Missouri Senate

House Committee Substitute

JOINT COMMITTEE ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT (21.771)

This act adds new duties to the Joint Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect regarding the role of judges, the Children's Division, the juvenile officer, the guardian ad litem and the foster parents.

OFFICE OF THE CHILD ADVOCATE (37.710)

This act allows the Office of the Child Advocate within the Office of Administration to file any pleadings necessary in order to intervene on behalf of a child at the appropriate judicial level using the resources of the Office of the Attorney General.

This provision is identical to SB 973 (2014).

REQUIREMENTS FOR STATE-FUNDED CHILD CARE PROVIDERS (210.027)

This act modifies provisions relating to rules and requirements by the Department of Social Services for child-care providers who receive state or federal funds for providing such services.

The new provisions establish increased child care provider training requirements as well as building and physical premises requirements. The Department is required to establish a publicly available website listing provider specific information about health and licensing requirements, inspections and history of violations and compliance actions taken. The Department is also required to provide information to establish a transparent system of quality indicators to provide parents with a way to differentiate between child care providers available in their community. A hotline shall also be established for parents to submit provider complaints.

These provisions are substantially similar to provisions in SS/SCS/SB 720(2014); HCS/SCS/SB 873 (2014)and SS/HB 1184 (2014).

CHILDREN'S DIVISION INVESTIGATIONS (210.145, 210.152, 210.183)

This act changes the time frames regarding a child abuse or neglect investigation by the Children's Division within the Department of Social Services. This act amends the time lines for the Division as follows:

-45 days, rather than the current 30 days, for updating the information and to complete the investigation except for good cause;

-If an investigation cannot be completed in 45 days, it shall be completed no later than 90 days after receipt of a report, except in cases involving sexual abuse, such cases shall be completed no later than 120 days after receipt of such report, or in cases involving a child fatality or near-fatality the investigation shall remain open until the Children's Division's investigation is completed surrounding such death or near-fatal injury. This act defines good cause to mean when certain relevant evidence outside of the Children's Division's control as specified in the act, such as medical or law enforcement tests, have not been completed or there is a pending criminal case and the issuing of a decision by the Division will adversely impact the progress of the criminal investigation.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/SB 802 (2014), HCS/SCS/SB 873 (2014) and SCS/HB 1092 (2014).

GUARDIAN AD LITEM (210.160)

This act allows the judge on its own motion, or upon a motion of a party, to appoint a guardian ad litem to appear for and represent an abused or neglected child involved in proceedings arising from judicial review of a Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board.

These provisions are identical to provisions contained in HCS/SCS/SB 873 (2014).

SAFE CARE PROVIDER REIMBURSEMENT (334.950)

The department of public safety shall establish rules and make payments to SAFE CARE providers, out of appropriations made for that purpose, who provide forensic examinations of persons under eighteen years of age who are alleged victims of physical abuse.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/SB 802 (2014), HCS/SCS/SB 873 (2014) and SCS/HB 1092 (2014).

ADOPTION SUBSIDY PAYMENTS IN CHILD ABUSE CASES (453.073 TO 453.075)

Beginning January 1, 2015, adoption subsidy agreements shall include a provision allowing for the suspension or redirection of subsidy payments in the event that the child has been adjudicated dependent and made a ward of the court and removed from the physical or legal custody of the parent or parents by a court of competent jurisdiction.

ADRIANE CROUSE