MO HB856

Requires each hospital, ambulatory surgical center, emergency care, and psychiatric facility in Missouri to adopt a patient protection and health care worker back and musculoskeletal injury prevention plan including a safe patient handling policy component.

Mandates hospitals maintain safe patient handling policies for all patient care units and provide designated trained lift teams trained in safe lifting techniques, covering vertical, lateral, bariatric, repositioning, and ambulation patient handling areas.

Prohibits disciplinary action against health care workers who refuse to lift, reposition, or transfer patients due to safety concerns or lack of designated trained lift team personnel or equipment.

Imposes civil penalties of up to $5,000 per day for violations, increasing to $10,000 per day if not corrected within 5 consecutive calendar days; allows affected individuals to file civil actions for actual damages, punitive damages, court costs, and attorney's fees.

Permits nurses, patients, and other individuals to file complaints with the Department of Health and Senior Services; prohibits hospitals from discriminating or retaliating against complainants and requires the department to investigate violations and issue protective orders if warranted.