Effective - 28 Aug 2020
595.202. Missouri rights of victims of sexual assault task force — members, duties — report — expiration date. — 1. There is hereby created the "Missouri Rights of Victims of Sexual Assault Task Force" to consist of the following members:
(1) The following four members of the general assembly:
(a) Two members of the senate, with no more than one member from the same political party and each member to be appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate; and
(b) Two members of the house of representatives, with no more than one member from the same political party and each member to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
(2) The director of the department of health and senior services or his or her designee;
(3) A private citizen appointed by the governor;
(4) A representative of a statewide coalition against domestic and sexual violence appointed by the governor;
(5) A representative of rape crisis centers appointed by the governor;
(6) The superintendent of the Missouri highway patrol or his or her designee;
(7) A law enforcement officer appointed by the governor;
(8) The director of the Missouri highway patrol crime lab or his or her designee;
(9) An attorney appointed by the governor; and
(10) A representative of the Missouri Hospital Association.
2. The task force shall study nationally recognized best practices and make recommendations regarding:
(1) The development and implementation of an effective mechanism for submitting, tracking, and investigating complaints regarding the handling of, or response to, a sexual assault report or investigation by any agency or organization involved in the response;
(2) The development of documentation for medical providers and law enforcement officers, in conjunction with the department of public safety, to provide to survivors informing them of their rights pursuant to section 595.201;
(3) Whether a need exists for additional employees or volunteers of a rape crisis center for victims of sexual assault, and if such a need does exist, the task force shall:
(a) Create a plan for how the state can provide, in conjunction with rape crisis centers, victims' advocates organizations, and the department of health and senior services, additional employees or volunteers of a rape crisis center to meet the needs identified; and
(b) Determine the cost of funding such a plan;
(4) Whether a need exists to expand the right to an employee or volunteer of a rape crisis center beyond the medical examination and law enforcement interview settings, and if such a need does exist, the task force shall:
(a) Identify the scope and nature of the need; and
(b) Make recommendations on how best to fill that need, whether legislatively or otherwise;
(5) Whether a need exists to provide for ongoing evaluation of the implementation of these rights, and if such a need does exist, the task force shall:
(a) Identify the scope and nature of the need; and
(b) Make recommendations on how best to fill that need, whether legislatively or otherwise.
3. The task force shall:
(1) Collect data regarding sexual assault reporting, arrests, prosecution rates, access to sexual assault victims services, and any other data important for its deliberations and recommendations; and
(2) Collect feedback from stakeholders, practitioners, and leadership throughout the state and local law enforcement, victim services, forensic science practitioners, and health care communities to inform development of future best practices or clinical guidelines regarding the care and treatment of survivors.
4. The department of public safety shall provide administrative support to the task force.
5. On or before December 31, 2021, the task force shall submit a report on its findings to the governor and general assembly. The report shall include any dissenting opinions in addition to any majority opinions.
6. The task force shall expire on December 31, 2021.
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(L. 2020 S.B. 569)
Expires: 12-31-21