Mo. Rev. Stat. § 565.258 — MO Code / Chapter 565 / Section 565.258
565.258 Stop cyberstalking and harassment task force — members, duties — ...
Status: in_force

565.258. Stop cyberstalking and harassment task force — members, duties — recommendations — annual report — expiration date. — 1. There is hereby created the "Stop Cyberstalking and Harassment Task Force" to consist of the following members:

(1) The following four members of the general assembly:

(a) Two members of the senate, with one member to be appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate and one member to be appointed by the minority floor leader; and

(b) Two members of the house of representatives, with one member to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one member to be appointed by the minority floor leader;

(2) The director of the department of public safety or his or her designee;

(3) A representative of the Missouri highway patrol appointed by the superintendent of the Missouri highway patrol;

(4) A representative of the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys appointed by the president of the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys;

(5) One or more law enforcement officers with experience relating to cyberstalking and harassment appointed by the governor;

(6) One or more representatives from a regional cyber crime task force appointed by the governor;

(7) A person with experience in training law enforcement on issues of cyberstalking and harassment appointed by the governor;

(8) A representative of a statewide coalition against domestic and sexual violence appointed by the governor;

(9) A representative of the Missouri safe at home program appointed by the secretary of state;

(10) A representative of the judicial branch appointed by the chief justice of the Missouri supreme court;

(11) A mental health service provider with experience serving victims or perpetrators of crime appointed by the director of the department of mental health;

(12) One representative from elementary and secondary education services with experience educating people about cyberstalking and harassment appointed by the director of the department of elementary and secondary education;

(13) One representative from higher education services with experience educating people about cyberstalking and harassment appointed by the director of higher education and workforce development; and

(14) One representative with experience in cybersecurity and technology appointed by the director of the office of administration.

2. The task force shall appoint a chairperson who is elected by a majority vote of the members of the task force. The task force shall have an initial meeting before October 1, 2024. The members of the task force shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to necessary and actual expenses incurred in attending meetings of the task force.

3. The task force shall collect feedback from stakeholders, which may include, but shall not be limited to, victims, law enforcement, victim advocates, and digital evidence and forensics experts, to inform development of best practices regarding:

(1) The treatment of victims of cyberstalking or harassment; and

(2) Actions to stop cyberstalking and harassment when it occurs.

4. The task force shall study and make recommendations, including, but not limited to:

(1) Whether a need exists for further training for law enforcement relating to cyberstalking and harassment, and if such a need does exist, recommendations on how to best fill the need, whether legislatively or otherwise;

(2) Whether a need exists for increased coordination among police departments to address instances of cyberstalking or harassment, and if such a need does exist, recommendations on how to best fill the need, whether legislatively or otherwise;

(3) Resources and tools law enforcement may need to identify patterns and collect evidence in cases of cyberstalking or harassment;

(4) Whether a need exists for strengthening the rights afforded to victims of cyberstalking or harassment in Missouri law, and if such a need does exist, recommendations on how to best fill the need;

(5) Educational and any other resources deemed necessary by the taskforce to educate and inform victims and the public on ways to protect themselves from cyberstalking and harassment;

(6) Whether a need exists for increased victim services and training for victim advocates relating to cyberstalking and harassment, and if such a need does exist, recommendations on how to best fill the need, whether legislatively or otherwise.

5. The department of public safety shall provide administrative support to the task force.

6. On or before December thirty-first of each year, the task force shall submit a report on its findings to the governor and the general assembly.

7. The task force shall expire on December 31, 2026, unless extended until December 31, 2028, as determined necessary by the department of public safety.

(L. 2024 S.B. 754, et al.)