MN SF3995

Replaces the "active efforts" standard with "reasonable efforts" throughout the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act, lowering the legal threshold for social services agencies when working to prevent out-of-home placement and reunify families of African American and disproportionately represented children.

Repeals the statutory definition of "active efforts" (Minnesota Statutes 260.63, subdivision 2), which had required a "rigorous and concerted level of effort" exceeding the reasonable efforts standard and mandated continuous family involvement in case planning and services.

Applies the standard change across multiple sections governing out-of-home placement prevention, safety planning, family visitation during placement, identification of noncustodial parents and relatives, and termination of parental rights proceedings.

Maintains existing procedural requirements including court review of agency efforts, documentation requirements, mandatory case reviews tracking racial disproportionality data, and remediation plans for agencies showing disparities in child welfare outcomes (first report due October 1, 2029).