Modifies provisions relating to subsidies for adopted children
HB 1772 modifies Missouri's foster care subsidy program to clarify eligibility and add new adoption-related financial assistance. It requires written agreements between the children's division and foster parents covering payment terms, and allows subsidy suspension if a child is adjudicated dependent and removed from parental custody. Beginning January 1, 2027, the bill creates a new grant program to cover adoption legal fees (up to $2,500 for uncontested adoptions, $4,000 for contested), including attorney fees billed at $175/hour and related court costs. This directly affects foster parents, prospective adoptive parents, and the children's division, with the adoption fee assistance applying specifically to successful adoption proceedings.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Dec 1, 2025
Last action Apr 21, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Perfected
·
2 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to expand eligibility for financial subsidies by including children placed with private child-caring agencies, youth services, or mental health departments, not just those in the state's foster care program. Additionally, the bill was reclassified from 'Introduced' to 'Perfected' status, indicating it has passed all legislative stages and is ready for the governor's signature.
Scope change
The scope of financial assistance was broadened to include children in private or specific state agency custody, whereas the original text limited subsidies to children in the state's foster care program.
ELIGIBILITY
Expanded eligibility for subsidies to include children in care with private child-caring agencies, the division of youth services, or the department of mental health, in addition to the existing foster care program.
TECHNICAL
Changed the bill's status designation from 'Introduced' to 'Perfected' and updated the Chief Clerk's code identifier from H to P, reflecting its final passage in the House.
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
25
Key actions
7
Committee
10
Apr 21, 2026
Committee
Second read and referred: Families, Seniors and Health(S)
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Read and Passed (H) - AYES: 121 NOES: 18 PRESENT: 0
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 7 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Voted Do Pass (H)
lower
Apr 2, 2026
Committee
Referred: Fiscal Review(H)
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 10 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Voted Do Pass (H)
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Committee
Referred: Rules - Administrative(H)
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 14 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Voted Do Pass (H)
lower
Jan 8, 2026
Committee
Referred: Children and Families(H)
lower
Dec 1, 2025
Introduced
Prefiled (H)
lower
1 primary · 3 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Phil Amato
RRepublican
Co
Brad Banderman
RRepublican
Co
Cecelie Williams
RRepublican
Co
Ed Lewis
RRepublican
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