SB 473 - This act enacts various children's services provisions. A new Section 191.925 requires the Department of Health to support a statewide system of child care resource and referral agencies. No more than one agency should be established per county or city within a county. The agency should identify existing children's services, establish a resource file, and document requests. The agency should also provide technical assistance to parents.

A new Section 207.160 requires the Division of Family Services to increase the foster care reimbursement rate for residential facilities over a six-year period. The rate shall be no less than the cost of providing services, except that, no reimbursement shall exceed such costs. Residential facilities must verify actual costs for the Division.

Currently, in dissolution actions involving minors, the court must order parties to attend educational sessions. New language in Section 452.605 provides that this should occur unless educational sessions are currently provided for in local rules.

This act removes references to child support in Section 516.350, RSMo, which provides a presumption of full payment of maintenance after ten years.
ERIN MOTLEY