SB 40 – Allows certain medical consultants who contract with the Department of Social Services and the Department of Mental Health to be covered by the State Legal Expense Fund

• Sponsor: Wright-Jones
• LR Number: 0088S.01I
• Committee: Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence
• Last Action: 1/12/2011 - Second Read and Referred S Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee
• Journal Page: S86
• Effective Date: August 28, 2011

Current Bill Summary

SB 40 - This act provides coverage under the state legal expense fund for any licensed doctor, therapist, dentist, podiatrist, optometrist, pharmacist, psychologist, or nurse who is hired on a contract basis to serve as a consultant for the MO HealthNet division or family support division of the Department of Social Services, or to serve as a consultant to the Department of Mental Health. The coverage is limited to a maximum of 500,000 dollars for all claims based upon the same act. If the professionals covered by the state legal expense fund under this act have other liability or malpractice insurance, the state legal expense fund is required to pay before the liability or malpractice insurance is available for paying the claim.

The Department of Social Services is required to issue rules regarding the contract procedures and documentation of services for such consultants.

This act is similar to SB 951 (2010).

EMILY KALMER