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Mandatory reporting takes place when a mandatory reporter suspects, or is directly informed, of abuse and/or neglect of a child, adult, elderly, or IDD individual(s).

Missouri’s mandated reporters include: Health care providers, child care givers, teachers, dentists, optometrists, counselors, social workers, funeral home workers, ministers, fire fighters, and law enforcement employees.

Important note: Anyone can report abuse, using toll-free hotlines.

210.115. (2021). Missouri Revisor of Statutes. https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=210.115

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Title XII PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

Chapter 210

< > * Effective - 28 Aug 2021, 4 histories

210.115.Reports of abuse, neglect, and under age eighteen deaths - persons required to report - supervisors and administrators not to impede reporting - deaths required to be reported to the division or child fatality review panel, when - report made to another state, when - unaccompanied or homeless youth. - 1. When any physician, medical examiner, coroner, dentist, chiropractor, optometrist, podiatrist, resident, intern, nurse, hospital or clinic personnel that are engaged in the examination, care, treatment or research of persons, and any other health practitioner, psychologist, mental health professional, social worker, day care center worker or other child-care worker, juvenile officer, probation or parole officer, jail or detention center personnel, teacher, principal or other school official, minister as provided by section 352.400, peace officer or law enforcement official, volunteer or personnel of a community service program that offers support services for families in crisis to assist in the delegation of any powers regarding the care and custody of a child by a properly executed power of attorney pursuant to sections 475.600 to 475.604, or other person with responsibility for the care of children has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been or may be subjected to abuse or neglect or observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances which would reasonably result in abuse or neglect, that person shall immediately report to the division in accordance with the provisions of sections 210.109 to 210.183. No internal investigation shall be initiated until such a report has been made. As used in this section, the term "abuse" is not limited to abuse inflicted by a person responsible for the child's care, custody and control as specified in section 210.110, but shall also include abuse inflicted by any other person.

2. If two or more members of a medical institution who are required to report jointly have knowledge of a known or suspected instance of child abuse or neglect, a single report may be made by a designated member of that medical team. Any member who has knowledge that the member designated to report has failed to do so shall thereafter immediately make the report. Nothing in this section, however, is meant to preclude any person from reporting abuse or neglect.

3. The reporting requirements under this section are individual, and no supervisor or administrator may impede or inhibit any reporting under this section. No person making a report under this section shall be subject to any sanction, including any adverse employment action, for making such report. Every employer shall ensure that any employee required to report pursuant to subsection 1 of this section has immediate and unrestricted access to communications technology necessary to make an immediate report and is temporarily relieved of other work duties for such time as is required to make any report required under subsection 1 of this section.

4. Notwithstanding any other provision of sections 210.109 to 210.183, any child who does not receive specified medical treatment by reason of the legitimate practice of the religious belief of the child's parents, guardian, or others legally responsible for the child, for that reason alone, shall not be found to be an abused or neglected child, and such parents, guardian or other persons legally responsible for the child shall not be entered into the central registry. However, the division may accept reports concerning such a child and may subsequently investigate or conduct a family assessment as a result of that report. Such an exception shall not limit the administrative or judicial authority of the state to ensure that medical services are provided to the child when the child's health requires it.

5. In addition to those persons and officials required to report actual or suspected abuse or neglect, any other person may report in accordance with sections 210.109 to 210.183 if such person has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been or may be subjected to abuse or neglect or observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances which would reasonably result in abuse or neglect.

6. Any person or official required to report pursuant to this section, including employees of the division, who has probable cause to suspect that a child who is or may be under the age of eighteen, who is eligible to receive a certificate of live birth, has died shall report that fact to the appropriate medical examiner or coroner. If, upon review of the circumstances and medical information, the medical examiner or coroner determines that the child died of natural causes while under medical care for an established natural disease, the coroner, medical examiner or physician shall notify the division of the child's death and that the child's attending physician shall be signing the death certificate. In all other cases, the medical examiner or coroner shall accept the report for investigation, shall immediately notify the division of the child's death as required in section 58.452 and shall report the findings to the child fatality review panel established pursuant to section 210.192.

7. Any person or individual required to report may also report the suspicion of abuse or neglect to any law enforcement agency or juvenile office. Such report shall not, however, take the place of reporting to the division.

8. If an individual required to report suspected instances of abuse or neglect pursuant to this section has reason to believe that the victim of such abuse or neglect is a resident of another state or was injured as a result of an act which occurred in another state, the person required to report such abuse or neglect may, in lieu of reporting to the Missouri children's division, make such a report to the child protection agency of the other state with the authority to receive such reports pursuant to the laws of such other state. If such agency accepts the report, no report is required to be made, but may be made, to the children's division.

9. For the purposes of providing supportive services or verifying the status of a youth as unaccompanied or homeless for the purposes of accessing supportive services, the fact that a child is an unaccompanied youth as defined in 42 U.S.C. Section 11434a(6) is not, in and of itself, a sufficient basis for reporting child abuse or neglect, unless the child is under sixteen years of age or is an incapacitated person, as defined in section 475.010. Nothing in this subsection shall limit a mandated reporter from making a report under this section if the mandated reporter knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that an unaccompanied youth has been or may be a victim of abuse or neglect.

