tribal land, the local welfare agency or agency responsible for child protection 
63.9 	reports and the local police department or the county sheriff shall immediately notify the 
63.10 	tribe's social services agency and tribal law enforcement orally and or in writing when a 
63.11 	report is received. When the alleged maltreatment occurred in another state involving a 
63.12 	child residing in Minnesota, the local welfare agency shall assume responsibility for child 
63.13 	protection assessment or investigation.
63.14 	(b) Upon receipt of a report, the local welfare agency shall determine whether to conduct 
63.15 	a family assessment or an investigation as appropriate to prevent or provide a remedy for 
63.16 	child maltreatment. The local welfare agency:
63.17 	(1) shall conduct an investigation on reports involving sexual abuse according to 
63.18 	subdivision 3e or substantial child endangerment according to subdivision 3c, paragraph 
63.19 	(a);
63.20 	(2) shall begin an immediate investigation if, at any time when it is using a family 
63.21 	assessment response, it determines that there is reason to believe that sexual abuse or 
63.22 	substantial child endangerment or a serious threat to the child's safety exists;
63.23 	(3) may conduct a family assessment for reports that do not allege sexual abuse or 
63.24 	substantial child endangerment. In determining that a family assessment is appropriate, the 
63.25 	local welfare agency may consider issues of child safety, parental cooperation, and the need 
63.26 	for an immediate response;
63.27 	(4) may conduct a family assessment on a report that was initially screened and assigned 
63.28 	for an investigation. In determining that a complete investigation is not required, the local 
63.29 	welfare agency must document the reason for terminating the investigation and notify the 
63.30 	local law enforcement agency if the local law enforcement agency is conducting a joint 
63.31 	investigation; and
63.32 	(5) shall provide immediate notice, according to section 260.761, subdivision 2, to an 
63.33 	Indian child's tribe when the agency has reason to believe the family assessment or 
64.1 	investigation may involve an Indian child. For purposes of this clause, "immediate notice" 
64.2 	means notice provided within 24 hours.
64.3 	If the report alleges neglect, physical abuse, or sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, or 
64.4 	individual functioning within the family unit as a person responsible for the child's care, or 
64.5 	sexual abuse by a person with a significant relationship to the child when that person resides 
64.6 	in the child's household or by a sibling, the local welfare agency shall immediately conduct 
64.7 	a family assessment or investigation as identified in clauses (1) to (4). (c) In conducting a 
64.8 	family assessment or investigation, the local welfare agency shall gather information on the 
64.9 	existence of substance abuse and domestic violence and offer services for purposes of 
64.10 	preventing future child maltreatment, safeguarding and enhancing the welfare of the abused 
64.11 	or neglected minor, and supporting and preserving family life whenever possible. If the 
64.12 	report alleges a violation of a criminal statute involving sexual abuse, physical abuse, or 
64.13 	neglect or endangerment, under section 609.378, the local law enforcement agency and 
64.14 	local welfare agency shall coordinate the planning and execution of their respective 
64.15 	investigation and assessment efforts to avoid a duplication of fact-finding efforts and multiple 
64.16 	interviews. Each agency shall prepare a separate report of the results of its investigation or 
64.17 	assessment. In cases of alleged child maltreatment resulting in death, the local agency may 
64.18 	rely on the fact-finding efforts of a law enforcement investigation to make a determination 
64.19 	of whether or not maltreatment occurred. When necessary the local welfare agency shall 
64.20 	seek authority to remove the child from the custody of a parent, guardian, or adult with 
64.21 	whom the child is living. In performing any of these duties, the local welfare agency shall 
64.22 	maintain appropriate records.
64.23 	If the family assessment or investigation indicates there is a potential for abuse of alcohol 
64.24 	or other drugs by the parent, guardian, or person responsible for the child's care, the local 
64.25 	welfare agency shall conduct a chemical use assessment pursuant to Minnesota Rules, part 
64.26 	9530.6615.
64.27 	(c) (d) When a local agency receives a report or otherwise has information indicating 
64.28 	that a child who is a client, as defined in section 245.91, has been the subject of physical 
64.29 	abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect at an agency, facility, or program as defined in section 
64.30 	245.91, it shall, in addition to its other duties under this section, immediately inform the 
64.31 	ombudsman established under sections 245.91 to 245.97. The commissioner of education 
64.32 	shall inform the ombudsman established under sections 245.91 to 245.97 of reports regarding 
64.33 	a child defined as a client in section 245.91 that maltreatment occurred at a school as defined 
64.34 	in section 120A.05, subdivisions 9, 11, and 13, and chapter 124E.
65.1 	(d) (e) Authority of the local welfare agency responsible for assessing or investigating 
65.2 	the child abuse or neglect report, the agency responsible for assessing or investigating the 
65.3 	report, and of the local law enforcement agency for investigating the alleged abuse or neglect 
65.4 	includes, but is not limited to, authority to interview, without parental consent, the alleged 
65.5 	victim and any other minors who currently reside with or who have resided with the alleged 
65.6 	offender. The interview may take place at school or at any facility or other place where the 
65.7 	alleged victim or other minors might be found or the child may be transported to, and the 
65.8 	interview conducted at, a place appropriate for the interview of a child designated by the 
65.9 	local welfare agency or law enforcement agency. The interview may take place outside the 
65.10 	presence of the alleged offender or parent, legal custodian, guardian, or school official. For 
65.11 	family assessments, it is the preferred practice to request a parent or guardian's permission 
65.12 	to interview the child prior to conducting the child interview, unless doing so would 
65.13 	compromise the safety assessment. Except as provided in this paragraph, the parent, legal 
65.14 	custodian, or guardian shall be notified by the responsible local welfare or law enforcement 
65.15 	agency no later than the conclusion of the investigation or assessment that this interview 
65.16 	has occurred. Notwithstanding rule 32 of the Minnesota Rules of Procedure for Juvenile 
65.17 	Courts, the juvenile court may, after hearing on an ex parte motion by the local welfare 
65.18 	agency, order that, where reasonable cause exists, the agency withhold notification of this 
65.19 	interview from the parent, legal custodian, or guardian. If the interview took place or is to 
65.20 	take place on school property, the order shall specify that school officials may not disclose 
65.21 	to the parent, legal custodian, or guardian the contents of the notification of intent to interview 
65.22 	the child on school property, as provided under this paragraph, and any other related 
65.23 	information regarding the interview that may be a part of the child's school record. A copy 
65.24 	of the order shall be sent by the local welfare or law enforcement agency to the appropriate 
65.25 	school official.
65.26 	(e) (f) When the local welfare, local law enforcement agency, or the agency responsible 
65.27 	for assessing or investigating a report of maltreatment determines that an interview should 
65.28 	take place on school property, written notification of intent to interview the child on school 
65.29 	property must be received by school officials prior to the interview. The notification shall 
65.30 	include the name of the child to be interviewed, the purpose of the interview, and a reference 
65.31 	to the statutory authority to conduct an interview on school property. For interviews 
65.32 	conducted by the local welfare agency, the notification shall be signed by the chair of the 
65.33 	local social services agency or the chair's designee. The notification shall be private data 
65.34 	on individuals subject to the provisions of this paragraph. School officials may not disclose 
65.35 	to the parent, legal custodian, or guardian the contents of the notification or any other related 
65.36 	information regarding the interview until notified in writing by the local welfare or law 
66.1 	enforcement agency that the investigation or assessment has been concluded, unless a school 
66.2 	employee or agent is alleged to have maltreated the child. Until that time, the local welfare 
66.3 	or law enforcement agency or the agency responsible for assessing or investigating a report 
66.4 	of maltreatment shall be solely responsible for any disclosures regarding the nature of the 
66.5 	assessment or investigation.
66.6 	Except where the alleged offender is believed to be a school official or employee, the 
66.7 	time and place, and manner of the interview on school premises shall be within the discretion 
66.8 	of school officials, but the local welfare or law enforcement agency shall have the exclusive 
66.9 	authority to determine who may attend the interview. The conditions as to time, place, and 
66.10 	manner of the interview set by the school officials shall be reasonable and the interview 
66.11 	shall be conducted not more than 24 hours after the receipt of the notification unless another 
66.12 	time is considered necessary by agreement between the school officials and the local welfare 
66.13 	or law enforcement agency. Where the school fails to comply with the provisions of this 
66.14 	paragraph, the juvenile court may order the school to comply. Every effort must be made 
66.15 	to reduce the disruption of the educational program of the child, other students, or school 
66.16 	staff when an interview is conducted on school premises.
66.17 	(f) (g) Where the alleged offender or a person responsible for the care of the alleged 
66.18 	victim or other minor prevents access to the victim or other minor by the local welfare 
66.19 	agency, the juvenile court may order the parents, legal custodian, or guardian to produce 
66.20 	the alleged victim or other minor for questioning by the local welfare agency or the local 
66.21 	law enforcement agency outside the presence of the alleged offender or any person 
66.22 	responsible for the child's care at reasonable places and times as specified by court order.
66.23 	(g) (h) Before making an order under paragraph (f), the court shall issue an order to 
66.24 	show cause, either upon its own motion or upon a verified petition, specifying the basis for 
66.25 	the requested interviews and fixing the time and place of the hearing. The order to show 
66.26 	cause shall be served personally and shall be heard in the same manner as provided in other 
66.27 	cases in the juvenile court. The court shall consider the need for appointment of a guardian 
66.28 	ad litem to protect the best interests of the child. If appointed, the guardian ad litem shall 
66.29 	be present at the hearing on the order to show cause.
66.30 	(h) (i) The commissioner of human services, the ombudsman for mental health and 
66.31 	developmental disabilities, the local welfare agencies responsible for investigating reports, 
66.32 	the commissioner of education, and the local law enforcement agencies have the right to 
66.33 	enter facilities as defined in subdivision 2 and to inspect and copy the facility's records, 
66.34 	including medical records, as part of the investigation. Notwithstanding the provisions of 
66.35 	chapter 13, they also have the right to inform the facility under investigation that they are 
67.1 	conducting an investigation, to disclose to the facility the names of the individuals under 
67.2 	investigation for abusing or neglecting a child, and to provide the facility with a copy of 
67.3 	the report and the investigative findings.
67.4 	(i) (j) The local welfare agency responsible for conducting a family assessment or 
67.5 	investigation shall collect available and relevant information to determine child safety, risk 
67.6 	of subsequent child maltreatment, and family strengths and needs and share not public 
67.7 	information, including the name of the reporter of child maltreatment and any other 
67.8 	information collected under this subdivision, with an Indian's tribal social services agency 
67.9 	without violating any law of the state that may otherwise impose duties of confidentiality 
67.10 	on the local welfare agency in order to implement the tribal state agreement. The local 
67.11 	welfare agency or the agency responsible for investigating the report shall collect available 
67.12 	and relevant information to ascertain whether maltreatment occurred and whether protective 
67.13 	services are needed. Information collected includes, when relevant, information with regard 
67.14 	to the person reporting the alleged maltreatment, including the nature of the reporter's 
67.15 	relationship to the child and to the alleged offender, and the basis of the reporter's knowledge 
67.16 	for the report; the child allegedly being maltreated; the alleged offender; the child's caretaker; 
67.17 	and other collateral sources having relevant information related to the alleged maltreatment. 
67.18 	The local welfare agency or the agency responsible for investigating the report may make 
67.19 	a determination of no maltreatment early in an investigation, and close the case and retain 
67.20 	immunity, if the collected information shows no basis for a full investigation.
67.21 	Information relevant to the assessment or investigation must be asked for, and may 
67.22 	include:
67.23 	(1) the child's sex and age; prior reports of maltreatment, including any maltreatment 
67.24 	reports that were screened out and not accepted for assessment or investigation; information 
67.25 	relating to developmental functioning; credibility of the child's statement; and whether the 
67.26 	information provided under this clause is consistent with other information collected during 
67.27 	the course of the assessment or investigation;
67.28 	(2) the alleged offender's age, a record check for prior reports of maltreatment, and 
67.29 	criminal charges and convictions. The local welfare agency or the agency responsible for 
67.30 	assessing or investigating the report must provide the alleged offender with an opportunity 
67.31 	to make a statement. The alleged offender may submit supporting documentation relevant 
67.32 	to the assessment or investigation;
67.33 	(3) collateral source information regarding the alleged maltreatment and care of the 
67.34 	child. Collateral information includes, when relevant: (i) a medical examination of the child; 
68.1 	(ii) prior medical records relating to the alleged maltreatment or the care of the child 
68.2 	maintained by any facility, clinic, or health care professional and an interview with the 
68.3 	treating professionals; and (iii) interviews with the child's caretakers, including the child's 
68.4 	parent, guardian, foster parent, child care provider, teachers, counselors, family members, 
68.5 	relatives, and other persons who may have knowledge regarding the alleged maltreatment 
68.6 	and the care of the child; and
68.7 	(4) information on the existence of domestic abuse and violence in the home of the child, 
68.8 	and substance abuse.
68.9 	Nothing in this paragraph precludes the local welfare agency, the local law enforcement 
68.10 	agency, or the agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report from collecting 
68.11 	other relevant information necessary to conduct the assessment or investigation. 
68.12 	Notwithstanding sections 13.384 or 144.291 to 144.298, the local welfare agency has access 
68.13 	to medical data and records for purposes of clause (3). Notwithstanding the data's 
68.14 	classification in the possession of any other agency, data acquired by the local welfare 
68.15 	agency or the agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report during the course 
68.16 	of the assessment or investigation are private data on individuals and must be maintained 
68.17 	in accordance with subdivision 11. Data of the commissioner of education collected or 
68.18 	maintained during and for the purpose of an investigation of alleged maltreatment in a school 
68.19 	are governed by this section, notwithstanding the data's classification as educational, 
68.20 	licensing, or personnel data under chapter 13.
68.21 	In conducting an assessment or investigation involving a school facility as defined in 
68.22 	subdivision 2, paragraph (c), the commissioner of education shall collect investigative 
68.23 	reports and data that are relevant to a report of maltreatment and are from local law 
68.24 	enforcement and the school facility.
68.25 	(j) (k) Upon receipt of a report made under subdivision 7, paragraph (a), the local welfare 
68.26 	agency shall conduct a face-to-face contact with the child reported to be maltreated and 
68.27 	with the child's primary caregiver sufficient to complete a safety assessment and ensure the 
68.28 	immediate safety of the child. The face-to-face contact with the child and primary caregiver 
68.29 	shall occur immediately if sexual abuse or substantial child endangerment is alleged and 
68.30 	within five calendar days for all other reports. If the alleged offender was not already 
68.31 	interviewed as the primary caregiver, the local welfare agency shall also conduct a 
68.32 	face-to-face interview with the alleged offender in the early stages of the assessment or 
68.33 	investigation. At the initial contact, the local child welfare agency or the agency responsible 
68.34 	for assessing or investigating the report must inform the alleged offender of the complaints 
68.35 	or allegations made against the individual in a manner consistent with laws protecting the 
69.1 	rights of the person who made the report or the person who provided information under 
69.2 	subdivision 7, paragraph (b). The interview with the alleged offender may be postponed if 
69.3 	it would jeopardize an active law enforcement investigation.
69.4 	(k) (l) When conducting an investigation, the local welfare agency shall use a question 
69.5 	and answer interviewing format with questioning as nondirective as possible to elicit 
69.6 	spontaneous responses. For investigations only, the following interviewing methods and 
69.7 	procedures must be used whenever possible when collecting information:
69.8 	(1) audio recordings of all interviews with witnesses and collateral sources; and
69.9 	(2) in cases of alleged sexual abuse, audio-video recordings of each interview with the 
69.10 	alleged victim and child witnesses.
69.11 	(l) (m) In conducting an assessment or investigation involving a school facility as defined 
69.12 	in subdivision 2, paragraph (c), the commissioner of education shall collect available and 
69.13 	relevant information and use the procedures in paragraphs (j) (k) and (k) (l), and subdivision 
69.14 	3d, except that the requirement for face-to-face observation of the child and face-to-face 
69.15 	interview of the alleged offender is to occur in the initial stages of the assessment or 
69.16 	investigation provided that the commissioner may also base the assessment or investigation 
69.17 	on investigative reports and data received from the school facility and local law enforcement, 
69.18 	to the extent those investigations satisfy the requirements of paragraphs (j) (k) and (k) (l), 
69.19 	and subdivision 3d.

