COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH
OVERSIGHT DIVISION
FISCAL NOTE
L.R. No.:3214H.01I Bill No.:HB 1579 Subject:Children and Minors; Family Law; Department of Social Services; Adoption Type:Original Date:March 24, 2025Bill Summary:This proposal establishes and modifies provisions relating to the adoption of
children.
FISCAL SUMMARY
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON GENERAL REVENUE FUNDFUND AFFECTEDFY 2026FY 2027FY 2028
General
Could exceed
($40,267,531)
Could exceed
($31,859,548)
Could exceed
($32,215,075)
Total Estimated Net
Effect on General
Revenue
Could exceed
($40,267,531)
Could exceed
($31,859,548)
Could exceed
($32,215,075)
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON OTHER STATE FUNDSFUND AFFECTEDFY 2026FY 2027FY 2028Total Estimated Net
Effect on Other State
Funds $0$0$0
Numbers within parentheses: () indicate costs or losses. L.R. No. 3214H.01I
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ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDSFUND AFFECTEDFY 2026FY 2027FY 2028Total Estimated Net
Effect on All Federal
Funds $0$0$0
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FULL TIME EQUIVALENT (FTE)FUND AFFECTEDFY 2026FY 2027FY 2028General RevenueUp to 259Up to 259Up to 259Total Estimated Net
Effect on FTEUp to 259Up to 259Up to 259
☒ Estimated Net Effect (expenditures or reduced revenues) expected to exceed $250,000 in any
of the three fiscal years after implementation of the act or at full implementation of the act.
☐ Estimated Net Effect (savings or increased revenues) expected to exceed $250,000 in any of
the three fiscal years after implementation of the act or at full implementation of the act.
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDSFUND AFFECTEDFY 2026FY 2027FY 2028Local Government$0$0$0 L.R. No. 3214H.01I
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FISCAL ANALYSIS
ASSUMPTION
§§ 207.010, 207.030, 207.060, 207.100, 207.101, 207.102, 207.103, 207.104, 207.105, 207.106,
207.107, 207.108, and 453.014 - Division of Maternal and Child Resources
Officials from the Department of Social Services (DSS) state these sections implement a new
state agency, the Division of Maternal and Child Resources (hereafter referred to as Division)
under the Department of Social Services (DSS). The purpose is to help expectant mothers
planning to place their baby for adoption coordinate and apply for services. The Division will
also assist with placing babies of expectant mothers for adoption. The provisions of this section
are subjected to approval of provisions at § 536.024.
This will require the following staff:
One (1) - Division Director,
Three (3) - Deputy Directors,
One (1) - Special Assistant Office and Clerical,
Two (2) - Administrative Support Assistants
One (1) - Special Assistant Professional (Human Resource Manager),
Three (3) - Human Resource Managers; and
One (1) - Fiscal Liaison.
DSS estimates $1 million will be needed to procure consultants to procure tools, advise in
system development, assist in coordinate in groups/teams, etc.
§ 207.101- Duties of the Division of Maternal and Child Resources
Section 207.101.1(2) requires the Division to develop contracts to carry out the requirements in
the bill. This will require the following staff:
One (1) - Special Assistant Professional (Lead Legal Counsel),
Four (4) - Legal Counsel (Managers),
Three (3) - Legal Counsel,
One (1) - Procurement Manager; and
Three (3) - Procurement Specialists
This is assuming the need to contract or renegotiate contracts with nearly 170 hospitals, over 100
Pregnancy Resource Centers and Maternity Homes (includes Alternatives 2 Abortion providers),
115 County Health Departments, 46 Juvenile Courts, 115 Courts, 13 Adoption Agencies, nearly
70 Domestic Violence Shelters, and other organizations. L.R. No. 3214H.01I
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There will need to be five (5) additional Legal Counsel that provide oversight and legal
guidance to all other aspects of the organization. This includes a referral process with school
districts, non-profits, homeless shelters, faith-based organizations, and others that could refer up
to 3,700* expectant mothers. The team would also ensure compliance with all federal and state
laws.
