SPONSOR: Rehder
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass with HCS" by the Standing Committee on Health and Mental Health Policy by a vote of 12 to 0 with one present. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules- Legislative Oversight by a vote of 10 to 0.
The following is a summary of the House Committee Substitute for HB 1484.
This bill allows prosecuting attorneys to develop multi- disciplinary adult protection teams that protect elderly and other dependent persons from abuse. A multidisciplinary adult protection team" is defined as a team of two or more persons trained in the investigation, prosecution, prevention, identification, and treatment of abuse and are qualified to provide a broad range of services to vulnerable, elderly, or disabled persons who, at the time of the abuse do not reside in a hospital, facility, or nursing home.
The bill specifies that the prosecuting or circuit attorney shall use the team to investigate and prosecute an offender and to supplement any protective services by the Department of Health and Senior Services.
Adult protection personnel responding to a report under these provisions shall contact law enforcement upon receipt of a report involving a potential crime, provide law enforcement with a detailed description of the report, and request the assistance of law enforcement in investigating the complaint. If law enforcement is unable to assist they must provide the division with a written explanation within 24 hours.
The bill includes provisions for coordination and non-duplication of services between other offices and departments.
This bill specifies that reports made are confidential and shall not be a public record. The agencies and departments that may have access to a report are specified in the bill.
The bill states that its provisions do not affect the current authority of the Department of Health and Senior Services.
This bill is similar to HB 932 (2019).
The following is a summary of the public testimony from the committee hearing. The testimony was based on the introduced version of the bill.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that we already use multidisciplinary teams for children who have been abused or neglected, and these teams aid the prosecutor in investigating cases. The teams will allow the prosecutor to not have to duplicate work or resources and will streamline investigations.
Testifying for the bill were Representative Rehder; Missouri Assisted Living Association; Benjamin Miller, Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys; Missouri Association of Public Administrators; and Wayne Lee.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
OTHERS: Others testifying on the bill gave information regarding the State Ombudsman and the process for reporting elder abuse.
Testifying on the bill were Nicole Lynch, VOYCE; Alex Tuttle, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and Missouri Health Care Association.
Statutes affected: