HF2135 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Fiscal analysis of child welfare system required; comprehensive child welfare program, practice, and service evaluation required; reports required; and money appropriated.
Related bill: SF1898
AI Generated Summary
Purpose of the Bill
This bill is aimed at enhancing the Minnesota child welfare system through financial analysis and program evaluation. It requires a comprehensive review to improve fiscal management and service delivery for children and families.
Main Provisions
- Fiscal Analysis: The Minnesota Commissioner of Children Youth and Families must hire a third-party consultant to conduct a fiscal analysis of the child welfare system. The consultant should have experience in child welfare systems and financial analyses.
- Program and Practice Evaluation: Another comprehensive evaluation of child welfare programs and practices will be conducted to provide a framework for improving services and achieving equitable outcomes for children and families.
- Advisory Task Force: An advisory task force will support the consultants during the analyses. This task force will comprise members from various state departments, county social service administrators, and community representatives.
Significant Changes
- The bill mandates detailed financial scrutiny of existing child welfare funding sources, including federal reimbursements under Title IV-E and Title IV-B programs and other federal funds.
- Recommendations will be made regarding potential statutory changes, the necessity of increased state investment, and strategies to maximize federal reimbursements.
- Emphasizing engagement with local agencies, community providers, and individuals with lived experience, the bill aims to align funding and services better to eliminate inequities in the system.
Reporting Requirements
- Fiscal Analysis Report: By June 30, 2027, a report of findings and recommendations from the fiscal analysis must be submitted to relevant state officials.
- Program Evaluation Reports: A status report is due by July 1, 2027, followed by a final report by July 1, 2028, detailing program evaluation results and suggestions for statutory and resource modifications.
Funding
- A one-time appropriation from the general fund is allocated to finance the third-party analyses and evaluations.
Relevant Terms
child welfare, fiscal analysis, program evaluation, equity, federal funding, Title IV-E, Title IV-B, Family First Prevention Services Act, advisory task force, Minnesota Tribal Nations, federal reimbursements.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 09, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Children and Families Finance and Policy |
| March 10, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Authors added |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Includes a requirement for evaluating the frequency of consultations under section 10.65 within child welfare reforms."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill requires consideration of the Tribal consultation policy under Minnesota Statutes section 10.65 in the context of child welfare systems.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "10.65"
}
]