Minnesota 2023 2023-2024 Regular Session

Minnesota Senate Bill SF716 Engrossed / Bill

Filed 05/09/2024

                    1.1	A bill for an act​
1.2 relating to human services; establishing the Minnesota African American Family​
1.3 Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act; modifying child welfare​
1.4 provisions; requiring reports; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes​
1.5 2022, section 260C.329, subdivisions 3, 8; proposing coding for new law in​
1.6 Minnesota Statutes, chapter 260.​
1.7BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:​
1.8 Section 1. [260.61] CITATION.​
1.9 Sections 260.61 to 260.693 may be cited as the "Minnesota African American Family​
1.10Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act."​
1.11 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2026, except as provided under​
1.12section 20.​
1.13 Sec. 2. [260.62] PURPOSES.​
1.14 (a) The purposes of the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child​
1.15Welfare Disproportionality Act are to:​
1.16 (1) protect the best interests of African American and disproportionately represented​
1.17children;​
1.18 (2) promote the stability and security of African American and disproportionately​
1.19represented children and their families by establishing minimum standards to prevent the​
1.20arbitrary and unnecessary removal of African American and disproportionately represented​
1.21children from their families; and​
1​Sec. 2.​
S0716-4 4th Engrossment​SF716 REVISOR BD​
SENATE​
STATE OF MINNESOTA​
S.F. No. 716​NINETY-THIRD SESSION​
(SENATE AUTHORS: CHAMPION, Kunesh, Murphy, Maye Quade and Abeler)​
OFFICIAL STATUS​D-PG​DATE​
Introduction and first reading​376​01/25/2023​
Referred to Health and Human Services​
Author added Kunesh​575​02/01/2023​
Author added Murphy​11559​02/12/2024​
Author added Maye Quade​11659​02/19/2024​
Author added Abeler​12064​03/07/2024​
Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Judiciary and Public Safety​12368a​03/18/2024​
Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Finance​12898a​04/02/2024​
Comm report: To pass as amended​16437​05/07/2024​
Second reading​16460​
Special Order: Amended​05/09/2024​
Third reading Passed​ 2.1 (3) improve permanency outcomes, including family reunification, for African American​
2.2and disproportionately represented children.​
2.3 (b) Nothing in this legislation is intended to interfere with the protections of the Indian​
2.4Child Welfare Act of 1978, United States Code, title 25, sections 1901 to 1963, or the​
2.5Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act, sections 260.751 to 260.835.​
2.6 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2026, except as provided under​
2.7section 20.​
2.8 Sec. 3. [260.63] DEFINITIONS.​
2.9 Subdivision 1.Scope.The definitions in this section apply to sections 260.61 to 260.693.​
2.10 Subd. 2.Active efforts."Active efforts" means a rigorous and concerted level of effort​
2.11that the responsible social services agency must continuously make throughout the time​
2.12that the responsible social services agency is involved with an African American or a​
2.13disproportionately represented child and the child's family. To provide active efforts to​
2.14preserve an African American or a disproportionately represented child's family, the​
2.15responsible social services agency must continuously involve an African American or a​
2.16disproportionately represented child's family in all services for the family, including case​
2.17planning and choosing services and providers, and inform the family of the ability to file a​
2.18report of noncompliance with this act with the commissioner through the child welfare​
2.19compliance and feedback portal. When providing active efforts, a responsible social services​
2.20agency must consider an African American or a disproportionately represented child's​
2.21family's social and cultural values at all times while providing services to the African​
2.22American or disproportionately represented child and the child's family. Active efforts​
2.23includes continuous efforts to preserve an African American or a disproportionately​
2.24represented child's family and to prevent the out-of-home placement of an African American​
2.25or a disproportionately represented child. If an African American or a disproportionately​
2.26represented child enters out-of-home placement, the responsible social services agency must​
2.27make active efforts to reunify the African American or disproportionately represented child​
2.28with the child's family as soon as possible. Active efforts sets a higher standard for the​
2.29responsible social services agency than reasonable efforts to preserve the child's family,​
2.30prevent the child's out-of-home placement, and reunify the child with the child's family.​
2.31Active efforts includes the provision of reasonable efforts as required by Title IV-E of the​
2.32Social Security Act, United States Code, title 42, sections 670 to 679c.​
2.33 Subd. 3.Adoptive placement."Adoptive placement" means the permanent placement​
2.34of an African American or a disproportionately represented child made by the responsible​
2​Sec. 3.​
S0716-4 4th Engrossment​SF716 REVISOR BD​ 3.1social services agency upon a fully executed adoption placement agreement, including the​
3.2signatures of the adopting parent, the responsible social services agency, and the​
3.3commissioner of human services according to section 260C.613, subdivision 1.​
3.4 Subd. 4.African American child."African American child" means a child having​
3.5origins in Africa, including a child of two or more races who has at least one parent with​
3.6origins in Africa. Whether a child or parent has origins in Africa is based upon​
3.7self-identification or identification of the child's origins by the parent or guardian.​
3.8 Subd. 5.Best interests of the African American or disproportionately represented​
3.9child.The "best interests of the African American or disproportionately represented child"​
3.10means providing a culturally informed practice lens that acknowledges, utilizes, and embraces​
3.11the African American or disproportionately represented child's community and cultural​
3.12norms and allows the child to remain safely at home with the child's family. The best interests​
3.13of the African American or disproportionately represented child support the child's sense​
3.14of belonging to the child's family, extended family, kin, and cultural community.​
3.15 Subd. 6.Child placement proceeding.(a) "Child placement proceeding" means any​
3.16judicial proceeding that could result in:​
3.17 (1) an adoptive placement;​
3.18 (2) a foster care placement;​
3.19 (3) a preadoptive placement; or​
3.20 (4) a termination of parental rights.​
3.21 (b) Judicial proceedings under this subdivision include a child's placement based upon​
3.22a child's juvenile status offense but do not include a child's placement based upon:​
3.23 (1) an act which if committed by an adult would be deemed a crime; or​
3.24 (2) an award of child custody in a divorce proceeding to one of the child's parents.​
3.25 Subd. 7.Commissioner."Commissioner" means the commissioner of human services​
3.26or the commissioner's designee.​
3.27 Subd. 8.Custodian."Custodian" means any person who is under a legal obligation to​
3.28provide care and support for an African American or a disproportionately represented child,​
3.29or who is in fact providing daily care and support for an African American or a​
3.30disproportionately represented child. This subdivision does not impose a legal obligation​
3.31upon a person who is not otherwise legally obligated to provide a child with necessary food,​
