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Bill Used as Vehicle to Require Ministers to Report Child Abuse

May 16, 2002
By: Ashley Hall
State Capital Bureau

As the end of the 2002 legislative session aproaches, bills are being used as vehicles for reviving issues like requiring ministers to report child abuse. Ashley Hall has more in Jefferson City.

Story:
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

Legislature passed a bill today that requires ministers to report suspicion of child abuse.

The requirement was passed in the form of an amendment to a bill, but the sponsor, Representative Mike Reid, was determined to get the issue onto the governor's desk and into public.

Actuality:
RunTime: 15
OutCue: Hush money
Contents: "Speaking as a Roman Catholic, I'm really sad that my denomination has settled so many of these issues outside of court and not reported and I think that shedding the light on this issue and hopefully these problems will be reduced when they are out in the open and not covered up by hush money."

The requirement was added just a few hours before the bill passed. Ashley Hall, Jefferson City, K-M-O-X news.

Date: May 16, 2002

By: Ashley Hall

State Capital Bureau

Legislature passed a bill today that will require ministers, and other people in supervisory or privilaged relationships to report suspected child abuse. Ashley Hall has more in Jefferson City.

Story:
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

A last minute amendment to a bill will change the privilaged relationship between clergy and church members.

Starting in August, ministers will be required to report suspected child abuse.

Amendment sponsor, Representative Mike Reid, is really glad that the issue is on the governor's desk, and on it's way to the public.

Actuality:
RunTime: 14
OutCue: to report
Contents: "I think the language that I offered tightened it up a little bit. Basically this is just going to require ministers to be mandatory reporters in cases where there is suspected child abuse adn in addition it is going to require anyone in a supervisory relationship to report."

The bill passed just a few hours after the amendment was added. Ashley Hall, Jefferson City, K-M-O-X news.