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

69.21 	Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 626.556, subdivision 10f, is amended to read:
69.22 		Subd. 10f.Notice of determinations. Within ten working days of the conclusion of a 
69.23 	family assessment, the local welfare agency shall notify the parent or guardian of the child 
69.24 	of the need for services to address child safety concerns or significant risk of subsequent 
69.25 	child maltreatment. The local welfare agency and the family may also jointly agree that 
69.26 	family support and family preservation services are needed. Within ten working days of the 
69.27 	conclusion of an investigation, the local welfare agency or agency responsible for 
69.28 	investigating the report shall notify the parent or guardian of the child, the person determined 
69.29 	to be maltreating the child, and, if applicable, the director of the facility, of the determination 
69.30 	and a summary of the specific reasons for the determination. When the investigation involves 
69.31 	a child foster care setting that is monitored by a private licensing agency under section 
69.32 	245A.16, the local welfare agency responsible for investigating the report shall notify the 
69.33 	private licensing agency of the determination and shall provide a summary of the specific 
70.1 	reasons for the determination. The notice to the private licensing agency must include 
70.2 	identifying private data, but not the identity of the reporter of maltreatment. The notice must 
70.3 	also include a certification that the information collection procedures under subdivision 10, 
70.4 	paragraphs (h) (i), (i) (j), and (j) (k), were followed and a notice of the right of a data subject 
70.5 	to obtain access to other private data on the subject collected, created, or maintained under 
70.6 	this section. In addition, the notice shall include the length of time that the records will be 
70.7 	kept under subdivision 11c. When the investigation involves a nonlicensed personal care 
70.8 	provider organization as defined in section 256B.0659, regardless of the relationship of the 
70.9 	victim to the nonlicensed personal care attendant, the local welfare agency responsible for 
70.10 	investigating the report shall notify the personal care provider agency of the determination 
70.11 	and shall provide a summary of the specific reasons for the determination. The notice to 
70.12 	the personal care provider agency must include identifying private data, but cannot identify 
70.13 	the reporter of maltreatment. The notice must also include a certification that the procedures 
70.14 	under subdivision 10, paragraphs (i), (j), and (k), were followed and a notice of the right of 
70.15 	a data subject to obtain access to other private data on the subject collected, created, or 
70.16 	maintained under this section. In addition, the notice shall include the length of time that 
70.17 	the records will be kept according to subdivision 11c. The investigating agency shall notify 
70.18 	the parent or guardian of the child who is the subject of the report, and any person or facility 
70.19 	determined to have maltreated a child, of their appeal or review rights under this section. 
70.20 	The notice must also state that a finding of maltreatment may result in denial of a license 
70.21 	application or background study disqualification under chapter 245C related to employment 
70.22 	or services that are licensed by the Department of Human Services under chapter 245A, the 
70.23 	Department of Health under chapter 144 or 144A, the Department of Corrections under 
70.24 	section 241.021, and from providing services related to an unlicensed personal care provider 
70.25 	organization under chapter 256B.

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

70.27 	Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 626.556, subdivision 10m, is amended to read:
70.28 		Subd. 10m.Provision of child protective services; safety planning; consultation with 
70.29 	county attorney. (a) The local welfare agency shall create a written plan, in collaboration 
70.30 	with the family whenever possible, within 30 days of the determination that child protective 
70.31 	services are needed or upon joint agreement of the local welfare agency and the family that 
70.32 	family support and preservation services are needed. Child protective services for a family 
70.33 	are voluntary unless on the part of the family until ordered by the court. after a petition 
70.34 	under section 260C.141 has been filed. Family support and preservation services are voluntary 
70.35 	unless the services are ordered by the court.
71.1 	(b) When a child's removal from a parent or guardian is necessary as part of a safety 
71.2 	plan, the removal must occur pursuant to a voluntary placement agreement under section 
71.3 	260C.227; a court order under section 260C.151, subdivision 6, 260C.178 or 260C.201; or 
71.4 	peace officer action authorized under section 260C.175, subdivision 1, clause (2). The local 
71.5 	agency must not use a delegation of power by a parent or guardian under section 524.5-211 
71.6 	or the standby custodian provisions of chapter 257B as authority to support removal of a 
71.7 	child from the care of a parent or guardian.
71.8 	(c) The local welfare agency shall consult with the county attorney to determine the 
71.9 	appropriateness of filing a petition alleging the child is in need of protection or services 
71.10 	under section 260C.007, subdivision 6, if:
71.11 	(1) the family does not accept or comply with a plan for child protective services or 
71.12 	safety plan;
71.13 	(2) voluntary child protective services on the part of the family may not provide sufficient 
71.14 	protection for the child; or
71.15 	(3) the family is not cooperating with an investigation or assessment.; or
71.16 	(4) removal of the child from a parent or guardian is necessary and a voluntary placement 
71.17 	agreement under section 260C.227 may not provide sufficient protection for the child.

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

71.19 	Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 626.556, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
71.20 		Subd. 11.Records. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) and subdivisions 10b, 10d, 
71.21 	10g, and 11b, all records concerning individuals maintained by a local welfare agency or 
71.22 	agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report under this section, including 
71.23 	not public information shared with an Indian's tribal social service agency under subdivision 
71.24 	10 and any written reports filed under subdivision 7, shall be private data on individuals, 
71.25 	except insofar as copies of reports are required by subdivision 7 to be sent to the local police 
71.26 	department or the county sheriff. All records concerning determinations of maltreatment 
71.27 	by a facility are nonpublic data as maintained by the Department of Education, except insofar 
71.28 	as copies of reports are required by subdivision 7 to be sent to the local police department 
71.29 	or the county sheriff. Reports maintained by any police department or the county sheriff 
71.30 	shall be private data on individuals except the reports shall be made available to the 
71.31 	investigating, petitioning, or prosecuting authority, including county medical examiners or 
71.32 	county coroners. Section 13.82, subdivisions 8, 9, and 14, apply to law enforcement data 
71.33 	other than the reports. The local social services agency or agency responsible for assessing 
72.1 	or investigating the report shall make available to the investigating, petitioning, or prosecuting 
72.2 	authority, including county medical examiners or county coroners or their professional 
72.3 	delegates, any records which contain information relating to a specific incident of neglect 
72.4 	or abuse which is under investigation, petition, or prosecution and information relating to 
72.5 	any prior incidents of neglect or abuse involving any of the same persons. The records shall 
72.6 	be collected and maintained in accordance with the provisions of chapter 13. In conducting 
72.7 	investigations and assessments pursuant to this section, the notice required by section 13.04, 
72.8 	subdivision 2, need not be provided to a minor under the age of ten who is the alleged victim 
72.9 	of abuse or neglect. An individual subject of a record shall have access to the record in 
72.10 	accordance with those sections, except that the name of the reporter shall be confidential 
72.11 	while the report is under assessment or investigation except as otherwise permitted by this 
72.12 	subdivision. Any person conducting an investigation or assessment under this section or 
72.13 	who has received not public information as permitted by this subdivision and who 
72.14 	intentionally discloses the identity of a reporter prior to the completion of the investigation 
72.15 	or assessment is guilty of a misdemeanor. After the assessment or investigation is completed, 
72.16 	the name of the reporter shall be confidential. The subject of the report may compel disclosure 
72.17 	of the name of the reporter only with the consent of the reporter or upon a written finding 
72.18 	by the court that the report was false and that there is evidence that the report was made in 
72.19 	bad faith. This subdivision does not alter disclosure responsibilities or obligations under 
72.20 	the Rules of Criminal Procedure.
72.21 	(b) Upon request of the legislative auditor, data on individuals maintained under this 
72.22 	section must be released to the legislative auditor in order for the auditor to fulfill the auditor's 
72.23 	duties under section 3.971. The auditor shall maintain the data in accordance with chapter 
72.24 	13.
72.25 	(c) The commissioner of education must be provided with all requested data that are 
72.26 	relevant to a report of maltreatment and are in possession of a school facility as defined in 
72.27 	subdivision 2, paragraph (c), when the data is requested pursuant to an assessment or 
72.28 	investigation of a maltreatment report of a student in a school. If the commissioner of 
72.29 	education makes a determination of maltreatment involving an individual performing work 
72.30 	within a school facility who is licensed by a board or other agency, the commissioner shall 
72.31 	provide necessary and relevant information to the licensing entity to enable the entity to 
72.32 	fulfill its statutory duties. Notwithstanding section 13.03, subdivision 4, data received by a 
72.33 	licensing entity under this paragraph are governed by section 13.41 or other applicable law 
72.34 	governing data of the receiving entity, except that this section applies to the classification 
72.35 	of and access to data on the reporter of the maltreatment.

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

73.2 	Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 626.5561, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
73.3 		Subdivision 1.Reports required. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), a person 
73.4 	mandated to report under section 626.556, subdivision 3, shall immediately report to the 
73.5 	local welfare agency if the person knows or has reason to believe that a woman is pregnant 
73.6 	and has used a controlled substance for a nonmedical purpose during the pregnancy, 
73.7 	including, but not limited to, tetrahydrocannabinol, or has consumed alcoholic beverages 
73.8 	during the pregnancy in any way that is habitual or excessive.
73.9 	(b) A health care professional or a social service professional who is mandated to report 
73.10 	under section 626.556, subdivision 3, is exempt from reporting under paragraph (a) a 
73.11 	woman's use or consumption of tetrahydrocannabinol or alcoholic beverages during 
73.12 	pregnancy if the professional is providing the woman with prenatal care or other healthcare 
73.13 	services.
73.14 	(c) Any person may make a voluntary report if the person knows or has reason to believe 
73.15 	that a woman is pregnant and has used a controlled substance for a nonmedical purpose 
73.16 	during the pregnancy, including, but not limited to, tetrahydrocannabinol, or has consumed 
73.17 	alcoholic beverages during the pregnancy in any way that is habitual or excessive.
73.18 	(d) An oral report shall be made immediately by telephone or otherwise. An oral report 
73.19 	made by a person required to report shall be followed within 72 hours, exclusive of weekends 
73.20 	and holidays, by a report in writing to the local welfare agency. Any report shall be of 
73.21 	sufficient content to identify the pregnant woman, the nature and extent of the use, if known, 
73.22 	and the name and address of the reporter. The local welfare agency shall accept a report 
73.23 	made under paragraph (c) notwithstanding refusal by a voluntary reporter to provide the 
73.24 	reporter's name or address as long as the report is otherwise sufficient.
73.25 	(e) For purposes of this section, "prenatal care" means the comprehensive package of 
73.26 	medical and psychological support provided throughout the pregnancy.

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

73.28 	Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 626.558, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
73.29 		Subd. 2.Duties of team. A multidisciplinary child protection team may provide public 
73.30 	and professional education, develop resources for prevention, intervention, and treatment, 
73.31 	and provide case consultation including, but not limited to, screening, to the local welfare 
73.32 	agency or other interested community-based agencies. The community-based agencies may 
74.1 	request case consultation from the multidisciplinary child protection team regarding a child 
74.2 	or family for whom the community-based agency is providing services. As used in this 
74.3 	section, "case consultation" means a case review process in which recommendations are 
74.4 	made concerning services to be provided to the identified children and family and which 
74.5 	may include screening. Case consultation may be performed by a committee or subcommittee 
74.6 	of members representing human services, including mental health and chemical dependency; 
74.7 	law enforcement, including probation and parole; the county attorney; a children's advocacy 
74.8 	center; health care; education; community-based agencies and other necessary agencies; 
74.9 	and persons directly involved in an individual case as designated by other members 
74.10 	performing case consultation.

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

74.12 	Sec. 55.  REPEALER.
 74.13 	Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 119B.125, subdivision 8; and 256J.751, subdivision 
74.14 	1, are repealed.

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

74.16 	ARTICLE 2
74.17 	MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

74.18 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256B.0943, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
74.19 		Subd. 8.Required preservice training and continuing education. (a) A provider entity 
74.20 	shall establish a plan training program to provide preservice training and continuing education 
74.21 	for staff. The plan training program must clearly describe the type of training provided by 
74.22 	the entity necessary to obtain new skills and maintain current skills and obtain new skills 
74.23 	and that relates to the provider entity's goals and objectives for services offered to provide 
74.24 	appropriate services.
74.25 	(b) A provider entity that employs a mental health behavioral aide under this section 
74.26 	must require the mental health behavioral aide to complete 30 hours of preservice training. 
74.27 	The preservice training must include parent team training. The preservice training must 
74.28 	include 15 hours of in-person training of a mental health behavioral aide in mental health 
74.29 	services delivery and eight hours of parent team training. Before providing services to a 
74.30 	client, the aide must complete 24 hours of training, including training on the role and 
74.31 	limitations of a behavioral aide, boundaries, ethics, confidentiality, the federal Health 
74.32 	Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA), child development, 
75.1 	documentation, crisis de-escalation skills, and common medications, their side effects and 
75.2 	impact on symptoms. A provider entity's policies are not considered part of the 24 hours of 
75.3 	required training.
75.4 	Within 60 days of employment, the aide must complete six hours of Department of 
75.5 	Human Services approved or delivered parent team training. Curricula for parent team 
75.6 	training must be approved in advance by the commissioner. Components of parent team 
75.7 	training include:
75.8 	(1) partnering with parents as partners;
75.9 	(2) fundamentals of family support understanding and supporting families;
75.10 	(3) fundamentals of policy and decision making impact on siblings;
75.11 	(4) defining equal partnership the role of culture in family structures; and
75.12 	(5) complexities of the parent and service provider partnership in multiple service delivery 
75.13 	systems due to system strengths and weaknesses;
75.14 	(6) sibling impacts;
75.15 	(7) (5) community resources and support networks; and.
75.16 	(8) community resources.
75.17 	(c) A provider entity that employs a mental health practitioner and a mental health 
75.18 	behavioral aide to provide children's therapeutic services and supports under this section 
75.19 	must require the mental health practitioner and mental health behavioral aide to complete 
75.20 	20 hours of continuing education every two calendar years. The continuing education must 
75.21 	be related to serving the needs of a child with emotional disturbance in the child's home 
75.22 	environment and the child's family.
75.23 	(d) The provider entity must document the mental health practitioner's or mental health 
75.24 	behavioral aide's annual completion of the required continuing education. The documentation 
75.25 	must include the date, subject, and number of hours of the continuing education, and 
75.26 	attendance records, as verified by the staff member's signature, job title, and the instructor's 
75.27 	name. The provider entity must keep documentation for each employee, including records 
75.28 	of attendance at professional workshops and conferences, at a central location and in the 
75.29 	employee's personnel file.

