Gov. Eric Greitens signed legislation known the "Special Needs Bill" into law Tuesday morning at Jefferson City Fire Department Station No. 3.
The new law changes how first responders can respond in certain emergency situations, allowing emergency personnel to respond to people with certain medical conditions where previously they couldn't.
The bill reads "no emergency medical technician shall be liable, if acting in good faith and without gross negligence, for the administration of a patient's personal medication when deemed necessary."
The law will give first responders greater access to programs and resources, as well as allowing regional medical directors to provide medical direction by telecommunication, according to a news release from the governor's office.
Previously, first responders and emergency personnel were not legally permitted do anything for people who needed their personal medications.
Missouri is the first state in the country to change this law.
Cole County EMS officials said this really matters if a patient suffers from a disease where special care is required, like diabetes or hemophilia.
The bill also gives EMS medical directors the right to give EMTs medical direction for special situations over the phone. But it only applies if patients have the medicine with them and are able to give the EMTs specific instructions.
SB 503 also authorizes the state auditor to conduct performance and fiscal audits of any board, dispatch center or joint emergency communications entity involving emergency 911 service, according to the governor's news release.
The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown, and carried in the House by state Rep. Jeanie Lauer, R-Blue Springs.