Child care licensing; variances to licensed capacity allowed.

HF 656 allows child care centers and family child care providers in Minnesota to request variances (exceptions) from certain licensing rules, such as capacity limits or staff qualification requirements, as long as health and safety are not compromised. Providers must submit a form explaining why they cannot meet a rule and how they will achieve the rule's intent through alternative measures, including a training plan for staff if applicable. For capacity variances, the center must be within 100 square feet of the required space based on staff qualifications. The commissioner can grant temporary or permanent variances, but permanent ones require reporting changes and expire if conditions alter.