MO HB102

Court must conduct a hearing to determine whether an adoption should be finalized and ascertain specific conditions are met, including six-month custody period (waivable for foster parent adoptions) and receipt of postplacement assessments and investigation reports.

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

Court must review updated financial affidavit and recommendations from guardian ad litem, person placing child, and person conducting assessments before finalizing adoption.

Missouri Supreme Court must develop standardized adoption form by January 1, 2014 containing a checklist verifying all required documents and procedures have been submitted, reviewed, and followed by the judge prior to entering final order.

Upon adoption completion, further contact between parties shall be at discretion of adoptive parents; court has no jurisdiction to deny continuing contact or exchange of identifying information between adoptive parents and birth parents.