Journal of the House - 105th Day - Monday, April 21, 2008

A quorum was present.

Hamilton and Kranz were excused.

Kelliher, Sertich and Walker were excused until 2:35 p.m. Westrom was excused until 2:40 p.m. Anderson, B., was excused until 2:55 p.m. Kahn was excused until 4:25 p.m.

The Chief Clerk proceeded to read the Journal of the preceding day. Dominguez moved that further reading of the Journal be suspended and that the Journal be approved as corrected by the Chief Clerk. The motion prevailed.

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REPORTS OF CHIEF CLERK

S. F. No. 3001 and H. F. No. 3316, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

SUSPENSION OF RULES

Mariani moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 3001 be substituted for H. F. No. 3316 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.

S. F. No. 3698 and H. F. No. 3857, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.

SUSPENSION OF RULES

Sailer moved that the rules be so far suspended that S. F. No. 3698 be substituted for H. F. No. 3857 and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

The following communication was received:

STATE OF MINNESOTA

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

SAINT PAUL 55155

April 17, 2008

The Honorable Margaret Anderson Kelliher

Speaker of the House of Representatives

The State of Minnesota

Dear Speaker Kelliher:

I have vetoed and am returning House File No. 3114, Chapter No. 193, a bill related to real estate acquisitions by park district boards.

Existing law provides local city governments an opportunity to review and vote on a park district board's acquisition of real property within the city. This requirement maximizes local input over land issues that directly impact land within the city.

While the statutory change sought in this legislation requires that land acquisitions be in accordance with a city's local master plans, these plans are typically only developed every 10 years. Additional timely review and input by local elected officials assures that property being acquired for park purposes remains consistent with the priorities of the elected local government.

Sincerely,

Tim Pawlenty

Governor

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REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND DIVISIONS

Solberg from the Committee on Ways and Means to which was referred:

H. F. No. 615, A bill for an act relating to education; providing for responsible family life and sexuality education programs; requiring information on certain immunizations; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 121A; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 121A.23.

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill pass.

The report was adopted.

Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

H. F. No. 934, A bill for an act relating to the environment; requiring manufacturers of certain flame retardants to register with the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency; creating a fire safety committee; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 325E.

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 325E.386, is amended to read:

325E.386 PRODUCTS CONTAINING CERTAIN POLYBROMINATED DIPHENYL ETHERS BANNED; EXEMPTIONS.

Subdivision 1. Penta- and octabromodiphenyl ethers. Except as provided in subdivision 3 2, beginning January 1, 2008, a person may not manufacture, process, or distribute in commerce a product or flame-retardant part of a product containing more than one-tenth of one percent of pentabromodiphenyl ether or octabromodiphenyl ether by mass.

Subd. 2. Exemptions; penta- and octabromodiphenyl ethers. The following products containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers are exempt from subdivision 1 and section 325E.387, subdivision 2:

(1) the sale or distribution of any used transportation vehicle with component parts containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers;

(2) the sale or distribution of any used transportation vehicle parts or new transportation vehicle parts manufactured before January 1, 2008, that contain polybrominated diphenyl ethers;

(3) the manufacture, sale, repair, distribution, maintenance, refurbishment, or modification of equipment containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers and used primarily for military or federally funded space program applications. This exemption does not cover consumer-based goods with broad applicability;

(4) the sale or distribution by a business, charity, public entity, or private party of any used product containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers;

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(5) the manufacture, sale, or distribution of new carpet cushion made from recycled foam containing more than one-tenth of one percent polybrominated diphenyl ether;

(6) medical devices; or

(7) the manufacture, sale, repair, distribution, maintenance, refurbishment, or modification of telecommunications equipment containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers used by entities eligible to hold authorization in the Public Safety Pool under Code of Federal Regulations, title 47, part 90.

In-state retailers in possession of products on January 1, 2008, that are banned for sale under subdivision 1 may exhaust their stock through sales to the public. Nothing in this section restricts the ability of a manufacturer, importer, or distributor from transporting products containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers through the state, or storing such products in the state for later distribution outside the state.

Subd. 3. Commercial decabromodiphenyl ether. (a) Except as provided in subdivision 4, beginning July 1, 2010, a person may not manufacture, process, or distribute in commerce any of the following products containing more than one-tenth of one percent of commercial decabromodiphenyl ether by mass:

(1) the exterior casing of a television, computer, or computer monitor;

(2) upholstered furniture or textiles intended for indoor use in a home or other residential occupancy; or

(3) mattresses and mattress pads.

(b) The sale or distribution by a business, charity, public entity, or private party of any used product containing commercial decabromodiphenyl ether is exempted from this subdivision.

(c) In-state retailers in possession of products on January 1, 2010, that are banned for sale under this subdivision may exhaust their stock of products located in the state as of that date through sales to the public. Nothing in this section restricts a manufacturer, importer, or distributor from transporting products containing commercial decabromodiphenyl ether through the state or storing such products in the state for later distribution outside the state.

Subd. 4. Exemption process; commercial decabromodiphenyl ether. (a) A manufacturer or user of a product prohibited from manufacture, sale, or distribution under subdivision 3 may apply for an exemption for a specific use of commercial decabromodiphenyl ether under this section by filing a written request with the commissioner. The commissioner may grant an exemption for a term not to exceed three years. The exemption is renewable upon written request. An initial or renewal request for exemption must include at least the following:

(1) a policy statement articulating upper management support for eliminating or reducing to the maximum feasible extent the use of commercial decabromodiphenyl ether;

(2) a description of the product and the amount of commercial decabromodiphenyl ether distributed for sale and use in the state on an annual basis;

(3) a description of the recycling and disposal system used for the product in the state and an estimate of the amount of product or commercial decabromodiphenyl ether that is recycled or disposed of in the state on an annual basis;

(4) a description of the manufacturer's or user's past and ongoing efforts to eliminate or reduce the amount of commercial decabromodiphenyl ether used in the product;

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(5) an assessment of options available to reduce or eliminate the use of commercial decabromodiphenyl ether, including any alternatives that do not contain commercial decabromodiphenyl ether, perform the same technical function, are commercially available, and are economically practicable;

(6) a statement of objectives in numerical terms and a schedule for achieving the elimination of commercial decabromodiphenyl ether and an environmental assessment of alternative products, including but not limited to human health, solid waste, hazardous waste, and wastewater impacts associated with production, use, recycling, and disposal of the alternatives;

(7) a listing of options considered not to be technically or economically practicable; and

(8) certification of the accuracy of the information contained in the request, signed and dated by an official of the manufacturer or user.

(b) The commissioner may grant an initial or renewal exemption for a specific use of commercial decabromodiphenyl ether, with or without conditions, upon finding that the applicant has demonstrated that there is no alternative that performs the same technical function, is commercially available, is economically practicable, and provides net health and environmental benefits to the state.

Subd. 5. Fees for exemption applicants. The application fee for an exemption under subdivision 4 is $2,000 per exemption. The fee is exempt from section 16A.1285. Revenues from application fees must be deposited in the environmental fund.

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 325E.387, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 3. Participation in interstate clearinghouse. The commissioner may participate in a regional or national multistate clearinghouse to assist in carrying out the requirements of this section. The clearinghouse is authorized to maintain information on behalf of Minnesota, including, but not limited to:

(1) a list of all products containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers; and

(2) information on all exemptions granted by the state.

Sec. 3. REPORT.

By July 1, 2011, the Pollution Control Agency shall report to the senate and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources and commerce policy regarding flame-retardant alternatives available for decabromodiphenyl ether."

Delete the title and insert:

"A bill for an act relating to environment; banning certain products containing commercial decabromodiphenyl ether; providing for exemptions and fees; authorizing participation in multistate clearinghouse; requiring a report; amending Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, sections 325E.386; 325E.387, by adding a subdivision."

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

The report was adopted.

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Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

H. F. No. 2351, A bill for an act relating to telecommunications; requiring a study of the impact of state video franchising in states that have enacted such legislation.

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

Page 1, line 6, delete "contract" and insert "issue a request for proposals"

Page 2, delete line 14 and insert:

"Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.

Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 237.52, subdivision 5, $85,000 is appropriated from the telecommunications access Minnesota fund to the commissioner of commerce for the purposes of section 1.

Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.

Sections 1 and 2 are effective the day following final enactment."

Amend the title as follows:

Page 1, line 3, before the period, insert "; appropriating money"

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

The report was adopted.

Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

H. F. No. 2998, A bill for an act relating to natural resources; authorizing free entrance to state parks for totally and permanently disabled veterans; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 85.053, by adding a subdivision.

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill pass.

The report was adopted.

Solberg from the Committee on Ways and Means to which was referred:

H. F. No. 3195, A bill for an act relating to environment; establishing an intent to participate in a cap and trade program for greenhouse gas emissions; requiring studies; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216H.

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill pass.

The report was adopted.

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Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

H. F. No. 3301, A bill for an act relating to transportation; modifying provisions related to design-build project requests for proposals, scoring, project awards, protests, and stipulated fees; modifying provisions relating to Technical Review Committee; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 13.72, subdivision 11; 161.3420, subdivisions 2, 3, 4; 161.3422; 161.3426, subdivisions 1, 3, 4; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 161.3426, subdivision 2.

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 161.3412, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Restriction; reports. (a) The number of design-build contracts awarded by the commissioner in any fiscal year may not exceed ten percent of the total number of transportation construction contracts awarded by the commissioner in the previous fiscal year.

(b) The commissioner shall notify the chairs of the senate and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over transportation policy and transportation finance each time the commissioner decides to use the design-build method of procurement ~~and~~. The notification must explain why that method was chosen, and provide the initial cost estimate, the expected date of release for the RFP, and the expected stipulated fee.

(c) The commissioner shall notify the chairs of the senate and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over transportation policy and transportation finance within three days of any change to the cost estimate or to the stipulated fee of a design-build project.

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 161.3420, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Technical Review Committee. During the phase-one request for qualifications (RFQ) and before solicitation, the commissioner shall appoint a Technical Review Committee of at least five individuals. The Technical Review Committee must include an individual whose name and qualifications are submitted to the commissioner by the Minnesota chapter of the Associated General Contractors, after consultation with other commercial contractor associations in the state. Members of the Technical Review Committee who are not state employees are subject to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and section 16C.06 to the same extent that state agencies are subject to those provisions. The commissioner shall pay reasonable compensation to Technical Review Committee members who are not public employees for their services. A minimum of two state employees on the Technical Review Committee must be at the level of senior administrative engineer or above. A Technical Review Committee member may not participate in the review or discussion of responses to an RFQ or request for proposals (RFP) when the member has a financial interest in any of the design-build firms that respond to that RFQ or RFP. "Financial interest" includes, but is not limited to, being or serving as an owner, employee, partner, limited liability partner, shareholder, joint venturer, family member, officer, or director of a design-build firm responding to an RFQ or RFP for a specific project, or having any other economic interest in that design-build firm. The members of the Technical Review Committee must be treated as state employees in the event of litigation resulting from any action arising out of their service on the committee.

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 161.3420, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Contents. The commissioner shall prepare or have prepared an RFQ. The RFQ must include the following:

(1) the minimum qualifications of design-builders necessary to meet the requirements for acceptance;

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(2) a scope of work statement and schedule;

(3) documents defining the project requirements;

(4) the form of contract to be awarded;

(5) the weighted selection criteria for compiling a short list and the number of firms to be included in the short list, which must be at least two but not more than five;

(6) a description of the request for proposals (RFP) requirements;

(7) the maximum time allowed for design and construction;

(8) the commissioner's estimated cost of design and construction;

(9) requirements for construction experience, design experience, financial, personnel, and equipment resources available from potential design-builders for the project and experience in other design-build transportation projects or similar projects, provided that these requirements may not unduly restrict competition; and

(10) a statement that "past performance," or "experience," or other criteria used in the RFQ evaluation process does not include the exercise or assertion of a person's legal rights.

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 161.3420, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Evaluation. The ~~selection team~~ Technical Review Committee shall evaluate the design-build qualifications of responding firms and shall compile a short list of no more than five most highly qualified firms in accordance with qualifications criteria described in the request for qualifications (RFQ). If only one design-build firm responds to the RFQ or remains on the short list, the commissioner may readvertise or cancel the project as the commissioner deems necessary.

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 161.3422, is amended to read:

161.3422 RFP FOR DESIGN-BUILD.

During phase two, the commissioner shall issue a request for proposals (RFP) to the design-builders on the short list. The request must include:

(1) the scope of work, including (i) performance and technical requirements, (ii) conceptual design, (iii) specifications, and (iv) functional and operational elements for the delivery of the completed project, which must be prepared by a registered or licensed professional engineer;

(2) a description of the qualifications required of the design-builder and the selection criteria, including the weight ~~or relative order, or both,~~ of each criterion and subcriterion;

(3) copies of the contract documents that the successful proposer will be expected to sign;

(4) the maximum time allowable for design and construction;

(5) the road authority's estimated cost of design and construction;

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(6) the requirement that a submitted proposal be segmented into two parts, a technical proposal and a price proposal;

(7) the requirement that each proposal be in a separately sealed, clearly identified package and include the date and time of the submittal deadline;

(8) the requirement that the technical proposal include a critical path method; bar schedule of the work to be performed, or similar schematic; design plans and specifications; technical reports; calculations; permit requirements; applicable development fees; and other data requested in the RFP;

(9) the requirement that the price proposal contain all design, construction, engineering, inspection, and construction costs of the proposed project;

(10) the date, time, and location of the public opening of the sealed price proposals; ~~and~~

(11) other information relevant to the project; and

(12) a statement that "past performance," "experience," or other criteria used in the RFP evaluation process does not include the exercise or assertion of a person's legal rights.

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 161.3426, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Award; computation; announcement. ~~Except as provided in subdivision 2,~~ A design-build contract shall be awarded as follows:

(a) The Technical Review Committee shall score the technical proposals using the selection criteria in the request for proposals (RFP). The Technical Review Committee shall then submit a technical proposal score for each design-builder to the commissioner. The Technical Review Committee shall reject any ~~proposal it deems~~ nonresponsive proposal.

(b) The commissioner shall announce the technical proposal score for each design-builder and shall publicly open the sealed price proposals and shall divide each design-builder's price by the technical score that the Technical Review Committee has given to it to obtain an adjusted score. The design-builder selected must be that responsive and responsible design-builder (1) whose adjusted score is the lowest, and (2) whose price component does not exceed 120 percent of the lowest price that is submitted by a responsive, responsible design-builder. The requirement in clause (2) of this paragraph only applies if the project has a value in excess of $25,000,000, as stated in the RFP.

(c) If a time factor is included with the selection criteria in the RFP package, the commissioner ~~may also adjust the bids using a~~ shall include the value of the time factor established by the commissioner as a criterion within the RFP. The value of the time factor must be expressed as a value per day. The adjustment must be based on the total time value. The total time value is the design-builder's total number of days to complete the project multiplied by the factor. The time-adjusted price is the total time value plus the bid amount. This time adjustment to the bids must be used for selection purposes only, and must not affect the Department of Transportation's liquidated damages schedule or incentive or disincentive program. An adjusted score must then be obtained by dividing each design-builder's time-adjusted price by the score given by the technical review team. The commissioner shall select the responsive and responsible design-builder whose adjusted score is the lowest.

(d) Unless all proposals are rejected, the commissioner shall award the contract to the responsive and responsible design-builder with the lowest adjusted score. The commissioner shall reserve the right to reject all proposals.

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(e) The commissioner shall not limit the ability of design-builders that have submitted proposals to protest a contemplated or actual award by the commissioner by, among other things, unreasonably restricting the time to protest, restricting the right to seek judicial review of the commissioner's actions, attempting to change the judicial standard of review, or attempting to shift the commissioner's costs or damages from a protest to a protestor. Unless all design-builders that have submitted proposals agree to execution of a contract for the project without a waiting period beforehand, the commissioner shall wait at least seven days after both the award of the project and public disclosure of the Technical Review Committee's scoring data and the successful proposal before executing a contract for the project.

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 161.3426, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Stipulated fee. The commissioner shall award a stipulated fee not less than two-tenths of one percent of the department's estimated cost of design and construction to each short-listed, responsible proposer who provides a responsive but unsuccessful proposal. Any increases to the stipulated fee must be made only by the commissioner and the reasons for those changes must be publicly announced at the time of the change. If the commissioner does not award a contract, all short-listed proposers must receive the stipulated fee. If the commissioner cancels the contract before reviewing the technical proposals, the commissioner shall award each design-builder on the short list a stipulated fee of not less than two-tenths of one percent of the commissioner's estimated cost of design and construction. The commissioner shall pay the stipulated fee to each proposer within 90 days after the award of the contract or the decision not to award a contract without conditions other than those stated in this subdivision. In consideration for paying the stipulated fee, the commissioner may use any ideas or information contained in the proposals in connection with any contract awarded for the project or in connection with a subsequent procurement, without any obligation to pay any additional compensation to the unsuccessful proposers. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this subdivision, an unsuccessful short-list proposer may elect to waive the stipulated fee. If an unsuccessful short-list proposer elects to waive the stipulated fee, the commissioner may not use ideas and information contained in that proposer's proposal. Upon the request of the commissioner, a proposer who waived a stipulated fee may withdraw the waiver, in which case the commissioner shall pay the stipulated fee to the proposer and thereafter may use ideas and information in the proposer's proposal.

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 161.3426, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Low-bid design-build process. (a) The commissioner may also use low-bid, design-build procedures to award a design-build contract where the scope of the work can be clearly defined.

(b) Low-bid design-build projects may require a request for qualifications (RFQ) and short-listing, and must require a request for proposals (RFP).

(c) Submitted proposals under this subdivision must include separately a technical proposal and a price proposal. The low-bid, design-build procedures must follow a two-step process for review of the responses to the RFP as follows:

(1) The first step is the review of the technical proposal by the Technical Review Committee as provided in section 161.3420, subdivision 2. The Technical Review Committee must open the technical proposal first and must determine if it complies with the requirements of the RFP and is responsive. The Technical Review Committee shall reject any nonresponsive proposal. The Technical Review Committee may not perform any ranking or scoring of the technical proposals.

(2) The second step is the determination of the low bidder based on the price proposal. The commissioner may not open the price proposal until the review of the technical proposal is complete.

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(d) The contract award under low-bid, design-build procedures must be made to the proposer whose sealed bid is responsive to the technical requirements ~~as determined by the Technical Review Committee~~ and ~~that~~ is also the lowest bid.

(e) A stipulated fee may be paid for unsuccessful bids on low-bid, design-build projects only when the commissioner has required an RFQ and short-listed the most highly qualified responsive bidders.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 9. REPEALER.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 161.3426, subdivision 2, is repealed."

Delete the title and insert:

"A bill for an act relating to transportation; modifying provisions relating to design-build projects; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 161.3412, subdivision 3; 161.3420, subdivisions 2, 3, 4; 161.3422; 161.3426, subdivisions 1, 3, 4; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 161.3426, subdivision 2."

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

The report was adopted.

Solberg from the Committee on Ways and Means to which was referred:

H. F. No. 3343, A bill for an act relating to energy; creating wind energy conversion system aggregation program; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216F.

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill pass.

The report was adopted.

Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

H. F. No. 3505, A bill for an act relating to public safety; prohibiting predatory offenders required to register from accessing and using social networking Web sites; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 243.166, subdivisions 1a, 4; 244.05, subdivision 6.

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

Page 5, after line 27, insert:

"Sec. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.

Sections 1 to 3 are effective August 1, 2009, and apply to predatory offenders who are required to register before, on, or after that date."

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

The report was adopted.

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Lenczewski from the Committee on Taxes to which was referred:

H. F. No. 3585, A bill for an act relating to energy; authorizing certain governments to engage in energy-related activities, including ownership of renewable energy projects; authorizing bonds; authorizing an annual ad valorem tax; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 216B.1612, by adding a subdivision; 473.1293, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 216F; 373.

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

Page 1, delete section 2

Page 2, delete subdivision 3

Page 3, delete section 4

Renumber the sections in sequence

Amend the title as follows:

Page 1, line 4, delete everything before "amending"

Correct the title numbers accordingly

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

The report was adopted.

Solberg from the Committee on Ways and Means to which was referred:

H. F. No. 3722, A bill for an act relating to economic development; providing military reservist economic injury loans; defining terms; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 116L.17, subdivision 1; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116J.

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

Page 4, after line 7, insert:

"Sec. 5. DUPLICATE APPROPRIATIONS.

Unless another act explicitly provides otherwise, appropriations made in this act and other acts must be implemented only once even if the provision or a similar provision with the same fiscal effect in the same fiscal year is included in another act. This section applies to laws enacted in the 2008 regular session.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment."

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

The report was adopted.

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Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

H. F. No. 3725, A bill for an act relating to transportation; authorizing urban partnership agreements to provide for user fees for use of high-occupancy vehicle lanes and dynamic shoulder lanes; exempting commissioner of transportation from rulemaking regarding urban partnership agreements, toll facilities, and final layouts for highways; imposing penalties; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 160.02, by adding a subdivision; 169.01, subdivision 31, by adding a subdivision; 169.306; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 160.

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 160.02, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 30. Dynamic shoulder lane. "Dynamic shoulder lane" means the shoulder of a freeway on which the commissioner may allow the operation of vehicles during certain periods.

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 160.93, is amended to read:

160.93 USER FEES; HIGH-OCCUPANCY VEHICLE AND DYNAMIC SHOULDER LANES.

Subdivision 1. Fees authorized. To improve efficiency and provide more options to individuals traveling in a trunk highway corridor, the commissioner of transportation may charge user fees to owners or operators of single-occupant vehicles using dynamic shoulder lanes as designated by the commissioner and any designated high-occupancy vehicle lanes. The fees may be collected using electronic or other toll-collection methods and may vary in amount with the time of day and level of traffic congestion within the corridor. The commissioner shall consult with the Metropolitan Council and obtain necessary federal authorizations before implementing user fees on a high-occupancy vehicle lane or dynamic shoulder lane. Fees under this section are not subject to section 16A.1283.

Subd. 2. Deposit of revenues; appropriation. (a) Except as provided in subdivision 2a, money collected from fees authorized under subdivision 1 must be deposited in a high-occupancy vehicle lane user fee account in the special revenue fund. A separate account must be established for each trunk highway corridor. Money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner.

(b) From this appropriation the commissioner shall first repay the trunk highway fund and any other fund source for money spent to install, equip, or modify the corridor for the purposes of subdivision 1, and then shall pay all the costs of implementing and administering the fee collection system for that corridor.

(1) one-half must be spent for transportation capital improvements within the corridor; and

(2) one-half must be transferred to the Metropolitan Council for expansion and improvement of bus transit services within the corridor beyond the level of service provided on the date of implementation of subdivision 1.

Subd. 2a. I-35W high-occupancy vehicle and dynamic shoulder lane account. (a) An I-35W high-occupancy vehicle and dynamic shoulder lane account is established in the special revenue fund. Money collected from fees authorized under subdivision 1 for the marked Interstate Highway 35W (I-35W) corridor must be deposited in the account and used as described in this subdivision. Money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner.

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(b) During the first year of revenue operations, the commissioner shall use the money received in that year to pay the costs of operating and administering the fee collection system within the corridor, up to $1,000,000. Any remaining money must be transferred to the Metropolitan Council for improvement of bus transit services within the I-35W corridor including transit capital expenses.

(c) During the second and subsequent years of revenue operations, the commissioner shall use money in the account as follows:

(1) each year, allocate the lesser amount of $1,000,000 or 75 percent of the revenues for operating and administering the fee collection system within the corridor;

(2) transfer the remaining amount up to the amount allocated under clause (1) to the Metropolitan Council for improvement of bus transit within the corridor including capital expenses; and

(3) allocate any remaining amount as follows: (i) 25 percent to the commissioner for operating and administering the fee collection system within the corridor and for transportation capital improvements that are consistent with the goals of the urban partnership agreement and that are located within the corridor and (ii) 75 percent to the Metropolitan Council for improvement of bus transit services within the corridor including transit capital expenses.

Subd. 3. Rules exemption. With respect to this section, the commissioner is exempt from statutory rulemaking requirements, including section 14.386, and from sections 160.84 to 160.92 and 161.162 to 161.167.

Subd. 4. Prohibition. No person may operate a single-occupant vehicle in a designated high-occupancy vehicle lane or dynamic shoulder lane except in compliance with the requirements of the commissioner. A person who violates this subdivision is guilty of a petty misdemeanor and is subject to sections 169.89, subdivisions 1, 2, and 4, and 169.891 and any other provision of chapter 169 applicable to the commission of a petty misdemeanor traffic offense.

Subd. 5. Dynamic shoulder lanes. (a) The commissioner may designate dynamic shoulder lanes on freeways. The commissioner may operate dynamic shoulder lanes as priced lanes, general purpose lanes, high-occupancy vehicle lanes, or as shoulders as defined in section 169.01, subdivision 73. The commissioner may prescribe the conditions under which the lanes may be used.

(b) The commissioner may not operate a dynamic shoulder lane on marked Trunk Highway 35W from its intersection with marked Trunk Highway 94 to its intersection with marked Trunk Highway 62 as a general purpose lane. A dynamic shoulder lane along this portion of marked Trunk Highway 35W may only be used by:

(1) a vehicle with more than one occupant;

(2) a single-occupant vehicle if the fee under subdivision 1 is paid;

(3) a transit bus providing public transit, as defined in section 174.22, subdivision 7; and

(4) an authorized emergency vehicle, as defined in section 169.01, subdivision 5.

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Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.01, subdivision 31, is amended to read:

Subd. 31. Roadway. "Roadway" means that portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the sidewalk or shoulder. During periods when the commissioner allows the use of dynamic shoulder lanes as defined in subdivision 93, roadway includes that shoulder. In the event a highway includes two or more separate roadways, the term "roadway" as used herein shall refer to any such roadway separately but not to all such roadways collectively.

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 93. Dynamic shoulder lane. "Dynamic shoulder lane" has the meaning given in section 160.02, subdivision 30.

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.306, is amended to read:

169.306 USE OF SHOULDERS BY BUSES.

(a) The commissioner of transportation may permit the use by transit buses and metro mobility buses of a shoulder of a freeway or expressway, as defined in section 160.02, in the seven-county metropolitan area.

(b) If the commissioner permits the use of a freeway or expressway shoulder by transit buses, the commissioner shall also permit the use on that shoulder of a bus with a seating capacity of 40 passengers or more operated by a motor carrier of passengers, as defined in section 221.011, subdivision 48, while operating in intrastate commerce.

(c) Buses authorized to use the shoulder under this section may be operated on the shoulder only when main line traffic speeds are less than 35 miles per hour. Drivers of buses being operated on the shoulder may not exceed the speed of main line traffic by more than 15 miles per hour and may never exceed 35 miles per hour. Drivers of buses being operated on the shoulder must yield to merging, entering, and exiting traffic and must yield to other vehicles on the shoulder. Buses operated on the shoulder must be registered with the Department of Transportation.

(d) For the purposes of this section, the term "metro mobility bus" means a motor vehicle of not less than 20 feet in length engaged in providing special transportation services under section 473.386 that is:

(1) operated by the Metropolitan Council, or operated by a public or private entity receiving financial assistance from the Metropolitan Council; and

(2) authorized by the council to use freeway or expressway shoulders.

(e) This section does not apply to the operation of buses on dynamic shoulder lanes.

Sec. 6. REPORT ON URBAN PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT.

By January 15, 2009, and on January 15 each year through 2014, the commissioner of transportation, in conjunction with the Metropolitan Council, shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over transportation concerning the status of the state's participation in the urban partnership agreement. The report must:

(1) present the elements of congestion reduction strategies to be implemented under the urban partnership agreement;

(2) summarize average daily traffic and congestion levels on affected roadways;

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(3) summarize transit usage in affected corridors;

(4) identify the costs of participation and the sources of funding secured or to be secured;

(5) include information on revenues and expenditures under the urban partnership agreement;

(6) summarize any user fees collected on I-35W high-occupancy vehicle and dynamic shoulder lanes; and

(7) recommend any further legislative action necessary for the successful implementation and operation of the urban partnership agreement.

Sec. 7. EFFECTIVE DATE.

Sections 1 to 6 are effective the day following final enactment."

Delete the title and insert:

"A bill for an act relating to transportation; authorizing urban partnership agreements to provide for user fees for use of high-occupancy vehicle lanes and dynamic shoulder lanes; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 160.02, by adding a subdivision; 160.93; 169.01, subdivision 31, by adding a subdivision; 169.306."

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

The report was adopted.

Solberg from the Committee on Ways and Means to which was referred:

H. F. No. 3902, A bill for an act relating to the operation of state government; making certain changes in agriculture, fuel, and veterans policy; establishing or changing certain programs, requirements, and procedures; regulating certain activities; establishing a planning group and a working group; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 13.785, by adding a subdivision; 18B.065, subdivisions 2, 7; 18B.07, subdivision 2; 18D.305, subdivision 2; 18E.04, subdivision 2; 28A.03, by adding a subdivision; 28A.08; 28A.082, by adding a subdivision; 28A.09, subdivision 1; 29.23; 31.05; 31.171; 41D.01, subdivision 4; 97A.028, subdivision 3; 148.01, subdivision 1, by adding subdivisions; 196.021; 196.03; 197.236; 198.32, subdivision 1; 239.77, as amended; 349.12, subdivision 3a; 609.115, by adding a subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, sections 18B.065, subdivisions 1, 2a; 18B.26, subdivision 3; 31.175; 35.244; 41A.105, subdivision 2; 197.791, subdivisions 1, 4, 5; 296A.01, subdivision 8a; Laws 2007, chapter 45, article 1, section 3, subdivisions 3, 4, 5; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 17; 32; 148; 192; 196; 197; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 197.236, subdivisions 7, 10; 198.001, subdivisions 6, 9; 198.002, subdivisions 1, 3, 6; 198.003, subdivisions 5, 6; 198.004, subdivision 2; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, sections 41A.105, subdivision 5; 198.002, subdivision 2; 198.004, subdivision 1; Minnesota Rules, part 9050.0040, subpart 15.

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

Page 35, after line 10, insert:

"Sec. 33. 2008 FAMILY MOTOR COACH ASSOCIATION EVENT.

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For the 2008 Family Motor Coach Association event held on the State Fair grounds, the fee the State Agricultural Society must obtain for expansion of the recreational camping area license, as required in Minnesota Statutes, section 327.15, shall be 50 percent of the primary license fee prescribed in Minnesota Rules, part 4630.2000."

Page 46, line 28, after the semicolon, insert "or"

Renumber the sections in sequence and correct the internal references

Amend the title as follows:

Page 1, line 5, after the semicolon, insert "appropriating money;"

Correct the title numbers accordingly

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

The report was adopted.

Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

H. F. No. 4189, A bill for an act relating to convention and events centers in the cities of the first class; requiring a study and report to the 2009 legislature.

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

Page 1, line 14, delete "and"

Page 1, line 15, after "fund" insert "; and

(5) the economic impact of the facilities on the surrounding communities"

Page 1, line 16, delete "(d)" and insert "(c)"

Amend the title accordingly

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Taxes.

The report was adopted.

Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

S. F. No. 2866, A bill for an act relating to telecommunications; requiring the Department of Commerce to produce a statewide inventory of broadband service.

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

"Section 1. BROADBAND MAPPING PROJECT.

Subdivision 1. Project. The commissioner of commerce shall contract with a nonprofit organization that has significant experience working with broadband providers to develop Geographical Information System maps displaying levels of broadband service by connection speed and type of technology used and integrating the maps with demographic information to produce a comprehensive statewide inventory and mapping of existing broadband service and capability.

