Child care changes

"MN House"

03/28/2008

Published (3/28/2008)


(St. Paul, MN) -- Licensed and unlicensed family care providers would have to comply with a few new regulations, under a bill approved by the House Finance Committee.

HF3376, sponsored by Rep. Neva Walker (DFL-Mpls), would change eligibility for child care providers who care for their own children. A loophole would be removed that allows families to receive paid assistance for caring for their own children in a child care setting.

Other changes include:

• creating a Child Care Advisory Task Force to make recommendations to the Legislature on removing barriers facing families applying for and receiving child care assistance;

• requiring that child care licensees must place infants on their backs to sleep unless provided documentation by the parents from the infant's doctor; and

• requiring participants in the Minnesota Family Investment Program to maintain eligibility by developing either an employment plan or family stabilization services plan.

A companion bill, SF3170, sponsored by Sen. Patricia Torres Ray (DFL-Mpls), awaits action by the Senate Finance Committee.