HB 486 -- SEX OFFENDER TREATMENT

SPONSOR:  Bruns

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Crime Prevention and Public Safety by a vote of 11 to 0.

Currently, a person who provides assessment services for the
state in sexual offender cases cannot be related within the third
degree of consanguinity or affinity to any person who has a
financial interest in a sex offender counseling program.  This
bill removes that prohibition when there is only one qualified
service provider within a reasonably accessible distance from the
offender.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2006, FY 2007, and
FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill addresses an issue that
was created by an amendment to House Bill 1055 last year, which
prevented counselors from ordering services from companies in
which they have a financial interest.  That restriction is a good
idea; however, in some rural parts of the state, there may be
only one service provider.  If that one provider has some
connection to the person providing the initial assessment, there
is no treatment available at all.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Bruns; and Department
of Corrections.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Richard Smreker, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:19 pm