MO SB196

Releases co-employees from liability for negligence in providing a safe workplace unless the co-employee engaged in purposeful, affirmatively dangerous conduct.

Adds intentional self-inflicted injury as grounds for denying compensation, with burden of proof on the employer contesting the claim.

Forfeits benefits if employee's participation in a recreational activity is the prevailing cause of injury, except when employee was directly ordered to participate, paid wages/travel expenses, or injury resulted from employer's known unsafe premises condition.

Restricts mental injury claims by requiring demonstration that work-related stress was extraordinary and unusual, measured by objective standards, and excludes injuries from disciplinary actions, evaluations, job transfers, layoffs, demotions, or terminations taken in good faith.

Requires administrative law judges and workers' compensation officials to weigh evidence impartially without giving benefit of doubt to either party, while preserving co-employee immunity protections from strict construction of the chapter.