CCS HCS SB 25 -- SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND MINORS

This bill changes the laws regarding services for children and
minors administered by the Department of Social Services.

CHILD ABUSE INVESTIGATIONS

The Children's Division within the department 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.

RIGHTS OF FOSTER PARENTS

The division and its contractors are required to:

(1)  Treat foster parents in accordance with the ethical
standards established in the Social Workers' Ethical
Responsibilities to Colleagues, within the National Association
of Social Workers' code of ethics, so that foster parents are
recognized as part of a child welfare team and not as clients;

(2)  Provide foster parents written notification of their rights
when initially licensed or at the time of renewal;

(3)  Schedule regular opportunities for foster parent training as
determined by the Missouri State Foster Care and Youth Advisory
Board;

(4)  Give foster parents and potential adoptive parents all
pertinent information, including medical and mental health
records, placements, behaviors, family history, and reports of
abuse regarding a child to protect the foster or adoptive family;

(5)  Inform foster parents in a timely manner of all team
meetings regarding licensure status or children placed in their
home;

(6)  Establish procedures that foster parents must follow for
requesting and using respite care;

(7)  Allow foster parents to share otherwise confidential
information with practitioners and school personnel that is
necessary to make safe and appropriate decisions regarding the
care for the physical health and educational needs of the child;

(8)  Schedule visits at a time that is convenient for all parties
involved;

(9)  Provide foster parents with training that addresses:

(a)  Cultural competence issues such as physical appearance,
religious and cultural practices, and community resources that
can provide additional training; and

(b)  Policies and procedures for licensing, foster care
regulations, and the adoption process;

(10)  Give foster parents first consideration when placing a
child who is not placed with a relative;

(11)  Allow fair and impartial time for foster parents to address
licensure, case management decisions, and delivery of service
issues; and

(12)  Provide written documentation of the division's policies to
foster parents upon their request.

Foster parents will be required to:

(1)  Follow the discipline policies of the division;

(2)  Give two weeks' notice when requesting the removal of a
child;

(3)  Notify the caseworker within 60 days after being informed of
an adoption inquiry if they would like to adopt a foster child;
and

(4)  Be given at least two weeks' notice by the courts before any
court hearing regarding a child in their care.

CHILD SUPPORT

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.

Currently, the Child Support Division may certify a person who
owes more than $5,000 in child support to the federal agency for
the denial, suspension, or limitation of a passport.  The bill
lowers that amount to $2,500.  The division is allowed to open a
case based on another state's request for assistance and to
collect past due support when a caretaker relative was on
assistance or the child was in state custody.  The Missouri
Gaming Commission is authorized to intercept certain gambling
winnings of individuals who owe past due support or state debt.

A parent will be allowed to stop paying child support when his or
her child reaches 21 years of age or is at least 18 years of age
and receives failing grades in at least half of his or her course
load in any one semester when enrolled in at least 12 credit
hours of higher education.

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