This bill seeks to revise the licensing, training, and background study requirements for relative foster care providers in Minnesota, while also making changes to the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP). A significant change is the requirement for individuals related to a child to obtain a foster care license, with options for licensure through county or private agencies. The bill mandates the development of materials to assist relative foster care providers, covering legal services, case support, and respite care. It also requires licensed child foster care providers to undergo training on sudden unexpected infant death and abusive head trauma, with exceptions for those related to the child. Additionally, the bill clarifies the definition of "relative" and sets a minimum of six hours of annual in-service training for relative caregivers.

Moreover, the bill modifies disqualification criteria for individuals seeking to provide foster care, particularly concerning past criminal actions and parental rights termination. It establishes that individuals with serious offenses, such as those resulting in death or sexual abuse, are disqualified regardless of the time since the offense. The disqualification period for those with terminated parental rights is set at 20 years, reduced to seven years for relatives of the child in foster care. The bill also mandates that communications and materials for individuals related to a child in foster care be accessible in the 20 most common languages in Minnesota and American Sign Language. Additionally, it requires the creation of simplified licensing guidelines for relative foster caregivers by December 15, 2025, and includes appropriations for relative caregiver grants and fingerprinting devices to improve the efficiency of background studies.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 142B.01, 142B.05, 142B.47, 142B.51, 142B.80, 142E.01, 142G.01, 142G.40, 256.73, 245C.02, 245C.03, 245C.08, 245C.15
1st Engrossment: 142B.01, 142B.05, 142B.47, 142B.51, 142B.80, 142E.01, 142G.01, 142G.40, 256.73, 245C.02, 245C.03, 245C.08, 245C.15
2nd Engrossment: 142B.01, 142B.05, 142B.47, 142B.51, 142B.80, 142E.01, 142G.01, 142G.40, 256.73, 245C.02, 245C.15