Committee makes permanent a temporary childcare staffing flexibility

The Health and Human Services Committee voted to place Senate File 91, as amended, on general orders after adopting a divided author’s amendment. The bill would make permanent a staffing flexibility enacted in 2023 that allows aides to supervise children for up to 25% of the day under specified safeguards.

Why it matters: Child care providers and owners told the committee the temporary change reduced burnout, lowered overtime and stabilized staffing — especially by allowing teachers to be scheduled during core educational hours. Supporters say the policy helps keep costs lower for families and improves staff retention; opponents discussed procedural and technical drafting questions.

What the law does: The existing temporary provision permits classroom aides to be alone with children for up to 25% of the day if the aide is at least 18, employed at the center for at least 30 days and — for aides employed less than 90 days — has completed the required licensing training earlier. The amendment adopted in committee removed a sunset set to expire in July, making the flexibility permanent and preserving the specified guardrails.

Testimony: Claire Sanford, government relations chair for the Minnesota Child Care Association, said the policy was working and should be continued. Owner Jen Orth said her centers could staff core learning hours with teachers while aides covered transitional times, reducing overtime and turnover. “Allowing aids 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.

Committee action and next steps: After dividing and adopting part 1 of the A2 amendment, the committee voted to pass SF91, as amended, and placed it on general orders for floor consideration.