H.F. No. 3973 Summary

• Establishes the Minnesota African American Family Preservation Act requiring local social services agencies to use "active efforts" (a higher standard than "reasonable efforts") to prevent out-of-home placement of African American children and promote family reunification.

• Prohibits courts from terminating parental rights of African American parents based solely on failure to complete case plan requirements, except in cases involving specified serious crimes or egregious harm.

• Creates a 15-member African American Child Welfare Oversight Council appointed by the commissioner to monitor placements, review case plans, and ensure compliance with the act's provisions.

• Establishes the African American Child Well-Being Department within the Department of Human Services with a director and staff to oversee cases involving African American children and coordinate services.

• Authorizes direct grants to African American-led organizations and service providers for placement prevention, reunification services, family counseling, and related activities, with an unspecified appropriation from the general fund for fiscal year 2019.