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Bill would require behavioral-health screening for children entering foster care, sponsor says
Summary
Representative Schmidt presented HB 27,45 to require an early behavioral-health referral and screening within 30 days of foster-care placement; sponsors said the amendment broadens eligible referring clinicians and preserves parental consent for vaccines during the first 30 days.
Representative Schmidt presented House Bill 27,45 to the committee and said the measure aims to ensure children entering foster care receive timely behavioral-health follow-up.
"The intent is very simple: within 30 days of placement we want the ball to start rolling and the referral made," Representative Schmidt said, and described an amendment that replaces "pediatrician" with "physician or nurse practitioner," removes the word "complete" from a required physical, and adds a provision that vaccines will not be administered without biological-parent permission during the 30-day window.
Witnesses from Burrell Behavioral Health, Jordan Valley Health, Kids Win Missouri and other providers testified in support, saying early behavioral-health assessment identifies trauma, developmental and mental-health needs that often go unrecognized and that timely screening can stabilize placements and improve outcomes.
"A universal behavioral health assessment changes that trajectory," Megan Steen, a licensed clinical social worker and regional chief operating officer for Burrell Behavioral Health, told the committee, urging earlier identification to connect children to appropriate services and reduce placement disruptions.
Committee members asked about sharing records with foster and biological families, access in rural areas and whether telehealth could help meet geographic gaps. The sponsor said medical records and behavioral-health assessment results would be shared with foster families and biological families so caregivers have needed information, and said telehealth could help address provider shortages in some areas.
The committee concluded the hearing on HB 27,45 after receiving multiple supportive testimonies and noted the sponsor will continue working on amendment language.
