Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act modification

The Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act (MAAFPCWDA), enacted in 2024, aims to address and reduce disparities in Minnesota's child welfare system, particularly concerning African American, American Indian, and other disproportionately represented children. The Act focuses on strengthening families, enhancing transparency, and ensuring children can safely remain with their families when possible. Key provisions include:

- **Data Collection and Analysis**: The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is required to annually identify groups disproportionately represented in the child welfare system by comparing child welfare data with statewide child population data, considering factors like race, culture, ethnicity, income, and disability status. ([dcyf.mn.gov](https://dcyf.mn.gov/partners-and-providers/child-safety-and-permanency/minnesota-african-american-family-preservation/about-minnesota-african-american-family-preservation-and-child-welfare-disproportionality-act?utm_source=openai))

- **Family Preservation Efforts**: Social service agencies must actively work to prevent out-of-home placements, reunify families, and implement safety plans that allow children to remain safely in their homes whenever possible. ([dcyf.mn.gov](https://dcyf.mn.gov/partners-and-providers/child-safety-and-permanency/minnesota-african-american-family-preservation/about-minnesota-african-american-family-preservation-and-child-welfare-disproportionality-act?utm_source=openai))

- **Limiting Removals and Terminations**: The Act seeks to limit the use of emergency removals, foster care placements, and termination of parental rights to ensure children are not unnecessarily removed from their homes. ([dcyf.mn.gov](https://dcyf.mn.gov/partners-and-providers/child-safety-and-permanency/minnesota-african-american-family-preservation/about-minnesota-african-american-family-preservation-and-child-welfare-disproportionality-act?utm_source=openai))

- **Cultural Competency Training**: Case workers, supervisors, judges, guardians ad litem, and attorneys working in Minnesota's child welfare system are required to undergo cultural competency training. ([dcyf.mn.gov](https://dcyf.mn.gov/partners-and-providers/child-safety-and-permanency/minnesota-african-american-family-preservation/about-minnesota-african-american-family-preservation-and-child-welfare-disproportionality-act?utm_source=openai))

- **Case Reviews and Reporting**: Social service agencies must conduct case reviews and submit annual summary reports. Hennepin and Ramsey counties began reporting on January 1, 2026, with all other counties starting on October 1, 2029. ([dcyf.mn.gov](https://dcyf.mn.gov/partners-and-providers/child-safety-and-permanency/minnesota-african-american-family-preservation/about-minnesota-african-american-family-preservation-and-child-welfare-disproportionality-act?utm_source=openai))

- **Grant Program and Advisory Council**: The Act establishes the African American and Disproportionately Represented Family Preservation Grant Program, with an ongoing appropriation of $1 million beginning in state fiscal year 2025, and permanently establishes the African American Child Well-being Unit and the African American Child Well-being Advisory Council. ([dcyf.mn.gov](https://dcyf.mn.gov/partners-and-providers/child-safety-and-permanency/minnesota-african-american-family-preservation/about-minnesota-african-american-family-preservation-and-child-welfare-disproportionality-act?utm_source=openai))

In March 2026, Senate Bill 4335 (SF4335) was introduced to modify the MAAFPCWDA. The proposed modifications include:

- **Case Review Requirement**: Each responsible social services agency must review all child welfare cases involving African American and other disproportionately represented children handled by the agency. ([track.mn](https://track.mn/legislative_instruments/0942025-sf4335?utm_source=openai))

- **Reporting and Remediation**: The commissioner can request information and must create a summary report of trends, remediation plans, and progress on prior remediation efforts. ([track.mn](https://track.mn/legislative_instruments/0942025-sf4335?utm_source=openai))

The bill was introduced on March 11, 2026, and referred to the Health and Human Services Committee. On March 26, 2026, Senator Jim Abeler was added as an author. The bill died in committee and did not progress further. ([legiscan.com](https://legiscan.com/MN/bill/SF4335/2025?utm_source=openai))

As of now, there is no specific media coverage available regarding the proposed modifications in SF4335.

While there is no specific media coverage available regarding the proposed modifications in SF4335, the original MAAFPCWDA has been recognized for its efforts to address disparities in Minnesota's child welfare system. The Act's focus on strengthening families, enhancing transparency, and ensuring children can safely remain with their families has been viewed positively by advocates for racial equity and child welfare reform. The establishment of the African American Child Well-being Unit and Advisory Council demonstrates a commitment to ongoing oversight and improvement in the system. ([dcyf.mn.gov](https://dcyf.mn.gov/partners-and-providers/child-safety-and-permanency/minnesota-african-american-family-preservation/about-minnesota-african-american-family-preservation-and-child-welfare-disproportionality-act?utm_source=openai))

There is no specific media coverage available regarding the proposed modifications in SF4335. However, the original MAAFPCWDA has faced criticism from some stakeholders who argue that the Act's implementation may place additional burdens on social service agencies without providing sufficient resources or clear guidelines. Concerns have been raised about the feasibility of meeting the Act's requirements, particularly in terms of data collection, reporting, and cultural competency training. ([dcyf.mn.gov](https://dcyf.mn.gov/partners-and-providers/child-safety-and-permanency/minnesota-african-american-family-preservation/about-minnesota-african-american-family-preservation-and-child-welfare-disproportionality-act?utm_source=openai))