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

76.1 	ARTICLE 3
76.2 	OPERATIONS

76.3 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 13.46, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
76.4 		Subd. 3.Investigative data. (a) Data on persons, including data on vendors of services, 
76.5 	licensees, and applicants that is collected, maintained, used, or disseminated by the welfare 
76.6 	system in an investigation, authorized by statute, and relating to the enforcement of rules 
76.7 	or law are confidential data on individuals pursuant to section 13.02, subdivision 3, or 
76.8 	protected nonpublic data not on individuals pursuant to section 13.02, subdivision 13, and 
76.9 	shall not be disclosed except:
76.10 	(1) pursuant to section 13.05;
76.11 	(2) pursuant to statute or valid court order;
76.12 	(3) to a party named in a civil or criminal proceeding, administrative or judicial, for 
76.13 	preparation of defense; or
76.14 	(4) to an agent of the welfare system and an investigator acting on behalf of a county, 
76.15 	the state, or the federal government, including a law enforcement officer or attorney in the 
76.16 	investigation or prosecution of a criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding relating to the 
76.17 	administration of a state or federal health care welfare program; or
76.18 	(4) (5) to provide notices required or permitted by statute.
76.19 	The data referred to in this subdivision shall be classified as public data upon submission 
76.20 	to an administrative law judge or court in an administrative or judicial proceeding. Inactive 
76.21 	welfare investigative data shall be treated as provided in section 13.39, subdivision 3.
76.22 	(b) Notwithstanding any other provision in law, the commissioner of human services 
76.23 	shall provide all active and inactive investigative data, including the name of the reporter 
76.24 	of alleged maltreatment under section 626.556 or 626.557, to the ombudsman for mental 
76.25 	health and developmental disabilities upon the request of the ombudsman.
76.26 	(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) and section 13.39, the existence of an investigation 
76.27 	by the commissioner of possible overpayments of public funds to a service provider or 
76.28 	recipient may be disclosed if the commissioner determines that it will not compromise the 
76.29 	investigation.

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

77.1 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 144.057, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
77.2 		Subdivision 1.Background studies required. (a) The commissioner of health shall 
77.3 	contract with the commissioner of human services to conduct background studies of:
77.4 	(1) individuals providing services which have direct contact, as defined under section 
77.5 	245C.02, subdivision 11, with patients and residents in hospitals, boarding care homes, 
77.6 	outpatient surgical centers licensed under sections 144.50 to 144.58; nursing homes and 
77.7 	home care agencies licensed under chapter 144A; residential care homes licensed under 
77.8 	chapter 144B, and board and lodging establishments that are registered to provide supportive 
77.9 	or health supervision services under section 157.17;
77.10 	(2) individuals specified in section 245C.03, subdivision 1, who perform direct contact 
77.11 	services in a nursing home or a home care agency licensed under chapter 144A or a boarding 
77.12 	care home licensed under sections 144.50 to 144.58. If the individual under study resides 
77.13 	outside Minnesota, the study must include a check for substantiated findings of maltreatment 
77.14 	of adults and children in the individual's state of residence when the information is made 
77.15 	available by that state, and must include a check of the National Crime Information Center 
77.16 	database;
77.17 	(3) beginning July 1, 1999, all other employees in nursing homes licensed under chapter 
77.18 	144A, and boarding care homes licensed under sections 144.50 to 144.58. A disqualification 
77.19 	of an individual in this section shall disqualify the individual from positions allowing direct 
77.20 	contact or access to patients or residents receiving services. "Access" means physical access 
77.21 	to a client or the client's personal property without continuous, direct supervision as defined 
77.22 	in section 245C.02, subdivision 8, when the employee's employment responsibilities do not 
77.23 	include providing direct contact services;
77.24 	(4) individuals employed by a supplemental nursing services agency, as defined under 
77.25 	section 144A.70, who are providing services in health care facilities; and
77.26 	(5) controlling persons of a supplemental nursing services agency, as defined under 
77.27 	section 144A.70.
77.28 	(b) If a facility or program is licensed by the Department of Human Services and subject 
77.29 	to the background study provisions of chapter 245C and is also licensed by the Department 
77.30 	of Health, the Department of Human Services is solely responsible for the background 
77.31 	studies of individuals in the jointly licensed programs.
77.32 	(c) For an individual under paragraph (a), clause (2), who resides outside Minnesota, 
77.33 	when the criminal history check and check for substantiated maltreatment of a minor or 
78.1 	adult in Minnesota results in no disqualifying information, the commissioner may issue a 
78.2 	clearance notice to the individual and the entity that initiated the study, pending the result 
78.3 	of the check for substantiated maltreatment of a minor or adult in the individual's state of 
78.4 	residence. A clearance notice issued under this provision is the final notice to the individual 
78.5 	and entity. The commissioner shall notify the individual and entity if the check for 
78.6 	substantiated maltreatment from the individual's state of residence results in disqualifying 
78.7 	information.

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

78.9 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245A.02, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
78.10 		Subd. 3.Applicant. "Applicant" means an individual, corporation, partnership, voluntary 
78.11 	association, controlling individual, or other organization, or government entity, as defined 
78.12 	in section 13.02, subdivision 7a, that has applied for licensure under this chapter and the 
78.13 	rules of the commissioner is subject to licensure under this chapter and that has applied for 
78.14 	but not yet been granted a license under this chapter.

78.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2017.

78.16 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245A.02, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
78.17 	read:
78.18 		Subd. 10c.Owner. "Owner" means each individual or organization that has five percent 
78.19 	or more direct or indirect ownership interest in a program licensed under this chapter. For 
78.20 	purposes of this subdivision, "direct ownership interest" means the possession of equity in 
78.21 	capital, stock, or profits of an organization and "indirect ownership interest" means a direct 
78.22 	ownership interest in an entity that has a direct or indirect ownership interest in a licensed 
78.23 	program. For purposes of this chapter, owner of a nonprofit corporation means each member 
78.24 	of the board of directors. A government entity that is issued a license under this chapter 
78.25 	shall be designated the owner.

78.26 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2017.

78.27 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245A.03, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
78.28 		Subd. 3.Unlicensed programs. (a) It is a misdemeanor for an individual, corporation, 
78.29 	partnership, voluntary association, other organization, or a controlling individual government 
78.30 	entity to provide a residential or nonresidential program without a license issued under this 
78.31 	chapter and in willful disregard of this chapter unless the program is excluded from licensure 
78.32 	under subdivision 2.
79.1 	(b) The commissioner may ask the appropriate county attorney or the attorney general 
79.2 	to begin proceedings to secure a court order against the continued operation of the program, 
79.3 	if an individual, corporation, partnership, voluntary association, other organization, or 
79.4 	controlling individual government entity has:
79.5 	(1) failed to apply for a license under this chapter after receiving notice that a license is 
79.6 	required or continues to operate without a license after receiving notice that a license is 
79.7 	required;
79.8 	(2) continued to operate without a license after the a license issued under this chapter 
79.9 	has been revoked or suspended under section 245A.07 this chapter, and the commissioner 
79.10 	has issued a final order affirming the revocation or suspension, or the license holder did not 
79.11 	timely appeal the sanction; or
79.12 	(3) continued to operate without a license after the a license issued under this chapter 
79.13 	has been temporarily immediately suspended under section 245A.07 pursuant to this chapter.
79.14 	The county attorney and the attorney general have a duty to cooperate with the commissioner.

79.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2017.

79.16 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245A.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
79.17 		Subdivision 1.Application for licensure. (a) An individual, corporation, partnership, 
79.18 	voluntary association, other organization or controlling individual, or government entity
79.19 	that is subject to licensure under section 245A.03 must apply for a license. The application 
79.20 	must be made on the forms and in the manner prescribed by the commissioner. The 
79.21 	commissioner shall provide the applicant with instruction in completing the application and 
79.22 	provide information about the rules and requirements of other state agencies that affect the 
79.23 	applicant. An applicant seeking licensure in Minnesota with headquarters outside of 
79.24 	Minnesota must have a program office located within the state. An applicant who intends 
79.25 	to buy or otherwise acquire a program or services licensed under this chapter that is owned 
79.26 	by another license holder must comply with the application procedures in this section and 
79.27 	section 245A.03.
79.28 	The commissioner shall act on the application within 90 working days after a complete 
79.29 	application and any required reports have been received from other state agencies or 
79.30 	departments, counties, municipalities, or other political subdivisions. The commissioner 
79.31 	shall not consider an application to be complete until the commissioner receives all of the 
79.32 	information required under section 245C.05.
80.1 	When the commissioner receives an application for initial licensure that is incomplete 
80.2 	because the applicant failed to submit required documents or that is substantially deficient 
80.3 	because the documents submitted do not meet licensing requirements, the commissioner 
80.4 	shall provide the applicant written notice that the application is incomplete or substantially 
80.5 	deficient. In the written notice to the applicant the commissioner shall identify documents 
80.6 	that are missing or deficient and give the applicant 45 days to resubmit a second application 
80.7 	that is substantially complete. An applicant's failure to submit a substantially complete 
80.8 	application after receiving notice from the commissioner is a basis for license denial under 
80.9 	section 245A.05.
80.10 	(b) An application for licensure must identify all controlling individuals as defined in 
80.11 	section 245A.02, subdivision 5a, and must specify an designate one controlling individual 
80.12 	to be the authorized  agent who is responsible for dealing with the commissioner of human 
80.13 	services on all matters provided for in this chapter and on whom service of all notices and 
80.14 	orders must be made for the license holder. The application must be signed by the authorized 
80.15 	agent and must include the first, middle, and last name; mailing address; and e-mail address 
80.16 	of the authorized agent. By submitting an application for licensure, the authorized agent 
80.17 	consents to electronic communication with the commissioner throughout the application 
80.18 	process. The authorized agent must be authorized to accept service on behalf of all of the 
80.19 	controlling individuals of the program. Service on the authorized agent is service on all of 
80.20 	the controlling individuals of the program. It is not a defense to any action arising under 
80.21 	this chapter that service was not made on each controlling individual of the program. The 
80.22 	designation of one or more a controlling individuals individual as agents the authorized 
80.23 	agent under this paragraph does not affect the legal responsibility of any other controlling 
80.24 	individual under this chapter.
80.25 	(c) An applicant or license holder must have a policy that prohibits license holders, 
80.26 	employees, subcontractors, and volunteers, when directly responsible for persons served 
80.27 	by the program, from abusing prescription medication or being in any manner under the 
80.28 	influence of a chemical that impairs the individual's ability to provide services or care. The 
80.29 	license holder must train employees, subcontractors, and volunteers about the program's 
80.30 	drug and alcohol policy.
80.31 	(d) An applicant and license holder must have a program grievance procedure that permits 
80.32 	persons served by the program and their authorized representatives to bring a grievance to 
80.33 	the highest level of authority in the program.
80.34 	(e) The applicant must be able to demonstrate competent knowledge of the applicable 
80.35 	requirements of this chapter and chapter 245C, and the requirements of other licensing 
81.1 	statutes and rules applicable to the program or services for which the applicant is seeking 
81.2 	to be licensed. Effective January 1, 2013, The commissioner may limit communication 
81.3 	during the application process to the authorized agent or the controlling individual identified 
81.4 	on the license application and for whom a background study was initiated under chapter 
81.5 	245C. The commissioner may require the applicant, except for child foster care, to 
81.6 	demonstrate competence in the applicable licensing requirements by successfully completing 
81.7 	a written examination. The commissioner may develop a prescribed written examination 
81.8 	format.
81.9 	(f) When an applicant is an individual, the individual must provide:
81.10 	(1) the applicant's taxpayer identification numbers including the Social Security number
81.11 	or Minnesota tax identification number, and federal employer identification number if the 
81.12 	applicant has employees;
81.13 	(2) a copy of the most recent filing with the secretary of state that includes the complete 
81.14 	business name, if any, and if doing business under a different name, the doing business as 
81.15 	(DBA) name, as registered with the secretary of state; and
81.16 	(3) a notarized signature of the applicant. if applicable, the applicant's National Provider 
81.17 	Identifier (NPI) number and Unique Minnesota Provider Identifier (UMPI) number; and
81.18 	(4) at the request of the commissioner, the notarized signature of the applicant or 
81.19 	authorized agent.
81.20 	(g) When an applicant is a nonindividual an organization, the applicant must provide 
81.21 	the:
81.22 	(1) the applicant's taxpayer identification numbers including the Minnesota tax 
81.23 	identification number and federal employer identification number;
81.24 	(2) a copy of the most recent filing with the secretary of state that includes the complete 
81.25 	business name, and if doing business under a different name, the doing business as (DBA) 
81.26 	name, as registered with the secretary of state;
81.27 	(3) the first, middle, and last name, and address for all individuals who will be controlling 
81.28 	individuals, including all officers, owners, and managerial officials as defined in section 
81.29 	245A.02, subdivision 5a, and the date that the background study was initiated by the applicant 
81.30 	for each controlling individual; and
81.31 	(4) first, middle, and last name, mailing address, and notarized signature of the agent 
81.32 	authorized by the applicant to accept service on behalf of the controlling individuals.
82.1 	(4) if applicable, the applicant's National Provider Identifier (NPI) number and Unique 
82.2 	Minnesota Provider Identifier (UMPI) number;
82.3 	(5) the records that created the organization and that determine its internal governance 
82.4 	and the relations among the persons that own it, have an interest in it, or are members of it, 
82.5 	in each case as provided or authorized by its governing statute, which may include a 
82.6 	partnership agreement, bylaws, articles of organization, organizational chart, and operating 
82.7 	agreement, or comparable documents as provided in the organization's governing statute; 
82.8 	and
82.9 	(6) at the request of the commissioner, the notarized signature of the applicant or 
82.10 	authorized agent.
82.11 	(h) When the applicant is a government entity, the applicant must provide:
82.12 	(1) the name of the government agency, political subdivision, or other unit of government 
82.13 	that is seeking the license and the name of the program or services that will be licensed;
82.14 	(2) the taxpayer identification numbers including the Minnesota tax identification number 
82.15 	and federal employer identification number;
82.16 	(3) a letter signed by the manager, administrator, or other executive of the government 
82.17 	entity authorizing the submission of the license application;
82.18 	(4) if applicable, the applicant's National Provider Identifier (NPI) number and Unique 
82.19 	Minnesota Provider Identifier (UMPI) number; and
82.20 	(5) first, middle, and last name; mailing address; e-mail address; and signature of the 
82.21 	authorized agent for each license issued to the government entity. A government entity that 
82.22 	holds multiple licenses under this chapter may designate one authorized agent for all licenses 
82.23 	issued under this chapter or may designate a different authorized agent for each license.
82.24 	(h) (i) At the time of application for licensure or renewal of a license under this chapter, 
82.25 	the applicant or license holder must acknowledge on the form provided by the commissioner 
82.26 	if the applicant or license holder elects to receive any public funding reimbursement from 
82.27 	the commissioner for services provided under the license that:
82.28 	(1) the applicant's or license holder's compliance with the provider enrollment agreement 
82.29 	or registration requirements for receipt of public funding may be monitored by the 
82.30 	commissioner as part of a licensing investigation or licensing inspection; and
82.31 	(2) noncompliance with the provider enrollment agreement or registration requirements 
82.32 	for receipt of public funding that is identified through a licensing investigation or licensing 
83.1 	inspection, or noncompliance with a licensing requirement that is a basis of enrollment for 
83.2 	reimbursement for a service, may result in:
83.3 	(i) a correction order or a conditional license under section 245A.06, or sanctions under 
83.4 	section sections 245A.045 and245A.07;
83.5 	(ii) nonpayment of claims submitted by the license holder for public program 
83.6 	reimbursement;
83.7 	(iii) recovery of payments made for the service;
83.8 	(iv) disenrollment in the public payment program; or
83.9 	(v) other administrative, civil, or criminal penalties as provided by law.

83.10 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2017.

