- Introduced -

SB 597 - This act creates the "Parenting Alternatives Law" to promote adoption as an alternative parenting option. Section 191.975 outlines the education and promotion duties of the Division of Maternal, Child, and Family Health within the Department of Health. It requires the Division to collect adoption resources and establish and promote adoption alternative materials for Departmental and public use. These materials must include a video presenting adoption as an alternative parenting option. The video is required to include specific information about adoption.

The video must be shown to expectant mothers by all Department family planning programs, privately-funded adoption agencies, and abortion facilities. The Division must also develop a form for expectant mothers to sign if they decline to view the video. In addition, the Division is allowed to request and receive demographic data on expectant mothers using these services. All information received by the Division will be kept confidential. The Division may also use specific strategies to raise public awareness about adoption.

Section 191.978 allows the Department to guarantee adoption loans made through the Parenting Alternatives Loan Fund (Fund). The Department must charge a special loan insurance premium to be used for program administration and to guarantee loans. Total outstanding loans may not exceed an amount that is guaranteed by the Fund, as determined by the state auditor.

Section 191.981 allows the Department to pay a loss on a defaulted loan, then enter a claim for the amounts owed. The Department may propose a payment schedule and issue an order directing the borrower's employer to withhold money due to the Department, up to ten percent of earnings. Any employer who fails to withhold will be liable to the Department for the stated amount.

Before issuing an order, the Department must inform the borrower of the pending debt collection by providing the statement of claim and an explanation of rights. The borrower may have access to all records and may enter into a repayment agreement with the Department or the borrower may request a hearing to review the Department's decision. If a hearing officer does not issue a decision within sixty days, the Department must withdraw its statement of claim and pursue other debt collection options.

Sections 191.984 through 191.991 create the "Parenting Alternatives Loan Fund" for the purpose of assisting adoptive parents in financing the cost of adoption, to be administered by the Department of Health. All moneys paid on defaulted loans will also be paid to the Fund. The Department will establish standards of borrower eligibility including, but not limited to the need of the adoptive parents and the estimated cost of the adoption.

The Department must also establish specific standards for determining eligibility of guaranteed loan agreements. The eligibility of any person for an adoption loan shall not be determined through discriminatory methods.

ERIN MOTLEY