PURPOSE: This rule provides criteria for eligible adopters and application acceptance.

1. (1) The adopter or adopter representative of a group who desires to participate in the program shall submit an application to the commission on a form provided by the commission.
2. (2) Eligible Adopters. Eligible adopters include civic and nonprofit organizations, commercial and private enterprises and individuals: 1) who have not been convicted of, or pled guilty or no contest to, a violent criminal activity, except as provided below; 2) whose participants have not been convicted of, or pled guilty or no contest to, a violent 7 CSR 10-14

criminal activity, except as provided below; 3) for whom state or federal courts have not taken judicial notice of a history of violence; or 4) who do not deny membership on the basis of race, color, or national origin. Any individual adopter or participant may be eligible ten (10) years after the completion of any incarceration, probation or parole. Applicants who do not meet the eligibility requirements will be denied participation in the program. The commission reserves the right to limit the number of adoptions for a single group.

1. (3) Acceptance of Application. The commission will have sole responsibility in determining whether an application is rejected or accepted and determining what highways will or will not be eligible for adoption.

   1. (A) The commission may refuse to grant a request to participate if the applicant has submitted false statements of a material fact or has practiced or attempted to practice any fraud or deception in an application. Material facts include statements regarding convictions of violent criminal activity or membership qualifications.
   2. (B) An application completed by an individual on behalf of a group or organization must identify the group or organization for which the application is being submitted and failure to identify the group or organization on the application will result in rejecting the application.
   3. (C) The adopter representative will certify on the application form that the group or organization does not deny membership on the basis of race, color, or national origin.

AUTHORITY: section 227.030, RSMo 1994.* Original rule filed Feb. 15, 1995, effective July 30, 1995. Emergency amendment filed Feb. 8, 2000, effective Feb. 18, 2000, expired Aug. 15, 2000. Amended: Filed July 10, 2000, effective Jan. 30, 2001.

*Original authority: 227.030, RSMo 1939.