This bill seeks to enhance child care services, child safety, and economic assistance in Minnesota through a series of amendments to existing statutes. Key changes include redefining terms related to child care to broaden eligibility, implementing new background study requirements for nonlicensed family child care providers, and mandating training in first aid and CPR. The bill also establishes a statewide registration process for child care providers, emphasizes funding priorities for non-MFIP families and veterans, and introduces a child care retention program to support eligible programs. Additionally, it outlines new record-keeping requirements for child care assistance payments, including accurate daily attendance records, and updates subsidy restrictions and payment processes for providers.

Furthermore, the bill addresses various aspects of child welfare, including provisions for youth transitioning out of foster care, enhancements to health care coverage for joint children, and improvements to economic assistance programs. It introduces a framework for prospective budgeting, modifies eligibility verification processes, and mandates six-month reporting for certain assistance units. The bill also appropriates $19 million for food shelf facility improvements and allocates funds for mental health services. Overall, the legislation aims to strengthen the child care system, improve support for vulnerable families, and enhance economic assistance programs in Minnesota.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 119B.011, 119B.03, 119B.125, 119B.13, 119B.16, 119B.161, 119B.19, 245C.04, 245C.05, 245C.17, 245C.23, 256.046, 256.983, 245C.11, 260.761, 260C.007, 260C.451, 260C.452, 260C.605, 260C.704, 260E.01, 260E.02, 260E.03, 260E.14, 260E.17, 260E.18, 260E.20, 260E.24, 260E.33, 260E.35, 518A.31, 518A.32, 518A.34, 518A.41, 518A.42, 518A.65, 518A.77, 119B.025, 256D.03, 256D.63, 256E.34, 256E.35, 256I.03, 256I.06, 256J.08, 256J.21, 256J.33, 256J.37, 256J.95, 256P.01, 256P.02, 256P.04, 256P.06, 256P.07, 256.8799