This act specifies that the disability or disease of an individual shall not be the basis for a determination to refuse to issue, suspend, or revoke a foster care license. Disability or disease shall also not constitute a basis for a determination that a prospective adoptive parent is unfit, that a child is in need of care, that it is necessary to remove a child from the custody of a parent, or for the termination of parental rights, without a specific showing that there is a causal relation between the disability and harm to the child. (Sections 210.496, 211.031, 211.447 and 453.070)

These provisions are identical to provisions in SS/HB 648 (2011) and SS/SCS/HCS/HB 555 (2011) and similar to SB 134 (2011).

TASK FORCE ON FOSTER CARE RECRUITMENT, LICENSING AND RETENTION

The Children's Division within the Department of Social Services shall convene a task force to review the recruitment, licensing and retention of foster and adoptive parents statewide. In addition to representatives of the division and department, the task force shall include representatives of the private sector and faith-based community which provide recruitment and licensure services. The purpose of the task force shall be to study the extent to which changes in the system of recruiting, licensing, and retaining foster and adoptive parents would enhance the effectiveness of the system statewide. The task force shall develop a report of its findings with recommendations by December 1, 2011, and provide copies of the report to the General Assembly and to the Governor. (Section 210.112)

This identical provision is contained in SS/SCS/HCS/HB 431 (2011).

FOSTER CARE PLACEMENT

This act establishes the following order or preference for placement of a child in foster care:

(1) Grandparents and relatives;

(2) A trusted adult that has a preexisting relationship with the child, such as a godparent, teacher, neighbor who voluntarily agrees to care for the child; and

(3) Any foster parent who is currently licensed and capable of accepting placement of a child.

Any person receiving a preference may be licensed in an expedited manner if a child is placed under the person's care. (Section 210.565.3 and 8)

This identical provision is contained in SS/SCS/HCS/HB 431 (2011).

SIBLING PLACEMENT

The Children's Division shall make reasonable efforts to place siblings in the same foster care, kinship, guardianship, or adoptive placement, unless doing so would be contrary to the safety or well-being of any siblings. If siblings are not placed together, the division shall make reasonable efforts to provide frequent visitation or other ongoing interaction between the siblings, unless this interaction would be contrary to a sibling's safety or well-being. (Section 210.565.5)

This identical provision is contained in SS/SCS/HCS/HB 431 (2011).

MISSOURI STATE FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION BOARD

The Missouri State Foster Care and Adoption Board is established to provide consultation and assistance to the department. The board shall draft and provide an independent review of the policies and procedures of the division related to the provision of foster care and adoption in Missouri. The board shall determine the nature and content of in-service training which shall be provided to foster and adoptive parents from each of the division's seven areas. Area members shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, from recommendations by regional foster care and adoption boards or other similar entities. Statewide foster care and adoption association representatives shall be voting members of the board.

The board shall annually provide the Director of the Department of Social Services, Governor, Office of the Child Advocate, and upon request, members of the General Assembly a written request of its activities. (Section 210.617)

This identical provision is contained in SS/SCS/HCS/HB 431 (2011).

FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTIVE PARENTS RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION FUND

This act creates the Foster Care and Adoptive Recruitment and Retention Fund. The fund shall consist of all gifts, donations, transfers, and moneys appropriated by the General Assembly. The fund shall be administered by the newly established Foster Care and Adoptive Parents Recruitment and Retention Fund Board within the Department of Social Services. The terms and members of the fund board are prescribed in the act.

Moneys in the fund shall be used to grant awards to licensed community-based foster care and adoption recruitment programs. The board shall establish guidelines for disbursement of the fund to evidence-based foster care and adoption programs.

This act also creates a check-off on the Missouri individual and corporate income tax forms for contributions to the fund.

The provisions of this act will automatically sunset six years from the effective date of the act. (Section 143.1015, 453.600)

This identical provision is contained in SS/SCS/HCS/HB 431 (2011).

ADRIANE CROUSE