Bill > HB322

This bill modifies Missouri's existing law regarding peer review committees by expanding the definition of "health care professional" to include physician assistants and clarifying the composition, immunity, and confidentiality provisions for these committees. The bill defines peer review committees as groups of healthcare professionals responsible for evaluating, maintaining, or monitoring healthcare service quality, and specifies that these committees can be formed by various medical organizations, including professional societies, hospital boards, health maintenance organizations, and university-affiliated entities. The legislation provides strong legal protections for committee members, stating they are immune from civil liability when acting in good faith, and establishes strict confidentiality rules that prevent the disclosure of committee proceedings, findings, and discussions in most legal contexts. The bill maintains exceptions that allow for disclosure in specific situations, such as actions involving hospital staff privileges or licensing, and preserves the authority of state healthcare licensing boards to obtain information through subpoena or authorized processes. The primary aim of the bill appears to be protecting the integrity of peer review processes while ensuring a mechanism for professional accountability in healthcare settings.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB322&year=2025&code=R