SF4473

Purpose

To require licensed child care centers to install video security cameras in public and shared areas and set timelines for compliance, tied to maltreatment investigations and certain funding programs. The measure aims to strengthen monitoring and safety in child care settings and align camera requirements with centers that access specific state funds.

Main Provisions

• Installation requirement start:
  • Beginning July 1, 2026: A licensed child care center must have video security cameras in public and shared areas and follow this section’s requirements if the center is required to post a maltreatment investigation memorandum under Minnesota Statutes 142B.16 subdivision 5 or 142B.18 subdivision 6.
• Compliance timeline:
  • Centers must comply within six months after the maltreatment memorandum is posted.
  • Centers must maintain compliance for four years after the memorandum is required to be posted.
• Funding-related expansion:
  • Beginning July 1, 2027: A licensed center that received child care assistance program funds (chapter 142E) and/or Great Start compensation payments (section 142D.21) or early learning scholarships (section 142D.25), or a combination, in the previous calendar year must have video security cameras in public and shared areas and follow the same requirements.
• Implementation scope:
  • Cameras and related requirements are to be carried out “as provided under subdivision 3” of the same section (specific technical or operational details would be in that subdivision).
• Statutory alignment:
  • The changes amend Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement section 142B.68 subdivision 2.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds a mandatory video surveillance requirement for licensed child care centers, linking the obligation to maltreatment investigation postings and to the receipt of certain state funds.
• Introduces a concrete compliance timeline (six months post-posting, four-year retention) for centers subject to maltreatment memos.
• Extends the surveillance obligation to centers that received specific funding in the prior year (child care assistance, Great Start payments, or early learning scholarships), widening the group of centers required to install cameras.

Practical Considerations

• Public and shared areas: Cameras must be placed in areas accessible to the public and commonly used spaces where staff and children interact.
• Maltreatment investigation memo trigger: The requirement is activated when a center is required to post a maltreatment investigation memorandum under the referenced statutes.
• Compliance window and retention: There is a defined period to implement and maintain cameras after the memo is posted, emphasizing ongoing monitoring for four years.

Relevant Terms video security cameras; public areas; shared areas; licensed child care center; maltreatment investigation memorandum; posting; Minnesota Statutes 142B.68; 142B.16 subdivision 5; 142B.18 subdivision 6; subdivision 3 (of this section); compliance; six months; four years; July 1, 2026; July 1, 2027; child care assistance program funds; Great Start compensation; section 142D.21; early learning scholarships; section 142D.25; Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement; 142E.