This bill, H.F. No. 1424, introduced in the Minnesota House of Representatives, focuses on modifying foster care licensing, training, and background study requirements for relative caregivers, as well as changes to the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP). It also includes appropriations for foster care and relative caregiver support.

Key Provisions of the Bill

1. Expanded Definition of "Individual Who is Related"

   • Includes non-biological figures who have significant relationships with the child or the child's parents/custodians.

2. Foster Care Licensing for Relative Caregivers

   • Requires licensure for relatives (excluding parents and legal guardians) providing foster care.
     
   • Allows applicants to choose between county or private licensing agencies, with counties required to provide relevant information.
     
   • Calls for support materials and resources to be distributed to relative foster caregivers.

3. Training Requirements for Relative Foster Caregivers

   • Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) and Abusive Head Trauma Training
     
     • Required for foster parents caring for children under five.
       
     • Relative placements have 30 days after receiving a license to complete training.
       
   • Child Passenger Safety Training
     
     • Foster providers caring for children under eight must complete training on child car seat safety.
       
     • Relatives in emergency placements can receive a variance if they complete a car seat safety check-up.
       
   • Mental Health and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Training
     
     • Relative foster parents must receive at least six hours of training per year (compared to the general 12-hour requirement).
       

4. Background Study Modifications for Relative Caregivers

   • Adjusts who must undergo a background check in a household.
     
   • Limits automatic disqualifications for relative foster caregivers unless involving serious violent crimes, sexual misconduct, or repeat child abuse/neglect cases.
     
   • Reduces the lookback period for some criminal offenses for relatives seeking to become licensed.

5. Changes to Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)

   • Expands "family" definition to include more relative caregivers.
     
   • Relative caregivers receiving benefits under TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) will be exempt from the 60-month time limit on assistance.

6. Appropriations

   • Funding for relative caregiver grant programs for FY 2026 and 2027.
     
   • Grants to counties and community partners to purchase mobile or at-home fingerprinting devices to speed up background checks.

7. Mandates for Relative Foster Care Materials and Licensing Streamlining

   • The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families must provide licensing materials in 20 languages, American Sign Language (ASL), and accessible formats for individuals with disabilities.
     
   • A condensed foster care licensing guide tailored for relative foster caregivers must be developed by December 2025 to simplify and expedite the process.

Overall Impact

This bill streamlines the licensing process for relative foster caregivers, expands training programs, reduces background check barriers, and increases financial support for kinship care providers through state welfare programs. It aims to make it easier for relatives to become foster caregivers while maintaining child safety standards.