FIRSTREGULARSESSION
HOUSEBILLNO.1579
103RDGENERALASSEMBLY
INTRODUCEDBYREPRESENTATIVEAMATO.
3214H.01I JOSEPHENGLER,ChiefClerk
ANACT
Torepealsections207.010,207.030,207.060,and453.014,RSMo,andtoenactinlieu
thereofthirteennewsectionsrelatingtoadoption,withapenaltyprovision.
BeitenactedbytheGeneralAssemblyofthestateofMissouri,asfollows:
SectionA.Sections207.010,207.030,207.060,and453.014,RSMo,arerepealed
2andthirteennewsectionsenactedinlieuthereof,tobeknownassections207.010,207.030,
3207.060,207.100,207.101,207.102,207.103,207.104,207.105,207.106,207.107,207.108,
4and453.014,toreadasfollows:
207.010.Thechildren'sdivision,familysupportdivision,MOHealthNetdivision,
2divisionofyouthservices,divisionoflegalservices,divisionoffinanceandadministrative
3services,andthestatetechnicalsupportteamareanintegralpartofthedepartmentofsocial
4servicesandshallhaveandexerciseallthepowersanddutiesnecessarytocarryoutfullyand
5effectivelythepurposesassignedtothembythedirectorofthedepartmentofsocialservices
6andbylawandthedepartmentofsocialservicesshallbethestateagencyto:
7 (1)Administerstateplansandlawsinvolvingaidtodependentchildren;
8 (2)Aidorreliefincaseofpubliccalamity;
9 (3)Aidfordirectrelief;
10 (4)Childwelfareservices;
11 (5)Socialservicestofamiliesandadults;
12 (6)Pensionsandservicesfortheblind;[and]
13 (7)Coordinateandapplyforservicesforexpectantmothersandmaintaina
14systemtomatchexpectantmothersandfatherswishingtovoluntarilyplacetheir
15childrenforadoptionwithpersonswhoarefitandpropertoadoptsuchchildren;and
EXPLANATION—Matterenclosedinbold-facedbrackets[thus] intheabovebillisnotenactedandis
intendedtobeomittedfromthelaw.Matterinbold-facetypeintheabovebillisproposedlanguage. 16 (8)Anyotherdutiesrelatingtopublicassistanceandsocialserviceswhichmaybe
17imposeduponthedepartmentofsocialservices.
207.030.Thedirectorsofthefamilysupportdivision, divisionofmaternaland
2childresources,andchildren'sdivisionshallbepersonsqualifiedbyeducationand
3experiencetosupervisetheworkofsuchdivisionsandshallbecitizensandtaxpayersof
4Missouri.Beforeenteringuponhisorherduties,eachdirectorshallsubscribeanoathor
5affirmationtosupporttheConstitutionoftheUnitedStatesandofthestateofMissouriandto
6faithfullydemeanhimselforherselfinoffice.Eachdirectorshallenterintogoodand
7sufficientbond,payabletothestateofMissouri,conditioneduponthefaithfuldischargeand
8performanceofofficialduties,anduponaccountabilityforallpropertyandfundscoming
9undersuchdirector'sadministrationandcontrol,saidbondtobeapprovedbytheattorney
10generalastoform,andbythegovernorastoitssufficiency,thepremiumonsaidbondtobe
11paidbythestate.Thegovernormayremovethedirectorofthechildren'sdivisionandthe
12directorofthefamilysupportdivisionforincompetence,misconduct,orneglectofduty.
207.060.1.Thedirectorsofthefamilysupportdivision, divisionofmaternaland
2childresources,andchildren'sdivisionshalljointlyoperateandmaintainacountyofficein
3everycounty,whichmaybeinthechargeofacountywelfaredirectorwhoshallhavebeena
4residentofthestateofMissouriforaperiodofatleasttwoyearsimmediatelypriortotaking
5officeandwhosesalaryshallbepaidfromfundsappropriatedforthefamilysupportdivision,
6divisionofmaternalandchildresources,andchildren'sdivision.
7 2.Forthepurposeofestablishingandmaintainingcountyoffices,orcarryingoutany
8ofthedutiesofthedivisions,thedivisiondirectorsmayenterintoagreementswithany
9politicalsubdivisionofthisstate,andasapartofsuchagreement,mayacceptmoneys,
10services,orquartersasacontributiontowardthesupportandmaintenanceofsuchcounty
11offices.Anyfundssoreceivedshallbepayabletothedirectorofrevenueanddepositedinthe
12properspecialaccountinthestatetreasury,andbecomeandbeapartofstatefunds
13appropriatedfortheuseofthefamilysupportdivision, divisionofmaternalandchild
14resources,andchildren'sdivision.
