476.777. Missouri CASA fund established, disbursements--lapse of fund into general revenue prohibited.

Missouri CASA fund established, disbursements--lapse of fund intogeneral revenue prohibited.

476.777. 1. There is hereby established in the state treasury aspecial fund, to be known as the "Missouri CASA Fund". The state treasurershall credit to and deposit in the Missouri CASA fund all moneys which maybe appropriated to it by the general assembly and also any gifts,contributions, grants, bequests or other aid received from federal, privateor other sources, in addition to any moneys deposited pursuant to section488.636, RSMo. The general assembly may appropriate moneys into the fundto support the court-appointed special advocate (CASA) program throughoutthe state.

2. The state treasurer shall invest moneys in the Missouri CASA fundin the same manner as surplus state funds are invested pursuant to section30.260, RSMo. All earnings resulting from the investment of moneys in thefund shall be credited to the Missouri CASA fund.

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

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

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

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

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

(L. 2001 H.B. 107)