HB 2349 allows students with asthma or anaphylaxis to self-administer prescribed epinephrine in school under specific conditions. Schools must authorize this after a doctor confirms the student's ability to use the device, a written treatment plan is approved, and parents sign a liability waiver (excluding negligence claims). The bill also requires schools to maintain emergency epinephrine supplies for trained staff to use during allergic reactions, with prescriptions designated to the school district. It defines "epinephrine delivery device" and clarifies that proper use by trained personnel is considered first aid, not unlawful medical practice.
HB 1650 creates a new "assistant physician" license category for medical graduates meeting specific criteria, including U.S. citizenship/legal residency, passing required USMLE steps, English proficiency, and completing postgraduate training. It allows these professionals to provide primary care only in medically underserved rural/urban areas or federally qualified health centers under physician supervision, with health insurers required to reimburse them equally for services compared to physician assistants or nurse practitioners. The bill also establishes licensing procedures, limits continuing education requirements to match physicians, and outlines a path to full physician licensure after 60 months of collaborative practice. This directly affects medical graduates seeking this license, healthcare facilities in underserved communities, and health insurance providers.
HB 2488 clarifies that birthing centers - defined as facilities primarily for childbirth without overnight stays - are explicitly exempt from certain licensing requirements applied to ambulatory surgical centers. The bill modifies definitions to specify that birthing centers do not require the hospital transfer agreements mandated for surgical centers, though they must still maintain licensed medical staff on-site and proper patient records. This directly affects birthing centers operating in Missouri by simplifying their licensing process under existing health regulations. The key change removes a specific administrative burden (hospital transfer agreements) while preserving other safety standards like licensed physician presence and medical record-keeping.
HB 2465 amends Missouri's definition of "eligible employee" under the Small Employer Health Insurance Availability Act. It specifies that an eligible employee must work a full-time schedule of 30+ hours per week, including sole proprietors, partners, and independent contractors covered under a small employer's health plan. The change explicitly excludes part-time, temporary, and substitute workers from eligibility for small employer health insurance programs. This adjustment affects small employers (typically those with fewer than 50 employees) and their workers seeking coverage under this state insurance program.
HJR 142 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would add a new right to Missouri's state constitution, protecting individuals' ability to make medical decisions - including gender-affirming care - without government interference. It would require that any medical decision be freely made by the individual, supported by a licensed physician, and consistent with evidence-based standards of care. The amendment specifically includes the right for adults to make decisions about gender-affirming procedures (such as hormone therapy, surgeries, and fertility preservation) and prohibits state interference or discrimination against individuals or providers supporting these choices. If approved by voters in the 2026 election, this would become a constitutional right in Missouri, not an immediate law.
HB 1677 requires that individuals arrested for crimes undergo a mental health evaluation within 45 days to determine if they are competent to participate in court proceedings. If evaluation results indicate a need for treatment, the person must be transferred to a mental health facility within 45 days of the evaluation. The bill mandates that agencies explain delays beyond these deadlines to law enforcement or prosecutors and requires annual reports to the legislature by the Department of Mental Health starting in 2027. This bill directly affects arrested individuals who may require mental health assessments, focusing on timely evaluations and treatment access while establishing accountability measures.
SB 1089 - This act provides that health benefit plans providing for maternity benefits shall provide coverage for a home blood pressure monitoring device and home blood pressure monitoring device services, as defined in the act, for pregnant and postpartum women. This act contains provisions identical to provisions in SB 539 (2025), substantially similar to provisions in HCS/HB 2371 (2026), HB 842 (2025), and similar to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SCS/HCS/HB 2372 (2026), the truly agreed to and finally passed HCS/SS/SCS/SB 878 (2026), and SB 498 (2025). TAYLOR MIDDLETON
HB 2570 requires health insurers and health benefit plans (including MO HealthNet and Medicaid managed care) to pay for anesthesia services based on defined "anesthesia time" units without imposing time limits or restricting how that time is calculated. The bill prohibits insurers from setting arbitrary time caps on anesthesia payment or excluding all anesthesia time when determining reimbursement. It specifically affects anesthesia providers (like anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists) by mandating payment based on standardized time units and prevailing medical billing standards. The law passed as an emergency measure to ensure timely payment for these medically necessary services.
SJR 100 is a Senate Joint Resolution that would prohibit state laws or public policies from infringing on an individual's right to refuse medical procedures or treatments. It applies broadly to all medical care decisions, without specifying exceptions or mechanisms for enforcement. Currently in early stages (prefiled, first reading), it does not detail how this prohibition would interact with existing healthcare regulations or legal standards. As a resolution, it would not become law unless passed by the legislature and approved by the governor.
HB 2373 prevents health care providers from denying minors medical services or terminating their care based on whether a child has received vaccines. It directly affects minor children, their parents or guardians, and medical providers who treat minors. The law prohibits providers from refusing health care services to a minor due to their vaccination status and bans dismissing a minor patient solely because parents refuse to consent to vaccinations for the child. This creates a clear standard for equitable access to pediatric care regardless of vaccination choices.
