REFERENCE: CHILDREN’S DIVISION 

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to notify staff of changes in the fees for fingerprint based criminal history checks as a result of Senate Bill 84. 

Senate Bill 84 increased the fee for requests for criminal history records based on fingerprints from $14.00 to $20.00 effective August 28, 2007. The bill did provide for exceptions for requests required under the provisions of subdivision (6) of section 210.481, RSMo; section 210.487, RSMo; or section 571.101, RSMo. Requests made under these sections, which includes requests for records for the purpose of foster/relative/kinship care licensing, will remain at $14.00. However, it does not provide for an exception for records requested for the purpose of adoption. Thus, the cost for background checks completed for the purpose of adoption has increased to $20.00. The fee for respite providers, parents and family members who are not being printed for the purpose of licensure has also increased to $20.00. 

A line of information entitled “Reason Printed” has been added to the electronic scan registration letters for foster, relative, kinship, and adoptive parents and applicants. The reason printed for licensing purposes would be 210.487 RSMo. This code would be utilized for all initial background checks and for license renewals. The reason printed for the purpose of adoption would be 43.540 RSMo. This code would be utilized for all background checks completed as part of an adoptive study. The letters for respite providers and parents do not have the Reason Fingerprinted added as they do not fall under either statute and they are responsible for making their own payment. 

The electronic scan letters have been updated and a new letter has been created for adoptive parents. These are now available on your desktop or through eforms on the Children’s Division website. Please dispose of all copies of the old letters you may have and begin using the new letters with the date of this memorandum.