HB 1118 -- CIVIL DEFENSE

SPONSOR:  Dempsey

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Veterans by a vote of 11 to 0.

This bill allows for the deployment of any health care
professional licensed, registered, or certified in this state or
any adjoining state who volunteers during an emergency declared
by the Governor and provides them immunity from civil damages for
providing services.  Currently, only workers licensed,
registered, or certified in this state are allowed to be
deployed.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and
FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will provide immunity
from civil damages to health care workers who voluntarily come to
Missouri during a disaster.  These individuals are licensed in
other states, but they are concerned about liability insurance
not covered by their primary employer or private policy.  The
bill will confer immunity to health care workers in a very narrow
way since it can only be used during a declared emergency.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Dempsey and Page;
Missouri Hospital Association; State Emergency Management
Association; St. Louis Area Regional Response System; BJC
HealthCare; Mid-America Regional Council; Missouri Association of
Homes for the Aging; and Missouri State Council of Firefighters.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill say that it is
well-intentioned but vague.  Granting immunity to someone for
negligence may cause problems.  We don't want people who are
victimized by disaster to be further victimized by negligence.

Others testifying on the bill was Missouri Association of Trial
Attorneys.

Alice Hurley, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:42 am