MN HF1435

Consolidates adoption and kinship assistance programs into a single "Northstar" system under chapter 256N, repealing the separate chapter 259A adoption assistance statute.

Excludes children whose parents share custody with relative custodians from Northstar kinship assistance eligibility and requires permanent legal and physical custody to be held by the relative alone.

Establishes nonrecurring expense reimbursement up to $2,000 for both adoptive parents and relative custodians seeking permanent legal and physical custody, with 21-month submission deadlines.

Requires completion of detailed social and medical histories for all children in foster care by their permanency progress review hearing or within six months of placement, whichever occurs earlier.

Updates court review procedures and placement requirements to align terminology across child welfare statutes and permits expedited permanency arrangements without requiring six months of licensed foster parent placement when deemed in the child's best interest.