Tracking List: Priority UM System Tracking List
| HB90 - Rep. Dave Griffith (R) - Modifies provisions relating to the authority to confer degrees at public institutions of higher education | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | This bill relates to the authority to confer degrees at public institutions of higher education. The bill repeals the following provisions: (1) The University of Missouri is the state?s only public research university and the exclusive grantor of research doctorates and first-professional degrees, including dentistry, law, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine (Section 172.280 RSMo); (2) Degrees in podiatry and chiropractic and osteopathic medicine may be conferred only by the University of Missouri or by a public institution of higher education in collaboration with the University of Missouri, with the University of Missouri being the degree-granting institution, unless the University of Missouri declines to collaborate with the institution (Section 173.005); and (3) Degrees in engineering may be conferred only by the University of Missouri or by a public institution of higher education in collaboration with the University of Missouri, with the University of Missouri being the degree-granting institution, unless the University of Missouri declines to collaborate with the institution (Section 174.160, RSMo). This bill is the same as HB 1497 (2024)and HB 1189 (2023). |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HB183 - Rep. Cameron Parker (R) - Modifies the "Higher Education Core Curriculum Transfer Act" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | HB 183 -- HIGHER EDUCATION CORE CURRICULUM (Parker) COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development This bill specifies that, prior to June 30, 2027, the coordinating board, with the assistance of an advisory committee, must approve a 60 credit hour transferable lower-division courses and common course numbering equivalency matrix for the five applicable degree programs outlined in the bill beginning in the 2027-28 academic year. Each public institution of higher education, offering the approved degree programs, must include in its programs of study an approved 60 hour program equivalency matrix. If a student successfully completes the transferable lower-division courses at a public institution of higher education, such courses may be transferred and will be substituted for core curriculum courses in the same degree program at a receiving institution. The transferring student receives credit toward the student's degree and is not required to take additional core classes for the same degree program at the receiving institution. Transferring students who have not fully completed the transferable coursework curriculum may be required to satisfy further course requirements at the receiving institution. The coordinating board must report to the House Higher Education Committee and the Senate Education Committee on progress related to the requirements of the bill. This bill is similar to HCS HB 2310 (2024). |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HB419 - Rep. Don Mayhew (R) - Clarifies that military personnel are eligible for in-state tuition for undergraduate and graduate degree programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | HB 419 -- TUITION FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL (Mayhew) COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Veterans and Armed Forces This bill clarifies that specified military service personnel, their spouses, and their unemancipated children under 24, individuals serving in the Missouri National Guard, and any individuals serving in a reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States, be considered Missouri residents for the purposes of any undergraduate or graduate degree program in Missouri institutions of higher education. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HB448 - Rep. Ian Mackey (D) - Prohibits noncompete clauses in physician employment contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | This bill prohibits the enforcement of any noncompete clause of an employment contract between an employer and a physician that restricts the right of the physician to practice medicine in any geographic area for any period of time after the termination of an employment relationship between the employer and the physician. This bill is the same as HB 2725 (2024). |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HB502 - Rep. Brad Christ (R) - Enacts provisions relating to payment for health care services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | This bill creates the "Honest Billing Act", which requires off- campus outpatient departments of medical facilities, as defined in the bill, to apply for, obtain, and use a national provider identifier ("NPI") that is distinct from the NPI used by the main campus of the facility. This unique NPI must be used on all claims submitted to health carriers on or after January 1, 2026. No facility, or entity on behalf of a facility, can submit a claim for a health care service provided at an off-campus outpatient department of a facility, or hold an enrollee liable for the service, unless the service is billed using the unique NPI and on specified forms. A Health carrier is not required to reimburse claims that are not billed in accordance with this requirement. Facilities, and entities acting on behalf of facilities, cannot hold enrollees liable for health care services that are not billed as provided in the bill. Any violation of this requirement is a violation of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act subject to enforcement by the Attorney General. A facility applying for a license or license renewal by the state must demonstrate it has obtained one or more NPIs as a condition of receiving licensure, and must use its unique NPI on every claim for payment in the manner required. The bill specifies penalties that may be imposed by the Department of Health and Senior Services after an administrative hearing as provided by law, and the Department of Commerce and Insurance has the authority to refer violations of the these provisions to the Department of Health and Senior Services. The Attorney General also has the authority to enforce the provisions of the bill. This bill is similar to HB 1943 (2024) and SB 610 (2023). |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HB616 - Rep. Melanie Stinnett (R) - Modifies provisions relating to the authority to confer degrees at public institutions of higher education | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | This bill relates to the authority to confer degrees at public institutions of higher education. The bill repeals the following provisions: (1) The University of Missouri is the State?s only public research university and the exclusive grantor of research doctorates and first-professional degrees, including dentistry, law, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine (Section 172.280, RSMo); (2) Degrees in podiatry and chiropractic and osteopathic medicine may be conferred only by the University of Missouri or by a public institution of higher education in collaboration with the University of Missouri, with the University of Missouri being the degree-granting institution, unless the University of Missouri declines to collaborate with the institution (Section 173.005); and (3) Degrees in engineering may be conferred only by the University of Missouri or by a public institution of higher education in collaboration with the University of Missouri, with the University of Missouri being the degree-granting institution, unless the University of Missouri declines to collaborate with the institution (Section 174.160). This bill is the same as HB 90 (2025) and HB 1497 (2024). |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HB618 - Rep. Melanie Stinnett (R) - Creates provisions relating to prior authorization of health care services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | HB 618 -- PRIOR AUTHORIZATION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES (Stinnett) COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Insurance This bill provides that a health carrier or utilization review entity cannot require health care providers to obtain prior authorization for health care services, except under certain circumstances. Beginning January 1, 2026, prior authorization is not required unless a determination is made that less than 90% of prior authorization requests submitted by the health care provider in the previous evaluation period, as defined in the bill, were or would have been approved. The bill establishes separate thresholds for requiring prior authorization for individual health care services or requiring prior authorization for all health care services. Hospitals must meet one of three conditions for exemption: (1) Enter into a value-based care agreement; (2) Achieve a score of three or higher on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Five-Star Quality Rating System; or (3) Have at least 91% of prior authorization requests approved. Critical access hospitals and those not participating in the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Five-Star system are automatically exempt from these conditions. Exemptions may be audited, up to a maximum of two times per year, and revoked under specific conditions, such as approval rates dropping below 90% or a significant increase in exempt procedures. Additionally, exemptions are void if providers are found guilty of fraud or abuse. The exemption from prior authorization requirements will not include: (1) Pharmacy services, not to exceed the amount of $100,000; (2) Imaging services, not to exceed the amount of $100,000; (3) Cosmetic procedures that are not medically necessary; or (4) Investigative or experimental treatments. The amounts for the pharmacy services and imaging services listed above will increased every