MO SB990

Redefines "parent" in adoption law to include biological parents with established parent-child relationships, presumed fathers, acknowledged fathers, adjudicated parents, adoptive parents, and putative fathers who establish a relationship with the child and file a paternity action within 15 days of birth

Creates new section 453.045 allowing men whose consent is not required to preserve rights to intervene in adoption or termination proceedings if they can prove a consistent and substantial relationship with the child, including financial support, medical care, child support payments, and visitation

Expands adoption jurisdiction venues to include where the placing agency or intermediary has offices and permits courts to hear petitions timely without dismissal based on petitioner's domicile

Allows out-of-state adoptive petitioners to appear by attorney and video conference rather than in person at finalization hearings and permits adoption finalization in another state if adoptive parents are domiciled there

Establishes post-adoption contact agreements as optional written agreements approved by courts that allow communication and contact between birth parents and adoptees after finalization, with courts unable to order such agreements or deny exchanges of identifying information