Child Abuse Bill Advances

A proposed state law brought to life by the tragic deaths of two eight year old Kansas City boys makes a big move in the legislature. The deaths of Gary and Larry Bass from starvation and abuse raised a lot of questions about how the division of family services handles child abuse complaints and reports. State lawmakers say the boys fell through bureaucratic cracks… The state Senate now has approved a proposed law closing those cracks. Senator Joe Maxwell of Mexico has sponsored the bill requiring specific people to consider every call, and on a case-by-case basis decide if there should be an investigation. In some instances, police will be involved right off the bat. Some Senators object to unsubstantiated reports being maintained for ten years. But Maxwell says that’s appropriate, and he’s reluctant to change it.