MN HF3276

Changes court orders for out-of-home placement costs from mandatory ("shall") to discretionary ("may") for both parents and children to reimburse counties, requiring agencies to assess whether reimbursement is in the child's best interest.

Requires social services agencies to consider three factors when determining reimbursement: whether it would compromise the parent's ability to meet the child's treatment/rehabilitation needs, post-reunification needs, or the parent's family financial stability.

Mandates an initial phone call between foster parents and the child's parent or legal guardian within 48 hours of placement to establish connections and share information about the child's needs and care.

Adds a factor to child support guidelines considerations regarding court-ordered out-of-home placement, allowing courts to consider whether redirecting child support to reimburse placement costs would compromise reunification plan compliance or post-reunification needs.

Directs the commissioner of human services to issue written guidance by August 1, 2020, to county agencies, foster parents, and facilities for implementing initial foster care phone call procedures.