Purpose of the Bill

This bill targets reforms and updates in various human services protocols in Minnesota, particularly those relating to background studies, child care provider violations, and judicial and law enforcement procedures. It aims to enhance compliance and accountability among child care providers receiving assistance and improve overall regulatory frameworks.

Main Provisions

• Child Care Provider Violations: The bill mandates administrative disqualifications for child care providers accused of intentional program violations, like making false statements or receiving kickbacks. Providers can appeal such disqualifications but face a three-year disqualification for a first offense and permanent disqualification for subsequent offenses from receiving any payments related to child care programs.

• Prohibited Hiring Practices: It prohibits hiring practices where employees are required to have children eligible for child care assistance to secure funds illegitimately, addressing fraud in accessing subsidies.

• Background Checks: The bill allows for the use of electronic signatures in documentation and revises the scope of background checks by including various law enforcement and government entities, ensuring thorough vetting processes.

• Enforcement and Penalties: Extends the definition of "wrongfully obtaining assistance" to include additional fraudulent activities, such as unauthorized receiving of subsidies. This includes using false representations and kickbacks related to child care assistance.

• Scope of Disqualification Setaside: Clarifies how setasides of disqualifications apply across different programs or agencies, especially in cases where an individual was previously cleared for specific roles in human services or substance use disorder fields.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Enhanced Repercussions for Fraud: Introduces stricter penalties and administrative procedures to handle intentional violations by providers receiving assistance, expanding prosecutable acts as theft under state law.
• Judicial and Law Enforcement Definitions: Updates definitions related to judicial officials, specifying the range of individuals and entities considered under this category for procedural clarity in legal and administrative contexts.

Relevant Terms

• Background studies
• Administrative disqualification
• Intentional program violations
• Kickback
• Wrongfully obtaining assistance
• Child care assistance
• Electronic signature
• Setaside of disqualification
• Judicial official definitions