Section 1 provides legislative findings regarding the Minnesota Family Investment program and children in the program.

Section 2 (16A.152, subd. 2) modifies the Department of Management and Budget chapter of law, specifically the section of law relating to accounting that lists programs in order of priority that will receive funds if there is a positive unrestricted budgetary general fund balance.  This bill adds fifth on the priority list “MFIP or other TANF-eligible programs in an amount equal to the amount refinanced since 1997.”

Section 3 (119B.05, subd. 1) amends child care assistance by adding that MFIP child only cases are eligible for CCAP for 20 hours per week, if the child is not enrolled in any other early childhood programming.

Section 4 (256J.24, subd. 5) strikes a reference to the family cap, which is repealed in section 10.

Section 5 requires the Commissioner of Human Services to include in MFIP monthly reports information regarding the number and ages of children: receiving MFIP; affected by sanctions; and in families exceeding the 60-month time limit and incorporate measures of child well-being into DHS management reports and annual reports.

Section 6, Subdivision 1, establishes the MFIP child well-being pilot project in up to three counties to determine effective strategies to increase child well-being, and especially improve school readiness.

Subdivision 1a defines "child well-being."

Subdivision 2 provides the goals of the pilot project. 

Subdivision 3 allows counties to apply for participation in the pilot.  The commissioner determines what counties will participate based on the application.

Subdivision 4 lists the services that are available, which include information regarding healthy child development, resources to support parenting, and specialized services to prevent or mitigate developmental delays.

Subdivision 5 provides that caregivers participating in the pilot must be allowed to include participation in an approved early childhood program as an approved activity in the caregiver’s employment plan.  The activity hours count toward the total hourly requirements in the employment plan.

Subdivision 6 requires a report by January 15, 2017, on the pilot project.

Subdivision 7 expires the pilot on June 30, 2016.

Section 7 directs the Commissioner of Management and Budget to report on issues associated with incorporating long-term costs and benefits of investments or disinvestments in early childhood programs into state budget estimates, including fiscal notes.

Section 8 is a blank appropriation from the general fund for the pilot project established in section 7.

Section 9 is a revisor instruction to change the Minnesota Family Investment Program to the Minnesota Families and Children Assistance Program.

Section 10 repeals the MFIP family cap.