SF4825
Delegation of power restriction by parent or guardian
Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026)
Related bill: HF4150
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
To update Minnesota law on how a parent, legal custodian, or guardian can give someone else temporary authority over a child or incapacitated person’s care, custody, or property. The bill adds limits, oversight, and safety protections to who can receive delegated powers and for how long.
Main Provisions
Delegation by nonprofessional guardians or parents
- A parent, legal custodian, or nonprofessional guardian may delegate powers for up to one year.
- The powers can cover care, custody, or property of the minor or person under guardianship.
- The delegation cannot include the power to consent to marriage or adoption of the minor or person under guardianship.
Delegation by professional guardians
- A professional guardian may delegate powers for up to 30 days.
- The powers covered are the same areas (care, custody, or property) and still cannot include consent to marriage or adoption.
- If a professional guardian delegates parental rights under this option, they must submit the power of attorney to the court.
Notice to the other parent
- A parent who creates a delegation must give a copy to the other parent within 30 days, unless certain exceptions apply (see below).
Standby or temporary custodians
- A parent or guardian may delegate powers by designating a standby or temporary custodian under Minnesota law (chapter 257B).
Citizenship requirement
- The person delegating powers must be a United States citizen.
Limitations on delegates
- The person receiving delegated powers must not have been charged with or convicted of a crime against a minor.
Definition of “crime against a minor”
- Includes specific Minnesota statutes listed in the bill (for example, sections 609.185, 609.19, 609.195, 609.20, 609.205, 609.2112, 609.2113, 609.2114, 609.215, 609.221, 609.222, 609.223, 609.342, 609.343, 609.345) or a felony under section 609.377.
Exceptions to sending notice
- The notice requirement to the other parent does not apply if the other parent has no parenting time, has supervised parenting time, or if there is an existing protection order against the other parent (under chapter 518B or a similar law in another state) protecting the delegating parent or the child.
Significant Changes to Law
- Adds clear time limits for delegations (one year for nonprofessional guardians/parents; 30 days for professional guardians).
- Requires court submission for certain delegations by professional guardians.
- Requires notice to the other parent within 30 days, with specific exceptions.
- Introduces citizenship and background protections (only US citizens; recipients must not have crimes against minors).
- Raises protections around consent to marriage or adoption by restricting delegation of those powers.
- Includes a pathway to use standby/temporary custodians under a separate chapter (257B).
Practical Implications
- Families gain more explicit rules for delegating parental or guardian powers, with stronger safeguards against misuse.
- Professional guardians’ powers are more tightly controlled and monitored by the court.
- There are additional steps (notice, citizenship, background checks) intended to protect minors and incapacitated persons.
- Some existing flexibility is reduced, potentially increasing the need for court involvement or alternative arrangements in caregiving scenarios.
Notes for Clarity
- The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 524.5211.
- It maintains the general concept of delegation but adds specific caps on duration, notification requirements, and eligibility criteria for delegates.
Relevant Terms power of attorney delegation of powers parent guardian nonprofessional guardian professional guardian minor incapacitated person care custody property consent to marriage consent to adoption standby custodian temporary custodian chapter 257B United States citizen crime against a minor Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 524.5211 notice parenting time order for protection guardianship court submission protective order charging or convicted of a crime against a minor 609.185 609.19 609.195 609.20 609.205 609.2112 609.2113 609.2114 609.215 609.221 609.222 609.223 609.342 609.343 609.345 609.377
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 25, 2026 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| March 25, 2026 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Judiciary and Public Safety |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Provisions restricting delegation of powers by a parent, legal custodian, or nonprofessional guardian of a minor or incapacitated person; permits delegation of powers for care, custody, or property for up to one year, with exceptions (e.g., consent to marriage or adoption).",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "524.5211",
"subdivision": "a"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Provisions restricting delegation of powers by a professional guardian of a minor or incapacitated person; permits delegation for care, custody, or property for up to 30 days, with exceptions (e.g., consent to marriage or adoption).",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "524.5211",
"subdivision": "b"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Requirement that a parent who executes a delegation of powers must mail or give a copy to the other parent within 30 days, subject to parenting time considerations and protection orders.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "524.5211",
"subdivision": "c"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Authority for a parent legal custodian or guardian to delegate powers by designating a standby or temporary custodian under chapter 257B.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "524.5211",
"subdivision": "d"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Requirement that an individual delegating powers under this section must be a United States citizen.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "524.5211",
"subdivision": "e"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Restriction that an individual to whom powers are delegated must not have been charged with or convicted of a crime against a minor, with definition of 'crime against a minor' referencing specific Minnesota criminal statutes.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "524.5211",
"subdivision": "f"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References to orders for protection under chapter 518B in the context of protections related to delegation of powers.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "518B",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References to standby or temporary custodians designated under chapter 257B as part of delegation of powers.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "257B",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines or references a crime against a minor within the context of the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.185",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
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"summary": "Defines or references a crime against a minor within the context of the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.19",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines or references a crime against a minor within the context of the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.195",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines or references a crime against a minor within the context of the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.20",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines or references a crime against a minor within the context of the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.205",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines or references a crime against a minor within the context of the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.2112",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines or references a crime against a minor within the context of the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.2113",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines or references a crime against a minor within the context of the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.2114",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines or references a crime against a minor within the context of the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.215",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines or references a crime against a minor within the context of the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.221",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines or references a crime against a minor within the context of the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.222",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines or references a crime against a minor within the context of the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.223",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines or references a crime against a minor within the context of the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.342",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines or references a crime against a minor within the context of the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.343",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines or references a crime against a minor within the context of the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.345",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines or references a felony violation connected to crimes against a minor within the context of the bill.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.377",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee