FIRST REGULAR SESSION

SENATE BILL NO. 451

93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY


 

INTRODUCED BY SENATOR DOLAN.

     Read 1st time February 28, 2005, and ordered printed.

 

TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.

1721S.01I


 

AN ACT

To amend chapter 455, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the adult abuse fatality review panel.


 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:

            Section A. Chapter 455, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 455.600, to read as follows:

            455.600. 1. The prosecuting attorney or the circuit attorney shall impanel an adult abuse fatality review panel for the county or city not within a county in which he or she serves to investigate deaths relating to suspected adult abuse. The panel shall be formed and shall operate according to rules, guidelines and protocols provided by the department of social services.

            2. The panel shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

            (1) The prosecuting or circuit attorney;

            (2) The coroner or medical examiner for the county or city not within a county;

            (3) A representative of law enforcement personnel in the county or city not within a county;

            (4) A representative from the division of family services;

            (5) A provider of public health care services;

            (6) A provider of emergency medical services.

            3. The prosecuting or circuit attorney shall organize the panel and shall call the first organizational meeting of the panel. The panel shall elect a chairman who shall convene the panel to meet to review all deaths which meet guidelines for review as set forth by the department of social services. In addition, the panel may review at its own discretion any death reported to it by the medical examiner or coroner, even if it does not meet criteria for review as set forth by the department. The panel shall issue a final report, which shall be a public record, of each investigation to the department of social services, state technical assistance team and to the director of the department of health and senior services. The final report shall include a completed summary report form. The form shall be developed by the director of the department of social services in consultation with the director of the department of health and senior services. The department of health and senior services shall analyze the adult abuse fatality review panel reports and periodically prepare epidemiological reports which describe the incidence, causes, location and other factors pertaining to adult abuse deaths.

            4. The department of health and senior services and department of social services shall make recommendations and develop programs to prevent adult abuse injuries and deaths.

            5. The adult abuse fatality review panel shall enjoy such official immunity as exists at common law.

 

 


 

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