HF1918 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Department of Children, Youth, and Families policy language; TEACH early childhood program, great start compensation support payment program, child welfare policies, and out-of-home placement plans updated; and provisions to prevent foster care placements modified.
Related bill: SF2778
AI Generated Summary
The bill, H.F. No. 1918, introduced in the Minnesota House of Representatives, focuses on policy updates related to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. It includes changes to early childhood programs, child welfare policies, foster care placement, and economic assistance. Key provisions include:
1) Economic Assistance (Article 1)
- Extends contract terms for the issuance of electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards up to 10 years.
2) Child Care Provider Programs (Article 2)
- Updates the Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program by establishing data privacy rules for child care and early learning programs.
3) Child Welfare (Article 3)
Foster Care & Relative Placement:
- Requires active efforts to place African American and other disproportionately impacted children with noncustodial parents or relatives before foster care.
- Strengthens relative search and notification efforts, ensuring families are included in placement planning.
- Restricts defining a foster family as the permanent home until all reasonable efforts for relative placement have been exhausted.
African American Child & Family Well-Being Initiatives:
- Establishes an African American Child and Family Well-Being Advisory Council and a Well-Being Unit within the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
- Monitors racial disparities in child welfare, conducts case reviews, and makes policy recommendations.
Juvenile Protection Proceedings & Case Planning:
- Expands court review requirements and case planning for children in foster care, ensuring consideration of their race, culture, and heritage.
- Mandates early permanency planning for children in out-of-home placement.
Reestablishment of Parental Rights:
- Allows parents whose parental rights were previously terminated to petition for reestablishment of those rights under certain conditions (e.g., if the child has not been adopted).
School Attendance Monitoring:
- Requires mandatory reporting for children with seven or more unexcused absences, triggering a child welfare response before truancy escalates.
4) Transfers to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (Article 4)
- Transfers certain powers and responsibilities from the Department of Human Services (DHS) to the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).
This comprehensive bill strengthens Minnesota’s child welfare system by reinforcing relative placements, parental rights restoration, racial equity efforts, and economic/child care support programs.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Past committee meetings
- Judiciary Finance and Civil Law on: April 02, 2025 10:15
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 04, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Children and Families Finance and Policy |
| March 26, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Committee report, to adopt and re-refer to | Judiciary Finance and Civil Law |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Allows contracts to extend up to ten years."
],
"summary": "Addition of a subdivision regarding electronic benefits transfer contracting and procurement exemptions.",
"modified": [
"Commissioner's exemption from contract term limits under chapter 16C."
]
},
"citation": "142A.03"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Defines terms related to the Great Start compensation program support payment data."
],
"summary": "Amendment to section by adding a subdivision on data management.",
"modified": [
"Privacy level adjustments for certain data categories related to compensation payments."
]
},
"citation": "142D.21"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Responsibilities for social services to notify and involve relatives in foster care decisions."
],
"summary": "Modifications on noncustodial parents and relative placement procedures.",
"modified": [
"Assessment of noncustodial parents' ability to care before foster care placement."
]
},
"citation": "260.65"
},
{
"analysis": {
"summary": "Clarification of conditions under which emergency removal or placement is permitted.",
"modified": [
"Ensures immediate actions can be taken to prevent harm to African American or disproportionately represented children."
]
},
"citation": "260.66"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Details on the council's composition and duties."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Establishing the African American Child and Family Well-being Advisory Council.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "260.691"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Technical assistance and case consultation responsibilities."
],
"summary": "Duties of the African American Child and Family Wellbeing Unit.",
"modified": [
"Coordination services for African American children and their families."
]
},
"citation": "260.692"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Inclusions of Indian Child Welfare Act considerations in best interest determinations."
],
"summary": "Focus on juvenile protection proceedings concerning American Indian children.",
"modified": [
"Clarifications on permanency planning and family reunification priorities."
]
},
"citation": "260C.001"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Expanded accountability for truancy among younger children."
],
"summary": "Updates to the definition and handling of habitual truants.",
"modified": [
"Clarification on the criteria for being labeled as habitually truant."
]
},
"citation": "260C.007"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Provisions for petitions filed by non-county attorney individuals."
],
"summary": "Amended who may file petitions for children in need of protection or services.",
"modified": [
"Obligations to demonstrate contact with social services via petition."
]
},
"citation": "260C.141"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Engagement rules for agencies when assessing child placement."
],
"summary": "Role of social services agencies in identifying parents and gathering data on children's heritage.",
"modified": [
"Details around the disclosure of data as necessary for such assessments."
]
},
"citation": "260C.150"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Criteria for court-ordered placement in foster care."
],
"summary": "Hearing requirements and considerations for child custody cases.",
"modified": [
"Expanded provisions on necessary hearings to decide custody arrangements."
]
},
"citation": "260C.178"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Detailed responsibilities and procedures for social services agencies."
],
"summary": "Outlines authorized dispositions for children needing protection or services.",
"modified": [
"Conditions and monitoring requirements for trial home visits."
]
},
"citation": "260C.201"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Annual reviews to update independent living plans."
],
"summary": "Review of placements and plans for children in extended foster care.",
"modified": [
"Requirements for filing and updating transition planning documents."
]
},
"citation": "260C.451"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Enhanced guidelines for reporting through a new licensing hub."
],
"summary": "Reporting child maltreatment and the responsibilities related thereto.",
"modified": [
"Clarified the content required in reports and follow-ups."
]
},
"citation": "260E.09"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Explains coordination actions with law enforcement."
],
"summary": "Defines duties of local welfare agencies investigating maltreatment.",
"modified": [
"Specifies record-keeping and confidentiality adherence."
]
},
"citation": "260E.20"
}
]