SF743

SF743 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Rulemaking requirement to relax child care staff-to-child ratios for smaller communities

AI Generated Summary

Senate File No. 743 is a proposed bill in Minnesota that aims to change rules for child care facilities in smaller, non-metropolitan areas of the state. Specifically, it directs the commissioner of human services or the commissioner of children, youth, and families to adjust the rules concerning the staff-to-child ratios in these regions.

According to the bill, child care centers in these smaller communities will be allowed: 1. To add a second staff member only when the number of children reaches higher thresholds: six infants, ten toddlers, fifteen preschoolers, or twenty school-aged children. 2. To group children together during operating hours even if their ages vary by up to 60 months, as long as other specified requirements are met.

The bill also allows for these rule changes to be made using a streamlined process, exempting them from some broader regulatory requirements usually needed for rulemaking. This is intended to make the process quicker and more flexible. The changes are motivated by the unique needs and conditions of smaller communities, aiming to provide them with more adaptable child care settings.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
January 29, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
January 29, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Health and Human Services

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amendment to Minnesota Rules part 9503.0040 to provide flexibility in staff-to-child ratios for child care centers outside major metropolitan areas.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjust staffing requirements: no additional staff needed until there are six infants, ten toddlers, 15 preschoolers, or 20 school-aged children."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "9503.0040"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Allows the commissioner to use expedited rulemaking procedures under section 14.388 for changes related to this flexibility in child care center ratios.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "14.388"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Section 14.386 is declared inapplicable to rules adopted under this section unless specified under section 14.388.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "14.386"
  }
]