MO HB963

Requires all Missouri hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, emergency care facilities, and psychiatric facilities to adopt safe patient handling policies that replace manual lifting with powered transfer devices and designated trained lift teams

Mandates hospitals provide training to health care workers on proper use of lifting equipment and the 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 a patient due to safety concerns or lack of proper equipment/personnel

Establishes civil penalties of up to $5,000 per day per violation, increasing to $10,000 per day if violations continue beyond five consecutive calendar days

Creates a private right of action allowing nurses, patients, and affected individuals to sue for actual damages, punitive damages, attorney's fees, and reinstatement or three months' severance pay for wrongfully terminated nurses