MN SF2

Establishes abbreviated inspection process for family child care providers licensed three or more years with no Level 4 violations, using key indicators to predict compliance instead of full inspections.

Creates risk-based violation levels (Level 1-4) with corresponding enforcement actions ranging from verbal technical assistance to correction orders, with commissioner to develop report identifying violations by risk level by January 1, 2020.

Creates Office of Ombudsperson for Child Care Providers appointed by governor to assist providers with licensing, compliance, correction orders, and appeals, with appropriations of $114,000 in FY2020 and $120,000 in FY2021.

Reduces annual training hours for family child care from 16 to 10 hours and extends first aid and CPR training renewals from two years to five years; adds annual refresher training course requirement effective January 1, 2020.

Appropriates $75,000 for Family Child Care Task Force, $649,000 for child care provider grants, $140,000 for business training program, and $2,000,000 for Minnesota Initiative Foundations to increase child care provider supply, with 60 percent of funds directed outside seven-county metropolitan area.