As part of an ongoing childcare regulation modernization effort, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (MN DHS) has published a list of proposals to update in-home and center-based childcare regulations.

Read the full set of proposals here: Child Care Regulation Modernization / Minnesota Department of Human Services (mn.gov).

Learn more about the modernization effort here: Child Care Regulation Modernization / Minnesota Department of Human Services (mn.gov)

Proposed regulations include specific toys that must be included in each age level’s classroom. For instance, newborn or infant facilities would need to have: blocks of various sizes, soft dolls, soft washable animals, a play telephone, various pots and pans, and play materials that represent a diversity of cultural and ethnic groups (pg. 58).

Other proposed regulations would require radon testing prior to initial licensure and then once every five calendar years (or every two calendar years if a mitigation system is installed).

Notably, childcare providers must conduct a short-term test (lasting a minimum of 48 hours). If the short-term test results are over 4.0 pCi/L, the licensee must do one of the following: (i) install a radon mitigation system within four months, (ii) hire a licensed professional to conduct another short-term test, or (iii) initiate long-term radon testing within one month.

You can submit comments on the proposed rules to the state through this survey: DHS CHILDCARE LICENSING STANDARDS TOOL (voxco.com)

DHS’s plan is to introduce legislation next year (2025) to codify these proposals in state law. State lawmakers will have the ability to examine and amend the proposals if it moves through the legislative process.

It’s unclear what DHS will do if state lawmakers do not approve the legislative proposal.

If you’d like to share any feedback with NFIB Minnesota, feel free to contact state director John Reynolds: 651-293-1283 or john.reynolds@nfib.org.