HF4277

Purpose

• To add requirements for video security cameras in licensed child care centers. The bill aims to improve safety oversight, especially in cases involving maltreatment investigations and centers that receive certain state funding.

Main Provisions

• Installation and placement

  • Centers must have video security cameras in public and shared areas of the facility, as specified by the bill.
  • Cameras must be used in the areas defined as public and shared spaces.

• Triggered by maltreatment investigations (first timeline)

  • Beginning July 1, 2026, a licensed child care center must comply with camera requirements if the center is required to post a maltreatment investigation memorandum under either:
  • 142B.16 subdivision 5, or
  • 142B.18 subdivision 6.
  • Once a maltreatment investigation memorandum is posted, the center has six months to comply with the camera requirements.
  • After posting, the center must maintain compliance with the camera requirements for four years.

• Funding-related centers (second timeline)

  • Beginning July 1, 2027, a licensed child care center that received funds under any of the following in the previous calendar year must have cameras in public and shared areas and comply with the camera requirements:
  • Child care assistance program funds under chapter 142E
  • Great Start compensation support payments under section 142D.21
  • Early learning scholarships under section 142D.25
  • or a combination of these funds

Applicability and Timelines

• July 1, 2026: Applies to centers required to post a maltreatment investigation memorandum, with a six-month compliance window after the memorandum is posted and four-year compliance maintenance thereafter.
• July 1, 2027: Applies to centers that received specified funding in the previous year, with ongoing camera requirements.

Relationship to Existing Law

• Establishes new mandatory camera requirements for certain licensed child care centers.
• Toses specific triggers (maltreatment investigation memos) and funding-related eligibility to determine when cameras must be installed and maintained.
• References additional camera specifications that are to be defined in subdivision 3 of the same statutory section.

Practical Impact

• Centers may need to install and maintain video cameras in designated areas and ensure ongoing compliance for several years after triggering events.
• Funding-related centers have a separate, later compliance deadline, tying oversight tools to funding programs.

Significance

• This represents a notable expansion of monitoring tools in child care settings and ties safety hardware to maltreatment procedures and state funding programs.

Relevant Terms - video security cameras - public and shared areas - licensed child care center - maltreatment investigation memorandum - posted - six months - four years - July 1, 2026 - July 1, 2027 - child care assistance program funds - Great Start compensation - early learning scholarships - chapter 142E - 142D.21 - 142D.25 - 142B.16 subdivision 5 - 142B.18 subdivision 6 - subdivision 3