- Elder and Persons with Disabilities Abuse
- Missouri Long-Term Care Laws
In 2018, Missouri legislators revised existing law to ensure that nursing homes report sexual assault of a resident to local law enforcement. Also, the facility must self-report nursing home sexual assault to Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).
In other words, before 2018, a long-term care facility in Missouri reported a sexual assault incident to only DHSS. Under the new law, they must report the incident to the police as well.
After the report of nursing home sexual assault, the state requires DHSS to start their investigation within 24 hours. If DHSS substantiates the claim, they report and share that information with the law enforcement agency and prosecutor.
Law enforcement notifies the person who made the report that they received their report. They also let them know that the investigation has begun. This ensures that DHSS and law enforcement work together and keep survivors in the loop regarding their reports.
All sexual assault reports must remain confidential.
Nursing Home Employees Who Abuse Residents
Employees who abuse or neglect a nursing home resident face criminal prosecution. Accordingly, DHSS maintains an employee disqualification list called the Family Care Safety Registry. Anyone working in a facility who DHSS determines abused or neglected a resident is placed on the registry.
State and federal law prohibit government funds from being used to pay someone to work in long-term care before checking the registry.