Transcript Highlights:

• Article 3 similarly are forecast adjustments for the Department of Children, Youth and Families, or DCYF
• Article 3 similarly are forecast adjustments for the Department of Children, Youth and Families, or DCYF
• Children, Youth and Department of Children, Youth and Families,<00:03:41.760> or<00:03:41.880> DCYF
• Families, or DCYF. Families, or DCYF.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The conference committee on Senate File 4282 met with a quorum present and heard a walkthrough of the bill, which contains forecast adjustments for several agencies. Senate staff explained that Article 1 makes education forecast adjustments for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, Article 2 adjusts appropriations for the Department of Human Services, Article 3 does the same for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, and Article 4 increases special transportation services funding for Metropolitan Council programs including Metro Mobility and Metro Move by $8.9 million in FY 2026 and $10.9 million in FY 2027 to match the February forecast. House staff noted that the House language matched Article 1 but did not include Articles 2 through 4. Representative Youakim presented amendment A26-0180, describing six sections that add provisions on paraprofessional qualifications, aid for tribal contract schools tied to revised permanent school fund distributions, expanded allowable uses of school operating capital revenue to include certain utility costs, an extension of an existing appropriation for gender-neutral single-use restrooms, and two school district fund transfer provisions for West St. Paul/Mendota Heights/Eagan and Maple Lake. Members discussed that several items were no-cost and that some fund transfer language had been previously discussed in committee. The amendment was adopted on an 8-0 roll call vote. After adopting the amendment, the committee voted on the bill as amended. The conference committee agreement for Senate File 4282 passed on an 8-0 vote, and the meeting was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <04:25:23.520> because and Susan Larabe from DCYF because and Susan Larabe from DCYF because
• um does DCYF already take into um does DCYF already take into consideration<04:26:40.239> the<
• The witness continued that DCYF is always recruiting homes.
• I had to run out as DCYF testified. I'm also in committee.
• I had to run out as DCYF waiting for me.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When it came back over to provide an annual program integrity report from both DHS and DCYF that directs
• integrity<00:05:09.880> with<00:05:10.120> DHS<00:05:10.840> and<00:05:11.080> DCYF
• <00:05:12.560> So<00:05:12.720> in integrity with DHS and DCYF.
• So in integrity with DHS and DCYF.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House considered Senate amendments to House File 3629, a grants-management and anti-fraud bill. Representative Bonner explained that the bill clarifies definitions so grants can be terminated for individuals and related parties convicted of fraud, narrows agency exception authority, strengthens whistleblower privacy protections, and allows agencies to permanently withhold payments when there is a credible allegation of fraud. It also incorporates provisions from another Senate bill and adds annual program integrity reporting from DHS and DCYF with a five-year look-back. Representative Cleghorn and Representative Nash spoke in support, emphasizing anti-fraud protections and the bill’s bipartisan support in the Senate. The House concurred in the Senate amendments and then passed the bill on third reading. A roll call vote followed, and House File 3629 was repassed as amended by the Senate by a vote of 134 yeas and 0 nays, with the title agreed to. The chamber then received first readings for House Files 5161 and 5162. Later, members offered remarks thanking House staff, including the Sergeant at Arms Office, nonpartisan research and fiscal staff, the Revisor’s Office, the Chief Clerk’s Office, and front desk staff. The session then shifted to parliamentary inquiries about Senate File 3699, a comprehensive response package related to Operation Metro Surge and gun violence prevention, with the Speaker stating the bills were still under review. After further questioning and a point of order, Representative Niska moved a recess to the call of the Speaker, and the House recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:06.159> and<00:08:06.360> start<00:08:06.680> talking<00:08:07.120> dcyf
• like to come up and start talking dcyf like to come up and start talking dcyf and<00:08:08.440><
• And then we think about our DCYF system.
• engagement really is the heart of dcyf engagement really is the heart of dcyf and<00:53:40.880><
• young adults coming out of the dcyf young adults coming out of the dcyf system<01:52:27.840>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: House Finance Division III held an informational hearing with the Department of Health and Human Services focused on child and family services, children’s behavioral health, DCF, juvenile justice, and adult mental health. Before the presentation, members discussed scheduling a future site visit to Waypoint, including possible dates, mileage reimbursement logistics, and whether to reschedule the department’s developmental disabilities and healthy aging presentation because the associate commissioner was out sick. The department then outlined that it would concentrate on children’s behavioral health, DCF residential care and the Sununu Youth Services Center/YDC new build, and adult mental health, while noting the broader DHHS structure and the value of keeping related services under one leadership. The department emphasized an integrated “system of care” approach and said it was trying to shift resources toward earlier, lower-intensity interventions rather than relying mainly on high-cost residential and acute services. It cited youth risk data showing roughly four in ten New Hampshire high school students feeling sad or hopeless and about one in five considering suicide in the past year, and said these trends worsened during the pandemic, peaking in 2021 and easing somewhat by 2023. Members asked how New Hampshire compared with neighboring states and about pre-COVID trends; the department said it would follow up with more exact data. The presentation also described a long-term policy effort beginning with federal funding in 2012, the state’s 10-year mental health plan, and later legislation aimed at strengthening children’s behavioral health and transforming juvenile justice so that youth with behavioral health needs are not routed into punitive systems first. Members raised questions about out-of-state residential placement oversight and the statutory basis for inspections and follow-up. The department said the General Court had funded more “boots on the ground” oversight, in coordination with the Office of the Child Advocate, and agreed to provide a longer follow-up presentation on that topic after the governor’s budget is released. The department also described evidence-based prevention efforts, including home visiting programs such as Healthy Families America and a DCF-connected home visiting cohort for families already touching the child welfare system, as examples of trying to keep children out of deeper system involvement.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll start on slide one with our DCYF mission, and our mission is to really partner with families and
• And I do want to emphasize the work that DCYF does on behalf of children and youth with their families
• An overview of DCYF, including our mission, some data, and information about our strategic priorities
• I'll start on slide one with our DCYF mission, and our mission is to really partner with families and
• And I do want to emphasize the work that DCYF does on behalf of children and youth with their families

