This bill focuses on enhancing the administration of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families in Minnesota, with specific modifications aimed at improving child safety, permanency, and early childhood provisions. Key changes include allowing the commissioner to transfer excess appropriations from education aid to address funding insufficiencies in other areas, as well as mandating biennial reports on grants received and the development of performance measures for program effectiveness. The bill also introduces provisions for the commissioner to contract with licensed child-placing agencies or Tribal social services to facilitate permanency services for children in out-of-home care, emphasizing the importance of centering the lived experiences of children and improving program coordination.

Additionally, the bill amends various sections of Minnesota Statutes related to child care assistance, including eligibility criteria and fee schedules, while introducing a new provision that allows counties to adjust authorized child care based on changes in a child's schedule. It allocates significant funding for child care and early childhood education programs, including improvements to information technology and the establishment of a statewide electronic attendance system. The bill also outlines the expiration of uncodified language and streamlines the legislative process regarding appropriations, ensuring efficient resource allocation. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of services provided to 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