HCS SCS SB 10 -- JUDICIAL PROCEDURES

SPONSOR:  Caskey (Monaco)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Judiciary
by a vote of 14 to 1.

This substitute revises various judicial procedures.  In its
main provisions, the substitute establishes the Missouri CASA
Fund for the statewide court-appointed special advocate (CASA)
program and provides for a $1 fee on domestic relations cases to
fund the program.  Automated court records must now be accepted
as evidence in court.  Benefits paid from the Blind Pension Fund
are exempt from the provision that all benefits paid to a
decedent from the Department of Social Services, Department of
Mental Health, or a county commission are a state debt due the
state or county from the estate.

Currently, periodic payments of child support and maintenance
due under a domestic relations judgment are conclusively
presumed to be paid after 10 years of the due date of each
payment.  The substitute broadens the benefit of the statute of
limitations to include periodic payments of pensions,
retirement, life insurance, and other employee benefits due
under the judgments.

FISCAL NOTE:  Transfer out of General Revenue Fund of Unknown in
FY 2002, FY 2003, and FY 2004.  Net Estimated Effect on Missouri
CASA Fund of $0 in FY 2002, FY 2003, and FY 2004.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill provides for fairer
treatment of certain financial benefits and is necessary to keep
in step with technological advances.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Caskey; and Board of
Governors of the Missouri Bar.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Julie Jinkens McNitt, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:47 am