year, rounded to the nearest thousand dollars, beginning January 1, 2027, based on the Consumer Price Index. Online portals may be required for prior authorization submissions. Patients with a new health plan receive a 90-day grace period for previously authorized medications. The bill specifies requirements for notifying the provider of determinations in the bill, requires carriers and utilization review entities to maintain an online portal giving providers access to certain information, and provides that prior authorizations may be required beginning 25 business days after notice to the provider until the end of the evaluation period. Failure to notify providers of a determination as required in the bill will constitute prior authorization of the applicable health care services. Lastly, no health carrier or utilization review entity can deny or reduce payments to a health care provider who had a prior authorization, unless the provider made a knowing and material misrepresentation with the intent to deceive the carrier or utilization review entity, or unless the health care service was not substantially performed. This bill will not apply to Medicaid, except with regard to a Medicaid managed care organization as defined by law. The bill also does not apply to providers who have not participated in a health benefit plan offered by the carrier for at least one full evaluation period. This bill should not be construed to authorize providers to provide services outside the scope of their licenses, nor to require health carriers or utilization review entities to pay for care provided outside the scope of a provider's license. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HB688 - Rep. Michael O'Donnell (R) - Modifies provisions relating to state retirement for certain state colleges and universities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Beginning on August 28, 2025, in the event that the Board of the Missouri State Employees' Retirement System (MOSERS) certifies a contribution rate that exceeds 28.75%, the Commissioner of the Office of Administration must include in its appropriation request an amount equal to the difference between the certified contribution rate and 28.75% of the compensation of members who are employees of certain state higher education institutions. Except to the extent that state funds have been appropriated and paid to MOSERS, the state higher education institutions must remit the contribution amount. This bill is the same as HB 2760 (2024) and similar to SB 1401 (2024). |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HB781 - Rep. Ben Keathley (R) - Creates provisions relating to the 340B drug program | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | This bill requires covered entities, which are certain health care providers or organizations that meet specific federal requirements and are therefore eligible for participation in the federal 340B drug pricing program, to do the following: (1) Ensure that all 340B drug proceeds realized from the dispensing of such drugs are used to offset out-of-pocket costs for, or provide direct patient care to, vulnerable patients; and (2) Before September 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, certify to the Department of Health and Senior Services that the covered entity has met the requirements of this bill, as well as report on information that is specified in the bill. The bill should not be construed to require a covered entity to disclose personally identifiable patient information or other protected information, and should not be construed to be less restrictive than, or in conflict with, relevant state or federal law. The Department is required to investigate violations of the provisions of this bill and may discipline, suspend, or revoke the license of any entity under its jurisdiction found to be in violation. Entities found in violation of these provisions are not eligible to receive state or local public funds. Beginning before December 31, 2026, the Department is required to annually submit a written report to the Governor, the President Pro Tem of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives summarizing the information that is required to be reported under the provisions of the bill. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HB784 - Rep. Tara Peters (R) - Creates provisions relating to 340B drugs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Health and Mental Health by a vote of 16 to 0. This bill prohibits health carriers and pharmacy benefits managers from discriminating against entities that dispense 340B drugs, including less reimbursement, imposing different terms, and other discriminatory practices. The Director of the Department of Commerce and Insurance will create rules to enforce these provisions. The Department will impose a civil penalty on any health carrier, pharmacy benefit manager, or agent or affiliate of such health carrier or pharmacy benefit manager that violates the requirements of this bill. The penalty cannot exceed $5,000 dollars per violation per day. PROPONENTS: Supporters say that the 340B discount was always intended to go to a long list of covered entities, and that when a person goes to a pharmacy, that discount is typically deeper than how expensive the pharmacy can acquire the drug. Insurers were figuring out which transactions were and were not 340B drug transactions and thus began to slide the reimbursement scale. Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Peters; Missouri Rural Health Association; SSM Health; Arnie Dienoff; Missouri Primary Care Association; and Missouri Primary Care Association. OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill say that there are not 340B patients, only drugs, and that the program was started with the intent of helping hospitals that served a disproportionate share of the poor population. Over the years, the program has expanded by as much as 700% as more covered entities were designated. The policies described in this bill should apply to hospitals. Testifying in person against the bill were Saint Luke's Health System; Hampton Williams, Missouri Insurance Coalition; Missouri Hospital Association; and America's Health Insurance Plans. Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HB785 - Rep. Tara Peters (R) - Creates provisions relating to 340B drugs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | This bill prohibits health carriers and pharmacy benefits managers, or their affiliates from discriminating against entities that dispense 340B drugs. This includes: (1) Reimbursing covered entities less for 340B drugs; (2) Imposing different terms or conditions on covered entities; (3) Interfering with patients' choices to receive 340B drugs; (4) Setting reimbursement rates below the national average drug acquisition cost rate or wholesale acquisition cost; (5) Refusing to cover 340B drugs or contract with covered entities who distribute 340B drugs; (6) Denying the ability of covered entities to pay for 340B drugs at discounted prices; or (7) Requiring a covered entity to reverse, resubmit, or clarify a claim for a 340B drug after initial adjudication unless these actions are: (a) In the normal course of pharmacy business and not related to 42 U.S.C. Section 256b; or (b) Required by state or federal law. Any contract that is entered into, amended, extended, or renewed on or after the effective date of this section that includes a provision that violates the provisions of the bill will be void and unenforceable. The Director of the Department of Commerce and Insurance will establish rules to implement this section, subject to legislative review and constitutionality. The Director will impose civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation per day for non-compliance. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HB943 - Rep. Tara Peters (R) - Modifies provisions relating to health care | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | HCS HB 943 -- HEALTH CARE (Peters) COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Health and Mental Health This bill modifies several provisions relating to health care. OPERATIONS OF AND INVESTMENTS BY HOSPITALS (Sections 96.192, 96.196, and 206.158) This bill authorizes, but does not require, the board of trustees of certain hospitals to invest up to 50% of the hospital's available funds, defined in the bill, into certain mutual funds, bonds, money market investments, or a combination thereof. This permission only applies if the hospital receives less than 3% of its annual revenue from municipal, county, or state taxes, as well as if the hospital receives less than 3% of its annual revenue from appropriated funds from the municipality in which the hospital is located. Following that, the remaining percentage of any available funds not invested as allowed are required to be invested into any investment in which the State Treasurer is allowed to invest. Additionally, with the exception of counties of the third and fourth classification where there already exists a hospital organized under Chapters 96, 205, or 206, RSMo, county commissions are authorized to establish, construct, equip, improve, extend, repair, and maintain public hospitals, engage in health care activities, and issue bonds. This bill removes the exception for hospitals established under the provisions of Chapters 205 and 206 in counties of the third and fourth classification. The bill authorizes, but does not require, the board of directors of any hospital district that receives less than 3% of its annual revenues from a hospital district or state taxes to invest up to 50% of its available funds, defined in the bill, into certain mutual funds, bonds, money market investments, or a combination thereof. Following that, the remaining percentage of any available funds not invested as allowed are required to be invested into any investment in which the State Treasurer is allowed to invest. AMBULANCE DISTRICT BOARDS OF DIRECTORS (Section 190.053) The bill modifies training requirements for members of an ambulance district board of directors. Under this bill, board members must complete three hours of continuing education for each term of office. Failure to do so will result in immediate disqualification and the office will be vacant until filled. AMBULANCE DISTRICT AUDITS (Section 190.076) The bill requires each ambulance district to arrange for an audit of the district's records and accounts every three years by a certified public accountant. The audit must be made available to the public on the district's website or otherwise freely available by other electronic means. COMMUNITY PARAMEDICS (Section 190.098) This bill modifies provisions relating to certification of community paramedics and the provision of community paramedic services. Currently, community paramedics practice in accordance with protocols and supervisory standards of the ambulance service's medical director. Ambulance services that provide community paramedic services in another ambulance service area must enter into a written contract to do so. The bill repeals these provisions. Under this bill, community paramedic services mean those services provided by an entity that employs licensed paramedics certified by the Department of Health and Senior Services as community paramedics for services that are provided in a non-emergent setting, consistent with the education and training of a community paramedic and the supervisory standard approved by the medical director, and documented in the entity's patient care plans or protocols. Any ambulance service that seeks to provide community paramedic services outside of its service area must have a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the ambulance service of that area if that ambulance service is already providing those services or must notify the ambulance services of that area if that ambulance service is not providing community paramedic services. Emergency medical response agencies (EMRA) may provide community paramedic services in a ground ambulance service's service area. If the ground ambulance service is already providing those services or provides them after the EMRA offers them, then the EMRA and ground ambulance service must enter into a MOU for the coordination of services. The Department will promulgate rules and regulations for the purpose of certifying community paramedic services entities and the standards necessary to provide the services. Certified entities are eligible to provide community paramedic services for five years. STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (Section 190.101) The bill modifies the State Advisory Council on Emergency Medical Services by changing the number of council members from 16 to no more than 23 and specifying the members who will serve on the Council. Currently, members are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. Under this bill, the Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services, the regional EMS advisory committees, and the Time-Critical Diagnosis Advisory Committee will appoint members. AMBULANCE LICENSES (Sections 190.109, 190.112, and 190.166) The Department of Health and Seniors Services, as a part of regulating ground ambulance service licenses, will promulgate rules regarding participation with regional emergency medical services advisory committees and ambulance service administrator qualifications. The bill requires ambulance services to report to the Department individuals serving as ambulance service administrators. These administrators are required to complete training as provided in the bill. Finally, the Department may refuse to issue, deny renewal of, or suspend a license required for ground ambulance services or take other corrective actions if the license holder is determined to be financially insolvent, has inadequate personnel for the service provided, requires an inordinate amount of mutual aid from neighboring services, has been determined to be criminally liable for actions related to the license or service provided, has been determined to be ineligible for participation in Medicare or MO HealthNet, whose ambulance district administrator has failed to meet the required qualifications or training, or if three or more board members have failed to complete required training. If the Department makes a determination of insolvency or insufficiency of services, then the Department may require the license holder to submit and complete a corrective plan, as specified in the bill. The Department is required to provide notice of any determination of insolvency or insufficiency of services to other license holders operating in the license holder's vicinity, members of the General Assembly who represent that area, other governing officials, the appropriate regional emergency medical services advisory committee, and the State Advisory Council on Emergency Medical Services. The Department must immediately engage with other license holders in the area to determine how ground ambulance services may be provided to the affected area during the service disruption. Assisting license holders may be compensated for the assistance as provided in the bill. GROUND AMBULANCE SERVICE REIMBURSEMENT ALLOWANCE TAX (Section 190.800) For the purposes of reimbursement allowance taxes, current law exempts ambulance services that are owned and operated by an entity owned and operated by the state of Missouri from being required to pay an ambulance service reimbursement allowance tax. This bill repeals that exemption. HEALTH CARE RECORDS (Section 191.227) This bill provides that any records containing a patient's health history and treatment that were created by an emergency care provider or telecommunicator first responder in the course of the provider's or responder's official duties must be made available to any person, upon his or her request, authorized to obtain the patient's health care records. A fee may be levied for furnishing the health care records as specified in the bill. The bill does not limit the release of information regarding the general nature of the event that resulted in the request for assistance, as long as personal health information is redacted. Additionally, this bill does not limit the release of information to facilitate the normal delivery of patient care or for an established quality improvement program. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (Section 191.648) Currently, a physician may utilize expedited partner therapy, meaning the practice of treating the sex partners of persons with chlamydia or gonorrhea without an intervening medical evaluation or professional prevention counseling, to prescribe and dispense medications for the treatment of chlamydia or gonorrhea even without an established physician/patient relationship. Under this bill, certain health care professionals may use expedited partner therapy and the therapy may be used for designated sexually transmitted infections beyond chlamydia and gonorrhea. The bill repeals the requirement that antibiotic medications prescribed and dispensed through expedited partner therapy for the treatment of chlamydia or gonorrhea be in pill form. SPECIALTY HOSPITALS (Section 192.2521) This bill provides that a "specialty hospital", defined as a hospital that has been designated by the Department of Health and Senior Services as something other than a general acute care hospital, is exempt from two provisions of existing law relating to victims of sexual offenses if the specialty hospital has a policy for the transfer of a victim of a sexual assault to an appropriate hospital with an emergency department. LIMITS ON SALE OF OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS (Sections 195.417 and 579.060) Current law prohibits the sale, purchase, or dispensation of ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, or pseudoephedrine to the same individual in a 12 month period in any total amount greater than 43.2 grams without a valid prescription. This bill changes the total amount to 61.2 grams. ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONS (Sections 196.990 and 335.081) The bill adds licensed long-term care facilities to the definition of "authorized entity" in current law permitting the entities to stock a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors for use in an emergency. Additionally, the administration by technicians, nurses' aides, or their equivalent in long-term care facilities of epinephrine auto-injectors and subcutaneous injectable medications to treat diabetes are not to be prohibited by nurse licensing laws. LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES (Section 198.700) This bill requires referral agencies, individuals or entities that provide referrals to assisted living facilities for fees that are collected from either the prospective resident or the facility, to disclose to prospective residents or their representative documentation of the existence of any relationships between the referral agency and the assisted living facility, as specified in the bill; that the referral agency receives a fee from the assisted living facility for the referral; and written documentation of the agreement between the referral agency and the prospective resident or representative thereof, with requirements to be included for the agreement that are specified in the bill. The assisted living facility is: prohibited from paying fees to the referral agency unless certain conditions are met, as specified in the bill; required to maintain a written or electronic copy of the aforementioned agreement between the referral agency and the prospective resident or resident's representative; and prohibited from selling or transferring contact information of the prospective resident or the resident's representative to a third party without obtaining written consent of the resident or representative. Any referral agency that violates this section is subject to a civil penalty of up to $500 per violation, and the Attorney General or a circuit attorney can bring a civil action on behalf of the State to seek the imposition of a civil penalty for the violation of the provisions of this bill. MO HEALTHNET HEARING AIDS (Section 208.152) Currently, reimbursable MO HealthNet services include hearing aids for eligible needy children, pregnant women, and blind persons. The bill mandates MO HealthNet coverage of medically necessary cochlear implants and hearing instruments for all eligible participants. PRENATAL TESTS FOR CERTAIN DISEASES (Section 210.030) Currently, a physician or other health care provider must draw and test a pregnant woman's blood at or soon after her first prenatal examination, with her consent, for syphilis, hepatitis B, or other similar diseases. Under this bill, the testing of the pregnant woman's blood must also occur at the 28th week of her pregnancy as well as immediately after birth. Additionally, the test must include hepatitis C and HIV. If a mother tests positive for syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV, the physician or other health care provider will treat the mother in accordance with the most recent accepted medical practice. Current law requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to work in consultation with the Missouri Genetic Disease Advisory Committee to make rules pertaining to these blood tests. The bill repeals the requirement to work with the Committee and requires that the tests be approved or accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. LICENSE PLATES AND PLACARDS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (Section 301.142) This bill adds occupational therapists to the list of licensed professionals who can issue a statement so that disabled plates or a disabled windshield placard can be obtained by a patient. PRACTICE OF DENTISTRY IN CORRECTIONAL CENTERS (Section 332.081) Current law provides that a corporation can not practice dentistry unless that corporation is a nonprofit corporation or a professional corporation under Missouri law. This bill provides that this provision does not apply to entities contracted with the state to provide care in correctional centers. ADMINISTRATION OF CERTAIN VACCINES (Section 338.010) Currently, the practice of pharmacy includes the ordering and administering of vaccines, with exceptions. This bill adds the vaccine for chikungunya to the exceptions and those vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after January 1, 2025, instead of those approved after January 1, 2023. RX CARES FOR MISSOURI PROGRAM (Section 338.710) Currently, there is a program called the ?RX Cares for Missouri Program. The Missouri Board of Pharmacy, in consultation with the Missouri department of mental health, can allocate funds to public or private entities for relevant programs or education. However, funds cannot be used for state prescription drug monitoring programs. The Board, in consultation with the Department, manages the program and can also enter interagency agreements to assist in the program's management or operation. After the program's first year, the Board must submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly detailing the program's operation and fund allocation. The program is currently set to expire on August 28, 2026. This bill removes that expiration date. This bill is similar to SB 548 (2025). |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HB1013 - Rep. Brad Christ (R) - Creates provisions relating to staffing requirements for emergency departments in hospitals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | This bill requires hospitals with emergency departments to ensure that at least one physician is on site, on duty, and responsible for the emergency department at all times such department is open. This bill is the same as HB 2548 (2024). |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HB1133 - Rep. John Martin (R) - Modifies provisions relating to the ground ambulance service reimbursement allowance tax | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Ways and Means by a vote of 8 to 0. For the purposes of reimbursement allowance taxes, current law exempts ambulance services that are owned and operated by an entity owned and operated by the state of Missouri from being required to pay an ambulance service reimbursement allowance tax. This bill repeals that exemption. PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this bill would allow MU Healthcare to receive a Federal reimbursement from which it is currently exempt. It will be a 60/40 match, and it is returned to the users who participate in the ground ambulance service. Supporters say this bill would give them additional funds in their lifesaving work. Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Martin; Arnie Dienoff; Missouri Ambulance Association; Missouri Health Care; Jason White, Missouri EMS Agent Corporation. OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee. Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HB1307 - Rep. Jim Schulte (R) - Provides that Veterans Day be a public holiday for all employees of the University of Missouri System | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | This bill provides that Veterans Day will be a public holiday for all employees of the University of Missouri System. This bill is the same as HB 659 (2025), SB 89 (2025) and similar to HB 659 (2025). |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HB1525 - Rep. Brad Christ (R) - Creates the "Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act" to provide free college tuition for public safety personnel | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | This bill establishes the "Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act" to provide free college tuition for certain public safety personnel and their legal dependents. The bill defines "public safety personnel" as including any police officer, firefighter, paramedic, emergency medical dispatcher, emergency medical technician, or advanced emergency medical technician who is trained and authorized by law or rule to render emergency medical assistance or treatment. Subject to appropriation, public safety personnel with at least six years of service must be entitled to a waiver of 100% of the resident tuition charges of a public institution of higher education if they present to the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (DHEWD) verification of their current, valid license in a profession specified in the bill, along with a certificate of verification signed by their employer verifying that they are employed full-time as public safety personnel. Such individuals must also meet all admission requirements of the public institution of higher education and pursue an associate or baccalaureate degree in an academic subject specified in the bill. Individuals who have already earned a baccalaureate degree are ineligible to use the tuition waiver to earn another degree. Each year an individual applies for and receives a tuition waiver, he or she must file with DHEWD documentation showing proof of employment and proof of residence in Missouri. Additionally, an applicant for a tuition waiver must first apply for all other forms of Federal and State student financial aid and provide evidence of such to the public institution of higher education. (Section 173.2655, RSMo) The legal dependent of public safety personnel with at least ten years of service is also eligible for a tuition waiver if he or she executes an agreement with the public institution of higher education outlining the terms and conditions of the tuition waiver, including the legal dependent's commitment to reside in Missouri for the next five years, as well as a commitment provide a copy of his or her state income tax return annually to DHEWD in order to prove residency in Missouri. The agreement will also include a provision that if the tuition waiver recipient fails to provide proof of residency in Missouri for the five-year period following the use of the tuition waiver, he or she must repay the public institution of higher education the amount of tuition that was waived. Any such repayment received will be remitted by the institution to DHEWD in full or deducted from future reimbursements to the institution from the Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Fund created in the bill, as determined in accordance with rules promulgated by DHEWD. Finally, the agreement will provide that any residency, filing, or payment obligation incurred by the tuition waiver recipient under the bill is canceled in the event of the tuition waiver recipient's total and permanent disability or death. The five-year residency requirement for a legal dependent who receives a tuition waiver begins once the legal dependent applies for and receives the tuition waiver and continues until the tuition waiver recipient: (1) Completes the five-year tuition waiver eligibility period; (2) Completes a baccalaureate degree; (3) Completes an associate degree and notifies DHEWD that he or she does not intend to pursue a baccalauareate degree or additional associate degree using tuition waivers; or (4) Notifies DHEWD that he or she does not plan to use additional tuition waivers. The legal dependent will satisfy certain other criteria to be eligible for a tuition waiver. The legal dependent must not have previously earned a baccalaureate degree, and he or she must meet all admission requirements of the public institution of higher education he or she wishes to attend. The legal dependent must also complete and submit a United States Department of Education Free Application for Federal Student Aid and provide verification of the public safety personnel's eligibility for the tuition waiver to the public institution of higher education, as provided in the bill. (Sections 173.2655 and 173.2660) Public safety personnel and their legal dependents can receive a tuition waiver for up to five consecutive years if they