3.32clothing, shelter, education, or medical care.​
3​Sec. 3.​
S0716-4 4th Engrossment​SF716 REVISOR BD​ 4.1 Subd. 9.Disproportionality."Disproportionality" means the overrepresentation of​
4.2African American children and other disproportionately represented children in Minnesota's​
4.3child welfare system population as compared to the representation of those children in​
4.4Minnesota's total child population.​
4.5 Subd. 10.Disproportionately represented child."Disproportionately represented child"​
4.6means an unmarried person who is under the age of 18 and who is a member of a community​
4.7whose race, culture, ethnicity, disability status, or low-income socioeconomic status is​
4.8disproportionately encountered, engaged, or identified in the child welfare system as​
4.9compared to the representation in the state's total child population, as determined on an​
4.10annual basis by the commissioner. A child's race, culture, or ethnicity is determined based​
4.11upon a child's self-identification or identification of a child's race, culture, or ethnicity as​
4.12reported by the child's parent or guardian.​
4.13 Subd. 11.Egregious harm."Egregious harm" has the meaning given in section 260E.03,​
4.14subdivision 5.​
4.15 Subd. 12.Foster care placement."Foster care placement" means the temporary​
4.16placement of an African American or a disproportionately represented child in foster care​
4.17as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 18, following the court-ordered removal of the​
4.18child when the parent or legal custodian cannot have the child returned upon demand.​
4.19 Subd. 13.Imminent physical damage or harm."Imminent physical damage or harm"​
4.20means that a child is threatened with immediate and present conditions that are​
4.21life-threatening or likely to result in abandonment, sexual abuse, or serious physical injury.​
4.22 Subd. 14.Responsible social services agency."Responsible social services agency"​
4.23has the meaning given in section 260C.007, subdivision 27a.​
4.24 Subd. 15.Parent."Parent" means the biological parent of an African American or a​
4.25disproportionately represented child or any person who has legally adopted an African​
4.26American or a disproportionately represented child. Parent includes an unmarried father​
4.27whose paternity has been acknowledged or established and a putative father. Paternity has​
4.28been acknowledged when an unmarried father takes any action to hold himself out as the​
4.29biological father of a child.​
4.30 Subd. 16.Preadoptive placement."Preadoptive placement" means a responsible social​
4.31services agency's placement of an African American or a disproportionately represented​
4.32child when the child is under the guardianship of the commissioner for the purpose of​
4.33adoption but an adoptive placement agreement for the child has not been fully executed.​
4​Sec. 3.​
S0716-4 4th Engrossment​SF716 REVISOR BD​ 5.1 Subd. 17.Relative."Relative" has the meaning given in section 260C.007, subdivision​
5.227.​
5.3 Subd. 18.Safety network."Safety network" means a group of individuals identified by​
5.4the parent and child, when appropriate, that is accountable for developing, implementing,​
5.5sustaining, supporting, or improving a safety plan to protect the safety and well-being of a​
5.6child.​
5.7 Subd. 19.Sexual abuse."Sexual abuse" has the meaning given in section 260E.03,​
5.8subdivision 20.​
5.9 Subd. 20.Termination of parental rights."Termination of parental rights" means an​
5.10action resulting in the termination of the parent-child relationship under section 260C.301.​
5.11 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2026, except as provided under​
5.12section 20.​
5.13 Sec. 4. [260.64] DUTY TO PREVENT OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT AND​
5.14PROMOTE FAMILY REUNIFICATION.​
5.15 Subdivision 1.Active efforts.A responsible social services agency shall make active​
5.16efforts to prevent the out-of-home placement of an African American or a disproportionately​
5.17represented child, eliminate the need for a child's removal from the child's home, and reunify​
5.18an African American or a disproportionately represented child with the child's family as​
5.19soon as practicable.​
5.20 Subd. 2.Safety plan.(a) Prior to petitioning the court to remove an African American​
5.21or a disproportionately represented child from the child's home under section 260.66, a​
5.22responsible social services agency must work with the child's family to allow the child to​
5.23remain in the child's home while implementing a safety plan based on the family's needs.​
5.24The responsible social services agency must:​
5.25 (1) make active efforts to engage the child's parent or custodian and the child, when​
5.26appropriate;​
5.27 (2) assess the family's cultural and economic needs and, if applicable, needs and services​
5.28related to the child's disability;​
5.29 (3) hold a family group consultation meeting and connect the family with supports to​
5.30establish a safety network for the family; and​
5.31 (4) provide support, guidance, and input to assist the family and the family's safety​
5.32network with developing the safety plan.​
5​Sec. 4.​
S0716-4 4th Engrossment​SF716 REVISOR BD​ 6.1 (b) The safety plan must:​
6.2 (1) address the specific allegations impacting the child's safety in the home. If neglect​
6.3is alleged, the safety plan must incorporate economic services and supports for the child​
6.4and the child's family, if eligible, to address the family's specific needs and prevent neglect;​
6.5 (2) evaluate whether an order for protection under section 518B.01 or other court order​
6.6expelling an allegedly abusive household member from the home of a parent or custodian​
6.7who is not alleged to be abusive will allow the child to safely remain in the home;​
6.8 (3) incorporate family and community support to ensure the child's safety while keeping​
6.9the family intact; and​
6.10 (4) be adjusted as needed to address the child's and family's ongoing needs and support.​
6.11 (c) The responsible social services agency is not required to establish a safety plan:​
6.12 (1) in a case with allegations of sexual abuse or egregious harm;​
6.13 (2) when the parent is not willing to follow a safety plan;​
6.14 (3) when the parent has abandoned the child or is unavailable to follow a safety plan;​
6.15or​
6.16 (4) when the parent has chronic substance use disorder issues and is unable to parent​
6.17the child.​
6.18 Subd. 3.Out-of-home placement prohibited.Unless the court finds by clear and​
6.19convincing evidence that the child would be at risk of serious physical damage if the child​
6.20were to remain in the child's home, a court shall not order a foster care or permanent​
6.21out-of-home placement of an African American or a disproportionately represented child​
6.22alleged to be in need of protection or services. At each hearing regarding an African American​
6.23or a disproportionately represented child who is alleged or adjudicated to be in need of child​
6.24protective services, the court shall review whether the responsible social services agency​
6.25has provided active efforts to the child and the child's family and shall require the responsible​
6.26social services agency to provide evidence and documentation that demonstrate that the​
6.27agency is providing culturally informed, strength-based, community-involved, and​
6.28community-based services to the child and the child's family.​
6.29 Subd. 4.Required findings that active efforts were provided.When determining​
6.30whether the responsible social services agency has made active efforts to preserve the child's​
