Purpose of the Bill

The bill focuses on improving the efficiency and integrity of the child care assistance program in Minnesota. It aims to ensure proper management of funds, enhance oversight, and maintain the efficacy and fairness of the program.

Main Provisions

• Program Integrity Requirements: Establish rules and monitoring for ethical and accurate management of child care assistance to prevent misuse and fraud.
• Electronic Recordkeeping: Directs the creation of an electronic system to better track child care enrollment and associated data.
• Reporting Requirements: Mandates the commissioner of children, youth, and families to submit biennial reports to ensure transparency and accountability in managing child care aid.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Data Classification: Redefines how data related to child care assistance and payments are classified under the state's data practices statutes.
• Video Footage: Classifies video recordings of child care provider operations for protection under privacy statutes, ensuring sensitive operation footage is managed appropriately.
• Federal and State Collaboration: Enhances the cooperation framework between state and federal governments, increasing the department’s capacity to prevent fraudulent activities and coordinate services effectively.

Administrative Enhancements

• Performance Monitoring: Strengthens the performance evaluation of county agencies administering public assistance, ensuring compliance with set rules and effective program management.
• Fraud Detection and Prevention: Requires strategies to identify and rectify fraudulent behavior within the programs managed by the department.
• Collaboration with Tribal Nations: authorizes contracts and grants to Tribal Nations for developing child care programs and other assistance efforts, providing a structured collaboration.

Biennial and Fiscal Reporting

• Grant Tracking: The commissioner is tasked with tracking and reporting on grants and private contributions, maintaining transparency in financial management.
• Accountability for Overpayments: Counties need to identify overpayments actively and establish recovery procedures, with the state holding ultimate responsibility for overseeing corrections.

Relevant Terms

• Child care assistance program
• Program integrity
• Electronic recordkeeping
• Data classification
• Fraud prevention
• Tribal Nations collaboration
• Biennial report
• Public welfare compliance