Family Law Legislation - Missouri

SCS/SB 776 - This act provides that the Children's Division within the Department of Social Services, shall develop rules to become effective by July 1, 2009, modifying the income eligibility criteria for any person receiving state-funded child care assistance, either through vouchers or direct reimbursement to child care providers. Persons receiving state-funded child care assistance with family incomes of less than 140 percent of the federal poverty level shall receive child care subsidy benefits, less a sliding scale fee established by the division based on family size and income. A person receiving state-funded child care assistance and whose income surpasses 140 percent of the federal poverty level may continue to receive reduced subsidy benefits on a scale established by the division until such person's income reaches 185 percent of the federal poverty level. At such time, the person will have assumed the full cost of the maximum base child care subsidy rate established by the [...]

show full description

SB 1147 - This act provides that a petitioner may at any time file a petition to challenge entry of a judgment of paternity and child support upon filing an affidavit stating that evidence exists which was not considered before entry of judgment. Such petition shall also include either an allegation that genetic testing was conducted within the past 90 days using DNA methodology, was performed by an expert, and that the test results indicate a 99% or greater probability that the petitioner is not the child's father or a request to the court for an order of genetic paternity testing using DNA methodology. The court, after a hearing where all interested parties have been given an opportunity to present evidence and be heard and upon a finding of probable cause to believe the testing may result in a determination of non-paternity, may order the relevant parties to submit to genetic paternity testing. The petitioner shall pay for the costs of testing. The court shall grant relief and [...]

show full description

SCS/SB 1132 - This act modifies provisions regarding adoption records. The State Registrar shall develop and, upon a birth parent's request, distribute a contact preference and a medical history form to the birth parent. The contact preference form allows a birth parent to list his or her preference for contact by the adoptee. If a contact preference form is filed with the registrar, a medical history form shall also be so filed. Upon receipt of the forms, the State Registrar shall attach such form to the original birth certificate of the adopted person. This act allows for an adopted person, the adopted person's attorney, or the adopted person's descendants, if the adopted person is deceased, to obtain a copy of the adopted person's original birth certificate from the State Registrar upon written application and proof of identification. The adopted person shall be 18 years of age or older and a born in Missouri. The adopted person shall also agree in writing to abide by the birth parent's [...]

show full description