Source: http://www.moga.mo.gov/mostatutes/chapters/chapText209.html
Timestamp: 2017-10-21 06:36:49
Document Index: 436386580

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 9447', '§ 8889', '§ 12361', '§ 192', '§ 9448', '§ 8890', '§ 12362', '§ 9451', '§ 9452', '§ 9454', '§ 8896', '§ 9455', '§ 8897', '§ 9456', '§ 8898', '§ 9457', '§ 8899', '§ 9458', '§ 8900', '§ 9459', '§ 8901', '§ 9461', '§ 8903', '§ 38', '§ 9463', '§ 8905', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 3', '§ 3', '§ 1', '§ 3', '§ 2', '§ 3', '§ 5', '§ 6', '§ 6', '§ 6', '§ 6', '§ 6', '§ 7', '§ 12', '§ 14', '§ 166', '§ 166', '§ 166', '§ 166', '§ 166', '§ 166', '§ 166', '§ 166', '§ 166']

Chapter 209 RSMO
Chapter: 210→ August 28, 2016
Division to aid blind persons.
209.010. The duties of the family support division shall be to prepare and maintain a complete register of the blind persons within this state and to collate information concerning their physical condition, cause of blindness and such additional information as may be useful to the division in the performance of its other duties as herein enumerated, and to investigate and report to the general assembly from time to time the condition of the blind within this state, with its recommendations concerning the best method of relief for the blind; to adopt such measures as the division may deem expedient for the prevention and cure of blindness; to establish and maintain at such places within this state as the division may deem expedient shops and workrooms for the employment of blind persons capable of useful labor, and to provide superintendence and other assistance therefor and instruction therein; to compensate the persons so employed in the manner and to the extent that the division shall deem proper; to provide such means for the sale of the products of the blind as the division shall deem expedient; to act as a bureau of information for the purpose of securing employment for the blind of this state elsewhere than in the shops and workrooms of the division and to this end the division is authorized to procure and furnish materials and tools and to furnish aid and assistance to blind persons engaged in home industries and to buy and sell the products of the blind wherever and however produced within this state; to provide for the temporary cost of the food, raiment and shelter of deserving blind persons engaged in useful labor; to ameliorate the condition of the blind by such means consistent with the provisions of sections 209.010 to 209.160 as the division may deem expedient; provided, however, that no part of the funds appropriated by the state shall be used for solely charitable purposes; the object and purpose of sections 209.010 to 209.160 being to encourage capable blind persons in the pursuit of useful labor and to provide for the prevention and cure of blindness.
(RSMo 1939 § 9447, A.L. 2014 H.B. 1299 Revision)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 8889; 1919 § 12361
Family support division to administer aid or pension to blind persons, 207.010
Readers for blind persons attending college in this state, 178.160 to 178.180
Blindness education, screening and treatment program fund--uses offund--rulemaking.
209.015. 1. There is hereby created in the state treasury the "Blindness Education, Screening and Treatment Program Fund". The fund shall consist of moneys donated pursuant to subsection 7 of section 301.020 and subsection 3 of section 302.171. Unexpended balances in the fund at the end of any fiscal year shall not be transferred to the general revenue fund or any other fund, the provisions of section 33.080 to the contrary notwithstanding.
(4) Any additional costs for vision examinations under section 167.195* that are not covered by existing public or private health insurance. Subject to appropriations, moneys from the fund shall be used to pay for those additional costs, provided that the costs do not exceed ninety-nine thousand dollars per year. Payment from the fund for vision examinations under section 167.195* shall not exceed the allowable state Medicaid reimbursement amount for vision examinations.
(L. 2000 S.B. 721 § 192.936, A.L. 2007 S.B. 16, A.L. 2014 H.B. 1299 Revision)
*Section 167.195 was repealed by S.B. 58, 2015.
Division may receive and expend donations and bequests.
209.020. The family support division is authorized to receive and use for the purposes herein enumerated, or any of them, donations and bequests, and is authorized to expend such donations and bequests in such manner as it may deem proper within the limitations imposed by the donors thereof.
(RSMo 1939 § 9448, A.L. 2014 H.B. 1299 Revision)
Prior revisions: 1929 § 8890; 1919 § 12362
209.030. Every adult blind person, eighteen years of age or over, of good moral character who shall have been a resident of the state of Missouri for one year or more next preceding the time of making application for the pension herein provided and every adult blind person eighteen years of age or over who may have lost his or her sight while a bona fide resident of this state and who has been a continuous resident thereof since such loss of sight, shall be entitled to receive, when enrolled under the provisions of sections 209.010 to 209.160, an annual pension as provided for herein, payable in equal monthly installments, provided that no such person shall be entitled to a pension who owns property or has an interest in property to the value of twenty thousand dollars or more, or if married and actually living with husband or wife, if the value of his or her interest in property, together with that of such husband or wife, exceeds said amount; provided, further, that in determining the total value of property owned, the real estate occupied by the blind person or spouse as the home, shall be excluded; or who has a sighted spouse resident in this state who upon the investigation of the family support division may be found to be able to provide for the reasonable support of such applicant, or while publicly soliciting alms in any manner or through any artifice in any part of this state; and provided, further, that blind persons who are maintained in private or endowed institutions or who are inmates of a public institution shall not be entitled to the benefits of sections 209.010 to 209.160, except as a patient in a public medical institution; provided, benefits shall not be paid to a blind person under sixty-five years of age, who is a patient in an institution for mental diseases or tuberculosis. In order to comply with federal laws and regulations and state plans in making payments to or on behalf of mentally ill individuals sixty-five years of age, or over, who are patients in a state mental institution, the family support division shall require agreements or other arrangements with the institution to provide a framework for cooperation and to assure that state plan requirements and federal laws and regulations relating to such payment will be observed. In the event the federal laws or regulations will not permit approval of the state plan for benefit payments to or on behalf of an individual who is sixty-five years of age, or over, and is a patient in a state institution for mental diseases, this portion of this section shall be inoperative until approval of a state plan is obtained.
