MO HB1123

Department of Health and Senior Services shall adopt regulations for hospital licensure that incorporate standards including specific written guidance for citations, consistency with federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requirements, and established complaint investigation procedures.

Department shall establish complaint investigation standards that limit investigation scope to the specific regulatory standard raised unless an immediate and serious threat is observed, and must provide hospitals with reports of all complaints including nature, date, conclusions, and investigation details.

Department shall accept hospital inspection reports from other governmental agencies and recognized accrediting organizations with deemed status from CMS in lieu of annual state inspections, provided inspections are comparable, hospital meets minimum standards, and accreditation inspection was conducted within three years of license renewal.

Department shall establish specific time lines for responding to hospitals regarding investigation status and outcomes that are identical to federal CMS timelines to the extent practicable, and hospitals may participate in and fund annual training sessions for state licensure surveyors.

Department of Health and Senior Services has sole authority over hospital inspection and licensure for all patient care functions and shall be the only state agency to determine life safety and building codes for hospitals, with new standards applying only to new construction.