6.31family, the court shall make findings regarding whether the responsible social services​
6.32agency made appropriate and meaningful services available to the child's family based upon​
6​Sec. 4.​
S0716-4 4th Engrossment​SF716 REVISOR BD​ 7.1the family's specific needs. If a court determines that the responsible social services agency​
7.2did not make active efforts to preserve the family as required by this section, the court shall​
7.3order the responsible social services agency to immediately provide active efforts to the​
7.4child and child's family to preserve the family.​
7.5 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2026, except as provided under​
7.6section 20.​
7.7 Sec. 5. [260.641] ENSURING FREQUENT VISITATION FOR AFRICAN​
7.8AMERICAN AND DISPROPORTIONATELY REPRESENTED CHILDREN IN​
7.9OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT.​
7.10 A responsible social services agency must engage in best practices related to visitation​
7.11when an African American or a disproportionately represented child is in out-of-home​
7.12placement. When the child is in out-of-home placement, the responsible social services​
7.13agency shall make active efforts to facilitate regular and frequent visitation between the​
7.14child and the child's parents or custodians, the child's siblings, and the child's relatives. If​
7.15visitation is infrequent between the child and the child's parents, custodians, siblings, or​
7.16relatives, the responsible social services agency shall make active efforts to increase the​
7.17frequency of visitation and address any barriers to visitation.​
7.18 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2026, except as provided under​
7.19section 20.​
7.20 Sec. 6. [260.65] NONCUSTODIAL PARENTS.​
7.21 (a) Prior to or within 48 hours of the removal of an African American or a​
7.22disproportionately represented child from the child's home, the responsible social services​
7.23agency must make active efforts to identify and locate the child's noncustodial or​
7.24nonadjudicated parent and the child's relatives to notify the child's parent and relatives that​
7.25the child is or will be placed in foster care, and provide the child's parent and relatives with​
7.26a list of legal resources. The notice to the child's noncustodial or nonadjudicated parent and​
7.27relatives must also include the information required under section 260C.221, subdivision​
7.282, paragraph (b). The responsible social services agency must maintain detailed records of​
7.29the agency's efforts to notify parents and relatives under this section.​
7.30 (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 260C.219, the responsible social services​
7.31agency must assess an African American or a disproportionately represented child's​
7.32noncustodial or nonadjudicated parent's ability to care for the child before placing the child​
7.33in foster care. If a child's noncustodial or nonadjudicated parent is willing and able to provide​
7​Sec. 6.​
S0716-4 4th Engrossment​SF716 REVISOR BD​ 8.1daily care for the African American or disproportionately represented child temporarily or​
8.2permanently, the court shall order that the child be placed in the home of the noncustodial​
8.3or nonadjudicated parent pursuant to section 260C.178 or 260C.201, subdivision 1. The​
8.4responsible social services agency must make active efforts to assist a noncustodial or​
8.5nonadjudicated parent with remedying any issues that may prevent the child from being​
8.6placed with the noncustodial or nonadjudicated parent.​
8.7 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2026, except as provided under​
8.8section 20.​
8.9 Sec. 7. [260.66] EMERGENCY REMOVAL.​
8.10 Subdivision 1.Emergency removal or placement permitted.Nothing in this section​
8.11shall be construed to prevent the emergency removal of an African American or a​
8.12disproportionately represented child's parent or custodian or the emergency placement of​
8.13the child in a foster setting in order to prevent imminent physical damage or harm to the​
8.14child.​
8.15 Subd. 2.Petition for emergency removal; placement requirements.A petition for a​
8.16court order authorizing the emergency removal or continued emergency placement of an​
8.17African American or a disproportionately represented child or the petition's accompanying​
8.18documents must contain a statement of the risk of imminent physical damage or harm to​
8.19the African American or disproportionately represented child and any evidence that the​
8.20emergency removal or placement continues to be necessary to prevent imminent physical​
8.21damage or harm to the child. The petition or its accompanying documents must also contain​
8.22the following information:​
8.23 (1) the name, age, and last known address of the child;​
8.24 (2) the name and address of the child's parents and custodians, or, if unknown, a detailed​
8.25explanation of efforts made to locate and contact them;​
8.26 (3) the steps taken to provide notice to the child's parents and custodians about the​
8.27emergency proceeding;​
8.28 (4) a specific and detailed account of the circumstances that led the agency responsible​
8.29for the emergency removal of the child to take that action; and​
8.30 (5) a statement of the efforts that have been taken to assist the child's parents or custodians​
8.31so that the child may safely be returned to their custody.​
8​Sec. 7.​
S0716-4 4th Engrossment​SF716 REVISOR BD​ 9.1 Subd. 3.Emergency proceeding requirements.(a) The court shall hold a hearing no​
9.2later than 72 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, after the emergency removal of the​
9.3African American or disproportionately represented child. The court shall determine whether​
9.4the emergency removal continues to be necessary to prevent imminent physical damage or​
9.5harm to the child and whether, after considering the child's particular circumstances, the​
9.6imminent physical damage or harm to the child outweighs the harm that the child will​
9.7experience as a result of continuing the emergency removal.​
9.8 (b) The court shall hold additional hearings whenever new information indicates that​
9.9the emergency situation has ended. The court shall consider all such new information at​
9.10any court hearing after the emergency proceeding to determine whether the emergency​
9.11removal or placement is no longer necessary to prevent imminent physical damage or harm​
9.12to the child.​
9.13 (c) Notwithstanding section 260C.163, subdivision 3, and the provisions of Minnesota​
9.14Rules of Juvenile Protection Procedure, rule 25, a parent or custodian of an African American​
9.15or a disproportionately represented child who is subject to an emergency hearing under this​
9.16section and Minnesota Rules of Juvenile Protection Procedure, rule 30, has a right to counsel​
9.17appointed by the court. The court must appoint qualified counsel to represent a parent if the​
9.18parent meets the eligibility requirements in section 611.17.​
9.19 Subd. 4.Termination of emergency removal or placement.(a) An emergency removal​
9.20or placement of an African American or a disproportionately represented child must​
9.21immediately terminate once the responsible social services agency or court possesses​
9.22sufficient evidence to determine that the emergency removal or placement is no longer​
9.23necessary to prevent imminent physical damage or harm to the child and the child shall be​
9.24immediately returned to the custody of the child's parent or custodian. The responsible social​
9.25services agency or court shall ensure that the emergency removal or placement terminates​