(RSMo 1939 § 9451, A.L. 1943 p. 786, A.L. 1945 p. 1351, A.L. 1947 V. II p. 329, A.L. 1949 p. 531, A.L. 1951 p. 762, A.L. 1953 p. 641, A.L. 1955 p. 696, A.L. 1959 H.B. 73, A.L. 1967 p. 328, A.L. 1969 H.B. 225, A.L. 1972 S.B. 483, A.L. 1981 H.B. 360, A.L. 2014 H.B. 1299 Revision)
Proceeds from involuntary conversion, how treated--receipt defined.
209.035. 1. Any proceeds from involuntary conversion of real property into personal property (such as forced transfer under condemnation, eminent domain, and fire, flood or other act of God) received by a recipient while eligible to receive blind pension benefits under existing laws shall be considered real property for a period of one year from the time of their receipt.
2. For the purposes of this section the word "receipt" means actual receipt of the proceeds or the payment into court of the proceeds, except that in condemnation cases where the initial exception to the commissioner's award is filed by the condemning authority, the word "receipt" means receipt of an award under a final judgment.
(L. 1972 S.B. 483)
Vision test required, standard of vision, exemption--amount ofpayments, effect of insufficient appropriations--medicalassistance--increase in appropriations, limitations.
(RSMo 1939 § 9452, A.L. 1945 p. 1351, A.L. 1945 p. 1366, A.L. 1947 V. I p. 421, A.L. 1947 V. II p. 326, A.L. 1949 p. 522, A.L. 1951 p. 762, A.L. 1953 p. 634, A.L. 1955 p. 696, A.L. 1959 H.B. 3, A.L. 1961 p. 534, A.L. 1963 pp. 384, 385, A.L. 1965 p. 356, A.L. 1967 p. 328, A.L. 1969 p. 346, A.L. 1971 H.B. 286, A.L. 1973 H.B. 156, S.B. 325, A.L. 1973 1st Ex. Sess. S.B. 4, A.L. 1975 S.B. 210, A.L. 1976 S.B. 641, A.L. 1978 H.B. 881, A.L. 1980 H.B. 1613, A.L. 1981 H.B. 360, A.L. 1982 H.B. 1086, A.L. 1983 H.B. 488, A.L. 1984 H.B. 1370, A.L. 1986 H.B. 996, A.L. 1991 H.B. 213, A.L. 2014 H.B. 1835)
Persons refusing work ineligible for pensions--names may be strickenfrom roll.
209.050. 1. Sections 209.010 to 209.160 shall not be so construed as to grant the benefits thereof to any blind person between the ages of eighteen and fifty years who has no occupation and who, being both physically and mentally capable of some useful occupation or of receiving vocational or other training, who refuses, for any reason, to engage in such useful occupation or to avail himself or herself of such vocational or other training.
Application for pension--payment begins, when--misrepresentation,penalty.
209.060. Any person who desires the benefits of sections 209.010 to 209.160 shall file an application at the family support division office in the county of his or her residence, who is satisfied that the applicant comes within the provisions of sections 209.010 to 209.160 shall certify such fact to the family support division at its office in Jefferson City, Missouri, which shall consider the merits of such application and if approved by the family support division such person shall be placed upon the blind pension rolls. All pensions payable under sections 209.010 to 209.160 shall begin on the date of the filing of the application therefor with the family support division. And whenever it shall become known to the family support division that any person whose name is on the blind pension roll is no longer qualified to receive a pension, after reasonable notice mailed to such person at his or her last known residence address the name of such person shall be stricken from the blind pension roll; provided further, any person who shall by gifts, secret disposition or other means dispose of any property in his or her possession in order to become wholly or in part within the provisions of sections 209.010 to 209.160 shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
(RSMo 1939 § 9454, A.L. 1945 p. 1348, A.L. 1947 V. II p. 331, A.L. 1951 p. 762, A.L. 2014 H.B. 1299 Revision)
Prior revision: 1929 § 8896
Division to prepare suitable blank application forms.
209.070. It shall be the duty of the family support division to prepare suitable blank application forms for the use of blind persons in making application for pensions, which shall contain such questions for applicant to answer and other matter as the division may deem appropriate to the end to be accomplished. All statements of an applicant contained on such application form shall be verified by the applicant and shall also be supported by the certificates of two disinterested and responsible householders of the county wherein applicant resides, who have known applicant for not less than two years next prior to date of such application, that such statements are true.
(RSMo 1939 § 9455, A.L. 2014 H.B. 1299 Revision)
Prior revision: 1929 § 8897
Division to make regulations relative to examination of applicants forpensions.
