STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-FIRST MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-SIXTH SESSION
EARLY CHILDHOOD FINANCE & POLICY DIVISION
MINUTES
Representative Nora Slawik, Chair of the Early Childhood Finance & Policy Division, called the meeting to order at 4:39 pm on Thursday, April 02, 2009 in Room 200 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
House Members Present:
Slawik (Chair)
Bly
Downey
Greiling
Hamilton
Laine
Mack
Mariani
Nornes
Peterson
Ward
House Members Excused:
Rosenthal (Vice-Chair)
Buesgens
Jackson
A quorum was not present.
A quorum was present at 4:41 pm.
Representative Slawik moved that H.F. 2124 (Murphy, E), Child care center licensing requirements modified, be recommended to pass and be placed on the General Register.
Representative Slawik moved the
H2124A1 amendment (attached). THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Testifying in favor of H.F. 2124, as amended:
Cisa Keller, Director of Advocacy and Government Relations, New Horizon Academy and Minnesota Child Care Association member
Heather Quale, former employee, New Horizon Academy
Paul Stone, parent with child in New Horizon Academy
Ms. Keller was asked to explain the maltreatment due process procedure.
Ms. Quale was asked to explain the determination of maltreatment she received.
Valerie Dosland, Lobbyist, Minnesota Childcare Association
Jerry Kerber, Director, Licensing Division, Minnesota Department of Human Services was asked to explain when and why the original language was enacted; to explain if the proposed language would differentiate severe maltreatment offenses from accidents; the number of maltreatment investigations done by the Department of Human Services in a year; the size of the maltreatment investigative staff; if the investigative process allows for a quick ruling; are lawyers a part of or required by the due process of maltreatment investigations; does the maltreatment investigation numbers include family child care; and to access the Department of Human Services position on the proposed language change.
Representative Slawik renewed the motion that H.F. 2124, as amended, be recommended to pass and be placed on the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Mariani moved that the minutes from Tuesday, March 31, 2009 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Bly assumed the gavel at 5:27 pm.
Representative Slawik moved that H.F. 2028 (Slawik), Departments of Human Services, Health, and Education required to establish an inventory of early childhood services, be recommended to pass and be placed on the General Register.
Representative Bly moved the
H2028A1 amendment (attached). THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Testifying in favor of H.F. 2028, as amended:
Eric Haugee, Government Affairs Specialist, Ready 4 K
Representative Slawik was asked to explain the language in line 1.14 of the bill; the rationale for the change to the Early Childhood Advisory Council.
Senator Patricia Torres-Ray was asked if the bill has a cost to implement and to assess the reliability of the data requested in the bill.
Representative Slawik renewed the motion that H.F. 2028, as amended, be recommended to pass and be placed on the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:42 pm.
Representative Nora Slawik, CHAIR
Matthew M. Collie
Committee Legislative Assistant