Provision modifications

The Department of Human Services policy initiatives bill received House approval 108-20.

“This bill is pure, exciting policy,” said Rep. Jim Abeler (R-Anoka), sponsor of HF2724.

Along with some technical changes, the 134-page bill incorporates a number of previous bills that involve changes in child welfare, child care assistance, adoption, economic supports, health care, mental health, and care for the elderly.

Among its provisions, the bill would require social services agencies to make a comprehensive search to find both paternal and maternal relatives before placing a child for adoption.

It would also allow the human services commissioner to contract directly with nonprofit organizations providing homeless services in two or more counties.

The bill will now go to the Senate, where Sen. Sean Nienow (R-Cambridge) is the sponsor.