Proposed bill would require DCF to notify governor and media when foster child goes missing

Child welfare officials would be required to notify the legislature, the governor and the media when a foster child goes missing under proposed legislation.

The Kansas City Star reports that the bill sponsored by Louisburg Republican Senator Molly Baumgardner also would require that notifications be made when children stay overnight in the offices of foster care contractors while they await placements.  She said at a hearing Thursday that lawmakers can’t address the issue if they don’t know it’s happening.

DCF initially opposed the bill, saying it could lose more than $55 million in federal funding if it released names of missing children.  Agency spokesman Mike Deines says it would support sharing updates about missing children if the bill were amended to ensure confidentiality.

A vote has yet to be scheduled.