MO HB1088

Court must conduct a hearing to determine whether adoption should be finalized, reviewing the child's custody history, postplacement assessments, investigation reports, financial affidavits, and recommendations from guardians ad litem and placement professionals.

Six-month lawful and actual custody requirement prior to adoption decree may be waived if the child is under court jurisdiction and the adopting parent is the child's current foster parent.

Court must verify compliance with uniform child custody jurisdiction act, Indian Child Welfare Act if applicable, and Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children before finalizing adoption.

Missouri Supreme Court must develop by January 1, 2013 a standardized checklist form for all adoption cases verifying that all required documents and procedures have been submitted, followed, and reviewed by the judge before entering final order.

Upon adoption completion, further contact between adopted person and birth parent is discretionary for adoptive parents; court has no jurisdiction to deny continuing contact or exchange of identifying information between parties.