MO SB1102

Hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers must give patients the opportunity to designate a caregiver (age 18+) upon admission and prior to discharge, with written consent for release of medical information needed for after-care tasks

Facilities must document the caregiver designation, notify the caregiver of discharge as soon as practicable, and provide discharge plans or after-care instructions with opportunity for the caregiver to ask questions

Caregiver designation is voluntary and does not obligate anyone to perform after-care; patients may change their designated caregiver prior to discharge if the original becomes unavailable

Facilities are protected from liability for caregiver acts or omissions, and no private right of action is created against hospitals, surgical centers, or their employees

"Residence" excludes nursing homes, hospitals, prisons, residential facilities, and group homes—applying only to patients discharged to private dwellings