CHILD CARE
Prepared by:
Melinda Hugdahl, Staff Attorney
Legal Services Advocacy Project
651-222-3749, ext. 107
mthugdahl@mnlsap.org

I. BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS
First Special Session, Chapter 1, Article 23, Section 3 (HF 1)
Effective May 22, 2010

A. FY 2010 Reduction
Makes a one-time reduction to MFIP child care assistance of $7,832,000 in fiscal year 2010, which represents a one-time capture of child care assistance funds scheduled for redistribution among the counties.

B. FY 2011 Appropriation
Appropriates an additional $2,579,000 in fiscal year 2011 for MFIP child care assistance grants.

II. EARLY CHILDHOOD SCREENING
Chapter 346, Article 1, Sections 1 - 3 (SF 2505)
Amends Minn. Stat. §§ 121A.16; 121A.17, subd. 5; and 124D.10, subd. 8
Effective August 1, 2010

Requires charter schools that elect to participate in early learning developmental screening to: (1) notify parents of the screening requirement when they submit an application for admission; and (2) comply with the statutory requirements applicable to public schools, which include screening before a child enters kindergarten and offering follow up screening if the initial screen indicates a condition that requires diagnosis or treatment. Provides that data collected through the screening process is private data.

III. ELIGIBILITY
Chapter 346, Article 2, Sections 1 and 2 (SF 2505)
Amends Minn. Stat. §§ 119B.025, subd. 1; and 119B.09, subd. 4
Effective October 15, 2010

Provides that income needs to be recalculated and program eligibility needs to be reconsidered only at the end of the school year (if the end of the school year is between six and 12 months since the last eligibility determination) for a parent who is: (1) under age 21; and (2) a student in a program that provides or assists with child care and provides parenting, educational, and academic support for the parent.

IV. SCHOOL READINESS
Chapter 346, Article 1, Sections 5, 7, and 8 (SF 2505)
Amends Minn. Stat. §§ 124D.141, subd. 2; and 124D.15, subd. 12
Adds Minn. Stat. § 124D.15, subd. 15
Effective August 1, 2010

A. Criteria for School Readiness Screening
Creates specific eligibility criteria for school readiness screening from a school district, if the child is: (1) three years old on September 1; (2) has completed health and developmental screening in the past 90 days; and (3) has a risk factor. (Note: risk factors include eligibility for free or reduced lunch, homelessness, developmental needs, or that the child is an English language learner.)
Adds Minn. Stat. § 124D.15, subd. 15

B. Fees
Requires schools to use school readiness aid for eligible children. Permits non-eligible children to participate on a fee-for-service basis.
Amends Minn. Stat. § 124D.15, subd. 12

V. STATE EARLY LEARNING ADVISORY COUNCIL
Chapter 346, Article 1, Sections 4 and 5 (SF 2505)
Amends Minn. Stat. § 124D.141, subds. 1 and 2
Effective August 1, 2010

Adds the commissioner of DOH as an advisory council member and requires the council to establish a task force to examine a multitude of issues, including: (1) streamlining resources and funding for both early learning and child care; (2) improving delivery service and choice for early learning and child care; (3) examining whether child care assistance and child protection facilities should be transferred from the DHS to the Office of Early Learning; and (4) making recommendations on a statewide school readiness report card.