SCS/SB 430 - This act modifies the law relating to children's protective services. Upon initial application, applicants must submit fingerprints in addition to the required criminal background check. The Division of Family Services will have the authority to conduct a search for ex parte or full orders of protection using the automated court information system.

The Division shall provide standards and training for the licensing of prospective foster parents. The Division shall provide performance-based criteria for the evaluation of licensed foster parents.

The age of the child's relative shall not be the only factor that the Division takes into consideration when making placement decisions and recommendations to the court regarding the placement of the child with that relative. The Division must adhere to the Indian Child Welfare Act (25 U.S.C. 1915) when placing a Native American child in protective custody.

The Division must notify the child's parent or legal guardian that the child has been placed in foster care, except in instances of imminent harm. A child shall not be removed from school for placement in foster care without a court order specifying that the child shall be removed from school.

Prior to taking any action relating to the placement of a child, the Division of Family Services must arrange a team meeting. However in instances where the welfare of a child requires immediate or emergency placement, the Division may temporarily place a child in protective custody, but they must schedule a team meeting with seventy-two hours of the temporary placement. The parent or legal guardian, the guardian ad litem, the juvenile officer, the DFS caseworker, the court-appointed- special-advocate, and any designee of the parent that has written authorization shall be notified and invited to participate in all team meetings. Team meetings may include any other persons who can assist the team in making the appropriate decisions on behalf of the child. At the conclusion of the meeting, all parties must sign a form provided by the Department that states that they are aware of the team's decision. Any dissenting views will be noted on the form and included in the child's case records.

The case records of a child in protective custody will be available for review by the parent or legal guardian of the child. Upon the death of a child in protective custody, the case records of the child shall be available to the public as provided in Section 210.150 and upon request made pursuant to Chapter 610, RSMo.

The Family Care Safety Registry was extended from January 1, 2004 to January 1, 2009.
LORIE TOWE