MO HB1969

Creates a new Class D felony crime of "endangering a department of mental health employee, visitor, or another offender" by intentionally or knowingly causing exposure to blood, seminal fluid, urine, feces, or saliva; escalates to Class C felony if offender knowingly has HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C.

Expands disqualifications for employment in mental health facilities to include convictions or guilty pleas for felony offenses in chapters 195, 570, 575, and 576; driving while intoxicated convictions where offender is found to be an aggravated or chronic offender under section 577.023; and various property and drug-related felonies.

Requires applicants for direct-care positions to sign consent for criminal background checks, disclose criminal history including suspended sentences and probation/parole, and disclose if listed on employee disqualification lists or department of mental health disqualification registry.

Mandates that facilities request criminal background checks and inquire about applicant status on disqualification lists within two working days of hiring any person for positions with client contact.

Makes it a Class A misdemeanor for applicants to knowingly fail to disclose criminal history or for providers to knowingly hire disqualified persons for direct-care positions.