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Reports of abuse, neglect, and under age eighteen deaths - persons required to report - supervisors and administrators not to impede reporting - deaths required to be reported to the division or child fatality review panel, when - report made to another state, when - unaccompanied or homeless youth.

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To make a report, you'll need the following information:
Name of the suspected victim, name of victim's guardians, address (or current location) of victim and their guardians, name of alleged abuser and their address, extent of victim's injuries, your reason(s) for suspecting abuse or neglect, and any other relevant information you feel to be helpful.
Don't forget to list your own personal information, address, and phone number!

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(Maria Ponomariova, 2020) via: istockphotos

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In Missouri the following is defined as:
Abuse, “Any physical injury, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse inflicted on a child other than by accidental means by those responsible for the child’s care, custody and control, except that discipline including spanking, administered in a reasonable manner, shall not be construed to be abuse.” (RSMo, 210.110).

Neglect, "Failure to provide, by those responsible for the care, custody and control of the child, the proper or necessary support, education as required by law, nutrition, medical, surgical or any other care necessary for the child’s well-being" (RSMo, 210.110).
Sexual Abuse, "...First degree if he or she subjects another person to sexual contact when that person is incapacitated, incapable of consent, or lacks the capacity to consent, or by the use of forcible compulsion" (RSMo, 566.100).

Child Abuse & Neglect. Missouri department of health & Senior Services. (2021). https://health.mo.gov/living/lpha/phnursing/childabuseneglect.php.

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Definition: "Purposeful engagement of conduct causing emotional distress, intentional failure to provide care/goods/services, and acts knowingly (or unknowingly) in a manner which risks the life of an elderly person, a person with a disability, or a vulnerable person" (RSMo, 565.184).

The Center for Local Public Health Services
Address:
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
PO Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
Phone: 573-751-6170
Fax: 573-751-5350
Email: CLPHS1@health.mo.gov

565.184. (2021). Missouri Revisor of Statutes. https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=565.184

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For Missouri COVID-19 vaccine information, visit www.MOStopsCovid.com. Learn facts about the vaccines and how to get registered for vaccination. Everyone aged 12 and up is eligible for vaccination now in Missouri.

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missouri department of health and senior services

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Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

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For Missouri COVID-19 vaccine information, visit www.MOStopsCovid.com. Learn facts about the vaccines and how to get registered for vaccination. Everyone aged 12 and up is eligible for vaccination now in Missouri.

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"All mandatory reporters shall, upon finding reasonable cause, directly and immediately report suspected child abuse or neglect. No supervisor or administrator may impede any reporting" (RSMo, 210.115).

Missouri Revisor of Statutes - Revised Statutes of Missouri, RSMo, Missouri Law, MO Law, Joint Committee on Legislative Research. (2021). Missouri Revisor of Statutes. https://revisor.mo.gov/main/Error.aspx?aspxerrorpath=/main/Home.aspx

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Reports are filed to the Missouri Department of Social Services, online on their website, or using listed hotlines.

Website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/keeping-kids-safe/can.htm

Hotlines:

Child abuse or neglect (800-392-3738)

School violence (866-748-7047)

Human trafficking (888 –373-7888)

Mandated reporters:

Toll-free hotline (1-800-392-3738)

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Persons in official employment of a medical institution, school facility, or other agency are required to report any suspicions of child abuse or neglect to superiors. From there reports must be filed correctly, and provide all required information. Keep in mind that reporters are not investigators. If there are physical injuries, photographs are taken and forwarded to the Children’s Division.
Further, if physicians, or law enforcement officials, believe a child's experiencing danger via their environment, requests are made to take the child into protective custody. Evidence of sexual abuse, or molestation, must be reported to the Children’s Division within twenty-four hours. An important note is that provider-patient confidentiality privilege doesn't apply to any situations involving forms of abuse. Any mandated reporter that violates these provisions, or fails to report abuse, is guilty of a Class A Misdemeanor and subject to fines and/or jail time in the state of Missouri.

Child Abuse & Neglect. Missouri department of health & Senior Services. (2021). https://health.mo.gov/living/lpha/phnursing/childabuseneglect.php.

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192.2405: Mandatory reporter's failure to report penalties
210.115.1: Official list of mandated reporters
210.109 to 210.183: Legislation on child abuse and neglect
455.500 - 455.538: Abuse and child protection orders
565.184: Elderly abuse, abuse of person with disability or vulnerabilities, and penalties.
589.400 - 589.426: Megan's Law, Abuse of children, conviction, penalties, and requirement to register

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☰ Revisor of Missouri

Chapters in Title

Chs. 1‑3   I LAWS AND STATUTES

Chs. 18‑23   III LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Chs. 40‑44   V MILITARY AFFAIRS AND POLICE

Chs. 217‑221   XIII CORRECTIONAL AND PENAL INSTITUTIONS

Chs. 311‑312   XX ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

Chs. 451‑455   XXX DOMESTIC RELATIONS

Chs. 490‑493   XXXIII EVIDENCE AND LEGAL ADVERTISEMENTS

Chs. 494‑494   XXXIV JURIES

Chs. 610‑610   XXXIX CONDUCT OF PUBLIC BUSINESS

Chs. 700‑701   XLI CODES AND STANDARDS

2020 Cumulative Supplement Available

Official Website for the Revised Statutes of Missouri

14 Sep 2021 14:09

PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION:

The 2020 Cumulative Supplement to the 2016 Revised Statutes of Missouri is available. This publication replaces the 2019 Supplement.

