Purpose

This bill changes how Minnesota handles reimbursement for child care when a child is absent. It creates a framework for a child care assistance program with a specific limit on absent days, adds several exemptions, and makes technical updates to the current statute (Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 142E.17). The goal is to set clear rules for when providers get paid for days a child is not in care, while also adding flexibility in certain circumstances and ensuring proper documentation and administration.

Overview of Absent Days Policy

• Absent days are full days the child is scheduled to be in care but is absent for the entire day.
• Licensed child care providers and license-exempt centers may be reimbursed for up to 25 full-day absent days per child in a calendar year, not counting holidays.
• There is a separate limit of up to 10 consecutive full-day absent days.
• If a child is present for part of a day and absent for part of that same day, the portion of the day that is absent can be reimbursed, but that portion does not count toward the 25-absent-day limit.
• Legal nonlicensed family child care providers must not be reimbursed for absent days.

Exceptions and Special Rules for Absent Days

• Medical conditions: a child with a documented medical condition that causes more frequent absences may exceed the 25-day limit or the 10-consecutive-day limit.
• Medical conditions of family members: absences due to a documented medical condition of a parent or a sibling living in the same residence do not count toward the absent days limit.
• Young parents and education programs: if at least one parent is under 21 and lacks a high school diploma (or an approved equivalent) and is enrolled in a program that provides or arranges for child care, parenting support, social services, career and employment supports, and academic support, the family may exceed the absent days limit upon program request and county approval.
• Partial-day attendance: when a child attends only part of an authorized day, payment to the provider must cover the full amount of care authorized for that day.

Documentation, Verification, and Administration

• Medical documents: medical conditions must be documented on forms and submitted according to timelines set by the commissioner. A public health nurse or school nurse can verify illness in place of a medical practitioner.
• Verification for early release: if a child is sent home early for a medical reason, the illness can be verified by the school’s lead teacher or director.
• Notification: providers and families must receive notifications about the number of absent days used at initial authorization and ongoing installments.
• Extraordinary events: providers may request an absent days limit exemption if an extraordinary event leads to much lower attendance or a closure. The commissioner will establish the application process and determine when the event ends.
• Full-day holidays: providers may be reimbursed for up to ten federal or state holidays (or designated holidays) per year if they charge all families for these days and the holidays occur on days the child is authorized to attend. Parents may substitute other cultural or religious holidays for the designated holidays. Holidays do not count toward the absent days limit.
• Billing rules: if a day is an absent day or a holiday, the provider must bill it accordingly. A provider’s failure to bill correctly can result in an overpayment.
• Payment for partial days: when a child attends only part of an authorized day, payment must be for the full amount of care that day.

Changes to Existing Law

• The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 142E.17, subdivision 10 to implement the 25 full-day absent days per child per calendar year (excluding holidays) and the 10 consecutive full-day absent days, along with the associated definitions, exceptions, and administrative processes described above.

Implementation and Oversight

• The commissioner is responsible for establishing forms, timelines, verification processes, and procedures for extraordinary events.
• Public health nurses, school nurses, and designated school or county program approvals may be involved in verification and administration.
• Providers and families must receive ongoing notifications about absent days used.

Significance and Impact

• Clarifies and tightens when child care assistance reimbursements occur due to absences.
• Introduces explicit exemptions and medical-related exceptions to protect families and ensure access to care in certain situations.
• Adds administrative processes to monitor and verify absences, holidays, and extraordinary events.

Summary of Key Provisions (in plain terms)

• 25 full-day absent days per child per year (excluding holidays) for reimbursement.
• 10 consecutive full-day absent days as an additional limit.
• Absent days definitions and treatment for partial-day attendance.
• Prohibition on reimbursing absent days for legal nonlicensed family providers.
• Medical condition exemptions and related documentation rules; illness verification by nurses.
• Special allowance for certain young parents and education program participants.
• Ability to apply for exemptions during extraordinary events with a defined process.
• Holidays: up to 10 holidays per year can be paid if billed as holidays; holidays do not count toward the absent days limit; cultural or religious holidays can be substituted.
• Billing rules and notification requirements to prevent overpayments.
• Definitions for absent days, holidays, and extraordinary events.

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