SCS/SB 923 - Currently, both parents have access to reports and records pertaining to a minor child unless a parent has been denied custody or visitation rights. Under this act, a court order that records and reports be made available under this provision of law shall exclude the address of the parent with custody if that parent is a participant in the Address Confidentiality Program. Additionally, if a participant in the program wishes to relocate a child, he or she shall not be required to provide the location of the new intended residence, including the specific address and mailing address, to any party with custody or visitation rights. The program participant may, however, be required to submit such information to the court for in camera review. This act modifies the definition of an "application assistant" in the Address Confidentiality Program to include volunteers of a government agency or nonprofit program and individuals who have experience providing services to victims of crime. Program participants shall include victims of crimes who fear for their safety, as well as their minor children and individuals residing in the same household. The act modifies the required content of an application for the program to remove the requirement that an applicant give a sworn statement that he or she is a victim of certain crimes and fears further violent acts from his or her assailant. Instead, the application shall include a statement that the applicant is a victim and fears future harm. Additionally, renewal forms for participation in the program need only be signed by the applicant and need not be signed before an application assistant. Finally, any omissions by the Secretary of State shall not be held against participants or applicants.
This act permits the Secretary of State to cancel the certification of a program participant if the participant relocates outside of Missouri.
Finally, a program participant's application, supporting materials, communications with the program, and address, including mailing address, shall not be considered public records and may only be made available under specified conditions to specified individuals.
This act is substantially similar to the truly agreed to and finally passed HCS/HB 1461 (2018).
SARAH HASKINS