SF5126

1. Purpose

2. This bill aims to strengthen oversight and transparency in child care licensing. It requires self-report indicators on licensing notifications, obligates licensed child care centers to provide information about physical abuse and neglect, and requires child care programs to notify parents about responses from emergency responders. It also updates the enforcement framework by adding procedures for correction orders and conditional licenses when a provider is not complying with applicable laws or rules, and authorizes the use of a licensing and reporting hub to issue these orders.

3. Main Provisions

4. Self-report indicator on licensing notifications: When applicable, the process will note whether a violation or issue was self-reported by the applicant or license holder.

5. Information on physical abuse and neglect: Licensed child care centers must provide information related to incidents of physical abuse and neglect.

6. Parent notification about emergency responders: Child care programs must inform parents when emergency responders respond to an incident at the program.

7. Correction orders and conditional licenses: If a provider fails to comply with applicable laws or rules and the failure does not imminently endanger health, safety, or rights, the commissioner may issue:

   • a correction order, and
   • an order of conditional license The conditional license must specify:
   • the conditions that constitute a violation,
   • whether the conditions were self-reported,
   • the specific law or rule violated,
   • the time allowed to correct each violation, and
   • if the license is made conditional, its length, terms, and reasons.

8. Sanctions alongside correction actions: The commissioner may propose a sanction under section 142B.18 prior to issuing a correction order or conditional license.

9. Issuance via the licensing hub: The correction order and conditional license can be issued through the provider licensing and reporting hub.

10. Changes to Existing Law

11. Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 142B.16 subdivision 1 to incorporate the correction order and conditional license framework, require plain-language statements, and include the new required elements.

12. Adds new subdivisions or sections: 142B.17, 142B.18, 142B.61, 142B.66, 142B.71.

13. Adds Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement section 142B.171 subdivision 2.

14. Overall, the bill expands enforcement tools and reporting requirements related to licensed child care programs.

15. Enforcement and Administration Details

16. Enforcement thresholds: The correction order/conditional license pathway applies when there is noncompliance with law or rule that does not immediately endanger health, safety, or rights.

17. Documentation requirements: Plain-language description of violations, whether self-reported, the specific law or rule violated, and timelines for correction.

18. Mechanism for action: Orders issued through the provider licensing and reporting hub to streamline processing and tracking.

19. Implementation Considerations

20. Providers face new reporting and notification obligations, plus potential conditional licensing as an enforcement tool.

21. Parents may receive more information about incidents (through parent notifications) and about how violations are being addressed.

22. The changes rely on the provider licensing and reporting hub to manage and communicate orders and conditions.

Relevant Terms - correction order - order of conditional license - conditional license - plain language - self-reported - violation - specific law or rule violated - time to correct - length/terms of conditional license - reasons for conditional license - sanctions (per 142B.18) - provider licensing and reporting hub - emergency responders - physical abuse and neglect - licensing notifications - health safety rights - applicant - license holder - Minnesota Statutes 2024 142B.16 (and added sections 142B.17, 142B.18, 142B.61, 142B.66, 142B.71) - Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement section 142B.171 subdivision 2