209.080. It shall be the duty of the family support division to make such regulations relative to the examination of applicants for pension, including the examination by an ophthalmologist, a physician skilled in disease of the eye, or an optometrist, designated or approved by the family support division to make such examination and of all matters deemed necessary connected with the administration of this chapter. The examining ophthalmologist, a physician skilled in disease of the eye, or optometrist, shall certify in writing, upon forms provided by the family support division, the findings of the examination. The examination shall be provided for by the family support division without charge to the applicant and shall be paid as an administrative expense. No person shall be entitled to the benefits of this chapter who shall refuse to submit to treatment or operation to effect a cure when recommended by competent medical authority and approved by the family support division, but upon submission to such treatment or operation the pension of applicant otherwise entitled thereto, shall be paid as in other cases: Provided further, that no applicant who is more than seventy-five years of age shall be required to submit to an operation to restore his or her vision in order to come under the provisions of this chapter, but may voluntarily submit to operation.
(RSMo 1939 § 9456, A.L. 1945 p. 1348, A.L. 1961 p. 534, A.L. 2014 H.B. 1299 Revision)
Prior revision: 1929 § 8898
Division to prepare roll of pensioners--to distribute pensions.
209.090. Monthly, the family support division shall prepare a separate roll of persons entitled to receive blind pension, which roll shall be in triplicate, showing the name, post-office address, amount of pension payable, and such other information as the family support division may determine to be necessary. One copy of each roll shall be retained as a record by the family support division. The original roll and one copy properly certified by the director, or the director's authorized agent, shall be delivered to the commissioner of administration, who shall certify the same for payment and prepare one warrant for the total amount payable to the family support division, which warrant shall be attached to the copy of the roll and delivered to the state treasurer. The commissioner of administration shall retain the original roll as a record of his or her office. The state treasurer upon receiving said roll, warrant, and checks prepared by the family support division for each person on said roll, shall sign said checks and deliver same to the family support division for delivery to the proper payees.
(RSMo 1939 § 9457, A.L. 1945 p. 1348, A.L. 1945 p. 1351, A.L. 1947 V. II p. 331, A.L. 1949 p. 521, A.L. 2014 H.B. 1299 Revision)
Prior revision: 1929 § 8899
Division to keep blind pension roll.
209.100. The family support division shall place the names of all persons certified by it for a pension under sections 209.010 to 209.160 upon a record to be kept in its office to be known as "The Blind Pension Roll" which shall contain also the residence, post-office address, date upon which the application for pension was filed with the judge of probate division of the circuit court or family support division, and the date the certificate was received by the family support division; and the name of any person appearing upon the said blind pension roll shall be prima facie evidence of the right of such person to the pension herein provided.
(RSMo 1939 § 9458, A.L. 1945 p. 1348, A.L. 1947 V. II p. 331, A. 1949 S.B. 1064, A.L. 1978 H.B. 1634, A.L. 2014 H.B. 1299 Revision)
Prior revision: 1929 § 8900
Person aggrieved may appeal.
209.110. Any person claiming the benefits of sections 209.010 to 209.160 who is aggrieved by the action of the family support division on the question of such person's vision or as to his or her property or income, residential or moral qualifications to receive the benefits of sections 209.010 to 209.160, may appeal from its decision to the circuit court of his or her judicial circuit within ninety days from the decision complained of, by giving the division notice of such appeal; such appeal shall be had and tried in the circuit court de novo, and the judgment rendered thereupon shall be final; and if such judgment be in favor of appellant a certified copy of same shall be mailed to the family support division at its office in Jefferson City.
(RSMo 1939 § 9459, A.L. 1978 H.B. 1634, A.L. 2014 H.B. 1299 Revision)
Prior revision: 1929 § 8901
Rate of tax to be levied.
209.130. There is hereby levied an annual tax of three cents on each one hundred dollars valuation of taxable property in the state of Missouri to provide a fund out of which shall be paid the pensions for the deserving blind as herein provided. The tax shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner and by the same means as other state taxes are now collected. The tax, when so collected, shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the blind pension fund, out of which fund shall be paid the pension as provided by law. Any balance remaining in the fund after the payment of the pensions may be appropriated for the adequate support of the commission for the blind, and any balance remaining at the end of the biennium shall be transferred to the distributive public school fund.
(RSMo 1939 § 9461, A. 1949 S.B. 1064, A.L. 1959 S.B. 86)
Prior revision: 1929 § 8903
Tax for blind pensions, Const. Art. III § 38(a)
Persons violating provisions of law guilty of misdemeanor.
209.140. Any person or persons found guilty of violating any of the provisions of sections 209.010 to 209.160 shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor; and any person who shall willfully and fraudulently violate any of the provisions of sections 209.010 to 209.160 for the purpose of obtaining any benefits thereunder, to which such person is not entitled, shall, in addition to the penalties otherwise provided herein, forfeit all right to future benefits hereunder.
(RSMo 1939 § 9463)
Prior revision: 1929 § 8905
Rights of persons with visual, hearing or physicaldisabilities--guide, hearing or service dogs, no extra chargefor--liability for actual damages.
Trainers of guide, hearing or service dogs, no extra chargefor--liability for damages.
209.152. Not to exceed the provisions of the Americans With Disabilities Act, any trainer, from a recognized training center, of a guide dog, hearing assistance dog or service dog, or any member of a service dog team, as defined in section 209.200, shall have the right to be accompanied by such dog in or upon any of the premises listed in section 209.150 while engaged in the training of the dog without being required to pay an extra charge for such dog. Such trainer or service dog team member shall be liable for any damage done to the premise of facilities by such dog.
