SCS/SB 488 - This act establishes the Corrections Officer Standards and Training Commission within the Department of Public Safety. The nine-member Commission shall establish the core curriculum and regulations for the administration of standards and training certification programs. The Director shall provide standards for certification, and offer continuing education programs. All programs shall be provided at no cost to the officers.

The Director shall publish and distribute educational training materials to all Missouri corrections institutions; provide seminars and supervisory training on a voluntary enrollment basis; consult and cooperate with the Department of Corrections or other governmental agencies; and issue, suspend or revoke certificates of officers who complete specialized training courses.

As of January 1, 2002, every person who becomes an officer within the Department of Corrections shall successfully complete a certified instructional program. Persons who are corrections officers as of that date may voluntarily attend programs for the purpose of career advancement, and shall be required to complete the necessary continuing education courses. The Director of the Department of Corrections shall notify the Director of the Department of Public Safety of any officer's separation from the Department, including the facts and reasons for the separation.

The bill grants the Director of the Department of Public Safety authority to visit training programs; issue, suspend or revoke instructor certificates; and issue diplomas. The act lists grounds for discipline of a certificate, and provides for appeal by the officer. Any person authorized to submit information to the Director shall be immune from liability, so long as the action was in good faith.

The act is similar to HB 248.
JOAN GUMMELS