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. A significant change is the requirement for individuals related to a child to obtain a foster care license, which they can pursue through county or private agencies. The bill mandates the development of materials by the commissioner 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 the risks of sudden unexpected infant death and abusive head trauma, with exceptions for those related to the child. Additionally, the definition of "relative" is expanded to include individuals known to the child or their parent prior to foster care placement.

The legislation further modifies disqualification criteria for individuals seeking to provide foster care, particularly concerning past criminal actions and parental rights termination. It establishes that individuals are disqualified if they have committed serious offenses, regardless of when they occurred, and sets specific timeframes for disqualification related to the termination of parental rights—20 years for most individuals and seven years for relatives of the child. The bill also requires that all communications and materials for individuals related to a child in foster care be available in the 20 most common languages in Minnesota and American Sign Language. Additionally, it mandates the creation of simplified child foster care licensing guidelines by December 15, 2025, and includes appropriations for relative caregiver grants and fingerprinting devices to improve the efficiency of the foster care system.

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