MO SB1509

Establishes the Office of State Ombudsman for Inmates within the Department of Corrections, led by a governor-appointed ombudsman serving a 6-year term who cannot be a current or former department employee

Requires annual inspections of all department facilities and twice-yearly inspections of maximum security facilities, with public reports on conditions of confinement, staffing levels, assaults, deaths, visitation policies, and medical facilities

Grants the office authority to investigate complaints from inmates, family members, or department employees regarding abuse, neglect, conditions of confinement, policy violations, and parole board decisions, with decisions required within 90 days

Provides the office unrestricted access to all facilities, inmates, staff, and department records, with expedited 5-day document production for cases involving death, bodily harm, sexual assault, or denial of medical treatment

Prohibits retaliation against complainants, with a rebuttable presumption of retaliation if abuse or violations occur after filing a complaint, and allows employees to file retaliation complaints with the attorney general within 30 days