SB 0906 Protects health care employees who report abuses by health care facilities
Sponsor:Singleton
LR Number:3917S.02I Fiscal Note:3917-02
Committee:Labor and Industrial Relations
Last Action:02/29/00 - Voted Do Pass S Labor & Industrial Relations Journal page:
Committee
Title:
Effective Date:August 28, 2000
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Current Bill Summary

SB 906 - This act protects health care employees who report abuses by health care facilities.

A new Section 197.760 allows employees of health care facilities who have reasonable cause to believe that the quality of care or safety of patients has been compromised to report the problem to the facility or to the Department of Health, Division of Aging, or other appropriate agency. Any administrator or supervisor who receives the report shall investigate and respond within 7 days. Reports must be made by employees in good faith and will be kept confidential.

The health care facility is prohibited from discouraging the report or retaliating against the employee. If an employee is retaliated against, this act allows a civil action, with penalties of up to $3,000. If the retaliation or abuse continues and threatens the health or safety of staff or patients, then the violator could be guilty of a Class D felony.

Similar provisions were included in CCS/HS/HCS/SB 788 (TAT).
ERIN MOTLEY