9.26immediately when the removal or placement is no longer necessary to prevent imminent​
9.27physical damage or harm to the African American or disproportionately represented child.​
9.28 (b) An emergency removal or placement ends when the court orders, after service upon​
9.29the African American or disproportionately represented child's parents or custodians, that​
9.30the child shall be placed in foster care upon a determination supported by clear and​
9.31convincing evidence that custody of the child by the child's parent or custodian is likely to​
9.32result in serious physical damage to the child.​
9​Sec. 7.​
S0716-4 4th Engrossment​SF716 REVISOR BD​ 10.1 (c) In no instance shall emergency removal or emergency placement of an African​
10.2American or a disproportionately represented child extend beyond 30 days unless the court​
10.3finds by a showing of clear and convincing evidence that:​
10.4 (1) continued emergency removal or placement is necessary to prevent imminent physical​
10.5damage or harm to the child; and​
10.6 (2) it has not been possible to initiate a child placement proceeding with all of the​
10.7protections under sections 260.61 to 260.68.​
10.8 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2026, except as provided under​
10.9section 20.​
10.10Sec. 8. [260.67] TRANSFER OF PERMANENT LEGAL AND PHYSICAL​
10.11CUSTODY; TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS; CHILD PLACEMENT​
10.12PROCEEDINGS.​
10.13 Subdivision 1.Preference for transfer of permanent legal and physical custody.If​
10.14an African American or a disproportionately represented child cannot be returned to the​
10.15child's parent, the court shall consider the requirements of and responsibilities under section​
10.16260.012, paragraph (a), and, if possible, transfer permanent legal and physical custody of​
10.17the child to:​
10.18 (1) a noncustodial parent under section 260C.515, subdivision 4, if the child cannot​
10.19return to the care of the parent or custodian from whom the child was removed or who had​
10.20legal custody at the time that the child was placed in foster care; or​
10.21 (2) a willing and able relative, according to the requirements of section 260C.515,​
10.22subdivision 4, if the court determines that reunification with the child's family is not an​
10.23appropriate permanency option for the child. Prior to the court ordering a transfer of​
10.24permanent legal and physical custody to a relative who is not a parent, the responsible social​
10.25services agency must inform the relative of Northstar kinship assistance benefits and​
10.26eligibility requirements, and of the relative's ability to apply for benefits on behalf of the​
10.27child under chapter 256N.​
10.28 Subd. 2.Termination of parental rights restrictions.(a) A court shall not terminate​
10.29the parental rights of a parent of an African American or a disproportionately represented​
10.30child based solely on the parent's failure to complete case plan requirements.​
10.31 (b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), a court shall not terminate the parental rights​
10.32of a parent of an African American or a disproportionately represented child in a child​
10.33placement proceeding unless the allegations against the parent involve sexual abuse;​
10​Sec. 8.​
S0716-4 4th Engrossment​SF716 REVISOR BD​ 11.1egregious harm as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 14; murder in the first, second,​
11.2or third degree under section 609.185, 609.19, or 609.195; murder of an unborn child in the​
11.3first, second, or third degree under section 609.2661, 609.2662, or 609.2663; manslaughter​
11.4of an unborn child in the first or second degree under section 609.2664 or 609.2665; domestic​
11.5assault by strangulation under section 609.2247; felony domestic assault under section​
11.6609.2242 or 609.2243; kidnapping under section 609.25; solicitation, inducement, and​
11.7promotion of prostitution under section 609.322, subdivision 1, and subdivision 1a if one​
11.8or more aggravating factors are present; criminal sexual conduct under sections 609.342 to​
11.9609.3451; engaging in, hiring, or agreeing to hire a minor to engage in prostitution under​
11.10section 609.324, subdivision 1; solicitation of children to engage in sexual conduct under​
11.11section 609.352; possession of pornographic work involving minors under section 617.247;​
11.12malicious punishment or neglect or endangerment of a child under section 609.377 or​
11.13609.378; use of a minor in sexual performance under section 617.246; or failing to protect​
11.14a child from an overt act or condition that constitutes egregious harm.​
11.15 (c) The court may terminate the parental rights of a parent of an African American or a​
11.16disproportionately represented child under section 260C.301, subdivision 1, paragraph (b),​
11.17clause (4) or (6), if a transfer of permanent legal and physical custody under subdivision 1​
11.18is not possible because the child has no willing or able noncustodial parent or relative to​
11.19whom custody can be transferred.​
11.20 (d) Nothing in this subdivision precludes the court from terminating the parental rights​
11.21of a parent of an African American or a disproportionately represented child if the parent​
11.22desires to voluntarily terminate the parent's own parental rights for good cause under section​
11.23260C.301, subdivision 1, paragraph (a).​
11.24 Subd. 3.Appeals.Notwithstanding the Minnesota Rules of Juvenile Protection Procedure,​
11.25rule 47.02, subdivision 2, a parent of an African American or a disproportionately represented​
11.26child whose parental rights have been terminated may appeal the decision within 90 days​
11.27of the service of notice by the court administrator of the filing of the court's order.​
11.28 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2026, except as provided under​
11.29section 20.​
11.30Sec. 9. [260.68] RESPONSIBLE SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCY CONDUCT AND​
11.31CASE REVIEW.​
11.32 Subdivision 1.Responsible social services agency conduct.(a) A responsible social​
11.33services agency employee who has duties related to child protection shall not knowingly:​
11​Sec. 9.​
S0716-4 4th Engrossment​SF716 REVISOR BD​ 12.1 (1) make untrue statements about any case involving a child alleged to be in need of​
12.2protection or services;​
12.3 (2) intentionally withhold any information that may be material to a case involving a​
12.4child alleged to be in need of protection or services; or​
12.5 (3) fabricate or falsify any documentation or evidence relating to a case involving a child​
12.6alleged to be in need of protection or services.​
12.7 (b) Any of the actions listed in paragraph (a) shall constitute grounds for adverse​
12.8employment action.​
12.9 Subd. 2.Case review.(a) Each responsible social services agency shall conduct a review​
12.10of all child welfare cases for African American and other disproportionately represented​
12.11children handled by the agency. Each responsible social services agency shall create a​
12.12summary report of trends identified under paragraphs (b) and (c), a remediation plan as​
12.13provided in paragraph (d), and an update on implementation of any previous remediation​
12.14plans. The first report shall be provided to the African American Child Well-Being Advisory​
12.15Council, the commissioner, and the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative​
12.16committees with jurisdiction over child welfare by October 1, 2029, and annually thereafter.​
12.17For purposes of determining outcomes in this subdivision, responsible social services​
