- Introduced -

SB 446 - This act modifies a number of provisions relating to court procedures.

DEFINITION OF COURT (Section 143.782) - Defines "court" in terms of tax credits and refunds.

CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT AWARDS (Section 454.505) - The act deletes the requirement that the Division of Family Services must file all income withholding orders with the circuit clerk in child support cases.

PROTECTIVE ORDERS (Section 455.027 and 455.504) - No filing fees will be assessed to a petitioner in an action seeking a protective order. Once an order is filed, the clerk shall issue a copy, as well as any subsequent order of termination, to the local law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining the Missouri uniform law enforcement system (MULES). Copies of the petition and date for hearing shall be issued to the local juvenile office.

LEGAL FEES (Sections 455.075 and 455.536). A court may order a party to pay the other party's guardian ad litem fees. A court may also order a respondent to pay a reasonable amount for attorney's fees and guardian ad litem fees incurred prior to commencement of proceeding or after entry of judgment, depending on the financial resources of both parties.

STATE COURT ADMINISTRATION REVOLVING FUND (Section 476.058) - Any moneys received in connection with preparation of court transcripts shall be deposited in the fund.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS/TRANSLATORS (Section 476.800 to 476.810) - Courts shall appoint qualified interpreters in all legal proceedings where party or witness is non-English speaker. The act provides that interpreters and translators cannot be compelled to testify to information that is otherwise attorney-client privileged. The interpreter/translator shall be allowed a reasonable fee and the act provides when that fee shall be paid by the Office of State Courts Administrator.

FINE COLLECTION CENTER (Section 476.385) - This expands the Fine Collection Center to accept tickets for littering.

JUDICIAL FINANCE COMMISSION (Section 477.600) - This act modifies the annual report of the Commission to include separate information on all divisions of the circuit court of each county, include the probate division.

COURT FEES AND SURCHARGES (Sections 488.426 and 488.012) - The act deletes the requirement that any changes in court surcharges become effective on certain dates after notification of OSCA.

FEE FOR FUNDING FOR SHELTERS (Section 488.445) - The act removes the expiration date for counties to impose a fee on marriage licenses and surcharges on civil cases to provide funding for shelters.

FAMILY SERVICES AND JUSTICE FUND (Section 488.2300) - The act provides that the judgment collected in juvenile proceedings is payable to the fund. The surcharge shall only be assessed to the respondent.

CRIME VICTIMS' COMPENSATION JUDGEMENT AND COUNTY FEE (Sections 57.290, 488.4014, 488.5320 and 595.045) - The fee payable in felony and nonfelony criminal violations shall be paid upon the plea of guilty or upon a finding of guilt. Exceptions are made for certain misdemeanors. The surcharge for the crime victims' compensation fund is increased from $5 to $7.50.

TIME PAYMENT FEE (Section 488.5025) - The act creates the time payment fee. Courts may impose such a fee of $25 on all fines, fees or sanctions not paid in full within 30 days. The act provides for distribution of the fee to the local court, court automation fund and drug court fund.

COLLECTION OF COURT COSTS THROUGH SET-OFF (Section 488.5028) - Allows a court to collect unpaid court costs in excess of $25 by seeking a set-off of the person's tax refund. A court may contract with a private or public agency to collect on past due court ordered penalties (Section 488.5030).

MASTER JURY LIST (Section 494.410) - Beginning July 1, 2004, the names on the master jury list shall be chosen from certain source lists. The names of potential jurors on the list shall not be considered a public record.

JUDGEMENTS IN ASSOCIATE CIRCUIT COURT (Section 511.350) - Allows judgement in associate circuit court to be lien on real estate if judgment is final and not appealed.

ABSTRACTS (Section 511.510) - Requires clerk of each division of circuit court to enter abstract of judgement within five days of rendition.

SUMMONS IN LANDLORD-TENANT ACTIONS (Section 535.030) - Deletes the requirement that the summons be sent to the defendant by certified mail.

UNIFORM LAW ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM RECORDS (Section 577.051) - The act modifies the types of case dispositions that must be reported.

Portions of this act are similar to SS/SCS/SB 1152 (2002) and SS/SCS/HCS/HB 1962 (2002).

JIM ERTLE