Missouri Revised Statutes § 162.069 - Employee-student communications, written policy required — training materials, required content

162.069. Employee-student communications, written policy required — training materials, required content. — 1. Every school district shall, by March 1, 2012, promulgate a written policy concerning employee-student communication. The governing body of each charter school shall adopt a written policy concerning employee-student communication by January 1, 2014. Such policy shall include, but not be limited to, the use of electronic media and other mechanisms to prevent improper communications between staff members and students. 2. The school board of each school district and the governing body of each charter school shall, by January 1, 2014, adopt and implement training guidelines and an annual training program for all school employees who are mandatory reporters of child abuse or neglect under section 210.115. 3. Every school district and the governing body of each charter school shall, by July 1, 2014, include in its teacher and employee training a component that provides up-to-date and reliable information on identifying signs of sexual abuse in children and danger signals of potentially abusive relationships between children and adults. The training shall emphasize the importance of mandatory reporting of abuse under section 210.115 including the obligation of mandated reporters to report suspected abuse by other mandated reporters, and how to establish an atmosphere of trust so that students feel their school has concerned adults with whom they feel comfortable discussing matters related to abuse. The training shall also emphasize that: (1) All mandatory reporters shall, upon finding reasonable cause, directly and immediately report suspected child abuse or neglect as provided in section 210.115; (2) No supervisor or administrator may impede or inhibit any reporting under section 210.115; and (3) No person making a report under section 210.115 shall be subject to any sanction, including any adverse employment action, for making such report. (L. 2011 S.B. 54, A.L. 2011 1st Ex. Sess. S.B. 1, A.L. 2013 H.B. 505)