HF4537 Summary

• Modifies data classification rules for child care licensing, making correction orders and fines private data after seven years old and clarifying public disclosure of licensing violations and maltreatment determinations.

• Establishes new personnel requirements for licensed child-placing agencies, requiring supervision of casework by a licensed social worker, licensed clinician, or trained culturally competent professional with relevant field experience.

• Updates child care center regulations including annual unannounced inspections, reusable water bottle policies, risk reduction plans with specific safety procedures, and staffing requirements for directors and designees.

• Defines new age categories for license-exempt certified child care centers (infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school-age children) and establishes staff-to-child ratios and maximum group sizes for each category.

• Directs the commissioner to develop a continuous license process for family child foster care and repeals Minnesota Rules part 9545.0805, subpart 1, shifting child-placing agency supervision requirements from rules to statute.