MO HB2331

Repeals and replaces section 210.566, RSMo, to establish foster parent rights and responsibilities including treatment as colleagues on the child welfare team consistent with National Association of Social Workers' ethical standards.

Requires the children's division to provide foster parents with written notification of their rights at initial licensure and renewal, preservice and inservice training, and full disclosure of all pertinent medical, psychological, psychiatric, and behavioral information about children prior to placement.

Establishes foster parent rights including participation in team meetings, access to respite care, two weeks advance notice before child removal (except emergencies), preferential consideration as adoptive parents if a child becomes free for adoption, and access to a fair grievance process.

Requires reasonable efforts to place siblings together in foster care, kinship, guardianship, or adoptive placements and to provide frequent visitation between separated siblings unless contrary to their safety or well-being.

Creates the Missouri State Foster Care and Adoption Board comprised of two foster or adoptive parent members from each of seven children's division regions, appointed by the governor with senate consent, to review children's division policies, draft policy suggestions, and determine content of in-service training for foster and adoptive parents.