SPONSOR: Evans
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Judiciary by a vote of 9 to 0. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules- Administrative Oversight by a vote of 9 to 3.
This bill modifies language related to exemptions for individuals seeking appointment as a guardian or conservator from a background screening. The bill adds a ward's grandparents to the current list of relatives exempt from the screening, unless a background report is requested by a party to the proceeding or ordered by the court.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this is a grandparent bill, which is the most common form of guardianship in Missouri. The law here gives a preference to grandparents when parents are unable or unwilling to take care of their children. Most of those are uncontested. This bill says that, in uncontested cases, the grandparents should not have to pay extra money to get a full background check. Because it is uncontested; all parties agree that the grandparents should be the guardians.
Testifying for the bill was Representative Evans.
OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill submitted written testimony, which can be found online.
Testifying against the bill was Arnie C. Dienoff.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: