Minnesota Releases 2nd Draft of Child Care Licensing Changes, Seeks Public Input

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has released a second draft of updated child care licensing standards and is inviting parents, providers, and community members to give feedback.
The revisions are part of the Child Care Regulation Modernization Project, a joint effort with the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families to update licensing rules for family child care and child care centers.
“We’re taking a deliberate approach and gathering multiple rounds of input because it’s important to get these standards right,” said Temporary Human Services Commissioner Shireen Gandhi.
DHS has scheduled public information sessions beginning February 24, where stakeholders can review the proposed changes and provide feedback. The second draft reflects input gathered throughout summer 2024 and aims to balance the needs of families, providers, and regulators while maintaining strong health and safety standards for children.
A third draft of the standards will be developed based on this feedback and is expected before the 2026 legislative session.
More details, including how to register for information sessions, are available on the Child Care Regulation Modernization Project webpage.