HB1495--CHILDABUSEORNEGLECT
SPONSOR: Jones(88)
Currently,wherethereisasuspectedcaseofchildabuseor
neglect,achildcanbetakenintotemporaryprotectivecustody,
whichcannotexceed24hoursunlessanextensionisauthorizedby
anorderofthejuvenilecourt.Thisbillprovidesthatsuch
extensionisauthorizedexceptwhenaparent,guardian,or
authorizedrepresentative providesproofofaknownmedical
conditionthatcontradictsabuseorneglectallegations.
ThebillalsospecifiesthatanagreementbetweenChildren's
DivisionwithintheDepartmentofSocialServicesortheDepartment
ofHealthandSeniorServices(DHSS)andthesexualassault
forensicexamination-childresourceandeducationnetworkorthe
regionalchildassessmentcentersauthorizedunderSection210.001,
RSMo(system),mustrequirethenetworkandthesystemtohavethe
abilitytoobtainconsultationswithrandomizedphysicianswho
specializeinidentifyinguniquehealthconditions,specifiedin
thebill.ThebillprovidescircumstancesinwhichDHSSwillrefer
acaseofsuspectedchildabuseorneglectforconsiderationwitha
specialist. Priortoreferringachildtoaspecialty
consultation,DHSSmustprovidethechild'sparent,legalguardian,
orlegalrepresentative writtennoticeofthename,contact
information,andcredentialsofthespecialistprovidingthe
consultation,andtheparent,legalguardian,orlegal
representative canobjecttothechoiceofspecialist. Thechild's
parent,legalguardian,orlegalrepresentative mustbeallowedto
seekhisorherownphysiciantoevaluatethechildandthemedical
reports. ThebillprohibitsDHSS,anyreferringprovider,a
hospital,achildabusepediatrician,oranyothernetworkfrom
obstructing,preventing,orinhibitingachild'sparent,legal
guardian,orlegalrepresentative fromobtainingallmedical
recordsanddocumentationnecessarytorequestanalternative
opinion.
ThisbillissimilartoHB2691(2024)and2690(2024).