HB 572 -- JUVENILE COURTS

SPONSOR:  Stevenson

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Children
and Families by a vote of 9 to 1.

Currently, in Chapter 211, RSMo, pertaining to juvenile courts,
an "adult" is defined as a person 17 years of age or older; and a
"child" is defined as an individual under 17 years of age.  This
bill changes the age to 18 in both definitions.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of Up to
$68,101,800 in FY 2006, More than $100,000 in FY 2007, and Up to
$5,672,368 in FY 2008.  No impact on Other State Funds in FY
2006, FY 2007, and FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill is necessary to allow
parents the ability to exercise control over their children until
they reach the age of 18.  Currently, there is no provision in
law requiring children to obey their parents and stay in school
once they reach 17 years of age.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Stevenson; and
Concerned Women for America of Missouri.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Dominic Lackey, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:19 pm