Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to update and introduce policies related to human services in Minnesota, specifically focusing on background studies, reconsiderations by the Department of Corrections, and criminal penalties related to certain prohibited practices.

Main Provisions

• Administrative Disqualifications for Child Care Providers: The bill mandates administrative action against providers who commit intentional program violations, such as making false statements or misrepresenting information to receive benefits. It sets penalties for providers found guilty of violations, including disqualification from programs for three years after the first offense and permanently after any subsequent offenses.

• Prohibited Employment Practices in Child Care: The bill prohibits child care centers from hiring employees under conditions that involve exploiting child care assistance programs. It aims to prevent practices where employment is contingent on the misuse of child care assistance funds.

• Electronic Signatures: It allows the use of electronic signatures for documentation under certain human services statutes, streamlining processes and reducing the need for physical paperwork.

• Background Study Amendments: The bill revises the way background information is used to disqualify individuals from working within human services. It specifies conditions under which the commissioner can review criminal history and arrest information and limits the sharing of certain private data.

• Setaside Provisions for Disqualifications: It details provisions for the set-aside of disqualifications, particularly for those in the substance use disorder field, allowing these individuals to continue working under certain conditions without new risk indicators.

• Wrongful Assistance and Theft: The bill clarifies what constitutes the wrongful obtaining of public assistance and the associated penalties. It includes provisions against fraudulent practices such as submitting false claims or receiving kickbacks for child care assistance.

• Legal Representation for Human Services: It specifies the roles of the attorney general and county attorneys in prosecuting offenses related to wrongful receipt of assistance and other specified crimes.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill introduces stricter oversight and penalties for child care providers who misuse assistance programs.
• It updates criteria for conducting background studies and sharing information, enhancing privacy protections while maintaining thorough checks.
• New provisions are included for using electronic signatures across specified processes, making operations more efficient.

Relevant Terms

• Intentional Program Violation
• Child Care Assistance
• Background Study
• Electronic Signature
• Disqualification Setaside
• Wrongfully Obtaining Assistance
• Kickback
• Legal Representation