Section 207.101.1(3) requires the Division to administer, disperse, dispose of, and account for
funds, commodities, equipment, supplies or services, and any kind of property given, granted,
loaned, advanced to, or appropriated. The Division assumes donations will only be made to the
organizations directly assisting expectant mothers. For any monetary donations, the Division will
need to determine mechanisms to receive and allocate the funds.
*In 2021, there were 3,653 abortions in Missouri. In 2022, there were 3,012 abortions; however,
Roe V. Wade was overturned in June 2022.
The Division will follow fiscal requirements. This will require staffing to oversee the process,
including, but not limited to budget and budget narrative approval, invoicing, projecting
expenditures, determining allowable expenses, contract monitoring, etc. Assuming there is
funding allocated, the Division will need the following staff:
One (1) - Special Assistant Professional (Fiscal Supervisor)
Five (5) - Senior Accounts Assistants to allocate funds out to potentially thousands of
providers, and ensure any funding received follows fiscal processes.
The contract monitoring will require the following staff:
One (1) - Program Manager; and
Nine (9) - Program Specialists
Section 207.101.1(4) requires the Division to administer oaths, issue subpoenas for witnesses,
examine witnesses under oath, and make and keep records. DSS assumes this will be coordinated
through local law enforcement or other established legal mechanisms.
Section 207.101.1(5) requires the Division to adopt, amend, and repeal rules and regulations.
This will require the following staff:
Three (3) - Legal Counsel; and
Two (2) - Program Specialists.
Section 207.101.1(6 through 7) requires the Division to cooperate with the United States
government and creates reports that contains information the United States government may
require from time to time. L.R. No. 3214H.01I
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Section 207.101.1(8 through 13) requires the Division to coordinate resources for expecting
mothers and place the child for adoption with a fit and proper person. The Division shall provide
aid to the expecting mother in applying for services and resources; compile and maintain records
of the expecting mother and distribute to adoptive parents. The Division shall also maintain
records of the prospective adoptive parent and make these records available to the expectant
mother.
These subsections also require the Division to conduct investigations of prospective adoptive
parents to ensure they are a good fit for the child. The Division shall cooperate with the Juvenile
Court and provide studies and reports to the court on the child that an adoption petition has been
filed.
This will require the following staff:
Three (3) - Managers,
Fifteen (15) - Benefit Program Supervisors,
One hundred fifteen (115) - Benefit Program Specialists as there must be staff located in
each county,
One (1) - Staff Development Training Manger; and
Five (5) Staff Development Training Specialists.
Section 207.101.1(14 through 16) requires the Division to appoint an advisory committee, if
necessary, to provide consultation on barriers to the facilitating the adoption of children.
Members of the committee will not receive compensation other than actual expenses. The
Division shall determine the number of members and consult with Children’s Division regarding
the problems and policies in regard to adopting children. Requires the Division to cooperate with
other agencies to develop measures to reduce abortions.
This will require the following staff:
One (1) – Manager; and
Two (2) - Program Specialists
Section 207.101.1(16) requires the Division to collect statistics, conduct studies, and publish
reports. This section also requires the Division to establish or cooperate in research or
demonstration projects relative to the House Bill.
This will require the following staff:
One (1) - Senior Research Data Analyst; and
Four (4) - Research Data Analysts.
The division would also need to purchase the tools to and develop an evaluation tool at an
average estimated cost of $750,000 depending on scope and methodology. L.R. No. 3214H.01I
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Section 207.101.1(18) requires the Division to accept gifts or grants of property and sell such
property to be used for purposes outlined within the House Bill.
§ 207.102 - "Missouri Adoptive Resources Services System"
This section requires the Division to establish a "Missouri Adoptive Resources Services
System". The system shall use existing resources to provide assistance to expectant mothers at
risk for seeking abortion. The system shall maintain a central registry of each expectant mother
at risk for seeking abortion and a central registry of prospective parents that completed
screenings, background checks, home studies, and other checks.
