I am happy that my first bill of this session had a committee hearing this week. Senate Bill 653 would modify provisions relating to foster parents. We have some great foster parents throughout the 28th Senatorial District, and Missouri. My hope is to give them more flexibility where we can.
Senate Bill 653 would establish the “Foster Parents’ Bill of Rights” to require the Children’s Division to provide written notification of these rights at the time a child is placed with a prospective foster parent, even if the parent has yet to be licensed as a foster parent. Additionally, the division would provide full access to the child’s medical, psychological and psychiatric records, including records prior to the child coming into care, at the time the child is placed with a foster parent.
If a foster parent alleges a court failed to allow the foster parent to be heard orally or in writing, the foster parent could ask a higher court to intervene.
I believe this legislation would provide a very important tool, not only to foster parents, but to the children as well. I hope the Missouri Senate Seniors, Families and Children Committee will quickly send this measure to the full Missouri Senate for their consideration.
I am honored to serve as your senator in the Missouri Senate. If, at any time, you have questions, concerns or ideas regarding state government, please feel free to contact me at (573) 751-8793 or Sandy.Crawford@senate.mo.gov.
Prosecuting Attorney Day at the Capitol
Ken Ashlock, Polk County Prosecuting Attorney;
Daniel Dysart, St. Clair Co Prosecuting Attorney;
Sen. Crawford; and
Mike Brown, Hickory County Prosecuting Attorney
Missouri Primary Care Association Day at the Capitol
Chris Stewart (Pettis County),
Marie Payne-Bowman (Benton County),
Sen. Crawford, Scott Crouch (Hickory County) and
Linda Messenger (Pettis County)
Nick Mebruer (Laclede County) visited
Sen. Crawford at the Capitol.
Western Governors University
Jessie Crull (Gasconade County), Sen. Crawford
and Holly Doogs (Benton County)