Bill > SB1019

This bill modifies various provisions related to hospital investments, service areas, and mental health services. It increases the percentage of funds hospitals can invest in certain mutual funds, bonds, and money-market investments, and expands the types of entities eligible for these investments, provided they meet specific revenue thresholds from taxes and appropriated funds. The bill also allows hospitals to engage in health care activities and lease related facilities outside their immediate city boundaries, with certain exceptions for counties that already have a hospital. It clarifies the requirements for establishing a physician-patient relationship through telemedicine, including the use of medical evaluations and questionnaires, and mandates that providers using questionnaires employ or contract with a licensed entity and provide reports to the patient's primary care provider. The bill also authorizes the Department of Health and Senior Services to contract with public health associations for services and requires hospitals to display a warning sign about assaulting healthcare professionals. It revises provisions regarding the powers of hospital districts, allowing them to engage in health care activities and lease facilities, and clarifies reimbursement for the professional component of clinical pathology services under the MO HealthNet program. The bill also streamlines the licensing process for individuals with out-of-state licenses, particularly for military spouses and law enforcement spouses, and allows healthcare providers licensed through this process to provide telehealth services. It introduces new regulations concerning the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in mental health, prohibiting its advertisement or representation as a mental health professional, and establishes penalties for violations. The bill also makes changes to the procedures for involuntary detention for mental health evaluation and treatment, removing notarization requirements for certain applications and allowing for declarations under penalty of perjury. It also modifies the process for civil commitment of sexually violent predators, including provisions for their housing and care, and introduces a new framework for assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) for individuals with serious mental illness who are unwilling or unable to seek voluntary treatment, outlining petition processes, court orders, case management, and reporting requirements. Finally, it addresses health carrier and pharmacy benefit manager discrimination against entities participating in the 340B drug discount program and clarifies investment restrictions for multiple employer self-insured health plans.