Signed by Governor Mike Kehoe

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report and pass a bill that modifies the state foster care system to protect children in Missouri.

Highlights:

• Specifies that “neglect” of a child can not be determined solely based on a person allowing a child to engage in independent activities without adult supervision, as long as the activities are age-appropriate, including (Sec. 210.110):

• Traveling to or from school or nearby locations by bicycle or on foot;

• Playing outdoors; or

• Remaining at home for a reasonable amount of time.

• Authorizes the Department of Social Services to apply for benefits on behalf of a child in its custody from the following (Sec. 210.560):

• Railroad Retirement Board;

• Social Security Administration; or

• Veterans Administration. 

• Requires the division of the Department of Social Services to determine if a child is eligible to receive any benefits given by the Railroad Retirement Board, the Social Security Administration, or the Veterans Administration within 60 days of the child being placed in the division’s custody (Sec. 210.560).

• Requires the division to annually review if a child in their custody is eligible for new benefits and if it is in the best interests of the child to apply to assume the role of the representative payee (Sec. 210.560).

• Specifies that any money received by the division on behalf of a child in their custody must be recorded under the child’s name and the division cannot use the child’s money to pay for costs associated with standard foster care or other general care expenses (Sec. 210.560). 

• Authorizes the division to use benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board, the Social Security Administration, or the Veterans Administration to cover unmet needs of a child beyond what the division is obligated to pay for (Sec. 210.560). 

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 210.560).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report and pass a bill that modifies the state foster care system to protect children in Missouri.

Highlights:

• Specifies that “neglect” of a child can not be determined solely based on a person allowing a child to engage in independent activities without adult supervision, as long as the activities are age-appropriate, including (Sec. 210.110):

• Traveling to or from school or nearby locations by bicycle or on foot;

• Playing outdoors; or

• Remaining at home for a reasonable amount of time.

• Authorizes the Department of Social Services to apply for benefits on behalf of a child in its custody from the following (Sec. 210.560):

• Railroad Retirement Board;

• Social Security Administration; or

• Veterans Administration. 

• Requires the division of the Department of Social Services to determine if a child is eligible to receive any benefits given by the Railroad Retirement Board, the Social Security Administration, or the Veterans Administration within 60 days of the child being placed in the division’s custody (Sec. 210.560).

• Requires the division to annually review if a child in their custody is eligible for new benefits and if it is in the best interests of the child to apply to assume the role of the representative payee (Sec. 210.560).

• Specifies that any money received by the division on behalf of a child in their custody must be recorded under the child’s name and the division cannot use the child’s money to pay for costs associated with standard foster care or other general care expenses (Sec. 210.560). 

• Authorizes the division to use benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board, the Social Security Administration, or the Veterans Administration to cover unmet needs of a child beyond what the division is obligated to pay for (Sec. 210.560). 

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 210.560).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that modifies the state foster care system to protect children in Missouri.

Highlights:

• Specifies that “neglect” of a child can not be determined solely based on a person allowing a child to engage in independent activities without adult supervision, as long as the activities are age-appropriate, including (Sec. 210.110):

• Traveling to or from school or nearby locations by bicycle or on foot;

• Playing outdoors; or

• Remaining at home for a reasonable amount of time.

• Authorizes the Department of Social Services to apply for benefits on behalf of a child in its custody from the following (Sec. 210.560):

• Railroad Retirement Board;

• Social Security Administration; or

• Veterans Administration. 

• Requires the division of the Department of Social Services to determine if a child is eligible to receive any benefits given by the Railroad Retirement Board, the Social Security Administration, or the Veterans Administration within 60 days of the child being placed in the division’s custody (Sec. 210.560).

• Requires the division to annually review if a child in their custody is eligible for new benefits and if it is in the best interests of the child to apply to assume the role of the representative payee (Sec. 210.560).

• Specifies that any money received by the division on behalf of a child in their custody must be recorded under the child’s name and the division cannot use the child’s money to pay for costs associated with standard foster care or other general care expenses (Sec. 210.560). 

• Authorizes the division to use benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board, the Social Security Administration, or the Veterans Administration to cover unmet needs of a child beyond what the division is obligated to pay for (Sec. 210.560). 

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 210.560).

Full Bill Text