83.11 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245A.07, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
83.12 		Subdivision 1.Sanctions; appeals; license; inactive programs. (a) In addition to 
83.13 	making a license conditional under section 245A.06, the commissioner may suspend or 
83.14 	revoke the license, impose a fine, or secure an injunction against the continuing operation 
83.15 	of the program of a license holder who does not comply with applicable law or rule. When 
83.16 	applying sanctions authorized under this section, the commissioner shall consider the nature, 
83.17 	chronicity, or severity of the violation of law or rule and the effect of the violation on the 
83.18 	health, safety, or rights of persons served by the program.
83.19 	(b) If a license holder appeals the suspension or revocation of a license and the license 
83.20 	holder continues to operate the program pending a final order on the appeal, the commissioner 
83.21 	shall issue the license holder a temporary provisional license. Unless otherwise specified 
83.22 	by the commissioner, variances in effect on the date of the license sanction under appeal 
83.23 	continue under the temporary provisional license. If a license holder fails to comply with 
83.24 	applicable law or rule while operating under a temporary provisional license, the 
83.25 	commissioner may impose additional sanctions under this section and section 245A.06, and 
83.26 	may terminate any prior variance. If a temporary provisional license is set to expire, a new 
83.27 	temporary provisional license shall be issued to the license holder upon payment of any fee 
83.28 	required under section 245A.10. The temporary provisional license shall expire on the date 
83.29 	the final order is issued. If the license holder prevails on the appeal, a new nonprovisional 
83.30 	license shall be issued for the remainder of the current license period.
83.31 	(c) If a license holder is under investigation and the license issued under this chapter is 
83.32 	due to expire before completion of the investigation, the program shall be issued a new 
84.1 	license upon completion of the reapplication requirements and payment of any applicable 
84.2 	license fee. Upon completion of the investigation, a licensing sanction may be imposed 
84.3 	against the new license under this section, section 245A.06, or 245A.08.
84.4 	(d) Failure to reapply or closure of a license issued under this chapter by the license 
84.5 	holder prior to the completion of any investigation shall not preclude the commissioner 
84.6 	from issuing a licensing sanction under this section, or section 245A.06, or 245A.08
84.7 	245A.045 or 245A.06 at the conclusion of the investigation.
84.8 	(e) The commissioner may suspend, revoke, or close a license when the commissioner 
84.9 	determines that a licensed program has not been serving any clients for a consecutive period 
84.10 	of 12 months or longer. The commissioner need not consider nature, severity, or chronicity 
84.11 	of the act when suspending, revoking, or closing a license under this provision.
84.12 	(f) The commissioner may suspend or revoke a license when the commissioner determines 
84.13 	that a license holder or controlling individual was criminally charged with fraud or theft. 
84.14 	The commissioner need not consider nature, severity, or chronicity of the act when 
84.15 	suspending or revoking a license under this provision.

84.16 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2017.

84.17 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245A.07, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
84.18 		Subd. 3.License suspension, revocation, or fine. (a) The commissioner may suspend 
84.19 	or revoke a license, or impose a fine if:
84.20 	(1) a license holder fails to comply fully with applicable laws or rules including, but not 
84.21 	limited to, this chapter and chapters 119B and 245C;
84.22 	(2) a license holder, a controlling individual, or an individual living in the household 
84.23 	where the licensed services are provided or is otherwise subject to a background study has 
84.24 	a disqualification which has not been set aside under section 245C.22;
84.25 	(3) a license holder knowingly withholds relevant information from or gives false or 
84.26 	misleading information to the commissioner in connection with an application for a license, 
84.27 	in connection with the background study status of an individual, during an investigation, 
84.28 	or regarding compliance with applicable laws or rules; or
84.29 	(4) after July 1, 2012, and upon request by the commissioner, a license holder fails to 
84.30 	submit the information required of an applicant under section 245A.04, subdivision 1, 
84.31 	paragraph (f) or (g) a license holder is prohibited from holding a license according to section 
84.32 	245.095.
85.1 	A license holder who has had a license issued under this chapter suspended, revoked, 
85.2 	or has been ordered to pay a fine must be given notice of the action by certified mail or 
85.3 	personal service. If mailed, the notice must be mailed to the address shown on the application 
85.4 	or the last known address of the license holder. The notice must state the reasons the license 
85.5 	was suspended, revoked, or a fine was ordered.
85.6 	(b) If the license was suspended or revoked, the notice must inform the license holder 
85.7 	of the right to a contested case hearing under chapter 14 and Minnesota Rules, parts 
85.8 	1400.8505 to 1400.8612. The license holder may appeal an order suspending or revoking 
85.9 	a license. The appeal of an order suspending or revoking a license must be made in writing 
85.10 	by certified mail or personal service. If mailed, the appeal must be postmarked and sent to 
85.11 	the commissioner within ten calendar days after the license holder receives notice that the 
85.12 	license has been suspended or revoked. If a request is made by personal service, it must be 
85.13 	received by the commissioner within ten calendar days after the license holder received the 
85.14 	order. Except as provided in subdivision 2a, paragraph (c), if a license holder submits a 
85.15 	timely appeal of an order suspending or revoking a license, the license holder may continue 
85.16 	to operate the program as provided in section 245A.04, subdivision 7, paragraphs (g) (f)
85.17 	and (h) (g), until the commissioner issues a final order on the suspension or revocation.
85.18 	(c)(1) If the license holder was ordered to pay a fine, the notice must inform the license 
85.19 	holder of the responsibility for payment of fines and the right to a contested case hearing 
85.20 	under chapter 14 and Minnesota Rules, parts 1400.8505 to 1400.8612. The appeal of an 
85.21 	order to pay a fine must be made in writing by certified mail or personal service. If mailed, 
85.22 	the appeal must be postmarked and sent to the commissioner within ten calendar days after 
85.23 	the license holder receives notice that the fine has been ordered. If a request is made by 
85.24 	personal service, it must be received by the commissioner within ten calendar days after 
85.25 	the license holder received the order.
85.26 	(2) The license holder shall pay the fines assessed on or before the payment date specified. 
85.27 	If the license holder fails to fully comply with the order, the commissioner may issue a 
85.28 	second fine or suspend the license until the license holder complies. If the license holder 
85.29 	receives state funds, the state, county, or municipal agencies or departments responsible for 
85.30 	administering the funds shall withhold payments and recover any payments made while the 
85.31 	license is suspended for failure to pay a fine. A timely appeal shall stay payment of the fine 
85.32 	until the commissioner issues a final order.
85.33 	(3) A license holder shall promptly notify the commissioner of human services, in writing, 
85.34 	when a violation specified in the order to forfeit a fine is corrected. If upon reinspection the 
85.35 	commissioner determines that a violation has not been corrected as indicated by the order 
86.1 	to forfeit a fine, the commissioner may issue a second fine. The commissioner shall notify 
86.2 	the license holder by certified mail or personal service that a second fine has been assessed. 
86.3 	The license holder may appeal the second fine as provided under this subdivision.
86.4 	(4) Fines shall be assessed as follows: the license holder shall forfeit $1,000 for each 
86.5 	determination of maltreatment of a child under section 626.556 or the maltreatment of a 
86.6 	vulnerable adult under section 626.557 for which the license holder is determined responsible 
86.7 	for the maltreatment under section 626.556, subdivision 10e, paragraph (i), or 626.557, 
86.8 	subdivision 9c, paragraph (c); the license holder shall forfeit $200 for each occurrence of 
86.9 	a violation of law or rule governing matters of health, safety, or supervision, including but 
86.10 	not limited to the provision of adequate staff-to-child or adult ratios, and failure to comply 
86.11 	with background study requirements under chapter 245C; and the license holder shall forfeit 
86.12 	$100 for each occurrence of a violation of law or rule other than those subject to a $1,000 
86.13 	or $200 fine above. For purposes of this section, "occurrence" means each violation identified 
86.14 	in the commissioner's fine order. Fines assessed against a license holder that holds a license 
86.15 	to provide home and community-based services, as identified in section 245D.03, subdivision 
86.16 	1, and a community residential setting or day services facility license under chapter 245D 
86.17 	where the services are provided, may be assessed against both licenses for the same 
86.18 	occurrence, but the combined amount of the fines shall not exceed the amount specified in 
86.19 	this clause for that occurrence.
86.20 	(5) When a fine has been assessed, the license holder may not avoid payment by closing, 
86.21 	selling, or otherwise transferring the licensed program to a third party. In such an event, the 
86.22 	license holder will be personally liable for payment. In the case of a corporation, each 
86.23 	controlling individual is personally and jointly liable for payment.
86.24 	(d) Except for background study violations involving the failure to comply with an order 
86.25 	to immediately remove an individual or an order to provide continuous, direct supervision, 
86.26 	the commissioner shall not issue a fine under paragraph (c) relating to a background study 
86.27 	violation to a license holder who self-corrects a background study violation before the 
86.28 	commissioner discovers the violation. A license holder who has previously exercised the 
86.29 	provisions of this paragraph to avoid a fine for a background study violation may not avoid 
86.30 	a fine for a subsequent background study violation unless at least 365 days have passed 
86.31 	since the license holder self-corrected the earlier background study violation.

86.32 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2017.

87.1 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245A.08, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
87.2 		Subd. 3.Burden of proof. (a) At a hearing regarding a licensing sanction under section 
87.3 	245A.07, including consolidated hearings under subdivision 2a, the commissioner may 
87.4 	demonstrate reasonable cause for action taken by submitting statements, reports, or affidavits 
87.5 	to substantiate the allegations that the license holder failed to comply fully with applicable 
87.6 	law or rule. If the commissioner demonstrates that reasonable cause existed, the burden of 
87.7 	proof shifts to the license holder to demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that 
87.8 	the license holder was in full compliance with those laws or rules that the commissioner 
87.9 	alleges the license holder violated, at the time that the commissioner alleges the violations 
87.10 	of law or rules occurred.
87.11 	(b) At a hearing on denial of an application for a license or to convert a provisional 
87.12 	license issued under section 245A.045 into a license, the applicant bears the burden of proof 
87.13 	to demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that the appellant has complied fully 
87.14 	with this chapter and other applicable law or rule and that the application should be approved 
87.15 	and a license granted.

87.16 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2017.

87.17 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245C.02, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
87.18 		Subd. 5.Background study. "Background study" means the review of records conducted 
87.19 	by the commissioner to determine whether a subject is disqualified from direct contact with 
87.20 	persons served by a program and, where specifically provided in statutes, whether a subject 
87.21 	is disqualified from having access to persons served by a program. If required by law, the 
87.22 	background study must include a national criminal history record check.

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

87.24 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245C.02, is amended by adding a subdivision 
87.25 	to read:
87.26 		Subd. 5a.National criminal history record check. "National criminal history record 
87.27 	check" means a check of records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation through 
87.28 	submission of fingerprints through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to the 
87.29 	Federal Bureau of Investigation, when specifically required by law.

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

88.1 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245C.02, is amended by adding a subdivision 
88.2 	to read:
88.3 		Subd. 5b.National criminal records repository. For purposes of background studies 
88.4 	conducted under this chapter, "national criminal records repository" refers to the Federal 
88.5 	Bureau of Investigation.

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

88.7 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245C.02, subdivision 13b, is amended to read:
88.8 		Subd. 13b.NETStudy 2.0. "NETStudy 2.0" means the commissioner's system that 
88.9 	replaces both NETStudy and the department's internal background study processing system. 
88.10 	NETStudy 2.0 is designed to enhance protection of children and vulnerable adults by 
88.11 	improving the accuracy of background studies through fingerprint-based criminal record 
88.12 	checks and expanding the background studies to include a review of information from the 
88.13 	Minnesota Court Information System and the national crime information database a national 
88.14 	criminal history record check. NETStudy 2.0 is also designed to increase efficiencies in and 
88.15 	the speed of the hiring process by:
88.16 	(1) providing access to and updates from public Web-based data related to employment 
88.17 	eligibility;
88.18 	(2) decreasing the need for repeat studies through electronic updates of background 
88.19 	study subjects' criminal records;
88.20 	(3) supporting identity verification using subjects' Social Security numbers and 
88.21 	photographs;
88.22 	(4) using electronic employer notifications; and
88.23 	(5) issuing immediate verification of subjects' eligibility to provide services as more 
88.24 	studies are completed under the NETStudy 2.0 system.

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

88.26 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245C.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
88.27 		Subdivision 1.Individual studied. (a) The individual who is the subject of the 
88.28 	background study must provide the applicant, license holder, or other entity under section 
88.29 	245C.04 with sufficient information to ensure an accurate study, including:
88.30 	(1) the individual's first, middle, and last name and all other names by which the 
88.31 	individual has been known;
89.1 	(2) current home address, city, and state of residence;
89.2 	(3) current zip code;
89.3 	(4) sex;
89.4 	(5) date of birth;
89.5 	(6) driver's license number or state identification number; and
89.6 	(7) upon implementation of NETStudy 2.0, the home address, city, county, and state of 
89.7 	residence for the past five years.
89.8 	(b) Every subject of a background study conducted or initiated by counties or private 
89.9 	agencies under this chapter must also provide the home address, city, county, and state of 
89.10 	residence for the past five years.
89.11 	(c) Every subject of a background study related to private agency adoptions or related 
89.12 	to child foster care licensed through a private agency, who is 18 years of age or older, shall 
89.13 	also provide the commissioner a signed consent for the release of any information received 
89.14 	from national crime information databases following a national criminal history record 
89.15 	check to the private agency that initiated the background study.
89.16 	(d) The subject of a background study shall provide fingerprints and a photograph as 
89.17 	required in subdivision 5.

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

89.19 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245C.05, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
89.20 		Subd. 5.Fingerprints and photograph. (a) Before the implementation of NETStudy 
89.21 	2.0, except as provided in paragraph (c), for any background study completed under this 
89.22 	chapter, when the commissioner has reasonable cause to believe that further pertinent 
89.23 	information may exist on the subject of the background study, the subject shall provide the 
89.24 	commissioner with a set of classifiable fingerprints obtained from an authorized agency for 
89.25 	a national criminal history record check.
89.26 	(b) Before the implementation of NETStudy 2.0, for purposes of requiring fingerprints
89.27 	for a national criminal history record check, the commissioner has reasonable cause when, 
89.28 	but not limited to, the:
89.29 	(1) information from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension indicates that the subject is 
89.30 	a multistate offender;
90.1 	(2) information from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension indicates that multistate 
90.2 	offender status is undetermined; or
90.3 	(3) commissioner has received a report from the subject or a third party indicating that 
90.4 	the subject has a criminal history in a jurisdiction other than Minnesota.
90.5 	(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (d), for background studies conducted by the commissioner 
90.6 	for child foster care, adoptions, or a transfer of permanent legal and physical custody of a 
90.7 	child, the subject of the background study, who is 18 years of age or older, shall provide 
90.8 	the commissioner with a set of classifiable fingerprints obtained from an authorized agency
90.9 	for a national criminal history record check.
90.10 	(d) For background studies initiated on or after the implementation of NETStudy 2.0, 
90.11 	every subject of a background study must provide the commissioner with a set of the 
90.12 	background study subject's classifiable fingerprints and photograph. The photograph and 
90.13 	fingerprints must be recorded at the same time by the commissioner's authorized fingerprint 
90.14 	collection vendor and sent to the commissioner through the commissioner's secure data 
90.15 	system described in section 245C.32, subdivision 1a, paragraph (b). The fingerprints shall 
90.16 	not be retained by the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, or 
90.17 	the commissioner, but will be retained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The 
90.18 	commissioner's authorized fingerprint collection vendor shall, for purposes of verifying the 
90.19 	identity of the background study subject, be able to view the identifying information entered 
90.20 	into NETStudy 2.0 by the entity that initiated the background study, but shall not retain the 
90.21 	subject's fingerprints, photograph, or information from NETStudy 2.0. The authorized 
90.22 	fingerprint collection vendor shall retain no more than the name and date and time the 
90.23 	subject's fingerprints were recorded and sent, only as necessary for auditing and billing 
90.24 	activities.

