State Child Welfare Policy Update for week of March 1

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.

MIFPA modifications

HFSF 667/HF1071

• House
  • 1/30/2023- Intro and first reading, referred to Children and Families Finance and Policy
  • 2/6/2023- Table added as author
  • 2/9/2023- Freilberg added as author
  • 2/13/2023- Stephenson added as author
  • 2/16/2023- Hudson and Bliss added as authors
  • 2/20/2023- Committee report, to adopt and re-refer to Judiciary Finance and Civil Law and authors added
  • 2/27/2023- Agbaje added as author
  • 2/28/2023- Received from the Senate; Senate filed first reading and referred to Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
  • 3/1/2023- Brand added as author
•  Senate
  • Authors: Kunesh, Abeler, Wiklund, Hauschild
  • 1/25/2023: Into and first reading, referred to Health and Human Services
  • 2/8/2023- Committee report: to pass as amended and re-refer to Judiciary and Public safety
  • 2/13/2023- comm report: to pass as amended and re-refer to Finance
  • 2/16/2023- Oumon Verbeten added as author
  • 2/21/2023: Comm report: To pass and second reading
  • 2/27/2023: Special Order: Amended and third reading passed
     

New Bills Introduced

Prenatal exposure as it relates to maltreatment

HF2095 Author: Richardson (DFL)

Terminology for pregnant persons modified, standards for chemical dependency in pregnancy and prenatal substance use modified, prenatal substance use specified to not itself constitute neglect or maltreatment, prenatal substance use reporting requirements modified, and informed consent requirements established for parent and newborn infant toxicology tests and drug or alcohol screenings.

• House
  • 2/21/2023- Introduction and first reading, referred to Children and Families Finance and Policy
• Senate
  • none

Northstar Care Rate Changes

HF1521/SF1893

Northstar Care for Children assessment rate effective dates, relative search requirements, and termination of parental rights technical changes made; and technical corrections made to child support provision.

• House
  • 2/9/2023- Introduction and first reading, referred to Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
  • 3/1/2023- Committee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to Children and Families Finance and Policy
• Senate
  • 2/20/2023- Introduction and first reading, referred to Health and Human Services

Counties required to provide shelter to families experiencing homelessness

HF2272/SF2032

• House
  • 2/27/2023- Introduction and first reading, referred to Children and Families Finance and Policy
• Senate
  • 2/21/2023- Introduction and first reading, referred to Health and Human Services

Family homelessness prevention

HF1440/SF1367

Family homeless prevention and assistance program funding provided, report required, and money appropriated.

• House
  • 2/8/2023- Introduction and first reading, referred to Housing and Finance Policy
  • 2/13/2023- Kraft added as author
  • 2/27/2023- committee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to Ways and Means
• Senate
  • 2/8/2023- Introduction and first reading, referred to Housing and Homelessness Prevention
  • 2/9/2023- Mitchell added as author
  • 3/1/2023- Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Finance

Reduce CPS paperwork

HF1479/SF2141

Commissioner of human services directed to study and make recommendations for paperwork reduction relating to child protection cases, and report required

• House
  • 2/8/2023-  Introduction and first reading, referred to Children and Families Finance and Policy
  • 3/1/2023- Baker added as author
• Senate
  • 2/27/2023-  Introduction and first reading, referred to Health and Human Services

Biological father's eligibility addition to MN Fathers' Adoption Registry search

SF2106

Biological fathers’ eligibility addition to request Minnesota Fathers’ Adoption Registry search

• House
  • none
• Senate 
  • 2/27/2023-  Introduction and first reading, referred to Health and Human Services

Homeless youth pilot program

HF2008/SF1903

Homeless youth cash stipend pilot project established, report required, and money appropriated.

• House
  • 2/20/2023- Introduction and first reading, referred to Human Services Policy
• Senate 
  • 2/20/2023- Introduction and first reading, referred to Health and Human Services
  • 2/27/2023- Mitchell added as author

Upcoming events

• Feb 27-March 2 - MN Social Work Advocacy Week and Day at the Capitol
• March 9 - Mental Health Day on the Hill, AspireMN Advocacy Day at the Capitol
• March 22 - Safe Passage for Children's Day on the Hill