(L. 1999 S.B. 12, A.L. 2013 S.B. 33)
Discrimination or interference with persons having visual, hearing orphysical disabilities, a misdemeanor.
Discrimination or interference with persons having visual, hearingor physical disability, an unlawful employment practice--complaints,filed by aggrieved persons.
209.162. It is an unlawful employment practice for any employer to discriminate against any person with a visual, aural or physical disability by interfering, directly or indirectly, with the use of an aid or appliance, including a guide dog, hearing dog or service dog by such person. Any person aggrieved by a violation of this section may make a verified complaint to the Missouri commission on human rights pursuant to the provisions of section 213.075.
(L. 1996 S.B. 582)
October fifteenth to be white cane safety day, governor to note.
209.170. Each year, the governor shall take suitable public notice of October fifteenth as "White Cane Safety Day".
(L. 1977 S.B. 12)
State and its political subdivisions and tax money recipients toemploy visually handicapped on same terms as other employees,exception.
209.180. The blind and the visually handicapped shall be employed in the state service, the service of the political subdivisions of the state, in the public schools, and in all other employment supported in whole or in part by public funds on the same terms and conditions as the able-bodied, unless it is shown that the particular disability prevents the performance of the work involved.
Housing accommodations, defined--discrimination against persons withvisual, hearing or physical disabilities, prohibited--dogs, guide,hearing or service to have full access--liability for actual damages.
209.190. 1. Blind or visually handicapped persons, deaf or partially deaf persons, or physically disabled persons shall be entitled to full and equal access, as other members of the general public, to all housing accommodations offered for rent, lease, or compensation in this state, subject to the conditions and limitations established by law and applicable alike to all persons.
Definitions--blind literacy study--division of special education tomake annual report.
209.192. 1. As used in this section, the following terms mean:
209.200. As used in sections 209.200 to 209.204, not to exceed the provisions of the Americans With Disabilities Act, the following terms shall mean:
Crime of causing substantial injury to or the death of a service dog,penalty--failure to control an animal that causes substantialinjury to or the death of a service dog, penalty--harassment of aservice dog, penalty--damages.
209.202. 1. Any person who knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly causes substantial physical injury to or the death of a service dog is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the destruction of a service dog for humane purposes.
Crime of impersonating a person with a disability for the purposeof receiving certain accommodations, penalty, civil liability.
209.204. Any person who knowingly impersonates a person with a disability for the purpose of receiving the accommodations regarding service dogs under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 12101, et seq., is guilty of a class C misdemeanor and shall also be civilly liable for the amount of any actual damages resulting from such impersonation. Any second or subsequent violation of this section is a class B misdemeanor. For purposes of this section, "impersonates a person with a disability" means a representation by word or action as a person with a disability or a representation of a dog by word or action as a service dog.
Amount of pension--need, how determined.
209.240. 1. The family support division shall, for the purpose of obtaining federal financial participation in aid to the blind payments, prepare a budget taking into consideration the necessary expenses in accordance with standards developed by the family support division and the income and resources of the individual claiming aid to the blind. In preparing such budget the family support division shall disregard the first eighty-five dollars per month of earned income plus one-half of earned income in excess of eighty-five dollars per month and for a period not in excess of twelve months, such additional amounts of other income and resources, in the case of an individual who has a plan for achieving self-support approved by the family support division, as may be necessary for the fulfillment of such plan. Every person passing the vision test and having the other qualifications provided in this law shall be entitled to receive aid to the blind in the amount of one hundred ten dollars monthly. Any person disqualified to receive aid to the blind may apply for pension to the blind as provided in sections 209.010 to 209.160.
209.251. As used in sections 209.251 to 209.259, the following terms mean:
Statewide dual-party relay system, establishment by PSC--advisoryassistive technology council to administer--rulemaking authority.
209.253. 1. The commission shall provide a statewide dual-party system, using third-party intervention to connect deaf, hearing-impaired and speech-impaired persons and offices of organizations representing the deaf, hearing-impaired and speech-impaired with telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDDs) and the telephone system, making available reasonable access to telephone service to eligible subscribers.
2. The Missouri assistive technology advisory council shall provide a statewide telecommunications equipment distribution program making available reasonable access to basic telecommunications service for eligible subscribers who are unable to use traditional telecommunications equipment due to disability.
3. The program administrator of the statewide telecommunications equipment distribution program shall:
(1) Provide consumer support and outreach;
(2) Develop administrative procedures to assure an appropriate match between an individual with a disability and adaptive telecommunications equipment;
(3) Provide a full range of adaptive telecommunications equipment to meet the needs of individuals with all types of disabilities;
(4) Procure and distribute adaptive telecommunications equipment in the most cost-effective manner possible; and
(5) Expend no less than ten percent of total expenditures for consumer support and outreach and no more than twenty percent of total expenditures for program administration in any fiscal year.
4. Missouri public or nonpublic organizations shall be used to deliver consumer support and outreach and administrative services in all contracts and subcontracts for a statewide telecommunications equipment distribution program.
5. The Missouri assistive technology advisory council shall be the program administrator for the statewide telecommunications equipment distribution program.
6. The Missouri assistive technology advisory council may promulgate rules necessary to implement and administer the telecommunications equipment distribution program, but no rule or portion of a rule promulgated pursuant to the authority of this section shall become effective unless it has been promulgated pursuant to chapter 536.
7. The Missouri assistive technology advisory council may enter into contracts as necessary to carry out the telecommunications equipment distribution program, including but not limited to contracts with disability organizations.