otherwise continue to be eligible. The five years of eligibility starts once the public safety personnel or legal dependent applies for and receives the tuition waiver for the first time. A public institution of higher education must waive 100% of the individual's tuition remaining due after subtracting awarded federal financial aid grants and state scholarships and grants. An application for a tuition waiver must include a verification of the public safety personnel's satisfaction of the requirements of the bill, including proof of full-time employment and residency status. Public safety personnel will include such verification when they or their legal dependents are applying to a public institution of higher education in order to obtain a tuition waiver upon initial enrollment. The death of public safety personnel in the line of duty will not disqualify an individual's otherwise eligible legal dependent from receiving the tuition waiver. In such a case, in lieu of submitting verification of the public safety personnel's employment, the legal dependent must submit a statement attesting that, at the time of death, the public safety personnel satisfied the requirements of the bill, and such individual died in the line of duty, as described in the bill. Completed applications for a tuition waiver must be submitted to DHEWD by December 15th and by March 1st annually, the public institution of higher education will send written notice of the applicant's eligibility or ineligibility for the tuition waiver and state whether the application has been approved or denied. If the applicant is determined not to be eligible for the tuition waiver or the application is denied, the notice must include the reason or reasons for such determination or denial. The bill creates the "Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Fund" for the purposes of reimbursing public institutions of higher education for awarding the tuition waivers. In the event that funds are insufficient to provide tuition waivers for all eligible applicants, public safety personnel will be in the first class of applicants to receive the waivers, and dependents will be in the second class, in a priority order specified in the bill. (Section 173.2655) This bill is the same as SCS SB 71 (2025) and HB 1514 (2025) and similar to HB 496 (2025). |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SB10 - Sen. Lincoln Hough (R) - Modifies expiration dates of certain sections | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | SS#2/SCS/SB 10 - This act modifies expiration dates of certain sections. CONSTRUCTION BY POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS (Sections 67.5050 and 67.5060) This act repeals the September 1, 2026, expiration dates of the authority for political subdivisions to use the construction manager-at-risk and design-build methods for certain construction projects. WOOD ENERGY PRODUCERS TAX CREDIT (Section 135.305) This act repeals the June 30, 2028, sunset date of the Wood Energy Producers Tax Credit. These provisions are similar to provisions in SB 30 (2025) and provisions in SB 958 (2024). CHAMPION FOR CHILDREN TAX CREDIT (Section 135.341) This act repeals the December 31, 2025, sunset date of the Champion for Children Tax Credit. CONTRIBUTIONS TO DIAPER BANKS TAX CREDIT (Section 135.621) This act repeals the December 31, 2024, sunset date of the tax credit for contributions to diaper banks. MEAT PROCESSING FACILITIES TAX CREDIT (Section 135.686) This act repeals the December 31, 2028, expiration date of the Meat Processing Facility Investment Tax Credit. These provisions are similar to provisions in SB 30 (2025) and provisions in SB 958 (2024). MOTION MEDIA PRODUCTION PROJECT TAX CREDIT (SHOW MO ACT) (Section 135.750) This act repeals the December 31, 2029, sunset date of a tax credit for qualified motion media production projects, the "Show MO Act". ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY JOBS ACT (Section 135.753) This act repeals the December 31, 2030, sunset date of the "Entertainment Industry Jobs Act". HIGHER ETHANOL FUEL TAX CREDIT (Section 135.772) This act repeals the December 31, 2028, expiration date of a tax credit for the sale of higher ethanol blend fuels. These provisions are similar to provisions in SB 30 (2025) and provisions in SB 958 (2024). BIODIESEL RETAIL SALE TAX CREDIT (Section 135.775) This act repeals the December 31, 2028, sunset date of a tax credit for the retail sale of biodiesel fuels. These provisions are similar to provisions in SB 30 (2025) and provisions in SB 958 (2024). BIODIESEL PRODUCTION TAX CREDIT (Section 135.778) This act repeals the December 31, 2028, sunset date of a tax credit for the production of biodiesel fuels. These provisions are similar to provisions in SB 30 (2025) and provisions in SB 958 (2024). URBAN FARMS TAX CREDIT (Section 135.1610) This act repeals the December 31, 2028, sunset date of a tax credit for the establishment or improvement of urban farms. These provisions are similar to provisions in SB 30 (2025) and provisions in SB 958 (2024). FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR RELOCATED JOBS (Section 135.1670) This act repeals the August 28, 2021, and August 28, 2025, expiration dates of provisions relating to financial incentives for relocated jobs. ROLLING STOCK TAX CREDIT (Section 137.1018) This act repeals the August 28, 2028, sunset date of a tax credit for eligible expenses of a freight line's rolling stock. These provisions are similar to provisions in SB 30 (2025) and provisions in SB 958 (2024). PARTICIPATION IN ATHLETIC COMPETITIONS DESIGNATED FOR THE OPPOSITE SEX (Section 163.048) This act repeals the August 28, 2027, expiration date of a prohibition against schools allowing students to compete in an athletic competition designated for the biological sex opposite that of the student. RETIREMENT BENEFITS OF SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS (Section 168.036) This act extends, from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2030, the expiration date of a provision allowing retired teachers to be employed as a part-time or temporary substitute teacher without discontinuance of the person's retirement benefits. These provisions are similar to HB 965 (2025) and HB 1039 (2025). MISSOURI SAVE ADOLESCENTS FROM EXPERIMENTATION (SAFE) ACT (Section 191.1720) This act repeals the August 28, 2027, expiration date of the "Missouri Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act". MEDICAID MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATION REIMBURSEMENT ALLOWANCE (Section 208.437) This act repeals the September 30, 2029, expiration date of the Medicaid Managed Care Organization Reimbursement Allowance. MISSOURI EMERGENCY RESPONSE COMMISSION (Section 292.606) This act repeals the August 28, 2024, expiration date of the authority for collection of certain fees by the Missouri Emergency Response Commission. These provisions are similar to SB 564 (2025), HB 70 (2025), provisions in SB 143 (2025), provisions in SS/SCS/HCS/HB 1659 (2024), SCS/SB 1356 (2024), and HB 1870 (2024). PHARMACY FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT ALLOWANCE (Section 338.550) This act repeals the September 30, 2029, expiration date of the pharmacy federal reimbursement allowance. SPECIALTY AGRICULTURAL CROPS (Sections 348.491 and 348.493) This act repeals the December 31, 2028, sunset dates of the "Specialty Agricultural Crops Act" loan program for family farmers and tax credits for lenders. These provisions are similar to provisions in SB 30 (2025) and provisions in SB 958 (2024). ELECTRONIC MONITORING OF PERSONS FOUND GUILTY OF VIOLATING AN ORDER OF PROTECTION (Section 455.095) This act repeals the August 28, 2024, expiration date of the authority for courts to order electronic monitoring for persons found guilty of violating an order of protection. BASIC CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FUND (Section 477.650) This act repeals the December 31, 2025, expiration date of the "Basic Civil Legal Services Fund. These provisions are identical to SB 391 (2025), SB 355 (2025), HB 1838 (2024), a provision in SCS/HCS/HB 2064, and provisions in HCS#2/HB 1886 (2024), and is substantially similar to SB 946 (2024) and provisions in SCS/HB 2719 (2024). ALTERNATIVE INCENTIVES UNDER THE MISSOURI WORKS PROGRAM (Section 620.2010) This act repeals the June 30, 2025, expiration date of certain alternative incentives under the Missouri Works Program. INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITY FOR THE INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT ALLOWANCE (Section 633.401) This act repeals the expiration date of the Intermediate Care Facility for the Intellectually Disabled federal reimbursement allowance. GROUND AMBULANCE SERVICE FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT ALLOWANCE (Section 190.839) This act repeals the September 30, 2029, expiration date of the ground ambulance service federal reimbursement allowance. NURSING FACILITY FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT ALLOWANCE (Section 198.439) This act repeals the September 30, 2029, expiration date of the nursing facility federal reimbursement allowance. HOSPITAL FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT ALLOWANCE (Section 208.480) This act repeals the September 30, 2029, sunset date of the hospital federal reimbursement allowance. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION TAX CREDITS (Section 348.436) This act repeals the December 31, 2028, expiration date of tax credits for contributions to the Missouri Agriculture and Small Business Development Authority and investments in new generation cooperatives for the purpose of development of agricultural business. These provisions are similar to provisions in SB 30 (2025) and provisions in SB 958 (2024). ERIC VANDER WEERD |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SB11 - Sen. Lincoln Hough (R) - Repeals provisions relating to the authority to confer degrees at public institutions of higher education | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | SB 11 - This act repeals the following provisions of law: (1) That the University of Missouri shall be the state's only public research university and the exclusive grantor of research doctorates and first-professional degrees, including dentistry, law, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine (Section 172.280); (2) That degrees in podiatry and chiropractic and osteopathic medicine may be conferred only by the University of Missouri or by a public institution of higher education in collaboration with the University of Missouri, with the University of Missouri being the degree-granting institution, unless the University of Missouri declines to collaborate with such institution (Section 173.005); and (3) That degrees in engineering may be conferred only by the University of Missouri or by a public institution of higher education in collaboration with the University of Missouri, with the University of Missouri being the degree-granting institution, unless the University of Missouri declines to collaborate with such institution (Section 174.160). This act is identical to SB 749 (2024), HB 1497 (2024), HB 2673 (2024), SB 473 (2023), and HB 1189 (2023). OLIVIA SHANNON