This section requires the Division to facilitate introduction and agreements between the
expectant mother and prospective adoptive parent and facilitate adoptive proceedings. The
Division shall assist an expectant mother who is at risk for seeking an abortion in applying for
existing services and resources provided by state and local government agencies and collaborate
with local resources. Also, requires the Division to maintain records of services provided to the
expectant mother and all adoptive proceedings.
This section requires the Division to contract for services through Children’s Division providers
and agencies in the community. The Division shall be represented in court by Division legal
staff. This section requires all providers and agencies subject to criminal background checks
under Chapter 43 to submit all employees to the Family Care Safety Registry.
This requires the following staff:
Thirty (30) - Legal Counsel to be able to attend legal proceedings, assuming there are
3,000 expectant mothers seeking services, assuming a case load of 100.
§§ 207.100, 207.101 and 207.102 – Provisions relating to determining fit adoptive parents
Officials from the DSS, Division of Legal Services state provided the information below:
DLS anticipates a need for the following staff:
5 FTE attorneys in litigation for subpoenaed records in CD cases and other litigation and
defending DSS’ adoptive parent fitness determination administrative appeals.
1 FTE hearings officer for the Hearings Unit for adoptive parent fitness determination
administrative appeals.
Based on DLS’ litigation attorney/administrative support allocations, DLS anticipates that by
adding that many attorneys, they would require additional staff as follows:
15 FTE in legal assistants, L.R. No. 3214H.01I
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3 paralegals; and
1 administrative manager
§ 207.103 - Establishes an evaluation tool and a response and evaluation team
This section requires the Division to establish a system where the safety and welfare of expectant
mothers and children is the focus and treats expectant mothers and fathers with respect. It also,
requires the Division to create uniform, transparent, objective, and consistent basis through an
evaluation tool that tracks the frequency of face-to-face visits with the child. The services shall
be provided in a timely manner with successful outcomes and tracked routinely, providers shall
be trained, resources and efforts shall be committed to the Division.
This proposal requires the Division to collect data on a monthly basis and produce a quarterly
report for each provider, and aggregate cases so that outcomes can be compared. The standards
and metrics of the evaluation tool shall be used to evaluate competitive bids for future contracts.
The Division shall create a response and evaluation team that shall meet for the first time before
July 1, 2026. The team
Three (3) staff members with the Division with experience in prenatal care, adoption
proceedings, or community resources, as appointed by the Division Director
This will require the following staff:
Three (3) Registered Nurses to ensure the Division has staff with the proper
credentials.
Two (2) - staff members of DSS or CD appointed by the Division Director
Four (4) - experts with experience in medical, social work, legal, or other relevant areas
appointed by the Governor
One (1) - Juvenile or Family Court Judge appointed by the Missouri Supreme Court
Necessary staffing for the team’s operations
The team shall:
• Review the evaluation tool and metrics
• Determine cases the provider believes should be anomalous and not be considered in
developing the case management tool
• Determine alternative evaluation metrics recommended by providers
• Review and recommend incentives or reimbursement strategies
• Develop provider evaluations including random file reviews
• Develop a system for reviewing and working with providers
This section requires the Division to enter into contracts with children’s service providers and
agencies for a comprehensive delivery system through a competitive process with providers:
• Having a proven record of providing resources to expectant mothers and children L.R. No. 3214H.01I
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• Having the ability to provide a range of services
• Being subject to all federal and state laws
• Providing evidence of completing licensure requirements
• Receiving payments for services and receiving performance-based incentives
• Are subject to monitoring and corrective action by the Division
This proposal requires the Department to promulgate rules by July 1, 2026.
§ 207.105 – Provisions related to sharing records, information, and findings with federal, state,
or local child welfare agency personnel and law enforcement agencies
This section requires the Division to share records with federal, state, or local child welfare
agency personnel, including those outside of the state, upon reasonable belief it is needed for
performance of the Division’s duties and/or to protect the expectant mother, father, or child
including:
• Identifying information about an expectant mother, father, or child
• Family assessments
• Home studies
• Criminal background and child abuse or neglect reports
• Any other documents or information the division deems necessary for another agency to
have access to in order to protect an expectant mother, father, or child and to affect the policy of
the state
Identifying information may be shared only if the Division reasonably believes the receiving
entity will prevent the unauthorized dissemination of the information contained therein.
