Chapter 301 - Minnesota Laws 2010

• Establishes fraud disqualification procedures for wrongfully obtaining assistance under MFIP, food stamp programs, child care assistance, and other benefit programs with escalating penalties (1 year, 2 years, permanent disqualification based on offense number).

• Modifies MFIP transitional standards and exit levels to ensure participants do not lose eligibility until income reaches at least 115 percent of federal poverty guidelines, with annual adjustments based on food support cost-of-living changes.

• Extends foster care and child welfare services to age 21 for youth meeting specific conditions (completing secondary education, enrolled in postsecondary education, participating in employment programs, employed 80+ hours monthly, or incapable due to medical condition).

• Clarifies child welfare agency duties regarding reasonable efforts to prevent placement and reunify families, including culturally appropriate services and procedures for Indian children under the Indian Child Welfare Act.

• Reorganizes child care services grant programs under regional districts and establishes review committees to award grants for facility improvements, training, and capacity building for both licensed and legal nonlicensed child care providers.