MO HB684

Parents or legal custodians may delegate care and custody powers to an attorney-in-fact via power of attorney for up to one year, excluding authority to consent to marriage, adoption, abortion, or termination of parental rights

Military members on active duty may delegate parental powers for the duration of their service plus 30 days, exceeding the standard one-year limit

Children placed under these power of attorney arrangements are exempt from foster care classification and related licensing regulations

Child protective investigators must inform parents about community service programs offering respite care, voluntary guardianship, and crisis support during investigations that do not result in out-of-home placement

Power of attorney forms must be notarized and include specific information about the child, the attorney-in-fact, the delegated powers, and acknowledgment that the delegation is revocable at any time