2026 Minnesota Statutes

142I.15 CLEANING AND DISINFECTING.

Subdivision 1.General requirements.

(a) The family child care program must be free from accumulations of dirt, peeling paint, visible or known debris, soiled items, hazardous clutter, and pet waste.

(b) Disinfectants must:

(1) not be used prior to or in place of cleaning compounds;

(2) be mixed and used according to the manufacturer's instructions; and

(3) be used on surfaces that are contaminated with bodily fluids.

Subd. 2.Toys.

A caregiver must clean and disinfect a toy that has been in a child's mouth prior to use by another child. Toys that come into contact with bodily fluids must be cleaned and disinfected prior to next use. Toys must be cleaned and disinfected as needed if there are visible or known contaminants or debris on them.

Subd. 3.Food and eating areas.

Surfaces and tools that are used for preparing or serving food must be cleaned.

Subd. 4.Indoor and outdoor equipment.

(a) The indoor and outdoor space and equipment of the family child care program must be clean.

(b) Natural features, elements, and materials used as equipment and play materials for outdoor play under section 142I.14, subdivision 3, are exempt from being clean, as defined under section 142I.01, subdivision 16. A caregiver must inspect natural features, elements, and materials used for outdoor play for hazardous objects and other safety hazards, including animal feces, and remove or mitigate the hazard before a child's use.

Subd. 5.Sleeping.

Bedding, as defined in section 142I.17, subdivision 10, must be cleaned and disinfected at least weekly or when visibly dirty.

Subd. 6.Toilet training equipment.

Toilet training chairs and seats must be cleaned and disinfected after each use.

Subd. 7.Hand washing.

(a) A child's hands must be washed with soap and running water when soiled, after the use of a toilet or toilet training chair, and before eating a meal or snack. The caregiver must monitor and assist a child who needs help. Children's hands must be dried on a separate or single-use towel.

(b) In sinks and tubs accessible to children, the water temperature must not be able to exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

(c) Caregivers must wash their hands with soap and water after each diaper change, after assisting a child on the toilet, after washing the diapering surface, and before food preparation. The caregiver's hands must be dried on a separate or single-use towel.

Subd. 8.Diapers, changing areas, and disposal.

(a) An adequate supply of clean diapers must be available for each child who uses diapers. Diapers may be disposable or made of cloth. Diapers must be stored in a clean space that is inaccessible to children.

(b) If a family child care program uses cloth diapers, then:

(1) the cloth diapers must have an absorbent inner layer that is completely covered with an outer waterproof layer that has a waist closure;

(2) the cloth diaper and waterproof layer must be changed at the same time; and

(3) the cloth diapers supplied by parents, except those supplied by a commercial diaper service, must be labeled with the child's name and must be placed in a plastic bag after removal with any soiled clothing and sent home with the parent daily.

(c) Single-service disposable wipes or clean washcloths must be used for washing a soiled child before rediapering.

(d) The diaper changing area must be covered with a smooth, nonabsorbent surface. Changing tables, changing pads, and other diaper changing areas must be cleaned and disinfected between children, even if using a nonabsorbent covering that is discarded after each use. Diapering must not take place in a food preparation area.

(e) Disposable diapers must be disposed of in a covered container located in the diaper changing area and lined with a disposable plastic bag or directly outdoors in a garbage can.

History:

2026 c 127 art 13 s 15

NOTE: This chapter, as added by Laws 2026, chapter 127, article 13, sections 1 to 23, is effective July 1, 2027. Laws 2026, chapter 127, article 13, section 26.