MO HB604

Creates the Missouri State Foster Care and Adoption Board composed of foster and adoptive parents from seven regional areas, statewide associations, and appointed by the governor to review children's division policies and determine in-service training content for foster and adoptive parents.

Establishes a Foster Care and Adoptive Parents Recruitment and Retention Fund through tax return designations (minimum $1 individual/$2 combined return) to support evidence-based recruitment and retention programs for children in out-of-home placement 15+ months, over age 12, or in sibling groups.

Requires a task force to review foster and adoptive parent recruitment, licensing, and retention statewide and report findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and Governor by December 1, 2011.

Prohibits discrimination against foster parents and adoptive parents based on disability or disease without specific showing of causal relationship to harm to a child, and applies same protection to parents in child custody cases.

Establishes placement preference order prioritizing relatives (especially grandparents), trusted adults with preexisting relationships, and licensed foster parents; requires sibling placement together unless contrary to safety or well-being.