MO HB431

Creates a tax checkoff option allowing individuals and corporations to designate refund amounts to the Foster Care and Adoptive Parents Recruitment and Retention Fund, with contributions considered nonstate funds.

Establishes the Missouri State Foster Care and Adoption Board comprised of foster and adoptive parents from seven regional areas to review children's division policies and determine in-service training content for foster and adoptive parents.

Creates the Foster Care and Adoptive Parents Recruitment and Retention Fund Board to distribute grants to licensed community-based foster care and adoption recruitment programs, prioritizing children in long-term placement, older children, and sibling groups.

Modifies foster care placement preferences to prioritize: grandparents and relatives, then trusted adults with preexisting relationships, then licensed foster parents; permits expedited licensing and waiver of non-safety-related licensure standards for relatives.

Requires the children's division to make diligent efforts to place siblings together unless contrary to safety or well-being, and establish a task force by December 1, 2011 to review foster and adoptive parent recruitment, licensing, and retention statewide.