ST. PAUL, MN — During Monday’s special session, the Minnesota Legislature passed the 2025 Children and Families budget, which included several critical reforms led by Representative Dawn Gillman (R-Dassel), Co–Vice Chair of the Children and Families Committee.
House Republicans successfully secured provisions to strengthen protections for children, crack down on fraud in state programs, and modernize key components of the child welfare system.
“Every child deserves to grow up safe, supported, and protected — and this budget reflects that belief,” said Rep. Gillman. “We fought for common-sense reforms that make our system work better for families and ensure that resources go where they’re needed most, not into the hands of fraudsters.”
Among the wins Gillman helped secure in the final agreement:
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Real-time access to attendance records for fraud investigators, enabling faster prosecution of financial abuse in child care programs
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Stronger protections against maltreatment, improving child safety across the system
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Full funding for critical IT modernization, improving efficiency and coordination in child welfare services
“This is about restoring trust and protecting the most vulnerable,” said Gillman. “Minnesotans expect accountability, and they deserve a system that’s not only compassionate — but competent.”
Gillman also noted that the reforms come in the context of a tied Minnesota House, with Republicans and Democrats each holding 67 seats.
“With the House evenly split, we had a real chance to bring balance back to the process — and we did,” she said. “We made sure that families in Greater Minnesota weren’t left behind and that kids remain the top priority in every decision we made.”
The final bill passed the House with a vote of 95-38.
