SCS/SB 550 - This act requires the statewide coordinator for the telehealth network for forensic examinations of victims of sexual offenses to regularly consult with Missouri-based stakeholders and clinicians regarding the training programs offered by the network, as well as the implementation and operation of the network. Current law permits the training to be offered online or in person and this act requires that the training be made available online and permits it to be offered in person. Providers shall not be required to utilize this training, so long as the training utilized by providers is, at a minimum, equivalent to the network's training. Current law requires licensed hospitals to perform forensic examinations of victims of sexual offenses beginning January 1, 2023. Under this act, such requirement shall only occur beginning January 1, 2023, or no later than 6 months after the establishment of the telehealth network, whichever is later. Finally, no individual hospital shall be required to comply with these provisions unless and until the Department of Health and Senior Services provides such hospital with access to the network for mentoring and training services without charge.
Finally, victims of sexual offenses who are 14 to 17 years of age may be referred by hospitals to SAFE CARE providers for medical or forensic evaluation and case review.
This act is identical to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed HB 432 (2021).
SARAH HASKINS