12.18agencies shall use guidance from the commissioner. The commissioner shall provide guidance​
12.19starting on November 1, 2028, and annually thereafter.​
12.20 (b) The case review must include:​
12.21 (1) the number of African American and disproportionately represented children​
12.22represented in the county child welfare system;​
12.23 (2) the number and sources of maltreatment reports received and reports screened in for​
12.24investigation or referred for family assessment and the race of the children and parents or​
12.25custodians involved in each report;​
12.26 (3) the number and race of children and parents or custodians who receive in-home​
12.27preventive case management services;​
12.28 (4) the number and race of children whose parents or custodians are referred to​
12.29community-based, culturally appropriate, strength-based, or trauma-informed services;​
12.30 (5) the number and race of children removed from their homes;​
12.31 (6) the number and race of children reunified with their parents or custodians;​
12​Sec. 9.​
S0716-4 4th Engrossment​SF716 REVISOR BD​ 13.1 (7) the number and race of children whose parents or custodians are offered family group​
13.2decision-making services;​
13.3 (8) the number and race of children whose parents or custodians are offered the parent​
13.4support outreach program;​
13.5 (9) the number and race of children in foster care or out-of-home placement at the time​
13.6that the data is gathered;​
13.7 (10) the number and race of children who achieve permanency through a transfer of​
13.8permanent legal and physical custody to a relative or an adoption; and​
13.9 (11) the number and race of children who are under the guardianship of the commissioner​
13.10or awaiting a permanency disposition.​
13.11 (c) The required case review must also:​
13.12 (1) identify barriers to reunifying children with their families;​
13.13 (2) identify the family conditions that led to the out-of-home placement;​
13.14 (3) identify any barriers to accessing culturally informed mental health or substance use​
13.15disorder treatment services for the parents or children;​
13.16 (4) document efforts to identify fathers and maternal and paternal relatives and to provide​
13.17services to custodial and noncustodial fathers, if appropriate; and​
13.18 (5) document and summarize court reviews of active efforts.​
13.19 (d) Any responsible social services agency that has a case review showing​
13.20disproportionality and disparities in child welfare outcomes for African American and other​
13.21disproportionately represented children and the children's families, compared to the agency's​
13.22overall outcomes, must include in their case review summary report a remediation plan with​
13.23measurable outcomes to identify, address, and reduce the factors that led to the​
13.24disproportionality and disparities in the agency's child welfare outcomes. The remediation​
13.25plan shall also include information about how the responsible social services agency will​
13.26achieve and document trauma-informed, positive child well-being outcomes through​
13.27remediation efforts.​
13.28 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2026, except as provided under​
13.29section 20.​
13​Sec. 9.​
S0716-4 4th Engrossment​SF716 REVISOR BD​ 14.1 Sec. 10. [260.69] CULTURAL COMPETENCY TRAINING FOR INDIVIDUALS​
14.2WORKING WITH AFRICAN AMERICAN AND DISPROPORTIONATELY​
14.3REPRESENTED CHILDREN.​
14.4 Subdivision 1.Applicability.The commissioner of human services must collaborate​
14.5with the Children's Justice Initiative to ensure that cultural competency training is given to​
14.6individuals working in the child welfare system, including child welfare workers, supervisors,​
14.7attorneys, juvenile court judges, and family law judges.​
14.8 Subd. 2.Training.(a) The commissioner must develop training content and establish​
14.9the frequency of trainings.​
14.10 (b) The cultural competency training under this section is required prior to or within six​
14.11months of beginning work with any African American or disproportionately represented​
14.12child and their family. A responsible social services agency staff person who is unable to​
14.13complete the cultural competency training prior to working with African American or​
14.14disproportionately represented children and their families must work with a qualified staff​
14.15person within the agency who has completed cultural competency training until the person​
14.16is able to complete the required training. The training must be available by January 1, 2027,​
14.17and must:​
14.18 (1) be provided by an African American individual or individual from a community that​
14.19is disproportionately represented in the child welfare system who is knowledgeable about​
14.20African American and other disproportionately represented social and cultural norms and​
14.21historical trauma;​
14.22 (2) raise awareness and increase a person's competency to value diversity, conduct a​
14.23self-assessment, manage the dynamics of difference, acquire cultural knowledge, and adapt​
14.24to diversity and the cultural contexts of communities served;​
14.25 (3) include instruction on effectively developing a safety plan and instruction on engaging​
14.26a safety network; and​
14.27 (4) be accessible and comprehensive and include the ability to ask questions.​
14.28 (c) The training may be provided in a series of segments, either in person or online.​
14.29 Subd. 3.Update.The commissioner must provide an update to the chairs and ranking​
14.30minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over child protection by​
14.31July 1, 2027, on the rollout of the training under subdivision 1 and the content and​
14.32accessibility of the training under subdivision 2.​
14​Sec. 10.​
S0716-4 4th Engrossment​SF716 REVISOR BD​ 15.1 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2026, except as provided under​
15.2section 20.​
15.3 Sec. 11. [260.691] AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILD WELL-BEING ADVISORY​
15.4COUNCIL.​
15.5 Subdivision 1.Duties.The African American Child Well-Being Advisory Council must:​
15.6 (1) review annual reports related to African American children involved in the child​
15.7welfare system. These reports may include but are not limited to the maltreatment,​
15.8out-of-home placement, and permanency of African American children;​
15.9 (2) assist with and make recommendations to the commissioner for developing strategies​
15.10to reduce maltreatment determinations, prevent unnecessary out-of-home placement, promote​
15.11culturally appropriate foster care and shelter or facility placement decisions and settings for​
15.12African American children in need of out-of-home placement, ensure timely achievement​
15.13of permanency, and improve child welfare outcomes for African American children and​
15.14their families;​
15.15 (3) review summary reports on targeted case reviews prepared by the commissioner to​
15.16ensure that responsible social services agencies meet the needs of African American children​
15.17and their families. Based on data collected from those reviews, the council shall assist the​
15.18commissioner with developing strategies needed to improve any identified child welfare​
15.19outcomes, including but not limited to maltreatment, out-of-home placement, and permanency​
15.20for African American children;​
15.21 (4) assist the Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council with making​
15.22recommendations to the commissioner and the legislature for public policy and statutory​
15.23changes that specifically consider the needs of African American children and their families​
