Bill > SF1025

This bill establishes a new Foster Children Assistance Trust to manage Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for foster children, designed to provide financial support and protection for children in the foster care system. Under the new provisions, financially responsible agencies are required to assess each foster child's eligibility for SSI benefits and, if eligible, apply to be the child's payee. These agencies must then remit all received benefits to the commissioner of children, youth, and families within 90 days, who will deposit the funds into a dedicated trust account. The trust will maintain separate accounts for each beneficiary and accrue interest, with the goal of providing financial stability. Once a beneficiary reaches 18 years old, they will receive annual disbursements of $10,000 from their trust account until the funds are depleted. The bill also requires agencies to notify beneficiaries about the trust and potential tax implications, mandates detailed record-keeping, and calls for annual reports to legislative committees about the trust's impact and costs. Additionally, the bill appropriates funds to reimburse agencies for benefits sent to the commissioner and allows for court petitions by minors 14 and older to access their trust funds under certain circumstances.

Health and Social Services

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF1025&ssn=0&y=2025