Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to establish a comprehensive set of rights for children and youth in foster care in Minnesota, known as the Foster Youth Bill of Rights. The goal is to ensure that foster youth receive the same or better quality of care than they would outside of the foster system and to protect their privacy, safety, and access to resources.

Main Provisions

• Physical and Emotional Safety: Foster youth have the right to be free from abuse, discrimination, and punishment that is used unfairly. They are entitled to appropriate discipline and support tailored to their background and needs.

• Basic Needs and Normalcy: Foster youth should have their basic needs met, including adequate food, clothing appropriate to their gender identity, and personal belongings. They should experience a lifestyle similar to their peers who are not in foster care.

• Privacy: Foster youth have a right to privacy in communication and personal accommodations like bathrooms and changing rooms. The monitoring of communications is limited to safety concerns and must be documented.

• Health and Wellness: Foster youth should have access to quality healthcare, including mental health services and the right to consent to or refuse certain medical treatments.

• Family and Relative Connections: The bill supports maintaining strong connections with family, including siblings and relatives, and aims to facilitate regular communication and visits unless specific safety concerns arise.

• Community and Cultural Connections: Foster youth have the right to maintain cultural, ethnic, and community connections, supported by access to appropriate practices and materials.

• Education and Activities: The bill ensures access to stable and quality education, extracurricular activities, and resources necessary for academic success, without being penalized for issues related to foster care.

• Case Management and Planning: Involvement in case planning is emphasized, including having a guardian ad litem, case planning meetings, and updates on placements.

• Transition to Adulthood: The bill outlines the rights of foster youth in preparing for adulthood, including independent living plans and access to necessary resources as they age out of the system.

• Pregnant and Parenting Youth: Specific rights are granted to those who are pregnant or parenting, ensuring they maintain custody of their children unless legally determined otherwise.

• Feedback and Grievances: Foster youth are entitled to a process for providing feedback, filing complaints, and seeking assistance if their rights are violated without fear of retaliation.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill codifies a comprehensive set of rights specifically for foster youth in Minnesota, enforcing standards across various aspects of a foster child's life, from safety and health to personal relationships and education. It also sets up mechanisms for accountability and ensures the protection of these rights within the legal framework.

Relevant Terms

foster care, youth rights, privacy, harassment, health care, sibling relationships, education access, discrimination, transition to adulthood, case management, cultural connections, family connections, grievance procedures, LGBTQ rights, disability rights, pregnant and parenting youth rights.