To amend chapter 217, RSMo, by adding four new sections relating to the task force for children of incarcerated parents.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, AS FOLLOWS:

     Section A. Chapter 217, RSMo, is amended by adding four new sections, to be known as sections 217.1000, 217.1003, 217.1007 and 217.1010, to read as follows:

     217.1000. 1. There is hereby created the "Missouri Task Force on the Needs of Children of Incarcerated Parents". The task force shall consist of twelve members who shall be chosen as follows:

     (1) Six members, appointed by the governor, which shall include representatives of:

     (a) child welfare agencies;

     (b) the foster family coalition;

     (c) community-based agencies providing services to incarcerated parents and children; and

     (d) a child development specialist;

     (2) One member of the Missouri house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house;

     (3) One member of the Missouri senate, appointed by the president pro tem of the senate;

     (4) One member, appointed by the director of the department of corrections;

     (5) One member, appointed by the director of the division of family services;

     (6) One member, appointed by the chairman of the board of probation and parole, who currently serves on such board;

     (7) One member, appointed by the governor, who is a family court judge.

     2. The lieutenant governor or designee shall serve on the task force in a non-voting, advisory capacity.

     217.1003. 1. The Missouri Task Force on the Needs of Children of Incarcerated Parents shall evaluate current state laws and policies that affect incarcerated parents and their children. The task force shall place particular emphasis on the areas of child custody and visitation.

     2. The task force shall educate legislators and policy makers on the problems facing children of incarcerated parents and the value of coordinating corrections and child welfare goals.

     3. The task force shall formulate specific legislation and propose programs to respond to the needs of children of incarcerated parents including, but not limited to, alternative sentencing laws and the establishment of community based care facilities to maintain custody in the incarcerated parent and to promote the welfare of such parent's children.

     4. The members of the task force shall not receive compensation for their duties on the task force but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of these duties.

     217.1007. The circuit and associate circuit courts of this state, the office of the state courts administrator, the department of public safety, the department of corrections and the department of social services shall cooperate with the task force by providing information needed by the task force.

     217.1010. The task force shall, on or before December 1, 1998, deliver a report of its study and findings to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives and the president pro tem of the senate. The task force shall further study the implementation of alternative sentencing and its impact on children of incarcerated parents and report its findings to the governor, speaker of the house of representatives and president pro tem of the senate by December 1, 2001.