Missouri legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Missouri HB3451: Establishes provisions that require any face-to-face interview regarding child abuse or neglect to be recorded
Status: In committee, March 24, 2026
What the bill says
To amend chapter 210, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to recordings of interviews regarding child abuse or neglect. Section A. Chapter 210, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 210.141, to read as follows: 210.141. 1. If an assessment is initiated for alleged child abuse or neglect, any face-to-face interview with a child and any adult associated with the assessment by the department of social services shall be recorded, either by audio or video medium, unless the recording equipment malfunctions or circumstances occur that could not have.
From the introduced text:
To amend chapter 210, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to recordings of interviews regarding child abuse or neglect. Section A. Chapter 210, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 210.141, to read as follows: 210.141. 1. If an assessment is initiated for alleged child abuse or neglect, any face-to-face interview with a child and any adult associated with the assessment by the department of social services shall be recorded, either by audio or video medium, unless the recording equipment malfunctions or circumstances occur that could not have been reasonably foreseen by the director of the department of social services that would prevent the recording of the interview. 2. Only applications or software approved by the department of social services shall be used to generate any audio or video recording, and any such recording shall be securely stored. 3. Any person who is charged with an offense alleging child abuse or neglect shall not be able to sustain a motion or have standing to bring a claim objecting to any failure, in whole or in part, by the department of social services to comply with the requirements of this section. Any such failure by the department to comply with such requirements shall not solely constitute grounds to preclude statements made by …