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

90.26 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245C.08, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
90.27 		Subdivision 1.Background studies conducted by Department of Human Services.
 90.28 	(a) For a background study conducted by the Department of Human Services, the 
90.29 	commissioner shall review:
90.30 	(1) information related to names of substantiated perpetrators of maltreatment of 
90.31 	vulnerable adults that has been received by the commissioner as required under section 
90.32 	626.557, subdivision 9c, paragraph (j);
91.1 	(2) the commissioner's records relating to the maltreatment of minors in licensed 
91.2 	programs, and from findings of maltreatment of minors as indicated through the social 
91.3 	service information system;
91.4 	(3) information from juvenile courts as required in subdivision 4 for individuals listed 
91.5 	in section 245C.03, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), when there is reasonable cause;
91.6 	(4) information from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, including information 
91.7 	regarding a background study subject's registration in Minnesota as a predatory offender 
91.8 	under section 243.166;
91.9 	(5) except as provided in clause (6), information from the national crime information 
91.10 	system received as a result of a national criminal history record check when the commissioner 
91.11 	has reasonable cause as defined under section 245C.05, subdivision 5, or as required under 
91.12 	section 144.057, subdivision 1, clause (2); and
91.13 	(6) for a background study related to a child foster care application for licensure, a 
91.14 	transfer of permanent legal and physical custody of a child under sections 260C.503 to 
91.15 	260C.515, or adoptions, the commissioner shall also review:
91.16 	(i) information from the child abuse and neglect registry for any state in which the 
91.17 	background study subject has resided for the past five years; and
91.18 	(ii) information from national crime information databases, when the background study 
91.19 	subject is 18 years of age or older, information received from a national criminal history 
91.20 	record check.
91.21 	(b) Notwithstanding expungement by a court, the commissioner may consider information 
91.22 	obtained under paragraph (a), clauses (3) and (4), unless the commissioner received notice 
91.23 	of the petition for expungement and the court order for expungement is directed specifically 
91.24 	to the commissioner.
91.25 	(c) The commissioner shall also review criminal case information received according 
91.26 	to section 245C.04, subdivision 4a, from the Minnesota court information system that relates 
91.27 	to individuals who have already been studied under this chapter and who remain affiliated 
91.28 	with the agency that initiated the background study.
91.29 	(d) When the commissioner has reasonable cause to believe that the identity of a 
91.30 	background study subject is uncertain, the commissioner may require the subject to provide 
91.31 	a set of classifiable fingerprints for purposes of completing a fingerprint-based record check 
91.32 	with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Fingerprints collected under this paragraph 
92.1 	shall not be saved by the commissioner after they have been used to verify the identity of 
92.2 	the background study subject against the particular criminal record in question.
92.3 	(e) The commissioner may inform the entity that initiated a background study under 
92.4 	NETStudy 2.0 of the status of processing of the subject's fingerprints.

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

92.6 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245C.08, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
92.7 		Subd. 3.Arrest and investigative information. (a) For any background study completed 
92.8 	under this section, if the commissioner has reasonable cause to believe the information is 
92.9 	pertinent to the disqualification of an individual, the commissioner also may review arrest 
92.10 	and investigative information from:
92.11 	(1) the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension;
92.12 	(2) the commissioner of health;
92.13 	(3) a county attorney;
92.14 	(4) a county sheriff;
92.15 	(5) a county agency;
92.16 	(6) a local chief of police;
92.17 	(7) other states;
92.18 	(8) the courts;
92.19 	(9) the Federal Bureau of Investigation received by the commissioner following a national 
92.20 	criminal history record check;
92.21 	(10) the National Criminal Records Repository; and
92.22 	(11) criminal records from other states.
92.23 	(b) The commissioner is not required to conduct more than one review of a subject's 
92.24 	records from the Federal Bureau of Investigation if a review of the subject's criminal history 
92.25 	with the Federal Bureau of Investigation national criminal history record check has already 
92.26 	been completed by the commissioner and there has been no break in the subject's affiliation 
92.27 	with the license holder who initiated the background study.

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

93.1 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245C.12, is amended to read:
93.2 	245C.12 BACKGROUND STUDY; TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS.
93.3 	(a) For the purposes of background studies completed by tribal organizations performing 
93.4 	licensing activities otherwise required of the commissioner under this chapter, after obtaining 
93.5 	consent from the background study subject, tribal licensing agencies shall have access to 
93.6 	criminal history data in the same manner as county licensing agencies and private licensing 
93.7 	agencies under this chapter.
93.8 	(b) Tribal organizations may contract with the commissioner to obtain background study 
93.9 	data on individuals under tribal jurisdiction related to adoptions according to section 245C.34. 
93.10 	Tribal organizations may also contract with the commissioner to obtain background study 
93.11 	data on individuals under tribal jurisdiction related to child foster care according to section 
93.12 	245C.34.
93.13 	(c) For the purposes of background studies completed to comply with a tribal 
93.14 	organization's licensing requirements for individuals affiliated with a tribally licensed nursing 
93.15 	facility, the commissioner shall obtain criminal history data from the National Criminal 
93.16 	Records Repository national criminal history record check in accordance with section 
93.17 	245C.32.

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

93.19 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245C.32, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
93.20 		Subd. 1a.NETStudy 2.0 system. (a) The commissioner shall design, develop, and test 
93.21 	the NETStudy 2.0 system and implement it no later than September 1, 2015.
93.22 	(b) The NETStudy 2.0 system developed and implemented by the commissioner shall 
93.23 	incorporate and meet all applicable data security standards and policies required by the 
93.24 	Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal 
93.25 	Apprehension, and the Office of MN.IT Services. The system shall meet all required 
93.26 	standards for encryption of data at the database level as well as encryption of data that 
93.27 	travels electronically among agencies initiating background studies, the commissioner's 
93.28 	authorized fingerprint collection vendor, the commissioner, the Bureau of Criminal 
93.29 	Apprehension, and in cases involving national criminal history record checks, the FBI.
93.30 	(c) The data system developed and implemented by the commissioner shall incorporate 
93.31 	a system of data security that allows the commissioner to control access to the data field 
93.32 	level by the commissioner's employees. The commissioner shall establish that employees 
94.1 	have access to the minimum amount of private data on any individual as is necessary to 
94.2 	perform their duties under this chapter.
94.3 	(d) The commissioner shall oversee regular quality and compliance audits of the 
94.4 	authorized fingerprint collection vendor.

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

94.6 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245C.32, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
94.7 		Subd. 2.Use. (a) The commissioner may also use these systems and records to obtain 
94.8 	and provide criminal history data from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, criminal 
94.9 	history data held by the commissioner, and data about substantiated maltreatment under 
94.10 	section 626.556 or 626.557, for other purposes, provided that:
94.11 	(1) the background study is specifically authorized in statute; or
94.12 	(2) the request is made with the informed consent of the subject of the study as provided 
94.13 	in section 13.05, subdivision 4.
94.14 	(b) An individual making a request under paragraph (a), clause (2), must agree in writing 
94.15 	not to disclose the data to any other individual without the consent of the subject of the data.
94.16 	(c) The commissioner may recover the cost of obtaining and providing background study 
94.17 	data by charging the individual or entity requesting the study a fee of no more than $20 per 
94.18 	study. The fees collected under this paragraph are appropriated to the commissioner for the 
94.19 	purpose of conducting background studies.
94.20 	(d) The commissioner shall recover the cost of obtaining background study data required 
94.21 	under section 524.5-118 through a fee of $50 per study for an individual who has not lived 
94.22 	outside Minnesota for the past ten years, and a fee of $100 for an individual who has resided 
94.23 	outside of Minnesota for any period during the ten years preceding the background study. 
94.24 	The commissioner shall recover, from the individual, any additional fees charged by other 
94.25 	states' licensing agencies that are associated with these data requests. Fees under subdivision 
94.26 	3 also apply when criminal history data from the National Criminal Records Repository is 
94.27 	required, as required by law, the background study includes a national criminal history 
94.28 	record check.

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

95.1 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245C.32, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
95.2 		Subd. 3.National records search. (a) When specifically required by statute, the 
95.3 	commissioner shall also obtain criminal history data from the National Criminal Records 
95.4 	Repository background study shall include a national criminal history record check.
95.5 	(b) To obtain criminal history data from the National Criminal Records Repository
95.6 	Federal Bureau of Investigation, the commissioner shall require classifiable fingerprints of 
95.7 	the data subject and must submit these fingerprint requests through the Bureau of Criminal 
95.8 	Apprehension.
95.9 	(c) The commissioner may require the background study subject to submit fingerprint 
95.10 	images electronically. The commissioner may not require electronic fingerprint images until 
95.11 	the electronic recording and transfer system is available for noncriminal justice purposes 
95.12 	and the necessary equipment is in use in the law enforcement agency in the background 
95.13 	study subject's local community.
95.14 	(d) The commissioner may recover the cost of obtaining and providing criminal history 
95.15 	data from the National Criminal Records Repository, including a national criminal history 
95.16 	record check, by charging the individual or entity requesting the study a fee of no more than 
95.17 	$30 per study. The fees collected under this subdivision are appropriated to the commissioner 
95.18 	for the purpose of obtaining criminal history data from the National Criminal Records 
95.19 	Repository a national criminal history record check.

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

95.21 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245C.33, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
95.22 		Subd. 4.Information commissioner reviews. (a) The commissioner shall review the 
95.23 	following information regarding the background study subject:
95.24 	(1) the information under section 245C.08, subdivisions 1, 3, and 4;
95.25 	(2) information from the child abuse and neglect registry for any state in which the 
95.26 	subject has resided for the past five years; and
95.27 	(3) information from national crime information databases received following a national 
95.28 	criminal history record check, when required under section 245C.08.
95.29 	(b) The commissioner shall provide any information collected under this subdivision to 
95.30 	the county or private agency that initiated the background study. The commissioner shall 
95.31 	also provide the agency:
96.1 	(1) notice whether the information collected shows that the subject of the background 
96.2 	study has a conviction listed in United States Code, title 42, section 671(a)(20)(A); and
96.3 	(2) for background studies conducted under subdivision 1, paragraph (a), the date of all 
96.4 	adoption-related background studies completed on the subject by the commissioner after 
96.5 	June 30, 2007, and the name of the county or private agency that initiated the adoption-related 
96.6 	background study.

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

96.8 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245C.34, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
96.9 		Subd. 4.Information commissioner reviews. (a) The commissioner shall review the 
96.10 	following information regarding the background study subject:
96.11 	(1) the information under section 245C.08, subdivisions 1, 3, and 4;
96.12 	(2) information from the child abuse and neglect registry for any state in which the 
96.13 	subject has resided for the past five years; and
96.14 	(3) information from national crime information databases a national criminal history 
96.15 	record check, when required under section 245C.08.
96.16 	(b) The commissioner shall provide any information collected under this subdivision to 
96.17 	the tribal organization that initiated the background study. The commissioner shall indicate 
96.18 	if the information collected shows that the subject of the background study has a conviction 
96.19 	listed in United States Code, title 42, section 671(a)(20)(A).

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

96.21 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 245D.10, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:
96.22 		Subd. 3a.Service termination. (a) The license holder must establish policies and 
96.23 	procedures for service termination that promote continuity of care and service coordination 
96.24 	with the person and the case manager and with other licensed caregivers, if any, who also 
96.25 	provide support to the person. The policy must include the requirements specified in 
96.26 	paragraphs (b) to (f).
96.27 	(b) The license holder must permit each person to remain in the program and must not 
96.28 	terminate services unless:
96.29 	(1) the termination is necessary for the person's welfare and the person's needs cannot 
96.30 	be met in the facility;
97.1 	(2) the safety of the person or others in the program is endangered and positive support 
97.2 	strategies were attempted and have not achieved and effectively maintained safety for the 
97.3 	person or others;
97.4 	(3) the health of the person or others in the program would otherwise be endangered;
97.5 	(4) the program has not been paid for services;
97.6 	(5) the program ceases to operate; or
97.7 	(6) the person has been terminated by the lead agency from waiver eligibility.
97.8 	(c) Prior to giving notice of service termination, the license holder must document actions 
97.9 	taken to minimize or eliminate the need for termination. Action taken by the license holder 
97.10 	must include, at a minimum:
97.11 	(1) consultation with the person's support team or expanded support team to identify 
97.12 	and resolve issues leading to issuance of the notice; and
97.13 	(2) a request to the case manager for intervention services identified in section 245D.03, 
97.14 	subdivision 1, paragraph (c), clause (1), or other professional consultation or intervention 
97.15 	services to support the person in the program. This requirement does not apply to notices 
97.16 	of service termination issued under paragraph (b), clause (4) or (5).
97.17 	If, based on the best interests of the person, the circumstances at the time of the notice were 
97.18 	such that the license holder was unable to take the action specified in clauses (1) and (2), 
97.19 	the license holder must document the specific circumstances and the reason for being unable 
97.20 	to do so.
97.21 	(d) The notice of service termination must meet the following requirements:
97.22 	(1) the license holder must notify the person or the person's legal representative and the 
97.23 	case manager in writing of the intended service termination. If the service termination is 
97.24 	from residential supports and services as defined in section 245D.03, subdivision 1, paragraph 
97.25 	(c), clause (3), the license holder must also notify the commissioner in writing; and
97.26 	(2) the notice must include:
97.27 	(i) the reason for the action;
97.28 	(ii) except for a service termination under paragraph (b), clause (4) or (5), a summary 
97.29 	of actions taken to minimize or eliminate the need for service termination or temporary 
97.30 	service suspension as required under paragraph (c), and why these measures failed to prevent 
97.31 	the termination or suspension;
98.1 	(iii) the person's right to appeal the termination of services under section 256.045, 
98.2 	subdivision 3, paragraph (a); and
98.3 	(iv) the person's right to seek a temporary order staying the termination of services 
98.4 	according to the procedures in section 256.045, subdivision 4a or 6, paragraph (c).
98.5 	(e) Notice of the proposed termination of service, including those situations that began 
98.6 	with a temporary service suspension, must be given at least 60 days prior to termination 
98.7 	when a license holder is providing intensive supports and services identified in section 
98.8 	245D.03, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), and 30 days prior to termination for all other services 
98.9 	licensed under this chapter. This notice may be given in conjunction with a notice of 
98.10 	temporary service suspension under subdivision 3.
98.11 	(f) During the service termination notice period, the license holder must:
98.12 	(1) work with the support team or expanded support team to develop reasonable 
98.13 	alternatives to protect the person and others and to support continuity of care;
98.14 	(2) provide information requested by the person or case manager; and
98.15 	(3) maintain information about the service termination, including the written notice of 
98.16 	intended service termination, in the service recipient record.

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

98.18 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256.01, subdivision 18d, is amended to read:
98.19 		Subd. 18d.Data sharing with Department of Human Services; multiple identification 
98.20 	cards. (a) The commissioner of public safety shall, on a monthly basis, provide the 
98.21 	commissioner of human services with the first, middle, and last name, the address, date of 
98.22 	birth, driver's license or state identification card number, Social Security or taxpayer 
98.23 	identification number, and all photographs or electronically produced images of all applicants 
98.24 	and holders whose drivers' licenses and state identification cards have been canceled under 
98.25 	section 171.14, paragraph (a), clause (2) or (3), by the commissioner of public safety. After 
98.26 	the initial data report has been provided by the commissioner of public safety to the 
98.27 	commissioner of human services under this paragraph, subsequent reports shall only include 
98.28 	cancellations that occurred after the end date of the cancellations represented in the previous 
98.29 	data report.
98.30 	(b) The commissioner of human services shall compare the information provided under 
98.31 	paragraph (a) with the commissioner's data regarding recipients of all public assistance 
98.32 	programs managed by the Department of Human Services to determine whether any 
99.1 	individual with multiple identification cards issued by the Department of Public Safety has 
99.2 	illegally or improperly enrolled in any public assistance program managed by the Department 
99.3 	of Human Services.
99.4 	(c) If the commissioner of human services determines that an applicant or recipient has 
99.5 	illegally or improperly enrolled in any public assistance program, the commissioner shall 
99.6 	provide all due process protections to the individual before terminating the individual from 
99.7 	the program according to applicable statute and notifying the county attorney.

