This bill authorizes the Missouri Children's Services Commission to evaluate current state policies that affect incarcerated parents and their children. The Commission is encouraged to provide alternative approaches to the needs of children of incarcerated parents. No impact on state funds.
Supporters say that children suffer when a parent, especially a mother, is incarcerated.
Children with an incarcerated parent are more likely to be incarcerated themselves. This bill will help the Missouri Children's Services Commission more fully understand the situation and what can and needs to be done to address it, so that the best interests of the children of incarcerated parents will be served. Testifying for the bill was Senator Clay. There was no opposition voiced to the committee.