Bill > HB468

This bill modifies existing Missouri law (Revised Statutes of Missouri or RSMo section 211.221) regarding the placement of children in foster care or custody. The key change expands the entities involved in child placement decisions to now include not just the court, but also the children's division and child placing agencies contracted by the state to provide foster care services. The bill maintains the existing principle that when placing a child, these entities should, whenever possible, select a placement with individuals, agencies, or institutions that share the religious faith of the child's parents. If the parents have different religious backgrounds, the placement should prioritize the child's religious faith, or if that cannot be determined, the faith of either parent. This provision aims to preserve religious continuity and cultural connections for children who are being placed outside their immediate family, while providing more flexibility in the placement process by involving additional state and contracted agencies.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB468&year=2025&code=R