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

99.9 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256.01, subdivision 18e, is amended to read:
99.10 		Subd. 18e.Data sharing with the Department of Human Services; legal presence 
99.11 	date data. (a) The commissioner of public safety shall, on a monthly basis, provide the 
99.12 	commissioner of human services with the first, middle, and last name, and address, date of 
99.13 	birth, Social Security or taxpayer identification number, and driver's license or state 
99.14 	identification card number of all applicants and holders of drivers' licenses and state 
99.15 	identification cards whose temporary legal presence date has expired and as a result the 
99.16 	driver's license or identification card has been accordingly canceled under section 171.14
99.17 	by the commissioner of public safety.
99.18 	(b) The commissioner of human services shall use the information provided under 
99.19 	paragraph (a) to determine whether the eligibility of any recipients of public assistance 
99.20 	programs managed by the Department of Human Services has changed as a result of the 
99.21 	status change indata provided by the Department of Public Safety data.
99.22 	(c) If the commissioner of human services determines that a recipient has illegally or 
99.23 	improperly received benefits from any public assistance program, the commissioner shall 
99.24 	provide all due process protections to the individual before terminating the individual from 
99.25 	the program according to applicable statute and notifying must notify the county attorney.

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

99.27 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256.045, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
99.28 		Subd. 3.State agency hearings. (a) State agency hearings are available for the following:
99.29 	(1) any person applying for, receiving or having received public assistance, medical 
99.30 	care, or a program of social services granted by the state agency or a county agency or the 
99.31 	federal Food Stamp Act whose application for assistance is denied, not acted upon with 
100.1 	reasonable promptness, or whose assistance is suspended, reduced, terminated, or claimed 
100.2 	to have been incorrectly paid;
100.3 	(2) any patient or relative aggrieved by an order of the commissioner under section 
100.4 	252.27;
100.5 	(3) a party aggrieved by a ruling of a prepaid health plan;
100.6 	(4) except as provided under chapter 245C, any individual or facility determined by a 
100.7 	lead investigative agency to have maltreated a vulnerable adult under section 626.557 after 
100.8 	they have exercised their right to administrative reconsideration under section 626.557;
100.9 	(5) any person whose claim for foster care payment according to a placement of the 
100.10 	child resulting from a child protection assessment under section 626.556 is denied or not 
100.11 	acted upon with reasonable promptness, regardless of funding source;
100.12 	(6) any person to whom a right of appeal according to this section is given by other 
100.13 	provision of law;
100.14 	(7) an applicant aggrieved by an adverse decision to an application for a hardship waiver 
100.15 	under section 256B.15;
100.16 	(8) an applicant aggrieved by an adverse decision to an application or redetermination 
100.17 	for a Medicare Part D prescription drug subsidy under section 256B.04, subdivision 4a;
100.18 	(9) except as provided under chapter 245A, an individual or facility determined to have 
100.19 	maltreated a minor under section 626.556, after the individual or facility has exercised the 
100.20 	right to administrative reconsideration under section 626.556;
100.21 	(10) except as provided under chapter 245C, an individual disqualified under sections 
100.22 	245C.14 and 245C.15, following a reconsideration decision issued under section 245C.23, 
100.23 	on the basis of serious or recurring maltreatment; a preponderance of the evidence that the 
100.24 	individual has committed an act or acts that meet the definition of any of the crimes listed 
100.25 	in section 245C.15, subdivisions 1 to 4; or for failing to make reports required under section 
100.26 	626.556, subdivision 3, or 626.557, subdivision 3. Hearings regarding a maltreatment 
100.27 	determination under clause (4) or (9) and a disqualification under this clause in which the 
100.28 	basis for a disqualification is serious or recurring maltreatment, shall be consolidated into 
100.29 	a single fair hearing. In such cases, the scope of review by the human services judge shall 
100.30 	include both the maltreatment determination and the disqualification. The failure to exercise 
100.31 	the right to an administrative reconsideration shall not be a bar to a hearing under this section 
100.32 	if federal law provides an individual the right to a hearing to dispute a finding of 
100.33 	maltreatment;
101.1 	(11) any person with an outstanding debt resulting from receipt of public assistance, 
101.2 	medical care, or the federal Food Stamp Act who is contesting a setoff claim by the 
101.3 	Department of Human Services or a county agency. The scope of the appeal is the validity 
101.4 	of the claimant agency's intention to request a setoff of a refund under chapter 270A against 
101.5 	the debt;
101.6 	(12) a person issued a notice of service termination under section 245D.10, subdivision 
101.7 	3a, from residential supports and services as defined in section 245D.03, subdivision 1, 
101.8 	paragraph (c), clause (3), that is not otherwise subject to appeal under subdivision 4a; or
101.9 	(13) an individual disability waiver recipient based on a denial of a request for a rate 
101.10 	exception under section 256B.4914.
101.11 	(b) The hearing for an individual or facility under paragraph (a), clause (4), (9), or (10), 
101.12 	is the only administrative appeal to the final agency determination specifically, including 
101.13 	a challenge to the accuracy and completeness of data under section 13.04. Hearings requested 
101.14 	under paragraph (a), clause (4), apply only to incidents of maltreatment that occur on or 
101.15 	after October 1, 1995. Hearings requested by nursing assistants in nursing homes alleged 
101.16 	to have maltreated a resident prior to October 1, 1995, shall be held as a contested case 
101.17 	proceeding under the provisions of chapter 14. Hearings requested under paragraph (a), 
101.18 	clause (9), apply only to incidents of maltreatment that occur on or after July 1, 1997. A 
101.19 	hearing for an individual or facility under paragraph (a), clauses (4), (9), and (10), is only 
101.20 	available when there is no district court action pending. If such action is filed in district 
101.21 	court while an administrative review is pending that arises out of some or all of the events 
101.22 	or circumstances on which the appeal is based, the administrative review must be suspended 
101.23 	until the judicial actions are completed. If the district court proceedings are completed, 
101.24 	dismissed, or overturned, the matter may be considered in an administrative hearing. If the 
101.25 	district court action is a juvenile protection proceeding under chapter 260C, the matter may 
101.26 	also be considered in an administrative hearing if an adjudication was made under section 
101.27 	260C.513 and the only actions still before the district court are status review hearings.
101.28 	(c) For purposes of this section, bargaining unit grievance procedures are not an 
101.29 	administrative appeal.
101.30 	(d) The scope of hearings involving claims to foster care payments under paragraph (a), 
101.31 	clause (5), shall be limited to the issue of whether the county is legally responsible for a 
101.32 	child's placement under court order or voluntary placement agreement and, if so, the correct 
101.33 	amount of foster care payment to be made on the child's behalf and shall not include review 
101.34 	of the propriety of the county's child protection determination or child placement decision.
102.1 	(e) The scope of hearings under paragraph (a), clause (12), shall be limited to whether 
102.2 	the proposed termination of services is authorized under section 245D.10, subdivision 3a, 
102.3 	paragraph (b), and whether the requirements of section 245D.10, subdivision 3a, paragraph
102.4 	paragraphs (c) to (e), were met. If the appeal includes a request for a temporary stay of 
102.5 	termination of services, the scope of the hearing shall also include whether the case 
102.6 	management provider has finalized arrangements for a residential facility, a program, or 
102.7 	services that will meet the assessed needs of the recipient by the effective date of the service 
102.8 	termination.
102.9 	(f) A vendor of medical care as defined in section 256B.02, subdivision 7, or a vendor 
102.10 	under contract with a county agency to provide social services is not a party and may not 
102.11 	request a hearing under this section, except if assisting a recipient as provided in subdivision 
102.12 	4.
102.13 	(g) An applicant or recipient is not entitled to receive social services beyond the services 
102.14 	prescribed under chapter 256M or other social services the person is eligible for under state 
102.15 	law.
102.16 	(h) The commissioner may summarily affirm the county or state agency's proposed 
102.17 	action without a hearing when the sole issue is an automatic change due to a change in state 
102.18 	or federal law.
102.19 	(i) Unless federal or Minnesota law specifies a different time frame or modality in which 
102.20 	to file an appeal, an individual or organization specified in this section may contest the 
102.21 	specified action, decision, or final disposition before the state agency by submitting a written 
102.22 	request for a hearing to the state agency within 30 days after receiving written notice of the 
102.23 	action, decision, or final disposition, or within 90 days of such written notice if the applicant, 
102.24 	recipient, patient, or relative shows good cause, as defined in section 256.0451, subdivision 
102.25 	13, why the request was not submitted within the 30-day time limit. The individual filing 
102.26 	the appeal has the burden of proving good cause by a preponderance of the evidence.

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

102.28 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256.045, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
102.29 		Subd. 4.Conduct of hearings. (a) All hearings held pursuant to subdivision 3, 3a, 3b, 
102.30 	or 4a shall be conducted according to the provisions of the federal Social Security Act and 
102.31 	the regulations implemented in accordance with that act to enable this state to qualify for 
102.32 	federal grants-in-aid, and according to the rules and written policies of the commissioner 
102.33 	of human services. County agencies shall install equipment necessary to conduct telephone 
103.1 	hearings. A state human services judge Appeals Division may schedule a telephone 
103.2 	conference hearing when the distance or time required to travel to the county agency offices 
103.3 	will cause a delay in the issuance of an order, or to promote efficiency, or at the mutual 
103.4 	request of the parties. Hearings may be conducted by telephone conferences unless the 
103.5 	applicant, recipient, former recipient, person, or facility contesting maltreatment objects. 
103.6 	A human services judge may grant a request for a hearing in person by holding the hearing 
103.7 	by interactive video technology or in person. The human services judge must hear the case 
103.8 	in person if the person asserts that either the person or a witness has a physical or mental 
103.9 	disability that would impair the person's or witness's ability to fully participate in a hearing 
103.10 	held by interactive video technology. The hearing shall not be held earlier than five days 
103.11 	after filing of the required notice with the county or state agency. The state human services 
103.12 	judge Appeals Division shall notify all interested persons of the time, date, and location of 
103.13 	the hearing at least five days before the date of the hearing. Interested persons may be 
103.14 	represented by legal counsel or other representative of their choice, including a provider of 
103.15 	therapy services, at the hearing and may appear personally, testify and offer evidence, and 
103.16 	examine and cross-examine witnesses. The applicant, recipient, former recipient, person, 
103.17 	or facility contesting maltreatment shall have the opportunity to examine the contents of 
103.18 	the case file and all documents and records to be used by the county or state agency at the 
103.19 	hearing at a reasonable time before the date of the hearing and during the hearing. In hearings 
103.20 	under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clauses (4), (8), and (9), and (10), either party may 
103.21 	subpoena the private data relating to the investigation prepared by the agency under section 
103.22 	626.556 or 626.557 that is not otherwise accessible under section 13.04, provided the identity 
103.23 	of the reporter may not be disclosed.
103.24 	(b) The private data obtained by subpoena in a hearing under subdivision 3, paragraph 
103.25 	(a), clause (4), (8), or (9), or (10), must be subject to a protective order which prohibits its 
103.26 	disclosure for any other purpose outside the hearing provided for in this section without 
103.27 	prior order of the district court. Disclosure without court order is punishable by a sentence 
103.28 	of not more than 90 days imprisonment or a fine of not more than $1,000, or both. These 
103.29 	restrictions on the use of private data do not prohibit access to the data under section 13.03, 
103.30 	subdivision 6. Except for appeals under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clauses (4), (5), (8), 
103.31 	and (9), and (10), upon request, the county agency shall provide reimbursement for 
103.32 	transportation, child care, photocopying, medical assessment, witness fee, and other necessary 
103.33 	and reasonable costs incurred by the applicant, recipient, or former recipient in connection 
103.34 	with the appeal. All evidence, except that privileged by law, commonly accepted by 
103.35 	reasonable people in the conduct of their affairs as having probative value with respect to 
103.36 	the issues shall be submitted at the hearing and such hearing shall not be "a contested case" 
104.1 	within the meaning of section 14.02, subdivision 3. The agency must present its evidence 
104.2 	prior to or at the hearing, and may not submit evidence after the hearing except by agreement 
104.3 	of the parties at the hearing, provided the petitioner has the opportunity to respond. A party 
104.4 	shall not submit evidence after the hearing except: (1) by agreement at the hearing between 
104.5 	the appellant, the agency, and the human services judge; (2) in response to new evidence; 
104.6 	or (3) when the human services judge determines that additional evidence is needed to 
104.7 	sufficiently complete the appeal file and make a fair and accurate decision. If a party submits 
104.8 	evidence after the appeal hearing consistent with an exception, the other party must be 
104.9 	allowed sufficient opportunity to respond to the evidence.
104.10 	(c) In hearings under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clauses (4), (8), and (9), and (10),
104.11 	involving determinations of maltreatment or disqualification made by more than one county 
104.12 	agency, by a county agency and a state agency, or by more than one state agency, the hearings 
104.13 	may be consolidated into a single fair hearing upon the consent of all parties and the state 
104.14 	human services judge.
104.15 	(d) For hearings under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (4) or (10), involving a 
104.16 	vulnerable adult, the human services judge Appeals Division shall notify the vulnerable 
104.17 	adult who is the subject of the maltreatment determination and, if known, a guardian of the 
104.18 	vulnerable adult appointed under section 524.5-310, or a health care agent designated by 
104.19 	the vulnerable adult in a health care directive that is currently effective under section 145C.06
104.20 	and whose authority to make health care decisions is not suspended under section 524.5-310, 
104.21 	of the hearing. The notice must be sent by certified mail and inform the vulnerable adult of 
104.22 	the right to file a signed written statement in the proceedings. A guardian or health care 
104.23 	agent who prepares or files a written statement for the vulnerable adult must indicate in the 
104.24 	statement that the person is the vulnerable adult's guardian or health care agent and sign the 
104.25 	statement in that capacity. The vulnerable adult, the guardian, or the health care agent may 
104.26 	file a written statement with the human services judge hearing the case no later than five 
104.27 	business days before commencement of the hearing. The human services judge shall include 
104.28 	the written statement in the hearing record and consider the statement in deciding the appeal. 
104.29 	This subdivision does not limit, prevent, or excuse the vulnerable adult from being called 
104.30 	as a witness testifying at the hearing or grant the vulnerable adult, the guardian, or health 
104.31 	care agent a right to participate in the proceedings or appeal the human services judge's
104.32 	commissioner's decision in the case. The lead investigative agency must consider including 
104.33 	the vulnerable adult victim of maltreatment as a witness in the hearing. If the lead 
104.34 	investigative agency determines that participation in the hearing would endanger the 
104.35 	well-being of the vulnerable adult or not be in the best interests of the vulnerable adult, the 
105.1 	lead investigative agency shall inform the human services judge of the basis for this 
105.2 	determination, which must be included in the final order. If the human services judge Appeals 
105.3 	Division is not reasonably able to determine the address of the vulnerable adult, the guardian, 
105.4 	or the health care agent, the human services judge Appeals Division is not required to send 
105.5 	a hearing notice under this subdivision.

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

105.7 	Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256.0451, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
105.8 		Subdivision 1.Scope. The requirements in this section apply to all fair hearings and 
105.9 	appeals under section 256.045, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clauses (1), (2), (3), (5), (6), 
105.10 	and (7). Except as provided in subdivisions 3 and 19, the requirements under this section 
105.11 	apply to fair hearings and appeals under section 256.045, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), 
105.12 	clauses (4), (8), and (9).
105.13 	The term For purposes of this section, "person" is used in this section to mean means
105.14 	an individual who, on behalf of themselves or their household, is appealing or disputing or 
105.15 	challenging an action, a decision, or a failure to act, by an agency in the human services 
105.16 	system. When a person involved in a proceeding under this section is represented by an 
105.17 	attorney or by an, authorized representative, the term or other advocate for whom the person 
105.18 	gave clear consent to contest the matter on the person's behalf."Person" also refers to means
105.19 	the person's attorney or, authorized representative, or other advocate. Any notice sent to the 
105.20 	person involved in the hearing must also be sent to the person's attorney or, authorized 
105.21 	representative, or other advocate.
105.22 	The term "Agency" includes the county human services agency, the state human services 
105.23 	agency, and, where applicable, any entity involved under a contract, subcontract, grant, or 
105.24 	subgrant with the state agency or with a county agency, that provides or operates programs 
105.25 	or services in which appeals are governed by section 256.045. For purposes of an appeal 
105.26 	under section 256.045, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (12), "agency" means the provider 
105.27 	who issued the notice of service termination.

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

105.29 	Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256.0451, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
105.30 		Subd. 3.Agency appeal summary. (a) Except in fair hearings and appeals under section 
105.31 	256.045, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clauses (4), (8), and (9), the agency involved in an 
105.32 	appeal must prepare a state agency appeal summary for each fair hearing appeal. The state 
106.1 	agency appeal summary shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to the person who is involved 
106.2 	in the appeal at least three working days before the date of the hearing. The state agency 
106.3 	appeal summary must also be mailed or otherwise delivered to the department's Appeals 
106.4 	Office at least three working days before the date of the fair hearing appeal.
106.5 	(b) In addition, the human services judge shall confirm that the state agency appeal 
106.6 	summary is mailed or otherwise delivered to the person involved in the appeal as required 
106.7 	under paragraph (a). The person involved in the fair hearing should be provided, through 
106.8 	the state agency appeal summary or other reasonable methods, appropriate information 
106.9 	about the procedures for the fair hearing and an adequate opportunity to prepare. These 
106.10 	requirements apply equally to the state agency or an entity under contract when involved 
106.11 	in the appeal.
106.12 	(c) The contents of the state agency appeal summary must be adequate to inform the 
106.13 	person involved in the appeal of the evidence on which the agency relies and the legal basis 
106.14 	for the agency's action or determination.

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

106.16 	Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256.0451, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
106.17 		Subd. 5.Prehearing conferences. (a) The human services judge prior to Before a fair 
106.18 	hearing appeal, the Appeals Division may hold a prehearing conference to further the 
106.19 	interests of justice or efficiency and must include the person involved in the appeal. A person 
106.20 	involved in a fair hearing appeal or the agency may request a prehearing conference. The 
106.21 	prehearing conference may be conducted by telephone, in person, or in writing. The 
106.22 	prehearing conference may address the following:
106.23 	(1) disputes regarding access to files, evidence, subpoenas, or testimony;
106.24 	(2) the time required for the hearing or any need for expedited procedures or decision;
106.25 	(3) identification or clarification of legal or other issues that may arise at the hearing;
106.26 	(4) identification of and possible agreement to factual issues; and
106.27 	(5) scheduling and any other matter which will aid in the proper and fair functioning of 
106.28 	the hearing.
106.29 	(b) The human services judge Appeals Division shall make a record or otherwise 
106.30 	contemporaneously summarize the prehearing conference in writing, which shall be sent 
106.31 	to both the person involved in the hearing, the person's attorney or authorized representative, 
106.32 	and the agency. A human services judge may make and issue rulings and orders while the 
107.1 	appeal is pending. During the pendency of the appeal, these rulings and orders are not subject 
107.2 	to a request for reconsideration or appeal. These rulings and orders are subject to review 
107.3 	under subdivision 24 and section 256.045, subdivision 7.

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

107.5 	Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256.0451, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
107.6 		Subd. 6.Appeal request for emergency assistance or urgent matter. (a) When an 
107.7 	appeal involves an application for emergency assistance, the agency involved shall mail or 
107.8 	otherwise deliver the state agency appeal summary to the department's Appeals Office 
107.9 	within two working days of receiving the request for an appeal. A person may also request 
107.10 	that a fair hearing be held on an emergency basis when the issue requires an immediate 
107.11 	resolution. The human services judge Appeals Division shall schedule the fair hearing on 
107.12 	the earliest available date according to the urgency of the issue involved. Issuance of the 
107.13 	recommended decision after an emergency hearing shall be expedited.
107.14 	(b) The commissioner shall issue a written decision within five working days of receiving 
107.15 	the recommended decision, shall immediately inform the parties of the outcome by telephone,
107.16 	and shall mail send the decision to each party no later than two working days following the 
107.17 	date of the decision.

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

107.19 	Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256.0451, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
107.20 		Subd. 7.Continuance, rescheduling, or adjourning a hearing. (a) A person involved 
107.21 	in a fair hearing, or the agency, may request a continuance, a rescheduling, or an adjournment 
107.22 	of a hearing for a reasonable period of time. The grounds for granting a request for a 
107.23 	continuance, a rescheduling, or adjournment of a hearing include, but are not limited to, the 
107.24 	following:
107.25 	(1) to reasonably accommodate the appearance of a witness;
107.26 	(2) to ensure that the person or the agency has adequate opportunity for preparation and 
107.27 	for presentation of evidence and argument;
107.28 	(3) to ensure that the person or the agency has adequate opportunity to review, evaluate, 
107.29 	and respond to new evidence, or where appropriate, to require that the person or agency 
107.30 	review, evaluate, and respond to new evidence;
108.1 	(4) to permit the person involved and the agency to negotiate toward resolution of some 
108.2 	or all of the issues where both agree that additional time is needed;
108.3 	(5) to permit the agency to reconsider a previous action or determination;
108.4 	(6) to permit or to require the performance of actions not previously taken; and
108.5 	(7) to accommodate a person's or agency's conflict of previously scheduled appointments;
108.6 	(8) to accommodate a person's physical or mental illness;
108.7 	(9) to accommodate an interpreter, translator, or other service when necessary to 
108.8 	accommodate a person with a disability; or
108.9 	(7) (10) to provide additional time or to permit or require additional activity by the person 
108.10 	or agency as the interests of fairness may require.
108.11 	(b) Requests for continuances or for rescheduling may be made orally or in writing. The 
108.12 	person or agency requesting the continuance or rescheduling must first make reasonable 
108.13 	efforts to contact the other participants in the hearing or their representatives and seek to 
108.14 	obtain an agreement on the request. Requests for continuance or rescheduling should be 
108.15 	made no later than three working days before the scheduled date of the hearing, unless there 
108.16 	is a good cause as specified in subdivision 13. When a request to reschedule a hearing is 
108.17 	received less than five calendar days before the scheduled hearing date, the requesting party 
108.18 	must attempt, at least once, to notify the other party of the request and provide the other 
108.19 	party an opportunity to object, if applicable. When a request to reschedule a hearing is 
108.20 	received less than 24 hours before the scheduled hearing date, the Appeals Division must 
108.21 	consider the potential prejudicial effect and burdens on the parties in reviewing the request. 
108.22 	Unless the Appeals Division makes a written determination that a request to reschedule a 
108.23 	hearing was made to unnecessarily delay the proceeding or that a party's objection and the 
108.24 	reason for the objection outweighed the need to reschedule, the hearing must be rescheduled 
108.25 	for good cause as determined by the Appeals Division. Granting a continuance or 
108.26 	rescheduling may be conditioned upon a waiver by the requester of applicable time limits 
108.27 	but should not cause unreasonable delay.

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

108.29 	Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256.0451, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
108.30 		Subd. 9.No ex parte contact. The human services judge shall not have ex parte contact 
108.31 	on substantive issues with the agency or with any person or witness in a fair hearing appeal. 
108.32 	No employee of the department or agency shall review, interfere with, change, or attempt 
109.1 	to influence the recommended decision of the human services judge in any fair hearing 
109.2 	appeal, except through the procedure allowed in subdivision 18. The limitations in this 
109.3 	subdivision do not affect the commissioner's authority to review or reconsider decisions or 
109.4 	make final decisions. The limitations in this subdivision also do not affect the commissioner's 
109.5 	authority to set policies and procedures for the processing and administration of fair hearing 
109.6 	appeals.

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

109.8 	Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256.0451, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
109.9 		Subd. 10.Telephone or face-to-face hearing. A fair hearing appeal may be conducted 
109.10 	by telephone, by other electronic media, or by an in-person, face-to-face hearing. At the 
109.11 	request of the person involved in a fair hearing appeal or their representative, a face-to-face 
109.12 	hearing shall be conducted with all participants personally present before the human services 
109.13 	judge. A human services judge may satisfy a request for an in-person hearing by holding 
109.14 	the hearing using interactive video technology or in person. However, the human services 
109.15 	judge must hold an in-person hearing if a party asserts that either the party or a witness has 
109.16 	a physical or mental disability that would impair the party's or witness's ability to fully 
109.17 	participate in a hearing held using interactive video technology.

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

109.19 	Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256.0451, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
109.20 		Subd. 11.Hearing facilities and equipment. (a) If the hearing is held in person, the 
109.21 	human services judge shall conduct the hearing in the county where the person involved 
109.22 	resides, unless an alternate location is mutually agreed upon before the hearing, or unless 
109.23 	the person has agreed to a hearing by telephone. In-person hearings under section 256.045, 
109.24 	subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clauses (4), (8), and (9), and (10), must be conducted in the 
109.25 	county where the determination was made, unless an alternate location is mutually agreed 
109.26 	upon before the hearing. The hearing room used for an in-person hearing shall be of sufficient 
109.27 	size and layout to adequately accommodate both the number of individuals participating in 
109.28 	the hearing and any identified special needs of any individual participating in the hearing.
109.29 	(b) The human services judge shall ensure that all communication and recording 
109.30 	equipment that is necessary to conduct the hearing and to create an adequate record is present 
109.31 	and functioning properly. If any necessary communication or recording equipment fails or 
109.32 	ceases to operate effectively, the human services judge shall take any steps necessary, 
109.33 	including stopping or adjourning the hearing, until the necessary equipment is present and 
110.1 	functioning properly. All reasonable efforts shall be undertaken to prevent and avoid any 
110.2 	delay in the hearing process caused by defective communication or recording equipment.

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

110.4 	Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256.0451, subdivision 12, is amended to read:
110.5 		Subd. 12.Interpreter and translation services. The human services judge has a duty 
110.6 	to inquire and to determine whether any participant in the hearing needs the services of an 
110.7 	interpreter or translator in order to participate in or to understand the hearing process. 
110.8 	Necessary interpreter or translation services must be provided by the agency taking the 
110.9 	action in the appeal at no charge to the person involved in the hearing. If it appears that 
110.10 	interpreter or translation services are needed but are not available for the scheduled hearing, 
110.11 	the human services judge shall continue or postpone the hearing until appropriate services 
110.12 	can be provided.

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

110.14 	Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256.0451, subdivision 21, is amended to read:
110.15 		Subd. 21.Closing of the record. The agency must present its evidence prior to or at the 
110.16 	hearing. The agency shall not be permitted to submit evidence after the hearing except by 
110.17 	agreement at the hearing between the person involved, the agency, and the human services 
110.18 	judge. If evidence is submitted after the hearing, based on such an agreement, the person 
110.19 	involved and the agency must be allowed sufficient opportunity to respond to the evidence. 
110.20 	When necessary, the record shall remain open to permit a person to submit additional 
110.21 	evidence on the issues presented at the hearing. A party shall not submit evidence after the 
110.22 	hearing except: (1) by agreement at the hearing between the appellant, the agency, and the 
110.23 	human services judge; (2) in response to new evidence; or (3) when the human services 
110.24 	judge determines that additional evidence is needed to sufficiently complete the appeal file 
110.25 	and make a fair and accurate decision. If a party submits evidence after the appeal hearing 
110.26 	consistent with an exception, the other party must be allowed sufficient opportunity to 
110.27 	respond to the evidence.

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

110.29 	Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256.046, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
110.30 		Subdivision 1.Hearing authority. A local agency must initiate an administrative fraud 
110.31 	disqualification hearing for individuals, including child care providers caring for children 
110.32 	receiving child care assistance, accused of wrongfully obtaining assistance or intentional 
111.1 	program violations, in lieu of a criminal action when it has not been pursued, in the Minnesota 
111.2 	family investment program and any affiliated program to include the diversionary work 
111.3 	program and the work participation cash benefit program, child care assistance programs, 
111.4 	general assistance, family general assistance program formerly codified in section 256D.05, 
111.5 	subdivision 1, clause (15), Minnesota supplemental aid, food stamp programs, MinnesotaCare 
111.6 	for adults without children, and upon federal approval, all categories of medical assistance 
111.7 	and remaining categories of MinnesotaCare except for children through age 18. The 
111.8 	Department of Human Services, in lieu of a local agency, may initiate an administrative 
111.9 	fraud disqualification hearing when the state agency is directly responsible for administration 
111.10 	or investigation of the program for which benefits were wrongfully obtained. The hearing 
111.11 	is subject to the requirements of section 256.045 and the requirements in Code of Federal 
111.12 	Regulations, title 7, section 273.16. The local agency must prove by clear and convincing 
111.13 	evidence that an individual committed, and intended to commit, an intentional program 
111.14 	violation to disqualify the individual from participating in food stamp programs, the 
111.15 	Minnesota family investment program, or a diversionary work program. The local agency 
111.16 	must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that an individual committed, and intended 
111.17 	to commit, an intentional program violation to disqualify the individual from participating 
111.18 	in all other programs.

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

111.20 	Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256.9685, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
111.21 		Subdivision 1.Authority. (a) The commissioner shall establish procedures for 
111.22 	determining medical assistance payment rates under a prospective payment system for 
111.23 	inpatient hospital services in hospitals that qualify as vendors of medical assistance. The 
111.24 	commissioner shall establish, by rule, procedures for implementing this section and sections 
111.25 	256.9686, 256.969, and 256.9695. Services must meet the requirements of section 256B.04, 
111.26 	subdivision 15, to be eligible for payment.
111.27 	(b) The commissioner may reduce the types of inpatient hospital admissions that are 
111.28 	required to be certified as medically necessary after notice in the State Register and a 30-day 
111.29 	comment period.
111.30 	(c) The commissioner shall publish in the Minnesota Health Care Program Provider 
111.31 	Manual the industry standard, evidence-based clinical decision tool used for determining 
111.32 	the medical necessity of a recipient's hospital admission. The tool shall be used in conjunction 
111.33 	with the recipient's medical conditions and records. The commissioner's tool designation is 
112.1 	not subject to administrative appeal and is not subject to the requirements of chapter 14, 
112.2 	including section 14.386. This paragraph supersedes any contrary rule or law.

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

112.4 	Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256.9685, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
112.5 		Subd. 1a.Administrative reconsideration. Notwithstanding section 256B.04, 
112.6 	subdivision 15, the commissioner shall establish an administrative reconsideration process 
112.7 	for appeals of inpatient hospital services determined to be medically unnecessary. A physician 
112.8 	or hospital may request a reconsideration of the decision that inpatient hospital services are 
112.9 	not medically necessary by submitting a written request for review to the commissioner 
112.10 	within 30 days after receiving notice of the decision. The reconsideration process shall take 
112.11 	place prior to the procedures of subdivision 1b and shall be conducted by physicians a 
112.12 	physician that are is independent of the case under reconsideration. A majority decision by 
112.13 	the physicians is necessary to make a determination that the services were not medically 
112.14 	necessary.