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SB13 - Sen. Justin Brown (R) - Enacts provisions relating to insurance coverage of pharmacy services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | SB 13 - This act enacts provisions relating to insurance coverage of pharmacy services. CLINICIAN-ADMINISTERED DRUGS (Section 376.411) This act provides that a health carrier or pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) shall not impose any penalty, impediment, differentiation, or limitation on participating providers for providing medically necessary clinician-administered drugs, regardless of whether the participating provider obtains the drugs from an in-network provider, including but not limited to refusing to approve or pay, or reimbursing less than the contracted payment amount. Carriers and PBMs shall not impose any penalty, impediment, differentiation, or limitation on a covered person who is administered medically necessary clinician-administered drugs, regardless of whether the participating provider obtains the drugs from an in-network provider, including but not limited to: limiting coverage or benefits; requiring an additional fee, higher co-payment, or higher coinsurance amount; or interfering with a patient's ability to obtain a clinician-administered drug from the patient's provider or pharmacy of choice by any means, including but not limited to inducing, steering, or offering financial or other incentives. Carriers and PBMs shall not impose any penalty, impediment, differentiation, or limitation on any pharmacy that is dispensing medically necessary clinician-administered drugs, regardless of whether the participating provider obtains the drugs from an in-network provider, including but not limited to requiring a pharmacy to dispense the drugs to a patient with the intention that the patient will transport the medication to a health care provider for administration. These provisions shall not apply if the clinician-administered drug is not otherwise covered by the carrier or PBM. These provisions are identical to provisions in the introduced SB 751 (2024), provisions in HCS/HB 2267 (2024), provisions in SB 26 (2023), provisions in HCS/HB 198 (2023), SB 1129 (2022), and provisions in HB 2305 (2022), and similar to provisions in SB 921 (2022), provisions in SB 1129 (2022), and provisions in HB 2305 (2022). REFERENCE PRODUCTS AND BIOSIMILARS (Section 376.415) A health carrier or PBM providing coverage for a reference product or a biological product that is biosimilar to the reference product shall provide coverage for the reference product and all biological products that have been deemed biosimilar to the reference product. The scope, extent, and amount of the required coverage shall be the same, including but not limited to any payment limitations or cost-sharing obligations. These provisions are identical to provisions in the introduced SB 751 (2024), provisions in HCS/HB 2267 (2024), provisions in SB 26 (2023), provisions in HCS/HB 198 (2023), SB 1129 (2022), and provisions in HB 2305 (2022), and similar to provisions in SB 921 (2022), provisions in SB 1129 (2022), and provisions in HB 2305 (2022). 340B DRUG PRICING PROGRAM (Section 376.416) Under this act, no health carrier or pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) shall discriminate against a covered entity or a pharmacy, as such terms are defined in the act, by: • Reimbursing a covered entity or pharmacy for a quantity of a 340B drug, as defined in the act, in an amount less than the carrier, PBM, or affiliate would pay to any other similarly situated pharmacy for such quantity of the drug on the basis that the entity or pharmacy is a covered entity or a pharmacy, or that the entity or pharmacy dispenses 340B drugs. (Section 376.416.2(1)); • Imposing any terms or conditions on covered entities or pharmacies which differ from the terms or conditions applicable to other similarly situated pharmacies or entities on the basis that the entity or pharmacy is a covered entity or dispenses 340B drugs, including but not limited to certain terms and conditions described in the act. (Section 376.416.2(2)); • Interfering with an individual's choice to receive a 340B drug from a covered entity or pharmacy. (Section 376.416.2(3)); • Discriminating in reimbursement to a covered entity or pharmacy based on the determination or indication a drug is a 340B drug. (Section 376.416.2(4)); • Requiring a covered entity or pharmacy to identify a 340B drug sooner than 45 days after the point of sale of the drug. (Section 376.416.2(5)); • Refusing to contract with a covered entity or pharmacy for reasons other than those that apply equally to entities or pharmacies that are not covered entities or similarly situated pharmacies, or on the basis that the entity or pharmacy is a covered entity as described under federal law, or on the basis that the entity or pharmacy is described as a covered entity under provisions of federal law. (Section 376.416.2(6)); • Denying the covered entity the ability to purchase drugs at 340B program pricing by substituting a rebate discount. (Section 376.416.2(7)); • Refusing to cover drugs purchased under the 340B drug pricing program. (Section 376.416.2(8)); or • Requiring a covered entity or pharmacy to reverse, resubmit, or clarify a 340B-drug pricing claim after the initial adjudication unless these actions are in the normal course of pharmacy business and not related to the 340B drug pricing, except as required by federal law. (Section 376.416.2(9)). The Director of the Department of Commerce and Insurance shall impose a civil penalty on any health carrier or PBM violating certain provisions of the act, not to exceed $5,000 per violation per day. (Section 376.416.3). These provisions are similar to provisions in the introduced SB 751 (2024), provisions in SCS/SBs 978 & 1035 (2024), provisions in SB 1213 (2024), provisions in HCS/HB 2267 (2024), provisions in HB 1977 (2024), provisions in SB 26 (2023), provisions in HCS/HB 198 (2023), provisions in SB 426 (2023), HB 197 (2023), provisions in SB 921 (2022), provisions in HCS/HB 1677 (2022), provisions in SB 1129 (2022), and provisions in HB 2305 (2022). ERIC VANDER WEERD |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SB71 - Sen. David Gregory (R) - Creates the "Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act" to provide free college tuition for public safety personnel and their legal dependents | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | SS/SCS/SB 71 - This act establishes the "Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act" to provide college tuition awards for certain public safety personnel and their legal dependents. The act defines "public safety personnel" as including any police officer, firefighter, paramedic, telecommunicator first responder, emergency medical technician, or advanced emergency medical technician who is trained and authorized by law or rule to render emergency medical assistance or treatment. Subject to appropriation, public safety personnel with at least six years of service shall be entitled to an award worth up to 100% of the resident tuition charges, including fees, of a public institution of higher education located in Missouri if they present to the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (DHEWD) verification of their current, valid license in a profession specified in the act, along with a certificate of verification signed by their employer verifying that they are employed full-time as public safety personnel. Such individuals shall also meet all admission requirements of the public institution of higher education and pursue an associate or baccalaureate degree in an academic subject specified in the act. Individuals who have already earned a baccalaureate degree are ineligible to use the tuition award to earn another degree. Each year an individual applies for and receives a tuition award, he or she shall file with DHEWD documentation showing proof of employment and proof of residence in Missouri. Additionally, an applicant for a tuition award shall first apply for all other forms of federal and state student financial aid, including filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid and, if applicable, applying for financial assistance under the G.I. Bill. (Section 173.2655) The legal dependent of public safety personnel with at least ten years of service is also eligible for a tuition award if he or she executes an agreement with the public institution of higher education outlining the terms and conditions of the tuition award, including the legal dependent's commitment to reside in Missouri for the next five years, as well as a commitment to provide a copy