SF3616

Purpose

The bill would limit when and how federal agents can enter Minnesota child care centers. It aims to give centers more control over access and protect children by requiring procedures before any entry by federal authorities.

Main Provisions

• Applies to both licensed child care centers and certified license-exempt child care centers.
• Prohibits a federal agent from entering a center for any purpose without:
  • valid identification,
  • a written statement of purpose,
  • a valid judicial warrant, and
  • approval from the child care center’s license holder.
• Exceptions exist only as required by state or federal law or to administer a state- or federally supported child care program.
• If a federal agent meets the above requirements, the center must limit access to areas where children are not present.
• Coverage includes the director, staff, substitutes, and unsupervised volunteers of the center.

Significant Changes to Law

• Establishes a formal process for federal agents (including those from the Department of Homeland Security, ICE, CBP, and USCIS) to gain entry to child care facilities.
• Shifts more control to local license holders over who can access areas where children are present.
• Clarifies that entry should be restricted unless specific conditions (identification, purpose statement, warrant, and license-holder approval) are met.

Practical Implications

• Centers would likely implement verification and access protocols for visitors claiming to be federal agents.
• Could affect how law enforcement interactions occur at child care sites during investigations or enforcement actions.
• May raise questions about coordination with federal authorities and compliance with federal law.

Notable Terms (from the bill)

• child care center facility access
• licensed child care center
• certified license-exempt child care center
• director
• staff
• substitutes
• unsupervised volunteers
• federal agent
• United States Department of Homeland Security
• United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement
• United States Customs and Border Protection
• United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
• valid identification
• written statement of purpose
• valid judicial warrant
• license holder
• areas where children are not present

Relevant Terms child care center facility access licensed child care center certified license-exempt child care center director staff substitutes unsupervised volunteers federal agent United States Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement Customs and Border Protection Citizenship and Immigration Services valid identification written statement of purpose valid judicial warrant license holder areas where children are not present