Minnesota Legislature
More options possible for after school programming
Some nonprofit after school programs could be exempt from state licensing, under a bill that passed 79-50 off the House Floor Tuesday.
Under HF1193, sponsored by Rep. Roz Peterson (R-Lakeville), a program operated by a nonprofit that serves children in kindergarten through grade 12 would be exempt from a license, as long as the program includes youth development activities and offers learning before and after school, and during weekends and school calendar breaks.
The bill now moves to the Senate, where Sen. Melissa Wiklund (DFL-Bloomington) is the sponsor.
Without this bill, many latchkey kids could not participate in the enrichment programs, according to Peterson. Currently there are more than two-dozen exemptions for such programs but many don’t “fit neatly” within the parameters, so a moratorium has been in place until those seeking exemptions could figure out a compromise, she added.
To qualify for the licensing exemption, a nonprofit program would need to have a director or supervisor on site, obtain written consent from a parent or legal guardian for each child and inform the guardian that the program is not licensed or supervised by the state. Eligible programs would not be allowed to receive child care assistance payments.
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