By Matthew Dooley Minnesota’s 2024 legislative session began yesterday, February 12! The shorter length of this year’s session as compared to last year, paired with this session’s “policy and bonding” designation, forecasts less spending and more focus on policy issues. As we continue into the season, stay tuned for CACSW’s legislative updates, and see [...]
By Matthew Dooley The 2023 legislative session brought major changes to the child welfare system in Minnesota, including the establishment of a new state agency, greater investments in children and families, and changes to regulations and licensing. This summary was compiled from language found in the Department of Human Services 2023 Summary. Creation of [...]
By Ariana King, Graduate Assistant at CASCWMIFPA Bill PASSEDOn March 16, 2023, MIFPA modifications included in bills SF667/HF1071 were presented to and approved by Governor Walz. Representative Keeler, herself an Indigenous community member, and Senator Kunesh, of Native descent, were key figures in the bill’s passage. Updates on Bill(s) HF1672/SF1638 Quality Parenting Initiative funding [...]
By Ariana King, Graduate Assistant This past week, several new bills related to child welfare were introduced in both the House and Senate. The MIFPA modifications bill continued to progress, was amended and passed for the third reading in the Senate on 2/27/2023. The next day, the House received the bill from the Senate. [...]
By Ariana King, Graduate Assistant Note: updates as of 2/22/2023 AM These past few weeks, several new child welfare related bills have been introduced! Check out the summaries and status updates below. We'll continue to keep you updated with new information that could impact children and families. Governor’s Budget Proposals Walz’s budget increases early [...]
By Ariana King, Graduate Assistant Last November, the Supreme Court heard the case of Haaland v. Brackeen*, which challenges the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). Long considered a gold standard in child welfare, ICWA prioritizes keeping Native children in out-of-home care with Native families first before looking to non-Native families for foster care or [...]
By Stacy Gehringer There are many, many bills related to children and families introduced and revisited at the Minnesota legislature during session. Hearings, testimony, debate, companion bills — it’s a lot to track! We have provided bill summaries and brief status updates below that are relevant to the child welfare workforce, as well as [...]
Compiled by Mariel Carlson, MSW, Graduate Assistant The legislative session has officially ended as of Monday, May 23 at midnight, according to the constitutional mandate. This means that legislation which was not passed by the House and Senate is not able to be passed unless the governor declares a special session. The governor may [...]