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 the end of this update for upcoming events.
The Child Protection Task Force met yet again last Friday. A full agenda and video of the meeting can be found here. The Star Tribune also covered the meeting extensively. Based on last week’s pre-session meeting, some topics and bills to keep an eye on include:
- State Financial Audit and Practice Recommendations: Senator Mary Kunesh recommended an analysis of how the state is accessing and utilizing federal funds to maximize child and family wellbeing, including foster care services for Tribal Nations and Counties, Title IV-E funds, for foster care services for Tribal and Counties. The legislation includes authorizing an independent third party to conduct a fiscal analysis.
- Minnesotan African American Family Preservation Act (SF716/HF912): This bill reintroduced by Sen. Bobby Champion and its companion bill, HF912 (Rep. Esther Agbaje) are intended to address disparities that African American families face in the child welfare system. The Act directs local social service agencies to make active efforts to keep families together and creates an oversight council to ensure that the Act’s directives are followed. Learn more about the bill.
- Law Enforcement Reporting of Child Custody Intake Requirement: Rep. Heather Keeler shared findings from a report, including recommendations to train law enforcement in best practices for child custody intake protocols to reduce child and family trauma.
- Statewide Maltreatment Hotline: Rep. Kimberly Hicks shared findings on how to best analyze the feasibility of a Statewide Maltreatment Hotline, including analyzing data from other states, and directed the DHS commissioner to present a report to the legislature.
- Law Enforcement Training Requirements for Child Protection and Removals: Sen. Nicole Mitchell, Marissa Kirby-Stofferahn (Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy), and Laurie York (White Earth Nation Exec. Director) discussed initial recommendations for training law enforcement.
- Foster Youth Receiving Benefits and Other Income Notification Requirement: When foster youth become eligible for Social Security Income (SSI) benefits, those funds are disbursed to the county rather than directly to the youth (unless they have aged out of foster care.) Senator Nicole Mitchell and Ariana Guerra (Foster Advocates) discussed requiring notification of foster youth when their SSI benefits are dispersed to the county, and to require that counties document when they use SSI funds to pay for foster care.
- Child Mortality Review: Dr Mark Hudson stated that a lack of transparency is hampering the state and county efforts to incorporate child mortality reports into improving child protection, and suggested that future reviews include professionals including medical experts, mandated reporters, and law enforcement.
- Other Issues: The CP Task Force heard a presentation from the Ombudsperson from the Office of Foster Youth, updates regarding the Maltreatment of Minors Act, and a presentation on Child Welfare Workforce Engagement. Full remarks available with this video of the meeting.
Upcoming Events
Legislative Training, Feb. 15
Join the MN Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage on February 15, 5-7 pm, for a virtual training, specifically to learn more about the MN African American Family Preservation Act. Register here.
NASW Advocacy Week, Feb. 26-29
Participate in virtual Policy Prep Sessions (including free CEUs) on February 26, 27, and 28, and then go in-person to meet with legislators and attend NASW’s rally on February 29 at the Minnesota State Capitol. Advocate and organize for policies to support Social Workers and all Minnesotans. Learn more and register online.
Foster Child and Youth Day on the Hill, March 4
The 2024 Foster Child and Youth Day on the Hill will be on Monday, March 4! Bring your youth to advocate with other fosters for changes in the Minnesota foster care system! Register yourself and your youth to attend via the FCYDH website.