HB 1890 -- Comprehensive Psychiatric Services

Sponsor:  Moore

This bill changes the laws regarding comprehensive psychiatric
services.  In its main provisions, the bill:

(1)  Includes suicide prevention intervention rendered in good
faith by a qualified counselor or any other person to the list of
care or services rendered in an emergency situation that are
immune from civil liability;

(2)  Requires facilities or programs operated, funded, or
licensed by the Department of Mental Health to disclose medical
record information to a patient's guardian or legal custodian as
allowed by the federal Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act;

(3)  Allows the use of security escort devices to maintain safety
and security and to prevent escape when a patient is being
transported outside a mental health facility;

(4)  Specifies that measures used to ensure the safety and
security of patients by the head of a mental health facility
during a natural or man-made disaster will not be considered
restraint, isolation, or seclusion;

(5)  Revises the definition of "mental health coordinator" to any
mental health professional authorized by the department director
to serve a designated area or mental health facility; and

(6)  Adds investigations regarding mental health admission,
detention for evaluation, and treatment by health care
professionals, public officials, and certain peace officers to
the list of actions that are immune from civil liability.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated October 15, 2008 at 3:11 pm