Missouri Senate Bill SB706

Missouri 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/17/25
• Refer: 3/24/25

Caption

Provides liability protections for charitable organizations making good faith disclosures of sexual abuse

Impact

The proposed bill is significant as it encourages transparency within charitable organizations, which often serve vulnerable populations. By protecting good faith disclosures, it seeks to foster an environment where allegations can be reported and addressed appropriately. The intent behind SB706 is to ease the reporting process for individuals who may otherwise hesitate to come forward due to concerns about potential legal repercussions for their organizations.

Summary

Senate Bill 706 aims to amend chapter 537 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri by introducing a new section that provides liability protections for charitable organizations when they disclose allegations of sexual misconduct, sexual abuse, or harassment. According to the bill, any charitable organization, along with its employees and volunteers, will not face civil liability as long as their disclosure is made in good faith and is believed to be true. This legislative move emphasizes the importance of ensuring that reports regarding sensitive issues like sexual conduct can be made without fear of retribution or legal consequences.

Contention

However, the bill contains conditions that could spark debate. While it protects organizations, it explicitly mentions that individuals who make false disclosures with malicious intent will not be immune from liability. This provision could lead to discussions about the balance of protecting against false accusations versus ensuring that genuine claims are reported effectively. Critics may argue about the definitions of 'good faith' and what constitutes a reasonable belief in the truth of a disclosure, potentially leading to inconsistencies in application across different cases.