The bill establishes the Department of Children, Youth, and Families in Minnesota, creating a new statutory framework to support its operations and defining the roles and responsibilities of the commissioner. Key provisions include the authority to apply for grants, manage public assistance programs, oversee child welfare activities, and develop performance measures for accountability. The commissioner is also empowered to require county agency participation in training, monitor performance, and establish quality control programs. Additionally, the bill introduces a framework for American Indian child welfare projects, mandates the development of a centralized disbursement system for benefits, and emphasizes the importance of providing information in multiple languages for public assistance applicants.

Significant amendments to the Minnesota Statutes include the requirement for county boards to submit corrective action plans for noncompliance, a final deadline for fiscal reports, and the stipulation that counties cannot reduce benefits due to funding issues caused by the commissioner. The bill also outlines the appeals process for maltreatment determinations, establishes a child mortality review panel, and introduces new training requirements for child protection workers. Furthermore, it updates the terminology throughout the statutes to reflect the department's new name and clarifies the roles of various agencies in child welfare and public assistance programs. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the efficiency, integrity, and effectiveness of services provided to children, youth, and families in Minnesota.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 256.01, 256.012, 256.016, 256.017, 256.018, 256.019, 256.0281, 256.029, 256.045, 256.0451, 256.046, 256.82, 256.981, 256.982, 256.983, 256.9831, 256.986, 256.9861, 256.987, 256.998, 256E.21, 256E.22, 256E.24, 145.917, 256E.25, 256E.26, 256E.27, 299A.72, 245A.02, 245A.03, 245A.035, 245A.04, 245A.08, 245A.09, 245A.10, 245A.14, 245A.1443, 245A.1444, 245A.146, 245A.147, 245A.156, 245A.16, 245A.18, 245A.25, 245A.66, 245H.12, 119A.5411, 124D.13, 124D.135, 124D.142, 124D.15, 124D.16, 124D.165, 125A.02, 125A.28, 125A.35, 125A.45, 125A.48, 119B.03, 119B.09, 119B.24, 256D.64, 256J.01, 256J.021, 256J.08, 256J.09, 256J.351, 256J.395, 256J.425, 256J.645, 13.46, 116L.665, 116L.86, 144.225, 245C.03, 245C.08, 245C.22, 245C.25, 256.741, 256.87, 256P.04, 260.92, 260C.178, 260C.201, 260C.215, 260C.301, 260D.02, 260E.02, 260E.03, 260E.14, 260E.20, 260E.24, 260E.28, 260E.29, 260E.30, 260E.32, 260E.33, 260E.34, 260E.35, 260E.36, 393.07, 393.11, 518A.26, 518A.60, 631.40
1st Engrossment: 245.814, 256.01, 256.012, 256.016, 256.017, 256.018, 256.019, 256.029, 256.045, 256.0451, 256.046, 256.82, 256.981, 256.982, 256.983, 256.9831, 256.986, 256.9861, 256.987, 256.998, 256E.21, 256E.22, 256E.24, 145.917, 256E.25, 256E.26, 256E.27, 299A.72, 245A.02, 245A.03, 245A.035, 245A.04, 245A.08, 245A.09, 245A.10, 245A.14, 245A.1443, 245A.1444, 245A.146, 245A.147, 245A.156, 245A.16, 245A.18, 245A.25, 245A.66, 245H.12, 119A.5411, 124D.13, 124D.135, 124D.142, 124D.15, 124D.16, 124D.165, 125A.02, 125A.28, 125A.35, 125A.45, 125A.48, 119B.03, 119B.09, 119B.24, 256D.64, 256J.01, 256J.021, 256J.08, 256J.09, 256J.351, 256J.395, 256J.425, 256J.645, 13.46, 116L.665, 116L.86, 144.225, 245C.03, 245C.08, 245C.22, 245C.25, 256.741, 256.87, 256P.04, 260.92, 260C.178, 260C.201, 260C.215, 260C.301, 260D.02, 260E.02, 260E.03, 260E.14, 260E.20, 260E.24, 260E.28, 260E.29, 260E.30, 260E.32, 260E.33, 260E.34, 260E.35, 260E.36, 393.07, 393.11, 518A.26, 518A.60, 631.40
2nd Engrossment: 245.814, 256.01, 256.012, 256.016, 256.017, 256.018, 256.019, 256.029, 256.045, 256.0451, 256.046, 256.82, 256.981, 256.982, 256.983, 256.9831, 256.986, 256.9861, 256.987, 256.998, 256E.21, 256E.22, 256E.24, 145.917, 256E.25, 256E.26, 256E.27, 299A.72, 245A.02, 245A.03, 245A.035, 245A.04, 245A.08, 245A.09, 245A.10, 245A.14, 245A.1443, 245A.1444, 245A.146, 245A.147, 245A.156, 245A.16, 245A.18, 245A.25, 245A.66, 245H.12, 119A.5411, 124D.13, 124D.135, 124D.142, 124D.15, 124D.151, 124D.16, 124D.165, 125A.02, 125A.28, 125A.35, 125A.45, 125A.48, 125A.76, 119B.03, 119B.09, 119B.24, 256D.64, 256J.01, 256J.021, 256J.08, 256J.09, 256J.351, 256J.395, 256J.425, 256J.645, 13.46, 116L.665, 116L.86, 144.225, 245C.03, 245C.08, 245C.22, 245C.25, 256.741, 256.87, 256P.04, 260.92, 260C.178, 260C.201, 260C.215, 260C.301, 260D.02, 260E.02, 260E.03, 260E.14, 260E.20, 260E.24, 260E.28, 260E.29, 260E.30, 260E.32, 260E.33, 260E.34, 260E.35, 260E.36, 393.07, 393.11, 518A.26, 518A.60, 631.40