Minnesota Lawmakers advance proposed creation of new agency for children and families

(St. Paul, MN) -- Minnesota state lawmakers are advancing a proposal to set up a state Department of Children, Youth and Families.

The agency was part of Governor Tim Walz's budget proposal in January.

The bill would consolidate responsibilities from existing agencies into the new department. Lawmakers debated the proposal at a hearing of the House Health Finance and Policy Committee Tuesday.

The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a larger budget bill.