The Board expects each school professional who is required to report under § 273.410, RSMo, to comply with the statutory animal abuse and neglect reporting requirements.

When the statutory reporting standard is met, a covered school professional must report suspected animal abuse or neglect to the hotline established and operated by the Missouri Animal Control Association (MACA), or a successor entity, within one day. The duty applies when the school professional has reasonable cause to suspect that an animal has been or may be subjected to abuse or neglect or observe an animal under conditions or circumstances that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect.

This reporting obligation is independent of any duty to report child abuse or neglect or other conduct under applicable law. Making a report under one reporting law does not satisfy a separate reporting obligation when more than one reporting law applies.

The statutory duty to report under § 273.410 is not in effect while the MACA hotline or a successor hotline has not begun or has ceased operation and resumes when the hotline is operational.

A person required to report under § 273.410 is immune from civil and criminal liability in connection with a required report made in good faith.

Regulation 4875 governs implementation of this Policy.