15 3.Otheremployeesinthecountyofficesshallbeemployedwithdueregardtothe
16populationofthecounty,existingconditionsandpurposetobeaccomplished.Such
17employeesshallbepaidasareotheremployeesofthefamilysupportdivision, divisionof
18maternalandchildresources,andchildren'sdivision.
207.100.Asusedinsections207.100to207.108,thefollowingtermsmean:
2 (1)"Adoption",aproceedinginanycountyofMissourifortheadoptionofa
3childundersections207.100to207.108orchapter453;
4 (2)"Child"or"children",anyoffspringofamanandawomanexistingupon
5firstdetectionofthemotherbeingpregnantuptoandafterbirth;
HB1579 2 6 (3)"Children'sservicesprovidersandagencies",anypublic,quasi-public,or
7privateentitywiththeappropriateandrelevanttrainingandexpertiseindelivering
8servicestochildrenandtheirfamiliesasdeterminedbythechildren'sdivisionand
9capableofprovidingdirectservicesandotherfamilyservicesforchildreninthecustody
10ofthechildren'sdivisionoranysuchentitiesoragenciesthatarereceivingstatemoneys
11forsuchservices;
12 (4)"Director",thedirectoroftheMissouridivisionofmaternalandchild
13resourceswithinthedepartmentofsocialservices;
14 (5)"Division",theMissouridivisionofmaternalandchildresourceswithinthe
15departmentofsocialservices;
16 (6)"Expectantmother",anywomancurrentlypregnantwithachildor
17children;
18 (7)"Father",thelegal,presumed,orbiologicalfatherofanunbornchildor
19children;
20 (8)"Prospectiveadoptiveparent",apersonwhoisdeterminedtobefitand
21propertoadoptachildinMissouriaftersuccessfullycompletingscreenings,
22backgroundchecks,homestudies,andotherinvestigations.
207.101.1.Inadditiontothepowers,duties,andfunctionsvestedinthedivision
2byotherprovisionsofthischapterorbyotherlawsofthisstate,thedivisionshallhave
3thepower:
4 (1)Tosueandbesued;
5 (2)Tomakecontractsandcarryoutthedutiesimposeduponitbysections
6207.100to207.108oranyotherlaw;
7 (3)Toadminister,disburse,disposeof,andaccountforfunds,commodities,
8equipment,suppliesorservices,andanykindofpropertygiven,granted,loaned,
9advancedto,orappropriatedbythestateofMissouriforanyofthepurposesherein;
10 (4)Toadministeroaths,issuesubpoenasforwitnesses,examinesuchwitnesses
11underoath,andmakeandkeeparecordofsame;
12 (5)Toadopt,amend,andrepealrulesandregulationsnecessaryordesirableto
13carryouttheprovisionsofthischapterandthatarenotinconsistentwiththe
14constitutionorlawsofthisstate;
15 (6)TocooperatewiththeUnitedStatesgovernmentinmattersofmutual
16concernpertainingtoanydutieswhereinthedivisionisactingasastateagency,
17includingtheadoptionofsuchmethodsofadministrationasarefoundbytheUnited
18Statesgovernmenttobenecessaryfortheefficientoperationofstateplanshereunder;
19 (7)TomakereportsinaformthatcontaininformationtheUnitedStates
20governmentmay,fromtimetotime,require,andcomplywithprovisionstheUnited
HB1579 3 21Statesgovernmentmay,fromtimetotime,findnecessarytoensurethecorrectnessand
22verificationofreports;
23 (8)Tocoordinateandextendresourcestoanexpectantmotherseekingtocarry
24herchildtotermandvoluntarilyplacesuchchildforadoptionwithapersonwhoisfit
25andpropertoadoptsuchchild;
26 (9)Toaidanexpectantmotherinapplyingforservicesandresourcesprovided
27byotherstateagenciestoasimilarlysituatedexpectantmotherinMissouri;
28 (10)Toestablishandmaintainasystemtomatchanexpectantmotherand
29fatherwishingtovoluntarilyplacetheirchildforadoptionwithapersonwhoisfitand
30propertoadoptsuchchild;
31 (11)Toconductinvestigationsregardinganyprospectiveadoptiveparent
32utilizingtheservicesofthedivisiontoensuresuchparentisfitandpropertoadopta
33childinMissouri;
34 (12)Uponrequest,tocooperatewiththejuvenilecourtandfurnishsocialstudies
35andreportsofinvestigationsregardingaprospectiveadoptiveparenttothecourtin
36supportofanadoptionpetitionfiled;
37 (13)Toappoint,whenandifitmaydeemnecessary,advisorycommitteesto
38provideprofessionalortechnicalconsultationwithrespecttobarriersinfacilitatingthe
39adoptionofchildren.Themembersofsuchadvisorycommitteesshallreceiveno
40compensationfortheirservicesotherthanexpensesactuallyincurredinthe
41performanceoftheirofficialduties.Thenumberofmembersofeachsuchadvisory
42committeeshallbedeterminedbythedivision,andsuchadvisorycommitteesshall
