MN HF312

Expands mandatory court-appointed counsel for parents, guardians, and custodians in child protection cases involving risk of child removal, including child-in-need-of-protection petitions, removal actions, termination of parental rights, and permanent out-of-home placement proceedings.

Requires social services agencies to inform children age ten and older of their right to appointed counsel within 14 days of petition filing or emergency removal hearing, and to inform children of this right within 14 days of reaching age ten if already subject to a petition.

Establishes qualifications for county-retained counsel requiring minimum two years' experience in child protection cases, approved training, or supervision by a qualified attorney, as established by the Judicial Council.

Appropriates $520,000 for fiscal years 2022 and 2023 to reimburse counties for court-appointed counsel costs at emergency protective care hearings.

Requires commissioner of human services to collect statewide data on counsel presence at hearings, annual expenditures by county, and demographic information to assist with title IV-E reimbursement, with a report due by July 1, 2022.