Rulemaking requirement to relax child care staff-to-child ratios for smaller communities

This bill requires Minnesota's child care rules to be adjusted for centers outside major metro areas (including Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Dakota, Washington, Carver, and Scott counties) and cities like Rochester, Duluth, St. Cloud, and Mankato. It would allow these smaller community child care centers to: keep one staff member for up to six infants, ten toddlers, fifteen preschoolers, or twenty school-aged children; and group children with a 60-month age range during regular hours if other safety rules are met. The change is directed through rulemaking by the commissioner of human services or children, youth, and families. This specifically affects child care providers in non-metro areas seeking more flexible staffing options.