Section 41 Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse or Neglect

• Library: Prof Liability 2005

In Missouri, the mandatory reporting law is located in § 210.115, RSMo Supp. 2004. “Ministers” are included in the list of persons required to report any suspected child abuse they observe. Once there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child may be subjected to abuse or neglect, the person observing the condition must “immediately” report the incident, or cause it to be reported, to the appropriate state agency. Section 210.115.1.

For reporting purposes, the definition of minister, under § 352.400.1(3), RSMo Supp. 2004, is:

[A]ny person while practicing as a minister of the gospel, clergyperson, priest, rabbi, Christian Science practitioner, or other person serving in a similar capacity for any religious organization who is responsible for or who has supervisory authority over one who is responsible for the care, custody, and control of a...