Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to establish a "Foster Youth Bill of Rights" to protect and ensure the rights and well-being of children and youth in foster care in Minnesota. It intends to provide foster youth with a level of care comparable to their non-foster peers and safeguard their rights that may have been interrupted by their foster care placement.

Main Provisions

• Physical and Emotional Safety: Foster youth are entitled to a safe environment free of abuse, neglect, discrimination, and inappropriate discipline. They should have a say in caregiving protocols and be protected from harmful practices.
• Basic Needs and Normalcy: The bill mandates that foster youth have their basic needs met in a manner similar to children not in foster care, including food, clothing, hygiene products, and a personal safe space.
• Privacy: Foster youth have a right to privacy in communications, personal activities, and handling of their data.
• Health and Wellness: Foster youth should have timely medical care, freedom from unnecessary medication, autonomy in health decisions, and access to mental health resources.
• Family and Relative Connections: The bill emphasizes maintaining connections with family and siblings, prioritizing placements with relatives, and notifying relatives about significant changes in the child’s situation.
• Community and Cultural Connections: Support for maintaining cultural, ethnic, and community ties is provided. Youth should have access to culturally appropriate resources.
• Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: Rights related to affirming sexual orientation and gender identity include freedom from discrimination and access to gender-affirming care.
• Disability and Accommodation: Foster youth with disabilities should receive appropriate accommodations both in placements and educational settings.
• Education: The bill supports educational stability, prevents disciplinary actions due to foster care status, and ensures appropriate academic placement and resources.
• Activities: Foster youth should have access to age-appropriate social, school, and recreational activities without foster care status affecting their eligibility for participation.
• Case Management and Planning: The foster youth must be involved in planning their care, have continuous contact with caseworkers, and be informed about their rights.
• Transition Support: The bill provides for transition resources for youth nearing adulthood, such as independent living plans and continued education and employment support.
• Pregnant and Parenting Youth: Specific provisions ensure pregnant or parenting foster youth receive the support needed for themselves and their children.
• Feedback and Grievances: Mechanisms are in place for foster youth to express grievances or concern and to receive interventions when their rights are violated.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

The bill proposes new provisions specific to the rights of foster youth, codifying them explicitly within Minnesota Statutes as a "Foster Youth Bill of Rights." It addresses areas of safety, cultural connection, healthcare, and personal development more comprehensively than existing frameworks, with the aim of providing foster youth a supportive and understanding environment akin to that of their peers.

Relevant Terms

• Foster youth
• Privacy
• Cultural appropriateness
• Gender-affirming care
• Disabilities accommodation
• Educational stability
• Case management
• Transition resources
• Pregnant and parenting foster youth