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with committee process reminders from the chair, including rules for questioning witnesses, time limits for testimony, and how motions and committee reports are handled. The chair also discussed the committee’s history, emphasized a cooperative approach with agencies and the Judiciary, and noted that a special committee on the Family Division of Circuit Court had previously done useful work; he said a new subcommittee could be appointed later to continue looking at judicial-system issues. He also mentioned that the Speaker’s office was expected to name members to the DHHS oversight committee by Friday at 1. The substantive presentation was from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau of Child Support Services. Attorney John Williams introduced the bureau team, and Bureau Chief Lisa Dekowski described the program’s mission: encouraging responsible parenting, family self-sufficiency, and child well-being by locating parents, establishing paternity, setting or modifying support orders, and enforcing court-ordered child and medical support. She said the bureau operates statewide under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, works with courts, employers, and other partners, and serves both in-state and out-of-state cases, with some international and tribal coordination. She also cited program scale, saying the bureau dispersed about $76 million to families in New Hampshire in fiscal year 2023 and that most collections go directly to families. Members asked about enforcement tools, especially passport denial. In response to a question about a case involving a very small shortfall, the bureau said the federal passport-denial threshold is $2,500 in arrears, not a few cents, and that denial remains in place until the balance is resolved or an arrangement is made with the agency, with hardship factors potentially considered. The bureau also explained that either parent can apply for services when a child support order exists and that the bureau can help initiate income withholding orders. No votes or formal actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <04:26:36.920> at are primarily offered through dcyf at are primarily offered through dcyf
• DCYF, Susan Laraby, Jennifer Ross, come up.
• Susan Laraby, DCF general counsel. dcyf Susan larabe Jennifer Ross come dcyf Susan larabe Jennifer Ross
• Jen Ross, Deputy Director, DCYF.
• She added that if matters end up in court, DCYF has access to evaluations and providers, but DCYF social

