Mo. Rev. Stat. § 219.016

Current with changes from the 2024 Legislative Session

Section 219.016 - Responsibilities of division of youth services - rules, procedure

1. The division is responsible within the terms of sections 219.011 to 219.086, for the prevention and control of juvenile delinquency and the rehabilitation of children.

2. The division shall be responsible for the development and administration of an effective statewide comprehensive program of youth services. This shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) Providing for the reception, classification, care, activities, education and rehabilitation of all children committed to the division;

(2) Administering the interstate compact on juveniles;

(3) Collecting statistics and information relating to the nature, extent, and causes of, and conditions contributing to the delinquency of children;

(4) Evaluating existence and effectiveness of delinquency prevention and rehabilitation programs;

(5) Preparing a master plan for the development of a statewide comprehensive system of delinquency prevention, control and rehabilitation services;

(6) Providing from funds specifically appropriated by the legislature for this purpose, financial subsidies to local units of government for the development of community-based treatment services;

(7) Developing written instructional, informational, and standard setting materials relating to state and local delinquency prevention, control and rehabilitation programs, as herein provided;

(8) Cooperating with and assisting within the scope of sections 219.011 to 219.086, other public and voluntary agencies and organizations in the development and coordination of such programs; and

(9) Upon request:

(a) Assist local units of government in the development of community-based treatment services; and

(b) Provide technical assistance and consultation to law enforcement officials, juvenile courts, and other community child care agencies.

3. The division shall be responsible for carrying out all functions, duties, and responsibilities pertaining to the prevention of juvenile delinquency as may be assigned to it by the director, including, but not limited to:

(1) Comprehensive planning and provision of technical assistance for statewide and local programs for the diversion of children from the juvenile justice system, to the extent that diversion can be safely accomplished with due regard to the safety of the community and the well-being of the children involved;

(2) Developing programs for the training and development of professional, paraprofessional, and volunteer personnel in this field;

(3) Cooperating with and assisting other agencies serving children and youth; and

(4) Promoting the strengthening and expansion of those programs which have been shown to be effective in reducing juvenile crime.

4. The division shall cause to be made and maintained full and complete written records of all studies and examinations and of the conclusions and recommendations based thereon; of all major decisions and orders concerning the disposition and treatment of every child with respect to whom the division provides, or arranges to have provided, care, treatment, and supervision pursuant to sections 219.011 to 219.086; and to maintain records of all business transactions necessary for proper conduct and maintenance of the division.

5. The division is authorized to enter into arrangements with the federal government for the receipt of federal funds to carry out the purposes of sections 219.011 to 219.086 and, for the achievement of that objective, may enter into contracts and agreements with and submit such plans and reports to the federal government as may be required and which are not contrary to the provisions of this or any other act.

6. The division, pursuant to regulations promulgated by it, shall establish comprehensive training programs for persons employed by it or to be employed by it in carrying out the provisions of sections 219.011 to 219.086 and for persons employed or to be employed by agencies and organizations, both public and private, engaged in activities relating to the prevention of delinquency and the provision of care and treatment to delinquent children.

7. The division may provide the costs of stipends and tuition, allowances for travel and subsistence expenses and, with respect to employees of the division granted leave to undertake approved training, continuation of the salaries and other benefits of such employees.

8. The division may, at the request of the circuit court, provide or supplement juvenile court services for children in that circuit, the extent of the services to be specified by written agreement between the division and the court. Children who receive such services shall remain under the supervision of the juvenile court and shall not be committed to the division without full and proper hearing as provided under subsection 1 of section 211.171.

9. Upon the request of the division, with the written consent of the director of the department, the office of administration shall draw a warrant payable to the business manager of the division or any of its facilities, in an amount to be specified by the director of the department, not to exceed, however, the sum of four thousand dollars for each such facility. The sum shall be administered by the business manager as a revolving fund to be used in the payment of incidental expenses of the facility for which he has been appointed. All expenditures shall be made in accordance with rules and regulations established by the office of administration.

10. No rule or portion of a rule promulgated under the authority of this chapter shall become effective unless it has been promulgated pursuant to the provisions of section 536.024.

§ 219.016, RSMo

L. 1975 S.B. 170 §§ 2, 3, A.L. 1993 S.B. 52, A.L. 1995 S.B. 3