Missouri Senate

Senate Committee Substitute

MILITARY FAMILY MONTH (Section 9.297)

This act designates November as "Military Family Month" in Missouri to recognize the daily sacrifices of military families.

This provision is identical to HB 1328 (2020).

BUDDY CHECK 22 DAY (Section 9.300)

This act designates the 22nd day of each month as "Buddy Check 22 Day" to encourage citizens check in on veterans and to raise awareness of the problem of suicide facing military personnel.

ATTORNEY GENERAL MILITARY PROGRAM (Section 27.115)

This act requires the Attorney General to design, implement, and oversee a program to assist members of the military and their families in finding and retaining legal counsel. The program shall be marketed to attorneys in addition to military families and shall publicize pro bono legal services available to military families. The Attorney General shall collaborate with the Missouri Bar in the administration of the program.

This provision is substantially similar to a provision in HB 1316 (2020).

TEACHER LICENSING FOR MILITARY SPOUSES (Section 168.021)

This act provides that a provisional certificate issued to any qualified military spouse who is hired to teach in a Missouri public school is valid for three years. Additionally, no later than 30 days after confirmation of completion of the required background check, the State Board of Education shall issue a full certificate of license to a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who is stationed in Missouri if all necessary fees are paid and all other requirements are met.

This provision is substantially similar to a provision in HB 1316 (2020).

STATE OMBUDSMAN & VETERANS' HOMES (Section 192.2305)

This act authorizes the Office of State Ombudsman for Long-Term Care Facility Residents to receive, respond to, and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents of Missouri veterans' homes relating to the action, inaction, or decisions of providers or agencies affecting resident health, safety, welfare, or rights. The State Ombudsman or representatives of the Office, in addition to all current authority granted by state statute, shall have the authority to enter any veterans' home and have access to residents in a reasonable time and manner and have access to resident records with the permission of the resident or the resident's guardian. Additionally, the Office shall analyze and monitor the development and implementation of federal, state, and local law and regulations regarding Missouri veterans' homes.

This provision is identical to SB 846 (2020).

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY SERVICES FOR MILITARY FAMILIES (Section 208.151)

This act provides that Missouri members of the Armed Forces and their immediate family shall have their eligibility for MO HealthNet developmental disability services temporarily suspended for any period of time during which such person temporarily resides outside of Missouri for reasons relating to military service. Upon returning to the state, the eligibility shall be immediately restored. If the military member or an immediate family member is not a legal resident of this state, but would otherwise be eligible for developmental disability services, the individual shall be eligible for such services during the time in which the individual is temporarily present in Missouri for reasons relating to military service.

This provision is substantially similar to a provision in HB 1316 (2020).

CHILD PROTECTION FOR MILITARY FAMILIES (Sections 210.109 and 210.150)

This act requires the Children's Division to attempt to ascertain whether the suspected perpetrator or any person responsible for the care, custody, and control of a child is a member of the Armed Forces after receiving a report on alleged abuse or neglect of a child.

This act allows appropriate staff of the United States Department of Defense to receive access to investigation records contained in the central registry of the Children's Division and records maintained by the Children's Division following a report of child abuse and neglect in cases where the suspected perpetrator or any person responsible for the care, custody, and control of the subject child is a member of the Armed Forces.

Additionally, this act requires the Division to report findings in cases where the person responsible for the care, custody, and control of a child is a member of the Armed Forces to the most relevant family advocacy program or other relevant person authorized by the United States Department of Defense to receive reports.

These provision is substantially similar to provisions in HB 1316 (2020).

KATIE O'BRIEN