Bill > HB927

This bill establishes several new provisions related to fatherhood and grandparent visitation rights in Missouri. The bill creates a "Missouri Fathership Project" within the Department of Social Services, which aims to promote and support fathers by helping them build life skills, improve self-esteem, and strengthen their relationships with their children. The project includes a grant program that will provide funding to family-focused, faith-based, and nonprofit organizations to hire "fathership project specialists" who will work directly with fathers to help them overcome barriers to maintaining relationships with their children. The bill also designates June as "Fathership Month" in Missouri and provides incentives for fathers who comply with child support and visitation orders, such as potential reinstatement of driving and professional licenses. Additionally, the bill expands grandparent visitation rights by allowing grandparents to seek visitation in more scenarios, such as when parents were never married or when visitation has been denied for over 60 days, while still requiring that any visitation be in the best interests of the child. The legislation creates a new state treasury fund to support these initiatives and requires participating organizations to submit annual reports on their progress and outcomes.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry, Government Affairs, Health and Social Services

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB927&year=2025&code=R