SF4882

Purpose

To require the responsible social services agencies in Minnesota to provide appropriate luggage or travel bags for children in foster care. This applies at key points in a child’s foster care journey (entering/reentering, moving between placements, exiting foster care, or whenever the child needs luggage).

Main Provisions

• A child in foster care must be provided with or have provided to them appropriate new or like-new luggage or travel bags for their belongings.
• Trigger points for providing luggage include:
  • entering or reentering foster care
  • moving from one out-of-home placement to another
  • exiting foster care
  • any other time the child needs luggage or travel bags
• Disallowed options: disposable bags, trash bags, or cardboard boxes are not considered appropriate luggage or travel bags.
• Replacement rule: If a child reports their luggage has been lost, stolen, or damaged, the responsible agency may provide a replacement at its discretion.
• Ownership rule: A responsible social services agency, private child-placing agency, or foster care provider may not reclaim any luggage or travel bag provided to a child under this subdivision.
• Donations: Agencies may accept donations or gifts of new or like-new luggage or travel bags to provide to children in foster care under this subdivision.
• Reporting: Each responsible agency must annually report on its compliance with this subdivision to the Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson, in a form and manner specified by that Office.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new subdivision (Subd. 10a) in Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 260C.212, establishing a formal requirement for luggage for foster youth.
• Establishes standards for acceptable luggage (new or like-new, not disposable bags or cardboard boxes).
• Specifies that agencies cannot reclaim luggage provided to foster youth.
• Allows and recognizes donor-provided luggage for these purposes.
• Introduces an annual compliance reporting requirement to the Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson.

Implementation Notes

• Applies to the responsible social services agency for a child in foster care, including private child-placing agencies and foster care providers.
• Requires cooperation with the Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson for reporting formats.

Impact Considerations

• Aims to support dignity and stability for foster youth by ensuring they have proper containers for personal belongings during transitions.
• Creates accountability through annual compliance reporting and potential reliance on donated luggage.

Relevant Terms - luggage - travel bags - foster care / foster youth - responsible social services agency - private child-placing agency - out-of-home placement - new or like-new luggage - disposable bags / trash bags / cardboard boxes (not appropriate) - replacement - donations / gifts - Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson - annual report - compliance - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 260C.212, Subd. 10a