Requirements for Reporting the Abuse or Neglect of In-Home Services Clients - Mo. Rev. Stat. §660.300

Any person (including home health agency employees, health care provider, state agency employees, social workers, etc) who has reason to believe that in home service client has been abused or neglected, must report this to the Department of Social Services.  If a person’s condition has deteriorated due to abuse or neglect, the client’s case manager and Department nurse must also be notified, and conduct an investigation.  The report must contain the name and address of the in home services provider, the employee, the client, the home health agency, home health employee, information on the abuse or neglect, the name of the complainant, and any other relevant information.  All reports must remain confidential. The in home service provider or agency may not retaliate against an employee or client for filing a report.  Any person who abuses or neglects an in home service client is subject to criminal prosecution.

Any person who is required to report an instance of abuse or neglect, and fails to do so, may be found guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.