Some people are required by law to report abuse or neglect of vulnerable persons. If someone who is required to report knowingly does not report, that is a crime. The first time it happens, it is a lesser crime with a fine up to one thousand dollars. If the person has done it before, it becomes a more serious crime with a fine up to five thousand dollars. The money from fines goes to public schools.
Classifications stated in the statute. Actual outcomes vary.
565.218. Failure to report — or — . — 1. A person commits the of failure to report vulnerable person if he or she is required to make a report under section 630.162 and fails to make a report.
2. The offense of knowingly failing to make a report as required in this section is a and the shall be subject to a of up to one thousand dollars, unless the offender has previously been of failing to make a report as required in this section, in which case the offense is a and the offender shall be subject to a fine of up to five thousand dollars. Penalties collected for violations of this section shall be transferred to the as established in section 166.051 and to the public schools of this state in the manner provided in section 163.031. Such penalties shall not be considered charitable for tax purposes.
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Source & history notes
(L. 2007 S.B. 3, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17
Related Missouri laws
Filing a false vulnerable person abuse report
RSMo 565.222
Stalking, first degree, penalty
RSMo 565.225
Stalking, second degree, penalty
RSMo 565.227
Unlawful posting of certain information over the internet, offense of
RSMo 565.240
Filing a false elder abuse or neglect report
RSMo 565.189
Failure to report elder abuse or neglect
RSMo 565.188
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.