Friday, June 24, 2005
Contact: Spence Jackson, (573)751-0290
Governor Signs First Steps Improvements; Youth and Health Legislation
JEFFERSON CITY-Gov. Matt Blunt today signed bills regarding young Missourians that will, among other things, improve Missouri’s First Steps program, create the Office of Comprehensive Mental Health and establish sign language as a foreign language credit.
"Missouri’s youngest citizens are also our most important. They are our future. They are the reason we work to make today into a better tomorrow," Blunt said. "I am honored and pleased to sign these meaningful pieces of legislation. Together they bring improvements to existing programs, introduce new initiatives, enhance education opportunities and promote positive opportunities for our children and hard working Missouri families."
Bills signed today include SB 500, which, as Blunt promised, delivers significant improvements to the First Steps program. Service costs will now be covered by looking to private insurance to pay first, Medicaid to pay second, and Missouri taxpayers to pay last. The bill also includes a reasonable family participation fee for those who can afford it ranging from $5 to $100 a month. The legislation is the result of Blunt’s commitment to First Steps children and the future sustainability of the program.
Blunt also signed the following bills relating to Missouri’s youth and families.
HB 462 & 463 will provide some immunity for mental health professionals, substance abuse counselors and other persons trained to provide suicide intervention and who provide those services in emergency settings in which there is a threat of suicide. The bill also allows parents access to mental health records if it is determined that information will help to prevent suicide.
HB 530 allows Missouri students to receive foreign language or language arts credit for classes in American Sign Language.
HB 568 allows the Children’s Division and juvenile and civil court to exercise discretion in placing a child back into their home under certain circumstances and allows those with the best knowledge of the situation to make the determination. The bill also requires the court to appoint a guardian ad litem in any proceeding in which child abuse and neglect is alleged.
SB 501 creates the Office of Comprehensive Child Mental Health under the supervision of the director of the Department of Mental Health. The legislation codifies the efforts already undertaken by DMH and creates a single entity accountable for the implementation of the comprehensive child mental health service system plan.