MN HF4222

Commissioner of human services shall work with Red Lake Nation to transfer legal responsibility for child welfare and child protection services to the tribe for tribal members and families residing on the Red Lake Reservation in Beltrami and Clearwater Counties.

Transfer occurs in two phases: Phase I involves developing a plan for case transfer with funds for policy development, staff hiring, information technology, and ensuring tribal court compliance with federal IV-E requirements; Phase II implements the plan with funds for placement services, staff expenses, buildings, equipment, training, and family preservation services.

Beltrami and Clearwater Counties are relieved of responsibility for transferred services upon commissioner approval, and the commissioner shall transfer previously allocated county funds to the tribe including administrative and program funds.

Tribe must cooperate with commissioner in collecting and reporting information on child safety, permanency, and well-being outcomes in a format meeting all applicable state and federal requirements.

$4,950,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2019 for Phase I and $11,750,000 in fiscal year 2020 for Phase II; commissioner must submit a written progress report by January 15, 2019, with proposed legislation if needed to complete the transfer.