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House Children and Family Law Committee met on January 28, 2025, and first heard House Bill 322, which would give a parent paying child support the exclusive right to claim the child as a dependent on taxes. Representative Barton, the sponsor, argued that because child support is no longer tax-deductible, the paying parent should at least receive the child tax credit. Committee members and later testimony from New Hampshire Legal Assistance raised concerns that the bill would override court discretion, could disadvantage low-income custodial parents, and would not account for cases where child support payments are small or where parents share support unevenly. Several members noted that judges already allocate dependency claims in divorce orders and can modify those orders when circumstances change. After testimony, the committee moved to ITL (inexpedient to legislate) HB 322. The motion was seconded, discussion continued, and the roll call was unanimous in favor of ITL. The committee then placed the bill on consent and ended the executive session on HB 322. The committee next took up House Bill 325, which would eliminate term and reimbursement alimony in no-fault divorces. Representative Barton testified that alimony in those cases was akin to involuntary servitude and should not survive dissolution of the marriage contract. The hearing then moved into questions about whether alimony is meant to compensate a spouse for sacrifices made during the marriage, such as supporting a partner through school or staying home with children, and the sponsor maintained that post-divorce support should not continue as a marital obligation. The transcript cuts off before any vote or further action on HB 325 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the majority of what will be DCYF is still currently under the Department of Human Services.
• However, the majority of what will be DCYF is still currently under the Department of Human Services.
• However, the majority of what will be DCYF is still currently under the Department of Human Services.
• um became effective this last um dcyf um became effective this last July<00:42:52.960> um<00:
• After DCYF and DCT became their own agencies, their budget hasn't changed much, down about $2 billion

