HCS/SB 460 - FOSTER AND GROUP HOME PLACEMENT - This act establishes the Missouri Foster and Group Home Placement Task Force, which includes the representatives of the affected state agencies, a member of the judiciary who currently serves as a family court judge appointed by the Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court and several gubernatorial appointees: an elementary school administrator; an elementary school special education teacher; a secondary school administrator; a secondary school special education teacher; two foster parents; and two administrators of residential care facilities for children.

The Task Force shall conduct and complete a study of the current status of foster home and residential care facility placement of children in the state by October 31, 1995 and provide a report to the Governor and the General Assembly.

The study shall include data and recommendations on: (1) the number and capacity of facilities in each district; (2) the amount paid to each facility; (3) options to school districts for reimbursement; (4) transportation costs; (5) the administrative process for movement of children between facilities; (6) the processing and updating of records; (7) the availability and accountability of social workers; (8) coordination of agencies responsible for child placement; (9) safety procedures for notice to law enforcement; and (10) fire departments and the number of satellite homes associated with facilities.

There is an emergency clause for the portion of the act pertaining to the Missouri Foster and Group Home Placement Task Force, and this portion of the act shall expire on January 1, 1996.

COURT REVIEW OF STATUS OF FOSTER CARE CHILDREN - Any person who has provided foster care for a child within the last two years may testify at a court review hearing under sections 210.700 to 210.760, RSMo, regarding the status and placement of such child.

CHILDREN'S SERVICES COMMISSION - The act adds the Director of Department of Labor and Industrial Relations as a member of this commission.
OTTO FAJEN