HB 970 -- ADOPTION SUBSIDIES

SPONSOR:  Yates

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Children
and Families by a vote of 7 to 1.

This bill changes the eligibility criteria for the receipt of an
adoption or foster care subsidy.  The bill:

(1)  Specifies that a subsidy is available to families with an
income of 300% of the federal poverty level unless the child is
considered to have a special need or is eligible for federal
Title IV-E adoption assistance;

(2)  Specifies that all children regardless of family income are
automatically eligible for assistance in the Missouri Medicaid
Program until the child reaches the age of 18 or the age of 21 if
the child has a special condition;

(3)  Allows for subsidized child care until the child turns 13
years old; and

(4)  Requires the Children's Division within the Department of
Social Services to promulgate rules defining special needs by
examining the mental, emotional, or physical disability and the
difficulty in placement associated with the care and maintenance
of the child.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Income on General Revenue Fund of Greater
than $100,000 in FY 2006, FY 2007, and FY 2008.  No impact on
Other State Funds in FY 2006, FY 2007, and FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the subsidy is necessary to
encourage families to adopt children with developmental,
emotional, or behavioral problems.  The number of adoptions has
increased over the past five years; however, cuts to the adoption
assistance program will cost the state $14.1 million in FY 2006.
Currently, there are 1,400 children waiting to be adopted, but
the number of available families could decrease if the adoption
subsidy is cut for families above 200% of the federal poverty
level.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Yates; Foster and
Adoptive Care Coalition; Midwest Foster Care and Adoption
Association; Citizens for Missouri's Children; Melanie Scheetz;
Kathy Gerst; Missouri Catholic Conference; Foster for a Cause;
Donald Schnoor; Connie M. Wiley; Sister John Mandeville; Infinity
Beatty; Gary Beltmann; Melinda Ohlemiller; Reverend Kelly S.
Allen; Teresa Woolbling; Crystal Williams; Amy Nicholas; Lutheran
Family and Children's Services of Missouri; Catherine Martarella;
Sheila and Larry Davis; Maureen Flynn; Vincent and Marsha Gregg;
Michael Hogan; William Hudson; Komaletta Jackson; Vielia
Jeffries; Bobbi Jones; Richard and Susan Katz; Debbie Mraz; Scott
and Christina Schlager; D. Smith; Cynthia Swan; Wright Walling;
Connie Wiley; Charlotte Wynn; and Tonya Yetter.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that there should be a
means test for assistance under the Missouri Medicaid Program
until the child is 18 years old and for subsidized child care
until the child reaches 13 years old.

Testifying against the bill was Missouri Council for Children at
Risk.

Dominic Lackey, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:21 pm