Rep. Dean Dohrman, a Republican, represents Johnson, Pettis, and Saline counties (District 51). He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2012. In addition to his legislative duties, Rep. Dohrman is an online professor. Rep. Dohrman is a member of Warrensburg and Sedalia Area Chamber of Commerce, and Sedalia Lions Club. He attends Wesley United Methodist Church. A graduate of LaMonte High, Rep. Dohrman earned his PhD from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2004. Born in Warrensburg, Rep. Dohrman currently lives in LaMonte.

Capitol Report: Aug. 20, 2020

Posted Friday, August 21, 2020, at 10:14 AM

House Committees Advance Bills to Reduce Violent Crime

House committees met this week to review the individual components of the governor’s plan to address the growing problem of violent crime in Missouri. In total, the committees took public testimony on six bills. While some of the bills received changes, all six were approved and are now set to be debated on the House floor.

The legislature had been on track to approve the governor’s recommendations as a single bill. However, after the governor expanded his special session call last week, House leadership decided to take a more deliberative approach to the process. By considering single-subject bills rather than a single omnibus piece of legislation, House leaders said they will be able to “craft the kind of policy that will better protect Missourians from the scourge of violent crime.”

The six pieces of legislation now headed to the House floor for discussion next week include:

HB 2 - In order to better ensure violent offenders are put behind bars, the House has advanced legislation that would allow certain witness statements to be admissible in court that would otherwise not be allowed under current statute. In effect, the bill would ensure a witness is able to submit testimony in situations where the defendant has engaged in wrongdoing to prevent the witness from testifying.

HB 11 - In order to protect the wellbeing of young people, the legislature is considering this legislation to expand the existing offense of “endangering the welfare of a child.” The current statute applies to drug offenses. The bill would expand the crime to include a person who knowingly encourages, aids or causes a child under the age of 17 to engage in any weapons offense.

HB 12 - This bill would require the court to order a hearing for the certification of any child between the ages of 16 and 18 alleged to have committed certain felony offenses, including the felony offense of armed criminal action. The certification hearing is used to determine if a young person should stand trial as an adult. The bill also requires the court to first hold an evidentiary probable cause hearing to determine if probable cause exists to proceed. Additionally, the bill repeals the provision that a child is required to have a certification hearing for the offenses of distribution of drugs or the manufacturing of a controlled substance. The bill also provides that correctional treatment programs for juvenile offenders must include physical

separation of offenders who are younger than 18 years old and must include educational programs that award a high school diploma or its equivalent.

HB 16 - To further protect young people from those who would endanger their welfare, the legislature is working to approve this legislation to ensure children under the age of 18 do not possess guns without the consent of their custodial parent or guardian. The bill would increase the penalty for a person who knowingly sells or delivers any firearm to a child less than 18 years without the consent of the child’s parent or guardian. Supporters say the bill will provide law enforcement with additional tools to utilize when they encounter minors in possession of a firearm.

HB 46 - This legislation is meant to help the City of St. Louis to fill the more than 140 open positions it currently has on its police force. The bill would eliminate the residency requirement for St. Louis law enforcement so long as the officer lives within an hour of the city. This proposal would also prohibit requiring any public safety employee for the city of St. Louis to be a resident of the City. The elimination of the existing residency requirement would last until September 1, 2023. Supporters say the bill is needed to put more “boots on the ground” to help the city address its rising homicide rate.

HB 66 - In order to strengthen efforts to protect witnesses so they can provide key testimony, this piece of legislation would create the Pretrial Witness Protection Fund. The bill would allow the Department of Public Safety to disburse money from the fund to law enforcement agencies for the purposes of providing for the security of witnesses, potential witnesses, and their immediate families in criminal proceedings or investigations. Supporters say the bill would help protect witnesses so they can provide testimony that can help solve murders and other violent crimes.

If approved next week, the bills will move to the Senate for consideration. The House and Senate have not yet moved a bill to address the governor’s expanded call to authorize the attorney general to prosecute the offense of murder in the first or second degree, as well as any other offense that was part of the same course of conduct, in the City of St. Louis.

Missourians Encouraged to Provide Comment on Law Enforcement Training and Discipline

Missourians are being asked to provide feedback on the current training curriculum and disciplinary process for law enforcement officers. The Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission and the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS) are inviting citizens to participate in an online survey that will be open through Aug. 26 at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LETraining_Public.

The POST Commission will also hold two virtual listening sessions to solicit additional input. The sessions are scheduled for Aug. 31 and Sept. 2 at 2 p.m. Those who wish to participate can either call in or provide comments via email. The phone number and email address for the listening sessions will be provided on the POST Program webpage: https://dps.mo.gov/dir/programs/post/

The Missouri POST Commission is responsible for the curriculum for law enforcement officer basic training and continuing education in Missouri. Law enforcement officers must complete 24 hours of continuing law enforcement education each year to maintain their licenses: 2 hours n Legal Studies; 2 hours in Technical Studies; 2 hours in Interpersonal Perspectives; 2 hours of Skill Development involving firearms; 6 hours of electives in any of the preceding core curriculum areas; and 1 hour of racial profiling awareness training.

It is an honor to serve the 51^st District in Missouri House of Representatives. Each week I will issue a capitol report to keep you informed of activities in Jefferson City. Any concerns or issues you might have are of great interest to me. I look forward to your input and thoughts, so please feel free to contact me at any time if you have questions, concerns, or ideas to improve our state government and the quality of life for all Missourians. My telephone number is 573-751-2204 or you may contact me by email at dean.dohrman@house.mo.gov. Thank you for working with me to make Missouri a great place to live.