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HF2967 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

African American Child Well-Being Advisory Council reports modified; reports required; child protection workers, child welfare technology improvements, and Family First Prevention Services Act grants funding provided; and money appropriated.

Related bill: SF3300

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to enhance child protection services, with a particular focus on improving outcomes for African American children and other disproportionately represented groups within the Minnesota child welfare system. It seeks to provide better data collection, reporting, and accountability to address existing disparities.

Main Provisions

  • Child Welfare Case Review: The bill mandates comprehensive reviews of all child welfare cases involving African American and other disproportionately represented children. Social services agencies must submit detailed reports on various metrics, including the number of children in different stages of the welfare process and the racial demographics involved.

  • Annual Reporting Requirements: The African American Child Well-Being Advisory Council is required to produce an annual report starting in 2026. These reports will monitor activities, make recommendations for statutory changes, and assess county capacities to implement child protection statutes.

  • Remediation Plans: For agencies identified with disparities, the commissioner and agencies must develop and implement remediation plans with measurable outcomes to reduce disproportionate and ineffective welfare outcomes.

  • Funding Appropriations: The bill allocates funding to hire additional child protection workers, improve information technology systems for better data management, and implement Family First Prevention Services Act grants to prevent out-of-home placements.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Updates reporting schedules and requirements, shifting certain deadlines and expanding the scope of review and reporting.
  • Introduces new funding streams specifically aimed at improving technology and increasing workforce capacity in child protection services.

Relevant Terms

  • African American Child Well-Being Advisory Council
  • Disproportionality in Child Welfare
  • Remediation Plans
  • Family First Prevention Services Act
  • Child Protection Workers
  • Culturally Informed Services
  • Social Services Information System Improvements

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 31, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toChildren and Families Finance and Policy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New requirements for trend summary reports and remediation plans."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Specific deadlines for initial reports have been adjusted."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the requirements for child welfare case reviews under section 260.68 subdivision 2.",
      "modified": [
        "Case review processes and responsibilities shifted to commissioner."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "260.68",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Council must assess county capacity for implementation and report by specific deadlines."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This legislation amends requirements for annual reports by the African American Child Well-Being Advisory Council under section 260.691 subdivision 2.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies annual reporting responsibilities and deadlines."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "260.691",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  }
]

Sponsors