HCS HB 1504 -- SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

SPONSOR:  Cooper, 155 (Walton)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Health
Care Policy by a vote of 7 to 1.

This substitute allows physicians to use expedited partner
therapy under certain conditions by dispensing and prescribing
medications for partners of persons diagnosed with certain
sexually transmitted diseases even when there is no existing
physician/patient relationship.  Immunity from civil liability is
given to any licensed physician using expedited partner therapy
unless the action is negligent, reckless, in bad faith, or
malicious.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of $6,000 to
$103,272 in FY 2009, $0 to $122,819 in FY 2010, and $0 to
$126,504 in FY 2011.  No impact on Other State Funds in FY 2009,
FY 2010, and FY 2011.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will make treatment for
partners of individuals infected with a sexually transmitted
disease possible without a doctor/patient relationship, provides
doctors with a powerful new tool in the treatment of sexually
transmitted diseases, and can reduce the number of people
carrying certain sexually transmitted diseases.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Walton; Michael
Williams, St. Louis County Health Department; Thomas Davis, MD;
and Department of Health and Senior Services.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated October 15, 2008 at 3:10 pm