HF3615 Summary

• Changes language from "shall" to "may" in statutes 260B.331 and 260C.331 to make court orders and agency requirements for parental reimbursement of out-of-home placement costs discretionary rather than mandatory.

• Requires social services agencies to consider three factors when determining whether to require parental reimbursement: impact on parent's ability to meet child's treatment/reunification needs, impact on meeting child's needs after reunification, and impact on parent's financial stability.

• Mandates social services agencies coordinate an initial phone call between foster parents and children's parents or legal guardians within 48 hours of placement (changed from 72 hours) to share information about the child's needs and promote stability, effective November 1, 2022.

• Adds new factor to child support guidelines (section 518A.43) requiring courts to consider whether redirecting child support to reimburse county costs would compromise parent's ability to meet reunification plan requirements or 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 pursuant to court order.