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee convened for an opening discussion of the 2025 Human Services session, with members emphasizing bipartisan collaboration, the committee’s mission to strengthen support systems for Minnesotans, and a focus on helping vulnerable people thrive. The chair and members welcomed new and returning senators and staff, including new pages and interim committee administration, and several members briefly introduced themselves and their backgrounds in public service and human services work. Members identified the main issues they expect to address this session: workforce shortages in human services professions, long-term care, program integrity, and efforts to limit waste, fraud, and abuse so funding reaches people who need it most. The chair also previewed upcoming hearings on eligibility and redeterminations for people with disabilities, MnCHOICES reassessments, assisted living and provider payment delays, and updates on direct care and treatment, noting that more detailed discussion would come in later meetings. The committee then received a budget overview from fiscal analyst Kyle Raymond. He explained the combined Health and Human Services budget area, noted jurisdiction changes tied to the creation of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families and the planned separation of Direct Care and Treatment, and said some figures may differ from the November forecast because of those shifts. He outlined the major funding sources for the budget area, including federal funds and the general fund, and said the presentation would focus on the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget the legislature will be considering.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's for DHS and one for DCYF.
• It's for DHS and one for DCYF.
• It's for DHS and one for DCYF.
• It's for DHS and one for DCYF.
• It's for DHS and one for DCYF.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so this includes all of the items from the DCYF budget bill, Senate File 2705, that fall within this
• There were no recommendations in the governor's budget for DCYF that impacted um these programs specifically
• budget bill, Senate File 2705, the DCYF budget bill, Senate File 2705, that<00:04:53.440> fall
• that impacted um these programs for DCYF that impacted um these programs specifically<00:05:07.199><
• worked with our colleagues over at DCYF worked with our colleagues over at DCYF to<00:49:16.240>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's actually a DCYF issue. There's a child welfare issue. We have to have robust conversations.
• It's actually a DCYF issue. There's a child welfare issue. We have to have robust conversations.
• It's actually a DCYF issue. There's a child welfare issue. We have to have robust conversations.
• It's actually a DCYF issue. There's a child welfare issue. We have to have robust conversations.
• It's actually a DCYF issue. There's a child welfare issue. We have to have robust conversations.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• um placements from DCYF um placements from DCYF and<01:32:20.880> um<01:32:22.080> some
• Don't ask that's a that's a DCYF issue.
• So DCYF pays for that board.
• We receive kids from DCYF, and we just kind of go with it.
• Um we work with uh Services, DCYF, BHS.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SEECAP is actually um uh a different funding area now is run by DCYF, and um the Feeding Our Future scandal
• SEECAP is actually um uh a different funding area now is run by DCYF, and um the Feeding Our Future scandal
• now<00:03:59.960> is<00:04:00.120> run<00:04:00.280> by<00:04:00.520> DCYF
• ,<00:04:01.480> and<00:04:02.040> um funding area now is run by DCYF, and um funding
• area now is run by DCYF, and um the<00:04:03.160> the<00:04:03.360> feed<00:04:03.800>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee Chair Kristen Robbins opened the meeting by explaining that the committee’s majority report had been released after the minority declined to file a minority report, though the minority later issued a statement. She said the report reflects two years of work aimed at exposing fraud, strengthening internal controls, and creating a whistleblower portal, mnfraud.com, which will remain open during the interim to receive and review tips. Robbins and several Republican members described the report as documenting how fraud in Minnesota began with earlier CCAP-related schemes and then expanded into Feeding Our Future and other programs, including housing stabilization, autism services, sober homes, adult day care, assisted living, non-emergency medical transportation, and interpretive services. They argued that fraud was enabled by weak oversight, a culture of inaction, and retaliation against whistleblowers, and said the report includes findings and recommendations for future reforms. Members also highlighted bipartisan bills already passed to strengthen whistleblower protections, internal controls, and fraud reporting. Representative Pam Altendorf and others praised the report and said it exposed widespread misuse of public funds, citing housing stabilization and autism services as examples of programs with rapidly growing costs and weak oversight. Representative Isaac Schultz said the committee had uncovered “industrial-scale” fraud and that the state had failed to hold agencies accountable. He and Robbins said the new Office of Inspector General, created by legislation passed this session and set to begin in January, will have broad authority to investigate public dollars and, later, police powers; they also noted a salary-setting provision for the office would be added to a state government bill. The members said the next governor will need to change the culture of state agencies and enforce accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first provision is the DCYF portion of the governor's fraud prevention package: the completion of
• DCYF has been records won't be new.
• DCYF has been using<00:53:14.960> electronic<00:53:15.599> attendance<00:53:16.000>
• was establishing um our chief DCYF was establishing um our chief compliance<00:53:43.200> officer
• also includes two FTE in the DCYF also includes two FTE in the DCYF compliance<00:54:03.599>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the DCYF programs organized into four different administrations.
• We have the DCYF programs organized into four different administrations.
• is coordinating with other state dcyf is coordinating with other state agencies<00:19:06.840> to<
• You mentioned something like $2.5 billion in federal funding that DCYF receives, and my question is,
• <00:48:32.880> receives<00:48:33.200> and<00:48:33.359> my funding that dcyf

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• These are DHS costs for the governor's IT proposal, which is primarily a DCYF proposal.
• This one deals with money moving back and forth between DHS and DCYF.
• between DHS and DCYF. between DHS and DCYF.
• That is the end of proposals for DCYF.
• That is the end of proposals for DCYF. That is the end of proposals for DCYF.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we will move to Senate File 2705 in relation to DCYF. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• <00:54:00.319> Senator 2705 in relation to DCYF. Senator 2705 in relation to DCYF.
• Um, this is the DCYF policy bill.
• For the record, Nick Dem with DCYF.
• SF 2778 is the DCYF policy bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:16:09.800> Um technical language from DCYF. Um technical language from DCYF.
• /c><01:02:52.760> It<01:02:52.880> creates<01:02:53.680> has<01:02:53.840> DCYF
• It creates has DCYF of here on 47.
• <01:13:26.600> has<01:13:26.760> said, changes based on what DCYF has said, changes
• based on what DCYF has said, based<01:13:27.720> on<01:13:27.840> what<01:13:28.000>