43consultwithandadvisethedivisionwithrespecttoproblemsandpoliciesincidenttothe
44administrationoftheparticularfunctiongermanetotherespectivefieldofcompetence;
45 (14)Toinitiateorcooperatewithotheragenciesindevelopingmeasuresforthe
46reductionofabortionsinMissourithroughfacilitatingadoptionsbypersonswhoarefit
47andpropertoadoptchildrenvoluntarilyplacedwithsuchpersonsbythechildren's
48mothersandfathersforthepurposeofadoption;
49 (15)Tocollectstatistics,makespecialfact-findingstudies,andpublishreportsin
50referencetoitsduties;
51 (16)Toestablishorcooperateinresearchordemonstrationprojectsrelativeto
52sections207.100to207.108,suchasthoserelatingtothereductionofabortionservices
53utilizedinMissouri,barrierstoadoptionofchildrenwhowouldotherwisebeaborted,
54orthatwillaidineffectingcoordinationofplanningbetweenprivateandpublic
55agencies,orthatwillhelpimprovetheadministrationandeffectivenessofprograms
56carriedonbythedivisionandtheprogramsrelatedthereto;and
HB1579 4 57 (17)Toacceptgiftsandgrantsofanyproperty,realorpersonal,andtosellsuch
58propertyandexpendsuchgiftsorgrantsnotinconsistentwiththeadministrationofthis
59chapterandwithinthelimitationsimposedbythedonorthereof.
60 2.Allpowersanddutiesofthedivisionshall,sofarasapplicable,applytothe
61administrationofanyotherlawwhereindutiesareimposeduponthedivisionactingas
62astateagency.
207.102.1.Thedivisionshallestablisha"MissouriAdoptiveResourcesServices
2System"fortheentirestate.
3 2.TheMissouriadoptiveresourcesservicessystemshallpromotethesafeand
4healthybirthofchildreninMissourithroughtheutilizationofexistingresourcesfor
5expectantmothersandtheadoptionofchildreninMissouribyfitandproperpersons
6seekingtoadopt.Thesystemshallcoordinatecommunityresourcesandprovide
7assistanceorservicestoexpectantmothersidentifiedtobeatriskforseekingabortion
8servicesandtopreventabortionsthroughtheadoptionofchildrenbyfitandproper
9personsseekingtoadopt.
10 3.InfurtheranceoftheMissouriadoptiveresourcesservicessystem,thedivision
11shall:
12 (1)Maintainadirectoryofexpectantmothersandfatherswhohavevoluntarily
13decidedtoplacetheirunbornchildrenforadoptionandmakethesameavailableto
14prospectiveadoptiveparentswhohavecompletedscreeningsasprovidedunder
15subdivision(2)ofthissubsection;
16 (2)Maintainadirectoryofprospectiveadoptiveparentswhohavesuccessfully
17completedscreenings,backgroundchecks,homestudies,andotherinvestigations
18determiningtheparentstobefitandpropertoadoptchildreninMissouriandmakethe
19sameavailabletosuchexpectantmothersandfatherswhohavevoluntarilydecidedto
20placetheirunbornchildrenforadoption;
21 (3)Establishandmaintainmechanismsasarenecessarytofacilitatethe
22introductionandmutualagreementsofexpectantmothersandfatherswhohave
23voluntarilydecidedtoplacetheirunbornchildrenforadoptionandfitandproper
24prospectiveadoptiveparentsandensurethatsuchmechanismsarelimitedinaccessto
25expectantmothersandfatherswhohavevoluntarilydecidedtoplacetheirunborn
26childrenforadoptionandfitandproperprospectiveadoptiveparents;
27 (4)Facilitateadoptiveproceedingswhereinfitandproperprospectiveadoptive
28parentsadoptchildrenfromexpectantmothersandfatherswhohavevoluntarily
29decidedtoplacetheirunbornchildrenforadoption;
HB1579 5 30 (5)Assistexpectantmothersandfathersinapplyingforexistingservicesand
31resourcesprovidedbyfederal,state,andlocalgovernmentagenciestootherpersons
32similarlysituated;
33 (6)Collaboratewiththecommunitytoidentifycomprehensivelocalservicesand
34assureensuretothoseservicesforexpectantmothersandfather;
35 (7)Maintainarecordofservicesprovidedbythedivisionandensuresuch
36recordsarekeptconfidentialandusedonlyforthelimitedpurposeofevaluatingthe
37efficacyofthesystem;and
38 (8)Wheneveravailableandappropriate,contractfortheprovisionofservices
39throughchildren'sservicesprovidersandagenciesinthecommunity.Inalllegal
40proceedingsinvolvingtheadoptionofachildfacilitatedbythedivision,thedivision
41shallberepresentedincourtbyeitherdivisionpersonnelorpersonswithwhomthe
42divisioncontractswithforsuchlegalrepresentation.Allprovidersandagenciesof
43servicesunderthissectionshallbesubjecttocriminalbackgroundchecksunderchapter
4443andshallsubmitnamesofallemployeestothefamilycaresafetyregistry.
