Protection from abuse, neglect

Rep. Allen Andrews

One of the bills signed by the governor takes steps to better protect young people from abuse and neglect.

The legislation takes a multi-prong approach to create stronger safeguards for children. It takes steps to ensure anyone who would be a danger to children is listed on the Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry.

Specifically, the bill adds the crimes of rape, sodomy, promoting prostitution of a victim younger than 18, sexual exploitation of a minor, and possessing child pornography or giving it to a minor to the registry.

In addition, the bill improves the system of notification so that the Children’s Division will be better able to add offenders to the registry.

The bill also requires a medical provider with child abuse expertise to examine any child younger than three when a case of abuse or neglect is reported. The medical provider will then look for any signs of abuse and will recommend any steps necessary to protect the child from danger.

Additionally, the bill requires some Children’s Division employees to obtain at least four hours of training each year in medical forensics. The goal is to give these individuals a better ability to recognize the signs of abuse.

Finally, the bill creates the Task Force on the Prevention of Infant Abuse and Neglect.

The task force will study and make recommendations concerning the prevention of infant abuse and neglect in Missouri. The task force will hold its first meeting in October and have a report prepared for the General Assembly by Dec.r 31.