Modernization of family child care regulations modified.

HF 1499 modernizes Minnesota's family child care licensing regulations by requiring the Department of Human Services to hire an independent consultant (preferably the National Association for Regulatory Administration) to develop new standards and a risk-based monitoring system. The bill mandates that new standards must protect children's health and safety while being "child-centered, family-friendly, and fair to providers," with violations weighted by potential risk to children and corresponding sanctions. It requires extensive stakeholder input from parents, providers, county licensors, and child development experts through at least five working group meetings, and mandates that all materials be translated into six languages. The updated standards and monitoring model cannot take effect before January 1, 2027, and must be submitted to lawmakers by February 1, 2026.