This bill seeks to repeal various sections of Missouri law concerning public health, particularly those related to infection control and reporting requirements, and introduces nine new sections aimed at improving the tracking and reporting of healthcare-associated infections. Key provisions include mandates for laboratories to submit infection data, the establishment of a monitoring system for antibiotic-resistant microbes, and the collection of charge and patient abstract data from healthcare providers. The bill emphasizes confidentiality while ensuring that relevant data is accessible to appropriate authorities and aligns Missouri's reporting requirements with federal standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, the bill modifies existing health care regulations by defining "elective surgical procedures" and specifying the types of infections that must be reported. It grants the Department of Health and Senior Services the authority to collect and publish annual reports on these infections, while also requiring hospitals and surgical centers to implement antimicrobial stewardship programs. The bill further restructures the state arthritis program, replacing "regional arthritis centers" with "regional arthritis programs" to enhance education and access to arthritis management. It also includes provisions for enforcing licensure regulations for healthcare facilities and modifies reporting requirements for schools regarding asbestos assessments, streamlining the regulatory framework for public health initiatives in Missouri.

Statutes affected:
Introduced (6304H.01): 192.131, 192.665, 192.667, 192.700, 192.703, 192.707, 192.710, 192.712, 192.714, 192.716, 192.718, 192.723, 192.725, 197.165, 197.293, 197.294, 643.263, 643.265