MO HB785

Establishes a priority order for surrogate health care decision-makers when an adult patient is incapacitated and unable to consent: court-appointed guardian, attorney-in-fact under durable power of attorney, spouse (unless separated), parent or adult child, adult sibling/grandparent/grandchild, other relatives, and close nonrelatives

Requires two licensed physicians to certify a patient's inability to consent, though in emergencies a single health care professional may certify if delay would be detrimental to the patient's health

Allows implied consent for emergency medical treatment when no authorized person is available and delay would jeopardize the patient's life, health, or limb

Provides civil and criminal liability protection for persons making good-faith health care decisions and for health care providers relying on those decisions

Prohibits surrogate consent for treatments contrary to the patient's known religious beliefs or documented prior instructions, and bars consent for procedures that would risk death or serious injury to a fetus except to protect the mother's life