589.663. Program created, purpose, procedures - Missouri Statutes

Program created, purpose, procedures

589.663. There is created in the office of the secretary of state aprogram to be known as the "Address Confidentiality Program" to protectvictims of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, or stalking byauthorizing the use of designated addresses for such victims and theirminor children. The program shall be administered by the secretary underthe following application and certification procedures:

(1) An adult person, a parent or guardian acting on behalf of aminor, or a guardian acting on behalf of an incapacitated person may applyto the secretary to have a designated address assigned by the secretary toserve as the person's address or the address of the minor or incapacitatedperson;

(2) The secretary may approve an application only if it is filed withthe office of the secretary in the manner established by rule and on a formprescribed by the secretary. A completed application shall contain:

(a) The application preparation date, the applicant's signature, andthe signature and registration number of the application assistant whoassisted the applicant in applying to be a program participant;

(b) A designation of the secretary as agent for purposes of serviceof process and for receipt of first-class mail, legal documents, andcertified mail;

(c) A sworn statement by the applicant that the applicant has goodreason to believe that he or she:

a. Is a victim of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, orstalking; and

b. Fears further violent acts from his or her assailant;

(d) The mailing address where the applicant may be contacted by thesecretary or a designee and the telephone number or numbers where theapplicant may be called by the secretary or the secretary's designee; and

(e) One or more addresses that the applicant requests not bedisclosed for the reason that disclosure will jeopardize the applicant'ssafety or increase the risk of violence to the applicant or members of theapplicant's household;

(3) Upon receipt of a properly completed application, the secretarymay certify the applicant as a program participant. A program participantis certified for four years following the date of initial certificationunless the certification is withdrawn or cancelled before that date. Thesecretary shall send notification of lapsing certification and areapplication form to a program participant at least four weeks prior tothe expiration of the program participant's certification;

(4) The secretary shall forward first class mail, legal documents,and certified mail to the appropriate program participants.

(L. 2007 H.B. 583)

Sunset date 8-28-13, unless reauthorized (see § 589.683)

Termination date 9-01-14, unless reauthorized (see § 589.683)