Healthcare (Children)

The Protecting Families and Children Act establishes a legal framework in Minnesota to restrict gender transition procedures for minors and strengthen parental rights in education and healthcare. It prohibits the use of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for minors, defines biological sex based on genetics and anatomy, and requires parental consent for certain school activities. The bill also creates a new felony offense for grooming minors for sexual exploitation, repeals laws banning non-coercive talk therapy, and restores home-state jurisdiction in child custody disputes.

This bill would eliminate Minnesota's child care assistance program by repealing numerous existing state statutes that govern its operation and administration. The legislation directly affects families who currently receive financial support for child care services and the agencies responsible for managing the program. Key provisions include removing specific legal definitions, payment structures, and regulatory requirements related to child care assistance, with the changes taking effect on July 1, 2027. The bill also directs state officials to identify and remove all references to the program from the state code by February 1, 2027.