Missouri § 198.032 - Records, what confidential, what subject to disclosure — procedure — central registry to receive complaints of abuse and neglect, procedure — hotline caller log to be maintained.

§ 198.032. Records, what confidential, what subject to disclosure — procedure — central registry to receive complaints of abuse and neglect, procedure — hotline caller log to be maintained.

1.  Nothing contained in sections 198.003 to 198.186 shall permit the public disclosure by the department of confidential medical, social, personal or financial records of any resident in any facility, except when disclosed in a manner which does not identify any resident, or when ordered to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction.  Such records shall be accessible without court order for examination and copying only to the following persons or offices, or to their designees:

(1)  The department or any person or agency designated by the department;

(2)  The attorney general;

(3)  The department of mental health for residents placed through that department;

(4)  Any appropriate law enforcement agency;

(5)  The resident, the resident's guardian, or any other person designated by the resident; and

(6)  Appropriate committees of the general assembly and the state auditor, but only to the extent of financial records which the operator is required to maintain pursuant to sections 198.088 and 198.090.

2.  Inspection reports and written reports of investigations of complaints, of substantiated reports of abuse and neglect received in accordance with section 198.070, and complaints received by the department relating to the quality of care of facility residents, shall be accessible to the public for examination and copying, provided that such reports are disclosed in a manner which does not identify the complainant or any particular resident.  Records and reports shall clearly show what steps the department and the institution are taking to resolve problems indicated in said inspections, reports and complaints.

3.  The department shall maintain a central registry capable of receiving and maintaining reports received in a manner that facilitates rapid access and recall of the information reported, and of subsequent investigations and other relevant information.  The department shall electronically record and maintain a hotline caller log for the reporting of suspected abuse and neglect in long-term care facilities.  Any telephone report of suspected abuse and neglect received by the department and such recorded reports shall be retained by the department for a period of one year after recording.  The department shall in all cases attempt to obtain the name of any person making a report after obtaining relevant information regarding the alleged abuse or neglect.  The department shall also attempt to obtain the address of any person making a report.  The identity of the person making the report shall remain confidential.

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(L. 1979 S.B. 328, et al. § 11, A.L. 1987 S.B. 277, A.L. 2003 S.B. 556 & 311)

---- end of effective  28 Aug 2003 ----

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