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Subd. 2. Mapping. Data must be collected from broadband providers and entered into a geographic information system to produce maps that, for the state of Minnesota and any defined geographical entity within it, clearly convey the following information:

(1) areas unserved by any broadband provider;

(2) areas served by a single broadband provider;

(3) the location of towers used to transmit and receive broadband signals;

(4) actual upstream and downstream transmission speeds at the county level of detail;

(5) areas served by multiple broadband providers; and

(6) the types of technology used to provide broadband service.

The data used to produce the maps must be capable of being integrated with demographic data from other sources including, but not limited to, population density and household income to allow for the production of maps that measure, down to the census block level of detail, various characteristics of residents in areas receiving different levels of broadband services and utilizing different technologies. Data provided by a broadband provider to the contractor under this subdivision is nonpublic data under Minnesota Statutes, section 13.02, subdivision 9. Maps produced under this subdivision are public data under Minnesota Statutes, section 13.03.

For the purposes of this section, "technology" or "technologies" means different methods of connecting to the Internet including, but not limited to, cable modem, DSL, ADSL, VDSL, and fiber optics.

Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.

Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 237.52, subdivision 5, $175,000 is appropriated from the telecommunications access Minnesota fund to the commissioner of commerce for the purposes of section 1.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment."

Delete the title and insert:

"A bill for an act relating to telecommunications; providing for a broadband mapping project; appropriating money."

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

The report was adopted.

Solberg from the Committee on Ways and Means to which was referred:

S. F. No. 3061, A bill for an act relating to environment; modifying Petrofund program; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 115C.04, subdivision 3; 115C.09, subdivision 3h, by adding a subdivision; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 115C.09, subdivision 3j.

Reported the same back with the following amendments:

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Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 115C.04, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. ~~Agency~~ Cost recovery; subrogation. Reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the agency in taking a corrective action, including costs of investigating a release, administrative and legal expenses, and reimbursement costs described in subdivision 1, paragraph (b), may be recovered in a civil action in district court brought by the ~~attorney general~~ board against a responsible person. The agency's certification of expenses is prima facie evidence that the expenses are reasonable and necessary. If the responsible person has petroleum tank leakage or spill insurance coverage that insures against the liability provided in this section, the ~~agency~~ board is subrogated to the rights of the responsible person with respect to that insurance coverage, to the extent of the expenses incurred by the agency and described in this subdivision. The ~~agency~~ board may request the attorney general to bring an action in district court against the insurer to enforce this subrogation right. Expenses that are recovered under this section must be deposited in the fund.

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 115C.09, subdivision 3h, is amended to read:

Subd. 3h. Reimbursement; aboveground tanks in bulk plants. (a) As used in this subdivision, "bulk plant" means an aboveground or underground tank facility with a storage capacity of more than 1,100 gallons but less than 1,000,000 gallons that is used to dispense petroleum into cargo tanks for transportation and sale at another location.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter and any rules adopted pursuant to this chapter, the board shall reimburse 90 percent of an applicant's cost for bulk plant upgrades or closures completed between June 1, 1998, and November 1, 2003, to comply with Minnesota Rules, chapter 7151, provided that the board determines the costs were incurred and reasonable. The reimbursement may not exceed $10,000 per bulk plant. The board may provide reimbursement under this paragraph for work completed after November 1, 2003, if the work was contracted for prior to that date and was not completed by that date as a result of an unanticipated situation, provided that an application for reimbursement under this paragraph, which may be a renewal of an application previously denied, is submitted prior to December 31, 2005.

~~(c)~~ For corrective action at a bulk plant located on what is or was railroad right-of-way, the board shall reimburse 90 percent of total reimbursable costs on the first $40,000 of reimbursable costs and 100 percent of any remaining reimbursable costs when the applicant can document that more than one bulk plant was operated on the same section of right-of-way, as determined by the commissioner of commerce.

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 115C.09, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 3k. PVC piping at residential locations. (a) The purpose of this subdivision is to assist homeowners who have installed PVC fill piping as part of the heating oil system at their residences, not knowing that heating oil has been shown to dissolve certain types of glue used to hold PVC piping together. Replacement of the PVC piping with metal piping is intended to avoid the catastrophic release of heating oil, as well as the ensuing cleanup costs, that can occur at residences where the PVC piping fails.

(b) As used in this subdivision:

(1) "residential locations" means a storage tank and appurtenances for heating oil that are used to heat a single-family residence; and

(2) "qualified person" means someone who is registered as a contractor under section 115C.11 and, as part of their trade or business, installs or repairs nonpressure piping, heating systems, air conditioning systems, or storage tank systems.

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(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter or any rules adopted under this chapter, the board shall reimburse a qualified person 90 percent of the cost for replacing PVC fill piping with metal piping at residential locations between May 1, 2008, and September 1, 2011, provided that the board determines the costs were incurred and reasonable. The reimbursement may not exceed $250 per residential location. The maximum expenditure from the fund may not exceed $1,500,000.

(d) A heating oil vendor is not a responsible person for a heating oil spill inside a residential location if the spill was caused solely by the failure of a tank or appurtenance to a tank owned by the homeowner.

Sec. 4. REPEALER.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 115C.09, subdivision 3j, is repealed."

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

The report was adopted.

Carlson from the Committee on Finance to which was referred:

S. F. No. 3158, A bill for an act relating to commerce; requiring Explore Minnesota Tourism to study vacation rental lodging; creating definitions; requiring a report.

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill pass.

The report was adopted.

Solberg from the Committee on Ways and Means to which was referred:

S. F. No. 3337, A bill for an act relating to energy; creating coordinated process for reducing greenhouse gas emissions; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216H.

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the first unofficial engrossment pass.

The report was adopted.

Solberg from the Committee on Ways and Means to which was referred:

S. F. No. 3669, A bill for an act relating to transportation; requiring report on mitigating effects of transportation construction projects on small businesses.

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the first unofficial engrossment pass.

The report was adopted.

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Pelowski from the Committee on Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections reported on the following appointment which had been referred to the committee by the speaker:

CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE BOARD

A. Hilda Bettermann

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the appointment be confirmed.

Pelowski moved that the report of the Committee on Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections relating to the appointment of A. Hilda Bettermann to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board be adopted. The motion prevailed and the report was adopted.

CONFIRMATION

Pelowski moved that the House, having advised, do now consent to and confirm the appointment of A. Hilda Bettermann, 8435 Sara Road Northwest, Brandon, Minnesota 56315 in the County of Douglas, effective January 14, 2008, for a four-year term expiring January 2, 2012. The motion prevailed and the appointment of A. Hilda Bettermann was confirmed by the House.

Pelowski from the Committee on Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections reported on the following appointment which had been referred to the committee by the speaker:

CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE BOARD

Felicia Boyd

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the appointment be confirmed.

Pelowski moved that the report of the Committee on Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections relating to the appointment of Felicia Boyd to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board be adopted. The motion prevailed and the report was adopted.

CONFIRMATION

Pelowski moved that the House, having advised, do now consent to and confirm the appointment of Felicia Boyd, 22399 Wagonwheel Trail, Lakeville, Minnesota 55044 in the County of Dakota, effective January 14, 2008, for a four-year term expiring January 2, 2012. The motion prevailed and the appointment of Felicia Boyd was confirmed by the House.

SECOND READING OF HOUSE BILLS

H. F. Nos. 615, 2998, 3195, 3343, 3505, 3585, 3722 and 3902 were read for the second time.

SECOND READING OF SENATE BILLS

S. F. Nos. 3001, 3698, 3061, 3158, 3337 and 3669 were read for the second time.

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INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF HOUSE BILLS

The following House Files were introduced:

Lenczewski and Lieder introduced:

H. F. No. 4204, A bill for an act relating to taxation; increasing the maximum levy of housing and redevelopment authorities; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 469.033, subdivision 6.

The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Taxes.

Sailer introduced:

H. F. No. 4205, A bill for an act relating to environment; prohibiting certain charges by the Pollution Control Agency for services regarding voluntary response actions on contaminated land; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 115B.175, by adding a subdivision.

The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Dean introduced:

H. F. No. 4206, A bill for an act relating to health; establishing a state policy for stem cell research; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 137; 145.

The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Biosciences and Emerging Technology.

Atkins, Hilstrom, Johnson and Tillberry introduced:

H. F. No. 4207, A bill for an act relating to certain state contracts; requiring full enforcement of certain agreements between the state and an airline company.

The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor.

MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

The following messages were received from the Senate:

Madam Speaker:

I hereby announce that the Senate accedes to the request of the House for the appointment of a Conference Committee on the amendments adopted by the Senate to the following House File:

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H. F. No. 3477, A bill for an act relating to manufactured housing; providing for regulation of lending practices and default; providing notices and remedies; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 327.64, subdivision 2; 327.65; 327.66; 327B.01, by adding subdivisions; 327B.08, by adding a subdivision; 327B.09, by adding a subdivision; 327B.12; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 327; 327B.

The Senate has appointed as such committee:

Senators Marty, Jungbauer and Scheid.

Said House File is herewith returned to the House.

Colleen J. Pacheco, Second Assistant Secretary of the Senate

Madam Speaker:

I hereby announce the passage by the Senate of the following House File, herewith returned, as amended by the Senate, in which amendments the concurrence of the House is respectfully requested:

H. F. No. 3500, A bill for an act relating to business organizations; proposing technical amendments to the Business Corporations Act, the Limited Liability Company Act, and the Uniform Limited Partnership Act of 2001; authorizing the formation of nonprofit limited liability companies; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 302A.011, subdivisions 17, 50; 302A.111, subdivisions 2, 3, 4; 302A.231, subdivisions 2, 3; 302A.237; 302A.241, subdivision 1; 302A.255, subdivision 1; 302A.449, subdivision 3; 302A.471, subdivision 3; 302A.521, subdivision 1; 302A.553, subdivision 1; 302A.701; 302A.721; 321.1206; 322B.03, subdivisions 20, 32, by adding a subdivision; 322B.10; 322B.11; 322B.35, subdivision 3; 322B.363, subdivision 3; 322B.643, subdivisions 2, 3; 322B.66, subdivision 1; 322B.666, subdivision 1; 322B.699, subdivision 1; 322B.78; 322B.80, subdivision 1; 322B.806; 322B.90, subdivision 2; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 322B.

Colleen J. Pacheco, Second Assistant Secretary of the Senate

CONCURRENCE AND REPASSAGE

Lillie moved that the House concur in the Senate amendments to H. F. No. 3500 and that the bill be repassed as amended by the Senate. The motion prevailed.

H. F. No. 3500, A bill for an act relating to business organizations; proposing technical amendments to the Business Corporations Act, the Limited Liability Company Act, and the Uniform Limited Partnership Act of 2001; authorizing the formation of nonprofit limited liability companies; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 290.01, subdivision 3b; 302A.011, subdivisions 17, 50; 302A.111, subdivisions 2, 3, 4; 302A.231, subdivisions 2, 3; 302A.237; 302A.241, subdivision 1; 302A.255, subdivision 1; 302A.449, subdivision 3; 302A.471, subdivision 3; 302A.521, subdivision 1; 302A.553, subdivision 1; 302A.701; 302A.721; 321.1206; 322B.03, subdivisions 20, 32, by adding a subdivision; 322B.10; 322B.11; 322B.35, subdivision 3; 322B.363, subdivision 3; 322B.643, subdivisions 2, 3; 322B.66, subdivision 1; 322B.666, subdivision 1; 322B.699, subdivision 1; 322B.78; 322B.80, subdivision 1; 322B.806; 322B.90, subdivision 2; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 322B.

The bill was read for the third time, as amended by the Senate, and placed upon its repassage.

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The question was taken on the repassage of the bill and the roll was called. There were 124 yeas and 2 nays as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative were:

The bill was passed, as amended, and its title agreed to.

Anderson, S., was excused for the remainder of today's session.

S. F. No. 3166 was reported to the House.

Walker moved to amend S. F. No. 3166, the third engrossment, as follows:

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert the following language of H. F. No. 3564, the second engrossment:

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 245C.14, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Disqualification from direct contact. (a) The commissioner shall disqualify an individual who is the subject of a background study from any position allowing direct contact with persons receiving services from the license holder or entity identified in section 245C.03, upon receipt of information showing, or when a background study completed under this chapter shows any of the following:

(1) a conviction of, admission to, or Alford plea to one or more crimes listed in section 245C.15, regardless of whether the conviction or admission is a felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor level crime;

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(2) ~~a preponderance of the~~ clear and convincing evidence indicates the individual has committed an act or acts that meet the definition of any of the crimes listed in section 245C.15, regardless of whether the ~~preponderance of the~~ clear and convincing evidence is for a felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor level crime; or

(3) an investigation results in an administrative determination listed under section 245C.15, subdivision 4, paragraph (b).

(b) No individual who is disqualified following a background study under section 245C.03, subdivisions 1 and 2, may be retained in a position involving direct contact with persons served by a program or entity identified in section 245C.03, unless the commissioner has provided written notice under section 245C.17 stating that:

(1) the individual may remain in direct contact during the period in which the individual may request reconsideration as provided in section 245C.21, subdivision 2;

(2) the commissioner has set aside the individual's disqualification for that program or entity identified in section 245C.03, as provided in section 245C.22, subdivision 4; or

(3) the license holder has been granted a variance for the disqualified individual under section 245C.30.

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 245C.15, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. 15-year disqualification. (a) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if: (1) less than 15 years have passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed, if any, for the offense; and (2) the individual has committed a felony-level violation of any of the following offenses: sections 256.98 (wrongfully obtaining assistance); 268.182 (false representation; concealment of facts); 393.07, subdivision 10, paragraph (c) (federal Food Stamp Program fraud); 609.165 (felon ineligible to possess firearm); 609.21 (criminal vehicular homicide and injury); 609.215 (suicide); 609.223 or 609.2231 (assault in the third or fourth degree); repeat offenses under 609.224 (assault in the fifth degree); 609.229 (crimes committed for benefit of a gang); 609.2325 (criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult); 609.2335 (financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult); 609.235 (use of drugs to injure or facilitate crime); 609.24 (simple robbery); 609.255 (false imprisonment); 609.2664 (manslaughter of an unborn child in the first degree); 609.2665 (manslaughter of an unborn child in the second degree); 609.267 (assault of an unborn child in the first degree); 609.2671 (assault of an unborn child in the second degree); 609.268 (injury or death of an unborn child in the commission of a crime); 609.27 (coercion); 609.275 (attempt to coerce); 609.466 (medical assistance fraud); 609.498, subdivision 1 or 1b (aggravated first degree or first degree tampering with a witness); 609.52 (theft); 609.521 (possession of shoplifting gear); 609.525 (bringing stolen goods into Minnesota); 609.527 (identity theft); 609.53 (receiving stolen property); 609.535 (issuance of dishonored checks); 609.562 (arson in the second degree); 609.563 (arson in the third degree); 609.582 (burglary); 609.59 (possession of burglary tools); 609.611 (insurance fraud); 609.625 (aggravated forgery); 609.63 (forgery); 609.631 (check forgery; offering a forged check); 609.635 (obtaining signature by false pretense); 609.66 (dangerous weapons); 609.67 (machine guns and short-barreled shotguns); 609.687 (adulteration); 609.71 (riot); 609.713 (terroristic threats); 609.82 (fraud in obtaining credit); 609.821 (financial transaction card fraud); 617.23 (indecent exposure), not involving a minor; repeat offenses under 617.241 (obscene materials and performances; distribution and exhibition prohibited; penalty); 624.713 (certain persons not to possess firearms); chapter 152 (drugs; controlled substance); or a felony-level conviction involving alcohol or drug use.

(b) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than 15 years has passed since the individual's aiding and abetting, attempt, or conspiracy to commit any of the offenses listed in paragraph (a), as each of these offenses is defined in Minnesota Statutes.

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(c) For foster care and family child care an individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than 15 years has passed since the individual's voluntary termination of the individual's parental rights under section 260C.301, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), or 260C.301, subdivision 3.

(d) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than 15 years has passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed for an offense in any other state or country, the elements of which are substantially similar to the elements of the offenses listed in paragraph (a).

(e) If the individual studied commits one of the offenses listed in paragraph (a), but the sentence or level of offense is a gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor, the individual is disqualified but the disqualification look-back period for the offense is the period applicable to the gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor disposition.

(f) When a disqualification is based on a judicial determination other than a conviction, the disqualification period begins from the date of the court order. When a disqualification is based on an admission, the disqualification period begins from the date of an admission in court. When a disqualification is based on ~~a preponderance of~~ clear and convincing evidence of a disqualifying act, the disqualification date begins from the date of the dismissal, the date of discharge of the sentence imposed for a conviction for a disqualifying crime of similar elements, or the date of the incident, whichever occurs last.

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 245C.15, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Ten-year disqualification. (a) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if: (1) less than ten years have passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed, if any, for the offense; and (2) the individual has committed a gross misdemeanor-level violation of any of the following offenses: sections 256.98 (wrongfully obtaining assistance); 268.182 (false representation; concealment of facts); 393.07, subdivision 10, paragraph (c) (federal Food Stamp Program fraud); 609.21 (criminal vehicular homicide and injury); 609.221 or 609.222 (assault in the first or second degree); 609.223 or 609.2231 (assault in the third or fourth degree); 609.224 (assault in the fifth degree); 609.224, subdivision 2, paragraph (c) (assault in the fifth degree by a caregiver against a vulnerable adult); 609.2242 and 609.2243 (domestic assault); 609.23 (mistreatment of persons confined); 609.231 (mistreatment of residents or patients); 609.2325 (criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult); 609.233 (criminal neglect of a vulnerable adult); 609.2335 (financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult); 609.234 (failure to report maltreatment of a vulnerable adult); 609.265 (abduction); 609.275 (attempt to coerce); 609.324, subdivision 1a (other prohibited acts; minor engaged in prostitution); 609.33 (disorderly house); 609.377 (malicious punishment of a child); 609.378 (neglect or endangerment of a child); 609.466 (medical assistance fraud); 609.52 (theft); 609.525 (bringing stolen goods into Minnesota); 609.527 (identity theft); 609.53 (receiving stolen property); 609.535 (issuance of dishonored checks); 609.582 (burglary); 609.59 (possession of burglary tools); 609.611 (insurance fraud); 609.631 (check forgery; offering a forged check); 609.66 (dangerous weapons); 609.71 (riot); 609.72, subdivision 3 (disorderly conduct against a vulnerable adult); repeat offenses under 609.746 (interference with privacy); 609.749, subdivision 2 (harassment; stalking); 609.82 (fraud in obtaining credit); 609.821 (financial transaction card fraud); 617.23 (indecent exposure), not involving a minor; 617.241 (obscene materials and performances); 617.243 (indecent literature, distribution); 617.293 (harmful materials; dissemination and display to minors prohibited); or violation of an order for protection under section 518B.01, subdivision 14.

(b) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than ten years has passed since the individual's aiding and abetting, attempt, or conspiracy to commit any of the offenses listed in paragraph (a), as each of these offenses is defined in Minnesota Statutes.

(c) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than ten years has passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed for an offense in any other state or country, the elements of which are substantially similar to the elements of any of the offenses listed in paragraph (a).

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(d) If the individual studied commits one of the offenses listed in paragraph (a), but the sentence or level of offense is a misdemeanor disposition, the individual is disqualified but the disqualification lookback period for the offense is the period applicable to misdemeanors.

(e) When a disqualification is based on a judicial determination other than a conviction, the disqualification period begins from the date of the court order. When a disqualification is based on an admission, the disqualification period begins from the date of an admission in court. When a disqualification is based on ~~a preponderance of~~ clear and convincing evidence of a disqualifying act, the disqualification date begins from the date of the dismissal, the date of discharge of the sentence imposed for a conviction for a disqualifying crime of similar elements, or the date of the incident, whichever occurs last.

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 245C.15, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Seven-year disqualification. (a) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if: (1) less than seven years has passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed, if any, for the offense; and (2) the individual has committed a misdemeanor-level violation of any of the following offenses: sections 256.98 (wrongfully obtaining assistance); 268.182 (false representation; concealment of facts); 393.07, subdivision 10, paragraph (c) (federal Food Stamp Program fraud); 609.21 (criminal vehicular homicide and injury); 609.221 (assault in the first degree); 609.222 (assault in the second degree); 609.223 (assault in the third degree); 609.2231 (assault in the fourth degree); 609.224 (assault in the fifth degree); 609.2242 (domestic assault); 609.2335 (financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult); 609.234 (failure to report maltreatment of a vulnerable adult); 609.2672 (assault of an unborn child in the third degree); 609.27 (coercion); violation of an order for protection under 609.3232 (protective order authorized; procedures; penalties); 609.466 (medical assistance fraud); 609.52 (theft); 609.525 (bringing stolen goods into Minnesota); 609.527 (identity theft); 609.53 (receiving stolen property); 609.535 (issuance of dishonored checks); 609.611 (insurance fraud); 609.66 (dangerous weapons); 609.665 (spring guns); 609.746 (interference with privacy); 609.79 (obscene or harassing telephone calls); 609.795 (letter, telegram, or package; opening; harassment); 609.82 (fraud in obtaining credit); 609.821 (financial transaction card fraud); 617.23 (indecent exposure), not involving a minor; 617.293 (harmful materials; dissemination and display to minors prohibited); or violation of an order for protection under section 518B.01 (Domestic Abuse Act).

(b) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than seven years has passed since a determination or disposition of the individual's:

(1) failure to make required reports under section 626.556, subdivision 3, or 626.557, subdivision 3, for incidents in which: (i) the final disposition under section 626.556 or 626.557 was substantiated maltreatment, and (ii) the maltreatment was recurring or serious; or

(2) substantiated serious or recurring maltreatment of a minor under section 626.556, a vulnerable adult under section 626.557, or serious or recurring maltreatment in any other state, the elements of which are substantially similar to the elements of maltreatment under section 626.556 or 626.557 for which: (i) there is a preponderance of evidence that the maltreatment occurred, and (ii) the subject was responsible for the maltreatment.

(c) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than seven years has passed since the individual's aiding and abetting, attempt, or conspiracy to commit any of the offenses listed in paragraphs (a) and (b), as each of these offenses is defined in Minnesota Statutes.

(d) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than seven years has passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed for an offense in any other state or country, the elements of which are substantially similar to the elements of any of the offenses listed in paragraphs (a) and (b).

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(f) An individual is disqualified under section 245C.14 if less than seven years has passed since the individual was disqualified under section 256.98, subdivision 8.

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.24, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Permanent bar to set aside a disqualification. (a) Except as provided in ~~paragraph~~ paragraphs (b) and (c), the commissioner may not set aside the disqualification of any individual disqualified pursuant to this chapter, regardless of how much time has passed, if the individual was disqualified for a crime or conduct listed in section 245C.15, subdivision 1.

(b) ~~For~~ An individual in the chemical dependency field who was:

(1) disqualified for a crime or conduct listed under section 245C.15, subdivision 1~~, and~~;

(2) whose disqualification was set aside prior to July 1, 2005~~, the commissioner must consider granting~~; and

(3) was granted a variance pursuant to section 245C.30 for the license holder for a program dealing primarily with adults. A request for reconsideration evaluated under this paragraph must include a letter of recommendation from the license holder that was subject to the prior set-aside decision addressing the individual's quality of care to children or vulnerable adults and the circumstances of the individual's departure from that service under this section prior to August 1, 2008, is eligible to request a set-aside under paragraph (c).

(c) For any individual who was disqualified for a crime or conduct listed under section 245C.15, subdivision 1, and whose disqualification was set aside prior to July 1, 2005, the commissioner must consider granting a set-aside pursuant to section 245C.22. An employer who hires any individual who provides in-home services shall monitor service provision with the client by telephone at least quarterly.

(d) For an individual who was disqualified for an offense under section 609.66, subdivision 1e, that was committed when the individual was a minor, and more than seven years has passed since the incident, during which time the individual has attended and graduated from college, the commissioner may consider setting aside the disqualification for a children's residential facility licensed by the Department of Corrections.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2008.

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 245C.24, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Ten-year bar to set aside disqualification. (a) The commissioner may not set aside the disqualification of an individual in connection with a license to provide family child care for children, foster care for children in the provider's home, or foster care or day care services for adults in the provider's home if: (1) less than ten years has passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed, if any, for the offense; or (2) when disqualified based on ~~a preponderance of~~ clear and convincing evidence determination under section 245C.14, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2), or an admission under section 245C.14, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (1), and less than ten years has passed since the individual committed the act or admitted to committing the act, whichever is later; and (3) the individual has committed a violation of any of the following offenses: sections 609.165 (felon

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ineligible to possess firearm); criminal vehicular homicide under 609.21 (criminal vehicular homicide and injury); 609.215 (aiding suicide or aiding attempted suicide); felony violations under 609.223 or 609.2231 (assault in the third or fourth degree); 609.229 (crimes committed for benefit of a gang); 609.713 (terroristic threats); 609.235 (use of drugs to injure or to facilitate crime); 609.24 (simple robbery); 609.255 (false imprisonment); 609.562 (arson in the second degree); 609.71 (riot); 609.498, subdivision 1 or 1b (aggravated first degree or first degree tampering with a witness); burglary in the first or second degree under 609.582 (burglary); 609.66 (dangerous weapon); 609.665 (spring guns); 609.67 (machine guns and short-barreled shotguns); 609.749, subdivision 2 (gross misdemeanor harassment; stalking); 152.021 or 152.022 (controlled substance crime in the first or second degree); 152.023, subdivision 1, clause (3) or (4) or subdivision 2, clause (4) (controlled substance crime in the third degree); 152.024, subdivision 1, clause (2), (3), or (4) (controlled substance crime in the fourth degree); 609.224, subdivision 2, paragraph (c) (fifth-degree assault by a caregiver against a vulnerable adult); 609.23 (mistreatment of persons confined); 609.231 (mistreatment of residents or patients); 609.2325 (criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult); 609.233 (criminal neglect of a vulnerable adult); 609.2335 (financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult); 609.234 (failure to report); 609.265 (abduction); 609.2664 to 609.2665 (manslaughter of an unborn child in the first or second degree); 609.267 to 609.2672 (assault of an unborn child in the first, second, or third degree); 609.268 (injury or death of an unborn child in the commission of a crime); repeat offenses under 617.23 (indecent exposure); 617.293 (disseminating or displaying harmful material to minors); a felony-level conviction involving alcohol or drug use, a gross misdemeanor offense under 609.324, subdivision 1 (other prohibited acts); a gross misdemeanor offense under 609.378 (neglect or endangerment of a child); a gross misdemeanor offense under 609.377 (malicious punishment of a child); 609.72, subdivision 3 (disorderly conduct against a vulnerable adult); or 624.713 (certain persons not to possess firearms).

(b) The commissioner may not set aside the disqualification of an individual if less than ten years have passed since the individual's aiding and abetting, attempt, or conspiracy to commit any of the offenses listed in paragraph (a) as each of these offenses is defined in Minnesota Statutes.

(c) The commissioner may not set aside the disqualification of an individual if less than ten years have passed since the discharge of the sentence imposed for an offense in any other state or country, the elements of which are substantially similar to the elements of any of the offenses listed in paragraph (a).

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 245C.27, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Fair hearing when disqualification is not set aside. (a) If the commissioner does not set aside a disqualification of an individual under section 245C.22 who is disqualified on the basis of ~~a preponderance of~~ clear and convincing evidence that the individual committed an act or acts that meet the definition of any of the crimes listed in section 245C.15; for a determination under section 626.556 or 626.557 of substantiated maltreatment that was serious or recurring under section 245C.15; or for failure to make required reports under section 626.556, subdivision 3; or 626.557, subdivision 3, pursuant to section 245C.15, subdivision 4, paragraph (b), clause (1), the individual may request a fair hearing under section 256.045, unless the disqualification is deemed conclusive under section 245C.29.

(b) The fair hearing is the only administrative appeal of the final agency determination for purposes of appeal by the disqualified individual. The disqualified individual does not have the right to challenge the accuracy and completeness of data under section 13.04.

(c) Except as provided under paragraph (e), if the individual was disqualified based on a conviction or admission to any crimes listed in section 245C.15, subdivisions 1 to 4, or for a disqualification under section 256.98, subdivision 8, the reconsideration decision under section 245C.22 is the final agency determination for purposes of appeal by the disqualified individual and is not subject to a hearing under section 256.045. If the individual was disqualified based on a judicial determination, that determination is treated the same as a conviction for purposes of appeal.

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(d) This subdivision does not apply to a public employee's appeal of a disqualification under section 245C.28, subdivision 3.

(e) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), if the commissioner does not set aside a disqualification of an individual who was disqualified based on both ~~a preponderance of~~ clear and convincing evidence and a conviction or admission, the individual may request a fair hearing under section 256.045, unless the disqualifications are deemed conclusive under section 245C.29. The scope of the hearing conducted under section 256.045 with regard to the disqualification based on a conviction or admission shall be limited solely to whether the individual poses a risk of harm, according to section 256.045, subdivision 3b. In this case, the reconsideration decision under section 245C.22 is not the final agency decision for purposes of appeal by the disqualified individual.

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 245C.29, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Conclusive disqualification determination. (a) Unless otherwise specified in statute, a determination that:

(1) the information the commissioner relied upon to disqualify an individual under section 245C.14 was correct based on serious or recurring maltreatment;

(2) ~~a preponderance of the~~ clear and convincing evidence shows that the individual committed an act or acts that meet the definition of any of the crimes listed in section 245C.15; or

(3) the individual failed to make required reports under section 626.556, subdivision 3, or 626.557, subdivision 3, is conclusive if:

(i) the commissioner has issued a final order in an appeal of that determination under section 245A.08, subdivision 5, or 256.045, or a court has issued a final decision;

(ii) the individual did not request reconsideration of the disqualification under section 245C.21; or

(iii) the individual did not request a hearing on the disqualification under section 256.045 or chapter 14.

(b) When a licensing action under section 245A.05, 245A.06, or 245A.07 is based on the disqualification of an individual in connection with a license to provide family child care, foster care for children in the provider's own home, or foster care services for adults in the provider's own home, that disqualification shall be conclusive for purposes of the licensing action if a request for reconsideration was not submitted within 30 calendar days of the individual's receipt of the notice of disqualification.

(c) If a determination that the information relied upon to disqualify an individual was correct and is conclusive under this section, and the individual is subsequently disqualified under section 245C.15, the individual has a right to request reconsideration on the risk of harm under section 245C.21. Subsequent determinations regarding the risk of harm shall be made according to section 245C.22 and are not subject to another hearing under section 256.045 or chapter 14.

