HCS SCS#2 SB 155 -- CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT REPORTS

SPONSOR:  Mayer (Kingery)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Children and Families by a vote of 8 to 0.

This substitute changes the laws regarding the reporting of child
abuse and neglect.  The Children's Division of the Department of
Social Services is required to expunge identifying information
within 45 days after the conclusion of the investigation when
there was insufficient evidence of abuse or neglect or when the
allegation of abuse or neglect was made maliciously, for purposes
of harassment or retaliation.

Currently, the division is required to retain information
initiated by a mandatory reporter for five years when the
division finds there is insufficient evidence of abuse or
neglect.  For all other reporters, the division will keep
identifying information for two years.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2006, FY 2007, and
FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill is necessary to protect
mandatory reporters from having malicious reports filed in
retaliation.  Teachers being reported in retaliation for being
mandatory reporters are having a hard time getting hired by
different school districts.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Mayer; Missouri State
Teachers Association; CNS Corporation; Missouri School
Administrators; Missouri Nurses' Association; Missouri School
Boards Association; and Missouri National Education Association.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say unsubstantiated
evidence of abuse or neglect should immediately be removed by the
Children's Division at the conclusion of the investigation.

Testifying against the bill was Missouri Council for Children at
Risk.

Dominic Lackey, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:21 pm