Bill HF4732

1.1          A bill for an act
1.2          relating to children, youth, and families; requiring responsible social services
1.3          agencies to provide luggage for children in foster care;amending Minnesota
1.4          Statutes 2024, section 260C.212, by adding a subdivision.
1.5          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6          Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 260C.212, is amended by adding a subdivision
1.7          to read:
1.8                          Subd. 10a.Luggage for foster youth. (a) The responsible social services agency for a
1.9          child placed in foster care must provide or ensure that a child in foster care is provided with
1.10       appropriate new or like-new luggage or travel bags for the child's belongings when the
1.11       child:
1.12       (1) enters or reenters foster care;
1.13       (2) moves from one out-of-home placement to another;
1.14       (3) exits foster care; or
1.15       (4) otherwise needs luggage or travel bags.
1.16       (b) For purposes of this subdivision, disposable bags, trash bags, or cardboard boxes are
1.17       not appropriate luggage or travel bags.
1.18       (c) If any child in foster care reports that their luggage or travel bag has been lost, stolen,
1.19       or damaged, the responsible social services agency may provide a replacement at its
1.20       discretion.
2.1          (d) A responsible social services agency, private child-placing agency, or foster care
2.2          provider may not reclaim any luggage or travel bag provided to a child in foster care pursuant
2.3          to this subdivision.
2.4          (e) Notwithstanding section 465.03, a responsible social services agency may accept
2.5          donations or gifts of new or like-new luggage or travel bags to provide to children in foster
2.6          care pursuant to this subdivision.
2.7          (f) Each responsible social services agency must annually report on its compliance with
2.8          this subdivision to the Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson in a form and manner
2.9          specified by the Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson.

2.10       EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2027.