Signed by Governor Mike Parson

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that establishes a state birth certificate program and Medicaid health coverage for Missouri's homeless youth.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a fee and specifies that neither consent nor signature from a parent or legal guardian of a homeless or unaccompanied child or youth is required for the issuance of a birth certificate (Sec. A, Pg. 3).

• Requires any homeless child homeless youth to be approved for the state Medicare and Medicaid Services (Sec. A, Pg. 8).

• Requires resources and efforts to be committed to pursuing successful outcomes for each child or youth including preparing for life as an adult outside of the foster system such as independent living, and prioritize methods to reduce a child’s need for residential treatment through community-based services and support (Sec. A, Pg. 11).

• Establishes a response and evaluation team composed of 5 members with experience in foster care and complying with state and federal guidelines to determine on a case by case basis the best practices for case managers and providers, including the need or frequency of face-to-face visits and court hearings with the child (Sec. A, Pg 12).

• Requires the children’s division and its contractors to provide full access to the child’s medical, psychological, and psychiatric records, including records prior to the child coming into care, at the time the child is placed with a foster parent (Sec. A, Pg. 41).

Full Bill Text