SB 496 - This act creates the "Missouri Palliative Care and Quality of Life Interdisciplinary Council," which shall consult with and advise the Department of Health and Senior Services on matters related to the establishment, maintenance, operation, and outcomes evaluation of palliative care initiatives in the state, as well as submit an annual report to the General Assembly assessing the availability of palliative care in the state for patients at early stages of serious disease and analyzing barriers to greater access to palliative care. This act also creates the "Palliative Care Consumer and Professional Information and Education Program," which shall be designed to maximize the effectiveness of palliative care in the state by ensuring the public availability of comprehensive and accurate information about palliative care. The program shall encourage hospitals to have a palliative care presence on their intranet or internet website and to develop and distribute to patients information about palliative care. The provisions of this act shall sunset on August 28, 2025. This act is substantially similar to HB 808 (2015) and SCS/HB 808 (2015). SARAH HASKINS