207.103.1.Itisthepolicyofthisstateanditsagenciestoimplementasystemto
2reducethenumberofpreventableabortionsinMissouribyassistinganexpectant
3motherinidentifyingandaccessingexistingresourcesfordailyneedsandprenatalcare
4toensurethehealthofboththeexpectantmotherandthechildandfacilitatingthe
5adoptionofachildbyafitandproperpersoninMissouri.Thedivisionshallimplement
6suchsystemsubjecttothefollowingprinciples:
7 (1)Thesafetyandwelfareofexpectantmothersandchildrenareparamount;
8 (2)Allrecordspertainingtochildren,expectantmothersandfathers,and
9prospectiveadoptiveparentsshallbemaintainedinaccordancewithallfederaland
10stateprivacylawsandshallbereleasedonlywithexpressauthorizationbythepartiesto
11whomsuchrecordspertainorasotherwiserequiredbylaw;
12 (3)Allexpectantmothersandfathersshallbetreatedwithrespectandshallnot
13bepenalizedforseekingservicesfromthedivision;
14 (4)Allprovidersofdirectservicestoexpectantmothers,fathers,andchildren
15shallbeevaluatedinauniform,transparent,objective,andconsistentbasisbasedonan
16evaluationtoolestablishedinthissection;
17 (5)Servicestoexpectantmothers,fathers,andchildrenshallbeprovidedina
18timelymannertomaximizetheopportunityforsuccessfuloutcomes,andsuchservices
19shallbetrackedandroutinelyevaluatedthroughaqualityassuranceprogram;
20 (6)Anyproviderofdirectservicestoexpectantmothers,fathers,andchildren
21shallhavetheappropriateandrelevanttraining,education,andexpertisetoprovidethe
HB1579 6 22highestqualityofservicespossiblethatshallbeconsistentwithfederalandstate
23standards;and
24 (7)Resourcesandeffortsshallbecommittedtopursuethebestpossible
25opportunityforasuccessfuloutcomeforeachexpectantmother,father,andchild.
26Successfuloutcomesmayincludeassistanceinaccessingavailableresourcesfordaily
27needsandprenatalcare,identifyingresourcesandpreparingexpectantmothers,
28fathers,andprospectiveadoptiveparentsfortheadoptionprocess,andtheprovisionof
29continuedassistancetoexpectantmothers,fathers,andprospectiveadoptiveparents
30duringthechildren'sfirstyearoflife.
31 2.(1)Inconjunctionwiththeresponseandevaluationteamestablishedunder
32subsection3ofthissection,aswellasotherindividualsthedivisiondeemsappropriate,
33thedivisionshallestablishanevaluationtoolthatcomplieswithstateandfederal
34guidelines.
35 (2)Theevaluationtoolshallincludemetricssupportingbestpracticesforcase
36managementandserviceprovisionincluding,butnotlimitedto,thefrequencyofface-
37to-facevisitswithanypersontowhomservicesareprovided.
38 (3)Thereshallbeamechanismwherebyprovidersmayproposedifferent
39evaluationmetricsonacase-by-casebasisifsuchcasemayhavecircumstancesfar
40beyondthosethatwouldbeexpected.Suchcasesshallbeevaluatedbytheresponseand
41evaluationteamundersubsection3ofthissection.
42 (4)Dataregardingallevaluationmetricsshallbecollectedbythedivisionona
43monthlybasis,andthedivisionshallissueaquarterlyreportregardingtheevaluation
44dataforeachprovider,bothpublicandprivate,bycounty.Theresponseandevaluation
45teamshalldeterminehowtoaggregatecasesforthedivisionandlargecontractorsso
46thatperformanceandoutcomesmaybecomparedeffectivelywhilealsoprotecting
47confidentiality.Suchreportsshallbemadepublicandshallincludeinformationby
48county,providedthatnoclient-identifiableinformationisreleasedwithsuchreports.
