HB 393 -- Child Abuse and Neglect Reports

Sponsor:  Schoeller

This bill changes the laws regarding hotline calls reporting
suspected child abuse and neglect to the Children's Division
within the Department of Social Services.  In its main
provisions, the bill:

(1)  Requires hotline and service workers involved in a case of a
child death or severe injury to receive a preliminary evaluation
by the division to determine if a performance assessment is
required.  A required assessment must be completed within three
days of the child's death;

(2)  Requires the division to review cases where repeated calls
regarding the same child occurred within a 72-hour time period to
determine if the calls meet the criteria to initiate a child
abuse and neglect report;

(3)  Requires hotline workers to advise individuals to call 911
when a child may be in immediate danger; and

(4)  Prohibits any division service worker who responds to a
child abuse and neglect report initiated by a hotline call from
leaving a business card, pamphlet, or other identifying
information at a residence if there is no person present at the
time of the attempted home visit.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:24 am