This will require the following staff:
One (1) - Legal Counsel; and
Three (3) - Program Specialists.
§§ 207.010, 207.030, 207.060, 207.100, 207.101, 207.102, 207.103, 207.104, 207.105, 207.106,
207.107, 207.108, and 453.014 – DSS summary of costs for the new Division of Maternal and
Child Resources
Officials from the DSS
Resources as follows:
TOTAL:
• Addition of up to 259 FTE
• Up to $750,000 to purchase the tools to create and develop an evaluation tool
• Up to $1,000,000 to procure consultants to procure tools, advise in system development,
assist in coordinate in groups/teams, etc. L.R. No. 3214H.01I
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DSS assumes no federal match at this time. A possible match could be explored at the time of
implementation.
Oversight does not have information to the contrary. Oversight notes DSS presented FTE
requirement by sections listed in the proposal. As these costs reflect the duties, responsibilities
and requirements for the new Division of Maternal and Child Resources as one program, for
simplicity, Oversight will reflect the estimates as provided by the DSS as the costs for the
proposal as a whole, rather than by section.
In response to similar legislation from the current session (HB 807), officials from the Office of
Administration (OA), Information Technology Services Division (ITSD)/DSS
case management application would need to be created.
OA, ITSD/DSS states a new case management application would need to be analyzed, designed,
developed, tested, and implemented. The application will require new interfaces to multiple
existing DSS applications, divisions and other State of Missouri departments, agencies, and/or
public entities. The application aims to track a lot of detailed information (screenings,
background checks, home studies, etc.) about the expectant mother and the prospective adoptive
parent/family. The application will likely be phased in over multiple years requiring a mix of IT
contractors, new and existing ITSD staff, equipment, and resources. A new ITSD application
development team would be required to support and maintain the application once it went
into production. The estimate provided is very high level as there are not sufficient details of
the specific requirements provided for an application of this complexity and magnitude.
OA, ITSD/DSS assumes this application would be an all-encompassing application similar in
size and complexity as some of the existing DSS, Family Support Division applications that
support those divisions. With that assumption, there would likely be a web presence, possibly a
mobile application, along with an administrative function. The number of interfaces required and
the amount of data needed to be collected and managed is currently unknown and would need to
be thoroughly investigate.
OA, ITSD/DSS assumes every new IT project/system will be bid out because all ITSD resources
are at full capacity. For fiscal note purposes, IT contract rates for the new application are
estimated at $105/hour. It is assumed creating a new application will require 97,740 hours for a
cost of $11,512,700 ($105 * 97,740 hours) in FY 2026; $2,103,854 in FY 2027 and $2,156,450
in FY 2028 and ongoing.
Oversight does not have any information to the contrary. Therefore, Oversight will reflect the
costs provided by ITSD/DSS for fiscal note purposes.
Responses regarding the proposed legislation as a whole L.R. No. 3214H.01I
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Officials from the Office of the State Public Defender (SPD) state Per the National Public
Defense Workload Study, the new charge contemplated by this change to Section 207.106 would
take approximately twenty-two hours of SPD work for reasonably effective representation. If one
hundred cases were filed under this section in a fiscal year, representation would result in a need
for an additional attorney. Because the number of cases that will be filed under this statute is
unknown, the exact additional number of attorneys necessary is unknown. Each case would also
result in unknown increased costs in the need for core staff, travel and litigation expenses.
However, if the charge was classified as a class D misdemeanor no jail time would be authorized
and the cases would not qualify for SPD representation.
Oversight assumes this proposal will create a minimal number of new cases and that the SPD
can absorb the additional caseload required by this proposal with current staff and resources.
Therefore, Oversight will reflect no fiscal impact to the SPD for fiscal note purposes. However,
if multiple bills pass which require additional staffing and duties, the SPD may request funding
through the appropriation process.