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256.045, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. State agency hearings. (a) State agency hearings are available for the following: (1) any person applying for, receiving or having received public assistance, medical care, or a program of social services granted by the state agency or a county agency or the federal Food Stamp Act whose application for assistance is denied, not acted upon with reasonable promptness, or whose assistance is suspended, reduced, terminated, or claimed to have been incorrectly paid; (2) any patient or relative aggrieved by an order of the commissioner under section 252.27;

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(3) a party aggrieved by a ruling of a prepaid health plan; (4) except as provided under chapter 245C, any individual or facility determined by a lead agency to have maltreated a vulnerable adult under section 626.557 after they have exercised their right to administrative reconsideration under section 626.557; (5) any person whose claim for foster care payment according to a placement of the child resulting from a child protection assessment under section 626.556 is denied or not acted upon with reasonable promptness, regardless of funding source; (6) any person to whom a right of appeal according to this section is given by other provision of law; (7) an applicant aggrieved by an adverse decision to an application for a hardship waiver under section 256B.15; (8) an applicant aggrieved by an adverse decision to an application or redetermination for a Medicare Part D prescription drug subsidy under section 256B.04, subdivision 4a; (9) except as provided under chapter 245A, an individual or facility determined to have maltreated a minor under section 626.556, after the individual or facility has exercised the right to administrative reconsideration under section 626.556; or (10) except as provided under chapter 245C, an individual disqualified under sections 245C.14 and 245C.15, on the basis of serious or recurring maltreatment; ~~a preponderance of the~~ clear and convincing evidence that the individual has committed an act or acts that meet the definition of any of the crimes listed in section 245C.15, subdivisions 1 to 4; or for failing to make reports required under section 626.556, subdivision 3, or 626.557, subdivision 3. Hearings regarding a maltreatment determination under clause (4) or (9) and a disqualification under this clause in which the basis for a disqualification is serious or recurring maltreatment, which has not been set aside under sections 245C.22 and 245C.23, shall be consolidated into a single fair hearing. In such cases, the scope of review by the human services referee shall include both the maltreatment determination and the disqualification. The failure to exercise the right to an administrative reconsideration shall not be a bar to a hearing under this section if federal law provides an individual the right to a hearing to dispute a finding of maltreatment. Individuals and organizations specified in this section may contest the specified action, decision, or final disposition before the state agency by submitting a written request for a hearing to the state agency within 30 days after receiving written notice of the action, decision, or final disposition, or within 90 days of such written notice if the applicant, recipient, patient, or relative shows good cause why the request was not submitted within the 30-day time limit.

The hearing for an individual or facility under clause (4), (9), or (10) is the only administrative appeal to the final agency determination specifically, including a challenge to the accuracy and completeness of data under section 13.04. Hearings requested under clause (4) apply only to incidents of maltreatment that occur on or after October 1, 1995. Hearings requested by nursing assistants in nursing homes alleged to have maltreated a resident prior to October 1, 1995, shall be held as a contested case proceeding under the provisions of chapter 14. Hearings requested under clause (9) apply only to incidents of maltreatment that occur on or after July 1, 1997. A hearing for an individual or facility under clause (9) is only available when there is no juvenile court or adult criminal action pending. If such action is filed in either court while an administrative review is pending, the administrative review must be suspended until the judicial actions are completed. If the juvenile court action or criminal charge is dismissed or the criminal action overturned, the matter may be considered in an administrative hearing.

For purposes of this section, bargaining unit grievance procedures are not an administrative appeal.

The scope of hearings involving claims to foster care payments under clause (5) shall be limited to the issue of whether the county is legally responsible for a child's placement under court order or voluntary placement agreement and, if so, the correct amount of foster care payment to be made on the child's behalf and shall not include review of the propriety of the county's child protection determination or child placement decision.

(b) A vendor of medical care as defined in section 256B.02, subdivision 7, or a vendor under contract with a county agency to provide social services is not a party and may not request a hearing under this section, except if assisting a recipient as provided in subdivision 4.

(c) An applicant or recipient is not entitled to receive social services beyond the services prescribed under chapter 256M or other social services the person is eligible for under state law.

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(d) The commissioner may summarily affirm the county or state agency's proposed action without a hearing when the sole issue is an automatic change due to a change in state or federal law.

Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256.045, subdivision 3b, is amended to read:

Subd. 3b. Standard of evidence for maltreatment and disqualification hearings. (a) The state human services referee shall determine that maltreatment has occurred if a preponderance of evidence exists to support the final disposition under sections 626.556 and 626.557. For purposes of hearings regarding disqualification, the state human services referee shall affirm the proposed disqualification in an appeal under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (9), if ~~a preponderance of the evidence shows the individual has~~:

(1) a preponderance of the evidence shows the individual has committed maltreatment under section 626.556 or 626.557, which is serious or recurring;

(2) clear and convincing evidence shows the individual has committed an act or acts meeting the definition of any of the crimes listed in section 245C.15, subdivisions 1 to 4; or

(3) a preponderance of the evidence shows the individual has failed to make required reports under section 626.556 or 626.557, for incidents in which the final disposition under section 626.556 or 626.557 was substantiated maltreatment that was serious or recurring.

(b) If the disqualification is affirmed, the state human services referee shall determine whether the individual poses a risk of harm in accordance with the requirements of section 245C.16, and whether the disqualification should be set aside or not set aside. In determining whether the disqualification should be set aside, the human services referee shall consider all of the characteristics that cause the individual to be disqualified, including those characteristics that were not subject to review under paragraph (a), in order to determine whether the individual poses a risk of harm. A decision to set aside a disqualification that is the subject of the hearing constitutes a determination that the individual does not pose a risk of harm and that the individual may provide direct contact services in the individual program specified in the set aside. If a determination that the information relied upon to disqualify an individual was correct and is conclusive under section 245C.29, and the individual is subsequently disqualified under section 245C.14, the individual has a right to again request reconsideration on the risk of harm under section 245C.21. Subsequent determinations regarding risk of harm are not subject to another hearing under this section.

(c) The state human services referee shall recommend an order to the commissioner of health, education, or human services, as applicable, who shall issue a final order. The commissioner shall affirm, reverse, or modify the final disposition. Any order of the commissioner issued in accordance with this subdivision is conclusive upon the parties unless appeal is taken in the manner provided in subdivision 7. In any licensing appeal under chapters 245A and 245C and sections 144.50 to 144.58 and 144A.02 to 144A.46, the commissioner's determination as to maltreatment is conclusive, as provided under section 245C.29.

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.20, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Policy and purpose. The policy of the state of Minnesota and the purpose of sections 259.20 to 259.69 is to ensure:

(1) that the best interests of ~~children~~ adopted persons are met in the planning and granting of adoptions; and

(2) that laws and practices governing adoption recognize the diversity of Minnesota's population and the diverse needs of persons affected by adoption.

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Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.21, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 2a. Adult adoption. "Adult adoption" means the adoption of a person at least 18 years of age.

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.22, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. ~~Children~~ Persons who may be adopted. No petition for adoption shall be filed unless the ~~child~~ person sought to be adopted has been placed by the commissioner of human services, the commissioner's agent, or a licensed child-placing agency. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply if

(a) the ~~child~~ person to be adopted is over 14 years of age;

(b) the child is sought to be adopted by an individual who is related to the child, as defined by section 245A.02, subdivision 13;

(c) the child has been lawfully placed under the laws of another state while the child and petitioner resided in that other state;

(d) the court waives the requirement of this subdivision in the best interests of the child or petitioners, provided that the adoption does not involve a placement as defined in section 259.21, subdivision 8; or

(e) the child has been lawfully placed under section 259.47.

Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.23, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Contents of petition. The petition shall be signed by the petitioner and, if married, by the spouse. It shall be verified, and filed in duplicate. The petition shall allege:

(a) The full name, age and place of residence of petitioner, and if married, the date and place of marriage;

(b) The date petitioner acquired physical custody of the child and from what person or agency;

(d) The name of the child's parents, if known, and the guardian if there be one;

(e) The actual name of the ~~child~~ person to be adopted, if known, and any known aliases;

(f) The name to be given the ~~child~~ person to be adopted if a change of name is desired;

(g) The description and value of any real or personal property owned by the ~~child~~ person to be adopted;

(h) That the petitioner desires that the relationship of parent and child be established between petitioner and the ~~child, and that it is to the~~ person to be adopted and that adoption is in the best interests of the ~~child for the child~~ person to be adopted by the petitioner.

In agency placements, the information required in clauses (d) and (e) shall not be required to be alleged in the petition but shall be transmitted to the court by the commissioner of human services or the agency.

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Sec. 15. [259.241] ADULT ADOPTION.

(a) Any adult person may be adopted, regardless of his or her residence. A resident of Minnesota may petition the court of record having jurisdiction of adoption proceedings to adopt an individual who has reached the age of 18 years or older.

(b) The consent of the person to be adopted shall be the only consent necessary, according to section 259.24. The consent of an adult in his or her own adoption is invalid if the adult is considered to be a vulnerable adult under section 626.5572, subdivision 21, or if the person consenting to the adoption is determined not competent to give consent.

(c) The decree of adoption establishes a parent-child relationship between the adopting parent or parents and the person adopted, including the right to inherit, and also terminates the parental rights and sibling relationship between the adopted person and the adopted person's birth parents and siblings according to section 259.59.

(d) If the adopted person requests a change of name, the adoption decree shall order the name change.

Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 259.41, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Study required before placement; certain relatives excepted. (a) An approved adoption study; completed background study, as required under section 245C.33; and written report must be completed before the child is placed in a prospective adoptive home under this chapter, except as allowed by section 259.47, subdivision 6. In an agency placement, the report must be filed with the court at the time the adoption petition is filed. In a direct adoptive placement, the report must be filed with the court in support of a motion for temporary preadoptive custody under section 259.47, subdivision 3, or, if the study and report are complete, in support of an emergency order under section 259.47, subdivision 6. The study and report shall be completed by a licensed child-placing agency and must be thorough and comprehensive. The study and report shall be paid for by the prospective adoptive parent, except as otherwise required under section 256.01, subdivision 2, paragraph (h), 259.67, or 259.73.

(b) A placement for adoption with an individual who is related to the child, as defined by section 245A.02, subdivision 13, is ~~not~~ subject to ~~this section except as~~ the background study required ~~by sections 245C.33 and 259.53, subdivision 2, paragraph (c).~~ by subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (1), items (i) and (ii), and subdivision 3. In the case of a stepparent adoption, a background study must be completed on the stepparent and any children as required under subdivision 3, paragraph (b), except that a child of the stepparent does not need to have a background study complete if they are a sibling through birth or adoption of the person being adopted. The local social services agency of the county in which the prospective adoptive parent lives must initiate a background study unless a child-placing agency has been involved with the adoption. The local social service agency may charge a reasonable fee for the background study. If a placement is being made the background study must be completed prior to placement pursuant to section 259.29, subdivision 1, paragraph (c). Background study results must be filed with the adoption petition according to section 259.22, except in an adult adoption where an adoption study and background study are not needed.

(c) In the case of a licensed foster parent seeking to adopt a child who is in the foster parent's care, any portions of the foster care licensing process that duplicate requirements of the home study may be submitted in satisfaction of the relevant requirements of this section.

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Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.43, is amended to read:

259.43 BIRTH PARENT HISTORY; COMMISSIONER'S FORM.

In any adoption under this chapter, except a stepparent or an adult adoption under section 259.241, a birth parent or an agency, if an agency placement, shall provide a prospective adoptive parent with a complete, thorough, detailed, and current social and medical history of the ~~birth families~~ child being adopted, if information is known after reasonable inquiry. Each ~~birth family~~ child social and medical history must be provided on a form or forms prepared by the commissioner and must include background and health history specific to the child, the child's birth parents, and the child's other birth relatives. Applicable background and health information about the child includes: the child's current health condition, behavior, and demeanor; placement history; education history; sibling information; and birth, medical, dental, and immunization information. Redacted copies of pertinent records, assessments, and evaluations shall be attached to the child's social and medical history. Applicable background information about the child's birth parents and other birth relatives includes: general background information; education and employment history; physical health and mental health history; and reasons for the child's placement. The child's social and medical history shall be completed in a manner so that ~~the completed form~~ protects the identities of all individuals described in it. The commissioner shall make the form available to agencies and court administrators for public distribution. The ~~birth family~~ child's social and medical history must be provided to the prospective adoptive family prior to adoptive placement, provided to the Department of Human Services with application for adoption assistance, if applicable, and filed with the court when the adoption petition is filed~~, or,~~. In a direct adoptive placement, the child's social and medical history must be filed with the court with the motion for temporary preadoptive custody.

Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.52, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Requirement to search registry before adoption petition can be granted; proof of search. No petition for adoption may be granted unless the agency supervising the adoptive placement, the birth mother of the child, or, in the case of a stepparent or relative adoption, the county agency responsible for the report required under section 259.53, subdivision 1, requests that the commissioner of health search the registry to determine whether a putative father is registered in relation to a child who is or may be the subject of an adoption petition. The search required by this subdivision must be conducted no sooner than 31 days following the birth of the child. A search of the registry may be proven by the production of a certified copy of the registration form or by a certified statement of the commissioner of health that after a search no registration of a putative father in relation to a child who is or may be the subject of an adoption petition could be located. The filing of a certified copy of an order from a juvenile protection matter under chapter 260C containing a finding that certification of the requisite search of the Minnesota Fathers' Adoption Registry was filed with the court in that matter shall also constitute proof of search. Certification that the fathers' adoption registry has been searched must be filed with the court prior to entry of any final order of adoption. In addition to the search required by this subdivision, the agency supervising the adoptive placement, the birth mother of the child, or, in the case of a stepparent or relative adoption, the ~~county~~ social services agency responsible for the report under section 259.53, subdivision 1, or the responsible social services agency that is a petitioner in a juvenile protection matter under chapter 260C may request that the commissioner of health search the registry at any time.

Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.53, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Reports and records. (a) The contents of all reports and records of the commissioner of human services, local social services agency, or child-placing agency bearing on the suitability of the proposed adoptive home and the child to each other shall not be disclosed either directly or indirectly to any person other than the commissioner of human services, the child's guardian ad litem appointed under: (1) section 260C.163 when the guardian's appointment continues under section 260C.317, subdivision 3, paragraph (b); or (2) section 259.65 or a judge of the court having jurisdiction of the matter, except as provided in paragraph (b).

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(b) A judge of the court having jurisdiction of the matter shall upon request disclose to a party to the proceedings or the party's counsel any portion of a report or record that relates only to the suitability of the proposed adoptive parents. In this disclosure, the judge may withhold the identity of individuals providing information in the report or record. When the judge is considering whether to disclose the identity of individuals providing information, the agency with custody of the report or record shall be permitted to present reasons for or against disclosure.

Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 259.57, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Findings; orders. Upon the hearing,

(a) if the court finds that it is in the best interests of the ~~child~~ person to be adopted that the petition be granted, a decree of adoption shall be made and recorded in the office of the court administrator, ordering that henceforth the ~~child~~ person to be adopted shall be the child of the petitioner. In the decree the court may change the name of the ~~child~~ adopted person if desired. After the decree is granted for ~~a child~~ an adopted person who is:

(1) under the guardianship of the commissioner or a licensed child-placing agency according to section 260C.201, subdivision 11, or 260C.317;

(2) placed by the commissioner, commissioner's agent, or licensed child-placing agency after a consent to adopt according to section 259.24 or under an agreement conferring authority to place for adoption according to section 259.25; or

(3) adopted after a direct adoptive placement ordered by the district court under section 259.47,

the court administrator shall immediately mail a copy of the recorded decree to the commissioner of human services;

(b) if the court is not satisfied that the proposed adoption is in the best interests of the ~~child~~ person to be adopted, the court shall deny the petition, and in the case of a child shall order the child returned to the custody of the person or agency legally vested with permanent custody or certify the case for appropriate action and disposition to the court having jurisdiction to determine the custody and guardianship of the child.

Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.59, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Legal effect. Upon adoption, the ~~child~~ adopted person shall become the legal child of the adopting persons and they shall become the legal parents of the child with all the rights and duties between them of birth parents and legitimate child. By virtue of the adoption the ~~child~~ adopted person shall inherit from the adoptive parents or their relatives the same as though the ~~child~~ adopted person were the natural child of the parents, and in case of the ~~child's~~ adopted person's death intestate the adoptive parents and their relatives shall inherit the ~~child's~~ adopted person's estate as if ~~they~~ the adopted person had been the child's birth parents and relatives. After a decree of adoption is entered the birth parents of an adopted ~~child~~ person shall be relieved of all parental responsibilities for the ~~child~~ adopted person, and they shall not exercise or have any rights over the adopted ~~child~~ person or the ~~child's~~ adopted person's property. The ~~child~~ adopted person shall not owe the birth parents or their relatives any legal duty nor shall the ~~child~~ adopted person inherit from the birth parents or kindred, except as provided in subdivision 1a and section 257C.08, subdivision 6.

Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.59, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Enrollment in American Indian tribe. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision 1, the adoption of a ~~child~~ person whose birth parent or parents are enrolled in an American Indian tribe shall not change the ~~child's~~ person's enrollment in that tribe.

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Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.67, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Adoption assistance agreement. The placing agency shall certify a child as eligible for adoption assistance according to rules promulgated by the commissioner. The placing agency shall not certify a child who remains under the jurisdiction of the sending agency pursuant to section 260.851, article 5, for state-funded adoption assistance when Minnesota is the receiving state. Not later than 30 days after a parent or parents are found and approved for adoptive placement of a child certified as eligible for adoption assistance, and before the final decree of adoption is issued, a written agreement must be entered into by the commissioner, the adoptive parent or parents, and the placing agency. The written agreement must be fully completed by the placing agency and in the form prescribed by the commissioner and must set forth the responsibilities of all parties, the anticipated duration of the adoption assistance payments, and the payment terms. The adoption assistance agreement shall be subject to the commissioner's approval, which must be granted or denied not later than 15 days after the agreement is entered.

The amount of adoption assistance is subject to the availability of state and federal funds and shall be determined through agreement with the adoptive parents. The agreement shall take into consideration the circumstances of the adopting parent or parents, the needs of the child being adopted and may provide ongoing monthly assistance, supplemental maintenance expenses related to the ~~adopted person's~~ child's special needs, nonmedical expenses periodically necessary for purchase of services, items, or equipment related to the special needs, and medical expenses. The placing agency or the adoptive parent or parents shall provide written documentation to support the need for adoption assistance payments. The commissioner may require periodic reevaluation of adoption assistance payments. The amount of ongoing monthly adoption assistance granted may in no case exceed that which would be allowable for the child under foster family care and is subject to the availability of state and federal funds.

Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.67, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. ~~Annual affidavit~~ Modification or termination of the adoption assistance agreement. When adoption assistance agreements are for more than one year, the adoptive parents or guardian or conservator shall annually present an affidavit stating whether the adopted person remains under their care and whether the need for adoption assistance continues to exist. The commissioner may verify the affidavit. The adoption assistance agreement shall continue in accordance with its terms as long as the need for adoption assistance continues and the adopted ~~person~~ child is the legal or financial dependent of the adoptive parent or parents or guardian or conservator and is under 18 years of age. The adoption assistance agreement may be extended to age 22 as allowed by rules adopted by the commissioner. Termination or modification of the adoption assistance agreement may be requested by the adoptive parents or subsequent guardian or conservator at any time. When the commissioner determines that a child is eligible for adoption assistance under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, United States Code, title 42, sections 670 to 679a, the commissioner shall modify the adoption assistance agreement in order to obtain the funds under that act.

Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.67, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 3a. Recovery of overpayments. An amount of adoption assistance paid to an adoptive parent in excess of the payment due is recoverable by the commissioner, even when the overpayment was caused by agency error or circumstances outside the responsibility and control of the family or provider. Adoption assistance amounts covered by this subdivision include basic maintenance needs payments, monthly supplemental maintenance needs payments, reimbursement of nonrecurring adoption expenses, reimbursement of special nonmedical costs, and reimbursement of medical costs.

Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 259.67, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Eligibility conditions. (a) The placing agency shall use the AFDC requirements as specified in federal law as of July 16, 1996, when determining the child's eligibility for adoption assistance under title IV-E of the Social Security Act. If the child does not qualify, the placing agency shall certify a child as eligible for state funded adoption assistance only if the following criteria are met:

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(1) Due to the child's characteristics or circumstances it would be difficult to provide the child an adoptive home without adoption assistance.

(2)(i) A placement agency has made reasonable efforts to place the child for adoption without adoption assistance, but has been unsuccessful; or

(ii) the child's licensed foster parents desire to adopt the child and it is determined by the placing agency that the adoption is in the best interest of the child; or

(iii) the child's relative, as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 27, desires to adopt the child, and it is determined by the placing agency that the adoption is in the best interest of the child.

(3)(i) The child ~~has been~~ is a ward of the commissioner~~, a Minnesota-licensed child-placing agency,~~ or a tribal social service agency of Minnesota recognized by the Secretary of the Interior; or (ii) the child will be adopted according to tribal law without a termination of parental rights or relinquishment, provided that the tribe has documented the valid reason why the child cannot or should not be returned to the home of the child's parent. The placing agency shall not certify a child who remains under the jurisdiction of the sending agency pursuant to section 260.851, article 5, for state-funded adoption assistance when Minnesota is the receiving state. A child who is adopted by the child's legal custodian or guardian shall not be eligible for state-funded adoption assistance.

(b) ~~For purposes of this subdivision,~~ The characteristics or circumstances that may be considered in determining whether a child ~~is a child with special needs under United States Code, title 42, chapter 7, subchapter IV, part E, or~~ meets the requirements of paragraph (a), clause (1), or section 473(c)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act, are the following:

(1) The child is a member of a sibling group to be placed as one unit in which at least one sibling is older than 15 months of age or is described in clause (2) or (3).

(2) The child has documented physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral disabilities.

(3) The child has a high risk of developing physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral disabilities.

(4) The child is five years of age or older.

(c) When a child's eligibility for adoption assistance is based upon the high risk of developing physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral disabilities, payments shall not be made under the adoption assistance agreement unless and until the potential disability manifests itself as documented by an appropriate health care professional.

Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.75, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Withdrawal of registration. A child's registration shall be withdrawn when the exchange service has been notified in writing by the local social service agency ~~and~~ or the licensed child-placing agency that the child has been ~~adopted, has become 14 years old and will not consent to an adoption plan,~~ placed in an adoptive home or has died.

Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.89, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Request. An adopted person who is 19 years of age or over may request the commissioner of health to disclose the information on the adopted person's original birth record. The commissioner of health shall, within five days of receipt of the request, notify the commissioner of human services agent or licensed child-placing agency when known or the commissioner of human services when the agency is not known in writing of the request by the adopted person.

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Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.89, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Search. Within six months after receiving notice of the request of the adopted person, the commissioner of human ~~services~~ services' agent or a licensed child-placing agency shall make complete and reasonable efforts to notify each parent identified on the original birth record of the adopted person. The commissioner, the commissioner's agents, and licensed child-placing agencies may charge a reasonable fee to the adopted person for the cost of making a search pursuant to this subdivision. Every licensed child-placing agency in the state shall cooperate with the commissioner of human services in efforts to notify an identified parent. All communications under this subdivision are confidential pursuant to section 13.02, subdivision 3.

For purposes of this subdivision, "notify" means a personal and confidential contact with the birth parents named on the original birth record of the adopted person. The contact ~~shall not be by mail and~~ shall be by an employee or agent of the licensed child-placing agency which processed the pertinent adoption or some other licensed child-placing agency designated by the commissioner of human services when it is determined to be reasonable by the commissioner; otherwise contact shall be by mail or telephone. The contact shall be evidenced by filing with the commissioner of health an affidavit of notification executed by the person who notified each parent certifying that each parent was given the following information:

~~(a)~~ (1) the nature of the information requested by the adopted person;

~~(b)~~ (2) the date of the request of the adopted person;

~~(c)~~ (3) the right of the parent to file, within 30 days of receipt of the notice, an affidavit with the commissioner of health stating that the information on the original birth record should not be disclosed;

~~(d)~~ (4) the right of the parent to file a consent to disclosure with the commissioner of health at any time; and

~~(e)~~ (5) the effect of a failure of the parent to file either a consent to disclosure or an affidavit stating that the information on the original birth record should not be disclosed.

Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.89, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Release of information after notice. If, within six months, the commissioner of human ~~services certifies~~ services' agent or licensed child-placing agency document to the commissioner of health notification of each parent identified on the original birth record pursuant to subdivision 2, the commissioner of health shall disclose the information requested by the adopted person 31 days after the date of the latest notice to either parent. This disclosure will occur if, at any time during the 31 days both of the parents identified on the original birth record have filed a consent to disclosure with the commissioner of health and neither consent to disclosure has been revoked by the subsequent filing by a parent of an affidavit stating that the information should not be disclosed. If only one parent has filed a consent to disclosure and the consent has not been revoked, the commissioner of health shall disclose, to the adopted person, original birth record information on the consenting parent only.

Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 259.89, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 7. Adult adoptions. Notwithstanding section 144.218, a person adopted as an adult shall be permitted to access the person's birth records that existed prior to the adult adoption. Access to the existing birth records shall be the same access that was permitted prior to the adult adoption.

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Sec. 32. [260.853] INTERSTATE COMPACT FOR THE PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN.

ARTICLE I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children is to:

A. Provide a process through which children subject to this compact are placed in safe and suitable homes in a timely manner.

B. Facilitate ongoing supervision of a placement, the delivery of services, and communication between the states.

C. Provide operating procedures that will ensure that children are placed in safe and suitable homes in a timely manner.

D. Provide for the promulgation and enforcement of administrative rules implementing the provisions of this compact and regulating the covered activities of the member states.

E. Provide for uniform data collection and information sharing between member states under this compact.

F. Promote coordination between this compact, the Interstate Compact for Juveniles, the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance and other compacts affecting the placement of and which provide services to children otherwise subject to this compact.

G. Provide for a state's continuing legal jurisdiction and responsibility for placement and care of a child that it would have had if the placement were intrastate.

H. Provide for the promulgation of guidelines, in collaboration with Indian tribes, for interstate cases involving Indian children as is or may be permitted by federal law.

ARTICLE II. DEFINITIONS

As used in this compact,

A. "Approved placement" means the public child-placing agency in the receiving state has determined that the placement is both safe and suitable for the child.

B. "Assessment" means an evaluation of a prospective placement by a public child-placing agency to determine whether the placement meets the individualized needs of the child, including but not limited to the child's safety and stability, health and well-being, and mental, emotional, and physical development. An assessment is only applicable to a placement by a public child-placing agency.

C. "Child" means an individual who has not attained the age of eighteen (18).

D. "Certification" means to attest, declare or sworn to before a judge or notary public.

E. "Default" means the failure of a member state to perform the obligations or responsibilities imposed upon it by this compact, the bylaws or rules of the Interstate Commission.

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F. "Home Study" means an evaluation of a home environment conducted according to the applicable requirements of the State in which the home is located, and documents the preparation and the suitability of the placement resource for placement of a child according to the laws and requirements of the state in which the home is located.

G. "Indian tribe" means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community of Indians recognized as eligible for services provided to Indians by the Secretary of the Interior because of their status as Indians, including any Alaskan native village as defined in section 3 (c) of the Alaska Native Claims settlement Act at 43 USC § 1602(c).

H. "Interstate Commission for the Placement of Children" means the commission that is created under Article VIII of this compact and which is generally referred to as the Interstate Commission.

I. "Jurisdiction" means the power and authority of a court to hear and decide matters.

J. "Legal Risk Placement" ("Legal Risk Adoption") means a placement made preliminary to an adoption where the prospective adoptive parents acknowledge in writing that a child can be ordered returned to the sending state or the birth mother's state of residence, if different from the sending state and a final decree of adoption shall not be entered in any jurisdiction until all required consents are obtained or are dispensed with according to applicable law.

K. "Member state" means a state that has enacted this compact.

L. "Non-custodial parent" means a person who, at the time of the commencement of court proceedings in the sending state, does not have sole legal custody of the child or has joint legal custody of a child, and who is not the subject of allegations or findings of child abuse or neglect.

M. "Non-member state" means a state which has not enacted this compact.

N. "Notice of residential placement" means information regarding a placement into a residential facility provided to the receiving state including, but not limited to the name, date and place of birth of the child, the identity and address of the parent or legal guardian, evidence of authority to make the placement, and the name and address of the facility in which the child will be placed. Notice of residential placement shall also include information regarding a discharge and any unauthorized absence from the facility.

O. "Placement" means the act by a public or private child-placing agency intended to arrange for the care or custody of a child in another state.

P. "Private child-placing agency" means any private corporation, agency, foundation, institution, or charitable organization, or any private person or attorney that facilitates, causes, or is involved in the placement of a child from one state to another and that is not an instrumentality of the state or acting under color of state law.

Q. "Provisional placement" means a determination made by the public child-placing agency in the receiving state that the proposed placement is safe and suitable, and, to the extent allowable, the receiving state has temporarily waived its standards or requirements otherwise applicable to prospective foster or adoptive parents so as to not delay the placement. Completion of an assessment and the receiving state requirements regarding training for prospective foster or adoptive parents shall not delay an otherwise safe and suitable placement.

R. "Public child-placing agency" means any government child welfare agency or child protection agency or a private entity under contract with such an agency, regardless of whether they act on behalf of a state, county, municipality or other governmental unit and which facilitates, causes, or is involved in the placement of a child from one state to another.

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S. "Receiving state" means the state to which a child is sent, brought, or caused to be sent or brought.

T. "Relative" means someone who is related to the child as a parent, step-parent, sibling by half or whole blood or by adoption, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or first cousin or a non-relative with such significant ties to the child that they may be regarded as relatives as determined by the court in the sending state.

U. "Residential Facility" means a facility providing a level of care that is sufficient to substitute for parental responsibility or foster care, and is beyond what is needed for assessment or treatment of an acute condition. For purposes of the compact, residential facilities do not include institutions primarily educational in character, hospitals or other medical facilities.

V. "Rule" means a written directive, mandate, standard or principle issued by the Interstate Commission promulgated pursuant to Article XI of this compact that is of general applicability and that implements, interprets or prescribes a policy or provision of the compact. "Rule" has the force and effect of an administrative rule in a member state, and includes the amendment, repeal, or suspension of an existing rule.

W. "Sending state" means the state from which the placement of a child is initiated.

X. "Service member's permanent duty station" means the military installation where an active duty Armed Services member is currently assigned and is physically located under competent orders that do not specify the duty as temporary.

Y. "Service member's state of legal residence" means the state in which the active duty Armed Services member is considered a resident for tax and voting purposes.

Z. "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Marianas Islands and any other territory of the United States.

AA. "State court" means a judicial body of a state that is vested by law with responsibility for adjudicating cases involving abuse, neglect, deprivation, delinquency or status offenses of individuals who have not attained the age of eighteen (18).

BB. "Supervision" means monitoring provided by the receiving state once a child has been placed in a receiving state pursuant to this compact.

ARTICLE III. APPLICABILITY

A. Except as otherwise provided in Article III, Section B, this compact shall apply to:

1. The interstate placement of a child in a custody proceeding in which a public child placing agency is not a party, provided, the placement is not intended to effectuate an adoption.

2. The interstate placement of a child subject to ongoing court jurisdiction in the sending state, due to allegations or findings that the child has been abused, neglected, or deprived as defined by the laws of the sending state, provided, however, that the placement of such a child into a residential facility shall only require notice of residential placement to the receiving state prior to placement.

3. The interstate placement of a child adjudicated delinquent or unmanageable based on the laws of the sending state and subject to ongoing court jurisdiction of the sending state if:

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a. the child is being placed in a residential facility in another member state and is not covered under another compact; or

b. the child is being placed in another member state and the determination of safety and suitability of the placement and services required is not provided through another compact.

4. The interstate placement of any child by a public child-placing agency or private child-placing agency as defined in this compact as a preliminary step to a possible adoption.

B. The provisions of this compact shall not apply to:

1. The interstate placement of a child with a non-relative in a receiving state by a parent with the legal authority to make such a placement provided, however, that the placement is not intended to effectuate an adoption.

2. The interstate placement of a child by one relative with the lawful authority to make such a placement directly with a relative in a receiving state.

3. The placement of a child, not subject to Article III, Section A, into a residential facility by his parent.

4. The placement of a child with a non-custodial parent provided that:

a. The non-custodial parent proves to the satisfaction of a court in the sending state a substantial relationship with the child; and

b. The court in the sending state makes a written finding that placement with the non-custodial parent is in the best interests of the child; and

c. The court in the sending state dismisses its jurisdiction over the child's case.

