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SF4882

Responsible social services agencies requirement to provide luggage for children in foster care
Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026)

Related bill: HF4732

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

To require the responsible social services agencies in Minnesota to provide appropriate luggage or travel bags for children in foster care. This applies at key points in a child’s foster care journey (entering/reentering, moving between placements, exiting foster care, or whenever the child needs luggage).

Main Provisions

  • A child in foster care must be provided with or have provided to them appropriate new or like-new luggage or travel bags for their belongings.
  • Trigger points for providing luggage include:
    • entering or reentering foster care
    • moving from one out-of-home placement to another
    • exiting foster care
    • any other time the child needs luggage or travel bags
  • Disallowed options: disposable bags, trash bags, or cardboard boxes are not considered appropriate luggage or travel bags.
  • Replacement rule: If a child reports their luggage has been lost, stolen, or damaged, the responsible agency may provide a replacement at its discretion.
  • Ownership rule: A responsible social services agency, private child-placing agency, or foster care provider may not reclaim any luggage or travel bag provided to a child under this subdivision.
  • Donations: Agencies may accept donations or gifts of new or like-new luggage or travel bags to provide to children in foster care under this subdivision.
  • Reporting: Each responsible agency must annually report on its compliance with this subdivision to the Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson, in a form and manner specified by that Office.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Creates a new subdivision (Subd. 10a) in Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 260C.212, establishing a formal requirement for luggage for foster youth.
  • Establishes standards for acceptable luggage (new or like-new, not disposable bags or cardboard boxes).
  • Specifies that agencies cannot reclaim luggage provided to foster youth.
  • Allows and recognizes donor-provided luggage for these purposes.
  • Introduces an annual compliance reporting requirement to the Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson.

Implementation Notes

  • Applies to the responsible social services agency for a child in foster care, including private child-placing agencies and foster care providers.
  • Requires cooperation with the Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson for reporting formats.

Impact Considerations

  • Aims to support dignity and stability for foster youth by ensuring they have proper containers for personal belongings during transitions.
  • Creates accountability through annual compliance reporting and potential reliance on donated luggage.

Relevant Terms - luggage - travel bags - foster care / foster youth - responsible social services agency - private child-placing agency - out-of-home placement - new or like-new luggage - disposable bags / trash bags / cardboard boxes (not appropriate) - replacement - donations / gifts - Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson - annual report - compliance - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 260C.212, Subd. 10a

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 26, 2026SenateActionIntroduction and first reading
March 26, 2026SenateActionReferred toHealth and Human Services

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Adds Subd.10a – Luggage for foster youth, establishing duties for foster care providers to supply suitable luggage and related provisions."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill adds a new subdivision to Minnesota Statutes 260C.212 to require the responsible social services agency to provide or ensure appropriate luggage for foster youth under various circumstances (entry or reentry into foster care, moves between placements, exit from foster care, or when luggage is needed). It prohibits using disposable bags as luggage, allows replacements if luggage is lost, stolen, or damaged, prohibits reclaim by agencies, allows donations, and requires annual reporting to the Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson.",
      "modified": [
        "Amends 260C.212 by adding Subd.10a."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "260C.212",
    "subdivision": "subd.10a"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill cross-references Minnesota Statutes 465.03 in a Notwithstanding provision regarding donations of new or like-new luggage or travel bags for foster youth, but does not modify 465.03 itself.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "465.03",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

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