State Foster Care Law
New laws at both the federal and state levels should improve outcomes for children and youth in foster care. Although implementation of the new laws in the current economy will be difficult, the reforms should make badly needed improvements in the long run.
Recent Missouri State Legislation
Two bills, signed by the governor in July 2009, have provisions focused on children and youth in foster care which will impact the children we serve.
The Foster Care Education Bill of Rights (HB 154) contains the following provisions:
- each school district must designate a liaison for children in foster care who will facilitate proper placement and expedite enrollment, record requests, etc.
- children in foster care have the right to remain in their school of origin or return to a previous school
- districts must accept credit for work satisfactorily completed and the home district must issue a diploma if graduation requirements are met
- students cannot be penalized for absences due to court appearances or court-related activities
- children are entitled to a full six-hour day unless the district determines that fewer hours are needed
- districts must give access to student records to child-placement agencies
The Judiciary Omnibus Bill (HB 481) contains the provision that state universities will be required to award a tuition and fee waiver to youth who have 1) been in foster and/or residential care between the ages of 14 and 18, 2) been accepted at the university, and 3) completed 1,000 hours of community service.
In other 2009 state legislative activity, HB 22 passed, and contains a one-time increase in the clothing and diaper allowance for children and youth in state custody. The Residential, Neighborhood Assistance Program and Youth Opportunity Program tax credits remained intact while the Developmental Disabilities tax credit failed.
