SF4309

Purpose

To update and clarify how adult foster care and family adult foster care homes are defined for licensing under Minnesota law.

Main provisions and what the bill seeks to accomplish

• Foster care for adults: Defines this as a program operating 24 hours a day that provides functionally impaired adults with food, lodging, protection, supervision, and household services management in a residence, in addition to services described in individual service plans (ISPs) under Minnesota Rules part 9555.5105 subpart 1.
• Family adult foster care home: Defines this as an adult foster care home that is the license holder’s primary residence and in which the license holder is the primary caregiver, providing the services listed in the foster care for adults definition (6c).
• Connection to licensing requirements: The definitions tie directly to how adult foster care and family adult foster care homes must meet licensing expectations and provide ISP-based services.

Significant changes to existing law

• Adds or tightens formal definitions for:
  • Foster care for adults to specify 24-hour operation, target group (functionally impaired adults), and the set of services including food, lodging, protection, supervision, and household services management, alongside ISPs.
  • Family adult foster care home to designate the license holder’s primary residence and designate the license holder as the primary caregiver responsible for delivering the defined services.
• Direct reference to the ISP framework and Minnesota Rules part 9555.5105 subpart 1 reinforces the service planning requirements tied to the licensing framework.

How this changes the regulatory framework

• Clarifies what constitutes an approved adult foster care arrangement and who is responsible in a family-based setting.
• Establishes that services must align with individual service plans and be delivered in a residence that meets the 24-hour program standard.
• Potentially narrows or confirms which homes qualify as licensed adult foster care homes based on the license holder’s residence and caregiving role.

Relevant Terms - Foster care for adults - Adult foster care - Functionally impaired adults - Food - Lodging - Protection - Supervision - Household services management - Individual service plans (ISPs) - Minnesota Rules part 9555.5105 subpart 1 - Family adult foster care home - License holder - Primary caregiver - Primary residence - Adult foster care licensing requirements - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 245A.02 subdivisions 6c and 6f