Bill > SB1151

This bill establishes the "End Hospital Institutionalization Act", which addresses the issue of patients being unnecessarily "boarded" in hospitals or emergency rooms when they are medically stable but cannot be safely discharged. The bill defines "boarding" as a continued hospital stay without medical justification, typically occurring when a patient's caretaker cannot ensure the patient's safety or necessary ongoing care. For children under juvenile court jurisdiction, the court must immediately intervene to place the child in an appropriate setting. For children not under juvenile court jurisdiction, the local juvenile court must take custody and ensure proper placement. For individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities, serious mental illness, or substance use disorders, the Department of Mental Health must provide case management and treatment in the least restrictive environment possible. To incentivize quick resolution, the state will reimburse hospitals for the full costs of boarding an individual after the appropriate authorities (juvenile court or Department of Mental Health) have been notified, compensating them at either their actual costs or the maximum allowable under MO HealthNet rules, whichever is greater.

Health and Social Services

https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=112