This bill proposes significant amendments to Minnesota Statutes concerning economic assistance, child protection, and welfare, with a particular focus on enhancing support for African American children and families within the child welfare system. Key provisions include the establishment of the African American Child and Family Well-Being Advisory Council, which will address the unique needs of African American children in the welfare system, and the creation of the African American Child and Family unit to develop cultural competency training and monitor child welfare outcomes. The bill also introduces new requirements for juvenile protection proceedings, emphasizing the importance of considering a child's heritage and cultural background, and mandates training for child foster care providers on reducing risks associated with infant death and abusive head trauma.

Additionally, the bill outlines various procedural changes for social services agencies, including the development of legally permanent placement plans for children, the requirement for timely filing of out-of-home placement plans, and the introduction of new guidelines for concurrent permanency planning. It also emphasizes the need for agencies to engage relatives in the planning process and ensures that children's cultural backgrounds are respected in placement decisions. Other amendments address child care access and safety measures, including the installation of video security cameras in licensed child care centers and the establishment of a diaper distribution program to support under-resourced families. Overall, the bill aims to improve the welfare and outcomes for children and families involved in the child welfare system while addressing disparities and enhancing accountability in service delivery.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 127A.41, 127A.45, 142A.03, 142D.08, 142D.093, 142D.11, 260.810, 260.821, 142D.21, 142D.31, 142E.03, 142E.11, 142E.13, 142E.15, 142E.16
1st Engrossment: 142A.03, 142B.01, 142B.05, 142B.47, 142B.51, 142B.80, 245C.02, 260.65, 260.66, 260.691, 260.692, 260C.001, 260C.007, 260C.141, 260C.150, 260C.178, 260C.201, 260C.202, 260C.204, 260C.212, 260C.221, 260C.223, 260C.329, 260C.451, 260C.452, 260E.03, 260E.065, 260E.09, 260E.20, 260E.24, 260.810, 260.821, 518.68, 518A.34, 518A.46, 518A.75, 142A.42, 142D.21, 142B.18, 142D.23, 142D.31, 142E.03, 142E.11, 142E.13, 142E.15, 142E.16, 142E.17, 245.0962, 142B.10, 142B.16, 142B.171, 142B.30, 142B.41, 142B.65, 142B.66, 142B.70, 142C.06, 142C.11, 142C.12, 245A.18