The Minnesota House voted unanimously 130-0 Monday to pass House File 8, legislation intended to improve Minnesota's child protection system.
The bill, chief authored by Assistant Majority Leader Rep. Ron Kresha, R-Little Falls, stems from recommendations made by Gov. Mark Dayton's Task Force on Child Protection, which was convened last summer to address failings in Minnesota's child protection system. Kresha served as the House Republican representative on the task force.
"This bill is a first step in making sure Minnesota's child protection system is accomplishing its goal of keeping children out of harm's way," Kresha said in a news release. "Almost every issue I have worked on at the Legislature starts with children; it is imperative that these young citizens have the opportunity to reach their potential."
The bill contains two provisions; the first places child health and safety as the paramount concern when making child protection decisions. It also reverses a law passed last year that barred consideration of screened-out reports when investigating abuse reports.
Kresha said he intends to continue working on additional legislation to implement more recommendations from the governor's task force.
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The Senate is expected to pass the companion to House File 8, Senate File 807, within the next week.