Officials from the Office of State Courts Administrator (OSCA) state there may be some
impact but there is no way to quantify that currently. Any significant changes will be reflected in
future budget requests.
Oversight notes OSCA assumes this proposal may have some impact on their organization
although it cannot be quantified at this time. As OSCA is unable to provide additional
information regarding the potential impact, Oversight assumes the proposed legislation will have
a $0 to (Unknown) cost to the General Revenue Fund. For fiscal note purposes, Oversight also
assumes the impact will be under $250,000 annually. If this assumption is incorrect, this would
alter the fiscal impact as presented in this fiscal note. If additional information is received,
Oversight will review it to determine if an updated fiscal note should be prepared and seek
approval to publish a new fiscal note.
Officials from the Office of Attorney General (AGO)
arising from this proposal can be absorbed with existing resources. The AGO may seek
additional appropriations if the proposal results in a significant increase in litigation or
investigation costs.
Oversight does not have any information to the contrary. Therefore, Oversight assumes the
AGO will be able to perform any additional duties required by this proposal with current staff
and resources and will reflect no fiscal impact to the AGO for fiscal note purposes.
Officials from the Office of Administration - Budget and Planning defer to the Department of
Social Services for the potential fiscal impact of this proposal.
Officials from the Department of Corrections, the Department of Health and Senior
ServicesDepartment of Mental Health, the Department of Public Safety - Missouri
Highway PatrolMissouri Office of Prosecution Services, the Office of Administration L.R. No. 3214H.01I
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(OA), the OA - Administrative Hearing Commission, the Office of the State Treasurer, the
Newton County Health DepartmentPhelps County Sheriff’s Department, the Branson
Police Department, the Kansas City Police Department, and the St. Louis County Police
Department each assume the proposal will have no fiscal impact on their respective
organizations. Oversight does not have any information to the contrary. Therefore, Oversight
will reflect a zero impact in the fiscal note for these agencies.
In response to similar legislation from the current session (HCS for HB 807), officials from the
Springfield Police Department assumed the proposal would have no fiscal impact on their
organization. Oversight does not have any information to the contrary. Therefore, Oversight will
reflect a zero impact in the fiscal note for this agency.
Oversight only reflects the responses received from state agencies and political subdivisions;
however, other local public health agencies, public administrators, sheriffs’ departments, police
departments and hospitals were requested to respond to this proposed legislation but did not. A
listing of political subdivisions included in the Missouri Legislative Information System
(MOLIS) database is available upon request.
Rule Promulgation
Officials from the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules assume this proposal is not
anticipated to cause a fiscal impact beyond its current appropriation.
Officials from the Office of the Secretary of State (SOS) note many bills considered by the
General Assembly include provisions allowing or requiring agencies to submit rules and
regulations to implement the act. The SOS is provided with core funding to handle a certain
amount of normal activity resulting from each year's legislative session. The fiscal impact for
this fiscal note to the SOS for Administrative Rules is less than $5,000. The SOS recognizes that
this is a small amount and does not expect that additional funding would be required to meet
these costs. However, the SOS also recognizes that many such bills may be passed by the
General Assembly in a given year and that collectively the costs may be in excess of what the
office can sustain with its core budget. Therefore, the SOS reserves the right to request funding
for the cost of supporting administrative rules requirements should the need arise based on a
review of the finally approved bills signed by the governor. L.R. No. 3214H.01I
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FISCAL IMPACT – State GovernmentFY 2026
(10 Mo.)