of his or her state income tax return annually to DHEWD in order to prove residency in Missouri. The agreement shall also include a provision that if the tuition award recipient fails to provide proof of residency in Missouri for the five-year period following the use of the tuition award, the tuition award shall be treated as a loan to such recipient, with the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority as the loan servicer, as provided in the act. Finally, the agreement shall provide that any residency, filing, or payment obligation incurred by the tuition award recipient under the act is canceled in the event of the tuition award recipient's total and permanent disability or death. The five-year residency requirement for a legal dependent who receives a tuition award begins once the legal dependent applies for and receives the tuition award and continues until the tuition award recipient (a) completes the five-year tuition award eligibility period, (b) completes a baccalaureate degree, (c) completes an associate degree and notifies DHEWD that he or she does not intend to pursue a baccalauareate degree or additional associate degree using tuition awards, or (d) notifies DHEWD that he or she does not plan to use additional tuition awards. The legal dependent shall satisfy certain other criteria to be eligible for a tuition award. The legal dependent shall not have previously earned a baccalaureate degree, and he or she shall meet all admission requirements of the public institution of higher education he or she wishes to attend. The legal dependent shall also file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid and, if applicable, apply for financial assistance under the G.I. Bill, as well as providing verification of the public safety personnel's eligibility for the tuition award to DHEWD, as provided in the act. (Sections 173.2655 and 173.2660) Public safety personnel and their legal dependents may receive a tuition award for up to five consecutive years if they otherwise continue to be eligible. The five years of eligibility starts once the individual applies for and receives the tuition award for the first time. DHEWD shall grant an award worth up to 100% of the individual's tuition remaining due after subtracting awarded federal financial aid grants and state scholarships and grants. An application for a tuition award shall include a verification of the public safety personnel's satisfaction of the requirements of the act, including proof of full-time employment and residency status. Public safety personnel shall include such verification when they or their legal dependents are applying to DHEWD for a tuition award. The death of public safety personnel in the line of duty shall not disqualify an individual's otherwise eligible legal dependent from receiving the tuition award. In such a case, in lieu of submitting verification of the public safety personnel's employment, the legal dependent shall submit a statement attesting that, at the time of death, the public safety personnel satisfied the requirements of the act, and such individual died in the line of duty, as described in the act. DHEWD shall provide a tuition award to an eligible applicant for the award who applies for an "open seat", defined in the act as a vacant position in a class, course, or program that is available for enrollment. DHEWD shall not provide a tuition award if doing so would require a public institution of higher education to create additional seats exceeding program capacity. Applications for tuition awards shall be submitted to DHEWD no later than December 15th annually. No later than March 1st annually, DHEWD shall send written notice of the applicant's eligibility or ineligibility for the tuition award and state whether the application has been approved or denied. If the applicant is determined not to be eligible for the tuition award, the notice shall include the reason or reasons for such determination. If the application is denied, the notice shall include the reason or reasons for the denial. The Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Fund is created for purposes of granting tuition awards as provided in the act. In the event that funds are insufficient to provide tuition awards for all eligible applicants, public safety personnel shall be in the first class of applicants to receive the awards, and dependents shall be in the second class, in a priority order specified in the act. The tuition awards provided for in this act are subject to appropriation. If there are no moneys in the Fund, no tuition awards shall be granted. (Section 173.2655) This act is similar to HB 496 (2025). OLIVIA SHANNON |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SB230 - Sen. Ben Brown (R) - Enacts provisions relating to prior authorization of health care services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | SB 230 - This act provides that a health carrier or utilization review entity shall not require health care providers to obtain prior authorization for health care services, except under certain circumstances. Prior authorization shall not be required unless the health carrier or utilization review entity makes a determination that less than 90% of prior authorization requests submitted by that health care provider in the previous evaluation period, as defined in the act, were or would have been approved. The act establishes separate 90% thresholds for requiring prior authorization for individual health care services or requiring prior authorization for any health care service. The act specifies requirements for notifying the provider of determinations under the act, requires health carriers and utilization review entities to establish an appeals process for determinations under the act, and requires carriers and utilization review entities to maintain an online portal giving providers access to certain information. Lastly, no health carrier or utilization review entity shall deny or reduce payments to a health care provider who had a prior authorization, unless the provider made a knowing and material misrepresentation with the intent to deceive the carrier or utilization review entity, or unless the health care service was not substantially performed. This act shall not apply to Medicaid, except with regard to a Medicaid managed care organization as defined by law. The act also does not apply to providers who have not participated in a health benefit plan offered by the carrier for at least one full evaluation period. This act shall not be construed to authorize providers to provide services outside the scope of their licenses, nor to require health carriers or utilization review entities to pay for care provided outside the scope of a provider's license. This act is identical to HB 1976 (2024), and similar to SB 983 (2024) and SB 576 (2023), and to HB 1045 (2023). ERIC VANDER WEERD |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SB336 - Sen. Mike Moon (R) - Modifies provisions relating to hospital price transparency laws | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | SB 336 - Under this act, a hospital that is not in material compliance with federal hospital price transparency laws on the date that items or services are purchased from, or provided to a patient by, the hospital shall not initiate or pursue a collection action against the patient for a debt owed for the items or services. The patient may file suit against the hospital for a prohibited collection and the hospital, if found to be materially out of compliance with federal price transparency laws, shall refund any amount of debt the payor has paid, pay a penalty to the patient in an amount equal to the debt, dismiss or cause to be dismissed any court action with prejudice and pay the patient's attorney fees and costs, and remove or cause to be removed any report made to a consumer reporting agency relating to the debt. This act is identical to SB 1212 (2024) and HB 1161 (2023). SARAH HASKINS |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SB337 - Sen. Mike Moon (R) - Modifies provisions relating to certificates of need | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | SB 337 - This act repeals provisions of the certificate of need law relating to hospitals, excluding long-term care beds in hospitals, and major medical equipment. This act also makes technical changes to the certificate of need statutes. This act is identical to SB 192 (2021). SARAH HASKINS |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SB372 - Sen. Mike Moon (R) - Enacts provisions relating to payments for prescription drugs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | SB 372 - This act enacts provisions relating to payments for prescription drugs. MISSOURI CONSOLIDATED HEALTH CARE PLAN PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER (Section 103.200) Before March 1, 2027, and annually thereafter, the pharmacy benefits manager ("PBM") utilized by the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan ("the Plan") shall file a report with the Plan for the immediately preceding calendar year. The report shall include certain information regarding the Plan, including the aggregate dollar amount of rebates the PBM collected from pharmaceutical manufacturers, and the aggregate dollar amount of the rebates that were not passed on to the Plan. (Section 103.200.2). The Plan shall establish a form for the reporting, in consultation with its PBM, designed to minimize administrative burden and cost. (Section 103.200.3). Documents, materials, and other information submitted to the Plan under these provisions shall not be subject to disclosure under the Sunshine Law, except to the extent they are reported in the aggregate in the reports submitted to the General Assembly or Director of the Department of Commerce and Insurance under the act. The Plan shall not disclose any information under these provisions in a manner that would compromise the financial, competitive, or proprietary nature