SECOND REGULAR SESSION
SENATE BILL NO. 693
91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATORS DOUGHERTY AND SIMS.
Pre-filed December 1, 2001, and 1,000 copies ordered printed.
TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.
2740S.01I
AN ACT
To repeal sections 210.536 and 453.073, RSMo, relating to the foster care reimbursement rate, and to enact in lieu thereof two new sections relating to the same subject.
Section A. Sections 210.536 and 453.073, RSMo, are repealed and two new sections enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as sections 210.536 and 453.073, to read as follows:
210.536. 1. The cost of foster care shall be paid by the division of family services pursuant to chapter 207, RSMo, except that the court shall evaluate the ability of parents to pay part or all of the cost for such care, and shall order such payment to the department of social services. Beginning in the 2004 fiscal year, the reimbursement rate for the cost of foster care shall incrementally increase over a three-year period until the reimbursement rate maintained by the division meets or exceeds the foster care rates established by the United States Department of Agriculture.
2. The court may effectuate such order against any asset of the parent for failure to provide part or all of the cost of foster care according to the court order; provided further, that any assignment, attachment, garnishment, or lien against such assets shall be served upon the person in possession of the assets or shall be recorded in the office of the recorder of deeds in the county in which the parent resides or in which the asset is located. The department of social services may contract on a contingency fee basis with private attorneys for the collection and enforcement of orders against such assets. Any such third party payment shall be paid directly to the department of social services.
453.073. 1. The division of family services is authorized to grant a subsidy to a child in one of the forms of allotment defined in section 453.065. Beginning in the 2004 fiscal year, the subsidy rate for all allotments other than the diminishing allotment shall incrementally increase over a three-year period until the subsidy rate maintained by the division meets or exceeds the adoption rates established by the United States Department of Agriculture. Determination of the amount of monetary need is to be made by the division at the time of placement, if practicable, and in reference to the needs of the child, including consideration of the physical and mental condition, and age of the child in each case; provided, however, that the subsidy amount shall not exceed the expenses of foster care and medical care for foster children paid under the homeless, dependent and neglected foster care program.
2. The subsidy shall be paid for children who have been in the care and custody of the division of family services under the homeless, dependent and neglected foster care program. In the case of a child who has been in the care and custody of a private child-caring or child-placing agency or in the care and custody of the division of youth services or the department of mental health, a subsidy shall be available from the division of family services subsidy program in the same manner and under the same circumstances and conditions as provided for a child who has been in the care and custody of the division of family services.
3. Within thirty days after the authorization for the grant of a subsidy by the division of family services, a written agreement shall be entered into by the division and the parents. The agreement shall set forth the following terms and conditions:
(1) The type of allotment;
(2) The amount of assistance payments;
(3) The services to be provided;
(4) The time period for which the subsidy is granted, if that period is reasonably ascertainable;
(5) The obligation of the parents to inform the division when they are no longer providing support to the child or when events affect the subsidy eligibility of the child;
(6) The eligibility of the child for Medicaid.