2022 Legislative Agenda

This year we led the passage of two laws and advanced a 3rd bill.

We want to send another huge thank you to our Community Board, our amazing testifiers, and our partners in this important work. Sign up for our newsletter or follow our social media channels for the most up-to-date news on the implementation of these laws—and stay tuned as our Community Board approves our 2023 legislative agenda!

Legislative Updates

(8/9/2022)

You’ve probably been eagerly waiting for news on whether Minnesota will have a special session to finish the $9.7 billion in unfinished investments and projects from this spring, including our Survivor Benefits bill. Well, unfortunately, we don’t have an update for you on this front…yet. What we are certain about is regardless of who is in power, Fosters’ priorities, power, and perspectives will be heard by our systems leaders. We know this because Fosters have been diligently building relationships, educating legislators, and successfully advocating at the Capitol all spring. 

(5/20/2022)

On Friday, May 6th HF 3845 passed 121-4 on the House of Representatives Floor.

On Wednesday, May 11th SF 4209 passed 57-9 on the Senate Floor. 

By 2024, Minnesota will officially open the doors to this new Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson!

On both of these days, our team dropped (almost) everything and made our way to the Capitol to show support. In less than 48 hours notice for both dates, we were able to rally 17 Fosters from all over Minnesota! We had folks drive in from Bemidji, Moorhead, St. Cloud, Rochester, Circle Pines and of course from all over the metro. We were able to celebrate the passage of the bill and had a chance to meet our tremendous legislative champions!

Mid-Session Update: Where we've been and where we're headed on these critical bills!

(4/19/2022)

The 2022 Legislative Session policy deadline was April 1st, and our staff have been busy! The legislature was in recess from April 9 - to April 18th and is back to continue activity on all legislative priorities.  Our 2022 Legislative Agenda includes three key issues affecting Minnesota Fosters. We’re happy to report we met the deadlines for all three bills, and now we will focus on seeing that they are passed into law!

  • Chief Authors

    Rep. Jessica Hanson, Sen. Karin Housley

    Summary
    Children in out-of-home care have no choice but to rely on the state to ensure their basic needs are being met. The reality is that many Fosters are facing further harm while in care. Who can a young person call when it’s the state who is causing the harm? Currently, no one.

    Our state needs an Ombudsperson for Fosters so that foster youth can have a direct resource for support.

    Next Steps
    We have bipartisan support in both chambers, and we are hopeful for a floor vote in both the House and the Senate. Chief Authors Rep. Jessica Hanson and Sen. Karin Housley have been champions in moving this bill through three committees.

  • Chief Authors

    Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn, Sen. Julie Rosen

    Summary
    Maya’s Law will grant all children the right to be interviewed separately from the alleged offender when reporting abuse. As well as extend Fosters the right to always speak with their social worker without the presence of a caregiver. Minnesota is the only state that doesn’t grant this protection — this must change.


    Next Steps
    Maya’s Law has bipartisan support in both the House and Senate and was led with a powerful hearing in front of the House Judiciary Committee. The next step is to make sure that the Senate accepts the House omnibus provision that includes Maya’s Law.

    How you can help
    Call or send an email to Sen. Jim Abeler and Rep. Jennifer Schulz, asking them to support Maya’s Law (HF3971/SF4355) in Conference Committee.

  • Chief Authors
    Rep. Dave Pinto, Sen. Omar Fateh

    Summary
    When children enter foster care due to the death of their parents, they inherit SSI death benefits to help them navigate the world alone. However, under current law, child welfare agencies are allowed to take this money from foster youth to pay for their own care. This is immoral, likely illegal, and we can change it to ensure Fosters receive the benefits they are due.

    Next Steps
    The Social Security Survivor Benefits bill has bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. It will be included in the House Human Services omnibus and must be litigated in conference committee. However, the good news is that we have support from Chair Jennifer Schulz and Sen. Jim Abeler.

    How you can help
    Call or send an email to Rep. Jennifer Schulz and Sen. Jim Abeler asking them to support SSI Benefits (HF3211/SF3955) in Conference Committee.

2022 Bill Hearings