The bill proposes the repeal of several existing sections of Missouri law related to the abuse or neglect of vulnerable individuals and enacts five new sections to enhance protections for residents in long-term care facilities. A significant new provision requires that each long-term care facility maintain liability insurance coverage of at least one million dollars to cover losses from abuse, neglect, or wrongful death. Alternatively, facilities can be exempt from this requirement if they maintain a reserve account of the same amount. Additionally, the bill introduces a new section that mandates the Department of Health and Senior Services to display an abuse and neglect icon on its website for facilities with substantiated findings of abuse or neglect, along with detailed information about the incidents. Furthermore, the bill strengthens the penalties for abuse of elderly individuals, persons with disabilities, or vulnerable persons by classifying certain offenses as class E felonies if committed by care providers who are subject to employee disqualification. It also establishes a requirement for the department to investigate complaints of harm within thirty days and to provide the results of such investigations to all parties involved. The new provisions aim to improve accountability and transparency in long-term care facilities, ensuring better protection for residents against abuse and neglect.

Statutes affected:
Introduced (6396H.01): 198.019, 198.036, 198.528, 198.532, 565.184