Author: Mike Lear

House Renews Effort to End State Seizure of Foster Children’s Benefits

      A House panel has launched this year’s effort to make sure that money intended for Missouri’s foster children gets to those children and isn’t intercepted by the state. 

Representative Melissa Schmidt (Photo: Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

An estimated 12,000 young people in Missouri’s foster care system are eligible for benefits from the Social Security or Veterans Administrations, or railroad retirement benefits, often because they are the survivors of deceased parents or because they have disabilities.  The state Children’s Division takes those benefits to cover the costs of caring for those children.  Social Security benefits, alone, can be around $900 or more each month.   

House Bill 737 would end that practice. 

Legislators expressed shock and disbelief when they were first introduced to this issue in 2024, and the House passed a bill then to address it but that did not reach the governor.  HB 737 is this year’s version, and at the urging of new House Speaker Jonathan Patterson it is among the first bills being considered in 2025.

      “We must prioritize the most vulnerable among us, especially our foster kids,” Patterson said in his address on the opening day of the session, calling for this legislation to be the first bill the House passes this year.

      HB 737 sponsor Melissa Schmidt (R-Eldridge) told the House Committee on Children and Families that the practice, “depletes a resource that could meet crucial needs and be a significant support for foster children as they age out of the system and attempt to enter into adult living.”

      Madison Eacret with FosterAdopt Connect said those benefits could be going to things like housing, transportation, higher education, or other needs and wants. 

“It’s really difficult when you’re in foster care and you’re transitioning at 18, to go out into the world, and these funds are really critical for that transition.”

      Schmidt recalled for the committee testimony offered last year from a young man named Ian, who experienced this firsthand. 

Representative Raychel Proudie (Photo: Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

“During his time in care he stated that he had one source of hope.  His mother served honorably in the U.S. Navy and Ian was eligible for her survivor benefits through both the Veterans Administration and Social Security.  He had hoped these funds would help him through college and to establish stable housing and secure transportation.  However, Ian learned when he turned 18 and exited foster care that the system had depleted those funds.”

      Committee members expressed similar sentiments to those that were heard during the debate in 2024.  Ferguson Democrat Raychel Proudie has been among the most vocal.

“The fact that any government would do such a thing to some of the most vulnerable people on the planet, let alone children, is absolutely repugnant.  The fact that we do this makes me sick.  It’s outrageous,” Proudie said.

      She explained how this practice could create a situation in which foster children don’t receive the same care that peers in their households receive, because there isn’t enough money to go around.

“I’m so embarrassed that our state does this.  It does add some equity when you’re raising kids, foster children, to not treat them like they’re not your kids.  That’s all they want, is to be treated like they belong somewhere.”

      St. Peters Republican Wendy Hausman also filed a version of this proposal.  She thanked Schmidt for carrying it.

      “This is an amazing bill and it needs to be done, and we need to pass this as fast as we can because children need this.”

      Chairwoman Holly Jones (R-Eureka) joined others on the Committee in thanking Speaker Patterson for making this a priority.

Representative Holly Jones (Photo: Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

“I love that we are starting this year, this 103rd General Assembly Children and Families Committee off with this bill, and something that we can all get around.”

      HB 737 includes two other provisions. 

One would specify that the offense of abuse or neglect of a child does not include letting a child do things like going to school or nearby locations on foot or by bicycle; play outside; or stay at home for a reasonable amount of time without supervision.  Any such “independent activities” must be deemed appropriate for the child’s age, maturity, and physical and mental abilities. 

The other would require the Children’s Division to attempt to place a child in its care with a person, agency, or institution governed by persons of the same religious faith as that of at least one of the child’s parents.  Missouri Courts must already do so.  The bill would require that the Division follow the same procedure. 

      The committee has not voted on HB 737. 

Earlier story: House Acts to Stop State Seizure of Benefits Intended for Foster Children

‘Law’ at last: After 13 years, Blair’s Law, criminalizing ‘celebratory’ gunfire, is signed

      July 4 was the 13 year anniversary of the death of 11 year-old Blair Shanahan Lane.  Five days later legislation criminalizing “celebratory gunfire,” such as what ended her life, was signed into law. 

Blair Shanahan Lane

      That signing was the culmination of 13 years of work by a determined mother who responded to the senseless death of a daughter by refusing to give up.

