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Bill

HB 1855

Creates provisions relating to disease surveillance conducted by the department of health and senior services

2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Black and 19 co-sponsors

Missouri bill establishes disease surveillance procedures and authority for the Department of Health and Senior Services to enhance outbreak detection and response capabilities.

Placed on Informal Calendar
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Bill Summary · HB 1855

Legislative bill overview

HB 1855 establishes or modifies disease surveillance procedures and authority for Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services. The bill creates regulatory provisions governing how the department collects, manages, and reports communicable disease data. It recently passed a House committee with unanimous approval and is moving through the legislative process.

Why is this important

Disease surveillance systems are critical public health infrastructure that enable early detection of disease outbreaks, tracking of health threats, and coordination of emergency response. The bill's provisions directly affect how quickly and effectively Missouri can respond to infectious disease spread and protect population health. Changes to surveillance authority can impact both the department's operational capacity and privacy protections for individuals whose health data is collected.

Potential points of contention

  • Data privacy and individual rights — Surveillance expansion requires balancing public health needs against citizen privacy concerns and potential misuse of health information databases
  • Department authority scope — The specific powers granted to health officials may generate debate over government reach, especially regarding mandatory reporting requirements or data-sharing with other agencies
  • Implementation costs and resources — New surveillance provisions likely require funding for systems, staff, and technology that may strain departmental budgets or require legislative appropriations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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