HCS SB 25 -- SERVICES FOR CHILDREN

SPONSOR:  Champion (Franz)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
Family Services by a vote of 9 to 0.

This substitute changes the laws regarding services for children.

PSYCHIATRIC AND COUNSELING SERVICES

Psychological or counseling services are allowed to be provided
without the necessity of prior approval to a child younger than
six years of age who is in the state's custody.

CHILD ABUSE INVESTIGATIONS

The Children's Division within the Department of Social Services
is prohibited from closing a child abuse or neglect investigation
if the child who is the subject of the investigation dies during
the investigation until any separate investigation by the
division regarding the death is completed.

CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT

The department director is required to notify a parent of his or
her child support responsibility if there is a current court
order.  Future child support payments will be computed following
the rules established by the Missouri Supreme Court.  Only a
court of competent jurisdiction may approve a change to a child
support order judgment by an administrative agency.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of Unknown
but Greater than $100,000 in FY 2008, FY 2009, and FY 2010.  No
impact on Other State Funds in FY 2008, FY 2009, and FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill updates the procedures
of the Children's Division so that details about the closing of a
child abuse investigation do not get scrutinized by the public
unfairly.

Testifying for the bill was Senator Champion.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:21 am