SHOW-ME HEALTHY BABIES PROGRAM

This act establishes the Show-Me Healthy Babies Program within the department as a separate children's health insurance program for low-income unborn children. At least annually, the department shall prepare and submit a report to the Governor, Speaker of the House, and President Pro Tem of the Senate analyzing the cost savings and benefits of the program, if any, to specified entities and persons. (Section 208.662)

This provision is contained in HB 716 (2013).

NEIGHBORHOOD YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Under current law, certain neighborhood youth development programs are exempt from state child care licensing requirements so long as the program meets specified standards and guidelines. This act adds neighborhood youth development programs which meet a nationally federated organization's standards and which provide research-based curricula, delivered by trained professionals in a positive all-female environment to the exemption. (Section 210.178)

This act is identical to SB 77 (2013).

FINGERPRINTS AND FOSTER PARENTS

This act specifies when a foster parent shall submit fingerprints and that no person who submits fingerprints under these provisions can be required to submit additional fingerprints unless the original fingerprints retained by the Children's Division have been lost or destroyed. (Sections 210.482 and 210.487)

SAFE PLACE FOR NEWBORNS ACT

This act modifies provisions relating to the Safe Place for Newborns Act of 2002. Under current law, a parent will not be prosecuted for the abandonment of a child up to 5 days old if he or she leaves the child in the custody of a medical facility staff member, provider or volunteer, a firefighter or emergency medical technician or with a law enforcement officer. This act increases that time period to up to 45 days after birth and includes maternity homes and pregnancy resource centers as a permissible place to relinquish a child.

No parent voluntarily relinquishing a child will be required to release any identifying information about the child or parent. No officer, employee, or agent of this state or any political subdivision can attempt to locate or determine the identity of a parent or disclose identifying information except in certain cases.

This act also specifies that the affirmative defense to prosecution for the abandonment of a child shall only be allowed for a defendant who voluntarily relinquishes a child no more than one year old and moves this provision from Section 210.950.3 to 210.950.11. (Sections 210.950 and 211.447)

This act also allows a school district or charter school to provide annually to high school students enrolled in health education at least 30 minutes of age and grade appropriate classroom instruction relative to the Safe Place for Newborns Act of 2002. (Section 1)

These provisions are identical to SCS/SB 256 (2013) and HB 668 (2013).

FOSTER YOUTH REENTRY

Under current law, if a youth under the age of 18 is released from the custody of the Children's Division within the Department of Social Services, the juvenile officer, the Children's Division or the youth may petition the court to return to the custody of the Children's Division if it appears it would be in the youth's best interest. This act raises the age limit from 18 to 21. (211.036)

This act is identical to SB 208 (2013).

GUARDIAN SUBSIDIES

This act adds to the list of qualified legal guardians of a child who shall receive subsidies in the same manner as such subsidies are available for adoptive parents. This act provides for subsidies for "qualified relatives", which includes any person related to the child by blood or affinity as well as for any "qualified close nonrelated person" which includes any nonrelated person whose life is so intermingled with the child such that the relationship is similar to a family relationship.

This provision is identical to SB 47 (2013) and HB 968 (2013).

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOSTER CHILDREN

Beginning July 1, 2014, children 15 years of age or older who are in the foster care system or the Division of Youth Services program within the Children's Division of the Department of Social Services shall receive a visit to a state university, community or technical college, or an armed services recruiter before being adopted or terminated by foster care or completing the division's custody or training. The visit shall include an entry application process, financial support application and availability, career options with academic or technical training, a campus tour, and other information and experience desired by the child. The visit shall not be required if waived by the youth's family support or treatment team.

If requested and documented by agencies providing foster care case management services for foster children, such agencies shall receive reimbursement by the Department of Social Services for costs associated with such visits. (453.350)

This provision is substantially similar to SB 205 (2013),HB 515 (2013), HB 721 (2013) and HB 1267 (2012).

ADRIANE CROUSE