By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – A federal judge has banned a Missouri law that would limit state subsidies for some families adopting foster children.
Missouri gives about 225 dollars a month per child to families who adopt children out of foster care. Last year, lawmakers created limits restricting the subsidies to families earning less than 250 percent of the poverty level.
John Ammann (Am' man) is director of Legal Services at St. Louis University's School of Law, which brought the suit. Ammann says children adopted out of foster care often have special needs.
People spend it on tutoring, modifying their homes, Ammann said. You need a wheelchair ramp for a kid with cerebral palsy, so there are different expenses associated with this.
Amman says the ruling ensures families who are not wealthy will still be able to adopt out of the foster program.
State officials have not said whether they'll appeal.