Bill to authorize multidisciplinary adult‑protection teams wins state agency backing; committee questions confidentiality and funding

Representative Becky Lobinger told the committee that House Bill 3,278 aims to protect older Missourians and adults with cognitive impairments by creating a legal framework for multidisciplinary adult protection teams (MDTs) so state and local actors can share relevant, limited information when investigating abuse, neglect or exploitation.

"This bill provides practical common sense solution creating a multidisciplinary team allowing for appropriate information sharing between the departments specifically related to hotline reports and case coordination," Lobinger said, adding the bill does not permit sharing of personal identifying data beyond the team or weaken guardianship authorities.

Committee members asked who would serve on MDTs, how often teams would meet, and how this system differs from the state ombudsman program. Lobinger pointed to bill language that allows inclusion of prosecuting attorneys, law enforcement, medical providers, nursing homes, mental health providers, guardians, and financial institutions "as needed" and said many counties already have informal MDTs. She and witnesses emphasized the bill creates no new positions and carries a $0 fiscal note; the intent is to authorize information sharing among existing actors to prevent duplicated investigations and improve response time.

Cade Tremaine of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and Melanie Hyland, director of the Division of Senior and Disability Services, testified in support. Hyland said MDTs vary by county — some meet quarterly, others more frequently depending on case volume — and that the bill explicitly covers adults 18–59 with disabilities as eligible adults in statute. Tremaine and Hyland stressed that MDT discussions are highly confidential and that statutory clarity would allow better coordination and protection for victims.

Committee members raised concerns about potential misuse, conflict of interest for participating organizations, and whether the MDT mechanism could be used to escalate civil family disputes. DHSS witnesses said participating entities remain bound by their professional confidentiality rules and ethical obligations and that the department would identify and exclude bad actors from participation where warranted.

The committee closed the hearing on HB 3,278 and adjourned; no committee vote was recorded in the provided transcript.