Current law outlines procedures for petitioning to adopt a child and states that the court shall not deny or delay the placement of a child when an approved family is available. New language adds a provision to expedite the placement of a child for adoption in cases in which the child is already under court custody. This act does not require reasonable efforts to be made when a child is abused by a person other than the parent and circumstances indicate the parent knew or should have known about it. Current law also gives permission to foster parents to apply for adoption if they have cared for a child for twelve months or longer. The adoption agency and court must give preference and first consideration to foster parents.
New language changes the twelve-month period to nine months.
The court is currently required to conduct a hearing during the adoption of a child and to ascertain, among other things, that the child has been in custody of the petitioning adoptive parent for at least six months prior to entry of the decree. New language waives the six-month waiting period for children in court custody when the petitioner is a foster parent. This act establishes the Missouri CASA Fund in the state treasury. The State Courts Administrator shall disburse moneys in the Fund. Every CASA program shall receive a base rate allocation, based upon the number of children with abuse or neglect cases.