News

Missouri lawmakers are investigating the management of the Department of Social Services for concerns over lack of oversight and transparency.

The Kansas City Star broke a story last summer about child abuse at residential youth homes. Missouri lawmakers have made investigating the department a focus this session, and they are looking beyond the homes.

Two parents whose children were taken by DSS, testified at a Missouri House Special Committee on Government Oversight hearing Wednesday afternoon. They discussed the need for more department accountability.

Parents looking for different public education opportunities for their children could soon have more options within Missouri. House Bill 543 would allow for students to enroll in schools outside their home districts.

The bill’s sponsor, Representative Brad Pollitt, says the bill is a step in the right direction for public education reform.

Mike Wood, a representative from the Missouri State Teachers Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Wood says small school districts might face consolidation as a result of students leaving for larger districts.

The definition of illegal stalking would be expanded to include social media and other technology under a proposed law that passed the House and was debated by a Senate committee on Monday.

Lane Roberts, a Republican from Joplin, said the bill expands the kind of conduct that is illegal.

“All this does is modify the definition of ‘course of conduct’. Makes it more specific so that we account for the use of technology and third parties for stalking purposes.”