HB 3488 requires public and charter schools serving grades 7-12 to develop suicide and self-harm prevention policies by 2027, including strategies to identify at-risk students and protocols for responding to crises. Starting July 1, 2025, schools must print the national suicide lifeline number (988) and local police nonemergency numbers on student ID cards, with optional inclusion of text line codes (741741) or local hotlines. By 2027, schools must establish mandatory reporting procedures for staff to alert designated personnel about students at risk of suicide or self-harm, requiring immediate parental notification and risk assessments before releasing students. The bill also mandates the education department to create and periodically update a model prevention policy by 2021, incorporating school feedback.
HB 3540 creates a voluntary mental wellness program called "Journaling for Joy" for school districts and charter schools. Starting in the 2027-28 school year, it allows schools to implement the program for students in third, sixth, and twelfth grades using approved curriculum that includes journaling workbooks, instructor guides, and structured prompts focused on emotional regulation and conflict resolution - without providing therapy or collecting identifiable mental health data. Schools must train teachers using department-approved materials, and the education department will track participation and non-identifiable outcomes like school climate through annual reports. The program expires on August 28, 2033, and requires annual state funding approval for implementation.
HB 3217 establishes detailed rules for collaborative practice arrangements between physicians and assistant physicians. It requires written agreements covering specific details like contact information, locations for prescribing, mandatory patient disclosures about seeing an assistant physician, and geographic proximity requirements (with limited rural clinic exceptions). The bill mandates regular chart reviews (10% of all cases, 20% for controlled substances every two weeks) and limits physicians to collaborating with no more than ten full-time equivalent assistant physicians or other providers. These provisions aim to standardize supervision, ensure patient safety, and clarify responsibilities for both providers.
HB 3422 requires health insurance plans sold in the state to cover annual kidney function screening tests starting August 28, 2026. This affects all health carriers offering plans in the state after that date, directly benefiting individuals at risk for chronic kidney disease by ensuring access to preventive screenings. The bill mandates coverage for specific tests including kidney function (glomerular filtration rate), basic metabolic panels, and urine tests for albumin/creatinine. It excludes certain supplemental policies like Medicare supplements, short-term plans, and long-term care coverage. The law aims to promote early detection of chronic kidney disease through mandated insurance coverage.
HB 3305 requires public and charter schools serving grades 7-12 to implement suicide prevention training for educators and mental health awareness for students. Starting in 2023-24, school districts must provide at least two hours of annual suicide prevention training for all teachers and staff, including specific instruction on the Columbia Protocol (C-SSRS) and a virtual mental health tool by 2027-28. The bill also mandates that student ID cards display the 988 suicide lifeline number starting July 2025. Additionally, it requires high school students (grades 9-12) to receive mental health awareness instruction integrated into existing health or physical education courses beginning 2022-23. These provisions directly affect all public and charter schools, educators, and students in participating districts.
SB 1640 allows Missouri's Board of Pharmacy to temporarily ignore certain state rules for nonprofit pharmacies during declared emergencies. This directly affects nonprofit pharmacies operating in Missouri when crises like natural disasters or public health events occur. The key provision gives the Board authority to waive specific regulatory requirements, such as staffing or inventory rules, to ensure these pharmacies can continue serving communities. The bill focuses on enabling flexibility during urgent situations without altering permanent pharmacy regulations.
SB 1682 allows veterans and first responders aged 21+ with specific conditions (PTSD, major depression, substance use disorder, or end-of-life care needs) to legally use psilocybin for therapeutic purposes under strict conditions. It requires a doctor's certification, a trained facilitator present during use, lab testing of the substance, and limits to 150mg of psilocybin per month. The bill also allocates $2 million for research and shields healthcare providers from liability for following these rules. This is limited to therapeutic use only, not general legalization, and applies only to those enrolled in approved studies.
HB 3508 creates a new full-time dementia services coordinator position within Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services. The role directly supports Missourians living with dementia and their caregivers by coordinating existing state services and resources. Key responsibilities include evaluating service coordination, preventing duplication, identifying grant opportunities, supporting dementia-specific staff training, and collecting data on dementia impacts. The coordinator will work across agencies to streamline services and improve care quality in residential, home-based, and community settings.
This bill requires all long-term care facilities (like nursing homes) licensed under state law to maintain liability insurance covering resident and guest injuries from facility negligence. The insurance must provide a minimum of $1 million per incident and $3 million total annual coverage for death or personal injury. It directly affects every licensed facility by mandating these specific insurance levels. The law would take effect upon passage, replacing current voluntary standards with a clear financial requirement.
HB 3244 requires most health insurance plans covering over 25 employees to include infertility treatment coverage starting January 1, 2027. This includes in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo transfer, artificial insemination, and egg freezing for cancer patients. Plans must cover these services only after less expensive infertility treatments are tried, limit IVF cycles to four retrievals (with exceptions), and require clinics to meet medical standards. Religious organizations and entities with religious objections are exempt from these coverage requirements. The bill directly affects insurers, employers, and patients seeking infertility care.
