FIRST REGULAR SESSION
94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES GRISAMORE (Sponsor), YATES, NIEVES, SCHAD, THRELKELD, DETHROW, SMITH (150), RUZICKA, ONDER, JONES (89), PRATT, BRANDOM, QUINN (7), THOMSON, MOORE, TILLEY, FLOOK, WILSON (119), FAITH, COOPER (155), STREAM, HUNTER, DAVIS, FRANZ AND SCHAAF (Co-sponsors).
Read 1st time February 15, 2007 and copies ordered printed.
D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To amend chapter 660, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to faith-based organizations.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 660, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 660.750, to read as follows:
660.750. 1. This section shall be known as the "Faith-Based Organization Liaison Act".
2. The director of the department of social services shall designate regional department employees to serve as liaisons to faith-based organizations in their regions.
3. The director shall ensure that the primary function of each employee designated as a liaison under this section is to:
(1) Communicate with faith-based organizations regarding the need for private community services to benefit persons in need of assistance who otherwise would require financial or other assistance under public programs administered by the department;
(2) Promote the involvement of faith-based organizations in working to meet community needs for assistance;
(3) Coordinate the department's efforts to promote involvement of faith-based organizations in providing community services with similar efforts of other state agencies; and
(4) Provide clear guidance to faith-based organizations of all the rights and responsibilities afforded to them under federal law, including but not limited to federal equal treatment and charitable choice regulations.
4. No liaison shall discriminate against any faith-based organization in carrying out the provisions of this section.
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