The bill focuses on enhancing human services in Minnesota, particularly in the areas of health care, child welfare, and child care licensing. It introduces new provisions to improve the response to cases involving Indian children, requiring child-placing agencies to notify relevant Tribes during family assessments or investigations. The bill also broadens the definition of "child abuse" and introduces new terms related to human trafficking, emphasizing the importance of timely communication with Tribes and their involvement in court proceedings. Additionally, it mandates local welfare agencies to implement protocols for locating missing children and to assess potential human trafficking cases, with effective dates set for July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, for various provisions.
Furthermore, the bill includes significant amendments to the licensing and operation of child care and foster care services, such as defining "vendor" and requiring plans for client record transfers upon program closure. It mandates training for child care providers on maltreatment reporting and mental health disorders, while also establishing a new child care weighted risk system for licensing enforcement. Financial adjustments are made to enhance health care access, including appropriations for public health initiatives and workforce development. The bill reflects a commitment to improving services for vulnerable populations, ensuring better training and oversight for providers, and addressing public health concerns through targeted funding and program evaluations.
Statutes affected: Introduction: 260C.007, 260C.212, 260E.03, 260E.14, 260E.36, 245A.065, 245.975, 256B.051, 62D.14, 144.05, 144.1501, 144A.70, 144A.71, 144A.72, 144A.73, 245A.07, 245A.10, 245A.144, 245A.175, 256.029, 256J.09