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S.F. No. 460 - Modifying Provisions Related to Children and Family Services
 
Author: Senator Jeff Hayden
 
Prepared By: Joan White, Senate Counsel (651/296-3814)
 
Date: February 18, 2013



 

Section 1 (13.46, subd. 2) amends the Data Practices Act, to expand access to child support data.  Current law allows sharing of information about parents only.  This provision expands sharing to include other family members.

Section 2 (119B.02, subd. 2) clarifies that the state shall make payments, instead of a tribe being reimbursed, for child care assistance.

Section 3 (119B.09, subd. 6) clarifies that the maximum amount of child care assistance that may be paid, instead of authorized, is 120 hours for a two-week period.

Section 4 (119B.09, subd. 13) expands authorization of child care assistance for child cared for in the child's home.  This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Section 5 (256E.30, subd. 5) provides that in the even community action agencies merge, the newly created agency receives a base funding amount equal to the sum of the merged agencies’ base amounts at the time of the merger.

            Sections 6-23 modify Minnesota Family Investment (MFIP) statutes.

Section 6 (256J. 09, subd. 3) requires the county agency to inform the person of the option to conduct a face-to-face or an Internet telepresence interview.

Section 7 (256J. 20, subd. 3) modifies MFIP property limitations regarding car values, requiring the trade-in instead of the loan value be used when determining asset limits.

Sections 8, 9, and 11 (256J.21, subd. 2; 256J. 24, subd. 3; 256J.30, subd. 12) are technical; correct cross-references.

Section 10 (256J.30, subd. 4) allows the county to reinstate benefits if the participant submits necessary forms by the last day of the recertification period.

Section 12 (256J.32, subd. 6) adds language to allow recertification interviews to be conducted by phone or Internet telepresence.

Section 13 (256J.32, subd. 8) allows an applicant for MFIP to provide a signed personal statement as verfication under certain circumstances.

Section 14 (256J.38, subd. 6) limits retroactice reimbursement for MFIP underpayments to 12 months prior to the discovery of the underpayment.

Section 15 (256J.49, subd. 13) modifies authorized MFIP work activities, by changing the term “unpaid” work to “uncompensated” work and striking the term “volunteer work.”

Section 16 (256J.521, subd. 1) requires mental and chemical health and special learning needs screening be completed by participants within three months of the development of the employment plan.

Sections 17 and 19 (256J.521, subd. 2; 256J.53, subd.5) allow three months, instead of six weeks, for job search, which results in the review of employment plans and assessment occuring at the same time.

Section 18 (256J.53, subd. 2) requires the participant to work with the job counselor to document the information necessary for postsecondary education or training.

Section 20 (256J.575, subd. 7) modifies MFIP sanctions related to individuals in the family stabilization plan to clarify that sanctions will not be imposed if the individual is complying with the plan, as provided in this section.

Section 21 (256J.621) modifies the work participation cash benefit, which provides $25 per month for individuals exiting MFIP, by clarifying when eligibility is assessed and when payments begin.

Sections 22 and 23 (256J.626, subd. 7; 256J.626, subd. 8) amend the performance base funding formula to award counties or tribes five percent of their initial allocation if the county or tribe performs within or above its self-support index.  The self-support index is an outcome measure that tracks whether participants are working 30 hours per week or no longer receiving MFIP for a period of time.  Current law awards counties 2.5 percent for self-support index and 2.5 percent for meeting work participation rate goals.  

Sections 24 to 29 and 31 (256J.67; 256J.68, subd. 1; 256J.68, subd. 2; 256J.68, subd. 4; 256J.68, subd. 7; 256J.68, subd. 8; and 256K.26, subd. 4) are technical; update terminology and cross-references.

Section 30 (256J.751, subd. 2) prohibits the commissioner from applying the cap limits on vocational and educational training on a county by county basis.  The commissioner will determine the number of participants in education and training on a statewide basis.

            Sections 32-35 amend the Maltreatment of Minors Act.

Section 32 (626.556, subd. 2) modifies the definition of “report.”

Sections 33 and 35 (626.556, subd. 7; 626.5561, subd. 1) require the local welfare agency assessing reports  of maltreatment to accept the report, even if the reporter does not provide a name, provided the report is sufficient in content.  Section 33 also requires that the agency shall inform the reporter within ten days whether the report was accepted, if requested by the reporter.

Section 34 (626.556, subd. 11c) clarifies that certain maltreatment records be maintained for a period of four years after the date of the final entry in the case record. 

 
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