Bill > HF3024

This bill establishes a comprehensive "Foster Youth Bill of Rights" in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 260C, aiming to ensure that children and youth in foster care receive a level of care comparable to or better than non-foster youth, and that their rights are not diminished by other existing laws or regulations. The bill defines key terms such as "age appropriate," "culturally appropriate," and "foster youth" itself, which includes individuals under 18 in agency care and those under 21 in extended foster care. It then outlines numerous specific rights for foster youth, including protection from physical or chemical restraints used for discipline or convenience, freedom from unnecessary law enforcement intervention, the right to appropriate actions regarding maltreatment, and the right to age and developmentally appropriate house rules. Furthermore, it guarantees rights related to basic needs like hygiene products and culturally appropriate care, sufficient and suitable food, the ability to choose their own clothing, privacy, and the use of appropriate travel bags. The bill also addresses communication rights, including access to mobile phones and freedom from monitoring unless a safety concern is documented. It includes provisions for financial services support, such as assistance with bank accounts and credit management, and ensures that chores assigned are age-appropriate and comparable to other children in the home. The bill emphasizes privacy in personal care and freedom from cameras in private areas, and prohibits unreasonable searches. It also grants rights related to timely and understandable healthcare access, private consultations with providers, input into healthcare decisions, and freedom from excessive medication. Educational and developmental support is covered, including access to services related to consent, healthy relationships, and personal care that reflects their identity. The bill strongly supports maintaining relationships with siblings and relatives, including notification of rights to siblings and planning for continued contact after exiting foster care. It also promotes engagement with communities that reflect the foster youth's identity and ensures caregivers are trained in cultural understanding. The bill addresses friendship maintenance, communication in preferred languages, participation in cultural and religious practices, and privacy regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. It includes provisions to prevent negative academic consequences due to foster care status and ensures continuity of educational services, including support for accelerated and college-level courses. Foster youth are also granted the right to participate in age-appropriate activities without exclusion due to disability and to have their activities supported, including transportation. The bill ensures access to family and permanency team contact information, private communication, and timely visits, with their input prioritized in decision-making, including placement changes. It mandates advance notice and clear information about placement transitions and requires resources for independent living plans. The bill also ensures automatic enrollment in extended foster care unless declined, notification of all eligible benefits, and timely support in obtaining vital records. Employment and professional development opportunities are supported, as is access to personal vehicles. The bill includes provisions for obtaining driver's licenses and insurance, and for accessing foster care records upon discharge. It also addresses parental rights, ensuring foster youth receive clear information and support in maintaining these rights, and access to resources for caring for their own children, including childcare, healthcare, and birth/postpartum support. The bill prohibits coercion into terminating parental rights and mandates placement with their children in family-like settings. Drug testing is restricted to specific circumstances, not solely due to foster care status. Finally, the bill requires accessible materials on their rights, prohibits retaliation for asserting these rights, and ensures intervention and remedy for any violations. The effective date for this section is November 1, 2026.