SCS/SB 408 - This act establishes within the Department of Corrections a "Corrections Officer Certification Commission" composed of nine members as follows: three members who are corrections officers below the rank of lieutenant, with at least two being members of a statewide association of corrections officers with more than 1,000 members; three members who are corrections officers or supervisors above the rank of sergeant but no more than one major, with at least one being a member of a statewide association of corrections officers with more than 1,000 members; two members whom are sheriffs, at least one being from a county of the third classification; and one member of the general public.

The Commission has the authority to cause a job task analysis of corrections officers and to make recommendations to the Department of Corrections, Legislature, or Governor regarding the qualifications, training, testing, and certification of corrections officers. This act also allows the officer's name, certification status and employing corrections agency be an open record.

The Director may remove any member of the Commission for misconduct or neglect of office. The member of the Commission must first be presented with a written statement of the reasons for the removal.

This act requires that appropriate information relating to an offender be provided to the Department of Corrections including the probable cause statement and a certified copy of the sentence on the standardized form developed by the Office of the State Courts Administrator.

This act emancipates offenders who are younger than 17 years of age who have been adjudicated as an adult in order to make decisions and participate in all Department programs and services.

Violation hearings for offenders who have violated any published rule or regulation of the correctional facility related to conduct are not contested cases under Chapter 536, RSMo, and hearings are not subject to the rules of evidence. Decision of these cases are final and unappealable.
SARAH MORROW