HB 1307 -- Hospital Patient Safety

Sponsor:  Hodges

This bill changes the laws regarding hospital patient safety.  In
its main provisions, the bill:

(1)  Requires each hospital to establish a safe patient handling
committee by January 1, 2011, to design and recommend the process
for implementing a safe patient handling program;

(2)  Requires each hospital to establish a safe patient handling
program by July 1, 2011, implement a safe handling policy for all
shifts and units, conduct a patient handling hazard assessment,
develop a process to identify the appropriate use of the policy,
conduct annual performance evaluations of the program, and
consider incorporating patient handling equipment in future
hospital remodels;

(3)  Requires each hospital, by January 1, 2014, to acquire its
choice of a specified minimum of patient lifting equipment and to
train staff on policies, equipment, and devices at least
annually;

(4)  Requires each hospital to develop procedures for employees
to refuse to perform or be involved in patient handling or
movement that will expose the patient or employee to an
unacceptable risk of injury;

(5)  Requires the Division of Workers' Compensation within the
Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to develop rules by
January 1, 2012, to provide a reduced premium for hospitals that
implement a safe patient handling program and to complete an
evaluation and report on the results of the reduced premiums to
the appropriate committees of the General Assembly by December 1,
2015, and December 1, 2017; and

(6)  Authorizes an income tax credit for hospitals that purchase
equipment used to implement a safe patient handling program.  The
amount of the tax credit will be up to 50% of the cost of the
mechanical lift devices or other equipment.  Tax credit
applications must be filed with the Department of Health and
Senior Services by October 31 of the year in which the qualified
purchase was made and the tax credit is claimed.  The maximum
credit allowed for each hospital is limited to $1,000 for each
available acute care inpatient bed.  The tax credit is
nonrefundable, but can be carried forward for up to three years.
No more than $10 million of tax credits can be issued annually
for the program.  If applications for the tax credit exceed $10
million in any given year, the Department of Health and Senior
Services must notify hospitals that the annual limit has been
met.  No tax credits will be issued for any acquisition of
devices or equipment occurring after December 30, 2015.
Beginning July 1, 2013, the bill requires the department to issue
an annual report on the amount of tax credits claimed.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 14, 2010 at 3:10 pm