      “It’s just what got me out of bed … knowing I could make something happen,” Michele Shanahan DeMoss said after the law bearing her daughter’s name was at long last signed into effect.

Michele Shanahan DeMoss and Representative Mark Sharp (Photo: Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

      Up to one moment on Independence Day, 2011, Blair, Michele, and the rest of the family were celebrating the holiday and all was normal.  The next moment, Blair was suddenly laying on the ground, and what Michele had known as “normal” was ended.

      Blair had been struck by one of many bullets fired carelessly into the air by a person at a party more than half a mile away.  She died the next day.   

      The man who fired that gun served 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter.  There was no state law that addresses what is often called “celebratory gunfire,” until Tuesday when Governor Mike Parson (R) signed Senate Bill 754, which includes “Blair’s Law.”

      Blair’s Law makes the unlawful discharge of a firearm within or into the city limits of a community a class A misdemeanor for a first offense, a class E felony for a second offense, and a class D felony for subsequent instances. 

      It is a change that has received broad, growing, and consistently bipartisan support every year it was proposed.  Representative Mark Sharp (D-Kansas City) joined five years ago the list of lawmakers to sponsor it in the House.  He said to see it finally signed is a huge relief.

      “I had a good chance to see other folks lead the way and lead the charge on Blair’s Law and I picked up where they left off,” Sharp said Tuesday. 

      Also sponsoring Blair’s Law this year is Representative Sherri Gallick (R-Belton), who was inspired by Michele after meeting her while knocking doors during Gallick’s run for office. 

      “I am extremely happy for Michele.  She did this for Blair to save lives and bring more awareness,” Gallick said. 

      This year’s version of Blair’s Law was the second to reach the desk of Governor Parson.  He vetoed last year’s version, siting objections not with it, but with other provisions within the same bill.  Before signing SB 745 yesterday he addressed that action.

Governor Mike Parson (center), joined by Representative Mark Sharp (left) and Senator Tony Luetkemeyer (right), addresses Blair Shanahan Lane’s family before signing Blair’s Law into law. (Photo: Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

      “I’m sure they were disappointed,” Parson said regarding last year’s veto.  “I thank you for staying the course to do what is right because you’re going to help somebody else out, and at the end of the day and that’s what we’re all supposed to be doing … and I can tell you I will be very proud to sign this on your behalf today.”

      When it was vetoed last year, Sharp and other legislators who had worked on it immediately assured DeMoss that it would be a priority in this year’s session.  DeMoss never lost hope and never criticized those involved in the process.

      “I also believe there were many reasons why we didn’t get here and I’m not mad at them.  It took some time, but there’s a saying about the tortoise and the hair and I clearly am the tortoise, but we’re here,” said DeMoss.

      As she, Sharp, and others have observed often, each year that the bill didn’t pass was another year that it was refiled, and each time the attention it received grew.  Supporters hope that growing publicity discouraged at least some incidents of celebratory gunfire. 

      Sharp said in his district and others in the state, however, incidents are still occurring. 

      “Every year, Fourth of July, New Year’s Eve, Shot Spotter systems are picking up gunshots of people illegally, recklessly discharging their firearms in the city limits.  Fireworks are one thing but shooting your gun off with reckless abandon is completely uncalled for.  People are being wounded, people are being killed, countless property damage to our homes and to our cars, communities are unsafe, it’s just time that we change the culture in Kansas City and get rid of this bad habit,” Sharp said.

      Gallick agreed, “Gun ownership is a responsibility.  Guns are not toys and they should not be used recklessly to celebrate.  We now have stricter penalties.”

      The Kansas City Police Department said that during last week’s Independence Day holiday period of 6 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. the next morning, there occurred one casualty incident, four aggravated assaults, and three incidents of property damage, all of which were believed to be related to celebratory gunfire or possibly fireworks.  The Department’s Shot Spotter technology, during that period, detected 280 rounds of gunfire within the Kansas City limits.  Another 110 reports of shots fired were called in to the Department and 911 dispatchers.

Blair’s family speaks with Governor Mike Parson ahead of the signing into law of Blair’s Law. (Photo: Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

      DeMoss said Tuesday that she is not done.  She has always felt called to her advocacy, and she does not know where that will lead her next, but she feels sure something is coming.

