Enrollment and eligibility priority modification for children in foster care for community education programs, school readiness programs, early learning scholarships, and basic sliding fee child care assistance

This bill modifies enrollment and eligibility rules to give children in foster care priority access to community education programs, school readiness programs, early learning scholarships, and basic sliding fee child care assistance in Minnesota. It requires school districts operating before- and after-school programs to ensure foster children receive the highest enrollment priority and must include compliance with this rule in annual reports. The legislation also adjusts the Northstar foster care child care allowance calculation based on how many hours of care are needed due to work or training, with higher allowances for greater care needs, and mandates that licensing agencies provide prospective foster care license holders with information about child care costs and early childhood education options.