15.24involved in the child welfare system;​
15.25 (5) advise the commissioner on stakeholder engagement strategies and actions that the​
15.26commissioner and responsible social services agencies may take to improve child welfare​
15.27outcomes for African American children and their families;​
15.28 (6) assist the commissioner with developing strategies for public messaging and​
15.29communication related to racial disproportionality and disparities in child welfare outcomes​
15.30for African American children and their families;​
15.31 (7) assist the commissioner with identifying and developing internal and external​
15.32partnerships to support adequate access to services and resources for African American​
15.33children and their families, including but not limited to housing assistance, employment​
15​Sec. 11.​
S0716-4 4th Engrossment​SF716 REVISOR BD​ 16.1assistance, food and nutrition support, health care, child care assistance, and educational​
16.2support and training; and​
16.3 (8) assist the commissioner with developing strategies to promote the development of​
16.4a culturally diverse and representative child welfare workforce in Minnesota that includes​
16.5professionals who are reflective of the community served and who have been directly​
16.6impacted by lived experiences within the child welfare system. The council must also assist​
16.7the commissioner with exploring strategies and partnerships to address education and training​
16.8needs, hiring, recruitment, retention, and professional advancement practices.​
16.9 Subd. 2.Annual report.By January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the council shall​
16.10report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with​
16.11jurisdiction over child protection on the council's activities under subdivision 1 and other​
16.12issues on which the council chooses to report. The report may include recommendations​
16.13for statutory changes to improve the child protection system and child welfare outcomes​
16.14for African American children and families.​
16.15 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2024.​
16.16Sec. 12. [260.692] AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILD WELL-BEING UNIT.​
16.17 Subdivision 1.Duties.The African American Child Well-Being Unit, currently​
16.18established by the commissioner, must:​
16.19 (1) assist with the development of African American cultural competency training and​
16.20review child welfare curriculum in the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy to​
16.21ensure that responsible social services agency staff and other child welfare professionals​
16.22are appropriately prepared to engage with African American children and their families and​
16.23to support family preservation and reunification;​
16.24 (2) provide technical assistance, including on-site technical assistance, and case​
16.25consultation to responsible social services agencies to assist agencies with implementing​
16.26and complying with the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare​
16.27Disproportionality Act;​
16.28 (3) monitor individual county and statewide disaggregated and nondisaggregated data​
16.29to identify trends and patterns in child welfare outcomes, including but not limited to​
16.30reporting, maltreatment, out-of-home placement, and permanency of African American​
16.31children and develop strategies to address disproportionality and disparities in the child​
16.32welfare system;​
16​Sec. 12.​
S0716-4 4th Engrossment​SF716 REVISOR BD​ 17.1 (4) develop and implement a system for conducting case reviews when the commissioner​
17.2receives reports of noncompliance with the Minnesota African American Family Preservation​
17.3and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act or when requested by the parent or custodian of​
17.4an African American child. Case reviews may include but are not limited to a review of​
17.5placement prevention efforts, safety planning, case planning and service provision by the​
17.6responsible social services agency, relative placement consideration, and permanency​
17.7planning;​
17.8 (5) establish and administer a request for proposals process for African American and​
17.9disproportionately represented family preservation grants under section 260.693, monitor​
17.10grant activities, and provide technical assistance to grantees;​
17.11 (6) in coordination with the African American Child Well-Being Advisory Council,​
17.12coordinate services and create internal and external partnerships to support adequate access​
17.13to services and resources for African American children and their families, including but​
17.14not limited to housing assistance, employment assistance, food and nutrition support, health​
17.15care, child care assistance, and educational support and training; and​
17.16 (7) develop public messaging and communication to inform the public about racial​
17.17disparities in child welfare outcomes, current efforts and strategies to reduce racial disparities,​
17.18and resources available to African American children and their families involved in the​
17.19child welfare system.​
17.20 Subd. 2.Case reviews.(a) The African American Child Well-Being Unit must conduct​
17.21systemic case reviews to monitor targeted child welfare outcomes, including but not limited​
17.22to maltreatment, out-of-home placement, and permanency of African American children.​
17.23 (b) The reviews under this subdivision must be conducted using a random sampling of​
17.24representative child welfare cases stratified for certain case related factors, including but​
17.25not limited to case type, maltreatment type, if the case involves out-of-home placement,​
17.26and other demographic variables. In conducting the reviews, unit staff may use court records​
17.27and documents, information from the social services information system, and other available​
17.28case file information to complete the case reviews.​
17.29 (c) The frequency of the reviews and the number of cases, child welfare outcomes, and​
17.30selected counties reviewed shall be determined by the unit in consultation with the African​
17.31American Child Well-Being Advisory Council, with consideration given to the availability​
17.32of unit resources needed to conduct the reviews.​
17.33 (d) The unit must monitor all case reviews and use the collective case review information​
17.34and data to generate summary case review reports, ensure compliance with the Minnesota​
17​Sec. 12.​
S0716-4 4th Engrossment​SF716 REVISOR BD​ 18.1African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act, and​
18.2identify trends or patterns in child welfare outcomes for African American children.​
18.3 (e) The unit must review information from members of the public received through the​
18.4compliance and feedback portal, including policy and practice concerns related to individual​
18.5child welfare cases. After assessing a case concern, the unit may determine if further​
18.6necessary action should be taken, which may include coordinating case remediation with​
18.7other relevant child welfare agencies in accordance with data privacy laws, including the​
18.8African American Child Well-Being Advisory Council, and offering case consultation and​
18.9technical assistance to the responsible local social services agency as needed or requested​
18.10by the agency.​
18.11 Subd. 3.Reports.(a) The African American Child Well-Being Unit must provide regular​
18.12updates on unit activities, including summary reports of case reviews, to the African​
18.13American Child Well-Being Advisory Council, and must publish an annual census of African​