      “I need to get through today and the rest of this week, and maybe the rest of this month,” DeMoss said.  “I know that [what’s next] will reveal itself to me.  For 13 years it’s got me out of bed so there is something that’s next and I am confident in that.”

      During the past thirteen years DeMoss has often said that she talks to Blair, and feels Blair with her, especially as she lobbied for this law.  She felt her again on the day of the signing.  She noticed something that frequent Capitol goers will recognize:  décor in the stairwells with an “M” for Missouri alternating with a Hawthorn blossom, the result of which looks very much like the word “Mom.” 

      “I come around the corner and at the middle of the staircase I see ‘Mom.’  The first time I walked through the doors I heard that, and today I heard that.  Quietly, inside of me, she still pushes me.  Pushes me to get out of bed, and pushes me to persevere, and I know I’ll see her again.”

Countless visitors to the Missouri Capitol have found meaning in the stairwells’ “M” for Missouri interspersed with the state symbol hawthorn flower. To Michele Shanahan DeMoss, it was Blair’s message encouraging her to push forward.

      “It’s rough and I don’t want any other mom or family, husband, brother, sister, or coworker to sit in my seat, so I would do it again.  I would not do Blair’s death again but I would persevere in the situation of coming to Jefferson City, advocating and educating for something that makes a difference.  Hands down.”

House panel seeks success in creating higher ed performance-based funding plan

      A House effort to arrive at a successful performance-based model for funding the state’s colleges and universities launched on Tuesday.

Representative Brenda Shields (Photo: Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

      The House Special Interim Committee on Higher Education Performance Funding held an introductory hearing, in which it heard several presentations about the past attempts at performance-based funding. 

      Committee Chair Brenda Shields (R-St. Joseph) said it’s important to know what’s come before.

      “This has been attempted several times.  We haven’t been successful,” Shields said.

      She said if there is to be a chance for a better result this time, everyone must have a seat at the table.

      “It’s going to require us to engage all the stakeholders.  That’s all of our universities and our community colleges, all of our institutes of higher education along with the [Department of Higher Education] to be able for us to be successful in developing a formula that actually has a measurement model to it.  How do we know how we’re performing if we don’t have measurements?  So that’s what we’re really looking for, is how can we measure our fixed costs, the variable costs, and then our performance funding on top of that, so that our universities actually know what they’re working towards.”

Representative Kevin Windham (Photo: Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

      Shields said if not all of the state’s institutions have buy-in, any new formula will be doomed. 

      “If [a legislator] doesn’t feel as if their individual university that they represent is happy, they will vote against it, or I believe I will vote against it if my university felt as if they were not receiving fair funding.  I would vote against it and it would bring the people of my region against it, and it’s really hard to pass a formula unless you feel as if everyone is a winner somewhere in that formula.”

      What the legislature is using now in setting higher education funding is a “base plus” model, but Shields said no one has been able to tell her where that base came from.

      “Every year, if the legislature thinks that we can afford a three-percent increase, we use the current base and we add three percent to it.  First of all, nobody can explain how the base was created.  Secondly, it doesn’t take into account that things have changed, so we give everybody a three percent increase based on their base and maybe their student enrollment has increased dramatically.  Maybe it’s decreased dramatically.  Maybe they’ve taken on teaching some degrees that are more expensive to offer … and we haven’t taken any of that into account.  We just continue to add a percent to this base number that no one can remember how it was created.”

MU System President Mun Choi addresses the House Special Interim Committee on Higher Education Performance Funding (Photo: Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)

      Tuesday’s hearing set the Department of Higher Education to the task of creating a work group with representation from all the institutions of higher education in the state. 

      “They will begin to sit down and break down what’s the fixed cost.  Let’s define ‘fixed costs,’ what are your fixed costs, what are the variable costs of running an institution, and then of course, what should be our measurements for a performance funding model?  They will agree upon what those measurements are and then we’ll move from there.”

      Shields said the goal is not to pass a new funding mechanism in the 2025 legislative session.

      “What our hope is for the ’25 session is that we have a system in place which we can test and simulate and make tweaks to, and so we will spend the entire ’25 session making tweaks.  I do not believe that we’ll pass legislation in ’25.  I think the soonest that we’ll pass legislation will be in ’26 for use in ’27.”

      The committee will meet three more times this year.