5. A child entering the United States from a foreign country for the purpose of adoption or leaving the United States to go to a foreign country for the purpose of adoption in that country.

6. Cases in which a U.S. citizen child living overseas with his family, at least one of whom is in the U.S. Armed Services, and who is stationed overseas, is removed and placed in a state.

7. The sending of a child by a public child-placing agency or a private child-placing agency for a visit as defined by the rules of the Interstate Commission.

C. For purposes of determining the applicability of this compact to the placement of a child with a family in the Armed Services, the public child-placing agency or private child-placing agency may choose the state of the service member's permanent duty station or the service member's declared legal residence.

D. Nothing in this compact shall be construed to prohibit the concurrent application of the provisions of this compact with other applicable interstate compacts including the Interstate Compact for Juveniles and the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance. The Interstate Commission may in cooperation with other interstate compact commissions having responsibility for the interstate movement, placement or transfer of children, promulgate like rules to ensure the coordination of services, timely placement of children, and the reduction of unnecessary or duplicative administrative or procedural requirements.

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ARTICLE IV. JURISDICTION

A. Except as provided in Article IV, Section G, concerning private and independent adoptions, and in interstate placements in which the public child placing agency is not a party to a custody proceeding the sending state shall retain jurisdiction over a child with respect to all matters of custody and disposition of the child which it would have had if the child had remained in the sending state. Such jurisdiction shall also include the power to order the return of the child to the sending state.

B. When an issue of child protection or custody is brought before a court in the receiving state, such court shall confer with the court of the sending state to determine the most appropriate forum for adjudication.

C. In accordance with its own laws, the court in the sending state shall have authority to terminate its jurisdiction if:

1. The child is reunified with the parent in the receiving state who is the subject of allegations or findings of abuse or neglect, only with the concurrence of the public child-placing agency in the receiving state; or

2. The child is adopted;

3. The child reaches the age of majority under the laws of the sending state; or

4. The child achieves legal independence pursuant to the laws of the sending state; or

5. A guardianship is created by a court in the receiving state with the concurrence of the court in the sending state; or

6. An Indian tribe has petitioned for and received jurisdiction from the court in the sending state; or

7. The public child-placing agency of the sending state requests termination and has obtained the concurrence of the public child-placing agency in the receiving the state.

D. When a sending state court terminates its jurisdiction, the receiving state child-placing agency shall be notified.

E. Nothing in this article shall defeat a claim of jurisdiction by a receiving state court sufficient to deal with an act of truancy, delinquency, crime or behavior involving a child as defined by the laws of the receiving state committed by the child in the receiving state which would be a violation of its laws.

F. Nothing in this article shall limit the receiving state's ability to take emergency jurisdiction for the protection of the child.

G. The substantive laws of the state in which an adoption will be finalized shall solely govern all issues relating to the adoption of the child and the court in which the adoption proceeding is filed shall have subject matter jurisdiction regarding all substantive issues relating to the adoption, except:

1. when the child is a ward of another court that established jurisdiction over the child prior to the placement;

2. when the child is in the legal custody of a public agency in the sending state; or

3. when the court in the sending state has otherwise appropriately assumed jurisdiction over the child, prior to the submission of the request for approval of placement.

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ARTICLE V. PLACEMENT EVALUATION

A. Prior to sending, bringing, or causing a child to be sent or brought into a receiving state, the public child-placing agency shall provide a written request for assessment to the receiving state.

B. For placements by a private child-placing agency, a child may be sent or brought, or caused to be sent or brought, into a receiving state, upon receipt and immediate review of the required content to accompany a request for approval of a placement in both the sending and receiving state public child-placing agency. The required content for a request for provisional approval shall include all of the following:

1. A request for approval identifying the child, birth parents, the prospective adoptive parents, and the supervising agency, signed by the person requesting approval; and

2. The appropriate consents or relinquishments signed by the birth parents in accordance with the laws of the sending state, or where permitted by the laws of the state where the adoption will be finalized; and

3. Certification by a licensed attorney or other authorized agent of a private adoption agency that the consent or relinquishment is in compliance with the applicable laws of the sending state, or where permitted the laws of the state where finalization of the adoption will occur; and

4. A home study; and

5. An acknowledgment of legal risk signed by the prospective adoptive parents.

C. The sending state and the receiving state may request additional information or documents prior to finalization of an approved placement, but they may not delay travel by the prospective adoptive parents with the child if the required content for approval has been submitted, received, and reviewed by the public child-placing agency in both the sending state and the receiving state.

D. Approval from the public child-placing agency in the receiving state for a provisional or approved placement is required as provided for in the rules of the Interstate Commission.

E. The procedures for making, and the request for an assessment, shall contain all information and be in such form as provided for in the rules of the Interstate Commission.

F. Upon receipt of a request from the public child-placing agency of the sending state, the receiving state shall initiate an assessment of the proposed placement to determine its safety and suitability. If the proposed placement is a placement with a relative, the public child-placing agency of the sending state may request a determination for a provisional placement.

G. The public child-placing agency in the receiving state may request from the public child-placing agency or the private child-placing agency in the sending state, and shall be entitled to receive supporting or additional information necessary to complete the assessment.

ARTICLE VI. PLACEMENT AUTHORITY

A. Except as otherwise provided in this compact, no child subject to this compact shall be placed into a receiving state until approval for such placement is obtained.

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B. If the public child-placing agency in the receiving state does not approve the proposed placement then the child shall not be placed. The receiving state shall provide written documentation of any such determination in accordance with the rules promulgated by the Interstate Commission. Such determination is not subject to judicial review in the sending state.

C. If the proposed placement is not approved, any interested party shall have standing to seek an administrative review of the receiving state's determination.

1. The administrative review and any further judicial review associated with the determination shall be conducted in the receiving state pursuant to its applicable administrative procedures.

2. If a determination not to approve the placement of the child in the receiving state is overturned upon review, the placement shall be deemed approved, provided however that all administrative or judicial remedies have been exhausted or the time for such remedies has passed.

ARTICLE VII. PLACING AGENCY RESPONSIBILITY

A. For the interstate placement of a child made by a public child-placing agency or state court:

1. The public child-placing agency in the sending state shall have financial responsibility for:

a. the ongoing support and maintenance for the child during the period of the placement, unless otherwise provided for in the receiving state; and

b. as determined by the public child-placing agency in the sending state, services for the child beyond the public services for which the child is eligible in the receiving state.

2. The receiving state shall only have financial responsibility for:

a. any assessment conducted by the receiving state; and

b. supervision conducted by the receiving state at the level necessary to support the placement as agreed upon by the public child-placing agencies of the receiving and sending state.

3. Nothing in this provision shall prohibit public child-placing agencies in the sending state from entering into agreements with licensed agencies or persons in the receiving state to conduct assessments and provide supervision.

B. For the placement of a child by a private child-placing agency preliminary to a possible adoption, the private child-placing agency shall be:

1. Legally responsible for the child during the period of placement as provided for in the law of the sending state until the finalization of the adoption.

2. Financially responsible for the child absent a contractual agreement to the contrary.

C. The public child-placing agency in the receiving state shall provide timely assessments, as provided for in the rules of the Interstate Commission.

D. The public child-placing agency in the receiving state shall provide, or arrange for the provision of, supervision and services for the child, including timely reports, during the period of the placement.

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E. Nothing in this compact shall be construed as to limit the authority of the public child-placing agency in the receiving state from contracting with a licensed agency or person in the receiving state for an assessment or the provision of supervision or services for the child or otherwise authorizing the provision of supervision or services by a licensed agency during the period of placement.

F. Each member state shall provide for coordination among its branches of government concerning the state's participation in, and compliance with, the compact and Interstate Commission activities, through the creation of an advisory council or use of an existing body or board.

G. Each member state shall establish a central state compact office, which shall be responsible for state compliance with the compact and the rules of the Interstate Commission.

H. The public child-placing agency in the sending state shall oversee compliance with the provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act (25 USC 1901 et seq.) for placements subject to the provisions of this compact, prior to placement.

I. With the consent of the Interstate Commission, states may enter into limited agreements that facilitate the timely assessment and provision of services and supervision of placements under this compact.

ARTICLE VIII. INTERSTATE COMMISSION FOR THE PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN

The member states hereby establish, by way of this compact, a commission known as the "Interstate Commission for the Placement of Children." The activities of the Interstate Commission are the formation of public policy and are a discretionary state function. The Interstate Commission shall:

A. Be a joint commission of the member states and shall have the responsibilities, powers and duties set forth herein, and such additional powers as may be conferred upon it by subsequent concurrent action of the respective legislatures of the member states.

B. Consist of one commissioner from each member state who shall be appointed by the executive head of the state human services administration with ultimate responsibility for the child welfare program. The appointed commissioner shall have the legal authority to vote on policy related matters governed by this compact binding the state.

1. Each member state represented at a meeting of the Interstate Commission is entitled to one vote.

2. A majority of the member states shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, unless a larger quorum is required by the bylaws of the Interstate Commission.

3. A representative shall not delegate a vote to another member state.

4. A representative may delegate voting authority to another person from their state for a specified meeting.

C. In addition to the commissioners of each member state, the Interstate Commission shall include persons who are members of interested organizations as defined in the bylaws or rules of the Interstate Commission. Such members shall be ex officio and shall not be entitled to vote on any matter before the Interstate Commission.

D. Establish an executive committee which shall have the authority to administer the day-to-day operations and administration of the Interstate Commission. It shall not have the power to engage in rulemaking.

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ARTICLE IX. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION

The Interstate Commission shall have the following powers:

A. To promulgate rules and take all necessary actions to effect the goals, purposes and obligations as enumerated in this compact.

B. To provide for dispute resolution among member states.

C. To issue, upon request of a member state, advisory opinions concerning the meaning or interpretation of the interstate compact, its bylaws, rules or actions.

D. To enforce compliance with this compact or the bylaws or rules of the Interstate Commission pursuant to Article XII.

E. Collect standardized data concerning the interstate placement of children subject to this compact as directed through its rules which shall specify the data to be collected, the means of collection and data exchange and reporting requirements.

F. To establish and maintain offices as may be necessary for the transacting of its business.

G. To purchase and maintain insurance and bonds.

H. To hire or contract for services of personnel or consultants as necessary to carry out its functions under the compact and establish personnel qualification policies, and rates of compensation.

I. To establish and appoint committees and officers including, but not limited to, an executive committee as required by Article X.

J. To accept any and all donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services, and to receive, utilize, and dispose thereof.

K. To lease, purchase, accept contributions or donations of, or otherwise to own, hold, improve or use any property, real, personal, or mixed.

L. To sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property, real, personal or mixed.

M. To establish a budget and make expenditures.

N. To adopt a seal and bylaws governing the management and operation of the Interstate Commission.

O. To report annually to the legislatures, governors, the judiciary, and state advisory councils of the member states concerning the activities of the Interstate Commission during the preceding year. Such reports shall also include any recommendations that may have been adopted by the Interstate Commission.

P. To coordinate and provide education, training and public awareness regarding the interstate movement of children for officials involved in such activity.

Q. To maintain books and records in accordance with the bylaws of the Interstate Commission.

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R. To perform such functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this compact.

ARTICLE X. ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION

A. Bylaws

1. Within 12 months after the first Interstate Commission meeting, the Interstate Commission shall adopt bylaws to govern its conduct as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the compact.

2. The Interstate Commission's bylaws and rules shall establish conditions and procedures under which the Interstate Commission shall make its information and official records available to the public for inspection or copying. The Interstate Commission may exempt from disclosure information or official records to the extent they would adversely affect personal privacy rights or proprietary interests.

B. Meetings

1. The Interstate Commission shall meet at least once each calendar year. The chairperson may call additional meetings and, upon the request of a simple majority of the member states shall call additional meetings.

2. Public notice shall be given by the Interstate Commission of all meetings and all meetings shall be open to the public, except as set forth in the rules or as otherwise provided in the compact. The Interstate Commission and its committees may close a meeting, or portion thereof, where it determines by two-thirds vote that an open meeting would be likely to:

a. relate solely to the Interstate Commission's internal personnel practices and procedures; or

b. disclose matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal law; or

c. disclose financial or commercial information which is privileged, proprietary or confidential in nature; or

d. involve accusing a person of a crime, or formally censuring a person; or

e. disclose information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or physically endanger one or more persons; or

f. disclose investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes; or

g. specifically relate to the Interstate Commission's participation in a civil action or other legal proceeding.

3. For a meeting, or portion of a meeting, closed pursuant to this provision, the Interstate Commission's legal counsel or designee shall certify that the meeting may be closed and shall reference each relevant exemption provision. The Interstate Commission shall keep minutes which shall fully and clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the reasons therefore, including a description of the views expressed and the record of a roll call vote. All documents considered in connection with an action shall be identified in such minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject to release by a majority vote of the Interstate Commission or by court order.

4. The bylaws may provide for meetings of the Interstate Commission to be conducted by telecommunication or other electronic communication.

C. Officers and Staff

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1. The Interstate Commission may, through its executive committee, appoint or retain a staff director for such period, upon such terms and conditions and for such compensation as the Interstate Commission may deem appropriate. The staff director shall serve as secretary to the Interstate Commission, but shall not have a vote. The staff director may hire and supervise such other staff as may be authorized by the Interstate Commission.

2. The Interstate Commission shall elect, from among its members, a chairperson and a vice chairperson of the executive committee and other necessary officers, each of whom shall have such authority and duties as may be specified in the bylaws.

D. Qualified Immunity, Defense and Indemnification

1. The Interstate Commission's staff director and its employees shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for a claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused or arising out of or relating to an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred, or that such person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided, that such person shall not be protected from suit or liability for damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by a criminal act or the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of such person.

a. The liability of the Interstate Commission's staff director and employees or Interstate Commission representatives, acting within the scope of such person's employment or duties for acts, errors, or omissions occurring within such person's state may not exceed the limits of liability set forth under the Constitution and laws of that state for state officials, employees, and agents. The Interstate Commission is considered to be an instrumentality of the states for the purposes of any such action. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to protect such person from suit or liability for damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by a criminal act or the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of such person.

b. The Interstate Commission shall defend the staff director and its employees and, subject to the approval of the Attorney General or other appropriate legal counsel of the member state shall defend the commissioner of a member state in a civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of an actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties or responsibilities, or that the defendant had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from intentional or willful and wanton misconduct on the part of such person.

c. To the extent not covered by the state involved, member state, or the Interstate Commission, the representatives or employees of the Interstate Commission shall be held harmless in the amount of a settlement or judgment, including attorney's fees and costs, obtained against such persons arising out of an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that such persons had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from intentional or willful and wanton misconduct on the part of such persons.

ARTICLE XI. RULEMAKING FUNCTIONS OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION

A. The Interstate Commission shall promulgate and publish rules in order to effectively and efficiently achieve the purposes of the compact.

B. Rulemaking shall occur pursuant to the criteria set forth in this article and the bylaws and rules adopted pursuant thereto. Such rulemaking shall substantially conform to the principles of the "Model State Administrative Procedures Act," 1981 Act, Uniform Laws Annotated, Vol. 15, p.1 (2000), or such other administrative procedure acts as the Interstate Commission deems appropriate consistent with due process requirements under the United

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States Constitution as now or hereafter interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court. All rules and amendments shall become binding as of the date specified, as published with the final version of the rule as approved by the Interstate Commission.

C. When promulgating a rule, the Interstate Commission shall, at a minimum:

1. Publish the proposed rule's entire text stating the reason(s) for that proposed rule; and

2. Allow and invite any and all persons to submit written data, facts, opinions and arguments, which information shall be added to the record, and be made publicly available; and

3. Promulgate a final rule and its effective date, if appropriate, based on input from state or local officials, or interested parties.

D. Rules promulgated by the Interstate Commission shall have the force and effect of administrative rules and shall be binding in the compacting states to the extent and in the manner provided for in this compact.

E. Not later than 60 days after a rule is promulgated, an interested person may file a petition in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia or in the Federal District Court where the Interstate Commission's principal office is located for judicial review of such rule. If the court finds that the Interstate Commission's action is not supported by substantial evidence in the rulemaking record, the court shall hold the rule unlawful and set it aside.

F. If a majority of the legislatures of the member states rejects a rule, those states may by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the compact cause that such rule shall have no further force and effect in any member state.

G. The existing rules governing the operation of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children superseded by this act shall be null and void no less than 12, but no more than 24 months after the first meeting of the Interstate Commission created hereunder, as determined by the members during the first meeting.

H. Within the first 12 months of operation, the Interstate Commission shall promulgate rules addressing the following:

1. Transition rules

2. Forms and procedures

3. Time lines

4. Data collection and reporting

5. Rulemaking

6. Visitation

7. Progress reports/supervision

8. Sharing of information/confidentiality

9. Financing of the Interstate Commission

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10. Mediation, arbitration and dispute resolution

11. Education, training and technical assistance

12. Enforcement

13. Coordination with other interstate compacts

I. Upon determination by a majority of the members of the Interstate Commission that an emergency exists:

1. The Interstate Commission may promulgate an emergency rule only if it is required to:

a. Protect the children covered by this compact from an imminent threat to their health, safety and well-being; or

b. Prevent loss of federal or state funds; or

c. Meet a deadline for the promulgation of an administrative rule required by federal law.

2. An emergency rule shall become effective immediately upon adoption, provided that the usual rulemaking procedures provided hereunder shall be retroactively applied to said rule as soon as reasonably possible, but no later than 90 days after the effective date of the emergency rule.

3. An emergency rule shall be promulgated as provided for in the rules of the Interstate Commission.

ARTICLE XII. OVERSIGHT, DISPUTE RESOLUTION, ENFORCEMENT

A. Oversight

1. The Interstate Commission shall oversee the administration and operation of the compact.

2. The executive, legislative and judicial branches of state government in each member state shall enforce this compact and the rules of the Interstate Commission and shall take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the compact's purposes and intent. The compact and its rules shall be binding in the compacting states to the extent and in the manner provided for in this compact.

3. All courts shall take judicial notice of the compact and the rules in any judicial or administrative proceeding in a member state pertaining to the subject matter of this compact.

4. The Interstate Commission shall be entitled to receive service of process in any action in which the validity of a compact provision or rule is the issue for which a judicial determination has been sought and shall have standing to intervene in any proceedings. Failure to provide service of process to the Interstate Commission shall render any judgment, order or other determination, however so captioned or classified, void as to the Interstate Commission, this compact, its bylaws or rules of the Interstate Commission.

B. Dispute Resolution

1. The Interstate Commission shall attempt, upon the request of a member state, to resolve disputes which are subject to the compact and which may arise among member states and between member and non-member states.

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2. The Interstate Commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes among compacting states. The costs of such mediation or dispute resolution shall be the responsibility of the parties to the dispute.

C. Enforcement

1. If the Interstate Commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this compact, its bylaws or rules, the Interstate Commission may:

a. Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance; or

b. Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other member states, of the nature of the default and the means of curing the default. The Interstate Commission shall specify the conditions by which the defaulting state must cure its default; or

c. By majority vote of the members, initiate against a defaulting member state legal action in the United State District Court for the District of Columbia or, at the discretion of the Interstate Commission, in the federal district where the Interstate Commission has its principal office, to enforce compliance with the provisions of the compact, its bylaws or rules. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation including reasonable attorney's fees; or

d. Avail itself of any other remedies available under state law or the regulation of official or professional conduct.

ARTICLE XIII. FINANCING OF THE COMMISSION

A. The Interstate Commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization and ongoing activities.

B. The Interstate Commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each member state to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the Interstate Commission and its staff which must be in a total amount sufficient to cover the Interstate Commission's annual budget as approved by its members each year. The aggregate annual assessment amount shall be allocated based upon a formula to be determined by the Interstate Commission which shall promulgate a rule binding upon all member states.

C. The Interstate Commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same; nor shall the Interstate Commission pledge the credit of any of the member states, except by and with the authority of the member state.

D. The Interstate Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the Interstate Commission shall be subject to the audit and accounting procedures established under its bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the Interstate Commission shall be audited yearly by a certified or licensed public accountant and the report of the audit shall be included in and become part of the annual report of the Interstate Commission.

ARTICLE XIV. MEMBER STATES, EFFECTIVE DATE AND AMENDMENT

A. Any state is eligible to become a member state.

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B. The compact shall become effective and binding upon legislative enactment of the compact into law by no less than 35 states. The effective date shall be the later of July 1, 2007 or upon enactment of the compact into law by the 35th state. Thereafter it shall become effective and binding as to any other member state upon enactment of the compact into law by that state. The executive heads of the state human services administration with ultimate responsibility for the child welfare program of non-member states or their designees shall be invited to participate in the activities of the Interstate Commission on a non-voting basis prior to adoption of the compact by all states.

C. The Interstate Commission may propose amendments to the compact for enactment by the member states. No amendment shall become effective and binding on the member states unless and until it is enacted into law by unanimous consent of the member states.

ARTICLE XV. WITHDRAWAL AND DISSOLUTION

A. Withdrawal

1. Once effective, the compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each and every member state; provided that a member state may withdraw from the compact specifically repealing the statute which enacted the compact into law.

2. Withdrawal from this compact shall be by the enactment of a statute repealing the same. The effective date of withdrawal shall be the effective date of the repeal of the statute.

3. The withdrawing state shall immediately notify the president of the Interstate Commission in writing upon the introduction of legislation repealing this compact in the withdrawing state. The Interstate Commission shall then notify the other member states of the withdrawing state's intent to withdraw.

4. The withdrawing state is responsible for all assessments, obligations and liabilities incurred through the effective date of withdrawal.

5. Reinstatement following withdrawal of a member state shall occur upon the withdrawing state reenacting the compact or upon such later date as determined by the members of the Interstate Commission.

B. Dissolution of Compact

1. This compact shall dissolve effective upon the date of the withdrawal or default of the member state which reduces the membership in the compact to one member state.

2. Upon the dissolution of this compact, the compact becomes null and void and shall be of no further force or effect, and the business and affairs of the Interstate Commission shall be concluded and surplus funds shall be distributed in accordance with the bylaws.

ARTICLE XVI. SEVERABILITY AND CONSTRUCTION

A. The provisions of this compact shall be severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision is deemed unenforceable, the remaining provisions of the compact shall be enforceable.

B. The provisions of this compact shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes.

C. Nothing in this compact shall be construed to prohibit the concurrent applicability of other interstate compacts to which the states are members.

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ARTICLE XVII. BINDING EFFECT OF COMPACT AND OTHER LAWS

A. Other Laws

1. Nothing herein prevents the enforcement of any other law of a member state that is not inconsistent with this compact.

B. Binding Effect of the Compact

1. All lawful actions of the Interstate Commission, including all rules and bylaws promulgated by the Interstate Commission, are binding upon the member states.

2. All agreements between the Interstate Commission and the member states are binding in accordance with their terms.

3. In the event any provision of this compact exceeds the constitutional limits imposed on the legislature of any member state, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of the conflict with the constitutional provision in question in that member state.

ARTICLE XVIII. INDIAN TRIBES

Notwithstanding any other provision in this compact, the Interstate Commission may promulgate guidelines to permit Indian tribes to utilize the compact to achieve any or all of the purposes of the compact as specified in Article I. The Interstate Commission shall make reasonable efforts to consult with Indian tribes in promulgating guidelines to reflect the diverse circumstances of the various Indian tribes.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective upon legislative enactment of the compact into law by no less than 35 states. The commissioner of human services shall inform the Revisor of Statutes when this occurs.

Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 260C.001, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Child in need of protection services. (a) The paramount consideration in all proceedings concerning a child alleged or found to be in need of protection or services is the health, safety, and best interests of the child. In proceedings involving an American Indian child, as defined in section 260.755, subdivision 8, the best interests of the child must be determined consistent with sections 260.751 to 260.835 and the Indian Child Welfare Act, United States Code, title 25, sections 1901 to 1923.

(b) The purpose of the laws relating to juvenile courts is:

(1) to secure for each child alleged or adjudicated in need of protection or services and under the jurisdiction of the court, the care and guidance, preferably in the child's own home, as will best serve the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical welfare of the child;

(2) to provide judicial procedures which protect the welfare of the child;

(3) to preserve and strengthen the child's family ties whenever possible and in the child's best interests, removing the child from the custody of parents only when the child's welfare or safety cannot be adequately safeguarded without removal;

(4) to ensure that when removal from the child's own family is necessary and in the child's best interests, the responsible social services agency has legal responsibility for the child removal either:

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(i) pursuant to a voluntary placement agreement between the child's parent or guardian and the responsible social services agency; or

(ii) by court order pursuant to section 260C.151, subdivision 6; 206C.178; or 260C.201;

(5) to ensure that, when placement is pursuant to court order, the court order removing the child or continuing the child in foster care contains an individualized determination that placement is in the best interests of the child that coincides with the actual removal of the child; and~~, when removal from the child's own family is necessary and in the child's best interests,~~

(6) to ~~secure for~~ ensure that when the child is removed, the ~~child custody,~~ child's care and discipline is, as nearly as possible, equivalent to that which should have been given by the parents. and is either in:

(i) the home of a noncustodial parent pursuant to section 260C.178 or 260C.201, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (1);

(ii) the home of a relative pursuant to emergency placement by the responsible social services agency under chapter 245A; or

(iii) a foster home licensed under chapter 245A.

Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 260C.007, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Child abuse. "Child abuse" means an act that involves a minor victim ~~and~~ that constitutes a violation of section 609.221, 609.222, 609.223, 609.224, 609.2242, 609.322, 609.324, 609.342, 609.343, 609.344, 609.345, 609.377, 609.378, 617.246, or that is physical or sexual abuse as defined in section 626.556, subdivision 2, or an act committed in another state that involves a minor victim and would constitute a violation of one of these sections if committed in this state.

Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 260C.007, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6. Child in need of protection or services. "Child in need of protection or services" means a child who is in need of protection or services because the child:

(1) is abandoned or without parent, guardian, or custodian;

(2)(i) has been a victim of physical or sexual abuse as defined in section 626.556, subdivision 2, (ii) resides with or has resided with a victim of child abuse as defined in subdivision 5 or domestic child abuse as defined in subdivision 5 13, (iii) resides with or would reside with a perpetrator of domestic child abuse as defined in subdivision 13 or child abuse as defined in subdivision 5, or (iv) is a victim of emotional maltreatment as defined in subdivision 8;

(3) is without necessary food, clothing, shelter, education, or other required care for the child's physical or mental health or morals because the child's parent, guardian, or custodian is unable or unwilling to provide that care;

(4) is without the special care made necessary by a physical, mental, or emotional condition because the child's parent, guardian, or custodian is unable or unwilling to provide that care~~, including a child in voluntary placement due solely to the child's developmental disability or emotional disturbance~~;

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(5) is medically neglected, which includes, but is not limited to, the withholding of medically indicated treatment from a disabled infant with a life-threatening condition. The term "withholding of medically indicated treatment" means the failure to respond to the infant's life-threatening conditions by providing treatment, including appropriate nutrition, hydration, and medication which, in the treating physician's or physicians' reasonable medical judgment, will be most likely to be effective in ameliorating or correcting all conditions, except that the term does not include the failure to provide treatment other than appropriate nutrition, hydration, or medication to an infant when, in the treating physician's or physicians' reasonable medical judgment:

(i) the infant is chronically and irreversibly comatose;

(ii) the provision of the treatment would merely prolong dying, not be effective in ameliorating or correcting all of the infant's life-threatening conditions, or otherwise be futile in terms of the survival of the infant; or

(iii) the provision of the treatment would be virtually futile in terms of the survival of the infant and the treatment itself under the circumstances would be inhumane;

(6) is one whose parent, guardian, or other custodian for good cause desires to be relieved of the child's care and custody, including a child ~~in placement according to~~ who entered foster care under a voluntary ~~release by~~ placement agreement between the parent and the responsible social services agency under section 260C.212, subdivision 8;

(7) has been placed for adoption or care in violation of law;

(8) is without proper parental care because of the emotional, mental, or physical disability, or state of immaturity of the child's parent, guardian, or other custodian;

(9) is one whose behavior, condition, or environment is such as to be injurious or dangerous to the child or others. An injurious or dangerous environment may include, but is not limited to, the exposure of a child to criminal activity in the child's home;

(10) is experiencing growth delays, which may be referred to as failure to thrive, that have been diagnosed by a physician and are due to parental neglect;

(11) has engaged in prostitution as defined in section 609.321, subdivision 9;

(12) has committed a delinquent act or a juvenile petty offense before becoming ten years old;

(13) is a runaway;

(14) is a habitual truant; or

(15) has been found incompetent to proceed or has been found not guilty by reason of mental illness or mental deficiency in connection with a delinquency proceeding, a certification under section 260B.125, an extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution, or a proceeding involving a juvenile petty offense.

Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 260C.007, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13. Domestic child abuse. "Domestic child abuse" means:

(1) any physical injury to a minor family or household member inflicted by an adult family or household member other than by accidental means; or

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(2) subjection of a minor family or household member by an adult family or household member to any act which constitutes a violation of sections 609.321 to 609.324, 609.342, 609.343, 609.344, 609.345, or 617.246.; or

(3) physical or sexual abuse as defined in section 626.556, subdivision 2.

Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 260C.101, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Jurisdiction over other matters relating to children. Except as provided in clause (d), the juvenile court has original and exclusive jurisdiction in proceedings concerning:

(a) The termination of parental rights to a child in accordance with the provisions of sections 260C.301 to 260C.328.

(b) The appointment and removal of a juvenile court guardian for a child, where parental rights have been terminated under the provisions of sections 260C.301 to 260C.328.

(d) The juvenile court in those counties in which the judge of the probate-juvenile court has been admitted to the practice of law in this state shall proceed under the laws relating to adoptions in all adoption matters. In those counties in which the judge of the probate-juvenile court has not been admitted to the practice of law in this state the district court shall proceed under the laws relating to adoptions in all adoption matters.

(e) The review of the ~~foster care status~~ placement of a child who ~~has been placed~~ is in ~~a residential facility, as defined in section 260C.212, subdivision 1,~~ foster care pursuant to a voluntary ~~release by~~ placement agreement between the child's parent or parents and the responsible social services agency under section 260C.212, subdivision 8.

(f) The review of voluntary foster care placement of a child for treatment under chapter 260D according to the review requirements of that chapter.

Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 260C.141, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Review of foster care status. ~~Except for a child in foster care due solely to the child's developmental disability or emotional disturbance,~~ When a child continues in voluntary ~~placement~~ foster care according to section 260C.212, subdivision 8, a petition shall be filed alleging the child to be in need of protection or services or seeking termination of parental rights or other permanent placement of the child away from the parent within 90 days of the date of the voluntary placement agreement. The petition shall state the reasons why the child is in ~~placement~~ foster care, the progress on the out-of-home placement plan required under section 260C.212, subdivision 1, and the statutory basis for the petition under section 260C.007, subdivision 6, 260C.201, subdivision 11, or 260C.301.

(1) In the case of a petition alleging the child to be in need of protection or services filed under this paragraph, if all parties agree and the court finds it is in the best interests of the child, the court may find the petition states a prima facie case that:

(i) the child's needs are being met;

(ii) the placement of the child in foster care is in the best interests of the child;

(iii) reasonable efforts to reunify the child and the parent or guardian are being made; and

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(iv) the child will be returned home in the next three months.

(2) If the court makes findings under paragraph (1), the court shall approve the voluntary arrangement and continue the matter for up to three more months to ensure the child returns to the parents' home. The responsible social services agency shall:

(i) report to the court when the child returns home and the progress made by the parent on the out-of-home placement plan required under section 260C.212, in which case the court shall dismiss jurisdiction;

(ii) report to the court that the child has not returned home, in which case the matter shall be returned to the court for further proceedings under section 260C.163; or

(iii) if any party does not agree to continue the matter under this paragraph and paragraph (1), the matter shall proceed under section 260C.163.

Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 260C.163, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. General. (a) Except for hearings arising under section 260C.425, hearings on any matter shall be without a jury and may be conducted in an informal manner. In all adjudicatory proceedings involving a child alleged to be in need of protection or services, the court shall admit only evidence that would be admissible in a civil trial. To be proved at trial, allegations of a petition alleging a child to be in need of protection or services must be proved by clear and convincing evidence.

(b) Except for proceedings involving a child alleged to be in need of protection or services and petitions for the termination of parental rights, hearings may be continued or adjourned from time to time. In proceedings involving a child alleged to be in need of protection or services and petitions for the termination of parental rights, hearings may not be continued or adjourned for more than one week unless the court makes specific findings that the continuance or adjournment is in the best interests of the child. If a hearing is held on a petition involving physical or sexual abuse of a child who is alleged to be in need of protection or services or neglected and in foster care, the court shall file the decision with the court administrator as soon as possible but no later than 15 days after the matter is submitted to the court. When a continuance or adjournment is ordered in any proceeding, the court may make any interim orders as it deems in the best interests of the minor in accordance with the provisions of sections 260C.001 to 260C.421.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the court shall exclude the general public from hearings under this chapter and shall admit only those persons who, in the discretion of the court, have a direct interest in the case or in the work of the court. Absent exceptional circumstances, hearings under this chapter are presumed to be accessible to the public, however the court may close any hearing and the records related to any matter as provided in the Minnesota Rules of Juvenile Protection Procedure.

(d) Adoption hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of laws relating to adoptions.

(e) In any permanency hearing, including the transition of a child from foster care to independent living, the court shall ensure that any consult with the child is in an age-appropriate manner.

Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 260C.171, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Public inspection of records. (a) The ~~following~~ records from proceedings or portions of proceedings involving a child in need of protection or services ~~that~~, permanency, or terminational of parental rights are ~~open~~ accessible to the public as authorized by ~~Supreme Court order and court rules are accessible to the public unless the court determines that access should be restricted because of the intensely personal nature of the information:~~ the Minnesota Rules of Juvenile Protection Procedure.

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~~(1) the summons and petition;~~

~~(2) affidavits of publication and service;~~

~~(3) certificates of representation;~~

~~(4) court orders;~~

~~(5) hearing and trial notices, witness lists, and subpoenas;~~

~~(6) motions and legal memoranda;~~

~~(7) exhibits introduced at hearings or trial that are not inaccessible under paragraph (b);~~

~~(8) birth records; and~~

~~(9) all other documents not listed as inaccessible to the public under paragraph (b).~~

~~(b) The following records are not accessible to the public under paragraph (a):~~

(1) written, audiotaped, or videotaped information from the social services agency, except to the extent the information appears in the petition, court orders, or other documents that are accessible under paragraph (a);

~~(2) child protection intake or screening notes;~~

~~(3) documents identifying reporters of maltreatment, unless the names and other identifying information are redacted;~~

~~(4) guardian ad litem reports;~~

~~(5) victim statements and addresses and telephone numbers;~~

~~(6) documents identifying nonparty witnesses under the age of 18, unless the names and other identifying information are redacted;~~

~~(7) transcripts of testimony taken during closed hearing;~~

~~(8) fingerprinting materials;~~

~~(9) psychological, psychiatric, and chemical dependency evaluations;~~

~~(10) presentence evaluations of juveniles and probation reports;~~

~~(11) medical records and test results;~~

~~(12) reports issued by sexual predator programs;~~

~~(13) diversion records of juveniles;~~

~~(14) any document which the court, upon its own motion or upon motion of a party, orders inaccessible to serve the best interests of the child; and~~

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~~(15) any other records that are not accessible to the public under rules developed by the courts.~~

In addition, records that are accessible to the public under paragraph (a) become inaccessible to the public if one year has elapsed since either the proceeding was dismissed or the court's jurisdiction over the matter was terminated.

~~(c) Except as otherwise provided by this section, none of the records of the juvenile court and~~ (b) None of the records relating to an appeal from a nonpublic juvenile court proceeding, except the written appellate opinion, shall be open to public inspection or their contents disclosed except by order of a court.

~~(d)~~ (c) The records of juvenile probation officers are records of the court for the purposes of this subdivision. This subdivision applies to all proceedings under this chapter, including appeals from orders of the juvenile court. The court shall maintain the confidentiality of adoption files and records in accordance with the provisions of laws relating to adoptions. In juvenile court proceedings any report or social history furnished to the court shall be open to inspection by the attorneys of record and the guardian ad litem a reasonable time before it is used in connection with any proceeding before the court.

(e) When a judge of a juvenile court, or duly authorized agent of the court, determines under a proceeding under this chapter that a child has violated a state or local law, ordinance, or regulation pertaining to the operation of a motor vehicle on streets and highways, except parking violations, the judge or agent shall immediately report the violation to the commissioner of public safety. The report must be made on a form provided by the Department of Public Safety and must contain the information required under section 169.95.

Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 260C.178, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Hearing and release requirements. (a) If a child was taken into custody under section 260C.175, subdivision 1, clause (a) or (b)(2), the court shall hold a hearing within 72 hours of the time the child was taken into custody, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, to determine whether the child should continue in custody.

(b) Unless there is reason to believe that the child would endanger self or others, not return for a court hearing, run away from the child's parent, guardian, or custodian or otherwise not remain in the care or control of the person to whose lawful custody the child is released, or that the child's health or welfare would be immediately endangered, the child shall be released to the custody of a parent, guardian, custodian, or other suitable person, subject to reasonable conditions of release including, but not limited to, a requirement that the child undergo a chemical use assessment as provided in section 260C.157, subdivision 1.

(c) If the court determines there is reason to believe that the child would endanger self or others; not return for a court hearing; run away from the child's parent, guardian, or custodian or otherwise not remain in the care or control of the person to whose lawful custody the child is released; or that the child's health or welfare would be immediately endangered if returned to the care of the parent or guardian who has custody and from whom the child was removed, the court shall order the child into foster care under the legal responsibility of the responsible social services agency or responsible probation or corrections agency for the purposes of protective care as that term is used in the juvenile court rules. or into the home of a noncustodial parent and order the noncustodial parent to comply with any conditions the court determines to be appropriate to the safety and care of the child, including cooperating with paternity establishment proceedings in the case of a man who has not been adjudicated the child's father. The court shall not give the responsible social services legal custody and order a trial home visit at any time prior to adjudication and disposition under section 260C.201, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (3), but may order the child returned to the care of the parent or guardian who has custody and from whom the child was removed and order the parent or guardian to comply with any conditions the court determines to be appropriate to meet the safety, health, and welfare of the child.

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(d) In determining whether the child's health or welfare would be immediately endangered, the court shall consider whether the child would reside with a perpetrator of domestic child abuse.

~~(c)~~ (e) The court, before determining whether a child should be placed in or continue in foster care under the protective care of the responsible agency, shall also make a determination, consistent with section 260.012 as to whether reasonable efforts were made to prevent placement or whether reasonable efforts to prevent placement are not required. In the case of an Indian child, the court shall determine whether active efforts, according to the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, United States Code, title 25, section 1912(d), were made to prevent placement. The court shall enter a finding that the responsible social services agency has made reasonable efforts to prevent placement when the agency establishes either:

(1) that it has actually provided services or made efforts in an attempt to prevent the child's removal but that such services or efforts have not proven sufficient to permit the child to safely remain in the home; or

(2) that there are no services or other efforts that could be made at the time of the hearing that could safely permit the child to remain home or to return home. When reasonable efforts to prevent placement are required and there are services or other efforts that could be ordered which would permit the child to safely return home, the court shall order the child returned to the care of the parent or guardian and the services or efforts put in place to ensure the child's safety. When the court makes a prima facie determination that one of the circumstances under paragraph ~~(e)~~ (g) exists, the court shall determine that reasonable efforts to prevent placement and to return the child to the care of the parent or guardian are not required.

If the court finds the social services agency's preventive or reunification efforts have not been reasonable but further preventive or reunification efforts could not permit the child to safely remain at home, the court may nevertheless authorize or continue the removal of the child.

~~(d)~~ (f) The court may not order or continue the foster care placement of the child unless the court makes explicit, individualized findings that continued custody of the child by the parent or guardian would be contrary to the welfare of the child and that placement is in the best interest of the child.

~~(e)~~ (g) At the emergency removal hearing, or at any time during the course of the proceeding, and upon notice and request of the county attorney, the court shall determine whether a petition has been filed stating a prima facie case that:

(1) the parent has subjected a child to egregious harm as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 14;

(2) the parental rights of the parent to another child have been involuntarily terminated;

(3) the child is an abandoned infant under section 260C.301, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (2);

(4) the parents' custodial rights to another child have been involuntarily transferred to a relative under section 260C.201, subdivision 11, paragraph (e), clause (1), or a similar law of another jurisdiction; or

(5) the provision of services or further services for the purpose of reunification is futile and therefore unreasonable.

~~(f)~~ (h) When a petition to terminate parental rights is required under section 260C.301, subdivision 3 or 4, but the county attorney has determined not to proceed with a termination of parental rights petition, and has instead filed a petition to transfer permanent legal and physical custody to a relative under section 260C.201, subdivision 11, the court shall schedule a permanency hearing within 30 days of the filing of the petition.

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~~(g)~~ (i) If the county attorney has filed a petition under section 260C.307, the court shall schedule a trial under section 260C.163 within 90 days of the filing of the petition except when the county attorney determines that the criminal case shall proceed to trial first under section 260C.201, subdivision 3.

~~(h)~~ (j) If the court determines the child should be ordered into foster care and the child's parent refuses to give information to the responsible social services agency regarding the child's father or relatives of the child, the court may order the parent to disclose the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and other identifying information to the responsible social services agency for the purpose of complying with the requirements of sections 260C.151, 260C.212, and 260C.215.

~~(i)~~ (k) If a child ordered into foster care has siblings, whether full, half, or step, who are also ordered into foster care, the court shall inquire of the responsible social services agency of the efforts to place the children together as required by section 260C.212, subdivision 2, paragraph (d), if placement together is in each child's best interests, unless a child is in placement due solely to the child's own behavior or a child is placed with a previously noncustodial parent who is not parent to all siblings. If the children are not placed together at the time of the hearing, the court shall inquire at each subsequent hearing of the agency's efforts to place the siblings together. If any sibling is not placed with another sibling or siblings, the agency must develop a plan for visitation among the siblings as required under section 260C.212, subdivision 1.

Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 260C.205, is amended to read:

260C.205 DISPOSITIONS; VOLUNTARY FOSTER CARE ~~PLACEMENTS~~ FOR TREATMENT.

~~Unless the court disposes of the petition under section 260C.141, subdivision 2,~~ Upon a petition ~~for review of the foster care status of a~~ by a parent or guardian under section 260C.141, subdivision 1b, regarding a child in voluntary foster care for treatment under chapter 260D, the court may:

~~(a)~~ find that the child's needs are not being met, in which case the court shall order the social services agency or the parents to take whatever action is necessary and feasible to meet the child's needs, including, when appropriate, the provision by the social services agency of services to the parents which would enable the child to live at home~~, and order a disposition under section 260C.201~~.

(b) Find that the child has been abandoned by parents financially or emotionally, or that the developmentally disabled child does not require out-of-home care because of the disabling condition, in which case the court shall order the social services agency to file an appropriate petition pursuant to section 260C.141, subdivision 1, or 260C.307.

(c) When a child is in placement due solely to the child's developmental disability or emotional disturbance and the court finds that there are compelling reasons which permit the court to approve the continued voluntary placement of the child and retain jurisdiction to conduct reviews as required under section 260C.141, subdivision 2, the court shall give the parent notice by registered United States mail of the review requirements of section 260C.141, subdivision 2, in the event the child continues in placement 12 months or longer.

~~Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit bringing a petition pursuant to section 260C.141, subdivision 1 or 4, sooner than required by court order pursuant to this section.~~

Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 260C.209, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Subjects. The responsible social services agency ~~must initiate a background study to be completed by the commissioner under chapter 245C~~ may have access to the criminal history and history of child and adult maltreatment on the following individuals:

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(1) a noncustodial parent or nonadjudicated parent who is being assessed for purposes of providing day-to-day care of a child temporarily or permanently under section 260C.212, subdivision 4, and any member of the parent's household who is over the age of 13 when there is a reasonable cause to believe that the parent or household member over age 13 has a criminal history or a history of maltreatment of a child or vulnerable adult which would endanger the child's health, safety, or welfare;

(2) an individual whose suitability for relative placement under section 260C.212, subdivision 5, is being determined and any member of the relative's household who is over the age of 13 when:

(i) the relative must be licensed for foster care; or

(ii) the background study is required under section 259.53, subdivision 2; or

(iii) the agency or the commissioner has reasonable cause to believe the relative or household member over the age of 13 has a criminal history which would not make transfer of permanent legal and physical custody to the relative under section 260C.201, subdivision 11, in the child's best interest; and

(3) a parent, following an out-of-home placement, when the responsible social services agency has reasonable cause to believe that the parent has been convicted of a crime directly related to the parent's capacity to maintain the child's health, safety, or welfare or the parent is the subject of an open investigation of, or has been the subject of a substantiated allegation of, child or vulnerable-adult maltreatment within the past ten years.

"Reasonable cause" means that the agency has received information or a report from the subject or a third person that creates an articulable suspicion that the individual has a history that may pose a risk to the health, safety, or welfare of the child. The information or report must be specific to the potential subject of the background check and shall not be based on the race, religion, ethnic background, age, class, or lifestyle of the potential subject.

Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 260C.209, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. General procedures. (a) When ~~initiating a background check~~ accessing information under subdivision 1, the agency shall require the individual being assessed to provide sufficient information to ensure an accurate assessment under this section, including:

(1) the individual's first, middle, and last name and all other names by which the individual has been known;

(2) home address, zip code, city, county, and state of residence for the past five years;

(3) sex;

(4) date of birth; and

(5) driver's license number or state identification number.

(b) When notified by the ~~commissioner or the~~ responsible social services agency that it is ~~conducting an assessment under this section~~ accessing information under subdivision 1, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, commissioners of health and human services, law enforcement, and county agencies must provide ~~the commissioner or~~ the responsible social services agency or county attorney with the following information on the individual being assessed: criminal history data, local law enforcement data about the household, reports about the maltreatment of adults substantiated under section 626.557, and reports of maltreatment of minors substantiated under section 626.556.

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Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 260C.209, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 5. Assessment for emergency relative placement. The responsible social services agency may obtain household members' criminal history and the history of maltreatment of a child or adult and use the history to assess whether putting the child in the household would endanger the child's health, safety, or welfare and to assess the suitability of a relative prior to an emergency placement. This assessment does not substitute for the background study required under chapter 245C and does not supersede requirements related to emergency placement under section 245A.035.

Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 260C.212, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Out-of-home placement; plan. (a) An out-of-home placement plan shall be prepared within 30 days after any child is placed in ~~a residential facility~~ foster care by court order or ~~by the~~ a voluntary ~~release of the child by~~ placement agreement between the responsible social services agency and the child's parent ~~or parents~~ pursuant to subdivision 8 or chapter 260D.

For purposes of this section, a residential facility means any group home, family foster home or other publicly supported out-of-home residential facility, including any out-of-home residential facility under contract with the state, county or other political subdivision, or any agency thereof, to provide those services or foster care as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 18.

(b) An out-of-home placement plan means a written document which is prepared by the responsible social services agency jointly with the parent or parents or guardian of the child and in consultation with the child's guardian ad litem, the child's tribe, if the child is an Indian child, the child's foster parent or representative of the residential facility, and, where appropriate, the child. For a child in ~~placement due solely or in part to the child's emotional disturbance~~ voluntary foster care for treatment under chapter 260D, preparation of the out-of-home placement plan shall additionally include the child's mental health treatment provider. As appropriate, the plan shall be:

(1) submitted to the court for approval under section 260C.178, subdivision 7;

(2) ordered by the court, either as presented or modified after hearing, under section 260C.178, subdivision 7, or 260C.201, subdivision 6; and

(3) signed by the parent or parents or guardian of the child, the child's guardian ad litem, a representative of the child's tribe, the responsible social services agency, and, if possible, the child.

(c) The out-of-home placement plan shall be explained to all persons involved in its implementation, including the child who has signed the plan, and shall set forth:

(1) a description of the residential facility including how the out-of-home placement plan is designed to achieve a safe placement for the child in the least restrictive, most family-like, setting available which is in close proximity to the home of the parent or parents or guardian of the child when the case plan goal is reunification, and how the placement is consistent with the best interests and special needs of the child according to the factors under subdivision 2, paragraph (b);

(2) the specific reasons for the placement of the child in a residential facility, and when reunification is the plan, a description of the problems or conditions in the home of the parent or parents which necessitated removal of the child from home and the changes the parent or parents must make in order for the child to safely return home;

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(3) a description of the services offered and provided to prevent removal of the child from the home and to reunify the family including:

(i) the specific actions to be taken by the parent or parents of the child to eliminate or correct the problems or conditions identified in clause (2), and the time period during which the actions are to be taken; and

(ii) the reasonable efforts, or in the case of an Indian child, active efforts to be made to achieve a safe and stable home for the child including social and other supportive services to be provided or offered to the parent or parents or guardian of the child, the child, and the residential facility during the period the child is in the residential facility;

(4) a description of any services or resources that were requested by the child or the child's parent, guardian, foster parent, or custodian since the date of the child's placement in the residential facility, and whether those services or resources were provided and if not, the basis for the denial of the services or resources;

(5) the visitation plan for the parent or parents or guardian, other relatives as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 27, and siblings of the child if the siblings are not placed together in the ~~residential~~ foster care facility, and whether visitation is consistent with the best interest of the child, during the period the child is in ~~the residential facility~~ foster care;

(6) documentation of steps to finalize the adoption or legal guardianship of the child if the court has issued an order terminating the rights of both parents of the child or of the only known, living parent of the child. At a minimum, the documentation must include child-specific recruitment efforts such as relative search and the use of state, regional, and national adoption exchanges to facilitate orderly and timely placements in and outside of the state. A copy of this documentation shall be provided to the court in the review required under section 260C.317, subdivision 3, paragraph (b);

(7) the health and educational records of the child including the most recent information available regarding:

(i) the names and addresses of the child's health and educational providers;

(ii) the child's grade level performance;

(iii) the child's school record;

(iv) assurances that the child's placement in foster care takes into account proximity to the school in which the child is enrolled at the time of placement;

(v) a record of the child's immunizations;

(vi) the child's known medical problems, including any known communicable diseases, as defined in section 144.4172, subdivision 2;

(vii) the child's medications; and

(viii) any other relevant health and education information;

(8) an independent living plan for a child age 16 or older who is in placement as a result of a permanency disposition. The plan should include, but not be limited to, the following objectives:

(i) educational, vocational, or employment planning;

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(ii) health care planning and medical coverage;

(iii) transportation including, where appropriate, assisting the child in obtaining a driver's license;

(iv) money management;

(v) planning for housing;

(vi) social and recreational skills; and

(vii) establishing and maintaining connections with the child's family and community; and

(9) for a child in ~~placement due solely or in part to the child's emotional disturbance~~ voluntary foster care for treatment under chapter 260D, diagnostic and assessment information, specific services relating to meeting the mental health care needs of the child, and treatment outcomes.

(d) The parent or parents or guardian and the child each shall have the right to legal counsel in the preparation of the case plan and shall be informed of the right at the time of placement of the child. The child shall also have the right to a guardian ad litem. If unable to employ counsel from their own resources, the court shall appoint counsel upon the request of the parent or parents or the child or the child's legal guardian. The parent or parents may also receive assistance from any person or social services agency in preparation of the case plan.

After the plan has been agreed upon by the parties involved or approved or ordered by the court, the foster parents shall be fully informed of the provisions of the case plan and shall be provided a copy of the plan.

Upon discharge from foster care, the parent, adoptive parent, or permanent legal and physical custodian, as appropriate, and the child, if appropriate, must be provided with a current copy of the child's health and education record.

Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 260C.212, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Responsible social service agency's duties for children in placement. (a) When a child is in ~~placement~~ foster care, the responsible social services agency shall make diligent efforts to identify, locate, and, where appropriate, offer services to both parents of the child.

(1) The responsible social services agency shall assess whether a noncustodial or nonadjudicated parent is willing and capable of providing for the day-to-day care of the child temporarily or permanently. An assessment under this clause may include, but is not limited to, obtaining information under section 260C.209. If after assessment, the responsible social services agency determines that a noncustodial or nonadjudicated parent is willing and capable of providing day-to-day care of the child, the responsible social services agency may seek authority from the custodial parent or the court to have that parent assume day-to-day care of the child. If a parent is not an adjudicated parent, the responsible social services agency shall require the nonadjudicated parent to cooperate with paternity establishment procedures as part of the case plan.

(2) If, after assessment, the responsible social services agency determines that the child cannot be in the day-to-day care of either parent, the agency shall:

(i) prepare an out-of-home placement plan addressing the conditions that each parent must meet before the child can be in that parent's day-to-day care; and

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(ii) provide a parent who is the subject of a background study under section 260C.209 15 days' notice that it intends to use the study to recommend against putting the child with that parent, as well as the notice provided in section 260C.209, subdivision 4, and the court shall afford the parent an opportunity to be heard concerning the study.

The results of a background study of a noncustodial parent shall not be used by the agency to determine that the parent is incapable of providing day-to-day care of the child unless the agency reasonably believes that placement of the child into the home of that parent would endanger the child's health, safety, or welfare.

(3) If, after the provision of services following an out-of-home placement plan under this section, the child cannot return to the care of the parent from whom the child was removed or who had legal custody at the time the child was placed in foster care, the agency may petition on behalf of a noncustodial parent to establish legal custody with that parent under section 260C.201, subdivision 11. If paternity has not already been established, it may be established in the same proceeding in the manner provided for under chapter 257.

(4) The responsible social services agency may be relieved of the requirement to locate and offer services to both parents by the juvenile court upon a finding of good cause after the filing of a petition under section 260C.141.

(b) The responsible social services agency shall give notice to the parent ~~or parents~~ or guardian of each child in ~~a residential facility~~ foster care, other than a child in ~~placement due solely to that child's developmental disability or emotional disturbance~~ voluntary foster care for treatment under chapter 260D, of the following information:

(1) that ~~residential care of~~ the ~~child~~ child's placement in foster care may result in termination of parental rights or an order permanently placing the child out of the custody of the parent, but only after notice and a hearing as required under chapter 260C and the juvenile court rules;

(2) time limits on the length of placement and of reunification services, including the date on which the child is expected to be returned to and safely maintained in the home of the parent or parents or placed for adoption or otherwise permanently removed from the care of the parent by court order;

(3) the nature of the services available to the parent;

(4) the consequences to the parent and the child if the parent fails or is unable to use services to correct the circumstances that led to the child's placement;

(5) the first consideration for placement with relatives;

(6) the benefit to the child in getting the child out of ~~residential~~ foster care as soon as possible, preferably by returning the child home, but if that is not possible, through a permanent legal placement of the child away from the parent;

(7) when safe for the child, the benefits to the child and the parent of maintaining visitation with the child as soon as possible in the course of the case and, in any event, according to the visitation plan under this section; and

(8) the financial responsibilities and obligations, if any, of the parent or parents for the support of the child during the period the child is in the ~~residential facility~~ foster care.

(c) The responsible social services agency shall inform a parent considering voluntary placement of a child ~~who is not developmentally disabled or emotionally~~ ~~disturbed~~ under subdivision 8 of the following information:

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(1) the parent and the child each has a right to separate legal counsel before signing a voluntary placement agreement, but not to counsel appointed at public expense;

(2) the parent is not required to agree to the voluntary placement, and a parent who enters a voluntary placement agreement may at any time request that the agency return the child. If the parent so requests, the child must be returned within 24 hours of the receipt of the request;

(3) evidence gathered during the time the child is voluntarily placed may be used at a later time as the basis for a petition alleging that the child is in need of protection or services or as the basis for a petition seeking termination of parental rights or other permanent placement of the child away from the parent;

(4) if the responsible social services agency files a petition alleging that the child is in need of protection or services or a petition seeking the termination of parental rights or other permanent placement of the child away from the parent, the parent would have the right to appointment of separate legal counsel and the child would have a right to the appointment of counsel and a guardian ad litem as provided by law, and that counsel will be appointed at public expense if they are unable to afford counsel; and

(5) the timelines and procedures for review of voluntary placements under subdivision 3, and the effect the time spent in voluntary placement on the scheduling of a permanent placement determination hearing under section 260C.201, subdivision 11.

(d) When an agency accepts a child for placement, the agency shall determine whether the child has had a physical examination by or under the direction of a licensed physician within the 12 months immediately preceding the date when the child came into the agency's care. If there is documentation that the child has had an examination within the last 12 months, the agency is responsible for seeing that the child has another physical examination within one year of the documented examination and annually in subsequent years. If the agency determines that the child has not had a physical examination within the 12 months immediately preceding placement, the agency shall ensure that the child has an examination within 30 days of coming into the agency's care and once a year in subsequent years.

(e) Whether under state guardianship or not, if a child leaves foster care by reason of having attained the age of majority under state law, the child must be given at no cost a copy of the child's ~~health~~ social and medical history, as defined in section 259.43, and education report.

Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 260C.212, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 4a. Monthly caseworker visits with children in foster care. (a) Every child in foster care or on a trial home visit shall be visited by the child's caseworker on a monthly basis, with the majority of visits occurring in the child's residence. For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) "visit" is defined as a face-to-face contact between a child and the child's caseworker;

(2) "visited on a monthly basis" is defined as at least one visit per calendar month;

(3) "the child's caseworker" is defined as the person who has responsibility for managing the child's foster care placement case as assigned by the responsible social service agency; and

(4) "the child's residence" is defined as the home where the child is residing, and can include the foster home, child care institution, or the home from which the child was removed if the child is on a trial home visit.

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(b) Caseworker visits shall be of sufficient substance and duration to address issues pertinent to case planning and service delivery to ensure the safety, permanency, and well-being of the child.

Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 260C.212, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7. Administrative or court review of placements. (a) There shall be an administrative review of the out-of-home placement plan of each child placed in ~~a residential facility~~ foster care no later than 180 days after the initial placement of the child in ~~a residential facility~~ foster care and at least every six months thereafter if the child is not returned to the home of the parent or parents within that time. The out-of-home placement plan must be monitored and updated at each administrative review. The administrative review shall be conducted by the responsible social services agency using a panel of appropriate persons at least one of whom is not responsible for the case management of, or the delivery of services to, either the child or the parents who are the subject of the review. The administrative review shall be open to participation by the parent or guardian of the child and the child, as appropriate.

(b) As an alternative to the administrative review required in paragraph (a), ~~the social services agency responsible for the placement may bring a petition as provided in section 260C.141, subdivision 2, to~~ the court for review of the foster care to determine if placement is in the best interests of the child. This petition must be brought to the court in order for a court determination to be made regarding the best interests of the child within the applicable six months and is not in lieu of the requirements contained in subdivision 3 or 4. may, as part of any hearing required under the Minnesota Rules of Juvenile Protection Procedure, conduct a hearing to monitor and update the out-of-home placement plan pursuant to the procedure and standard in section 260C.201, subdivision 6, paragraph (d). The party requesting review of the out-of-home placement plan shall give parties to the proceeding notice of the request to review and update the out-of-home placement plan. A court review conducted pursuant to section 260C.193; 260C.201, subdivision 1 or 11~~, or section~~; 260C.141, subdivision 2, or 2a, clause (2); or 260C.317 shall satisfy the requirement for ~~an administrative~~ the review so long as the other requirements of this section are met.

~~(b)~~ (c) ~~At the review required under paragraph (a), the reviewing administrative body~~ As appropriate to the stage of the proceedings and relevant court orders, the responsible social services agency or the court shall review:

(1) the safety, permanency needs, and well-being of the child;

(2) the continuing necessity for and appropriateness of the placement;

(3) the extent of compliance with the out-of-home placement plan;

(4) ~~where appropriate,~~ the extent of progress which has been made toward alleviating or mitigating the causes necessitating placement in ~~a residential facility~~ foster care;

(5) ~~where appropriate,~~ the projected date by which the child may be returned to and safely maintained in the home or placed permanently away from the care of the parent or parents or guardian; and

(6) the appropriateness of the services provided to the child.

(d) When a child is age 16 or older, in addition to any administrative review conducted by the agency, at the review required under section 260C.201, subdivision 11, paragraph (d), clause (3), unit (iii); or 260C.317, subdivision 3, clause (3), the court shall review the independent living plan required under subdivision 1, paragraph (c), clause (8), and the provision of services to the child related to the well-being of the child as the child prepares to leave foster care. The review shall include the actual plans related to each item in the plan necessary to the child's future safety and well-being when the child is no longer in foster care.

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(1) At the court review, the responsible social services agency shall establish that it has given the notice required under Minnesota Rules, part 9560.0060, regarding the right to continued access to services for certain children in foster care past age 18 and of the right to appeal a denial of social services under section 256.245. If the agency is unable to establish that the notice, including the right to appeal a denial of social services, has been given, the court shall require the agency to give it.

(2) If the plan is for the child to leave foster care at age 18, the court shall make findings regarding the child's progress toward or accomplishment of the following goals:

(i) the child has obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent;

(ii) the child has completed a driver's education course or has demonstrated the ability to use public transportation in the child's community;

(iii) the child is employed or enrolled in postsecondary education;

(iv) the child has applied for and obtained postsecondary education financial aid for which the child is eligible;

(v) the child has health care coverage and health care providers to meet the child's physical and mental health needs;

(vi) the child has applied for and obtained disability income assistance for which the child is eligible;

(vii) the child has obtained affordable housing with necessary supports, which does not include a homeless shelter;

(viii) the child has saved sufficient funds to pay for the first month's rent and a damage deposit;

(ix) the child has an alternative affordable housing plan, which does not include a homeless shelter, if the original housing plan is unworkable;

(x) the child, if male, has registered for the Selective Service; and

(xi) the child has a permanent connection to a caring adult.

The child in conjunction with the placement provider and the responsible social services agency shall work to complete the goals of the living plan.

(3) The court shall ensure that the responsible agency assists the child in obtaining the following documents prior to the child's leaving foster care: a Social Security card; the child's birth certificate; a state identification card or driver's license, green card, or school visa; the child's school, medical, and dental records; a contact list of the child's medical, dental, and mental health providers; and contact information for the child's siblings, if the siblings are in foster care.

Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 260C.212, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8. ~~Review of~~ Voluntary ~~placements~~ foster care; required court review. ~~Except for a child in placement due solely to the child's developmental disability or emotional disturbance, if~~ When the responsible social services agency and the child's parent or guardian agree that the child's safety, health, and best interests require that the child be in foster care, the agency and the parent or guardian may enter into a voluntary agreement for the placement of the child in foster care. The voluntary agreement must be in writing and in a form approved by the

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commissioner. When the child has been placed in a ~~residential facility~~ foster care pursuant to a voluntary ~~release by~~ foster care agreement between the agency and the parent ~~or parents~~, under this subdivision and the child is not returned home within 90 days after initial placement in ~~the residential facility~~ foster care, the ~~social services~~ agency responsible for the child's placement in foster care shall:

(1) return the child to the home of the parent or parents; or

(2) file a petition according to section 260C.141, subdivision 1 or 2, which may:

(i) ask the court to review the child's placement in foster care and approve it as continued voluntary foster care for up to an additional 90 days;

(ii) ask the court to order continued ~~out-of-home placement~~ foster care according to sections 260C.178 and 260C.201; or

(iii) ask the court to terminate parental rights under section 260C.301.

