2015 Missouri Revised Statutes
TITLE XXXVIII CRIMES AND PUNISHMENT; PEACE OFFICERS AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS (556-600)
Chapter 565 Offenses Against the Person
Section 565.218 Until December 31, 2016--Mandatory reporting of vulnerable person abuse.

565.218. 1. When any physician, physician assistant, dentist, chiropractor, optometrist, podiatrist, intern, resident, nurse, nurse practitioner, medical examiner, social worker, licensed professional counselor, certified substance abuse counselor, psychologist, physical therapist, pharmacist, other health practitioner, minister, Christian Science practitioner, facility administrator, nurse's aide or orderly in a residential facility, day program or specialized service operated, funded or licensed by the department or in a mental health facility or mental health program in which people may be admitted on a voluntary basis or are civilly detained pursuant to chapter 632; or employee of the departments of social services, mental health, or health and senior services; or home health agency or home health agency employee; hospital and clinic personnel engaged in examination, care, or treatment of persons; in-home services owner, provider, operator, or employee; law enforcement officer; long-term care facility administrator or employee; mental health professional; peace officer; probation or parole officer; or other nonfamilial person with responsibility for the care of a vulnerable person, as defined by section 630.005, has reasonable cause to suspect that such a person has been subjected to abuse or neglect or observes such a person being subjected to conditions or circumstances that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect, he or she shall immediately report or cause a report to be made to the department in accordance with section 630.163. Any other person who becomes aware of circumstances which may reasonably be expected to be the result of or result in abuse or neglect may report to the department. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a duly ordained minister, clergy, religious worker, or Christian Science practitioner while functioning in his or her ministerial capacity shall not be required to report concerning a privileged communication made to him or her in his or her professional capacity.

2. Any person who knowingly fails to make a report as required in subsection 1 of this section is guilty of a class A misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine up to one thousand dollars. Penalties collected for violations of this section shall be transferred to the state school moneys fund as established in section 166.051 and distributed to the public schools of this state in the manner provided in section 163.031. Such penalties shall not be considered charitable for tax purposes.

3. Every person who has been previously convicted of or pled guilty to failing to make a report as required in subsection 1 of this section and who is subsequently convicted of failing to make a report under subsection 2 of this section is guilty of a class D felony and shall be subject to a fine up to five thousand dollars. Penalties collected for violation of this subsection shall be transferred to the state school moneys fund as established in section 166.051 and distributed to the public schools of this state in the manner provided in section 163.031. Such penalties shall not be considered charitable for tax purposes.

4. Any person who knowingly files a false report of vulnerable person abuse or neglect is guilty of a class A misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine up to one thousand dollars. Penalties collected for violations of this subsection shall be transferred to the state school moneys fund as established in section 166.051 and distributed to the public schools of this state in the manner provided in section 163.031. Such penalties shall not be considered charitable for tax purposes.

5. Every person who has been previously convicted of or pled guilty to making a false report to the department and who is subsequently convicted of making a false report under subsection 4 of this section is guilty of a class D felony and shall be subject to a fine up to five thousand dollars. Penalties collected for violations of this subsection shall be transferred to the state school moneys fund as established in section 166.051 and distributed to the public schools of this state in the manner provided in section 163.031. Such penalties shall not considered charitable for tax purposes.

6. Evidence of prior convictions of false reporting shall be heard by the court, out of the hearing of the jury, prior to the submission of the case to the jury, and the court shall determine the existence of the prior convictions.

7. Any residential facility, day program or specialized service operated, funded or licensed by the department that prevents or discourages a patient, resident or client, employee or other person from reporting that a patient, resident or client of a facility, program or service has been abused or neglected shall be subject to loss of their license issued pursuant to sections 630.705 to 630.760, and civil fines of up to five thousand dollars for each attempt to prevent or discourage reporting.

(L. 2007 S.B. 3)

*This section was amended by S.B. 491, 2014, effective 1-01-17. Due to the delayed effective date, both versions of this section are printed here.