Minnesota House Bill HF2994

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/1/25
• Refer: 4/1/25

Caption

Hennepin County Sheriff's Office grant funding provided for a child care pilot program to assist with retention of law enforcement and first responders, report required, and money appropriated.

Impact

If enacted, the bill will allow the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office to partner with WomenVenture to recruit child care providers who can offer flexible services. The funds may also be allocated to provide necessary training and resources for these providers, ensuring they can meet the needs of the families they serve. Additionally, scholarships for participating families may be funded to help offset costs and encourage participation in the program. This legislative effort may set a precedent for similar initiatives in other counties or states looking to support their law enforcement and first responders through improved child care access.

Summary

House File 2994 (HF2994) is a proposed piece of legislation that aims to enhance the recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers and first responders in Minnesota by providing funding for a child care pilot program. The bill appropriates $1,000,000 from the workforce development fund to the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office. The objective is to support child care services specifically tailored for the children of these professionals, accommodating their irregular and demanding work schedules. This initiative seeks to alleviate some of the burden faced by officers and responders regarding child care, which can impact their job performance and longevity in their roles.

Contention

While the bill has the potential to significantly benefit first responders and address pressing workforce retention challenges, there may be points of contention regarding the use of state funds. Stakeholders could debate the effectiveness of such programs in attracting and keeping personnel in law enforcement and first responder positions, and whether the funds could be better utilized in other workforce development areas. Moreover, there may be discussions surrounding the criteria for selecting child care providers and the overall evaluation of the program's success by the mandated report due in December 2027.