8. Nothing in sections 209.251 to 209.259 shall be construed to require the state to purchase, install or maintain equipment on an eligible subscriber's premises which will enable the eligible subscriber to participate in the dual-party relay system.
9. Nothing in sections 209.251 to 209.259 shall be construed to require the state to provide adaptive telecommunications equipment at no cost to all eligible subscribers. The Missouri assistive technology advisory council shall adopt procedures to limit eligibility based on financial means, existing access to adaptive telecommunications equipment, prior usage of the equipment distribution program, and other factors deemed appropriate by the program administrator. The scope of the program shall be limited to reasonable access to basic telecommunications as defined by the program administrator, subject to appropriations.
(L. 1990 H.B. 1132 § 2 merged with H.B. 1315 § 2, A.L. 1996 S.B. 525, A.L. 2000 S.B. 721)
Rate established to recover costs of programs--surcharge, limitations,collection--exemption from taxes.
209.255. 1. The commission shall establish a rate recovery mechanism to recover the costs of implementing and maintaining the programs provided for in section 209.253, which shall be applied to each basic telephone access line. Any surcharge established by such rate recovery mechanism shall not be imposed upon more than one hundred basic telephone access lines per subscriber per location. Any surcharge established by such rate recovery mechanism shall not be imposed on any telephone line used to provide pay telephone service. The surcharge may appear on the bill of each local exchange telephone subscriber identified separately as a deaf relay service and equipment distribution program fund surcharge. The commission shall not vary the amount of the surcharge between telephone companies nor between the class or grade of customers of any telephone company. The surcharge provided for in this section shall be exempt from the taxes provided for in chapter 144, and the surcharge shall not be construed as gross receipts or revenue of the company collecting such for the purpose of local taxation.
Telephone company to deduct percentage to cover cost--percentagedetermined by PSC--money collected, deposit--use of deaf relayservice fund.
209.257. The local exchange telephone company shall deduct and retain a percentage of the total surcharge amount collected each month to recover the billing, collecting, remitting and administrative costs attributed to the deaf relay service and equipment distribution program fund surcharge. The commission shall determine the appropriate percentage to be deducted and retained and shall include this percentage as part of its order establishing the deaf relay service and equipment distribution program fund surcharge. All remaining deaf relay service and equipment distribution program fund surcharge money collected by local exchange telephone companies shall be remitted to the commission, who shall use such money exclusively to fund the programs provided for in section 209.253.
(L. 1990 H.B. 1132 § 3 subsec. 3 merged with H.B. 1315 § 3 subsec. 3, A.L. 1996 S.B. 525)
Deaf relay service fund established, purpose--deposit--unexpendedbalance not to be transferred to general revenue--commission andadvisory assistive technology council to request appropriationsfrom fund for service delivery.
209.258. 1. All remaining deaf relay service and equipment distribution program fund surcharge money collected by local exchange telephone companies pursuant to section 209.257 shall be paid to the director of revenue in a manner prescribed by the public service commission. The director of revenue shall remit such payments to the state treasurer.
Review of surcharge and deduction percentage--recommendationprocedures--surcharge adjusted when--excess funds, effective.
209.259. 1. From the date of implementing the deaf relay service and equipment distribution fund surcharge, the commission shall review such surcharge no less frequently than every two years but no more than annually and shall order changes in the amount of the surcharge as necessary to assure available funds for the provision of the programs established in section 209.253.
Telecommunications companies responsibility for quality of services,individuals with disabilities.
209.260. Telecommunications companies shall ensure, if readily achievable as defined by federal law 42 U.S.C.A. section 12181(9), that high quality existing and new telecommunications services are available, accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities, unless making the services available, accessible or usable would result in an undue burden, including unreasonable costs or technical infeasibility, or would have an adverse competitive effect.
(L. 1996 S.B. 525 § 1)
209.261. As used in sections 209.261 to 209.265, the following terms mean:
Person relaying conversation not to disclose contents,exception--order to disclose--privilege.
209.263. 1. A person who interprets, transliterates or relays a conversation between a person who can hear and a deaf person is deemed a conduit for the conversation and may not disclose, or be compelled to disclose by subpoena, the contents of the conversation which he facilitated without the prior consent of the person who received his professional services, except as provided in subsection 2 of this section.
No disclosure of conversation without permission--penalty.
209.265. 1. An auxiliary aids and services provider or relay agent who is employed to interpret, transliterate or relay a conversation between a person who can hear and a person who is deaf or speech impaired shall not disclose the contents of the conversation, unless the person for whom he interpreted, transliterated or relayed has given written permission for such disclosure.
2. Violation of this section is a class A misdemeanor.
(L. 1993 H.B. 600 § 3, A.L. 1995 H.B. 135)
209.285. As used in sections 209.285 to 209.339, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following terms mean:
(9) "Department", the department of insurance, financial institutions and professional registration;
Board for certification of interpreters established--appointment,qualification, terms--expenses--meetings--chairman electedhow--quorum--removal from office, procedure.
209.287. 1. There is hereby established within the Missouri commission for the deaf and hard of hearing a board to be known as the "Board for Certification of Interpreters", which shall be composed of five members. The executive director of the Missouri commission for the deaf and hard of hearing or the director's designee shall be a nonvoting member of the board.