49 (5)Thestandardsandmetricsdevelopedthroughthisevaluationtoolshallbe
50usedtoevaluatecompetitivebidsforfuturecontractsestablishedundersubsection4of
51thissection.
52 3.Thedivisionshallcreatearesponseandevaluationteam.Membershipofthe
53teamshallbecomposedofthreestaffmembersfromthedivisionwithexperiencein
54prenatalcare,adoptionproceedings,orcommunityresourcesforexpectantmothers
55appointedbythedirectorofthedivision;twostaffmembersfromthedepartmentof
56socialservicesorchildren'sdivisionappointedbythedirectorofthedepartmentof
57socialservices;fourexpertswithrelatedexperienceinmedical,socialwork,legal,or
58otherrelevantareas,appointedbythegovernor;andonejuvenileorfamilycourtjudge
HB1579 7 59appointedbytheMissourisupremecourt.Thedivisionshallprovidethenecessary
60staffingfortheteam'soperations.Allmembersshallbeappointedasprovidedinthis
61subsection,andtheteamshallmeetforthefirsttimebeforeJuly1,2026.
62 4.Theteamshall:
63 (1)Reviewtheevaluationtoolandmetricssetforthinsubsection2ofthissection
64onasemiannualbasistodetermineanyadjustmentsneededorissuesthatcouldaffect
65thequalityofsuchtoolsandapproveordenyonacase-by-casebasis:
66 (a)Casesthataproviderfeelsareanomalousandshouldnotbepartof
67developingthecasemanagementtoolundersubsection2ofthissection;
68 (b)Alternativeevaluationmetricsrecommendedbyprovidersbasedonthebest
69interestsoftheexpectantmothersandchildrenundersubsections2and5ofthissection;
70or
71 (c)Reviewandrecommendanystructureforincentivesorotherreimbursement
72strategiesundersubsection6ofthissection;
73 (2)Developandexecuteperiodicproviderevaluationsofcasesmanagedbythe
74divisionandserviceproviderscontractedwiththestatetoprovidecasemanagement
75servicesunderthissectionundertheevaluationtoolcreatedundersubsection2ofthis
76sectiontoensurerequirementsaremet,whichshallinclude,butarenotlimitedto,
77randomfilereviewtoensuredocumentationregardingcasemanagementplansand
78outcomesofcasesaremaintained;and
79 (3)Developasystemforreviewingandworkingwithprovidersidentifiedunder
80subdivision(2)ofthissubsectionorprovidersrequestingassistancefromthedivision
81whoshowsignsofperformanceweaknesstoensuretechnicalassistanceandother
82servicesareofferedtoassisttheprovidersinachievingsuccessfuloutcomesfortheir
83cases.
84 5.Thedivisionandanyotherstateagencydeemednecessarybythedivision
85shall,inconsultationwithserviceprovidersandotherrelevantparties,enterintoand
86implementcontractswithqualifiedchildren'sservicesprovidersandagenciestoprovide
87acomprehensiveanddeliberatesystemofservicedeliveryforexpectantmothersand
88fathers,prospectiveadoptiveparents,andchildren.Contractsshallbeawarded
89throughacompetitiveprocessandprovidedbyqualifiedpublicandprivatenot-for-
90profitorlimitedliabilitycorporationsownedexclusivelybynot-for-profitcorporation
91children'sservicesprovidersandagenciesthathave:
92 (1)Aprovenrecordofprovidingresourcestoexpectantmothersandchildren
93withinthestateofMissourithatshallbeconsistentwiththestandardsandpoliciesthat
94shallbeestablisheddivision;and
HB1579 8 95 (2)Theabilitytoprovidearangeofservicesincluding,butnotlimitedto,case
96managementservices,socialworkservices,recruitmentandretentionservicesfor
97expectantmothersandfathers,prospectiveadoptiveparents,andadoptionservices.
98 6.Anycontractsenteredintobythedivisionshallbeinaccordancewithallstate
99andfederallawsandregulationsandshallseektomaximizefundingwhereavailable.
100Children'sservicesprovidersandagenciesundercontractwiththedivisionshallbe
101subjecttoallfederal,state,andlocallawsandregulationsrelatingtotheprovisionof
102suchservicesandshallbesubjecttooversightandinspectionbyappropriatestate
103agenciestoensurecompliancewithstandards,whichshallbeconsistentwithstateor
104federalstandards.
105 7.Thedivisionshallacceptasprimafacieevidenceofcompletionofthe
106requirementsforlicensureundersections210.481to210.511proofthatanagencyis
107accreditedbyanyofthefollowingnationallyrecognizedbodies:theCouncilon
108Accreditation,ChildrenandFamilies,Inc.,ortheJointCommissiononAccreditationof
109Hospitals.
110 8.Paymenttothechildren'sservicesprovidersandagenciesshallbemadebased
111onthereasonablecostsofservices,includingresponsibilitiesnecessarytoexecutethe
112contract.Anyreimbursementincreasesmadethroughenhancedappropriationsfor
113servicesshallbeallocatedtoprovidersregardlessofwhethertheproviderispublicor
114private.Suchincreasesshallbeconsideredadditivetotheexistingcontracts.In
115additiontopaymentsreflectingthecostofservices,contractsshallincludeincentives
116providedinrecognitionofperformancebasedontheevaluationtoolcreatedunder
117subsection2ofthissectionandthecorrespondingsavingsforthestate.Theresponse
118andevaluationteamundersubsection3ofthissectionshallreviewaformulato
119distributesuchpayments,asrecommendedbythedivision.
120 9.Thedivisionshallconsiderimmediateactionsthatareinthebestinterestsof
121expectantmothersandfathers,prospectiveadoptiveparents,andchildrenserved
122including,butnotlimitedto,placingtheagencyonacorrectiveplan,haltingnew
123referrals,transferringcasestootherperformingproviders,orterminatingthe
124provider'scontract.Thedivisionshalltakestepsnecessarytoevaluatethenatureof
125theissueandactaccordinglyinthemosttimelyfashionpossible.
126 10.ByJuly1,2026,thedivisionshallpromulgateandhaveineffectrulesto
127implementtheprovisionsofthissectionand,underthissection,shalldefine
128implementationplansanddates.Anyruleorportionofarule,asthattermis
129definedinsection536.010,thatiscreatedundertheauthoritydelegatedinthissection
130shallbecomeeffectiveonlyifitcomplieswithandissubjecttoalloftheprovisionsof
131chapter536and,ifapplicable,section536.028.Thissectionandchapter536are
HB1579 9 132nonseverableandifanyofthepowersvestedwiththegeneralassemblypursuantto
133chapter536toreview,todelaytheeffectivedate,ortodisapproveandannularuleare
134subsequentlyheldunconstitutional,thenthegrantofrulemakingauthorityandanyrule
135proposedoradoptedafterAugust28,2025,shallbeinvalidandvoid.
207.104.1.Exceptasotherwiseprovidedinsection207.085,privatecontractors
2whointheircapacitiesaschildren'sservicesprovidersandagencies,asdefinedin
3section207.100,receivestatemoneysfromthedivisionorthedepartmentofsocial
4servicesforprovidingservicestoexpectantmothers,fathers,andchildrenundersection
5207.103shallhavequalifiedimmunityfromcivilliabilityforprovidingsuchservicesto
6thesameextentthatthedivisionhasqualifiedimmunityfromcivilliabilitywhenthe
7divisionordepartmentdirectlyprovidessuchservices.
8 2.Thissectionshallnotapplyifaprivatecontractordescribedinsubsection1of
9thissectionknowinglyviolatesastatedorwrittenpolicyofthedivision,anyrule
10promulgatedbythedivision,oranystatelawdirectlyrelatedtotheprovisionofservices
11bythedivision.
207.105.Thedivisionmayshareanyrecords,information,andfindingswith
2federal,state,orlocalchildwelfareagencypersonnelandlawenforcementagencies,
3includingthosefromoutsidethestate,oranyagentofsuchagencies,intheperformance
4ofthedivision'sduties,uponareasonablebeliefthatsuchinformationisneededto
5protectanexpectantmother,father,orchildfromabuseorneglectortoassistsuch
6agencyinprovidingchildwelfareservices.Suchinformationmayinclude,butisnot
7limitedto:
8 (1)Identifyinginformationaboutanexpectantmother,father,orchild;
9 (2)Familyassessments;
10 (3)Homestudies;
11 (4)Criminalbackgroundandchildabuseorneglectreports;and
12 (5)Anyotherdocumentsorinformationthedivisiondeemsnecessaryfor
13anotheragencytohaveaccesstoinordertoprotectanexpectantmother,father,orchild
14andtoeffectthepolicyofthestateprovidedforinsection207.103.
15
16Identifyinginformationmaybesharedonlyifthedivisionreasonablybelievesthe
17receivingentitywillpreventtheunauthorizeddisseminationoftheinformation
18containedtherein.