The out-of-home placement plan must be updated and filed along with the petition.

If the court approves ~~continued out-of-home placement~~ continuing the child in foster care for up to 90 more days on a voluntary basis, at the end of the court-approved 90-day period, the child must be returned to the parent's home. If the child is not returned home, the responsible social services agency must proceed on the petition filed alleging the child in need of protection or services or the petition for termination of parental rights or other permanent placement of the child away from the parent. The court must find a statutory basis to order the placement of the child under section 260C.178; 260C.201; or 260C.317.

Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 260C.325, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Transfer of custody. (a) If the court terminates parental rights of both parents or of the only known living parent, the court shall order the guardianship and the legal custody of the child transferred to:

~~(a)~~ (1) the commissioner of human services; or

~~(b)~~ (2) a licensed child-placing agency; or

~~(c)~~ (3) an individual who is willing and capable of assuming the appropriate duties and responsibilities to the child.

(b) The court shall order transfer of guardianship and legal custody of a child to the commissioner of human services only when the responsible county social services agency had legal responsibility for planning for the permanent placement of the child and the child was in foster care under the legal responsibility of the responsible county social services agency at the time the court orders guardianship and legal custody transferred to the commissioner.

Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 260C.325, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Both parents deceased. (a) If upon petition to the juvenile court by a reputable person, including but not limited to an agent of the commissioner of human services, and upon hearing in the manner provided in section 260C.163, the court finds that both parents or the only known legal parent are or is deceased and no appointment has been made or petition for appointment filed pursuant to sections 524.5-201 to 524.5-317, the court shall order the guardianship and legal custody of the child transferred to:

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~~(a)~~ (1) the commissioner of human services;

~~(b)~~ (2) a licensed child-placing agency; or

~~(c)~~ (3) an individual who is willing and capable of assuming the appropriate duties and responsibilities to the child.

(b) The court shall order transfer of guardianship and legal custody of a child to the commissioner of human services only if there is no individual who is willing and capable of assuming the appropriate duties and responsibilities to the child.

Sec. 53. [260D.001] CHILD IN VOLUNTARY FOSTER CARE FOR TREATMENT.

(a) Sections 260D.001 to 260D.301 may be cited as the "child in voluntary foster care for treatment" provisions of the Juvenile Court Act.

(b) The juvenile court has original and exclusive jurisdiction over a child in voluntary foster care for treatment upon the filing of a report or petition required under this chapter. All obligations of the agency to a child and family in foster care contained in chapter 260C not inconsistent with this chapter are also obligations of the agency with regard to a child in foster care for treatment under this chapter.

(c) This chapter shall be construed consistently with the mission of the children's mental health service system as set out in section 245.487, subdivision 3, and the duties of an agency under section 256B.092 and Minnesota Rules, parts 9525.0004 to 9525.0016, to meet the needs of a child with a developmental disability or related condition. This chapter:

(1) establishes voluntary foster care through a voluntary foster care agreement as the means for an agency and a parent to provide needed treatment when the child must be in foster care to receive necessary treatment for an emotional disturbance or developmental disability or related condition;

(2) establishes court review requirements for a child in voluntary foster care for treatment due to emotional disturbance or developmental disability or a related condition;

(3) establishes the ongoing responsibility of the parent as legal custodian to visit the child, to plan together with the agency for the child's treatment needs, to be available and accessible to the agency to make treatment decisions, and to obtain necessary medical, dental, and other care for the child; and

(4) applies to voluntary foster care when the child's parent and the agency agree that the child's treatment needs require foster care either:

(i) due to a level of care determination by the agency's screening team informed by the diagnostic and functional assessment under section 245.4885; or

(ii) due to a determination regarding the level of services needed by the responsible social services' screening team under section 256B.092 and Minnesota Rules, parts 9525.0004 to 9525.0016.

(d) This chapter does not apply when there is a current determination under section 626.556 that the child requires child protective services or when the child is in foster care for any reason other than treatment for the child's emotional disturbance or developmental disability or related condition. When there is a determination under section 626.556 that the child requires child protective services based on an assessment that there are safety and risk issues for the child that have not been mitigated through the parent's engagement in services or otherwise, or when the child is in foster care for any reason other than the child's emotional disturbance or developmental disability or related condition, the provisions of chapter 260C apply.

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(e) The paramount consideration in all proceedings concerning a child in voluntary foster care for treatment is the safety, health, and best interests of the child. The purpose of this chapter is:

(1) to ensure a child with a disability is provided the services necessary to treat or ameliorate the symptoms of the child's disability;

(2) to preserve and strengthen the child's family ties whenever possible and in the child's best interests, approving the child's placement away from the child's parents only when the child's need for care or treatment requires it, and the child cannot be maintained in the home of the parent; and

(3) to ensure the child's parent retains legal custody of the child and associated decision-making authority unless the child's parent willfully fails or is unable to make decisions that meet the child's safety, health, and best interests. The court may not find the parent willfully fails or is unable to make decisions that meet the child's needs solely because the parent disagrees with the agency's choice of foster care facility, unless the agency files a petition under chapter 260C, and establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the child is in need of protection or services.

(f) The legal parent-child relationship shall be supported under this chapter by maintaining the parent's legal authority and responsibility for ongoing planning for the child and by the agency's assisting the parent, where necessary, to exercise the parent's ongoing right and obligation to visit or to have reasonable contact with the child. Ongoing planning means:

(1) actively participating in the planning and provision of educational services, medical care, and dental care for the child;

(2) actively planning and participating with the agency and the foster care facility for the child's treatment needs; and

(3) planning to meet the child's need for safety, stability, and permanency, and the child's need to stay connected to the child's family and community.

(g) The provisions of section 260.012 to ensure placement prevention, family reunification, and all active and reasonable effort requirements of that section apply. This chapter shall be construed consistently with the requirements of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, United States Code, title 25, section 1901, et al, and the provisions of the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act, sections 260.071 to 260.835.

Sec. 54. [260D.005] DEFINITIONS.

Subdivision 1. Definitions. The definitions in this section supplement the definitions in section 260C.007. The definitions in section 260C.007 apply to this chapter and have the same meaning for purposes of this chapter as for chapter 260C.

Subd. 2. Agency. "Agency" means the responsible social services agency or a licensed child-placing agency.

Subd. 3. Case plan. "Case plan" means any plan for the delivery of services to a child and parent, or when reunification is not required, the child alone, that is developed according to the requirements of sections 245.4871, subdivision 19 or 21; 245.492, subdivision 16; 256B.092; 260C.212, subdivision 1; 626.556, subdivision 10; and Minnesota Rules, parts 9525.0004 to 9525.0016.

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Subd. 4. Child. "Child" means an individual under 18 years of age.

Subd. 5. Child in voluntary foster care for treatment. "Child in voluntary foster care for treatment" means a child who is emotionally disturbed or developmentally disabled or has a related condition and is in foster care under a voluntary foster care agreement between the child's parent and the agency due to concurrence between the agency and the parent that the child's level of care requires placement in foster care either:

(1) due to a determination by the agency's screening team based on its review of the diagnostic and functional assessment under section 245.4885; or

(2) due to a determination by the agency's screening team under section 256B.092 and Minnesota Rules, parts 9525.0004 to 9525.0016.

A child is not in voluntary foster care for treatment under this chapter when there is a current determination under section 626.556 that the child requires child protective services or when the child is in foster care for any reason other than the child's emotional or developmental disability or related condition.

Subd. 6. Compelling reasons. "Compelling reasons" has the same meaning given in section 260C.007, subdivision 8. The agency may determine compelling reasons when the child is in foster care for treatment and no grounds to terminate parental rights exist because the child must be in placement to access treatment, the child's individual treatment needs cannot be met in the childs' home or through community-based care, and the parent continues to be responsible for planning together with the agency for the child's needs and maintains appropriate contact with the child.

Subd. 7. Court. "Court" means juvenile court unless otherwise specified in this section.

Subd. 8. Development disability. "Developmental disability" means developmental disability as defined in United States Code, title 42, section 6001(8).

Subd. 9. Emotionally disturbed or emotional disturbance. "Emotionally disturbed" or "emotional disturbance" means emotional disturbance as described in section 245.4871, subdivision 15.

Subd. 10. Foster care. "Foster care" means 24-hour substitute care for children placed away from their parents and for whom an agency has placement and care responsibility. Foster care includes, but is not limited to, placement in foster family homes, foster homes of relatives, group homes, emergency shelters, residential facilities not excluded in this subdivision, child care institutions, and preadoptive homes. A child is in foster care under this definition, regardless of whether the facility is licensed and payments are made for the cost of care. Nothing in this definition creates any authority to place a child in a home or facility that is required to be licensed that is not licensed. Foster care does not include placement in any of the following facilities: hospitals, inpatient chemical dependency treatment facilities, facilities that are primarily for delinquent children, any corrections facility or program within a particular corrections facility not meeting requirements for Title IV-E facilities as determined by the commissioner, facilities to which a child is committed under the provision of chapter 253B, forestry camps, or jails.

Subd. 11. Legal authority to place the child. "Legal authority to place the child" means the agency has legal responsibility for the care and control of the child while the child is in foster care. The agency may acquire legal authority to place a child through a voluntary placement agreement between the agency and the child's parent under this chapter. Legal authority to place the child does not mean the agency has authority to make major life decisions regarding the child, including major medical decisions. A parent with legal custody of the child continues to have legal authority to make major life decisions regarding the child, including major medical decisions.

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Subd. 12. Minor. "Minor" means an individual under 18 years of age.

Subd. 13. Parent. "Parent" means the birth or adoptive parent of a minor. Parent also means the child's legal guardian or any individual who has legal authority to make decisions and plans for the child. For an Indian child, parent includes any Indian person who has adopted a child by tribal law or custom, as provided in section 260.755, subdivision 14.

Subd. 14. Reasonable efforts to finalize a permanent plan for the child. "Reasonable efforts to finalize a permanent plan for the child" has the same meaning under this chapter as provided in section 260.012, paragraph (e).

Sec. 55. [260D.101] VOLUNTARY FOSTER CARE.

Subdivision 1. Voluntary foster care. When the agency's screening team, based upon the diagnostic and functional assessment under section 245.4885 or 256B.092, subdivision 7, determines the child's need for treatment due to emotional disturbance or developmental disability or related condition requires foster care placement of the child, a voluntary foster care agreement between the child's parent and the agency gives the agency legal authority to place the child in foster care.

Subd. 2. Voluntary foster care agreement. A voluntary foster care agreement shall be used to provide the agency the legal authority to place a child in foster care for treatment due to the child's disability. The agreement must be in writing and signed by both the child's parent and the agency. The agreement must be in a form approved by the commissioner of human services, and shall contain notice to parents of the consequences to the parent and to the child of being in voluntary foster care.

Sec. 56. [260D.102] REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR CHILD IN VOLUNTARY FOSTER CARE FOR TREATMENT.

An agency with authority to place a child in voluntary foster care for treatment due to emotional disturbance or developmental disability or related condition shall inform the child age 12 or older of the following:

(a) The child has the right to be consulted in the preparation of the out-of-home placement plan required under section 260C.212, subdivision 1, and the administrative review required under section 260C.212, subdivision 7.

(b) The child has the right to visit the parent and the right to visit the child's siblings as determined safe and appropriate by the parent and the agency.

(c) If the child disagrees with the foster care facility or services provided under the out-of-home placement plan required under section 260C.212, subdivision 1, the agency shall include information about the nature of the child's disagreement and, to the extent possible, the agency's understanding of the basis of the child's disagreement in the information provided to the court in the report required under section 260D.105.

(d) The child has the rights established under Minnesota Rules, part 2960.0050, as a resident of a facility licensed by the state.

Sec. 57. [260D.103] ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW OF CHILD IN VOLUNTARY FOSTER CARE FOR TREATMENT.

The administrative reviews required under section 260C.212, subdivision 7, must be conducted for a child in voluntary foster care for treatment, except that the initial administrative review must take place prior to the submission of the report to the court required under section 260D.105, subdivision 2.

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Sec. 58. [260D.105] AGENCY REPORT TO THE COURT AND COURT REVIEW OF CHILD IN VOLUNTARY FOSTER CARE FOR TREATMENT DUE TO DISABILITY.

Subdivision 1. Judicial review. In the case of a child in voluntary foster care for treatment due to disability under section 260D.101, the agency shall obtain judicial review of the child's voluntary foster care placement within 165 days of the placement.

Subd. 2. Agency report to court; court review. The agency shall obtain judicial review by reporting to the court according to the following procedures:

(a) A written report shall be forwarded to the court within 165 days of the date of the voluntary placement agreement. The written report shall contain or have attached:

(1) a statement of facts that necessitate the child's foster care placement;

(2) the child's name, date of birth, race, gender, and current address;

(3) the names, race, date of birth, residence, and post office addresses of the child's parents or legal custodian;

(4) a statement regarding the child's eligibility for membership or enrollment in an Indian tribe and the agency's compliance with applicable provisions of sections 260.751 to 260.835;

(5) the names and addresses of the foster parents or chief administrator of the facility in which the child is placed, if the child is not in a family foster home or group home;

(6) a copy of the out-of-home placement plan required under section 260C.212, subdivision 1;

(7) a written summary of the proceedings of any administrative review required under section 260C.212, subdivision 7; and

(8) any other information the agency, parent or legal custodian, child or foster parent, or other residential facility wants the court to consider.

(b) In the case of a child in placement due to emotional disturbance, the written report shall include as an attachment the child's individual treatment plan developed by the child's treatment professional, as provided in section 245.4871, subdivision 21, or the child's individual interagency intervention plan, as provided in section 125A.023, subdivision 3, paragraph (c).

(c) In the case of a child in placement due to developmental disability or a related condition, the written report shall include as an attachment the child's individual service plan, as provided in section 256B.092, subdivision 1b; the child's individual program plan, as provided in Minnesota Rules, part 9525.0004, subpart 11; the child's waiver care plan; or the child's individual interagency intervention plan, as provided in section 125A.023, subdivision 3, paragraph (c).

(d) The agency must inform the child age 12 or older, the child's parent, and the foster parent or foster care facility of the reporting and court review requirements of this section and of their right to submit information to the court:

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(1) if the child or the child's parent or the foster care provider wants to send information to the court, the agency shall advise those persons of the reporting date and the date by which the agency must receive the information they want forwarded to the court so the agency is timely able to submit it with the agency's report required under this subdivision;

(2) the agency must also inform the child age 12 or older, the child's parent, and the foster care facility that they have the right to be heard in person by the court and how to exercise that right;

(3) the agency must also inform the child age 12 or older, the child's parent, and the foster care provider that an in-court hearing will be held if requested by the child, the parent, or the foster care provider; and

(4) if, at the time required for the report under this section, a child age 12 or older disagrees about the foster care facility or services provided under the out-of-home placement plan required under section 260C.212, subdivision 1, the agency shall include information regarding the child's disagreement, and to the extent possible, the basis for the child's disagreement in the report required under this section.

(e) After receiving the required report, the court has jurisdiction to make the following determinations and must do so within ten days of receiving the forwarded report, whether a hearing is requested:

(1) whether the voluntary foster care arrangement is in the child's best interests;

(2) whether the parent and agency are appropriately planning for the child; and

(3) in the case of a child age 12 or older who disagrees with the foster care facility or services provided under the out-of-home placement plan, whether it is appropriate to appoint counsel and a guardian ad litem for the child using standards and procedures under section 260C.163.

(f) Unless requested by a parent, representative of the foster care facility, or the child, no in-court hearing is required in order for the court to make findings and issue an order as required in paragraph (e).

(g) If the court finds that the voluntary foster care arrangement is in the child's best interests and that the agency and parent are appropriately planning for the child, the court shall issue an order containing explicit, individualized findings to support its determination. The individualized findings shall be based on the agency's written report and other materials submitted to the court. The court may make this determination notwithstanding the child's disagreement, if any, reported under paragraph (d).

(h) The court shall send a copy of the order to the county attorney, agency, parent, child age 12 or older, and foster parent or foster care facility.

(i) The court shall also send the parent, child age 12 or older, foster parent, or representative of the foster care facility notice of the permanency review hearing required under section 260D.107, paragraph (e).

(j) If the court finds continuing the voluntary foster care arrangement is not in the child's best interests or that the agency or the parent are not appropriately planning for the child, the court shall notify the agency, parent, foster parent or foster care facility, child age 12 or older, and county attorney of the court's determinations and the basis for the court's determinations. In this case, the court shall set the matter for hearing and appoint a guardian ad litem for the child under section 260C.163, subdivision 5.

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Sec. 59. [260D.107] REQUIRED PERMANENCY REVIEW HEARING.

(a) When the court has found that the voluntary arrangement is in the child's best interests and that the agency and parent are appropriately planning for the child pursuant to the report submitted under section 260D.105, and the child continues in voluntary foster care as defined in section 260D.007, subdivision 10, for 13 months from the date of the voluntary foster care agreement, or has been in placement for 15 of the last 22 months, the agency must:

(1) terminate the voluntary foster care agreement and return the child home;

(2) determine whether there are compelling reasons to continue the voluntary foster care arrangement and, if the agency determines there are compelling reasons, seek judicial approval if its determination; or

(3) file a petition for the termination of parental rights.

(b) When the agency is asking for the court's approval of its determination that there are compelling reasons to continue the child in the voluntary foster care arrangement, the agency shall file a "Petition for Permanency Review Regarding a Child in Voluntary Foster Care for Treatment" and ask the court to proceed under this section.

(c) The "Petition for Permanency Review Regarding a Child in Voluntary Foster Care for Treatment" shall be drafted or approved by the county attorney and be under oath. The petition shall include:

(1) the date of the voluntary placement agreement;

(2) whether the petition is due to the child's developmental disability or emotional disturbance;

(3) the plan for the ongoing care of the child and the parent's participation in the plan;

(4) a description of the parent's visitation and contact with the child;

(5) the date of the court finding that the foster care placement was in the best interests of the child, if required under section 260D.105, or the date the agency filed the motion under section 260D.201, paragraph (b);

(6) the agency's reasonable efforts to finalize the permanent plan for the child, including returning the child to the care of the child's family; and

(7) a citation to this chapter as the basis for the petition.

(d) An updated copy of the out-of-home placement plan required under section 260C.212, subdivision 1, shall be filed with the petition.

(e) The court shall set the date for the permanency review hearing no later than 14 months after the child has been in placement or within 30 days of the petition filing date when the child has been in placement 15 of the last 22 months. The court shall serve the petition together with a notice of hearing by United States mail on the parent; the child age 12 or older; the child's guardian ad litem, if one has been appointed; the agency; the county attorney; and counsel for any party.

(f) The court shall conduct the permanency review hearing on the petition no later than 14 months after the date of the voluntary placement agreement, within 30 days of the filing of the petition when the child has been in placement 15 of the last 22 months, or within 15 days of a motion to terminate jurisdiction and to dismiss an order for foster care under chapter 260C, as provided in section 260D.201, paragraph (b).

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(g) At the permanency review hearing, the court shall:

(1) inquire of the parent if the parent has reviewed the "Petition for Permanency Review Regarding a Child in Voluntary Foster Care for Treatment," whether the petition is accurate, and whether the parent agrees to the continued voluntary foster care arrangement as being in the child's best interests;

(2) inquire of the parent if the parent is satisfied with the agency's reasonable efforts to finalize the permanent plan for the child, including whether there are services available and accessible to the parent that might allow the child to safely be with the child's family;

(3) inquire of the parent if the parent consents to the court entering an order that:

(i) approves the responsible agency's reasonable efforts to finalize the permanent plan for the child, which includes ongoing future planning for the safety, health, and best interests of the child; and

(ii) approves the responsible agency's determination that there are compelling reasons why the continued voluntary foster care arrangement is in the child's best interests;

(4) inquire of the child's guardian ad litem and any other party whether the guardian or the party agrees that:

(i) the court should approve the responsible agency's reasonable efforts to finalize the permanent plan for the child, which includes ongoing and future planning for the safety, health, and best interests of the child; and

(ii) the court should approve of the responsible agency's determination that there are compelling reasons why the continued voluntary foster care arrangement is in the child's best interests.

(h) At a permanency review hearing under this section, the court may take the following actions based on the contents of the sworn petition and the consent of the parent:

(1) approve the agency's compelling reasons that the voluntary foster care arrangement is in the best interests of the child; and

(2) find that the agency has made reasonable efforts to finalize the permanent plan for the child.

(i) A child age 12 or older may object to the agency's request that the court approve its compelling reasons for the continued voluntary arrangement and may be heard on the reasons for the objection. Notwithstanding the child's objection, the court may approve the agency's compelling reasons and the voluntary arrangement.

(j) If the court does not approve the voluntary arrangement after hearing from the child or the child's guardian ad litem, the court shall dismiss the petition. In this case, either:

(1) the child must be returned to the care of the parent; or

(2) the agency must file a petition under section 260C.141 asking for appropriate relief under section 260C.201, subdivision 11, or 260C.301.

(k) When the court approves the agency's compelling reasons for the child to continue in voluntary foster care for treatment, and finds that the agency has made reasonable efforts to finalize a permanent plan for the child, the court shall approve the continued voluntary foster care arrangement, and continue the matter under the court's jurisdiction for the purposes of reviewing the child's placement every 12 months while the child is in foster care.

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(l) A finding that the court approves the continued voluntary placement means the agency has continued legal authority to place the child while a voluntary placement agreement remains in effect. The parent or the agency may terminate a voluntary agreement as provided in section 260D.301. Termination of a voluntary foster care placement of an Indian child is governed by section 260.765, subdivision 4.

Sec. 60. [260D.109] ANNUAL REVIEW.

(a) After the court conducts a permanency review hearing under section 260D.107, the matter must be returned to the court for further review of the child's foster care placement at least every 12 months while the child is in foster care. The court shall give notice to the parent and child age 12 or older and the foster parents of the continued review requirements under this section at the permanency review hearing.

(b) Every 12 months, the court shall determine whether the agency made reasonable efforts to finalize the permanent plan for the child, which means the exercise of due diligence by the agency to:

(1) ensure that the agreement for voluntary foster care is the most appropriate legal arrangement to meet the child's safety, health, and best interests;

(2) engage and support the parent in continued involvement in planning and decision making for the needs of the child;

(3) strengthen the child's ties to the parent, relatives, and community;

(4) implement the out-of-home placement plan required under section 260C.212, subdivision 1, and ensure that the plan requires the provision of appropriate services to address the physical health, mental health, and educational needs of the child; and

(5) ensure appropriate planning for the child's safe, permanent, and independent living arrangement after the child's 18th birthday.

Sec. 61. [260D.201] PERMANENCY REVIEW AFTER ADJUDICATION UNDER CHAPTER 260C.

(a) If a child has been ordered into foster care under section 260C.178 or 260C.201, subdivision 1, and the conditions that led to the court's order have been corrected so that the child could safely return home, except for the child's need to continue in foster care for treatment due to the child's disability, the child's parent and the agency may enter into a voluntary foster care agreement under this chapter using the procedure described in paragraph (b).

(b) When the agency and the parent agree to enter into a voluntary foster care agreement under this chapter, the agency must file a motion to terminate jurisdiction under section 260C.193, subdivision 6, and to dismiss the order for foster care under section 260C.178 or 260C.201, subdivision 1, together with the petition required under section 260D.107, paragraph (b), for permanency review and the court's approval of the voluntary arrangement.

(c) The court shall send the motion and the petition filed under subdivision 2 together with a notice of hearing by mail as required in section 260D.107, paragraph (e).

(d) The petition and motion under this section must be filed no later than the time the agency is required to file a petition for permanent placement under section 260C.201, subdivision 11, but may be filed as soon as the agency and the parent agree that the child should remain in foster care under a voluntary foster care agreement, because the child needs treatment and voluntary foster care is in the child's best interests.

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(e) In order for the agency to have continuous legal authority to place the child, the parent and the agency must execute a voluntary foster care agreement for the child's continuation in foster care for treatment prior to the termination of the order for foster care under section 260C.178 or 260C.201, subdivision 1. The parent and agency may execute the voluntary foster care agreement at or before the permanency review hearing required under this section. The voluntary foster care agreement shall not be effective until the court terminates jurisdiction under section 260C.193, subdivision 6, and dismisses the order for foster care under section 260C.178 or 260C.201, subdivision 1. Unless the agency and the parent execute a voluntary placement agreement for the child to continue in voluntary foster care for treatment, the agency shall not have legal authority to place the child after the court terminates jurisdiction under chapter 260C.

Sec. 62. [260D.301] TERMINATION OF VOLUNTARY PLACEMENT AGREEMENT.

(a) The child's parent may terminate a voluntary placement agreement under this chapter upon written notice to the agency of the termination of the agreement. The termination of a voluntary foster care agreement regarding an Indian child shall be governed by section 260.765, subdivision 4.

(b) The agency may terminate a voluntary placement agreement under this section upon written notice of the termination of the agreement to the parent. Prior to sending notice of termination of the voluntary foster care placement agreement, the agency shall contact the parent regarding transition planning under paragraph (e). Written notice by the agency shall be considered received by the parent three business days after mailing by the agency.

(c) Upon receipt of notice of the termination of the voluntary foster care agreement, the agency, the parent, and the facility may agree to a time that the child shall return home. The scheduled time to return home shall meet the child's need for safety and reasonable transition. Unless otherwise agreed to by the parent and the agency, the child's return home shall not occur sooner than 72 hours and not later than 30 days after written notice of termination is received or sent by the agency.

(d) A parent who disagrees with the termination of a voluntary foster care agreement by the agency under this chapter has the right to a fair hearing under section 256.045 to appeal the termination of the voluntary foster care agreement. When the agency gives written notice to the parent of the termination of the agreement, the agency must also give the parent notice of the parent's right to a fair hearing under section 256.045 to appeal the agency's decision to terminate the voluntary foster care agreement.

(e) The agency and the child's parents shall engage in transition planning for the child's return home, including establishing a scheduled time for the child to return home, an increased visitation plan between the parent and child, and a plan for what services will be provided and in place upon the child's return home.

(f) Notice of termination of voluntary foster care agreement does not terminate the agreement. The voluntary foster care agreement and the agency's legal authority to place the child are terminated by the child's return home or by court order.

Sec. 63. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 524.2-114, is amended to read:

524.2-114 MEANING OF CHILD AND RELATED TERMS.

If, for purposes of intestate succession, a relationship of parent and child must be established to determine succession by, through, or from a person:

(1) An adopted ~~person~~ child is the child of an adopting parent and not of the birth parents except that adoption of a child by the spouse of a birth parent has no effect on the relationship between the child and that birth parent. If a parent dies and a child is subsequently adopted by a stepparent who is the spouse of a surviving parent, any rights of inheritance of the child or the child's descendant from or through the deceased parent of the child which exist at the time of the death of that parent shall not be affected by the adoption.

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(2) In cases not covered by clause (1), a person is the child of the person's parents regardless of the marital status of the parents and the parent and child relationship may be established under the Parentage Act, sections 257.51 to 257.74.

Sec. 64. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 626.556, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7. Report. An oral report shall be made immediately by telephone or otherwise. An oral report made by a person required under subdivision 3 to report shall be followed within 72 hours, exclusive of weekends and holidays, by a report in writing to the appropriate police department, the county sheriff, the agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report, or the local welfare agency, unless the appropriate agency has informed the reporter that the oral information does not constitute a report under subdivision 10. The local welfare agency shall determine if the report is accepted for an assessment or investigation as soon as possible but in no event longer than 24 hours after the report is received. Any report shall be of sufficient content to identify the child, any person believed to be responsible for the abuse or neglect of the child if the person is known, the nature and extent of the abuse or neglect and the name and address of the reporter. If requested, the local welfare agency or the agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report shall inform the reporter within ten days after the report is made, either orally or in writing, whether the report was accepted for assessment or investigation. Written reports received by a police department or the county sheriff shall be forwarded immediately to the local welfare agency or the agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report. The police department or the county sheriff may keep copies of reports received by them. Copies of written reports received by a local welfare department or the agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report shall be forwarded immediately to the local police department or the county sheriff.

A written copy of a report maintained by personnel of agencies, other than welfare or law enforcement agencies, which are subject to chapter 13 shall be confidential. An individual subject of the report may obtain access to the original report as provided by subdivision 11.

Sec. 65. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 626.556, subdivision 10a, is amended to read:

Subd. 10a. Law enforcement agency responsibility for investigation; welfare agency reliance on law enforcement fact-finding; welfare agency offer of services. (a) If the report alleges neglect, physical abuse, or sexual abuse by a person who is not a parent, guardian, sibling, person responsible for the child's care functioning within the family unit, or a person who lives in the child's household and who has a significant relationship to the child, in a setting other than a facility as defined in subdivision 2, the local welfare agency shall immediately notify the appropriate law enforcement agency, which shall conduct an investigation of the alleged abuse or neglect if a violation of a criminal statute is alleged.

(b) The local agency may rely on the fact-finding efforts of the law enforcement investigation conducted under this subdivision to make a determination whether or not threatened ~~harm~~ injury or other maltreatment has occurred under subdivision 2 if an alleged offender has minor children or lives with minors.

(c) The local welfare agency shall offer appropriate social services for the purpose of safeguarding and enhancing the welfare of the abused or neglected minor.

Sec. 66. REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.

In each section of Minnesota Statutes referred to in column A, the revisor of statutes shall delete the reference in column B and insert the reference in column C.

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Column A Column B Column C

259.67 260.851, article 5 260.853, article 4

256B.094 260.851 260.853

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective upon legislative enactment of the interstate compact in section 25 by no less than 35 states.

Sec. 67. REPEALER.

(a) Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 260.851, is repealed effective upon legislative enactment of the interstate compact in section 25 by no less than 35 states. The commissioner of human services shall inform the revisor of statutes when this occurs.

(b) Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 260B.241; and 260C.207, are repealed.

Delete the title and insert:

"A bill for an act relating to human services; amending child welfare provisions; changing a standard of evidence; adopting a new Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children and repealing the old compact; regulating child and adult adoptions; regulating voluntary foster care for treatment; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 245C.24, subdivision 2; 245C.29, subdivision 2; 256.045, subdivisions 3, 3b; 259.20, subdivision 1; 259.21, by adding a subdivision; 259.22, subdivision 2; 259.23, subdivision 2; 259.43; 259.52, subdivision 2; 259.53, subdivision 3; 259.59, subdivisions 1, 2; 259.67, subdivisions 2, 3, by adding a subdivision; 259.75, subdivision 5; 259.89, subdivisions 1, 2, 4, by adding a subdivision; 260C.001, subdivision 2; 260C.007, subdivisions 5, 6, 13; 260C.101, subdivision 2; 260C.141, subdivision 2; 260C.171, subdivision 2; 260C.178, subdivision 1; 260C.205; 260C.212, subdivisions 7, 8, by adding a subdivision; 260C.325, subdivisions 1, 3; 524.2-114; 626.556, subdivision 7; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, sections 245C.14, subdivision 1; 245C.15, subdivisions 2, 3, 4; 245C.24, subdivision 3; 245C.27, subdivision 1; 259.41, subdivision 1; 259.57, subdivision 1; 259.67, subdivision 4; 260C.163, subdivision 1; 260C.209, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding a subdivision; 260C.212, subdivisions 1, 4; 626.556, subdivision 10a; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 259; 260; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 260D; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 260.851; 260B.241; 260C.207; Minnesota Rules, part 9560.0092."

The motion prevailed and the amendment was adopted.

