This act established the Sickle Cell Standing Committee within the Department of Health and Senior Services and specifies committee membership. The committee shall assess the impact of sickle cell disease on the urban population, examine existing services and resources, and develop recommendations to provide educational services to schools on the traits of sickle cell disease and their effects. The committee shall submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2016.

Under this act, no medical or dental school in the state shall prohibit, discourage, or otherwise restrict a student, dental, or medical organization from undertaking or

conducting a study of the prevalence of depression or other mental health issues among dental and medical students. Any dental or medical school in this state is prohibited from penalizing, disciplining, or otherwise taking any adverse action against a student or dental or medical student organization in connection with the student's or dental or medical student organization's participation in, planning, or conducting a study of the prevalence of depression or other mental health issues among dental and medical students.

This act permits dental and medical schools in this state to conduct an ongoing multicenter study or studies in order to facilitate the collection of data and implement practices and protocols to minimize stress and reduce the risk for depression among dental and medical students in Missouri. The act establishes the "Show-Me Compassionate Dental Education Research

Project Committee" and the "Show-Me Compassionate Medical Education Research Project Committee." The multicenter study shall, among other specified objectives, collect relevant data and examine the culture of dental and medical schools that may contribute to the risk of depression among students, as well as identify best practices to address the root causes of depression among students.

Any dental or medical school which conducts a study under this act shall prepare an annual report concerning the specified objectives of the study. Any dental or medical school which did not conduct a study under this act shall prepare an annual report stating that the school did not conduct a study. The reports must be made available annually on each dental and medical school's website and to the Missouri General Assembly.

This act contains an emergency clause.

SARAH HASKINS