MO HB1148

Licensed EMTs acting in good faith and without gross negligence receive liability protection for transporting persons detained for mental health evaluation and for physically or chemically restraining at-risk behavioral health patients to ensure safety

Hospitals and nursing homes must establish policies requiring advance notification to EMS personnel before transporting at-risk behavioral health patients and take appropriate measures to ensure safe transport

Physicians may place at-risk behavioral health patients on temporary involuntary holds when there is reasonable cause to believe the patient may cause imminent serious harm to themselves or others, lasting only as long as necessary for transport

EMS personnel transporting patients under a physician's hold order may rely on that order as implied consent and are shielded from liability for negligence, false imprisonment, or invasion of privacy claims

"At-risk behavioral health patient" is defined as any patient displaying violent, homicidal, or suicidal ideation or behavior; patient rights under the federal Mental Health Patient's Bill of Rights (42 U.S.C. Section 9501) are preserved