207.106.1.Thedivisionshallensuretheconfidentialityofallreportsand
2recordsmadeundersections207.100to207.108andmaintainedbythedivision,itslocal
3offices,thedirectory,andotherappropriatepersons,officials,andinstitutionsunder
4sections207.100to207.108.Toprotecttherightsofexpectantmothersandfathers,
HB1579 10 5prospectiveadoptiveparents,andchildrenparticipatingintheMissouriadoptive
6resourcesservicessystem,thedivisionshallestablishguidelinesthatwillensurethatany
7disclosureofinformationconcerninganyparticipantinthesystemismadeonlyto
8personsoragenciesthathavearighttosuchinformation.Thedivisionmayrequire
9personstomakewrittenrequestsforaccesstorecordsmaintainedbythedivision.The
10divisionshallonlyreleaseinformationtopersonswhohavearighttosuchinformation.
11Thedivisionshallnotifypersonsreceivinginformationundersubdivisions(2),(7),(8),
12and(9)ofsubsection2ofthissectionofthepurposeforwhichtheinformationis
13releasedandofthepenaltiesforunauthorizeddisseminationofinformation.Such
14informationshallbeusedonlyforthepurposeforwhichtheinformationisreleased.
15 2.Onlythefollowingpersonsshallhaveaccesstoinvestigationrecordscontained
16inthedirectory:
17 (1)Appropriatefederal,state,orlocalcriminaljusticeagencypersonnel,orany
18agentofsuchentity,withaneedforsuchinformationunderthelawtoprotectchildren
19fromabuseorneglect;
20 (2)Aphysicianoradesignatedagentwhoprovidesprenatalorothermedicalor
21psychologicalcaretoanexpectantmother,father,prospectiveadoptiveparent,orchild
22participatingintheMissouriadoptiveresourcesservicessystem;
23 (3)Appropriatestaffofthedivisionandofitslocaloffices,including
24interdisciplinaryteamsthatareformedtoassistthedivisionincarryingoutitsduties
25undersections207.100to207.108;
26 (4)Anychildadoptedundertheprovisionsofsections207.100to207.108and
27chapter453.Priortothereleaseofanyidentifyinginformation,thedivisionshall
28determineifthereleaseofsuchidentifyinginformationmayplaceaperson'slifeor
29safetyindanger.Ifthedivisionmakesthedeterminationthataperson'slifeorsafety
30maybeindanger,theidentifyinginformationshallnotbereleased;
31 (5)Agrandjury,juvenileofficer,prosecutingattorney,lawenforcementofficer
32involvedintheinvestigationofchildabuseorneglect,juvenilecourtorothercourt
33conductingabuseorneglectorchildprotectiveproceedingsorchildcustody
34proceedings,andotherfederal,state,andlocalgovernmententities,oranyagentof
35suchentity,withaneedforsuchinformationinordertocarryoutitsresponsibilities
36underthelawtoprotectachildfromabuseorneglect;
37 (6)Anypersonengagedinabonafideresearchpurpose,withthepermissionof
38thedirector;provided,however,thatnoinformationidentifyingtheexpectantmother,
39father,orchildnamedintherecordsshallbemadeavailabletotheresearcherunlessthe
40identifyinginformationisessentialtotheresearchorevaluationandtheexpectant
HB1579 11 41mother,father,orchildnamedintherecords,orifthechildislessthaneighteenyearsof
42age,throughthechild'sparentorguardian,provideswrittenpermission;
43 (7)Anychild-placingagency,juvenilecourt,oranyotherpublicorprivate
44personoragencyassistingintheprovisionofservicesconsistentwiththeprovisionsof
45sections207.100to207.108;
46 (8)Anystateagencyactingunderstatelawregardingalicenseofanyperson,
47institution,oragencythatprovidescarefororservicestochildren;
48 (9)Anychildfatalityreviewpanelestablishedundersection210.192oranystate
49childfatalityreviewpanelestablishedundersection210.195;and
50 (10)Thestateregistrarofvitalstatistics,orhisorherdesignee,butthe
51informationmadeavailableshallbelimitedtoidentifyinginformationonlyforthe
52purposesofprovidingbirthrecordinformationundersection210.156.
53 3.Anypersonwhoknowinglyviolatestheprovisionsofthissection,orwho
54permitsorencouragestheunauthorizeddisseminationofinformationcontainedinthe
55informationsystemorthedirectoryandinreportsandrecordsmadeundersections
56207.100to207.108,shallbeguiltyofaclassAmisdemeanor.
57 4.Nothinginthissectionshallprecludethereleaseoffindingsorinformation
58regardingcasesthatresultedinachildfatalityornearfatality.Suchreleaseisatthe
59solediscretionofthedirectorofthedepartmentofsocialservices,baseduponareview
60ofthepotentialharmtootherchildrenwithintheimmediatefamily.