18.14American children in out-of-home placements statewide. The annual census must include​
18.15data on the types of placements, age and sex of the children, how long the children have​
18.16been in out-of-home placements, and other relevant demographic information.​
18.17 (b) The African American Child Well-Being Unit shall gather summary data about the​
18.18practice and policy inquiries and individual case concerns received through the compliance​
18.19and feedback portal under subdivision 2, paragraph (e). The unit shall provide regular reports​
18.20of the nonidentifying compliance and feedback portal summary data to the African American​
18.21Child Well-Being Advisory Council to identify child welfare trends and patterns to assist​
18.22with developing policy and practice recommendations to support eliminating disparity and​
18.23disproportionality for African American children.​
18.24 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2024.​
18.25Sec. 13. [260.693] AFRICAN AMERICAN AND DISPROPORTIONATELY​
18.26REPRESENTED FAMILY PRESERVATION GRANTS.​
18.27 Subdivision 1.Primary support grants.The commissioner shall establish direct grants​
18.28to organizations, service providers, and programs owned and led by African Americans and​
18.29other individuals from communities disproportionately represented in the child welfare​
18.30system to provide services and support for African American and disproportionately​
18.31represented children and their families involved in Minnesota's child welfare system,​
18.32including supporting existing eligible services and facilitating the development of new​
18.33services and providers, to create a more expansive network of service providers available​
18.34for African American and disproportionately represented children and their families.​
18​Sec. 13.​
S0716-4 4th Engrossment​SF716 REVISOR BD​ 19.1 Subd. 2.Eligible services.(a) Services eligible for grants under this section include but​
19.2are not limited to:​
19.3 (1) child out-of-home placement prevention and reunification services;​
19.4 (2) family-based services and reunification therapy;​
19.5 (3) culturally specific individual and family counseling;​
19.6 (4) court advocacy;​
19.7 (5) training for and consultation to responsible social services agencies and private social​
19.8services agencies regarding this act;​
19.9 (6) development and promotion of culturally informed, affirming, and responsive​
19.10community-based prevention and family preservation services that target the children, youth,​
19.11families, and communities of African American and African heritage experiencing the​
19.12highest disparities, disproportionality, and overrepresentation in the Minnesota child welfare​
19.13system;​
19.14 (7) culturally affirming and responsive services that work with children and families in​
19.15their communities to address their needs and ensure child and family safety and well-being​
19.16within a culturally appropriate lens and framework;​
19.17 (8) services to support informal kinship care arrangements; and​
19.18 (9) other activities and services approved by the commissioner that further the goals of​
19.19the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality​
19.20Act, including but not limited to the recruitment of African American staff and staff from​
19.21other communities disproportionately represented in the child welfare system to work for​
19.22responsible social services agencies and licensed child-placing agencies.​
19.23 (b) The commissioner may specify the priority of an activity and service based on its​
19.24success in furthering these goals. The commissioner shall give preference to programs and​
19.25service providers that are located in or serve counties with the highest rates of child welfare​
19.26disproportionality for African American and other disproportionately represented children​
19.27and their families and employ staff who represent the population primarily served.​
19.28 Subd. 3.Ineligible services.Grant money may not be used to supplant funding for​
19.29existing services or for the following purposes:​
19.30 (1) child day care that is necessary solely because of the employment or training for​
19.31employment of a parent or another relative with whom the child is living;​
19.32 (2) foster care maintenance or difficulty of care payments;​
19​Sec. 13.​
S0716-4 4th Engrossment​SF716 REVISOR BD​ 20.1 (3) residential treatment facility payments;​
20.2 (4) adoption assistance or Northstar kinship assistance payments under chapter 259A​
20.3or 256N;​
20.4 (5) public assistance payments for Minnesota family investment program assistance,​
20.5supplemental aid, medical assistance, general assistance, general assistance medical care,​
20.6or community health services; or​
20.7 (6) administrative costs for income maintenance staff.​
20.8 Subd. 4.Requests for proposals.The commissioner shall request proposals for grants​
20.9under subdivisions 1, 2, and 3 and specify the information and criteria required.​
20.10 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2024.​
20.11Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.329, subdivision 3, is amended to read:​
20.12 Subd. 3.Petition.The county attorney or, a parent whose parental rights were terminated​
20.13under a previous order of the court, a child who is ten years of age or older, the responsible​
20.14social services agency, or a guardian ad litem may file a petition for the reestablishment of​
20.15the legal parent and child relationship. A parent filing a petition under this section shall pay​
20.16a filing fee in the amount required under section 357.021, subdivision 2, clause (1). The​
20.17filing fee may be waived pursuant to chapter 563. A petition for the reestablishment of the​
20.18legal parent and child relationship may be filed when:​
20.19 (1) in cases where the county attorney is the petitioning party, both the responsible social​
20.20services agency and the county attorney agree that reestablishment of the legal parent and​
20.21child relationship is in the child's best interests;​
20.22 (2) (1) the parent has corrected the conditions that led to an order terminating parental​
20.23rights;​
20.24 (3) (2) the parent is willing and has the capability to provide day-to-day care and maintain​
20.25the health, safety, and welfare of the child;​
20.26 (4) (3) the child has been in foster care for at least 48 24 months after the court issued​
20.27the order terminating parental rights;​
20.28 (5) (4) the child has not been adopted; and​
20.29 (6) (5) the child is not the subject of a written adoption placement agreement between​
20.30the responsible social services agency and the prospective adoptive parent, as required under​
20.31Minnesota Rules, part 9560.0060, subpart 2.​
20​Sec. 14.​
S0716-4 4th Engrossment​SF716 REVISOR BD​ 21.1 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2026, except as provided under​
21.2section 20.​
21.3 Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 260C.329, subdivision 8, is amended to read:​
21.4 Subd. 8.Hearing.The court may grant the petition ordering the reestablishment of the​
21.5legal parent and child relationship only if it finds by clear and convincing evidence that:​
21.6 (1) reestablishment of the legal parent and child relationship is in the child's best interests;​
21.7 (2) the child has not been adopted;​
21.8 (3) the child is not the subject of a written adoption placement agreement between the​
21.9responsible social services agency and the prospective adoptive parent, as required under​
21.10Minnesota Rules, part 9560.0060, subpart 2;​
