Missouri § 210.1200 - Task force created, purpose, members, officers, duties — reports to general assembly.

§ 210.1200. Task force created, purpose, members, officers, duties — reports to general assembly.

1.  Sections 210.1200 and 210.1210 shall be known and may be cited as "Erin's Law".

2.  The "Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children" is hereby created to study the issue of sexual abuse of children.  The task force shall consist of all of the following members:

(1)  The director of the department of social services, or his or her designee;

(2)  The director of the children's division within the department of social services, or his or her designee;

(3)  The director of the department of mental health, or his or her designee;

(4)  The director of the department of health and senior services, or his or her designee;

(5)  The director of the office of prosecution services, or his or her designee;

(6)  The commissioner of education, or his or her designee;

(7)  The executive director of the children's trust fund board, or his or her designee;

(8)  A law enforcement representative appointed by the director of the department of social services;

(9)  An active teacher employed in Missouri appointed by the director of the department of social services;

(10)  A school principal appointed by the director of the department of social services;

(11)  A school superintendent appointed by the director of the department of social services;

(12)  A school counselor appointed by the director of the department of social services;

(13)  A representative of an organization involved in forensic investigation relating to child abuse in this state appointed by the director of the department of social services;

(14)  A representative of the state Domestic Violence Coalition appointed by the director of the department of social services;

(15)  A representative from the juvenile and family court appointed by the director of the department of social services; and

(16)  A representative from the Missouri Network of Child Advocacy Centers appointed by the director of the department of social services.

3.  Members of the task force shall be individuals who are actively involved in the fields of the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect and child welfare.  The appointment of members shall reflect the geographic diversity of the state.

4.  The task force shall elect a presiding officer by a majority vote of the membership of the task force.  The task force shall meet at the call of the presiding officer.

5.  The task force shall make recommendations for reducing child sexual abuse and treating children who experience sexual abuse in Missouri.  In making those recommendations, the task force shall:

(1)  Gather information concerning child sexual abuse throughout the state;

(2)  Receive reports and testimony from individuals, state and local agencies, community-based organizations, and other public and private organizations; and

(3)  Create goals for state policy that would prevent child sexual abuse and improve treatment for children who experience sexual abuse.

6.  The recommendations may include proposals for specific statutory changes and methods to foster cooperation among state agencies and between the state and local government.

7.  The task force shall consult with employees of the department of social services, the department of public safety, department of elementary and secondary education, and any other state agency, board, commission, office, or department as necessary to accomplish the task force's responsibilities under this section.

8.  The members of the task force shall serve without compensation and shall not be reimbursed for their expenses.

9.  Beginning January 1, 2019, the department of social services, in collaboration with the task force, shall make yearly reports to the general assembly on the department's progress in preventing child sexual abuse and expanding the availability of appropriate treatment for children who experience sexual abuse.

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(L. 2018 S.B. 843)

---- end of effective  28 Aug 2018 ----

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