2. The members shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate from a list of recommendations from the commission. The members shall be appointed for terms of three years, except those first appointed whose terms shall be staggered and one member appointed to serve for one year, two members to serve for two years and two members to serve for three years. No member shall be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms, except a person appointed to fill a vacancy for a partial term may serve two additional terms. Two of the members appointed shall be deaf, two shall be certified interpreters and one shall be deaf or a certified interpreter. The members shall be fluent in American sign language, Pidgin Signed English, oral, tactile sign, or any specialized vocabulary used by deaf persons. The member shall have a background and knowledge of interpreting and evaluation.
3. The members shall receive no compensation for their services on the board, but the commission shall reimburse the members for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties. The board shall meet not less than two times per year. The board shall elect from its membership a chairperson and a secretary. A quorum of the board shall consist of three of its members.
4. Any member of the commission may petition the governor to remove a member from the board for the following reasons: misconduct, inefficiency, incompetence or neglect of his official duties. The governor may remove the member after giving the committee member written notice of the charges against him and an opportunity to be heard pursuant to administrative procedures in chapter 621.
(L. 1994 S.B. 568 § 2, A.L. 2002 H.B. 1783)
Coordinator to be hired, qualifications, salary and expenses.
209.289. The executive director shall hire a coordinator, who shall serve as coordinator of the Missouri interpreters certification system. The coordinator shall have a background in interpreter testing and interpreting. The salary and office space for the coordinator shall be appropriated to and provided by the commission. The salary of the coordinator shall be paid out of general revenue funds. All other expenses for the administration of sections 209.287 to 209.318 shall be paid from the interpreters fund established in section 209.318.
(L. 1994 S.B. 568 § 3)
Board's powers and duties--evaluation team to be appointed,qualifications, expenses--removal from team, procedure.
209.292. 1. The board shall, with the approval of the commission:
Rules and regulations, authority to promulgate, duties of commission.
209.295. The commission may promulgate rules and regulations pertaining to, but not limited to:
(1) The form and content of certification applications and the procedures for filing an application for an initial certification and renewal certification in this state;
(2) Fees required for the operation of the certification system, including, but not limited to, application fees, evaluation fees, renewal fees, conversion fees or any other fees relating to the certification;
(3) The certifications recognized as qualifying credentials for initial or conversion certification;
(4) Establishment of policy and procedure for conversion with other states' certification systems;
(5) Guidelines for the use of interpreters according to their level of certification;
(6) Maintenance and upkeep of skills, also known as continuing education or professional development training;
(7) Minimum educational, training, experience and any necessary and appropriate certifications for interpreter trainers, as well as any necessary continuing education and training requirements for interpreter trainers;
(8) Any other necessary and proper rules, decision or policy in regard to evaluation, certification and maintaining a certification according to the procedures set forth in chapter 536.
(L. 1994 S.B. 568 § 5)
Applications for certification, content, oath--fee notrefundable--applicant to be given date for evaluation.
209.297. 1. Applications for certification as an interpreter:
Evaluations to be held where and when--coordinator to notifyapplicants of score.
209.299. The board shall schedule evaluations for persons seeking certification, at a central location, at least four times each year in 1995 and 1996, and at least twice a year thereafter, according to the number of applicants seeking certification. As soon as possible after completion of an evaluation, the coordinator shall notify the applicant of his score and level of certification.
(L. 1994 S.B. 568 § 6 subsec. 3)
Evaluations, subjects to be covered--confidentiality of tests andrecords.
209.305. 1. The evaluation shall be an assessment of interpreter's language skills, expressive and receptive skills, professionalism, knowledge of interpreting and ethical practices. Modes of communication that shall be evaluated include, but are not limited to:
Conflict of interest for board or evaluation team, effect.
209.307. Any member of the board or an evaluation team who has a conflict of interest that may have a direct effect on an evaluation shall excuse himself from the evaluation. The remaining members, not consisting of less than three members, shall assess that individual's performance.
(L. 1994 S.B. 568 § 6 subsec. 7)
Provisional certificates issuedwhen--limitation--requirements--extension granted when.
209.309. The board may offer provisional certification to interpreters achieving a minimal level of certification established by the board. A provisional certification is limited to one year; during such year the interpreter must be reevaluated and achieve the next higher level of certification. If an evaluation slot is not available during the term of the provisional license, the interpreter may be granted an extension. A holder of a provisional certification may only be granted one extension.
(L. 1994 S.B. 568 § 6 subsec. 8)
Fees, how established.
209.311. The commission may charge fees for application, administration of an evaluation, renewal of a certificate, conversion and recordkeeping. The fees shall be in an amount sufficient to cover the costs of the evaluation and certification program.
(L. 1994 S.B. 568 § 6 subsec. 9)
Grievances on evaluation, procedure.
209.314. The commission shall provide an opportunity to hear grievances against the evaluation process or members of the assessment team pursuant to the administrative process in chapter 621.
(L. 1994 S.B. 568 § 6 subsec. 10)
Certificate may be suspended, denied or revoked--hearing procedure.
209.317. 1. The board may suspend, deny or revoke a certificate if an interpreter:
(1) Impersonates another person holding interpreter certification;
(2) Allows another person to use the interpreter's certificate;
(3) Uses fraud, deception or misrepresentation in the certification process;
(4) Harasses, abuses or threatens a member of the board, evaluation team or a support staff person who is administering the system;
(5) Intentionally divulges confidential information relating to the certification process, including content, topic, vocabulary, skills or any other testing material;
(6) Fails to achieve a minimum satisfactory certification level.
