HCS/SCS/SB 878 - This act modifies provisions relating to child protection. IMMUNIZATIONS FOR CHILDREN This act allows the Department of Health and Senior Services to develop rules and regulations changing the manner and frequency of certain specified immunizations for children. The Department cannot require immunizations for diseases other than those allowed by statute. These provisions are identical to HB 1071 (2006). CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT INVESTIGATIONS This act provides that the Missouri Children's Division may leave a child abuse or neglect investigation open if a child subject to the investigation dies during the course of the investigation. The investigation may remain open until such time as any separate investigation by the Division regarding the death is completed. These provisions are similar to SB 690 (2006). CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN This act modifies provisions relating to criminal background checks when there has been an emergency placement of a child in a private home. Under current law, the criminal background check must be made within fifteen business days and there is an exception for conducting background checks for family members who are within the second degree of consanguinity of the child. This act provides that the criminal background check be made within fifteen calendar days and removes the family member exception. These changes are consistent with Federal Bureau of Investigation regulations on emergency use of its system for background checks for the placement of children in out-of-home care. These provisions are identical to SCS/SB 878 (2006). INTERSTATE COMPACT ON JUVENILES This act revises the Interstate Compact for Juveniles. The compact is an existing agreement between the states regarding the supervision and transfer of juvenile delinquents who have escaped from supervision to another state. Adoption of the revised compact makes Missouri a member of the Interstate Commission for Juveniles and requires the state to select a compact administrator to manage the state's transfer of those juveniles subject to the compact. The compact establishes the powers and duties of the interstate commission and specifies provisions regarding bylaws, corporate structure, rule-making authority, financing mechanism, a process for dispute resolution, and enforcement. The compact becomes effective August 28, 2006, or upon legislative enactment of the compact into law by no less than 35 states, whichever occurs later. These provisions are identical to SB 1206 and HB 1512 (2006). VOLUNTARY TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS This act specifies that whenever a child is placed in a foster home, a preference for placement with relatives will not apply if the parent has consented in writing to the termination of his or her parental rights and such consent specifies that the child be placed with a licensed child placing agency. This act provides that whenever a child is taken into custody by a juvenile officer or law enforcement official and initially placed with the Children's Division, the requirement for a family support team meeting will not apply if the parent has consented in writing to the termination of his or her parental rights and such consent specifies that the child be placed with a licensed child placing agency. In addition, this act provides that some juvenile court proceedings and cases for the termination of parental rights initiated by a juvenile officer or the Division shall have a closed hearing if the parent has consented in writing to the termination of his or her parental rights and such consent specifies that the child be placed with a licensed child placing agency. This act also adds licensed child placing agencies to the list of interested parties who may petition the juvenile court to terminate parental rights. These provisions are similar to HB 2103 (2006). CHILD ADOPTION This act adds cases dealing with the placement of a child in adoption and foster care to the types of cases given priority for expedited proceedings. This provision is identical to HB 1400 (2006). ADRIANE CROUSE