61 5.Notwithstandinganyprovisionsofthissectionorchaptertothecontraryand
62undersection210.115,ifthedivisionreceivesareportoforanydivisionpersonnel
63suspectsthatachildhasbeenormaybesubjectedtoabuseorneglectorobservesa
64childbeingsubjectedtoconditionsorcircumstancesthatwouldreasonablyresultin
65abuseorneglect,thatpersonshallimmediatelyreporttothedivisioninaccordancewith
66theprovisionsofsections210.109to210.183andmayreleasesuchrecordsaswouldbe
67necessarytoproperlyinvestigatesuchallegations.
68 6.Notwithstandingtheprovisionsofsubsection5ofthissection,participationin
69theMissouriadoptiveresourcesservicessystemshallnot,byitself,begroundsfor
70suspicionofchildabuseorneglect.
207.107.1.Thedivisionshallcreateandmaintainadirectoryofexpectant
2mothersandfathersandprospectiveadoptiveparentswhohaveregisteredwiththe
3divisionforparticipationinthesystemforthepurposeofidentifyingchildrenwhomay
4besuitableforadoption.
5 2.Thedivisionshallmaintainadatabaseofattorneyswhoareproperlylicensed
6andingoodstandingwiththeMissourisupremecourtandwhowillagreetoprovide
7legalservicesinconjunctionwiththeadoptionofchildrenidentifiedthroughthesystem
HB1579 12 8undertheprovisionsofsections207.100to207.108andallotherfederalandstate
9privacylaws.
10 3.ThecontentsoftheMissouriadoptiveresourcesservicessystemdatabase
11createdundersection207.102shallbesubjecttotheconfidentialityrequirements
12providedforinsections207.105and207.106.
207.108.1.Anyemployeeofthedivision,includingsupervisorypersonneland
2children'sservicesprovidersoragenciescontractingwiththedivision,whoisinvolved
3withtheprovisionofservicesundersections207.100to207.108,whopurposely,
4knowingly,andwillfullyviolatesastatedorwrittenpolicyofthedivision,anyrule
5promulgatedbythedivision,oranystatelawdirectlyrelatedtotheactivitiesofthe
6divisionshallbedismissediftheviolationdirectlyresultsinseriousphysicalinjuryor
7deathofanexpectantmother,father,orchild,subjecttotheprovisionsofsubsection2of
8thissection.Anypersonemployedinapositiondescribedundersubdivision(2)of
9subsection1ofsection36.030,ifany,shallhavetherightofappealundersections36.380
10and36.390.
11 2.Ifanemployeeofthedivisionorchildren'sservicesprovidersoragencies
12contractingwiththedivisionpurposely,knowingly,andwillfullyviolatesastatedor
13writtenpolicyofthedivision,anyrulepromulgatedbythedivision,oranystatelaw
14directlyrelatedtotheactivitiesofthedivisionandtheviolationdirectlyresultsin
15seriousphysicalinjuryordeath,theemployee'sgoodfaitheffortstofollowthestatedor
16writtenpoliciesofthedivision,therulespromulgatedbythedivision,orthestatelaws
17directlyrelatedtotheactivitiesofthedivisionshallbeamitigatingfactorindetermining
18whetheranemployeeofthedivisionoraprivatecontractorwiththedivisionis
19dismissedundersubsection1ofthissection.
453.014.1.Thefollowingpersonsmayplaceaminorforadoption:
2 (1)Thechildren'sdivisionordivisionofmaternalandchildresourcesofthe
3departmentofsocialservices;
4 (2)Achildplacingagencylicensedpursuanttosections210.481to210.536;
5 (3)Thechild'sparents,withoutthedirectorindirectassistanceofanintermediary,in
6thehomeofarelativeofthechildwithinthethirddegree;
7 (4)Anintermediary,whichshallincludeanattorneylicensedpursuanttochapter484;
8aphysicianlicensedpursuanttochapter334;oraclergymanoftheparents.
9 2.Allpersonsgrantedtheauthoritytoplaceaminorchildforadoptionasdesignated
10insubdivision(1),(2)or(4)ofsubsection1ofthissectionshallcomplywiththerulesand
11regulationspromulgatedbythechildren'sdivisionofthedepartmentofsocialservicesfor
12suchplacement.
HB1579 13 13 3.Thechildren'sdivisionofthedepartmentofsocialservicesshallpromulgaterules
14andregulationsregardingtheplacementofaminorforadoption.
15 4.Noruleorportionofarulepromulgatedundertheauthorityofthissectionshall
16becomeeffectiveunlessithasbeenpromulgatedpursuanttotheprovisionsofsection
17536.024.
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HB1579 14