2. The board shall provide that any hearing concerning the denial, suspension or revocation of a certificate shall follow administrative procedures for hearings as provided in chapter 621.
(L. 1994 S.B. 568 § 7)
Fund for certification of interpreters established, purpose--lapseinto general revenue when--first fiscal year, board's expenses, howpaid.
209.318. 1. There is hereby established in the state treasury a fund to be known as the "Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Board of Certification of Interpreters Fund". All fees provided for in sections 209.287 to 209.318 shall be collected by the executive director of the commission and shall be transmitted to the department of revenue for deposit in the state treasury to the credit of the Missouri commission for the deaf and hard of hearing board of certification of interpreters fund. Such funds, upon appropriation, shall be disbursed only for payment of expenses of maintaining the board and for the enforcement of the provisions of sections 209.287 to 209.318 and shall not be used to pay the salary of the coordinator hired pursuant to section 209.289. Warrants shall be drawn on the state treasury for payment out of the fund.
State committee of interpreters to be established in division ofprofessional registration, appointment, qualifications, terms,compensation--vacancies--quorum--meetings.
209.319. 1. There is hereby established in the division of professional registration the "Missouri State Committee of Interpreters", which shall consist of seven members, including two public members. At least one of the public members shall be deaf. The committee members shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Each member of the committee shall be a citizen of the United States and a resident of this state and, except as provided in subsections 2 and 3 of this section, shall be licensed as an interpreter by this state.
License required to practice interpreting--certain professionsexempt--practice to be limited to training and education--notconsidered interpreting, when--out-of-state licensees, temporaryinterpreting permitted--provisional licensure, criteria.
209.321. 1. No person shall represent himself or herself as an interpreter or engage in the practice of interpreting as defined in section 209.285 in the state of Missouri unless such person is licensed as required by the provisions of sections 209.319 to 209.339.
Certificates recognized by the board.
209.322. The board shall recognize the following certificates:
(1) National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (NRID) certificates, which include Comprehensive Skills Certificate (CSC), Certificate of Interpreting/Certificate of Transliteration (CI/CT) and Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI);
(2) National Association of the Deaf (NAD) certificate levels 3, 4 and 5; and
(L. 2002 H.B. 1783, A.L. 2004 S.B. 1122)
License application forms, content, oath, fee not refundable,qualifications, licenses expire, when--reinstatementprocedure--replacement of license lost or destroyed.
209.323. 1. Applications for licensure as an interpreter shall be submitted to the division on forms prescribed by the division and furnished to the applicant. The application shall contain the applicant's statements showing the applicant's education, certification by either the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, National Association of the Deaf or Missouri Interpreter Certification System and such other information as the division may require. Each application shall contain a statement that it is made under oath or affirmation and that the information contained in the application is true and correct to the best knowledge and belief of the applicant, subject to the penalties, as provided in sections 209.319 to 209.339, for the making of a false affidavit or declaration. Each application shall be accompanied by the required application fee. The application fee must be submitted in a manner as required by the committee and shall not be refundable. The applicant must be eighteen years of age or older.
Temporary license issued to persons licensed in other states,procedure, fee limitation.
209.326. Any person who holds a valid unrevoked and unexpired license or certification as an interpreter issued by a state or organization other than this state and recognized by the committee and concurrently by the Missouri commission for the deaf and hard of hearing and, provided for by rule, may be granted a temporary license by the committee to practice interpreting in this state. The application for a temporary license must be accompanied by the appropriate fee as established by the committee and that fee is nonrefundable. If issued, the temporary license is valid for ninety days. A temporary license may not be issued to the same individual more than once per year. The committee may not issue more than one temporary license to an individual who has established residency in this state during the individual's residency.
(L. 1994 S.B. 568 § 12, A.L. 2002 H.B. 1783)
Ethical rules of conduct established by rules, duties ofcommittee--other rules authorized.
209.328. 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of sections 209.319 to 209.339, the committee may adopt rules and regulations, not otherwise inconsistent with sections 209.319 to 209.339, to carry out the provisions of sections 209.319 to 209.339. No rule shall be adopted except in accordance with the procedures set forth in chapter 536. The committee may promulgate, by rule, "Ethical Rules of Conduct" governing the practices of interpreters.
Procedure to adopt rules.
209.331. No rule or portion of a rule promulgated under the authority of sections 209.285 to 209.339 shall become effective unless it has been promulgated pursuant to the provisions of section 536.024.
(L. 1994 S.B. 568 § 14, A.L. 1995 S.B. 3)
State committee of interpreters fund established, purpose--transferto general revenue, when--profession of interpreter not to be subjectto taxation or licensing fees by municipalities.
209.332. 1. There is hereby established in the state treasury a fund to be known as the "State Committee of Interpreters Fund". All fees provided for in sections 209.319 to 209.339 shall be collected by the director of the division of professional registration and shall be transmitted to the department of revenue for deposit in the state treasury for credit to this fund. Such funds, upon appropriation, shall be disbursed only in payment of expenses of maintaining the committee and for the enforcement of the provisions of sections 209.319 to 209.339. Warrants shall be drawn on the state treasury for payment out of the fund.
Refusal to issue or renew license, grounds, complaintprocedure--reinstatement procedure.
209.334. 1. The committee may refuse to issue or renew any license required by the provisions of sections 209.319 to 209.339 for one or any combination of causes stated in subsection 2 of this section. The committee shall notify the applicant in writing of the reasons for the refusal and shall advise the applicant of his or her right to file a complaint with the administrative hearing commission as provided by chapter 621.
