SS/SCS/HCS/HBs 2505 & 2044 - This act modifies provisions relating to the care and custody of children. JOINT COMMITTEE ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT (Section 21.771) The Joint Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect expired on January 15, 2023. This act reinstates that committee until August 28, 2031. This act also requires the report produced by the joint committee to be submitted to the Speaker and Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tem and the Secretary of the Senate. This provision is identical to HB 2901 (2026). CHILDREN'S HEALTH SCREENINGS (Section 210.110) Under this provision, a physician or nurse practitioner shall perform a physical health screening on an abused or neglected child within 72 hours of the child entering the custody of the state, as described in the act. No vaccine shall be administered to the child during the physical without the consent of the biological parent. Within 30 days of the physical, a referral shall be made for additional screenings, which may be performed by a licensed mental health professional or a primary care physician using a standardized assessment tool. This provision is identical to HCS/HB 2745 (2026) and a provision in SS/SCS/SB 841 (2026). CHILDREN'S DIVISION CONTRACTORS (Section 210.112) Under this act, when a contractor with the Children's Division has or may have violated any provision of state or federal law or regulation relevant to its duties under the contract, the Division shall consider immediate action to ensure compliance with the law, including remedial actions, as described in the act. CONRAD'S LAW (Section 210.224) This act establishes "Conrad's Law", which requires licensed child care facilities to adopt policies regarding safe sleep for children over infancy and the use of weighted blankets, as described in the act. In coordination with parents or legal guardians, the facilities shall create care plans for children with special needs that shall be annually reviewed and agreed upon. All facilities shall complete training applicable to caring for the specific needs of a child with that special need, as described in the act. This provision is similar to HCS/HB 1819 (2026). CHILD PLACEMENT (Sections 210.566, 210.700, 210.760, 211.171, 211.437, and the repeal of Sections 210.761 and 211.464) Currently, foster parents shall be given two weeks advance notice prior to a child being removed from their care, except in emergencies. Under this act, a child may be removed without that two weeks notice with the mutual consent of the foster parents and the Division. Under this act, former foster parents who file a written request with the court shall be informed by the court no later than two weeks prior to all court hearings pertaining to a child in their care and informed of their right to attend and participate. Foster parents shall be free from acts of retaliation by the Division and its contractors when stating concerns with the agency in court or when filing complaints with any agency on adoption and foster care. The grievance process shall include a form and a detailed explanation of the process and shall be easily accessible on the Division's and any case management contractor's website. This act adds a definition of "emergency", as used in several child protection and child placement statutes, to mean a situation in which a child has been or is in imminent danger of neglect or physical or sexual abuse. Under current law, any person who has provided foster care to a child at any time in a two-year period prior to a hearing concerning that child shall be allowed to testify at the hearing. Under this act, only foster parents who have provided care to the child in a six-month period prior to a hearing shall be allowed to testify. Additionally, the right of foster parents to make recommendations or present evidence or testimony shall not make the foster parents parties to the proceeding, but the foster parents shall have the right to be represented by counsel at their own expense, as described in the act. The court shall ensure that foster parents receive copies of all court orders and all reports submitted to the court concerning a child in their care that they are authorized to receive under law. Currently, the Division shall give a minimum of five days notice to persons providing foster care for a child when removing a child from a placement. This act changes that time to two weeks. Additionally, no child shall be removed from school prior to the end of the school day for placement, including those children currently in foster care and those being taken into custody for placement. RESIDENTIAL CAMPS (Section 210.1700) The act provides that each adult staff member or volunteer at a residential camp, defined as a program including the hours from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. for two or more sequential overnights, shall be subject to a criminal background check prior to employment or volunteer service. A person shall be ineligible for employment or volunteer service at a residential camp if the person is registered, or required to be registered, on a state sex offender registry or repository or has pled guilty or nolo contendere to or been found guilty of certain offenses specified in the act. This provision is identical to a provision in SS/HCS/HBs 2097 & 1905 (2026). CHILD CUSTODY (Sections 452.375, 452.381, 452.410, and 452.423) This act repeals provisions of current law relating to the General Assembly's statement of public policy regarding the need for frequent, continuing, and meaningful contact between the child and both parents. Under this act, the General Assembly finds that maintaining a meaningful relationship with both parents should be facilitated by the court and the court shall determine custody in accordance with these policy goals. Currently, courts shall consider eight factors when determining child custody. This act expands that list to fourteen factors, adding considerations of the child's need for stability, continuity of care, and a consistent routine; the child's present or past living conditions; the ability of each parent to encourage and facilitate a close and continuing relationship with the other parent; the past pattern of involvement of each parent with the child; the ability of each parent to place the needs of the child ahead of their own; and the impact of any history of domestic violence on the child. Additionally, this act repeals the factor of the needs of the child for a frequent, continuing and meaningful relationship with the parents and instead requires the court to consider the nature and quality of the child's existing relationship with each parent, as well as adds additional considerations for the court when examining the mental and physical health of all individuals involved. Under this act, grandparents of a child shall be given priority when a court determines that third-party custody or visitation is appropriate. This act permits a party to request the court to issue a temporary custody or visitation order during the pendency of a motion to modify any judgment pertaining to child custody or visitation. Such orders shall remain in effect until the disposition of the motion to modify or further order of the court. The order may be granted with notice to opposing parties and after a hearing, although notice may be waived in emergency situations, as described in the act; provided that orders issued where notice is waived shall be limited to 15 days in duration or until further court orders are issued and written notice shall be given to opposing parties. Dismissal of the underlying motion to modify shall automatically vacate any temporary order issued under this act. No temporary order issued under this act shall deny parenting time to a parent or any other party granted custody or visitation, unless the court finds that parenting time is likely to cause physical or emotional harm to the child. If temporary parenting time is ordered, the court may order or otherwise modify existing child support orders if requested by any party. Additionally, if parties to a custody or visitation order agree to a modification of such order, they may submit a motion and a proposed parenting plan to the court, signed by all parties having custody or visitation rights. There shall be no requirement for a statement of changed circumstances for such motion. If the court determines that the proposed parenting plan is in the child's best interests, then the court shall enter an order granting custody or visitation as soon as possible. In the case of a child with disabilities or special needs, a change in circumstances that may provide grounds for a modification of a custody order shall include one parent's neglect or harm of the best interests of the child or a parent's failure to comply with a prescribed or recommended treatment plan for a diagnosed mental health condition. Finally, this act modifies provisions of law relating to the appointment of a guardian ad litem in child custody cases. A guardian ad litem shall review relevant medical, educational, and therapeutic records and consult treating professionals when appropriate, assess special medical or developmental needs, and evaluate household stability and continuity of care for the child when investigating a case. The guardian ad litem shall submit a written report to the judge, as described in the act. Guardians ad litem appointed in child custody matters shall have received certain training specified in the act. Provisions of this act are similar to SCS/SB 1531 (2026). ORDERS OF PROTECTION (Sections 455.010, 455.035, and 455.513) Under current law, a "child" for the purposes of an order of protection is a person under 17 years of age. This act modifies that definition so that a "child" is a person under 18 years of age. This provision is identical to SB 1726 (2026). MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE OFFICE OF STATE COURTS ADMINISTRATOR AND THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES (Section 476.051) By September 1, 2026, the Office of State Courts Administrator shall execute a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Social Services that provides access to court orders and other information necessary to maximize federal funding for children in the foster care program, including Title IV-E funds. HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (Section 1) Under this act, no municipal ordinance shall prohibit the growth of helianthus annuus. SARAH HASKINS