MO HB129

Repeals and re-enacts section 211.031 of Missouri law governing juvenile court jurisdiction over children and persons seventeen years of age.

Establishes exclusive original jurisdiction for juvenile or family courts over proceedings involving children in need of care and treatment, including cases of neglect, lack of proper custody or support, mental health service needs, truancy, disobedience, habitual absence from home, and certain criminal violations.

Clarifies that juvenile courts have no jurisdiction over children fifteen and one-half years of age charged with traffic violations that are not felonies, or violations related to tobacco product possession or use.

Requires notification of a child's home county juvenile court within seventy-two hours if the child is taken into custody in a different county.

Prohibits juvenile or family courts from considering a natural parent's decision not to abort an unborn child as a factor when deciding whether to take, continue, or terminate jurisdiction over another child in a proceeding.