Subd. 1. Audit required.

The commissioner shall regularly audit for accuracy the data reported by counties on maltreatment of children.

Subd. 2. Audit procedure.

The commissioner shall develop a plan to perform quality assurance reviews of local welfare agency screening practices and decisions. The commissioner shall provide oversight and guidance to counties to ensure consistent application of screening guidelines, thorough and appropriate screening decisions, and correct documentation and maintenance of reports.

Subd. 3. Report required.

1. (a) The commissioner shall produce an annual report of the summary results of the reviews. The report must only contain aggregate data and may not include any data that could be used to personally identify any subject whose data is included in the report. The report is public information and must be provided to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees having jurisdiction over child protection issues. The commissioner shall include the information required under this paragraph in the annual report on child maltreatment and on children in out-of-home placement under section 257.0725.
2. (b) This subdivision expires January 1, 2032.