Walker moved to amend S. F. No. 3166, the third engrossment, as amended, as follows:

Page 1, before line 24, insert:

"Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 13.46, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 12. Child care resource and referral programs. This subdivision applies to data collected by child care resource and referral programs under section 119B.19. Data collected under section 119B.19 is not licensing data under subdivision 4. Data on unlicensed family child care providers is data on individuals governed by subdivision 2. In addition to the disclosures authorized by this section, the names and addresses of unlicensed family child care providers may be disclosed to the commissioner of education for purposes of promoting and evaluating school readiness.

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Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 13.46, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 13. Family, friend, and neighbor grant program. This subdivision applies to data collected by family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) grantees under section 119B.232. Data collected under section 119B.232 is data on individuals governed by subdivision 2. The commissioner may disclose private data collected under this section to early childhood care and education experts at the University of Minnesota to evaluate the impact of the grants under subdivision 2 on children's school readiness and to evaluate the FFN grant program. The commissioner may disclose the names and addresses of FFN caregivers to the commissioner of education for purposes of promoting and evaluating school readiness."

Page 6, line 34, delete "and (c)" and insert ", (c) and (d)"

Page 52, line 33, delete "1b" and insert "1, paragraph (b)"

Page 79, after line 21, insert:

"Sec. 65. Laws 2007, chapter 147, article 2, section 56, is amended to read:

Sec. 56. COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN SERVICES DUTIES; EARLY CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL-AGE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING.

Subdivision 1. Development and implementation of an early childhood and school-age professional development system. (a) The commissioner of human services, in cooperation with the commissioners of education and health, shall develop and phase-in the implementation of a professional development system for practitioners serving children in early childhood and school-age programs. The system shall provide training options and supports for practitioners to voluntarily choose, as they complete or exceed existing licensing requirements.

The system must, at a minimum, include the following features:

(1) a continuum of training content based on the early childhood and school-age care practitioner core competencies that translates knowledge into improved practice to support children's school success;

(2) training strategies that provide direct feedback about practice to practitioners through ongoing consultation, mentoring, or coaching with special emphasis on early literacy and early mathematics;

(3) an approval process for trainers;

(4) a professional development registry for early childhood and school-age care practitioners that will provide tracking and recognition of practitioner training/career development progress;

(5) a career lattice that includes a range of professional development and educational opportunities that provide appropriate coursework and degree pathways;

(6) development of a plan with public higher education institutions for an articulated system of education, training, and professional development that includes credit for prior learning and development of equivalences to two- and four-year degrees;

(7) incentives and supports for early childhood and school-age care practitioners to seek additional training and education, including TEACH, other scholarships, and career guidance; and

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(8) coordinated and accessible delivery of training to early childhood and school-age care practitioners.

(b) By January 1, 2008, the commissioner, in consultation with the organizations named in subdivision 2 shall develop additional opportunities in order to qualify more licensed family child care providers under Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.13, subdivision 3a.

(c) The commissioner of human services must evaluate the professional development system and make continuous improvements.

(d) Beginning July 1, 2007, as appropriations permit, the commissioner shall phase-in the professional development system.

Subd. 2. Two-hour early childhood training. By January 15, 2008, the commissioner of human services, with input from the Minnesota Licensed Family Child Care Association and the Minnesota Professional Development Council, shall identify trainings that qualify for the two-hour early childhood development training requirement for new child care practitioners under Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.14, subdivision 9a, paragraphs (a) and (b). For licensed family child care, the commissioner shall also seek the input of labor unions that serve licensed family child care providers, if the union has been recognized by a county to serve licensed family child care providers.

Subd. 3. Data classification for child care practitioner professional development system. This subdivision applies to data collected under this section by the child care practitioner professional development system. Data collected under this section is welfare data under Minnesota Statutes, section 13.46 but is not licensing data under Minnesota Statutes, section 13.46, subdivision 4. Data on individuals who are licensed family child care providers is private data on individuals governed by Minnesota Statutes, section 13.46, subdivision 2. The commissioner may disclose nonpublic data collected under this section as described in Minnesota Statutes, section 13.46, subdivision 2. The commissioner also may disclose private and nonpublic data collected under this section to the following entities:

(1) personnel of the welfare system who require the data for child care licensing purposes;

(2) personnel of the welfare system who require the data to administer or evaluate the child care assistance program;

(3) the commissioner of education for purposes of implementing, administering, and evaluating the child care practitioner professional development system;

(4) the commissioner of health for purposes of implementing and administering this section; and

(5) an individual's employer for purposes of tracking and verifying employee training, education, and expertise."

Page 80, line 2, delete everything after the first comma and insert "parts 9560.0092; and 9560.0093, subpart 2, are repealed."

Renumber the sections in sequence and correct the internal references

Amend the title accordingly

The motion prevailed and the amendment was adopted.

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Erickson and Eastlund offered an amendment to S. F. No. 3166, the third engrossment, as amended.

POINT OF ORDER

Thissen raised a point of order pursuant to rule 3.21 that the Erickson and Eastlund amendment was not in order. The Speaker ruled the point of order well taken and the Erickson and Eastlund amendment out of order.

Tingelstad moved to amend S. F. No. 3166, the third engrossment, as amended, as follows:

Page 1, after line 23, insert:

"ARTICLE 1

CHILD WELFARE"

Page 80, after line 2, insert:

"ARTICLE 2

ADOPTION RECORDS

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 13.465, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8. Adoption records. Various adoption records are classified under section 259.53, subdivision 1. Access to the original birth record of a person who has been adopted is governed by section ~~259.89~~ 144.2253.

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 144.218, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Adoption. (a) Upon receipt of a certified copy of an order, decree, or certificate of adoption, the state registrar shall register a replacement vital record in the new name of the adopted person. Except as provided in paragraph (b), the original record of birth is ~~confidential pursuant to~~ private data on individuals as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 3 12, and shall not be disclosed except pursuant to court order or section 144.2252 or 144.2253.

(b) The information contained on the original birth record, except for the registration number, shall be provided on request to: (1) a parent who is named on the original birth record; or (2) the adopted person who is subject of the record if the person is at least 19 years of age, unless there is an affidavit of nondisclosure on file with the state registrar. Upon the receipt of a certified copy of a court order of annulment of adoption the state registrar shall restore the original vital record to its original place in the file.

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 144.225, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Data about births. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, data pertaining to the birth of a child to a woman who was not married to the child's father when the child was conceived nor when the child was born, including the original record of birth and the certified vital record, are confidential data. At the time of the birth of a child to a woman who was not married to the child's father when the child was conceived nor when the child was born, the mother may designate demographic data pertaining to the birth as public. Notwithstanding the designation of the data as confidential, it may be disclosed:

(1) to a parent or guardian of the child;

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(2) to the child when the child is 16 years of age or older;

(3) under paragraph (b) or (e); or

(4) pursuant to a court order. For purposes of this section, a subpoena does not constitute a court order.

(b) Unless the child is adopted, data pertaining to the birth of a child that are not accessible to the public become public data if 100 years have elapsed since the birth of the child who is the subject of the data, or as provided under section 13.10, whichever occurs first.

(c) If a child is adopted, data pertaining to the child's birth are governed by the provisions relating to adoption records, including sections 13.10, subdivision 5; 144.218, subdivision 1; 144.2252; 144.2253; and 259.89.

(d) The name and address of a mother under paragraph (a) and the child's date of birth may be disclosed to the county social services or public health member of a family services collaborative for purposes of providing services under section 124D.23.

(e) The commissioner of human services shall have access to birth records for:

(1) the purposes of administering medical assistance, general assistance medical care, and the MinnesotaCare program;

(2) child support enforcement purposes; and

(3) other public health purposes as determined by the commissioner of health.

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 144.2252, is amended to read:

144.2252 ACCESS TO ORIGINAL BIRTH RECORD AFTER ADOPTION.

(a) Whenever an adopted person requests the state registrar to disclose the information on the adopted person's original birth record, the state registrar shall act according to section ~~259.89~~ 144.2253.

(b) The state registrar shall provide a transcript of an adopted person's original birth record to an authorized representative of a federally recognized American Indian tribe for the sole purpose of determining the adopted person's eligibility for enrollment or membership. Information contained in the birth record may not be used to provide the adopted person information about the person's birth parents, except as provided in this section or section ~~259.83~~ 144.2253.

Sec. 5. [144.2253] ACCESS TO ORIGINAL BIRTH RECORDS BY ADOPTED PERSON; DEPARTMENT DUTIES.

Subdivision 1. Affidavits. The department shall prepare affidavit of disclosure and nondisclosure forms under which a birth parent may agree to or object to the release of the original birth record to the adopted person. The department shall make the forms readily accessible to birth parents on the department's Web site.

Subd. 2. Disclosure. Upon request, the state registrar shall provide a noncertified copy of the original birth record to an adopted person age 19 or older unless there is an affidavit of nondisclosure on file. The state registrar must comply with the terms of the affidavits of disclosure or affidavits of nondisclosure.

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Subd. 3. Recission of affidavit. A birth parent may rescind an affidavit of disclosure or an affidavit of nondisclosure at any time.

Subd. 4. Affidavit of nondisclosure; access to birth record. (a) An adopted person age 19 or older may petition the appropriate court for disclosure of the original birth record pursuant to section 259.61, and the court shall grant the petition, if, after consideration of the interests of all known persons involved, the court determines that disclosure of the information would be of greater benefit than nondisclosure.

(b) An adopted person age 19 or older may request the state registrar search the state death records to determine if the birth parent is deceased. The state registrar may impose a fee for the record search. If the birth parent is deceased, a noncertified copy of the original birth record must be released only to the adopted person making the request.

Subd. 5. Information provided. (a) The department shall, in consultation with adoption agencies and adoption advocates, provide information and educational materials to adopted persons and birth parents about the changes in the law affecting accessibility to birth records. For purposes of this subdivision, an adoption advocate is a nonprofit organization that works with adoption issues in Minnesota.

(b) The department shall provide notice on the department Web site about the change in the law, and will direct individuals to private agencies and advocates for post-adoption resources.

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 260C.317, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Rights of terminated parent. Upon entry of an order terminating the parental rights of any person who is identified as a parent on the original birth record of the child as to whom the parental rights are terminated, the court shall cause written notice to be made to that person setting forth:

(1) the right of the person to file at any time with the state registrar of vital statistics a consent to disclosure, as defined in section 144.212, subdivision 11;

(2) the right of the person to file at any time with the state registrar of vital statistics an affidavit stating that the information on the original birth record shall not be disclosed as provided in section ~~144.2252~~ 144.2253; and

(3) the effect of a failure to file either a consent to disclosure, as defined in section 144.212, subdivision 11, or an affidavit stating that the information on the original birth record shall not be disclosed.

Sec. 7. ADOPTION AGENCIES; FEE.

Adoption agencies may charge a fee for counseling and support services provided to adopted persons and birth parents.

Sec. 8. REPEALER.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 259.83, subdivision 3; and 259.89, subdivisions 3 and 5, are repealed.

Sec. 9. EFFECTIVE DATE.

This article is effective July 1, 2009."

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Renumber the sections in sequence and correct the internal references

Amend the title accordingly

A roll call was requested and properly seconded.

POINT OF ORDER

Buesgens raised a point of order pursuant to rule 3.21 that the Tingelstad amendment was not in order. The Speaker ruled the point of order not well taken and the Tingelstad amendment in order.

The question recurred on the Tingelstad amendment and the roll was called. There were 91 yeas and 36 nays as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative were:

The bill was passed, as amended, and its title agreed to.

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Sertich moved that the remaining bills on the Calendar for the Day be continued. The motion prevailed.

There being no objection, the order of business reverted to Reports of Standing Committees and Divisions.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND DIVISIONS

Sertich from the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration to which was referred:

H. F. No. 2996, A bill for an act relating to public safety; allowing persons facing civil commitment as sexually dangerous persons or sexual psychopathic personalities to choose to be confined in correctional facilities while the petition is being adjudicated; addressing the cost of care for persons facing civil commitment; addressing access to certain data by county attorneys on persons facing civil commitment; establishing a working group to review, assess, and make recommendations regarding the modification and application of controlled substance laws; providing for a report; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 13.851, by adding a subdivision; 253B.045, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding a subdivision; 253B.185, subdivision 5; 609.115, by adding a subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 253B.185, subdivision 1b.

Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill pass.

The report was adopted.

Sertich from the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration to which was referred:

S. F. No. 3672, A bill for an act relating to relating to liquor; permitting farm wineries to manufacturer and sell distilled spirits under certain conditions; authorizing liquor licenses; making technical corrections; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 340A.315, by adding a subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 340A.412, subdivision 4.

Reported the same back with the following amendments to the unofficial engrossment:

Page 1, after line 23, insert:

"Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 340A.315, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Sales. A license authorizes the sale, on the farm winery premises, of table, sparkling, or fortified wines produced by that farm winery at on-sale or off-sale, in retail, or wholesale lots in total quantities not in excess of 50,000 gallons in a calendar year, glassware, wine literature and accessories, cheese and cheese spreads, other wine-related food items, and the dispensing of free samples of the wines offered for sale. Sales at on-sale and off-sale may be made on Sundays between 12:00 noon and 12:00 midnight. Labels for each type or brand produced must be registered with the commissioner, without fee prior to sale. Distilled spirits manufactured pursuant to subdivision 7 may only be sold through a licensed wholesaler. A farm winery may provide samples of distilled spirits in the same manner as they are able for farm wines.

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Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 340A.315, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 7. Distilled spirits permitted. Farm wineries licensed under this section are permitted to manufacture distilled spirits as defined under section 340A.101, subdivision 9, which may exceed 25 percent alcohol by volume, made from Minnesota produced or grown grapes, grape juice, other fruit bases, or honey. The following conditions pertain:

(1) no farm winery or firm owning multiple farm wineries may manufacture more than 5,000 gallons of distilled spirits in a given year, and this 5,000 gallon limit is part of the 50,000 gallon limit found in subdivision 2;

(2) farm wineries must pay an additional annual fee of $500 to the commissioner before beginning production of distilled spirits; and

(3) farm wineries may not sell or produce distilled spirits for direct sale to manufacturers licensed under section 340A.301, subdivision 6, paragraph (a).

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment."

Renumber the sections in sequence

Amend the title as follows:

Page 1, line 3, before "authorizing" insert "permitting farm wineries to manufacture distilled spirits under certain conditions;"

Correct the title numbers accordingly

With the recommendation that when so amended the bill pass.

The report was adopted.

SECOND READING OF HOUSE BILLS

H. F. No. 2996 was read for the second time.

SECOND READING OF SENATE BILLS

S. F. No. 3672 was read for the second time.

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MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

The following messages were received from the Senate:

Madam Speaker:

I hereby announce the passage by the Senate of the following House File, herewith returned:

H. F. No. 2896, A bill for an act relating to public buildings; removing a requirement that a city hold a referendum before building, equipping, or maintaining a memorial for war veterans; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 416.01.

Colleen J. Pacheco, Second Assistant Secretary of the Senate

Madam Speaker:

I hereby announce that the Senate has concurred in and adopted the report of the Conference Committee on:

H. F. No. 3220, A bill for an act relating to local government; authorizing political subdivisions to make grants to nonprofit organizations; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 471.

The Senate has repassed said bill in accordance with the recommendation and report of the Conference Committee. Said House File is herewith returned to the House.

Colleen J. Pacheco, Second Assistant Secretary of the Senate

Madam Speaker:

I hereby announce that the Senate has concurred in and adopted the report of the Conference Committee on:

H. F. No. 3516, A bill for an act relating to real property; providing specification of certain information about a premises subject to foreclosure; providing for electronic recording; requiring a report; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 14.03, subdivision 3; 58.02, by adding a subdivision; 287.08; 287.241; 287.25; 386.03; 386.19; 386.26, subdivision 1; 386.31; 386.409; 507.093; 507.40; 507.46, subdivision 1; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 507.24, subdivision 2; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 272; 507; 580.

The Senate has repassed said bill in accordance with the recommendation and report of the Conference Committee. Said House File is herewith returned to the House.

Colleen J. Pacheco, Second Assistant Secretary of the Senate

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Madam Speaker:

I hereby announce that the Senate has concurred in and adopted the report of the Conference Committee on:

H. F. No. 1351, A bill for an act relating to transportation; modifying or adding provisions related to geotechnical investigations before eminent domain proceedings, the highway sign franchise program, streets and highways, highway safety rest areas, highway construction bids and training, town road abandonment, bridges, special mobile equipment, motor vehicle titles, motor vehicle transfers, traffic regulations, flammable liquid definition, drivers' licenses and identification cards, driver records and education, the Real ID Act, traffic-control signals, transportation goals and mission, statewide transportation plan, metropolitan transportation system performance evaluations, transportation contracts, rail service improvement, use of rail bank property, local airports, towing, vehicle impoundments, transit and paratransit, special transportation, small vehicle passenger service, transportation accessibility, transit ways and facilities, light rail transit, vehicle license plates, vehicle size and weight restrictions, vehicle load limits and permits, paper product vehicle routes and permits, definition of full-size pickup truck, vehicle idle reduction technology, commercial vehicles and drivers, vehicle registration, insurance requirements for vehicles owned by charitable organizations, the Unified Carrier Registration Agreement, household goods movers, obsolete motor carrier laws and conforming changes, railroad company requirements, the position of state rail safety inspector, and the Railroad Walkways Safety Act; requiring studies and reports; imposing penalties; making clarifying and technical changes; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 117.041, by adding a subdivision; 160.02, subdivision 19, by adding a subdivision; 160.80; 161.14, subdivision 18, by adding subdivisions; 161.32, subdivisions 1, 1b, 4; 164.06, subdivision 2; 165.01; 165.03; 168.011, subdivision 22; 168.013, subdivision 1e; 168.10, subdivisions 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1g, 1h, 1i; 168.12, subdivisions 1, 2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e; 168A.01, by adding a subdivision; 168A.05, subdivisions 3, 5; 168A.10, subdivision 1; 168A.101; 168A.151, subdivision 1; 168A.153; 168B.04, subdivision 2; 168B.051, subdivision 2; 168B.06, subdivisions 1, 3; 168B.07, by adding subdivisions; 168B.087, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 169.01, subdivisions 4c, 19, 20, 78, by adding subdivisions; 169.041, subdivisions 1, 2; 169.06, subdivision 5; 169.14, subdivision 2, by adding subdivisions; 169.34; 169.471, subdivision 1; 169.781; 169.782, subdivision 1; 169.783, subdivision 1; 169.81, subdivisions 2, 3c; 169.823, subdivision 1; 169.824, subdivision 2; 169.8261; 169.86, subdivision 5, by adding a subdivision; 169.862; 169.864, subdivisions 1, 2; 169.87, subdivision 4; 171.01, by adding a subdivision; 171.02, subdivision 1; 171.06, subdivision 3; 171.07, subdivisions 1, 3; 171.12, subdivision 6; 171.14; 174.01, subdivision 2; 174.02, subdivision 1a; 174.03, subdivision 1, by adding subdivisions; 174.24, subdivision 2a; 174.255, by adding a subdivision; 174.29, by adding subdivisions; 174.30, subdivisions 4, 9; 174.64, subdivisions 2, 4; 174.66; 218.021, subdivision 1; 218.041, subdivision 6; 221.011, subdivision 8, by adding a subdivision; 221.025; 221.026; 221.031, subdivisions 1, 6; 221.0314, subdivision 9, by adding a subdivision; 221.033, subdivision 2d; 221.036, subdivisions 1, 3; 221.037, subdivision 1; 221.091, subdivision 2; 221.131; 221.132; 221.141, subdivisions 1, 4; 221.185; 221.221, subdivision 3; 221.231; 221.291, subdivision 4; 221.60, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 222.50, subdivision 7; 222.63, subdivision 4, by adding a subdivision; 299F.60, subdivision 1; 299J.16, subdivision 1; 325F.665, by adding a subdivision; 473.1466; 473.166; 473.386, subdivisions 1, 2, 2a, 3; 473.399; 473.3993, subdivisions 1, 3, by adding a subdivision; 473.3994; 473.3997; 473.4051; 473.408, by adding subdivisions; Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 1, article 4, section 39; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 160; 161; 169; 174; 219; 221; 473; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 168A.05, subdivision 5a; 174.65; 221.011, subdivisions 24, 25, 28, 29, 38, 41, 44, 45; 221.0252, subdivision 7; 221.072; 221.111; 221.121, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6a, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 7; 221.122; 221.123; 221.131, subdivisions 2a, 3; 221.141, subdivision 6; 221.151; 221.152; 221.153, subdivisions 1, 2; 221.161; 221.171; 221.172, subdivisions 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8; 221.296, subdivisions 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8; 221.60, subdivisions 2, 3, 3a, 4, 5, 6; 221.601; 221.602; 325E.0951, subdivision 3a; 473.1465; 473.247; 473.3994, subdivision 13; Laws 1999, chapter 230, section 44.

The Senate has repassed said bill in accordance with the recommendation and report of the Conference Committee. Said House File is herewith returned to the House.

Colleen J. Pacheco, Second Assistant Secretary of the Senate

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Madam Speaker:

I hereby announce that the Senate has concurred in and adopted the report of the Conference Committee on:

S. F. No. 1298.

The Senate has repassed said bill in accordance with the recommendation and report of the Conference Committee. Said Senate File is herewith transmitted to the House.

Colleen J. Pacheco, Second Assistant Secretary of the Senate

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT ON S. F. NO. 1298

A bill for an act relating to elections; changing certain voter registration procedures and requirements, filing requirements, voting procedures, election day prohibitions, and ballot preparation requirements; establishing a complaint and resolution process; requiring challengers to prove residence in this state; requiring certain notices; changing a petition requirement; imposing penalties; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 201.016, subdivision 1a; 201.056; 201.061, subdivisions 1, 3, by adding a subdivision; 201.071, subdivision 1; 201.171; 203B.07, subdivision 2; 203B.081; 203B.12, subdivision 4; 203B.13, subdivisions 1, 2; 204B.09, subdivisions 1, 1a, 3; 204B.11, subdivision 2; 204B.16, subdivision 1; 204B.45, subdivisions 1, 2; 204C.06, subdivisions 1, 8; 204C.07, subdivision 3a, by adding a subdivision; 204D.09, subdivision 2; 204D.16; 205.10, by adding a subdivision; 205.13, by adding a subdivision; 205.16, subdivisions 2, 3, 4; 205A.05, by adding a subdivision; 205A.07, subdivisions 3, 3a; 206.57, subdivision 5; 206.89, subdivisions 1, 5; 211A.02, subdivision 2; 211A.05, subdivision 1; 211B.11, subdivision 1; 410.12, subdivision 1; 447.32, subdivision 4; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 204B; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 200.04; 201.061, subdivision 7; 201.096; 203B.02, subdivision 1a; 203B.13, subdivision 3a.

April 15, 2008

The Honorable James P. Metzen

President of the Senate

The Honorable Margaret Anderson Kelliher

Speaker of the House of Representatives

We, the undersigned conferees for S. F. No. 1298 report that we have agreed upon the items in dispute and recommend as follows:

That the Senate concur in the House amendments and that S. F. No. 1298 be further amended as follows:

Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

"ARTICLE 1

ELECTIONS AND VOTING

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 135A.17, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Residential housing list. All postsecondary institutions that enroll students accepting state or federal financial aid may prepare a current list of students enrolled in the institution and residing in the institution's housing or within ten miles of the institution's campus. The list shall include each student's current address. The list shall be

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certified and sent to the appropriate county auditor or auditors for use in election day registration as provided under section 201.061, subdivision 3. A residential housing list provided under this subdivision may not be used or disseminated by a county auditor or the secretary of state for any other purpose.

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.054, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 3. Prohibited methods of compensation; penalty. (a) No individual may be compensated for the solicitation, collection, or acceptance of voter registration applications from voters for submission to the secretary of state, a county auditor, or other local election official in a manner in which payment is calculated by multiplying (1) either a set or variable payment rate, by (2) the number of voter registration applications solicited, collected, or accepted.

(b) No individual may be deprived of compensation or have compensation automatically reduced exclusively for failure to solicit, collect, or accept a minimum number of voter registration applications, and no individual may receive additional compensation for reaching or exceeding a minimum number of voter registration applications.

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.056, is amended to read:

201.056 SIGNATURE OF REGISTERED VOTER; MARKS ALLOWED.

An individual who is unable to write the individual's name shall be required to sign a registration ~~card by making the individual's mark~~ application in the manner provided by section 645.44, subdivision 14. If the individual registers in person and signs by making a mark, the clerk or election judge accepting the registration shall certify the mark by signing the individual's name. If the individual registers by mail and signs by making a mark, the mark shall be certified by having a voter registered in the individual's precinct sign the individual's name and the voter's own name and give the voter's own address.

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.061, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Election day registration. (a) An individual who is eligible to vote may register on election day by appearing in person at the polling place for the precinct in which the individual maintains residence, by completing a registration application, making an oath in the form prescribed by the secretary of state and providing proof of residence. An individual may prove residence for purposes of registering by:

(1) presenting a driver's license or Minnesota identification card issued pursuant to section 171.07;

(2) presenting any document approved by the secretary of state as proper identification;

(3) presenting one of the following:

(i) a current valid student identification card from a postsecondary educational institution in Minnesota, if a list of students from that institution has been prepared under section 135A.17 and certified to the county auditor in the manner provided in rules of the secretary of state; or

(ii) a current student fee statement that contains the student's valid address in the precinct together with a picture identification card; or

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(4) having a voter who is registered to vote in the precinct, or who is an employee employed by and working in a residential facility in the precinct and vouching for a resident in the facility, sign an oath in the presence of the election judge vouching that the voter or employee personally knows that the individual is a resident of the precinct. A voter who has been vouched for on election day may not sign a proof of residence oath vouching for any other individual on that election day. A voter who is registered to vote in the precinct may sign up to 15 proof-of-residence oaths on any election day. This limitation does not apply to an employee of a residential facility described in this clause. The secretary of state shall provide a form for election judges to use in recording the number of individuals for whom a voter signs proof-of-residence oaths on election day. The form must include space for the maximum number of individuals for whom a voter may sign proof-of-residence oaths. For each proof-of-residence oath, the form must include a statement that the voter is registered to vote in the precinct, personally knows that the individual is a resident of the precinct, and is making the statement on oath. The form must include a space for the voter's printed name, signature, telephone number, and address.

The oath required by this subdivision and Minnesota Rules, part 8200.9939, must be attached to the voter registration application and the information on the oath must be recorded on the records of both the voter registering on election day and the voter who is vouching for the person's residence, and entered into the statewide voter registration system by the county auditor when the voter registration application is entered into that system.

(b) The operator of a residential facility shall prepare a list of the names of its employees currently working in the residential facility and the address of the residential facility. The operator shall certify the list and provide it to the appropriate county auditor no less than 20 days before each election for use in election day registration.

(c) "Residential facility" means transitional housing as defined in section 256E.33, subdivision 1; a supervised living facility licensed by the commissioner of health under section 144.50, subdivision 6; a nursing home as defined in section 144A.01, subdivision 5; a residence registered with the commissioner of health as a housing with services establishment as defined in section 144D.01, subdivision 4; a veterans home operated by the board of directors of the Minnesota Veterans Homes under chapter 198; a residence licensed by the commissioner of human services to provide a residential program as defined in section 245A.02, subdivision 14; a residential facility for persons with a developmental disability licensed by the commissioner of human services under section 252.28; group residential housing as defined in section 256I.03, subdivision 3; a shelter for battered women as defined in section 611A.37, subdivision 4; or a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter or dwelling designed to provide temporary living accommodations for the homeless.

(d) For tribal band members, an individual may prove residence for purposes of registering by:

(1) presenting an identification card issued by the tribal government of a tribe recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior, that contains the name, address, signature, and picture of the individual; or

(2) presenting an identification card issued by the tribal government of a tribe recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior, that contains the name, signature, and picture of the individual and also presenting one of the documents listed in Minnesota Rules, part 8200.5100, subpart 2, item B.

(e) A county, school district, or municipality may require that an election judge responsible for election day registration initial each completed registration application.

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Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.171, is amended to read:

201.171 POSTING VOTING HISTORY; FAILURE TO VOTE; REGISTRATION REMOVED.

Within six weeks after every election, the county auditor shall post the voting history for every person who voted in the election. After the close of the calendar year, the secretary of state shall determine if any registrants have not voted during the preceding four years. The secretary of state shall perform list maintenance by changing the status of those registrants to "inactive" in the statewide registration system. The list maintenance performed must be conducted in a manner that ensures that the name of each registered voter appears in the official list of eligible voters in the statewide registration system. A voter must not be removed from the official list of eligible voters unless the voter is not eligible or is not registered to vote. List maintenance must include procedures for eliminating duplicate names from the official list of eligible voters.

The secretary of state shall also prepare a report to the county auditor containing the names of all registrants whose status was changed to "inactive."

Registrants whose status was changed to "inactive" must register in the manner specified in section 201.054 before voting in any primary, special primary, general, school district, or special election, as required by section 201.018.

Although not counted in an election, a late or rejected absentee or mail ballot must be considered a vote for the purpose of continuing registration.

Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.07, is amended to read:

203B.07 RETURN AND BALLOT ENVELOPES; DIRECTIONS TO VOTERS.

Subdivision 1. Delivery of envelopes, directions. The county auditor or the municipal clerk shall prepare, print, and transmit a return envelope, a ballot envelope, and a copy of the directions for casting an absentee ballot to each applicant whose application for absentee ballots is accepted pursuant to section 203B.04. The county auditor or municipal clerk shall provide first class postage for the return envelope. The directions for casting an absentee ballot shall be printed in at least 14-point bold type with heavy leading and may be printed on the ballot envelope. When a person requests the directions in Braille or on cassette tape, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall provide them in the form requested. The secretary of state shall prepare Braille and cassette copies and make them available.

When a voter registration card is sent to the applicant as provided in section 203B.06, subdivision 4, the directions or registration card shall include instructions for registering to vote.

Subd. 2. Design of envelopes. The return envelope shall be of sufficient size to conveniently enclose and contain the ballot envelope and a folded voter registration ~~card folded along its perforations~~ application. The return envelope shall be designed to open on the left-hand end. ~~Notwithstanding any rule to the contrary,~~ If the voter was not previously registered, the return envelope must be designed in one of the following ways:

(1) it must be of sufficient size to contain an additional envelope that when sealed, conceals the signature, identification, and other information; or

(2) it must provide an additional flap that when sealed, conceals the signature, identification, and other information.

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Election officials may open the flap or the additional envelope at any time after receiving the returned ballot to inspect the returned certificate for completeness or to ascertain other information.

Subd. 3. Eligibility certificate. A certificate of eligibility to vote by absentee ballot shall be printed on the back of the return envelope. The certificate shall contain a statement to be signed and sworn by the voter indicating that the voter meets all of the requirements established by law for voting by absentee ballot. The certificate shall also contain a statement signed by a person who is registered to vote in Minnesota or by a notary public or other individual authorized to administer oaths stating that:

~~(a)~~ (1) the ballots were displayed to that individual unmarked;

~~(b)~~ (2) the voter marked the ballots in that individual's presence without showing how they were marked, or, if the voter was physically unable to mark them, that the voter directed another individual to mark them; and

~~(c)~~ (3) if the voter was not previously registered, the voter has provided proof of residence as required by section 201.061, subdivision 3.

~~The county auditor or municipal clerk shall affix first class postage to the return envelopes.~~

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for elections held after June 1, 2008.

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.081, is amended to read:

203B.081 LOCATIONS FOR ABSENTEE VOTING IN PERSON.

