This bill proposes significant amendments to Minnesota's child welfare and economic assistance statutes, focusing on enhancing support for children and families, particularly African American children. 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 introduction of new training requirements for foster care providers. The bill also modifies definitions related to child protection, such as expanding the definition of "individual who is related" to include significant friends of the child, and mandates that courts consider a child's heritage during placement decisions. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of timely and transparent out-of-home placement plans and establishes new requirements for juvenile protection proceedings.

Furthermore, the bill introduces various provisions aimed at improving child care access and safety, including the installation of video security cameras in licensed child care centers and the development of a centralized application tool for child care services. It also outlines new training requirements for child care providers and mandates regular updates on the progress of initiatives aimed at improving service delivery. The bill includes appropriations for various programs, such as child care technology grants and restorative practices initiatives, while ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. Overall, the legislation seeks to enhance the effectiveness of child welfare services, promote equity, and ensure the well-being of children and families in Minnesota.

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