HB 2121 -- Child Abuse and Neglect Registry

Sponsor:  Stevenson

This bill changes the laws regarding the Child Abuse and Neglect
Registry.  In its main provisions, the bill:

(1)  Requires the local office of the Children's Division within
the Department of Social Services to update the information
system within 45 days, instead of the current 30 days, of the
results of an investigation of a report of abuse or neglect.  If
an investigation involving the death of a child cannot be
completed within 45 days, the division is required to update the
information system at regular intervals and upon completion of
the investigation.  The division is prohibited from entering a
determination into the Central Registry until the alleged
perpetrator fails to request a review by the Child Abuse and
Neglect Review Board or a trial de novo in the circuit court
within 30 days or a determination is made by the board that the
alleged perpetrator has committed child abuse or neglect (Section
210.145, RSMo);

(2)  Allows an alleged perpetrator to have access to his or her
investigation records one year after the division provided
written notice to the prosecuting attorney in the jurisdiction
where the act is alleged to have occurred.  The prosecuting
attorney may petition the circuit court to extend the one-year
period for good cause shown for a time as the court may determine
is necessary to complete the investigation and to file any
appropriate charges (Section 210.150); and

(3)  Reduces, from 60 to 30 days, the period of time an alleged
perpetrator has from the date of receipt of a notice of
determination by the division to seek a reversal through a review
by the board.  In cases where criminal charges arising out of the
investigation are pending, the request for review must be made
within 30 days from when an indictment is returned, an
information filed, the dismissal of the charges, or after the
division's release of its investigative report to the alleged
perpetrator (Section 210.152).

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 14, 2010 at 3:13 pm