Rep. Richey Proposes Bill To Make MSHSAA Mandated Reporters

Missouri State Representative Doug Richey of Excelsior Springs has once again filed legislation that would ensure employees of the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) are mandated reporters.

The bill is known as “Emilyn’s Law” and comes in response to a news story that revealed MSHSAA employees were not required to report allegations of sexual abuse to law enforcement.

HB 139 is named after Emilyn Richardson, whose basketball coach sent her inappropriate messages. Richardson and her parents reported the incident to MSHSAA employees, but were surprised when they discovered the employees were not required to notify police.

The law would apply to any statewide athletic association or organization that receives any public money and has at least one public school district as a member. It would require that all employees of such an association are mandated reporters.

Additionally, HB 139 would require the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create and maintain a database for coaches, as well as staff and volunteers.

The database could be checked by school districts that may utilize these individuals in the future. It would include information related to specified substantiated allegations of sexual misconduct against such employees and volunteers, as well as specified information obtained by the school districts as a result of criminal background checks