Section 160.2100

Title XI EDUCATION AND LIBRARIES

Chapter 160

Effective - 28 Aug 2013, 3 histories, see footnote   (history) 

  160.2100.  Citation of law — task force created, members, duties — reports. — 1.  Sections 160.2100 and 160.2110 shall be known and may be cited as "Erin's Law".

  2.  The "Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children" is hereby created to study the issue of sexual abuse of children.  The task force shall consist of all of the following members:

  (1)  One member of the general assembly appointed by the president pro tem of the senate;

  (2)  One member of the general assembly appointed by the minority floor leader of the senate;

  (3)  One member of the general assembly appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

  (4)  One member of the general assembly appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives;

  (5)  The director of the department of social services or his or her designee;

  (6)  The commissioner of education or his or her designee;

  (7)  The director of the department of health and senior services or his or her designee;

  (8)  The director of the office of prosecution services or his or her designee;

  (9)  A representative representing law enforcement appointed by the governor;

  (10)  Three active teachers employed in Missouri appointed by the governor;

  (11)  A representative of an organization involved in forensic investigation relating to child abuse in this state appointed by the governor;

  (12)  A school superintendent appointed by the governor;

  (13)  A representative of the state domestic violence coalition appointed by the governor;

  (14)  A representative from the juvenile and family court appointed by the governor;

  (15)  A representative from Missouri Network of Child Advocacy Centers appointed by the governor;

  (16)  An at-large member appointed by the governor.

  3.  Members of the task force shall be individuals who are actively involved in the fields of the prevention of child abuse and neglect and child welfare.  The appointment of members shall reflect the geographic diversity of the state.

  4.  The task force shall elect a presiding officer by a majority vote of the membership of the task force.  The task force shall meet at the call of the presiding officer.

  5.  The task force shall make recommendations for reducing child sexual abuse in Missouri.  In making those recommendations, the task force shall:

  (1)  Gather information concerning child sexual abuse throughout the state;

  (2)  Receive reports and testimony from individuals, state and local agencies, community-based organizations, and other public and private organizations; and

  (3)  Create goals for state policy that would prevent child sexual abuse.

  6.  The recommendations may include proposals for specific statutory changes and methods to foster cooperation among state agencies and between the state and local government.

  7.  The task force shall consult with employees of the department of social services, the department of public safety, department of elementary and secondary education, and any other state agency, board, commission, office, or department as necessary to accomplish the task force's responsibilities under this section.

  8.  The members of the task force shall serve without compensation and shall not be reimbursed for their expenses.

  9.  Beginning January 1, 2014, the department of elementary and secondary education, in collaboration with the task force, shall make yearly reports to the general assembly on the department's progress in preventing child sexual abuse.

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(L. 2011 S.B. 54, A.L. 2013 S.B. 256)