OFFICE OF THE CHILD ADVOCATE (37.710)

This act allows the Office of the Child Advocate within the Office of Administration to file any pleadings necessary in order to intervene on behalf of a child at the appropriate judicial level using the resources of the Office of the Attorney General.

This provision is identical to SB 973 (2014).

LEAVE TIME FOR FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE PARENTS (105.271)

Under current law, adoptive parents who are employed by the state or political subdivisions may take leave for purposes of arranging for the adopted child's placement or care. This act establishes the same treatment for foster parents.

The act also allows the state and political subdivisions to provide a leave sharing program for employees arranging for a foster or adopted child's placement or care. Donated annual leave, overtime, or compensatory leave time may be transferrable between employees across departments, agencies and political subdivisions with the agreement of the chief administrative officers of such departments, agencies or political subdivisions.

The Commissioner of Administration may promulgate rules that implement the new provisions.

This provision is identical to SCS/SB 520 (2014).

REQUIREMENTS FOR STATE-FUNDED CHILD CARE PROVIDERS (210.027)

This act modifies provisions relating to rules and requirements by the Department of Social Services for child-care providers who receive state or federal funds for providing such services.

The new provisions establish increased child care provider training requirements as well as building and physical premises requirements. The Department is required to establish a publicly available website listing provider specific information about health and licensing requirements, inspections and history of violations and compliance actions taken. With assistance from state-wide stakeholders, including child care provider and parents, and statewide advocates, the Department is also required to provide information to establish a transparent system of quality indicators to provide parents with a way to differentiate between child care providers available in their community. A hotline shall also be established for parents to submit provider complaints. Nothing in the act shall be construed as authorizing a quality ratings system for child care services.

These provisions are substantially similar to provisions in SS/SCS/SB 720 (2014).

CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT INVESTIGATIONS

This act modifies provisions relating to child abuse investigations.

CHILDREN'S DIVISION INVESTIGATION (210.145, 210.152, 210.183)

This act changes the time frames regarding a child abuse or neglect investigation by the Children's Division within the Department of Social Services. This act amends the time lines for the Division as follows:

-45 days, rather than the current 30 days, for updating the information and to complete the investigation except for good cause;

-If an investigation cannot be completed in 45 days, it shall be completed no later than 90 days after receipt of a report, except in cases involving sexual abuse, such cases shall be completed no later than 120 days after receipt of such report, or in cases involving a child fatality or near-fatality the investigation shall remain open until the Children's Division's investigation is completed surrounding such death or near-fatal injury. This act defines good cause to mean when certain relevant evidence outside of the Children's Division's control as specified in the act, such as medical or law enforcement tests, have not been completed or there is a pending criminal case and the issuing of a decision by the Division will adversely impact the progress of the criminal investigation.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/SB 802 (2014) and SCS/HB 1092 (2014).

SAFE CARE PROVIDER REIMBURSEMENT (334.950)

The department of public safety shall establish rules and make payments to SAFE CARE providers, out of appropriations made for that purpose, who provide forensic examinations of persons under eighteen years of age who are alleged victims of physical abuse.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/SB 802 (2014) and SCS/HB 1092 (2014).

AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE FOR FOSTER CHILDREN (431.046)

This act allows a minor who is 16 years of age or older and who is in the legal custody of the Children's Division, under a court order, to be qualified and competent to contract for automobile insurance with the consent of the division or the juvenile court. The minor, and not the state or a foster parent, shall be responsible for paying the costs of the insurance premiums and shall be liable for damages caused by his or her negligent operation of the automobile.

This provision is identical to SB 805 (2014).

ADRIANE CROUSE