Over the last week, a few bipartisan bills were introduced that would redirect the legislature’s and Governor’s attention to the importance of positive life experiences for young children in their policymaking. Since the last biennium, early learning and experiences have been a focal point at the legislature, what with the passing of universal all-day kindergarten and passing and expansion of early learning scholarships. This legislative session has expanded that focus to include early adversity and child maltreatment, more than likely due to the creation of the Governor’s Task Force on the Protection of Children. The 4 bills—HF 892, HF 979, HF 893, and SF 827—collectively address prevention of child abuse and neglect in different ways.
Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect
A House Resolution
House File 892 is actually a House resolution introduced on Feb. 16 by Representatives Moran (D), Ward (D), Kresha (R), Laine (D), Winkler (D), and Miller (R):
A resolution relating to the use of current science on childhood brain development, adverse childhood experiences, and toxic stress to prevent child abuse and neglect before it starts and ensure the well-being of all Minnesota children.
In the resolution, the impact of childhood trauma, including trauma from child maltreatment, is highlighted in terms of brain development, stress response systems, and long-term adult outcomes. The resolution also utilizes data from the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACES), the Minnesota Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the Minnesota Student Survey, and Minnesota’s Child Welfare Report in order to illustrate the need for a trauma-based prevention focus in policymaking.
The resolution specifically calls on the Governor to consider this information in policymaking strategies, particularly the importance of early intervention and investment in children. It also calls for the formation of a task force that would focus on the prevention of child maltreatment and adverse childhood experiences, as well as the establishment of trauma-informed systems to work with children, youth, and families. Finally, it calls for the creation of a child abuse prevention voluntary tax checkoff as a way to support child abuse prevention in Minnesota.
HF 892 has been referred to the House Health and Human Services (HHS) Reform Committee.
Child Trauma Task Force
Also on February 16, and also by the same Representatives, House File 979 was introduced:
Evidence-based and evidence-informed solutions task force established to reduce children’s exposure to adverse childhood experiences.
This task force is clearly the same task force referenced in the House resolution, HF 892. The Task Force on Childhood Trauma-Informed Policy and Practices would focus on the impact of ACEs as well as preventive and trauma-informed policy and practices. It would also work to identify ways to reduce and eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health and well-being across Minnesota. The final report would be due to the legislature by January 15, 2016, which is also the day that the Task Force would expire.
HF 979 has also been referred to the House HHS Reform Committee.
Child Abuse Prevention Tax Checkoff
Again, on February 16 and by the same Representatives, House File 893 was introduced. There was a similar bill introduced in the Senate on February 16, Senate File 827, by Senator Chamberlain (R), but while both bills have the same text, they are not listed as companion bills.
Both the House and Senate bills would establish a voluntary tax checkoff for individual and corporate income tax returns and individual property tax refund claim forms (similar to those you might see on nongame wildlife conservation and elections) that would allow individuals and corporations to donate to the children’s trust fund for the prevention of child abuse, effective for taxable years beginning with 2015.
Like HF 892 and HF 979, HF 893 has been referred to the House HHS Reform Committee. SF 827 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Taxes.