MO HB2162

Requires all Missouri hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, emergency care facilities, and psychiatric facilities to adopt a patient protection and health care worker injury prevention plan with safe patient handling policies by January 1, 2015.

Mandates hospitals maintain designated trained lift teams and provide training to health care workers on proper use of lifting devices, equipment, and five areas of body exposure (vertical, lateral, bariatric, repositioning, and ambulation).

Protects health care workers from disciplinary action if they refuse to lift, reposition, or transfer patients due to safety concerns or lack of designated lift team personnel or equipment.

Prohibits hospitals from discriminating, retaliating, or harming patients, employees, or individuals who file complaints, grievances, or cooperate with investigations related to violations of this act.

Establishes civil penalties of up to $5,000 per day per violation (increasing to $10,000 per day if not corrected within 5 days) and allows affected individuals to pursue civil actions for damages, punitive damages, court costs, and attorney's fees; provides suspended or terminated nurses with reinstatement or three months severance plus lost wages and benefits.