To purchase available publications prepared by the Office of the Revisor, please click the "Publications" link at the top of the page.

CERTIFICATION STATUS:

Currently the statutes posted on this website are uncertified and unofficial (see FAQ for more information).

Other Information

Other Links

Missouri Senate

MO.gov

Missouri House

Chapters Alphabetically

The Revisor of Statutes and the attorneys on the committee staff work for the Missouri General Assembly and are prohibited from providing the general public with legal advice, legal representation, legal research, interpretations of the law, or applications of the law to specific facts. To understand and protect your legal rights, you should consult your own attorney regarding any legal advice, questions, or issues.

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Missouri Revisor of Statutes - Revised Statutes of Missouri, RSMo, Missouri Law, MO Law, Joint Committee on Legislative Research

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☰ Revisor of Missouri Chapters in Title  Chs. 1‑3   I LAWS AND STATUTES  Chs. 18‑23   III LEGISLATIVE BRANCH  Chs. 40‑44   V MILITARY AFFAIRS AND POLICE  Chs. 217‑221   XIII CORRECTIONAL AND PENAL INSTITUTIONS  Chs. 311‑312   XX ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES  Chs. 451‑455   XXX DOMESTIC RELATIONS  Chs. 490‑493   XXXIII EVIDENCE AND LEGAL ADVERTISEMENTS  Chs.

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Step 1) In event of an emergency, dial 911 first!
Step 2) If a nonemergency, set up an account on the Missouri Department of Social Services website: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/keeping-kids-safe/mandated-reporters.htm
Step 3) Log in using your MOLogin and select "Child Abuse & Neglect Reporting."

Step 4) Complete the report, answering all questions.

Children's Division. Missouri Department of Social Services. (2021). https://dss.mo.gov/cd/keeping-kids-safe/mandated-reporters.htm

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What is a mandated Reporter?

Members of certain occupational groups, such as teachers, social workers, and physicians are mandated by law to make reports to the hotline and are considered mandated reporters. For a complete list of mandated reporters, please review RSMo 210.115.1.

Effective August 28, 2004, Missouri law requires all mandated reporters to identify themselves when making a report. For more information, review the guidelines for mandated reporters.

How do I make a report?

Mandated reporters can call our toll-free hotline at 1-800-392-3738 or report their concerns online. We encourage mandated reporters to make a report online when possible to keep the hotline open for the general public. To make a report online, follow these three easy steps:

Questions?

Email us at askcd@dss.mo.gov you need help setting up your account or if you have any other questions.

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Children's Division | Missouri Department of Social Services

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Members of certain occupational groups, such as teachers, social workers, and physicians are mandated by law to make reports to the hotline and are considered mandated reporters. For a complete list of mandated reporters, please review RSMo 210.115.1. Effective August 28, 2004, Missouri law requires all mandated reporters to identify themselves when making a report.

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Missouri Revisor of Statutes - Revised Statutes of Missouri, RSMo, Missouri Law, MO Law, Joint Committee on Legislative Research. (2021). Missouri Revisor of Statutes. https://revisor.mo.gov/main/Error.aspx?aspxerrorpath=/main/Home.aspx

210.115. (2021). Missouri Revisor of Statutes. https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=210.115

Child Abuse & Neglect. Missouri department of health & Senior Services. (2021). https://health.mo.gov/living/lpha/phnursing/childabuseneglect.php.

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. (2021). https://health.mo.gov

565.184. (2021). Missouri Revisor of Statutes. https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=565.184

Children's Division. Missouri Department of Social Services. (2021). https://dss.mo.gov/cd/keeping-kids-safe/mandated-reporters.htm

Mandated Reporter Training. (2020, May 18). Missouri KidsFirst. https://www.missourikidsfirst.org/get-help/mandated-reporter-training/

566.100. (2021). Missouri Revisor of Statutes. https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=566.100
Our Work. (2020, February 26). Darkness to Light. https://www.d2l.org/our-work/

RAINN | Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network. (2021). RAINN. https://apps.rainn.org/policy/policy-state-laws.cfm?state=Missouri&group=4&_ga=2.167171838.1572482729.1631628306-1945108379.1631628306

Ponomariova, M. (2020). Strong Mother protects Her Child From Danger (stock photo). istockphotos. https://www.istockphoto.com/vector/strong-mother-protects-her-child-from-danger-gm1200658642-343996686