Violations, penalty--injunction granted when--venue.
209.337. 1. A violation of any provision of sections 209.319 to 209.339 is a class A misdemeanor.
Conversation between a hearing person and a deaf person, interpreteris deemed a conduit, confidentiality, exceptions.
209.339. 1. A person who interprets a conversation between a person who can hear and a deaf person is deemed a conduit for the conversation and may not disclose or be compelled to disclose by subpoena, the contents of the conversation which he facilitated without the prior consent of the person who received his professional services, except as provided in subsections 2 to 4 of this section.
209.600. As used in sections 209.600 to 209.645, except where the context clearly requires another interpretation, the following terms mean:
(1) "ABLE account", the same meaning as in 26 U.S.C. Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code;
(2) "Benefits", the payment of qualified disability expenses on behalf of a designated beneficiary from an ABLE account;
(3) "Board", the Missouri Achieving a Better Life Experience board established in section 209.605;
(4) "Designated beneficiary", the same meaning as in 26 U.S.C. Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code;
(5) "Eligible individual", the same meaning as in 26 U.S.C. Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code;
(6) "Financial institution", a bank, insurance company, or registered investment company;
(7) "Internal Revenue Code", the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
(8) "Missouri Achieving a Better Life Experience program" or "ABLE", the program created pursuant to sections 209.600 to 209.645;
(9) "Participant", a person who has entered into a participation agreement pursuant to sections 209.600 to 209.645 for the advance payment of qualified disability expenses on behalf of a designated beneficiary. Unless otherwise permitted under 26 U.S.C. Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code the participant shall be the designated beneficiary of the ABLE account, except that if the designated beneficiary of the account is a minor or has a custodian or other fiduciary appointed for the purpose of managing his or her financial affairs, the parent or custodian or other fiduciary of the designated beneficiary may serve as the participant if such form of ownership is permitted or not prohibited by 26 U.S.C. Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code;
(10) "Participation agreement", an agreement between a participant and the board pursuant to and conforming with the requirements of sections 209.600 to 209.645; and
(11) "Qualified disability expenses", the same meaning as in 26 U.S.C. Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code.
(L. 2015 S.B. 174 § 166.600, A.L. 2016 H.B. 2125)
Program created--ABLE board to administer, members,terms--powers--meetings--investment of funds.
Agreements, terms and conditions--contribution limits.
209.610. 1. The board may enter into ABLE program participation agreements with participants on behalf of designated beneficiaries pursuant to the provisions of sections 209.600 to 209.645, including the following terms and conditions:
(L. 2015 S.B. 174 § 166.610, A.L. 2016 H.B. 2125)
Deposit and investment of moneys.
209.615. All money paid by a participant in connection with a participation agreement shall be deposited as received and shall be promptly invested by the board. Contributions and earnings thereon accumulated on behalf of participants in the ABLE program may be used, as provided in the participation agreement, for qualified disability expenses.
(L. 2015 S.B. 174 § 166.615)
Cancellation of participation agreement, penalty.
209.620. Any participant may cancel a participation agreement at will. The board shall impose a penalty equal to or greater than ten percent of the earnings of an ABLE account for any distribution that is not:
(1) Used exclusively for qualified disability expenses of the designated beneficiary;
(2) Made because of death of the designated beneficiary; or
(3) Held in the fund for the minimum length of time established by the board.
(L. 2015 S.B. 174 § 166.620)
Assets exempt from taxation.
209.625. 1. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the assets of the ABLE program held by the board and the assets of any ABLE account and any income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation by the state or any of its political subdivisions. Income earned or received from an ABLE account or deposit shall not be subject to state income tax imposed pursuant to chapter 143. The exemption from taxation pursuant to this section shall apply only to assets and income maintained, accrued, or expended pursuant to the requirements of the ABLE program established pursuant to sections 209.600 to 209.645, and no exemption shall apply to assets and income expended for any other purposes. Annual contributions made to the ABLE program held by the board up to and including eight thousand dollars per participating taxpayer, and up to sixteen thousand dollars for married individuals filing a joint tax return, shall be subtracted in determining Missouri adjusted gross income pursuant to section 143.121.
(L. 2015 S.B. 174 § 166.625)
Assets used for ABLE program purposes only.
209.630. The assets of the ABLE program shall at all times be preserved, invested, expended, and distributed only for the purposes set forth in this section and 26 U.S.C. Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and in accordance with the participation agreements.
(L. 2015 S.B. 174 § 166.630, A.L. 2016 H.B. 2125)
209.635. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028. This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2015, shall be invalid and void.
(L. 2015 S.B. 174 § 166.635)
State treasurer's office, semiannual review.
209.640. The director of investment of the state treasurer's office shall, on a semiannual basis, review the financial status and investment policy of the program as well as the participation rate in the program. The director of investment shall also review the continued viability of the program and the administration of the program by the board. The director of investment shall report the findings annually to the board, which shall subsequently disclose such findings at a public meeting.
(L. 2015 S.B. 174 § 166.640)
ABLE account moneys not part of total state revenues.
209.645. Money accruing to and deposited in individual ABLE accounts shall not be part of "total state revenues" as defined in Sections 17 and 18 of Article X of the Constitution of the state of Missouri and the expenditure of such revenues shall not be an expense of state government under Section 20 of Article X of the Constitution of the state of Missouri.
(L. 2015 S.B. 174 § 166.645)