HCS SCS SB 266 -- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PROGRAMS

CO-SPONSORS:  Bland, Carter (Barry)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Children,
Families and Health by a vote of 14 to 0.

This substitute contains provisions pertaining to programs in
the Department of Health.

SCREENING OF NEWBORNS

The substitute authorizes the Department of Health to expand the
newborn screening requirements of Section 191.331, RSMo, by
including screening for various potentially treatable disorders,
including cystic fibrosis, galactosemia, and congenital adrenal
hyperplasia.  The expansion of the screening is subject to
appropriations and is required to be completed by January 1,
2002.

The department is required to promulgate rules to implement the
provisions of the substitute.

EXPOSURE CONTROL FOR BLOOD-BORNE PATHOGENS

The substitute requires the Department of Health to adopt a
blood-borne pathogen standard governing the occupational
exposure of public employees to blood and other potentially
infectious materials.  The substitute:

(1)  Requires the department to develop a standard that meets
the standard developed by the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA).  The standard must be adopted no later
than February of 2002;

(2)  Exempts the use of a drug or biologic that is pre-packaged
or used in a pre-filled syringe from the blood-borne pathogen
standard.  This exemption expires on June 1, 2004;

(3)  Requires the establishment of an evaluation committee and
specifies the members, qualifications, and duties of the
committee;

(4)  Requires the department to compile and maintain a list of
needleless systems and sharps with engineered sharps injury
protection;

(5)  Requires the department to issue an annual report on the
use of needle safety technology to the Governor, State Auditor,
President Pro Tem of the Senate, Speaker of the House of
Representatives, and the Technical Advisory Committee on the
Quality of Patient Care and Nursing Practices by February 1 of
each year.  The report will be available to the public on the
department's web site by February 15 of each year;

(6)  Requires persons to report a suspected violation; and

(7)  Subjects an employer to a reduction or loss in state
funding for violating provisions of the substitute.

AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The substitute establishes an Automated External Defibrillator
Advisory Committee within the Department of Health, subject to
appropriations.  The committee will advise the department,
Office of Administration, and the General Assembly on the
feasibility of placing automated external defibrillators in
public buildings.  The committee must issue a final report by
December 31, 2002, and the committee will terminate on June 1,
2003.

STATEWIDE LUPUS PROGRAM

The substitute establishes a statewide Systemic Lupus
Erythematosus Program in the Department of Health.

Subject to appropriations, the program is required to:

(1)  Track and monitor the prevalence of lupus;

(2)  Identify medical professionals and providers who specialize
in the treatment of lupus and related diseases; and

(3)  Promote lupus research and public awareness through
collaboration with academic researchers, local boards, and the
Missouri Chapter of the Lupus Foundation.

The department can utilize or expand existing programs such as
the state Arthritis Program, Office of Minority Health, and the
Office of Women's Health to meet the requirements of the
substitute.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of
$1,657,263 in FY 2002, $1,929,538 in FY 2003, and $487,056 in FY
2004.  Estimated Net Effect on Missouri Public Health Services
Fund of $0 in FY 2002, FY 2003, and FY 2004.  Estimated Net Cost
to Highway Funds of $0 to $38,000 in FY 2002, FY 2003, and FY
2004.  Total cost could exceed $100,000 annually.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that it is important to establish a
statewide lupus program in order to increase public awareness
about the disease that disproportionately affects women and to
promote research on lupus.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Bland; and Department of
Health.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Joseph Deering, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:47 am