HCS SS SCS SB 74 & 49 -- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES

This bill changes the laws regarding programs administered by the
Department of Health and Senior Services.  In its main
provisions, the bill:

(1)  Specifies that beginning April 1, 2007, immunizations
administered to children under the age of three and to knowingly
pregnant women cannot contain more than one microgram of mercury
per five-tenths milliliter dose;

(2)  Allows the department director to exempt the use of a
vaccine from compliance with the mercury requirement in the event
of a public health emergency;

(3)  Specifies that newborn screening requirements are not
limited to the disorders and conditions currently listed in law;

(4)  Requires health care employers to make information available
to employees about the risk of exposure to hepatitis C;

(5)  Requires the department to maintain a Missouri hepatitis C
web site containing information about hepatitis and the
availability of testing for hepatitis C;

(6)  Creates in the state treasury the Department of Health and
Senior Services Administrative and Cost Allocation Fund and the
Department of Health and Senior Services Disaster Fund.  The
administrative and cost allocation fund will receive funding by
appropriations, deposits, and moneys transferred or paid to the
department in return for goods and services provided.  The
disaster fund will be used during a state of emergency at the
direction of the Governor to furnish immediate aid and relief;

(7)  Allows any interest earned on the Missouri Public Health
Services Fund to accrue to the fund and not lapse to the credit
of the general revenue at the end of the biennium;

(8)  Requires a birth certificate to be filed within five days,
instead of the current seven days, certifying the place, time,
and date of the live birth by a signature or an electronic
process approved by the department;

(9)  Allows medical certifications filed when applying for a
certificate of death to have their accuracy attested by either a
signature or an electronic process approved by the department;

(10)  Allows prescription information to be submitted
electronically;

(11)  Establishes the Missouri Senior Advocacy and Efficiency
Commission within the department and specifies the commission's
duties; and

(12)  Authorizes the department to provide financial assistance
for consumer-directed personal care assistance services to
qualified individuals who are not eligible for the Missouri
Medicaid Program and specifies the eligibility guidelines.

Certain sections of the bill contain an emergency clause.

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:21 pm