Committee adopts video‑monitoring and attendance amendments for large child‑care providers; expansion amendment fails 7‑6

The Children and Families Committee on Oct. 12 adopted an A7 amendment to House File 1916 that adds video monitoring and electronic attendance requirements for large child‑care providers and re‑referred the bill to the Committee on Judiciary. An amendment (A6) that would have removed the dollar threshold and applied the requirements to all providers failed on a roll call vote, 7 nays to 6 ayes.

Representative West, the bill author, said HF 1916 "introduces essential safeguards to Minnesota's childcare system" and framed the changes as measures to address alleged fraud and program vulnerabilities in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and early learning scholarships. West cited 62 active investigations and a recent news report that found some centers without children present during daytime visits.

Under the A7 amendment adopted by the committee: - Providers receiving $1,000,000 or more in CCAP funds (and providers receiving comparable early learning…