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Committee advances bill to make temporary aide-supervision flexibility permanent
Summary
The Committee of Children and Families Finance Policy voted to send House File 1247, which removes a July 2025 sunset and allows classroom aides to supervise up to 25% of the day under set guardrails, to the General Register as amended.
The Committee of Children and Families Finance Policy advanced House File 1247 on a voice vote, sending the bill to the General Register as amended.
The measure, carried by Representative Nadeau, would remove a July 2025 sunset and make permanent a temporary rule allowing childcare aides to independently supervise children for up to 25 percent of the program day under specified guardrails.
The change originated in 2023 and was implemented as a time-limited flexibility intended to help programs cope with staffing shortages. Representative Nadeau said the DE1 amendment being considered “is just making it permanent.”
Darielle Danan, contract lobbyist for the Minnesota Childcare Association, told the committee the 2023 language included “guardrails” intended to limit risk: aides serving in this solo supervisory capacity must be at least 18 years old, must have worked at the program a minimum of 30 days, and aides employed fewer than 90 days must complete all licensing training required of new childcare staff within the first 90 days.
Jen Orth, owner of High Point Child Care in Lakeville and Rosemount, said the policy has helped her centers manage staffing and reduce overtime. “Allowing aides to supervise up to 25% of the day independently has had no negative impact on the quality of care, safety, or well-being of the children at our centers,” Orth said, and described scheduling benefits that kept teachers on site during core learning hours.
Committee members asked about safety data and fiscal impact. Representative Nadeau said the Department of Human Services reported no data linking the temporary flexibility to negative health or safety outcomes in the 18 months it has been in effect and that the bill has no fiscal impact on the state.
After adopting the DE1 amendment by voice vote, Representative Dose moved that House File 1247 be referred to the General Register as amended; the committee approved the referral by voice vote.
The committee record shows adoption by voice vote and referral to the General Register; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.
Looking ahead, the bill will advance through the legislative process on the General Register, where further floor action is possible.
