FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 1286

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE DIXON.

                  Read 1st time March 30, 2007 and copies ordered printed.

D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

2684L.04I

AN ACT

To amend chapter 210, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the child abuse prevention task force.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

            Section A. Chapter 210, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 210.191, to read as follows:

            210.191. 1. There is hereby established the "Child Abuse Prevention Task Force" to make recommendations to the governor, general assembly, and the courts on child abuse prevention efforts that could be implemented within any existing state agency or program, including but not limited to the courts, child welfare, education, faith-based, and citizen advocacy.

            2. The task force shall consist of the following members:

            (1) The governor or the governor's designee;

            (2) One member of the senate, appointed by the president pro tem of the senate;

            (3) One member of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

            (4) The chair of the house special committee on family services;

            (5) The chair of the senate committee on seniors, families, and public health;

            (6) The director of the children's division or the director's designee;

            (7) The director of the department of mental health, or the director's designee;

            (8) The director of the division of youth services, or the director's designee;

            (9) The state courts administrator, or the administrator's designee;

            (10) The following seven members appointed by the governor:

            (a) Two members of the public;

            (b) A representative of a child advocacy center;

            (c) A prosecuting attorney;

            (d) A representative from Missouri state university;

            (e) A representative of the Missouri Sheriff's Association;

            (f) A representative of the Missouri Police Chief's Association; and

            (g) A physician with special knowledge and experience in the treatment of children who have been abused or neglected;

            (11) A public defender who regularly appears in juvenile court proceedings, appointed by the state public defender director;

            (12) A guardian ad litem, appointed by the state courts administrator's office.

            3. The president pro tem of the senate and speaker of the house of representatives, or their designees, shall serve as co-chairs of the task force. Meetings shall be held at least quarterly but may occur more often at the call of the co-chairs. Members of the task force shall serve without compensation, but may receive reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the task force.

            4. The task force shall:

            (1) Examine how the state of Missouri responds to child abuse and neglect with a focus on the following main areas using a child-oriented approach:

            (a) Reporting, investigating, and multidisciplinary cooperation;

            (b) Legal advocacy for children in courts;

            (c) Foster care and adoption;

            (d) Training and workforce needs;

            (e) Criminal justice and public safety;

            (f) Neglect and family support; and

            (g) Accountability;

            (2) Determine the best practices to prevent child abuse and neglect and to improve child welfare by conducting national research or by using other methods;

            (3) Recommend more efficient methods of distributing and spending limited public moneys to prevent child abuse and neglect and to improve child welfare;

            (4) Recommend how to obtain more federal funds to prevent child abuse and neglect and to improve child welfare;

            (5) Recommend to the general assembly specific changes to the law that will improve child safety and welfare in the state of Missouri; and

            (6) Provide the general assembly with a written explanation of the recommended legislative changes.

            5. The task force may consult with the child abuse and neglect review boards, the child fatality review panel, the task force on children's justice, and any other board, panel, commission, or task force established to address the issue of child abuse and neglect in this state.

            6. The task force shall submit a report to the governor and general assembly by January 1, 2009.

            7. This section shall expire on January 1, 2009.

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