MN SF3921

Changes mandatory language to discretionary language ("shall" to "may") for court orders requiring parents to reimburse counties for child care, examination, and treatment costs in delinquency and child protection cases.

Requires local social services agencies to determine whether reimbursement is in the child's best interest by considering whether it would compromise the parent's ability to meet reunification plan requirements, the child's post-reunification needs, or family financial stability.

Adds a new factor to child support guidelines requiring courts to consider whether redirecting child support to reimburse counties for out-of-home placement costs would compromise a parent's ability to meet reunification plan requirements or the child's post-reunification needs.

Exempts parents from reimbursement obligations during trial home visits when a child is temporarily returned to the parent's home under section 260C.201.

Clarifies that for delinquency cases where a victim is a family member, courts may consider the offense severity and parents' expenses (including mental health treatment and attorney fees) when determining parental contribution amounts.