Change active efforts to reasonable efforts in the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act

SF 3995 changes Minnesota law to require social services agencies to make "reasonable efforts" instead of "active efforts" to keep African American children and children disproportionately represented in the child welfare system with their families. The bill mandates agencies to develop culturally responsive safety plans addressing family needs before court removal, promote frequent family visitation for children in foster care, and notify noncustodial parents and relatives of placement. Courts must review whether agencies made reasonable efforts before approving out-of-home placements, and agencies must document these efforts. These provisions apply specifically to African American children and children disproportionately represented in child welfare.