FY 2027FY 2028GENERAL REVENUECosts – DSS, Division of Maternal and
Child Resources (§§ 207.010 to
207.108 and § 453.014) p. 3-9Up to…Up to…Up to…
Personal service($13,625,053)($16,513,564)($16,678,700) Fringe benefits($8,522,671)($10,290,579)($10,354,585) Equipment and expense($4,857,107)($2,951,551)($3,025,340) Consulting Fees p. 3($1,000,000)$0$0 Evaluation Tool p. 6($750,000)$0$0Total Costs - DSS, Division of
Maternal and Child Resources
Up to
($28,754,831)
Up to
($29,755,694)
Up to
($30,058,625)
FTE ChangesUp to 259Up to 259Up to 259Costs - OA, ITSD/DSS (§§ 207.010 to
207.108 and § 453.014) New case
management system p. 9
Could exceed
($11,512,700)
Could exceed
($2,103,854)
Could exceed
($2,156,450)
Costs - OSCA (§§ 207.010 to 207.108
and § 453.014) Potential impact on
courts from provisions relating to the
Division of Maternal and Child
Resources p. 10
$0 to
(Unknown)
$0 to
(Unknown)
$0 to
(Unknown)
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON
GENERAL REVENUE
Could exceed
($40,267,531)
Could exceed
($31,859,548)
Could exceed
($32,215,075)
Estimated Net FTE Change on the
General Revenue FundUp to 259Up to 259Up to 259
FISCAL IMPACT – Local GovernmentFY 2026
(10 Mo.)
FY 2027FY 2028$0$0$0 L.R. No. 3214H.01I
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FISCAL IMPACT – Small Business
No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of this proposal.
FISCAL DESCRIPTION
This bill establishes within the Department of Social Services the Division of Maternal and Child
Resources, which has the purpose of coordinating and applying for services for expecting
mothers who wish to place their baby for adoption and placing such babies for adoption with fit
and proper adoptive parents. Additional powers, duties, and functions as they relate to the
Division's purpose are specified in the bill. Relevant sections of existing law governing the
Department's Family Support and Children's Divisions are updated to include the Division of
Maternal and Child Resources. (§ 207.100)
The Division is required to establish a "Missouri Adoptive Resources Services System" for the
entire State, the function of which is to promote the safe and healthy birth of children in the State
through the utilization of existing resources; coordinate community resources and provide
assistance or services to expecting mothers identified to be at risk for seeking abortion services;
and prevent abortions through the adoption of children by fit and proper adoptive parents.
(§§ 207.010, 207.100 to 207.102)
The Division is required to make and maintain a central registry of each expecting mother who
has voluntarily decided to place the unborn child for adoption and a central registry of each
prospective adoptive parent who has successfully completed certain screenings, background
checks, home studies, and other investigations to ensure the fit of the prospective parent to adopt
a child. The registries must be made available to the party or parties of the other registry.
Additionally, the Division must maintain mechanisms as necessary to facilitate introductions
between an expecting mother and prospective adoptive parent; facilitate certain adoptive
proceedings; assist an expecting mother at risk for seeking an abortion in applying for existing
services and resources; collaborate with the community to identify such comprehensive services;
maintain a record containing such services provided to an expecting mother and all adoptive
proceedings for a child born to an expecting mother who is seeking services; and, when available
or appropriate, contract for the provision of services through children's services providers and
agencies in the community. (§ 207.102)
This bill provides that it is the policy of this State and its agencies to implement a system to
reduce the number of preventable abortions in the State by assisting expecting mothers in
accessing resources as well as facilitating the adoption of a child who would have otherwise been
aborted. (§ 207.103)
The Division is required to establish an evaluation tool and a response and evaluation team. The
tool is required to include metrics supporting best practices for case management and service
provision, though providers can propose different metrics for evaluation under a case-by-case
basis. The team's membership is composed of three staff members of the Division with certain L.R. No. 3214H.01I
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skills and experience; two staff members of either the Department of Social Services or the
Children's Division, to be appointed by the Director of the Department; four experts with
experience in medical, social work, legal, or other relevant areas, appointed by the Governor; and
one juvenile or family court judge, appointed by the Missouri Supreme Court. (§ 207.103)
The response and evaluation team is required to review the evaluation tool and its metrics to
determine the need for adjustments or whether there are issues affecting the quality of such tools;
develop and execute periodic provider evaluations of cases managed by the Division and service
providers contracted with the State to provide case management services; and develop a system
for reviewing and working with certain providers who show signs of performance weakness to
ensure technical assistance and services are offered. (§ 207.103)
The Division is required to enter into and implement contracts with qualified children's services
providers and agencies to provide a system of service delivery for expecting mothers, fathers,
prospective adoptive parents, and children. Payment to the services providers must be made
based on the reasonable costs of services, including those costs necessary to execute the contract.
