1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to human services; proposing a family day care demonstration project; 
1.3 	requiring reports; authorizing rulemaking authority.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. FAMILY DAY CARE; DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.
 1.6 		Subdivision 1.Project. A two-year demonstration project is authorized to be 
1.7 	conducted by Catherwood Home Child Care in conjunction with the commissioner 
1.8 	of human services.
1.9 		Subd. 2.Purpose. The purpose of the demonstration project is to study a new 
1.10 	classification for family day care that would allow flexibility to the provider to care for 
1.11 	school-age children in excess of licensed capacity for limited periods throughout the day 
1.12 	under specified circumstances.
1.13 		Subd. 3.Program requirements. (a) The demonstration project must comply with 
1.14 	the following standards:
1.15 	(1) only school-age children shall be accepted for care in excess of licensed capacity;
1.16 	(2) the program may provide care for school-age children in excess of licensed 
1.17 	capacity for not more than ten hours during a 24-hour period;
1.18 	(3) the program may provide care for school-age children in excess of licensed 
1.19 	capacity only during nontraditional hours, after school, during shift change, during the 
1.20 	summer, and on days when school is not in session;
1.21 	(4) the program shall maintain a 7:1 child-to-staff ratio;
1.22 	(5) a maximum of 25 children may be on premises at one time with a minimum of 
1.23 	three adult caregivers and one aide present;
2.1 	(6) the program shall maintain the square footage requirement of 35 square feet of 
2.2 	indoor space per child and 50 square feet of outdoor space per child; and
2.3 	(7) the program shall ensure that all staff members receive a minimum of 12 hours 
2.4 	of continuing education credits each year during the demonstration project.
2.5 	(b) The county agency shall conduct inspections at six-month intervals throughout 
2.6 	the demonstration project to ensure the program maintains compliance with applicable 
2.7 	statutes, rules, and requirements for the demonstration project.
2.8 		Subd. 4.Reports. (a) The county agency and Catherwood Home Child Care shall 
2.9 	submit interim written reports to the commissioner no later than August 1, 2008, and final 
2.10 	reports no later than September 1, 2009.
2.11 	(b) The commissioner shall submit a final report to the legislature no later than 
2.12 	January 15, 2010, with any recommendations for proposed legislation.
2.13 		Subd. 5.Rules. If the demonstration project is successful, the commissioner shall 
2.14 	adopt rules to implement new classifications for family day care.