MN HF3454

Creates a pilot project in select counties (including Hennepin County) to use disqualification provisions from section 256N.22, subdivision 4, for background studies of relatives applying for child foster care licenses, replacing the standard provisions in section 245C.15.

Requires the commissioner to align background study provisions across child foster care, adoption assistance, and kinship care assistance programs during the pilot project.

Establishes a child protection safety and risk-based framework response system pilot project in a cohort of counties (Hennepl County plus suburban, rural, and Indian-serving counties) to research and implement enhanced child safety responses using eight specified risk factors.

Requires reports to the legislature by June 1, 2019, on framework development progress and by June 1, 2020, on child safety outcomes, permanency rates, and maltreatment rates for both pilot projects.

Pilot project is deemed successful if children in relative foster homes experience the same or lower maltreatment rates and the same or higher permanency rates compared to noncohort counties; successful pilots may continue indefinitely.