An eligible voter may vote by absentee ballot during the 30 days before the election in the office of the county auditor and at any other polling place designated by the county auditor. The county auditor shall make such designations at least 90 days before the election. At least one voting booth in each polling place must be made available by the county auditor for this purpose. The county auditor must also make available at least one electronic ballot marker in each polling place that has implemented a voting system that is accessible for individuals with disabilities pursuant to section 206.57, subdivision 5.

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.13, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Establishment. The governing body of any county ~~that has established a counting center as provided in section 206.85, subdivision 2~~, any municipality, or any school district may by ordinance or resolution, authorize an absentee ballot board. The board shall consist of a sufficient number of election judges appointed as provided in sections 204B.19 to 204B.22.

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.13, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Duties. The absentee ballot board may ~~do any of the following:~~

(a) receive from each precinct in the municipality or school district all ballot envelopes marked "Accepted" by the election judges; provided that the governing body of a municipality or the school board of a school district may authorize the board to examine all return absentee ballot envelopes and ~~receive~~ accept or reject absentee ballots in the manner provided in section 203B.12;.

(b) open and count the absentee ballots, tabulating the vote in a manner that indicates each vote of the absentee voter and the total absentee vote cast for each candidate or question in each precinct; or

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~~(c) report the vote totals tabulated for each precinct.~~

The absentee ballot board may begin the process of examining the return envelopes and marking them "accepted" or "rejected" at any time during the 30 days before the election. If an envelope has been rejected at least five days before the election, the ballots in the envelope must be considered spoiled ballots and the official in charge of the absentee ballot board shall provide the voter with a replacement absentee ballot and return envelope in place of the spoiled ballot. ~~The secretary of state shall provide samples of the replacement ballot and return envelope for use by the county auditor.~~

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for elections held after June 1, 2008.

Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204B.09, is amended to read:

204B.09 TIME AND PLACE OF FILING AFFIDAVITS AND PETITIONS.

Subdivision 1. Candidates in state and county general elections. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this subdivision, affidavits of candidacy and nominating petitions for county, state, and federal offices filled at the state general election shall be filed not more than 70 days nor less than 56 days before the state primary. The affidavit may be prepared and signed at any time between 60 days before the filing period opens and the last day of the filing period.

(b) Notwithstanding other law to the contrary, the affidavit of candidacy must be signed in the presence of a notarial officer or an individual authorized to administer oaths under section 358.10.

(c) This provision does not apply to candidates for presidential elector nominated by major political parties. Major party candidates for presidential elector are certified under section 208.03. Other candidates for presidential electors may file petitions on or before the state primary day pursuant to section 204B.07. Nominating petitions to fill vacancies in nominations shall be filed as provided in section 204B.13. No affidavit or petition shall be accepted later than 5:00 p.m. on the last day for filing.

(d) Affidavits and petitions for county offices ~~to be voted on in only one county shall~~ must be filed with the county auditor of that county. Affidavits and petitions for federal offices ~~to be voted on in more than one county shall~~ must be filed with the secretary of state. Affidavits and petitions for state offices must be filed with the secretary of state or with the county auditor of the county in which the candidate resides.

(e) Affidavits other than those filed pursuant to subdivision 1a must be submitted by mail or by hand, notwithstanding chapter 325L, or any other law to the contrary and must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the last day for filing.

Subd. 1a. Absent candidates. (a) A candidate for special district, county, state, or federal office who will be absent from the state during the filing period may submit a properly executed affidavit of candidacy, the appropriate filing fee, and any necessary petitions in person to the filing officer. The candidate shall state in writing the reason for being unable to submit the affidavit during the filing period. The affidavit, filing fee, if any, and petitions must be submitted to the filing officer during the seven days immediately preceding the candidate's absence from the state. Nominating petitions may be signed during the 14 days immediately preceding the date when the affidavit of candidacy is filed.

(b) A candidate for special district, county, state, or federal office who will be absent from the state during the entire filing period or who must leave the state for the remainder of the filing period and who certifies to the secretary of state that the circumstances constitute an emergency and were unforeseen, may submit a properly executed affidavit of candidacy by facsimile device or by transmitting electronically a scanned image of the affidavit to the secretary of state during the filing period. The candidate shall state in writing the specific reason for being unable to submit the affidavit by mail or by hand during the filing period or in person prior to the start of the filing period. The affidavit of candidacy, filing fee, if any, and any necessary petitions must be received by the secretary of state by 5:00 p.m. on the last day for filing. If the candidate is filing for a special district or county office, the secretary of state shall forward the affidavit of candidacy, filing fee, if any, and any necessary petitions to the appropriate filing officer.

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Subd. 2. Other elections. Affidavits of candidacy and nominating petitions for city, town or other elective offices shall be filed during the time and with the official specified in chapter 205 or other applicable law or charter, except as provided for a special district candidate under subdivision 1a. Affidavits of candidacy and applications filed on behalf of eligible voters for school board office shall be filed during the time and with the official specified in chapter 205A or other applicable law. Affidavits of candidacy and nominating petitions filed under this subdivision must be submitted by mail or by hand, notwithstanding chapter 325L, or any other law to the contrary, and must be received by the appropriate official within the specified time for the filing of affidavits and petitions for the office.

Subd. 3. Write-in candidates. (a) A candidate for county, state, or federal office who wants write-in votes for the candidate to be counted must file a written request with the filing office for the office sought no later than the ~~fifth~~ seventh day before the general election. The filing officer shall provide copies of the form to make the request.

(b) A candidate for president of the United States who files a request under this subdivision must include the name of a candidate for vice-president of the United States. The request must also include the name of at least one candidate for presidential elector. The total number of names of candidates for presidential elector on the request may not exceed the total number of electoral votes to be cast by Minnesota in the presidential election.

(c) A candidate for governor who files a request under this subdivision must include the name of a candidate for lieutenant governor.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for elections held after June 1, 2008.

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204B.16, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Authority; location. The governing body of each municipality and of each county with precincts in unorganized territory shall designate by ordinance or resolution a polling place for each election precinct. Polling places must be designated and ballots must be distributed so that no one is required to go to more than one polling place to vote in a school district and municipal election held on the same day. The polling place for a precinct in a city or in a school district located in whole or in part in the metropolitan area defined by section 200.02, subdivision 24, shall be located within the boundaries of the precinct or within ~~3,000 feet~~ one mile of one of those boundaries unless a single polling place is designated for a city pursuant to section 204B.14, subdivision 2, or a school district pursuant to section 205A.11. The polling place for a precinct in unorganized territory may be located outside the precinct at a place which is convenient to the voters of the precinct. If no suitable place is available within a town or within a school district located outside the metropolitan area defined by section 200.02, subdivision 24, then the polling place for a town or school district may be located outside the town or school district within five miles of one of the boundaries of the town or school district.

Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204B.45, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Procedure. Notice of the election and the special mail procedure must be given at least six weeks prior to the election. ~~No earlier~~ Not more than 20 30 days or nor later than 14 days prior to the election, the auditor shall mail ballots by nonforwardable mail to all voters registered in the town or unorganized territory. No later than 14 days before the election, the auditor must make a subsequent mailing of ballots to those voters who register to vote after the initial mailing but before the 20th day before the election. Eligible voters not registered at the time the ballots are mailed may apply for ballots as provided in chapter 203B. Ballot return envelopes, with return postage provided, must be preaddressed to the auditor or clerk and the voter may return the ballot by mail or in person to the office of the auditor or clerk. The auditor or clerk may appoint election judges to examine the return envelopes and mark them "accepted" or "rejected" during the 30 days before the election. If an envelope has been rejected at least five days before the election, the ballots in the envelope must be considered spoiled ballots and the auditor or clerk shall provide the voter with a replacement ballot and return envelope in place of the spoiled ballot. The costs of the mailing shall be paid by the election jurisdiction in which the voter resides. Any ballot received by 8:00 p.m. on the day of the election must be counted.

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Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204C.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Lingering near polling place. An individual shall be allowed to go to and from the polling place for the purpose of voting without unlawful interference. No one except an election official or an individual who is waiting to register or to vote shall stand within 100 feet of the ~~entrance to a polling place. The entrance to a polling place is the doorway or point of entry leading into the room or area where voting is occurring~~ building in which a polling place is located.

Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204C.07, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

Subd. 3a. Residence requirement. A challenger must be a resident of this state. Appointed challengers seeking admission to a polling place to serve in that capacity must prove their status as a resident of this state by presenting one of the documents listed in section 201.061, subdivision 3. Challengers need not prove residence in the precinct in which they seek to act as a challenger.

Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205.10, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 6. Cancellation. A special election ordered by the governing body of the municipality on its own motion under subdivision 1 may be cancelled by motion of the governing body, but not less than 46 days before the election.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for elections held after June 1, 2008.

Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205.16, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Notice to auditor. At least 53 days prior to every municipal election, the municipal clerk shall provide a written notice to the county auditor, including the date of the election, the offices to be voted on at the election, and the title and language for each ballot question to be voted on at the election. Not less than 46 days before the election, the municipal clerk must provide written notice to the county auditor of any special election canceled under section 205.10, subdivision 6.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for elections held after June 1, 2008.

Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205A.05, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 3. Cancellation. A special election ordered by the school board on its own motion under subdivision 1 may be canceled by motion of the school board, but not less than 46 days before the election.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for elections held after June 1, 2008.

Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205A.07, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Notice to auditor. At least 53 days prior to every school district election, the school district clerk shall provide a written notice to the county auditor of each county in which the school district is located. The notice must include the date of the election, the offices to be voted on at the election, and the title and language for each ballot question to be voted on at the election. For the purposes of meeting the timelines of this section, in a bond election, a notice, including a proposed question, may be provided to the county auditor prior to receipt of a review and comment from the commissioner of education and prior to actual initiation of the election. Not less than 46 days before the election, the school district clerk must provide written notice to the county auditor of any special election canceled under section 205A.05, subdivision 3.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for elections held after June 1, 2008.

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Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205A.07, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

Subd. 3a. Notice to commissioner of education. At least 49 days prior to every school district election, under section 123B.62, 123B.63, 126C.17, 126C.69, or 475.58, the school district clerk shall provide a written notice to the commissioner of education. The notice must include the date of the election and the title and language for each ballot question to be voted on at the election. Not less than 46 days before the election, the school district clerk must provide a written notice to the commissioner of education of any special election canceled under section 205A.05, subdivision 3. The certified vote totals for each ballot question shall be provided in a written notice to the commissioner in a timely manner.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for elections held after June 1, 2008.

Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 206.89, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Definition. For purposes of this section "postelection review official" means the ~~election administration official who is responsible for the conduct of elections in a precinct selected for review under this section~~ county auditor, unless the county auditor designates the municipal clerk as the "postelection review official" within 24 hours after the canvass of the state general election.

Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 206.89, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5. Additional review. (a) If the postelection review in one of the reviewed precincts reveals a difference greater than one-half of one percent, or greater than two votes in a precinct where 400 or fewer voters cast ballots, the postelection review official must, within two days, conduct an additional review of the races indicated in subdivision 3 in at least three precincts in the same jurisdiction where the discrepancy was discovered. If all precincts in that jurisdiction have been reviewed, the county auditor must immediately publicly select by lot at least three additional precincts for review. The postelection review official must complete the additional review within two days after the precincts are selected and report the results immediately to the county auditor. If the second review in any of the reviewed precincts also indicates a difference in the vote totals compiled by the voting system that is greater than one-half of one percent from the result indicated by the postelection review, or greater than two votes in a precinct where 400 or fewer voters cast ballots, the county auditor must conduct a review of the ballots from all the remaining precincts in the county for the races indicated in subdivision 3. This review must be completed no later than six weeks after the state general election.

(b) If the results from the countywide reviews from one or more counties comprising in the aggregate more than ten percent of the total number of persons voting in the election clearly indicate that an error in vote counting has occurred, the postelection review official must conduct a manual recount of all the ballots in the district for the affected office. The recount must be completed and the results reported to the appropriate canvassing board no later than ten weeks after the state general election.

Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 211A.02, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Information required. The report to be filed by a candidate or committee must include:

(1) the name of the candidate or ballot question;

(2) the printed name ~~and~~, address, telephone number, signature, and e-mail address, if available, of the person responsible for filing the report;

(3) the total amount of receipts and expenditures for the period from the last previous report to five days before the current report is due;

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(4) the amount, date, and purpose for each expenditure; and

(5) the name, address, and employer, or occupation if self-employed, of any individual or committee that during the year has made one or more contributions that in the aggregate ~~are equal to or greater than~~ exceed $100, and the amount and date of each contribution. The filing officer must restrict public access to the address of any individual who has made a contribution that exceeds $100 and who has filed with the filing officer a written statement signed by the individual that withholding the individual's address from the financial report is required for the safety of the individual or the individual's family.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment, and applies to contributions made after December 31, 2007. However, if a candidate or committee has filed a report before the effective date of this section that includes contributions made after December 31, 2007, the candidate or committee does not need to amend or refile that report.

Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 211A.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Penalty. A candidate who intentionally fails to file a report required by section 211A.02 or a certification required by this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. The treasurer of a committee formed to promote or defeat a ballot question who intentionally fails to file a report required by section 211A.02 or a certification required by this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. Each candidate or treasurer of a committee formed to promote or defeat a ballot question shall certify to the filing officer that all reports required by section 211A.02 have been submitted to the filing officer or that the candidate or committee has not received contributions or made disbursements exceeding $750 in the calendar year. The certification shall be submitted to the filing officer no later than seven days after the general or special election. The secretary of state shall prepare blanks for this certification. An officer who issues a certificate of election to a candidate who has not certified that all reports required by section 211A.02 have been filed is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Sec. 24. REPEALER.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 203B.02, subdivision 1a; and 203B.13, subdivision 3a, are repealed.

Sec. 25. EFFECTIVE DATE.

Unless otherwise noted, all sections in this article are effective on June 1, 2008.

ARTICLE 2

TECHNICAL MODIFICATIONS

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 103C.305, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Ballots. Ballots shall be prepared by the county auditor. The names of candidates shall be placed on the "canary ballot" described in section 204D.11, subdivision 3. The office title printed on the ballot must be either "Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor" or "Conservation District Supervisor," based upon the district from which the supervisor is to be elected.

Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.054, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Registration. An individual may register to vote:

(1) at any time before the 20th day preceding any election as provided in section 201.061, subdivision 1;

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(2) on the day of an election as provided in section 201.061, subdivision 3; or

(3) when submitting an absentee ballot, by enclosing a completed registration ~~card~~ application as provided in section 203B.04, subdivision 4.

Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.061, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Registration by election judges; procedures. Registration at the polling place on election day shall be conducted by the election judges. The election judge who registers an individual at the polling place on election day shall not handle that voter's ballots at any time prior to the opening of the ballot box after the voting ends. Registration ~~cards~~ applications and forms for oaths shall be available at each polling place. If an individual who registers on election day proves residence by oath of a registered voter, the form containing the oath shall be attached to the individual's registration ~~card~~ application. Registration ~~cards~~ applications completed on election day shall be forwarded to the county auditor who shall add the name of each voter to the registration system unless the information forwarded is substantially deficient. A county auditor who finds an election day registration substantially deficient shall give written notice to the individual whose registration is found deficient. An election day registration shall not be found deficient solely because the individual who provided proof of residence was ineligible to do so.

Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.071, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Deficient registration. No voter registration application is deficient if it contains the voter's name, address, date of birth, current and valid Minnesota driver's license number or Minnesota state identification number, or if the voter has no current and valid Minnesota driver's license or Minnesota state identification number, the last four digits of the voter's Social Security number, if the voter has been issued a Social Security number, prior registration, if any, and signature. The absence of a zip code number does not cause the registration to be deficient. Failure to check a box on an application form that a voter has certified to be true does not cause the registration to be deficient. The election judges shall request an individual to correct a voter registration application if it is deficient or illegible ~~or if the name or number of the voter's school district is missing or obviously incorrect~~. No eligible voter may be prevented from voting unless the voter's registration application is deficient or the voter is duly and successfully challenged in accordance with section 201.195 or 204C.12.

A voter registration application accepted prior to August 1, 1983, is not deficient for lack of date of birth. The county or municipality may attempt to obtain the date of birth for a voter registration application accepted prior to August 1, 1983, by a request to the voter at any time except at the polling place. Failure by the voter to comply with this request does not make the registration deficient.

A voter registration application accepted before January 1, 2004, is not deficient for lack of a valid Minnesota driver's license or state identification number or the last four digits of a Social Security number. A voter registration application submitted by a voter who does not have a Minnesota driver's license or state identification number, or a Social Security number, is not deficient for lack of any of these numbers.

Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.071, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Change of registration. ~~Any~~ A county auditor who receives a registration ~~card~~ application indicating that an individual was previously registered in a different county in Minnesota shall ~~notify the county auditor of that county~~ update the voter's record electronically through the statewide registration system in the manner prescribed ~~in the rules of~~ by the secretary of state. A county auditor receiving a registration card indicating that a voter was previously registered in a different precinct in the same county or receiving a notification as provided in this subdivision shall remove that individual's voter registration card from the files. Any A county auditor who receives a registration ~~card~~ application or notification requiring a change of registration records under this subdivision as a result of an election day registration shall also check the statewide registration system to determine whether the individual voted in more than one precinct in the most recent election.

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Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.081, is amended to read:

201.081 REGISTRATION FILES.

The statewide registration system is the official record of registered voters. The voter registration ~~cards~~ applications and the terminal providing access to the statewide registration system must be under the control of the county auditor or the public official to whom the county auditor has delegated the responsibility for maintaining voter registration records. The voter registration ~~cards~~ applications and terminals providing access to the statewide registration system must not be removed from the control of the county auditor except as provided in this subdivision. The county auditor may make photographic copies of voter registration ~~cards~~ applications in the manner provided by section 138.17.

A properly completed voter registration ~~card~~ application that has been submitted to the secretary of state or a county auditor must be maintained by the secretary of state or the county auditor for at least 22 months after the date that the information on the ~~card~~ application is entered into the database of the statewide registration system. The secretary of state or the county auditor may dispose of the ~~cards~~ applications after retention for 22 months in the manner provided by section 138.17.

Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.091, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Master list. Each county auditor shall prepare and maintain a current list of registered voters in each precinct in the county which is known as the master list. The master list must be created by entering each completed voter registration ~~card~~ application received by the county auditor into the statewide registration system. It must show the name, residence address, and date of birth of each voter registered in the precinct. The information contained in the master list may only be made available to public officials for purposes related to election administration, jury selection, and in response to a law enforcement inquiry concerning a violation of or failure to comply with any criminal statute or state or local tax statute.

Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.091, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8. Registration places. Each county auditor shall designate a number of public buildings in those political subdivisions of the county where preregistration of voters is allowed as provided in section 201.061, subdivision 1, where eligible voters may register to vote. At least one public building must be designated for each 30,000 residents of the county. At least one telecommunications device for the deaf must be available for voter registration information in each county seat and in every city of the first, second, and third class.

An adequate supply of registration ~~cards~~ applications and instructions must be maintained at each designated location, and a designated individual must be available there to accept registration ~~cards~~ applications and transmit them to the county auditor.

A person who, because of disability, needs assistance in order to determine eligibility or to register must be assisted by a designated individual. Assistance includes but is not limited to reading the registration form and instructions and filling out the registration form as directed by the eligible voter.

Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.27, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Intentional violation. No officer, deputy, clerk, or other employee shall intentionally:

(1) fail to perform or enforce any of the provisions of this chapter except subdivision 2;

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(2) remove a registration ~~card~~ application or record from its proper place in the registration files in a manner or for a purpose not authorized by law;

(3) destroy or make an unauthorized change to a record required to be kept by this chapter; or

(4) add a name or names to the voter registration files, records, or ~~cards~~ applications, except as authorized by law.

An individual who violates this subdivision is guilty of a felony.

Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Application procedures. Except as otherwise allowed by subdivision 2 or by section 203B.11, subdivision 4, an application for absentee ballots for any election may be submitted at any time not less than one day before the day of that election. The county auditor shall prepare absentee ballot application forms in the format provided by the secretary of state, notwithstanding rules on absentee ballot forms, and shall furnish them to any person on request. By January 1 of each even-numbered year, the secretary of state shall make the forms to be used available to auditors through electronic means. An application submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be in writing and shall be submitted to:

(a) the county auditor of the county where the applicant maintains residence; or

(b) the municipal clerk of the municipality, or school district if applicable, where the applicant maintains residence.

An application shall be approved if it is timely received, signed and dated by the applicant, contains the applicant's name and residence and mailing addresses, and states that the applicant is eligible to vote by absentee ballot for one of the reasons specified in section 203B.02. The application may contain a request for the voter's date of birth, which must not be made available for public inspection. An application may be submitted to the county auditor or municipal clerk by an electronic facsimile device. An application mailed or returned in person to the county auditor or municipal clerk on behalf of a voter by a person other than the voter must be deposited in the mail or returned in person to the county auditor or municipal clerk within ten days after it has been dated by the voter and no later than six days before the election. The absentee ballot applications or a list of persons applying for an absentee ballot may not be made available for public inspection until the close of voting on election day.

An application under this subdivision may contain an application under subdivision 5 to automatically receive an absentee ballot application.

Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.04, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4. Registration at time of application. An eligible voter who is not registered to vote but who is otherwise eligible to vote by absentee ballot may register by including a completed voter registration ~~card~~ application with the absentee ballot. The individual shall present proof of residence as required by section 201.061, subdivision 3, to the individual who witnesses the marking of the absentee ballots. A military voter, as defined in section 203B.01, may register in this manner if voting pursuant to sections 203B.04 to 203B.15, or may register pursuant to sections 203B.16 to 203B.27.

Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.05, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. City, school district, and town elections. For city, town, and school district elections not held on the same day as a statewide election, ~~for school district elections not held on the same day as a statewide election, and for town elections conducted under the Australian ballot system,~~ applications for absentee ballots shall be filed with

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the city, school district, or town clerk and the duties prescribed by this chapter for the county auditor shall be performed by the city, school district, or town clerk unless the county auditor agrees to perform those duties on behalf of the city, school district, or town clerk. The costs incurred to provide absentee ballots and perform the duties prescribed by this subdivision shall be paid by the city, town, or school district holding the election.

Notwithstanding any other law, this chapter applies to school district elections held on the same day as a statewide election or an election for a county or municipality wholly or partially within the school district.

Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.07, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Delivery of envelopes, directions. The county auditor or the municipal clerk shall prepare, print, and transmit a return envelope, a ballot envelope, and a copy of the directions for casting an absentee ballot to each applicant whose application for absentee ballots is accepted pursuant to section 203B.04. The directions for casting an absentee ballot shall be printed in at least 14-point bold type with heavy leading and may be printed on the ballot envelope. When a person requests the directions in Braille or on cassette tape, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall provide them in the form requested. The secretary of state shall prepare Braille and cassette copies and make them available.

When a voter registration ~~card~~ application is sent to the applicant as provided in section 203B.06, subdivision 4, the directions or registration ~~card~~ application shall include instructions for registering to vote.

Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.08, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Procedures on receipt of ballots. When absentee ballots are returned to a county auditor or municipal clerk, that official shall stamp or initial and date the return envelope ~~with an official seal of the office~~ and place it in a secure location with other return envelopes received by that office. The county auditor or municipal clerk shall deliver to the appropriate election judges on election day all ballots received before or with the last mail delivery by the United States Postal Service on election day. A town clerk may request the United States Postal Service to deliver absentee ballots to the polling place on election day instead of to the official address of the town clerk.

Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.10, is amended to read:

203B.10 DELIVERY OF ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS TO ELECTION JUDGES.

(a) On the day before an election:

~~(a)~~ (1) the county auditor shall deliver to the municipal clerks within that county the applications for absentee ballots theretofore received and endorsed as provided in section 203B.06, subdivision 5; and

~~(b)~~ (2) the municipal clerks shall deliver the applications received from the county auditor and the applications for absentee ballots filed with their respective offices and endorsed as provided in section 203B.06, subdivision 5, to the appropriate election judges. Applications received on election day pursuant to section 203B.04, subdivision 2, shall be promptly delivered to the election judges in the precincts or to the judges of an absentee ballot board.

(b) Delivery of the applications to the municipal clerks and election judges in the precinct is not required if the absentee ballot envelopes have been accepted or rejected by an absentee ballot board pursuant to section 203B.13.

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Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204B.06, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8. Proof of eligibility. A candidate for judicial office or for the office of county attorney shall submit with the affidavit of candidacy proof that the candidate is licensed to practice law in this state. Proof means providing a copy of a current attorney license.

A candidate for county sheriff shall submit with the affidavit of candidacy proof of licensure as a peace officer in this state. Proof means providing a copy of a current Peace Officer Standards and Training Board license.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for elections held after June 1, 2008.

Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204B.08, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3. Number of signatures. The number of signatures required on a nominating petition shall be as follows:

(a) for a federal or state office voted on statewide ~~or for United States senator~~, one percent of the total number of individuals voting in the state at the last preceding state general election, or 2,000, whichever is less;

(b) for a congressional office, five percent of the total number of individuals voting in the district at the last preceding state general election, or 1,000, whichever is less;

(c) for a county or legislative office, ten percent of the total number of individuals voting in the county or legislative district at the last preceding state or county general election, or 500, whichever is less;

(d) for a municipal office in a city of the first class, the number specified in section 205.121; and

(e) for any other municipal or school district office, ten percent of the total number of individuals voting in the municipality, ward, school district, or other election district at the last preceding municipal, or school district if applicable, general election, or 500, whichever is less.

Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205A.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1. Materials, ballots. The school district clerk shall prepare and have printed the necessary election materials, including ballots, for a school district election. The name of each candidate for office shall be rotated with the names of the other candidates for the same office so that the name of each candidate appears substantially an equal number of times at the top, at the bottom, and at each intermediate place in the group of candidates for that office names must be arranged on school district ballots in the manner provided in section 204D.08, subdivision 3, for state elections.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for elections held after June 1, 2008.

Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205A.11, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Combined polling place. When no other election is being held in two or more precincts on the day of a school district election, the school board may designate one or more combined polling places at which the voters in those precincts may vote in the school district election. In school districts that have organized into separate board member election districts under section 205A.12, a combined polling place for a school general election must be arranged so that it does not include more than one board member election district.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for elections held after June 1, 2008.

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Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 206.82, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Plan. ~~(a) Subject to paragraph (b),~~ The municipal clerk in a municipality where an electronic voting system is used and the county auditor of a county in which an electronic voting system is used in more than one municipality and the county auditor of a county in which a counting center serving more than one municipality is located shall prepare a plan which indicates acquisition of sufficient facilities, computer time, and professional services and which describes the proposed manner of complying with section 206.80. The plan must be signed, notarized, and submitted to the secretary of state more than 60 days before the first election at which the municipality uses an electronic voting system. Prior to July 1 of each subsequent general election year, the clerk or auditor shall submit to the secretary of state notification of any changes to the plan on file with the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall review each plan for its sufficiency and may request technical assistance from the Department of Administration or other agency which may be operating as the central computer authority. The secretary of state shall notify each reporting authority of the sufficiency or insufficiency of its plan within 20 days of receipt of the plan. The attorney general, upon request of the secretary of state, may seek a district court order requiring an election official to fulfill duties imposed by this subdivision or by rules promulgated pursuant to this section.

~~(b) Systems implemented by counties and municipalities in calendar year 2006 are exempt from paragraph (a) and section 206.58, subdivision 4, if:~~

~~(1) the municipality has fewer than 10,000 residents; and~~

~~(2) a valid county plan was filed by the county auditor of the county in which the municipality is located.~~

Sec. 21. Laws 2004, chapter 293, article 1, section 37, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2. Social Security number. A voter must not be included on the list of voters prepared under Minnesota Statutes, section 201.121, subdivision 1, whose registration is incomplete because of a failure to match the last four digits of the voter's Social Security number until the commissioner of public safety has:

(1) entered into an agreement with the commissioner of the Social Security Administration under Minnesota Statutes, section 201.1615, regarding the use of the last four digits of a Social Security number to verify voter registration information;

~~(2) assembled a complete and current database of the last four digits of the Social Security number of each resident of this state as maintained by the Social Security Administration; and~~

~~(3)~~ (2) certified, along with the secretary of state, that the voter registration system has been tested and shown to properly verify the last four digits of a voter's Social Security number.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective retroactively to November 29, 2007.

Sec. 22. EFFECTIVE DATE.

Unless otherwise specified, all sections in this article are effective on June 1, 2008."

Delete the title and insert:

"A bill for an act relating to elections; changing or establishing certain voter registration procedures and requirements, filing requirements, voting procedures, election day prohibitions, ballot preparation requirements, and other election provisions; imposing penalties; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 103C.305, subdivision 3;

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135A.17, subdivision 2; 201.054, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 201.056; 201.061, subdivisions 3, 4; 201.071, subdivisions 3, 4; 201.081; 201.091, subdivisions 1, 8; 201.171; 201.27, subdivision 1; 203B.04, subdivisions 1, 4; 203B.05, subdivision 2; 203B.07; 203B.08, subdivision 3; 203B.081; 203B.10; 203B.13, subdivisions 1, 2; 204B.06, subdivision 8; 204B.08, subdivision 3; 204B.09; 204B.16, subdivision 1; 204B.45, subdivision 2; 204C.06, subdivision 1; 204C.07, subdivision 3a; 205.10, by adding a subdivision; 205.16, subdivision 4; 205A.05, by adding a subdivision; 205A.07, subdivisions 3, 3a; 205A.10, subdivision 1; 205A.11, subdivision 2; 206.82, subdivision 2; 206.89, subdivisions 1, 5; 211A.02, subdivision 2; 211A.05, subdivision 1; Laws 2004, chapter 293, article 1, section 37, subdivision 2; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 203B.02, subdivision 1a; 203B.13, subdivision 3a."

We request the adoption of this report and repassage of the bill.

Senate Conferees: Linda Higgins, Ann H. Rest and Dan Larson.

House Conferees: Bill Hilty, Jeremy Kalin and Neil W. Peterson.

Hilty moved that the report of the Conference Committee on S. F. No. 1298 be adopted and that the bill be repassed as amended by the Conference Committee. The motion prevailed.

S. F. No. 1298, A bill for an act relating to elections; changing certain voter registration procedures and requirements, filing requirements, voting procedures, election day prohibitions, and ballot preparation requirements; establishing a complaint and resolution process; requiring challengers to prove residence in this state; requiring certain notices; changing a petition requirement; imposing penalties; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 201.016, subdivision 1a; 201.056; 201.061, subdivisions 1, 3, by adding a subdivision; 201.071, subdivision 1; 201.171; 203B.07, subdivision 2; 203B.081; 203B.12, subdivision 4; 203B.13, subdivisions 1, 2; 204B.09, subdivisions 1, 1a, 3; 204B.11, subdivision 2; 204B.16, subdivision 1; 204B.45, subdivisions 1, 2; 204C.06, subdivisions 1, 8; 204C.07, subdivision 3a, by adding a subdivision; 204D.09, subdivision 2; 204D.16; 205.10, by adding a subdivision; 205.13, by adding a subdivision; 205.16, subdivisions 2, 3, 4; 205A.05, by adding a subdivision; 205A.07, subdivisions 3, 3a; 206.57, subdivision 5; 206.89, subdivisions 1, 5; 211A.02, subdivision 2; 211A.05, subdivision 1; 211B.11, subdivision 1; 410.12, subdivision 1; 447.32, subdivision 4; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 204B; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 200.04; 201.061, subdivision 7; 201.096; 203B.02, subdivision 1a; 203B.13, subdivision 3a.

The bill was read for the third time, as amended by Conference, and placed upon its repassage.

The question was taken on the repassage of the bill and the roll was called. There were 127 yeas and 0 nays as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative were: