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SF 91

Child care centers staff distribution requirements modifications provision

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jim Abeler and 3 co-sponsors

Establishes universal early childhood screening for resident pre-K/4-year-olds and kindergarten, with results entered into the statewide data system.

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Human Services
#childrenandfamiliesandchildren #youthandfamiliesdepartment
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Bill Summary · SF 91

Summary — SF 91 (Introduced Jan 22, 2025)

Status: Comm. report — To pass as amended and re-refer to Human Services. Effective date: upon enactment. Sponsors: Hoffman, Petersen, Blake. Companion: HF 1247.

Main purpose

SF 91 primarily (in the text provided) establishes requirements for universal early childhood screening and makes technical changes to pupil-count and payment rules used for whole-grade sharing and open enrollment. It requires school districts to offer early childhood assessments to resident prekindergarten/4‑year‑old children whose families enroll them, mandates a kindergarten screening by a statewide October count date, and directs that assessment results be entered into the statewide longitudinal data system. The bill also clarifies which district is financially responsible for open-enrolled students who change residence mid‑year and sets the dates used to count pupils in whole-grade sharing agreements.

Note: The bill title provided (relating to child care centers staff distribution) does not match the textual provisions included; this summary reflects the bill text supplied.

Key provisions

  • Early childhood assessment and screening

    • Districts must offer an early childhood assessment to every resident prekindergarten or four‑year‑old whose parent/guardian enrolls the child in the district.
    • Districts must administer a valid and reliable universal screening instrument (as prescribed by the Department of Education) to every kindergarten student no later than the October date specified in section 257.6, subd. 1(a).
    • Assessments must be aligned with state early learning standards.
    • Preschools are encouraged to administer the assessment at least at the beginning and end of the preschool program.
    • Assessment results must be entered into the statewide longitudinal data system.
    • The Department of Education shall seek agreements with Head Start programs to incorporate similar information about four‑year‑olds served by Head Start into the longitudinal data system.

  • Pupil counts for whole‑grade sharing

    • The number of pupils participating in whole‑grade sharing agreements will be determined on the October date specified in section 257.6(1)(a) and on the second Friday of January each year.

  • Open enrollment payment responsibility

    • If a parent/guardian of an open‑enrolled child moves to a different district during the academic year, the district of residence as determined on the October count date is responsible for payment of the per‑pupil cost plus applicable weightings or special education costs to the receiving district for the remainder of that school year. The new district becomes responsible for payments in subsequent years.

  • Effective date

    • The act is declared of immediate importance and takes effect upon enactment.

Who is affected

  • School districts (administration, finance, and data reporting)
  • Preschools and Head Start providers (assessment administration and data sharing)
  • Kindergarten and pre‑K/4‑year‑old students and their families
  • Departments of Education and Human Services (implementation, data agreements)
  • District budgets and interdistrict payment flows (particularly for open‑enrolled students who move mid‑year)

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Increased administrative tasks and potential costs for districts and preschool providers to administer, record, and report screenings.
  • Improved early identification of learning needs and richer early‑learning data available in the statewide longitudinal data system.
  • Clarifies fiscal responsibility for mid‑year moves, potentially reducing disputes over payment obligations.
  • Data privacy and interagency data‑sharing agreements (particularly with Head Start) will require attention to ensure compliance with state and federal privacy laws.

Procedural timeline / actions

  • Introduced: Jan 22, 2025
  • Subcommittee: Rozenboom, Kraayenbrink, Trone Garriott (Jan 28, 2025)
  • Committee report: To pass as amended and re‑refer to Human Services (Feb 20, 2025)
  • Effective upon enactment (if enacted)

If you want, I can produce a one‑page fact sheet highlighting implementation steps districts would need to take or map likely budget implications.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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