By Stacy Gehringer
The legislature has been in session since February 12, and a lot is happening! CASCW has curated a list of child welfare related bills. Check out the Bill Tracker for timely updates from the Capitol. While this is not exhaustive, and of course issues overlap, the tracker offers an at-a-glance summary of specific issues related to child protection. We also encourage you to explore this handy glossary of legislative terms from the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Legislative Updates
Many organizations release annual legislative agendas based on particular advocacy work. For example, the National Association of Social Workers-MN (NASW) lists several broader priorities and specifically adopts the Institute to Transform Child Protection (ITCP) legislative agenda items related to improving child welfare practices. NASW-MN values and supports implementing child welfare policies that prioritize permanency options with parents or other family members. ITCP defines this priority by allowing counties to implement a community-based response to educational neglect cases and supporting relatives seeking custody with prior termination of parental rights on record by reducing the twenty-year ban to five years.
SF3694/HF3671: Authored by Sen. Pappas and Reps. Pinto and Feist, these bills allow children ages 10-12 to enter the child protection system instead of the juvenile justice system. The bill was referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety and Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee, respectively.
HF3856/SF3614: Authored by Rep. Jessica Hanson and Sens. Mitchell and Marty, respectively. The bills require that state and Tribal agencies which receive and use SSI funds designated for a child placed in foster care must notify the child and/or related parties, use the funds for the sole purpose of financing the child’s care, and submit an annual report listing the funds received and other relevant information to the commissioner of human services. The bills were sent to the Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee and Health and Human Services, respectively.
SF3820, authored by Sens. Mitchell and Hoffman, and HF3781, authored by Rep. Hicks, requires the Commissioner of Human Services to make recommendations on the costs and benefits of creating a statewide child maltreatment reporting system. The bills were sent to Health and Human Services and the Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee, respectively.
Upcoming Events
NASW Advocacy Week, Feb. 26-29 – happening now!
Participate in virtual Policy Prep Sessions (including free CEUs) on February 26, 27, and 28, and then go in-person to meet with legislators and attend NASW’s rally on February 29 at the Minnesota State Capitol. Advocate and organize for policies to support Social Workers and all Minnesotans. Learn more about NASW Advocacy Week.
- February 28 10:15am-11:15am Policy Prep: A focus on child protection
(Presenter: Hannah Burton & Miriam Itzkowitz, MSW, LICSW, Institute to Transform Child Protection)
Foster Child and Youth Day on the Hill, March 4
The 2024 Foster Child and Youth Day on the Hill will be on Monday, March 4! Bring your youth to advocate with other fosters for changes in the Minnesota foster care system! Register here to attend via the FCYDH website.
MSSA Day at the Capitol, March 4
Advocate with MSSA at their annual Day at the Capitol! This event is an opportunity to meet your lawmakers, get to know the State Capitol, and advocate for MSSA’s 2024 legislative agenda
Mental Health Day on the Hill, March 7
Join NAMI at Mental Health Day on the Hill. The theme this year is Spotlight Mental Health.
