MO SB500

Repeals section 105.711 and enacts three new sections (105.711, 197.625, 287.055) relating to health care professional liability coverage and hospital patient handling practices.

Expands State Legal Expense Fund coverage to include certain health care professionals employed by or contracted with state agencies, county health departments, federally funded community health centers, and nonprofit organizations providing services without compensation, with aggregate payment limits ranging from $500,000 to $1,000,000 depending on the type of provider and services.

Requires Missouri hospitals to establish safe patient handling committees and programs by July 1, 2013, including hazard assessments, equipment acquisition, and annual performance evaluations to reduce musculoskeletal disorders caused by patient handling.

Mandates hospitals acquire lifting equipment by January 1, 2016, with options including one lift per acute care unit, one lift per ten patient beds, or equipment for lift teams, and requires annual staff training.

Directs the Division of Workers' Compensation to develop rules by January 1, 2015, providing reduced workers' compensation premiums for hospitals implementing safe patient handling programs, with evaluation reports due to the legislature by December 1, 2017 and 2019.