HF5033 Summary

• Establishes a Department of Human Services systemic critical incident review team to review critical incidents and child fatalities/near fatalities in licensed facilities, identifying systemic influences rather than individual culpability, with annual public reporting by October 1.

• Creates a statewide child mortality review panel consisting of commissioners from multiple state departments, appointed professionals, and lived-experience members to review child fatalities and near fatalities where maltreatment was a contributing cause, with local review teams in each county conducting initial reviews.

• Requires local welfare agencies to notify the commissioner within 3 business days of determining maltreatment caused or contributed to a critical incident; panel must complete joint or local reviews within 120 days and compile reports with systemic learnings and recommendations.

• Establishes a Supreme Court Council on Child Protection to develop a comprehensive blueprint improving Minnesota's child protection system by January 15, 2026, with diverse membership including judges, professionals, and individuals with lived experience; appropriates $800,000 for fiscal year 2025.

• Protects review proceedings and records as confidential data not subject to discovery or subpoena; participants and members cannot be questioned about information presented or opinions formed during reviews, though information from other sources remains discoverable.