HB 143 -- Child Abuse and Neglect Reports

Sponsor:  Schoeller

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

(1)  Requires each hotline and division case worker involved in a
case of a child's death or serious injury to receive a
preliminary evaluation by the division to determine if a
performance assessment to determine if the worker is able to
competently perform his or her duties is required.  If an
assessment is required, it must be completed within three days of
the child's death;

(2)  Requires the division to review cases when three or more
calls regarding the same child are made to the hotline within a
72-hour time period to determine if the calls meet the criteria
and statutory definition for a child abuse and neglect report to
be accepted.  The review must include contacting the hotline
caller or callers to collect information to determine if the
calls meet the criteria for harassment;

(3)  Requires hotline workers to instruct an individual to call
911 when a child may be in immediate danger;

(4)  Prohibits any person responding to a child abuse and neglect
investigation from leaving a business card, pamphlet, or other
similar identifying information at a residence if there is no
person present at the time of the attempted home visit and the
alleged perpetrator resides in the home, the child's safety may
be compromised, the alleged perpetrator will be alerted regarding
the attempted visit, or the family has a history of domestic
violence or fleeing the community; and

(5)  Requires a person responding to or investigating a child
abuse and neglect report, if the alleged perpetrator is present
during the visit, to provide written material to the alleged
perpetrator informing the person of his or her rights regarding
the visit, including the right to contact an attorney.  The
alleged perpetrator must be given a reasonable amount of time,
not to exceed five minutes, to read the material or have the
material read to him or her before the visit commences.  This
requirement does not apply in cases where the child faces an
immediate threat or danger or if the person responding to or
investigating feels threatened or in danger of physical harm.

Missouri House of Representatives
96th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 9, 2011 at 1:14 pm