Child care assistance program requirements modifications

This bill modifies Minnesota's child care assistance program to improve access and simplify eligibility reviews. It requires the commissioner to provide direct child care services through grants or contracts for families in underserved areas, those with infants/toddlers, or children with disabilities (Section 1). It also standardizes redetermination timelines to no more than 12 months, with specific extensions for student parents (Section 2), and clarifies the income-based fee structure for families (Section 3). These changes directly affect families receiving child care assistance and county agencies administering the program.