The Division is also required to consider immediate actions that are in the best interests of
expecting mothers, fathers, prospective adoptive parents, and children that include, but are not
limited to, placing agencies on corrective plans, halting new referrals, transferring cases, or
terminating provider contracts. (§§ 207.102 to 207.104, and 208.108)
By July 1, 2026, the Division must have in effect rules to implement the provisions of this bill,
including plans and dates. (§ 207.103)
The Division can share records, information, and findings with Federal, State, or local child
welfare agency personnel and law enforcement agencies, including those outside of this State, in
the performance of the Division's duties. Acceptable information that can be shared is specified
in the bill. (§ 207.105)
The Division is required to ensure the confidentiality of all reports and records made under the
provisions of this bill, and must establish guidelines to ensure any disclosure of information
concerning any participant in the system is made only to those with a right to such information.
The bill specifies which persons have access to investigation records contained in the central
registry. (§ 207.106)
A person who violates the provisions of this bill relating to the disclosure of information, or who
permits or encourages the unauthorized dissemination of such information contained in the
system or central registry, is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. (§ 207.106)
This bill requires the Division to create and maintain a database of expecting mothers and
prospective adoptive parents for the purposes of identifying children who may be suitable for
adopting, and a database of attorneys who are licensed and in good standing with the Missouri
Supreme Court, who agree to provide legal services in conjunction with the adoption of children
identified through the system under the provisions of this bill. (§ 207.107) L.R. No. 3214H.01I
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The bill allows the Division of Maternal and Child Resources to place a minor for adoption.
(§ 453.014)
This some of the provisions in this legislation would duplicate existing programs. Officials from
DSS state as follows:
This new Division partially duplicates other programs/Divisions.
Officials from the DSS
management and wrap-around services, and serves approximately 1,000 pregnant women a year.
It is unknown exactly how many of those would have sought abortion as the A2A providers are
Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRCs), and whether or not someone is seeking abortion is not
asked.
A2A differs from the proposed legislation as the program does not:
• Publicly share information
• Track adoptions or prospective adoptive parents
• Intervene with court procedures and proceedings
• Investigate potential adoptive parents
• Set up committees and subcommittees to determine how the program operates (as they
are already established as PRCs)
• Produce reports and studies (Note: Baseline outcome data is reported in the State Budget
Books)
• Resolve abuse and neglect complaints, but instead report the complaints through the
proper channels
• Create required evaluation tools
• Have a centralized database with the level of detail outlined in the legislation (Note: A2A
tracks case management services and supportive services for the parent(s))
• Have a child fatality review panel
• Does not have a repository of attorneys
• Have mandated requirements on engaging other Departments and Divisions
• Does not receive additional funding from the state based on donations received by the
state
• Have contracts with the multitude of agencies outlined in the legislation
Some of the requirements of the new Division replicate what is currently required in Children’s
Division including:
o
o
The new Division also replicates the requirement of the State Technical Assistance Team which
reviews child fatalities. L.R. No. 3214H.01I
Bill No. HB 1579
Page 16 of 16
March 24, 2025
KP:LR:OD
This legislation is not federally mandated. It would not require additional capital improvements.
It would require rental space.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Attorney General’s Office
Department of Corrections
Department of Health and Senior Services
Department of Mental Health
Department of Public Safety - Missouri Highway Patrol
Department of Social Services
Joint Committee on Administrative Rules
Office of Administration –
Administrative Hearing Commission
Budget and Planning
Office of the Secretary of State
Office of the State Courts Administrator
Office of the State Public Defender
Office of the State Treasurer
Missouri Office of Prosecution Services
Newton County Health Department
Phelps County Sheriff’s Department
Branson Police Department
Kansas City Police Department
Springfield Police Department
St. Louis County Police Department
Julie MorffJessica HarrisDirectorAssistant DirectorMarch 24, 2025March 24, 2025