JEFFERSON CITY — This morning (7-9), the governor signed into law House Bill 505, which strengthens Missouri’s child sex abuse reporting law. The bill was handled in the Senate by Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, and sponsored in the House by Rep. Marsha Haefner, R-St. Louis. 

HB 505 would require mandatory reporters to directly report suspected child abuse and neglect to the state Children’s Division within the Department of Social Services. The change was recommended by the Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children, one of 22 recommendations made by the task force in its 2012 report. Both Sen. Dixon and Rep. Haefner served as legislative members of the Task Force.   

“The effort to protect children is an ongoing one, and it has been an important element of my time in public service,” stated Sen. Dixon. “This bill brings us one step further in the fight against child abuse in our state. The task force report provides a blueprint for all Missourians to take action and join us in this effort.”

Another bill signed today, SB 256, will make the task force a permanent body.  First authorized by Senate Bill 54 (2011), the task force consists of individuals representing several areas of expertise. The original task force conducted public hearings throughout the state and received testimony from 35 experts in the field of child sexual abuse. Drawing on testimony and the expertise of task force members, members compiled the recommendations for a report to the governor, the General Assembly, and the State Board of Education on how to reduce child sexual abuse in Missouri. The 2012 final report of the task force is available online by visiting www.missourikidsfirst.org.

For more information on this bill, or other bills sponsored by Sen. Dixon, visit his website at www.senate.mo.gov/dixon and click on the Legislation tab.