Since July 1, 2026, some Minnesota child care centers must record video in their infant and toddler rooms. The rule applies to centers that have had a maltreatment finding posted with a licensing action. It is narrower than some parents hoped: a broader bill to require cameras in more centers did not pass in 2026. Here is what the law requires, and why video can matter if a child is harmed.
What the law says
The law is Minnesota Statutes section 142B.68. The Legislature passed it in the 2025 special session, and the governor signed it on June 14, 2025. It began to apply on July 1, 2026.
It does not cover every center. It applies to a licensed child care center that must post a maltreatment investigation memorandum. Under other parts of the licensing law, that happens when the state issues a conditional license, a suspension, a fine or a revocation along with a maltreatment finding. The center must then post both papers where families and visitors can see them.
Once the camera rule applies, a center has six months to comply. It must keep complying for four years.
What centers must do
- Have at least one camera in each room for infants or toddlers, placed to see as much of the room as possible
- Add cameras if one cannot view at least 80 percent of the room
- Record at all times the center is open, with the correct date and time shown
- Keep recordings for 28 days, and longer in some cases
- Have a written camera policy, give it to parents at enrollment, and post a sign at each entrance
The law also sets longer holds. If police tell a center about a suspected crime against a child there, the center may not delete any recordings until the investigation is done. Recordings tied to incidents the center must report to the state must be kept for six months.
Who can see the video
The law limits who can get copies. A center may not sell or share recordings except as the law allows. It must release a recording in response to a valid court order, search warrant or subpoena in a civil, criminal or administrative case. That includes an investigation by the state.
Centers must also protect the recordings and log each time someone views or shares them. A worker facing discipline based on video may see that video to respond.
A broader bill did not pass
In March 2026, a House committee heard a broader bill, called Harvey’s Law. It would have required cameras in infant and toddler rooms at every center that gets certain state funds. It was named for an 11-month-old who died at a Minnesota day care in 2025. The committee heard emotional testimony, but it took no action. Opponents raised concerns about cost, and at least one lawmaker raised concerns about the security of video of children. The bill did not pass before the session ended.
Cameras do not prevent every harm. But clear, saved video can answer questions that no one else can.
Why video can matter for families
Very young children often cannot describe what happened to them. That is one reason the camera debate matters in cases of abuse, including sexual abuse. The Minnesota law covers maltreatment in general, not only sexual abuse.
Timing matters too. Under this law, most recordings may be deleted after 28 days. A family that suspects abuse may want to report it quickly and ask a lawyer about steps to keep evidence from being lost. Whether video exists, and who can get it, depends on the state and the program.
To learn more, see our page on day care sexual abuse and our sexual assault and abuse overview.
If you are a survivor or a parent with concerns, you deserve clear answers and time to decide what to do. Deadlines for civil claims vary by state and can depend on the child’s age and the type of program. A lawyer can review the details of your situation and explain your options.
This article is general information about how these cases work. It is not legal advice, it does not create an attorney-client relationship, and no two claims are alike. If something here sounds like your situation, the useful next step is a conversation about the facts.