21.11 (4) at least 48 24 months have elapsed following a final order terminating parental rights​
21.12and the child remains in foster care;​
21.13 (5) the child desires to reside with the parent;​
21.14 (6) the parent has corrected the conditions that led to an order terminating parental rights;​
21.15and​
21.16 (7) the parent is willing and has the capability to provide day-to-day care and maintain​
21.17the health, safety, and welfare of the child.​
21.18 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2026, except as provided under​
21.19section 20.​
21.20Sec. 16. DIRECTION TO COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN SERVICES;​
21.21DISAGGREGATE DATA.​
21.22 The commissioner of human services must establish a process to improve the​
21.23disaggregation of data to monitor child welfare outcomes for African American and other​
21.24disproportionately represented children in the child welfare system. The commissioner must​
21.25begin disaggregating data by January 1, 2027.​
21.26 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2026.​
21.27Sec. 17. CHILD WELFARE COMPLIANCE AND FEEDBACK PORTAL.​
21.28 The commissioner of human services shall develop, maintain, and administer a publicly​
21.29accessible online compliance and feedback portal to receive reports of noncompliance with​
21.30the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality​
21​Sec. 17.​
S0716-4 4th Engrossment​SF716 REVISOR BD​ 22.1Act under Minnesota Statutes, sections 260.61 to 260.693, and other statutes related to child​
22.2maltreatment, safety, and placement. Reports received through the portal must be transferred​
22.3for review and further action to the appropriate unit or department within the Department​
22.4of Human Services, including but not limited to the African American Child Well-Being​
22.5Unit.​
22.6 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2026, except as provided under​
22.7section 20.​
22.8 Sec. 18. DIRECTION TO COMMISSIONER; MAINTAINING CONNECTIONS​
22.9IN FOSTER CARE BEST PRACTICES.​
22.10 The commissioner of human services shall develop and publish guidance on best practices​
22.11for ensuring that African American and disproportionately represented children in foster​
22.12care maintain connections and relationships with their parents, custodians, and extended​
22.13relatives. The commissioner shall also develop and publish best practice guidance on​
22.14engaging and assessing noncustodial and nonadjudicated parents to care for their African​
22.15American or disproportionately represented children who cannot remain with the children's​
22.16custodial parents.​
22.17 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2026, except as provided under​
22.18section 20.​
22.19Sec. 19. DIRECTION TO COMMISSIONER; COMPLIANCE SYSTEM REVIEW​
22.20DEVELOPMENT .​
22.21 (a) By January 1, 2026, the commissioner of human services, in consultation with counties​
22.22and the working group established under section 21, must develop a system to review county​
22.23compliance with the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare​
22.24Disproportionality Act. The system may include but is not limited to the cases to be reviewed,​
22.25the criteria to be reviewed to demonstrate compliance, the rate of noncompliance and the​
22.26coordinating penalty, the program improvement plan, and training.​
22.27 (b) By January 1, 2026, the commissioner of human services must provide a report to​
22.28the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction​
22.29over child welfare on the proposed compliance system review process and language to​
22.30codify that process in statute.​
22.31 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2024.​
22​Sec. 19.​
S0716-4 4th Engrossment​SF716 REVISOR BD​ 23.1 Sec. 20. MINNESOTA AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILY PRESERVATION AND​
23.2CHILD WELFARE DISPROPORTIONALITY ACT; PHASE-IN PROGRAM.​
23.3 (a) The commissioner of human services must establish a phase-in program that​
23.4implements sections 1 to 18 in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.​
23.5 (b) The commissioner of human services must report on the outcomes of the phase-in​
23.6program, including the number of participating families, the rate of children in out-of-home​
23.7placement, and the measures taken to prevent out-of-home placement for each participating​
23.8family to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with​
23.9jurisdiction over child welfare.​
23.10 (c) Sections 1 to 18 are effective July 1, 2024, for purposes of this phase-in program.​
23.11 (d) This section expires July 1, 2027.​
23.12 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2024.​
23.13Sec. 21. MINNESOTA AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILY PRESERVATION AND​
23.14CHILD WELFARE DISPROPORTIONALITY ACT; WORKING GROUP.​
23.15 (a) The commissioner of human services must establish a working group to provide​
23.16guidance and oversight for the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child​
23.17Welfare Disproportionality Act phase-in programs in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.​
23.18 (b) The members of the working group must include representatives from the Minnesota​
23.19Association of County Social Service Administrators, the Association of Minnesota Counties,​
23.20the Minnesota County Attorneys Association, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, the​
23.21Department of Human Services, and community organizations with experience in child​
23.22welfare. The legislature may provide recommendations to the commissioner on the selection​
23.23of the representatives from the community organizations.​
23.24 (c) The working group must provide oversight of the phase-in program and evaluate the​
23.25cost of the phase-in program. The working group must also assess future costs of​
23.26implementing the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare​
23.27Disproportionality Act statewide.​
23.28 (d) By June 30, 2026, the working group must develop an implementation plan and best​
23.29practices for the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare​
23.30Disproportionality Act to go into effect statewide.​
23.31 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2024.​
23​Sec. 21.​
S0716-4 4th Engrossment​SF716 REVISOR BD​ 24.1 Sec. 22. APPROPRIATIONS; MINNESOTA AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILY​
24.2PRESERVATION AND CHILD WELFARE DISPROPORTIONALITY ACT.​
24.3 (a) $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated from the general fund to the​
24.4commissioner of human services for grants to Hennepin and Ramsey Counties to implement​
24.5the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality​
24.6Act phase-in program. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2026.​
24.7 (b) $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated from the general fund to the​
24.8commissioner of human services for the African American and disproportionately represented​
24.9family preservation grant program under Minnesota Statutes, section 260.693.​
24.10Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16B.98, subdivision 14, the amount for​
24.11administrative costs under this paragraph is $0.​
24.12 (c) $1,967,000 in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated from the general fund to the​
24.13commissioner of human services to implement the African American Family Preservation​
24.14and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act. The base for this appropriation is $3,451,000 in​
24.15fiscal year 2026 and $3,310,000 in fiscal year 2027.​
24​Sec. 22.​
S0716-4 4th Engrossment​SF716 REVISOR BD​