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Bill > HB573
MO HB573
Modifies provisions relating to termination of parental rights proceedings
summary
Introduced
01/08/2025
01/08/2025
In Committee
05/15/2025
05/15/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
05/16/2025
05/16/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Modifies provisions relating to termination of parental rights proceedings
AI Summary
This bill modifies provisions related to termination of parental rights proceedings by extending the timeframe for initial court meetings from thirty to sixty days and changing the terminology from "juvenile officer" to "petitioner" in key sections. The bill requires that within sixty days of filing a petition, the petitioner must meet with the court to ensure all parties have been served and request an investigation and social study. The court maintains discretion to extend service time if it believes the child's best interests are served. The investigation must include details about parental background, parental fitness, the child's home environment, and other relevant facts, and must be completed by a juvenile officer, children's division, authorized agency, or other competent person. The bill also mandates that all investigation reports be made available to parties and their representatives at least fifteen days before any dispositional hearing. Additionally, the bill preserves immunity for individuals participating in good faith in child welfare investigations and clarifies that most privileged communications (except those between priests/ministers and parishioners, and attorneys and clients) can be used as evidence in parental rights termination proceedings.
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Referred: Emerging Issues(H) (on 05/15/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
Document Type | Source Location |
---|---|
State Bill Page | https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB573&year=2025&code=R |
Analysis - Summary: Introduced | https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills251/sumpdf/HB0573I.pdf |
BillText | https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills251/hlrbillspdf/1013H.01I.pdf |
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