Section 476.777

Title XXXII COURTS

Chapter 476

Effective - 28 Aug 2001   

  476.777.  Missouri CASA fund established, disbursements — lapse of fund into general revenue prohibited. — 1.  There is hereby established in the state treasury a special fund, to be known as the "Missouri CASA Fund".  The state treasurer shall credit to and deposit in the Missouri CASA fund all moneys which may be appropriated to it by the general assembly and also any gifts, contributions, grants, bequests or other aid received from federal, private or other sources, in addition to any moneys deposited pursuant to section 488.636.  The general assembly may appropriate moneys into the fund to support the court-appointed special advocate (CASA) program throughout the state.

  2.  The state treasurer shall invest moneys in the Missouri CASA fund in the same manner as surplus state funds are invested pursuant to section 30.260.  All earnings resulting from the investment of moneys in the fund shall be credited to the Missouri CASA fund.

  3.  The state courts administrator shall administer and disburse moneys in the Missouri CASA fund based on the following requirements:

  (1)  The office of state courts administrator shall set aside funding for new start-up CASA programs throughout the state;

  (2)  Every recognized CASA program shall receive a base rate allocation, with availability of additional funding based on the number of children with abuse or neglect cases under the jurisdiction of the court; and

  (3)  All CASA programs being considered for funding shall be recognized by and affiliated with the state and national CASA associations.

  4.  Notwithstanding the provisions of section 33.080 to the contrary, moneys in the Missouri CASA fund shall not revert to the credit of the general revenue fund at the end of the biennium.

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(L. 2001 H.B. 107)