Bills: HF4382, HF2929

Keywords: child care, day care, child care center, family child care, family day care, group family day care, licensed child care, licensing modernization, early childhood education, preschool, infant care, toddler care, school-age care, drop-in child care, night care, sick care, community-based child care, provider training, staff ratios, group size

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment also responds directly to questions raised by DHS and DCYF in their recent letter.
• <00:02:17.680> It<00:02:17.920> confirms DCYF in their recent letter.
• It confirms DCYF in their recent letter.
• So, you'll see for DCYF here, they're saying $229,000 in fiscal 27 and $246,000 ongoing annually.
• The Department of Health begins on page 30 and, like DCYF, has costs that they are reporting related

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• while Andrew's getting going, next up, just know we're going to have Juvenile Court administrators, DCYF
• while Andrew's getting going next up, just know we're going to have Juvenile Court administrators, DCYF
• We're going to next up after our virtual presenter will be Jennifer and Jenny from DCYF, and then I see
• then Jenny Hadden, who we're familiar with, but now has the title of Chief Programming Officer for DCYF
• Also, we've done a lot of work in the PEL space in the DOC, and so ongoing conversations with DOC and DCYF

Summary: The committee heard testimony on the effects of H.R. 1 on Washington’s Medicaid, developmental disability, long-term care, and food assistance systems, followed by a separate discussion of juvenile rehabilitation caseloads and placement capacity. DSHS officials said HR1 could affect home equity rules, immigration-related eligibility, work requirements for some expansion-population enrollees, and provider taxes, while also creating a future opportunity for a new 1915(c) waiver. Advocates and providers warned that any state response that cuts home and community-based services would worsen already thin provider networks, increase waiting lists, push more people into hospitals or out-of-state placements, and strain families and workers. A pediatric behavioral health expert and a supported living provider said Medicaid reimbursement is already too low and further reductions would threaten outpatient, residential, and inpatient services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and severe behavioral needs. The committee then turned to SNAP and the state food assistance program. DSHS said HR1 would tighten work requirements and exemptions, end some immigrant eligibility for the federal program, eliminate the SNAP education program, raise state administrative costs, and eventually require Washington to share in benefit costs based on its error rate. Officials estimated large numbers of residents could lose or see reduced benefits, with significant added state costs. Anti-hunger advocates, a food bank director, and a SNAP recipient described the program as essential for low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities, and said the changes would increase paperwork, reduce benefits, and worsen food insecurity while also harming local food economies. Testimony emphasized that food banks cannot replace SNAP and that work requirements may be difficult to meet for caregivers, people with disabilities, and those facing child care or transportation barriers. In the juvenile justice portion, the Caseload Forecast Council presented the JR forecast, which is currently mostly flat through the end of the biennium but expected to grow modestly over the longer term. Members discussed how policy choices, including the 2019 JR-25 law, have increased lengths of stay for adult-sentenced youth in JR, while diversion and other reforms have affected regular JR trends. A court researcher explained the data available to help forecast admissions and noted ongoing efforts to improve data sharing with JR, AOC, and county systems, though staffing and system-lag issues limit how quickly data can be produced. Juvenile court administrators and DCYF officials described the community-based juvenile justice continuum, rising complexity in the JR population, overcrowding at Green Hill and placement constraints at Echo Glen and Harbor Heights, and the need for more flexible community transition and mental health capacity. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And my other question is, could this be used to circumvent a DCYF investigation?
• Um, as circumvent a DCYF investigation?
• that that would necessarily prevent DCYF that that would necessarily prevent DCYF from<01:43:22.239
• With both DCYF and the guardian ad litem.
• That is through CASA which is of DCYF.

Keywords: 1189, house, all