The bill focuses on enhancing the administration and funding of programs for children, youth, and families in Minnesota, particularly through the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. It allows the commissioner to transfer excess funds between appropriations for education aids and grants, while removing previous statutory sections that governed these transfers to streamline the process. New provisions grant the commissioner greater authority to contract with licensed child-placing agencies and Tribal social services for permanency services for children in out-of-home care. The bill also mandates the development of program objectives and performance measures to improve service effectiveness, emphasizing the inclusion of lived experiences from children and families.

Additionally, the bill amends various provisions related to child care assistance, including eligibility criteria, fee schedules, and training requirements for providers. It introduces a new expiration date for certain provisions and modifies the fee schedule to reflect the "lowest" percentage for biweekly co-payment fees. The bill allocates additional funds to counties and Tribes, outlines appropriations for early childhood education programs, and allows for the transfer of unencumbered appropriation balances among child care and education programs. Furthermore, it establishes that all uncodified language will expire on June 30, 2027, unless otherwise stated, and aims to streamline the legislative process by ensuring that multiple appropriations enacted during the 2025 session are only effective once.

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