SB 275 - This act modifies provisions relating to health care. SHELTERED WORKSHOPS (Section 178.931)
Under current law, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education pays monthly to each sheltered workshop a sum equal to the amount calculated under statute, but at least the amount necessary to ensure that at least $21 is paid for each 6 hour or longer day worked by a handicapped employee. This act adds language that such 6 hour or longer days worked shall be for each workweek of up to and including 38 hours worked. For each handicapped worker employed by a sheltered workshop for less than a 38 hour week or a 6 hour day, the workshop shall receive a percentage of the corresponding amount normally paid based on the percentage of time worked by the handicapped employee.
This provision is identical to SB 233 (2019) and HB 646 (2019).
SENIOR SERVICES GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (Section 192.385)
This act establishes the "Senior Services Growth and Development Program" in the Department of Health and Senior Services to provide additional funding for senior services through area agencies on aging. Beginning January 1, 2020, the Director of the Department of Revenue shall deposit 5%, phased in over two years, of the premium tax collected from certain insurance companies and associations, excluding any moneys statutorily-mandated to be transferred to the State School Moneys Fund and excluding the cost of collection, in the "Senior Services Growth and Development Program Fund". The moneys collected shall be placed in a special fund in the State Treasury and the Department of Health and Senior Services shall disburse the funds to the area agencies on aging. All area agencies shall report annually to the Department of Health and Senior Services, the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions, and Professional Registration, and the General Assembly on the distribution and use of the funds.
This provision is identical to SB 86 (2019) and HB 337 (2019), and is substantially similar to SB 694 (2018), SCS/SB 192 (2017), and HCS/HB 540 (2017) and similar to SCS/SB 1095 (2016).
PRESCRIBING AUTHORITY OF DENTISTS (Section 332.361)
Under this act, long-acting or extended-release opioids shall not be used to treat acute pain in dentistry. If the dentist, in his or her professional judgment, believes a long-acting or extended-release opioid is necessary to treat the patient, the dentist shall document and explain in the patient's dental record the reason for the necessity for the long-acting or extended-release opioid.
Dentists shall avoid prescribing doses greater than 50 Morphine Milligram Equivalents (MME) per day for treatment of acute pain. If the dentist believes doses greater than 50 MME are necessary to treat the patient, the dentist shall document and explain the reason for the dose greater than 50 MME.
The Missouri Dental Board is required, under this act, to maintain an MME conversion chart and instructions for calculating MMEs on its website.
This provision is identical to a provision contained in SS/HB 219 (2019) and is similar to HB 628 (2019) and HCS/SCS/SB 6 (2019).
JOINT TASK FORCE ON RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGIST LICENSURE (Section 334.1135)
This provision establishes the Joint Task Force on Radiologic Technologist Licensure, which shall review the current status of licensure of radiologic technologists in Missouri, and develop a plan to address the most appropriate method to protect public safety when radiologic imaging and radiologic procedures are utilized. The plan shall include certain elements set forth in the act.
The task force shall be composed of members set forth in the act, including two members of the Senate and two members of the House of Representatives.
The task force shall meet within 30 days of its creation and select a chair and vice-chair, and shall submit a full report of its activities to the General Assembly on or before January 15, 2020.
JOSIE BUTLER