HCS SCS SB 878 -- CHILD PROTECTION

SPONSOR:  Champion (Stevenson)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Children
and Families by a vote of 9 to 1 with 1 present.

This substitute changes the laws regarding child abuse and
neglect reports, adoption and termination of parental rights, and
juvenile welfare.

CHILD PROTECTION

The Children's Division within the Department of Social Services
will be allowed to conduct an investigation of the death of a
child during a pending child abuse and neglect investigation
until the investigation is complete.  Currently, the division
must complete all investigations within 30 days of an oral report
of abuse or neglect.

TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS

The substitute changes the laws regarding voluntary termination
of parental rights.  The substitute:

(1)  Specifies that whenever a child is placed in a foster home,
a preference for placement with relatives will not apply if the
parent has consented in writing to the termination of his or her
parental rights;

(2)  Specifies that whenever a child is taken into custody by a
juvenile officer or law enforcement official and initially placed
with the division, the requirement for a family support team
meeting will not apply if the parent has consented in writing to
the termination of his or her parental rights;

(3)  Specifies that some juvenile court proceedings and cases
initiated by a juvenile officer or the division for the
termination of parental rights will be a closed hearing if the
parent has consented in writing to the termination of his or her
parental rights; and

(4)  Adds child placing agencies to the list of interested
parties who may petition the juvenile court to terminate parental
rights.

ADOPTION

Cases dealing with the placement of a child in adoption and
foster care are added to the types of cases given priority for
expedited proceedings.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS

The substitute changes the laws regarding criminal background
checks when there has been an emergency placement of a child in a
private home.  Currently, background checks must be completed
within 15 business days after the placement, except for family
members within the second degree of consanguinity to the child.
The substitute requires a background check within 15 calendar
days and removes the family member exception.

INTERSTATE COMPACT FOR JUVENILES

The substitute revises the Interstate Compact for Juveniles.  The
compact is an existing agreement between the states regarding the
supervision and transfer of juvenile delinquents who have escaped
from supervision to another state.  Adoption of the compact makes
Missouri a member of the Interstate Commission for Juveniles and
requires the state to select a compact administrator to manage
the state's transfer of those juveniles subject to the compact.
The compact establishes the powers and duties of the interstate
commission and specifies the bylaws, corporate structure,
rule-making authority, financing mechanism, process for dispute
resolution, and enforcement provisions.

The compact becomes effective August 28, 2006, or upon
legislative enactment of the compact into law by no less than 35
states, whichever occurs later.

IMMUNIZATIONS FOR CHILDREN

The substitute allows the Department of Health and Senior
Services to develop rules and regulations changing the manner and
frequency of certain immunizations for children.  However, the
department cannot require immunizations for diseases other than
those allowed by statute.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of $0 or
$16,600 in FY 2007, FY 2008, FY 2009.  No impact on Other State
Funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that current state law on criminal
background checks do not match federal regulations which require
a check to be completed within 15 calendar days.

Testifying for the bill was Senator Champion.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill say that currently the
division's investigation into the death of a child during a
pending abuse investigation is limited to 30 days from the date
of the oral report of abuse or neglect.

Others testifying on the bill were Representative Stevenson; and
Sandy Lueckenhoff, Legislative Research.

Dominic Lackey, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:46 am