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

112.16 	Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256B.064, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
112.17 		Subd. 2.Imposition of monetary recovery and sanctions. (a) The commissioner shall 
112.18 	determine any monetary amounts to be recovered and sanctions to be imposed upon a vendor 
112.19 	of medical care under this section. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (d), neither a 
112.20 	monetary recovery nor a sanction will be imposed by the commissioner without prior notice 
112.21 	and an opportunity for a hearing, according to chapter 14, on the commissioner's proposed 
112.22 	action, provided that the commissioner may suspend or reduce payment to a vendor of 
112.23 	medical care, except a nursing home or convalescent care facility, after notice and prior to 
112.24 	the hearing if in the commissioner's opinion that action is necessary to protect the public 
112.25 	welfare and the interests of the program.
112.26 	(b) Except when the commissioner finds good cause not to suspend payments under 
112.27 	Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 455.23 (e) or (f), the commissioner shall 
112.28 	withhold or reduce payments to a vendor of medical care without providing advance notice 
112.29 	of such withholding or reduction if either of the following occurs:
112.30 	(1) the vendor is convicted of a crime involving the conduct described in subdivision 
112.31 	1a; or
113.1 	(2) the commissioner determines there is a credible allegation of fraud for which an 
113.2 	investigation is pending under the program. A credible allegation of fraud is an allegation 
113.3 	which has been verified by the state, from any source, including but not limited to:
113.4 	(i) fraud hotline complaints;
113.5 	(ii) claims data mining; and
113.6 	(iii) patterns identified through provider audits, civil false claims cases, and law 
113.7 	enforcement investigations.
113.8 	Allegations are considered to be credible when they have an indicia of reliability and 
113.9 	the state agency has reviewed all allegations, facts, and evidence carefully and acts 
113.10 	judiciously on a case-by-case basis.
113.11 	(c) The commissioner must send notice of the withholding or reduction of payments 
113.12 	under paragraph (b) within five days of taking such action unless requested in writing by a 
113.13 	law enforcement agency to temporarily withhold the notice. The notice must:
113.14 	(1) state that payments are being withheld according to paragraph (b);
113.15 	(2) set forth the general allegations as to the nature of the withholding action, but need 
113.16 	not disclose any specific information concerning an ongoing investigation;
113.17 	(3) except in the case of a conviction for conduct described in subdivision 1a, state that 
113.18 	the withholding is for a temporary period and cite the circumstances under which withholding 
113.19 	will be terminated;
113.20 	(4) identify the types of claims to which the withholding applies; and
113.21 	(5) inform the vendor of the right to submit written evidence for consideration by the 
113.22 	commissioner.
113.23 	The withholding or reduction of payments will not continue after the commissioner 
113.24 	determines there is insufficient evidence of fraud by the vendor, or after legal proceedings 
113.25 	relating to the alleged fraud are completed, unless the commissioner has sent notice of 
113.26 	intention to impose monetary recovery or sanctions under paragraph (a). Upon conviction 
113.27 	for a crime related to the provision, management, or administration of a health service under 
113.28 	medical assistance, a payment held pursuant to this section by the commissioner or a managed 
113.29 	care organization that contracts with the commissioner under section 256B.035 is forfeited 
113.30 	up to the amount of any overpayment identified by the commissioner or managed care 
113.31 	organization, regardless of the amount charged in the criminal complaint or the amount of 
113.32 	criminal restitution ordered.
114.1 	(d) The commissioner shall suspend or terminate a vendor's participation in the program 
114.2 	without providing advance notice and an opportunity for a hearing when the suspension or 
114.3 	termination is required because of the vendor's exclusion from participation in Medicare. 
114.4 	Within five days of taking such action, the commissioner must send notice of the suspension 
114.5 	or termination. The notice must:
114.6 	(1) state that suspension or termination is the result of the vendor's exclusion from 
114.7 	Medicare;
114.8 	(2) identify the effective date of the suspension or termination; and
114.9 	(3) inform the vendor of the need to be reinstated to Medicare before reapplying for 
114.10 	participation in the program.
114.11 	(e) Upon receipt of a notice under paragraph (a) that a monetary recovery or sanction is 
114.12 	to be imposed, a vendor may request a contested case, as defined in section 14.02, subdivision 
114.13 	3, by filing with the commissioner a written request of appeal. The appeal request must be 
114.14 	received by the commissioner no later than 30 days after the date the notification of monetary 
114.15 	recovery or sanction was mailed to the vendor. The appeal request must specify:
114.16 	(1) each disputed item, the reason for the dispute, and an estimate of the dollar amount 
114.17 	involved for each disputed item;
114.18 	(2) the computation that the vendor believes is correct;
114.19 	(3) the authority in statute or rule upon which the vendor relies for each disputed item;
114.20 	(4) the name and address of the person or entity with whom contacts may be made 
114.21 	regarding the appeal; and
114.22 	(5) other information required by the commissioner.
114.23 	(f) The commissioner may order a vendor to forfeit a fine for failure to fully document 
114.24 	services according to standards in this chapter and Minnesota Rules, chapter 9505. The 
114.25 	commissioner may assess fines if specific required components of documentation are 
114.26 	missing. The fine for incomplete documentation shall equal 20 percent of the amount paid 
114.27 	on the claims for reimbursement submitted by the vendor, or up to $5,000, whichever is 
114.28 	less. If the commissioner determines that a vendor repeatedly violated this chapter or 
114.29 	Minnesota Rules, chapter 9505, related to the provision of services to program recipients 
114.30 	and the submission of claims for payment, the commissioner may order a vendor to forfeit 
114.31 	a fine based on the nature, severity, and chronicity of the violations, in an amount of up to 
114.32 	$5,000 or 20 percent of the value of the claims, whichever is greater.
115.1 	(g) The vendor shall pay the fine assessed on or before the payment date specified. If 
115.2 	the vendor fails to pay the fine, the commissioner may withhold or reduce payments and 
115.3 	recover the amount of the fine. A timely appeal shall stay payment of the fine until the 
115.4 	commissioner issues a final order.

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

115.6 	Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256B.064, is amended by adding a subdivision 
115.7 	to read:
115.8 		Subd. 3.Vendor mandates on prohibited hiring. (a) The commissioner shall maintain 
115.9 	and publish a list of each excluded individual and entity that was convicted of a crime related 
115.10 	to the provision, management, or administration of a medical assistance health service, or 
115.11 	suspended or terminated under subdivision 2. A vendor that receives funding from medical 
115.12 	assistance shall not:
115.13 	(1) employ an individual or entity who is on the exclusion list; or
115.14 	(2) enter into or maintain a business relationship with an individual or entity that is on 
115.15 	the exclusion list.
115.16 	(b) Before hiring or entering into a business transaction, a vendor must check the 
115.17 	exclusion list. The vendor must check the exclusion list on a monthly basis and document 
115.18 	the date and time the exclusion list was checked and the name and title of the person who 
115.19 	checked the exclusion list. The vendor must:
115.20 	(1) immediately terminate a current employee on the exclusion list; and
115.21 	(2) immediately terminate a business relationship with an individual or entity on the 
115.22 	exclusion list.
115.23 	(c) A vendor's requirement to check the exclusion list and to terminate an employee on 
115.24 	the exclusion list applies to each employee, even if the named employee is not responsible 
115.25 	for direct patient care or direct submission of a claim to medical assistance. The requirement 
115.26 	to check the exclusion list and terminate a business relationship with an individual or entity 
115.27 	on the exclusion list applies to each business relationship, even if the named individual or 
115.28 	entity is not responsible for direct patient care or direct submission of a claim to medical 
115.29 	assistance.
115.30 	(d) A vendor that employs or enters into or maintains a business relationship with an 
115.31 	individual or entity on the exclusion list must refund any payment related to a service 
115.32 	rendered by an individual or entity on the exclusion list from the date the individual is 
116.1 	employed or the date the individual is placed on the exclusionary list, whichever is later, 
116.2 	and may be subject to:
116.3 	(1) sanctions under subdivision 2;
116.4 	(2) civil monetary penalty up to $25,000 for each determination by the department that 
116.5 	the vendor employed or contracted with an individual or entity on the exclusion list; and
116.6 	(3) other fines or penalties allowed by law.

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

116.8 	Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256B.064, is amended by adding a subdivision 
116.9 	to read:
116.10 		Subd. 4.Notice. (a) The notice required under subdivision 2 shall be served by first class 
116.11 	mail at the address submitted to the department by the vendor. Service is complete upon 
116.12 	mailing. The commissioner shall place an affidavit of the first class mailing in the vendor's 
116.13 	file as an indication of the address and the date of mailing.
116.14 	(b) The department shall give notice in writing to a recipient placed in the Minnesota 
116.15 	restricted recipient program under section 256B.0646 and Minnesota Rules, part 9505.2200. 
116.16 	The notice shall be mailed by first class mail to the recipient's current address on file with 
116.17 	the department. A recipient placed in the restricted recipient program may contest the 
116.18 	placement by submitting a written request for a hearing to the department within 90 days 
116.19 	of the notice being mailed.

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

116.21 	Sec. 45. [256B.0646] MINNESOTA RESTRICTED RECIPIENT PROGRAM.
116.22 	(a) When a recipient's use of personal care assistance or home and community-based 
116.23 	personal care services and supports results in repeated abusive or fraudulent billing, regardless 
116.24 	of error, fault, or intent, the commissioner may place the recipient in the Minnesota restricted 
116.25 	recipient program. A recipient placed in the Minnesota restricted recipient program under 
116.26 	this section must:
116.27 	(1) be placed with a traditional personal care assistance provider agency or use an agency 
116.28 	provider model; and
116.29 	(2) obtain a referral from the recipient's designated primary care provider for personal 
116.30 	care assistance or home and community-based personal care services and supports.
117.1 	(b) Additional conditions may be placed on the use of personal care assistance services 
117.2 	or home and community-based personal care services and supports if the commissioner 
117.3 	determines it is necessary to prevent future abusive or fraudulent billing.
117.4 	(c) Placement in the Minnesota restricted recipient program under this section is subject 
117.5 	to appeal according to section 256B.064.

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

117.7 	Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 393.07, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
117.8 		Subd. 10.Food stamp program; Maternal and Child Nutrition Act. (a) The local 
117.9 	social services agency shall establish and administer the food stamp program according to 
117.10 	rules of the commissioner of human services, the supervision of the commissioner as specified 
117.11 	in section 256.01, and all federal laws and regulations. The commissioner of human services 
117.12 	shall monitor food stamp program delivery on an ongoing basis to ensure that each county 
117.13 	complies with federal laws and regulations. Program requirements to be monitored include, 
117.14 	but are not limited to, number of applications, number of approvals, number of cases pending, 
117.15 	length of time required to process each application and deliver benefits, number of applicants 
117.16 	eligible for expedited issuance, length of time required to process and deliver expedited 
117.17 	issuance, number of terminations and reasons for terminations, client profiles by age, 
117.18 	household composition and income level and sources, and the use of phone certification 
117.19 	and home visits. The commissioner shall determine the county-by-county and statewide 
117.20 	participation rate.
117.21 	(b) On July 1 of each year, the commissioner of human services shall determine a 
117.22 	statewide and county-by-county food stamp program participation rate. The commissioner 
117.23 	may designate a different agency to administer the food stamp program in a county if the 
117.24 	agency administering the program fails to increase the food stamp program participation 
117.25 	rate among families or eligible individuals, or comply with all federal laws and regulations 
117.26 	governing the food stamp program. The commissioner shall review agency performance 
117.27 	annually to determine compliance with this paragraph.
117.28 	(c) A person who commits any of the following acts has violated section 256.98 or 
117.29 	609.821, or both, and is subject to both the criminal and civil penalties provided under those 
117.30 	sections:
117.31 	(1) obtains or attempts to obtain, or aids or abets any person to obtain by means of a 
117.32 	willful statement or misrepresentation, or intentional concealment of a material fact, food 
117.33 	stamps or vouchers issued according to sections 145.891 to 145.897 to which the person is 
118.1 	not entitled or in an amount greater than that to which that person is entitled or which specify 
118.2 	nutritional supplements to which that person is not entitled; or
118.3 	(2) presents or causes to be presented, coupons or vouchers issued according to sections 
118.4 	145.891 to 145.897 for payment or redemption knowing them to have been received, 
118.5 	transferred or used in a manner contrary to existing state or federal law; or
118.6 	(3) willfully uses, possesses, or transfers food stamp coupons, authorization to purchase 
118.7 	cards or vouchers issued according to sections 145.891 to 145.897 in any manner contrary 
118.8 	to existing state or federal law, rules, or regulations; or
118.9 	(4) buys or sells food stamp coupons, authorization to purchase cards, other assistance 
118.10 	transaction devices, vouchers issued according to sections 145.891 to 145.897, or any food 
118.11 	obtained through the redemption of vouchers issued according to sections 145.891 to 145.897
118.12 	for cash or consideration other than eligible food.
118.13 	(d) A peace officer or welfare fraud investigator may confiscate food stamps, 
118.14 	authorization to purchase cards, or other assistance transaction devices found in the 
118.15 	possession of any person who is neither a recipient of the food stamp program nor otherwise 
118.16 	authorized to possess and use such materials. Confiscated property shall be disposed of as 
118.17 	the commissioner may direct and consistent with state and federal food stamp law. The 
118.18 	confiscated property must be retained for a period of not less than 30 days to allow any 
118.19 	affected person to appeal the confiscation under section 256.045.
118.20 	(e) (d) Establishment of an overpayment is limited to 12 months prior to the month of 
118.21 	discovery due to agency error. Establishment of an overpayment is limited to six years prior 
118.22 	to the month of discovery due to client error or an intentional program violation determined 
118.23 	under section 256.046.
118.24 	(f) (e) With regard to the federal tax revenue offset program only, recovery incentives 
118.25 	authorized by the federal food and consumer service shall be retained at the rate of 50 percent 
118.26 	by the state agency and 50 percent by the certifying county agency.
118.27 	(g) (f) A peace officer, welfare fraud investigator, federal law enforcement official, or 
118.28 	the commissioner of health may confiscate vouchers found in the possession of any person 
118.29 	who is neither issued vouchers under sections 145.891 to 145.897, nor otherwise authorized 
118.30 	to possess and use such vouchers. Confiscated property shall be disposed of as the 
118.31 	commissioner of health may direct and consistent with state and federal law. The confiscated 
118.32 	property must be retained for a period of not less than 30 days.
119.1 	(h) (g) The commissioner of human services may seek a waiver from the United States 
119.2 	Department of Agriculture to allow the state to specify foods that may and may not be 
119.3 	purchased in Minnesota with benefits funded by the federal Food Stamp Program. The 
119.4 	commissioner shall consult with the members of the house of representatives and senate 
119.5 	policy committees having jurisdiction over food support issues in developing the waiver. 
119.6 	The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioners of health and education, shall 
119.7 	develop a broad public health policy related to improved nutrition and health status. The 
119.8 	commissioner must seek legislative approval prior to implementing the waiver.

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

APPENDIX 

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: 17-0002 

119B.125 PROVIDER REQUIREMENTS.Subd. 8.Overpayment claim for failure to comply with access to records requirement. 
(a) In establishing an overpayment claim under subdivision 6 for failure to provide access to attendance records, the county or commissioner is limited to the six years prior to the date the county or the commissioner requested the attendance records. 

(b) When the commissioner or county establishes an overpayment claim against a current or former provider, the commissioner or county must provide notice of the claim to the provider. A notice of overpayment claim must specify the reason for the overpayment, the authority for making the overpayment claim, the time period in which the overpayment occurred, the amount of the overpayment, and the provider's right to appeal. 

(c) The commissioner or county may seek to recover overpayments paid to a current or former provider. When a provider has been convicted of fraud under section 256.98, theft under section 609.52, or a federal crime relating to theft of state funds or fraudulent billing for a program administered by the commissioner or a county, recovery may be sought regardless of the amount of overpayment. 

256J.751 COUNTY PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT.Subdivision 1.Monthly county caseload report. 
The commissioner shall report monthly to each county the following caseload information: 

(1) total number of cases receiving MFIP, and subtotals of cases with one eligible parent, two eligible parents, and an eligible caregiver who is not a parent; 

(2) total number of child only assistance cases; 

(3) total number of eligible adults and children receiving an MFIP grant, and subtotals for cases with one eligible parent, two eligible parents, an eligible caregiver who is not a parent, and child only cases; 

(4) number of cases with an exemption from the 60-month time limit based on a family violence waiver; 

(5) number of MFIP cases with work hours, and subtotals for cases with one eligible parent, two eligible parents, and an eligible caregiver who is not a parent; 

(6) number of employed MFIP cases, and subtotals for cases with one eligible parent, two eligible parents, and an eligible caregiver who is not a parent; 

(7) average monthly gross earnings, and averages for subgroups of cases with one eligible parent, two eligible parents, and an eligible caregiver who is not a parent; 

(8) number of employed cases receiving only the food portion of assistance; 

(9) number of parents or caregivers exempt from work activity requirements, with subtotals for each exemption type; and 

(10) number of cases with a sanction, with subtotals by level of sanction for cases with one eligible parent, two eligible parents, and an eligible caregiver who is not a parent.