HF1276 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Northstar Care for Children benefits modified for children under the age of six and children transferred into Northstar Care for Children.
Related bill: SF1548
AI Generated Summary
This bill proposes modifications to the Northstar Care for Children program in Minnesota, which provides financial support for children in kinship assistance or adoption assistance. The key changes include:
Benefit Adjustments for Young Children:
- Under current law, children who enter Northstar kinship assistance or adoption assistance before age six receive only 50% of the benefit amount they would otherwise be entitled to. This bill eliminates that lower rate for children placed with relatives or within specific placement preferences, ensuring they receive the full benefit.
State Funding Responsibilities:
- The bill mandates that the state cover the costs associated with eliminating the reduced rate for young children placed with relatives. It adjusts the state's cost-sharing formula for maintenance payments accordingly.
Revisions to Financial Responsibilities of the State and Local Agencies:
- The legislation ensures that the financial distribution between the state and local agencies accounts for the removal of reduced rates for eligible preschool-aged children. It also standardizes the percentage share of costs borne by the state and local agencies after fiscal year 2019.
Overall, this bill aims to increase financial support for young children in kinship or adoptive care under Northstar Care for Children, particularly those placed with relatives, by eliminating alternate lower rates and ensuring stable cost-sharing between the state and local agencies.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 19, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Children and Families Finance and Policy |
| February 26, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Author added |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"This bill expands the use of transition provisions by including more categories of children eligible for the 50% rate."
],
"removed": [
"None."
],
"summary": "Reference to transition provisions for children into Northstar Care components under section 256N.28.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies the use of transition provisions for children entering Northstar Care components."
]
},
"citation": "256N.28"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Incorporates placement preferences as a condition for receiving full benefits."
],
"removed": [
"None."
],
"summary": "Reference to placement preferences under section 260.773 for children in care of relatives.",
"modified": [
"Aligns placement preferences with eligibility for full rates under Northstar Care components."
]
},
"citation": "260.773"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Continues financial responsibilities for pre-Northstar Care programs."
],
"removed": [
"None."
],
"summary": "Reference to pre-Northstar Care foster care financial responsibilities under section 260C.4411.",
"modified": [
"Integrates pre-Northstar Care financial obligations with current programs."
]
},
"citation": "260C.4411"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Retains financial mechanisms for adoption assistance under earlier statutes."
],
"removed": [
"None."
],
"summary": "References to pre-Northstar Care adoption assistance under chapter 259A.",
"modified": [
"Links pre-Northstar financial structures with ongoing Care programs."
]
},
"citation": "259A"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Specifies financial calculations exclude auxiliary services under section 317A.907."
],
"removed": [
"None."
],
"summary": "References to payments to child care agencies for services without inclusion of certain auxiliary costs.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies financial exclusions relevant to child care agencies."
]
},
"citation": "317A.907"
}
]