SB 63 -- TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS

SPONSOR:  Caskey (Johnson, 47)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Children and Families by a vote of 13 to 0.

This bill states that the granting or denial of a petition for
termination of parental rights is a final judgment for purposes
of appeal.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill makes changes that the
Western District of the Missouri Court of Appeals suggested in a
recent decision.  The bill preserves the right of appeal in
termination of parental rights cases.

Testifying for the bill was Senator Caskey.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the right of
appeal is part of due process, and they do not know why the
legislature needs to act on this issue.  They also believe that
termination of parental rights cases should be tried by a jury.

Testifying against the bill was Dr. Robert Olsen.

Amy Woods, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:13 am