of the information, or allow a third party to identify rebate values for a particular outpatient prescription drug or class of outpatient prescription drugs. (Section 103.200.4). The Plan shall also annually report to the General Assembly the aggregate dollar amount of pharmaceutical rebates received for covered drugs utilized by enrollees during the calendar year. (Section 103.200.5(1)). The Plan shall annually produce and provide to the General Assembly and Director of the Department of Commerce and Insurance a report for the immediately preceding calendar year describing the rebate practices of the Plan and its pharmacy benefits manager, as specified in the act. (Section 103.200.5(2)). The Plan may impose a penalty of up to $7,500 on its PBM for each violation of these provisions. (Section 103.200.6). These provisions are identical to provisions in SB 1213 (2024), provisions in SB 402 (2023), provisions in HB 197 (2023), and substantially similar to provisions in SB 921 (2022), and provisions in HCS/HB 1677 (2022). FREEDOM OF CHOICE FOR PHARMACY SERVICES (Sections 338.015) The act specifies that certain provisions of law pertaining to pharmacists and pharmacies shall not be construed to prohibit patients' ability to obtain prescription services from any licensed pharmacist "or pharmacy", and repeals language specifying that the provisions do not remove patients' ability to waive their freedom of choice under a contract with regard to payment or coverage of prescription expenses. (Section 338.015.1). Under the act, no PBM shall penalize or restrict a covered person from obtaining services from a contracted pharmacy, as such terms are defined by law. (Section 338.015.4). These provisions are identical to provisions in SB 1213 (2024), provisions in SB 843 (2024), provisions in SB 1105 (2024), provisions in HB 1627 (2024), provisions in HB 197 (2023), and substantially similar to provisions in SB 921 (2022), and provisions in HCS/HB 1677 (2022). PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGERS (Section 376.387 and 376.388) Additionally, the act modifies the applicable definition of "covered person" for purposes of certain statutes governing PBMs to apply only to individuals who receive prescription drug coverage through a PBM (Section 376.387.1(1)), repeals a provision of law allowing PBMs to hold pharmacists or pharmacies responsible for fees related to charges for administering a health benefit plan (Section 376.387.4), and repeals a provision of law specifying that certain PBM regulations shall not apply with regard to Medicare Part D or other health plans regulated under federal law. (Former section 376.387.5). Pharmacy benefits managers shall notify contracted health carriers in writing of any conflict of interest, any commonality of ownership, or any other relationship between the PBM and any other health carrier with which the PBM contracts. (Section 376.387.5). The act provides standardized definitions for the terms "generic" and "rebate" applicable to PBMs and health carriers (Section 376.387.6-7), and specifies that PBMs shall owe a fiduciary duty to any entity with which it contracts. (Section 376.387.8). The act repeals a portion of a definition to specify that certain provisions relating to the maximum allowable cost of a prescription drug are applicable to all pharmacies, rather than only to contracted pharmacies (Section 376.388.1(1)), and modifies the applicable definition of PBM to refer to any entity that administers or manages a pharmacy benefits plan or program, as defined in the act. (Section 376.388.1(5)). If the reimbursement for a drug to a contracted pharmacy is below the pharmacy's cost to purchase the drug, the PBM shall sustain an appeal and increase reimbursement for the pharmacy and other contracted pharmacies to cover the cost of purchasing the drug. (Section 376.388.5(2)). No PBM shall reimburse a pharmacist or pharmacy in the state an amount less than the amount that the PBM reimburses a PBM affiliate, as defined in the act, for providing the same pharmacist services. (Section 376.388.5(3)). These provisions are identical to provisions in SB 1213 (2024), similar to provisions in SB 843 (2024), provisions in SB 1105 (2024), and provisions in HB 1627 (2024), identical to provisions in SB 402 (2023), provisions in HB 197 (2023), substantially similar to provisions in SB 921 (2022), and similar to provisions in HCS/HB 1677 (2022). 340B DRUG PRICING PROGRAM (Section 376.416) No health carrier or PBM shall discriminate against a covered entity or a specified pharmacy, as such terms are defined in the act, by: • Reimbursing a covered entity or specified pharmacy for a quantity of a 340B drug, as defined in the act, in an amount less than the carrier or PBM would pay to any other similarly situated pharmacy for such quantity of the drug on the basis that the entity or pharmacy is a covered entity or specified pharmacy, as defined in the act, or that the entity or pharmacy dispenses 340B drugs (Section 376.416.2(1)); • Imposing any terms or conditions on covered entities or specified pharmacies which differ from the terms or conditions applicable to other similarly situated pharmacies on the basis that the entity or pharmacy is a covered entity or specified pharmacy or dispenses 340B drugs, including but not limited to certain terms and conditions described in the act. (Section 376.416.2(2));
• Interfering with an individual's choice to receive a 340B drug from a covered entity or specified pharmacy. (Section 376.416.2(3));
• Requiring a covered entity or specified pharmacy to identify 340B drugs, either directly or through a third party. (Section 376.416.2(4)); or
• Refusing to contract with a covered entity or specified pharmacy for reasons other than those that apply equally to entities or pharmacies that are not covered entities or specified pharmacies, or on the basis that the entity or pharmacy is a covered entity or specified pharmacy, or on the basis that the entity or pharmacy is described as a covered entity under provisions of federal law. (Section 376.416.2(5)). The Director of the Department of Commerce and Insurance shall impose a civil penalty on any PBM violating certain provisions of the act, not to exceed $5,000 per violation per day. (Section 376.416.3). These provisions are substantially similar to provisions in SB 1213 (2024), similar to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SB 751 (2024), SCS/SB 978 (2024), SB 1035 (2024), HB 1977 (2024), provisions in HCS/HB 2267 (2024) identical to provisions in SB 402 (2023), provisions in HB 197 (2023), and similar to SB 426 (2023), provisions in HCS/HB 442 (2023), SB 679 (2023), HB 198 (2023), HB 1330 (2023), SB 921 (2022), provisions in HCS/HB 1677 (2022), provisions in SB 1129 (2022), and provisions in HB 2305 (2022). PHARMACEUTICAL REBATE CERTIFICATION (Section 376.2066) Beginning no later than March 1, 2027, this act requires health carriers to annually certify that they have accounted for rebates, as defined in the act, in calculating health benefit plan premiums. These provisions are identical to provisions in SB 1213 (2024) and similar to provisions in SB 971 (2020). ERIC VANDER WEERD |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SB383 - Sen. Travis Fitzwater (R) - Creates provisions relating to covenants not to compete involving physicians | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | SB 383 - Under this act, a covenant not to compete between a physician and an employer shall only be enforceable if the physician is providing health care services in a clinical setting and the employer is not a health care entity owned or operated by a nonprofit corporation. A valid covenant not to compete shall be for a period of no longer than 365 days and not extend further than 50 miles from the physician's office address. This act is identical to SB 1396 (2024) and similar to HB 2754 (2024). SARAH HASKINS |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SB520 - Sen. Jill Carter (R) - Creates provisions relating to hospitals with emergency departments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | SB 520 - Under this act, a hospital with an emergency department shall have at least one physician on site and on duty who is responsible for the emergency department at all times the emergency department is open. This act is identical to SB 1406 (2024) and HB 2548 (2024). SARAH HASKINS |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SB627 - Sen. Stephen Webber (D) - Requires the University of Missouri to enter into an agreement with the State Treasurer to establish a separate custodial account for moneys in the University's Seminary Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | SB 627 - This act provides that the University of Missouri shall enter into an agreement with the State Treasurer to establish a separate custodial account in which the moneys in the University's Seminary Fund shall be deposited and held. The University shall invest such moneys in government bonds as provided in current law, and may withdraw the earnings on such bonds and use any such withdrawals for the maintenance of the University, as provided in the act. The University shall provide financial reports on the custodial account to the State Treasurer no less often than annually. The act repeals provisions relating to the State Treasurer's current duties as custodian of the Seminary Fund. OLIVIA SHANNON |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SB629 - Sen. Stephen Webber (D) - Modifies the Ground Ambulance Service Reimbursement Allowance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | SB 629 - Current law establishing the Ground Ambulance Service Reimbursement Allowance excludes any ambulance service owned or operated by an entity owned and operated by Missouri, including any hospital owned or operated by the University of Missouri Board of Curators. This act removes this exception. SARAH HASKINS |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||