Bill > HB2430

This bill establishes the "End Hospital Institutionalization Act" in Missouri, which addresses the issue of patients being "boarded" in hospitals without medical justification. Boarding is defined as a medically stable patient remaining in a hospital or emergency room because their caretaker cannot ensure their safety or ongoing care. The bill requires different responses depending on the patient's status: for children under juvenile court jurisdiction, the court must immediately intervene to place the child in an appropriate setting; for children not under court jurisdiction, the juvenile court will take custody and ensure proper placement; and 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. Importantly, the state will reimburse hospitals for the full costs of boarding after notification, either at the actual costs or the maximum allowable under MO HealthNet rules, whichever is greater. The goal of this legislation is to quickly move patients out of hospital settings and into more appropriate care environments, reducing unnecessary and costly hospital stays while ensuring proper treatment and support.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2430&year=2026&code=R