1. In order to ensure that the skids of a helicopter do not get caught in a fence or other barriers and cause a potentially catastrophic outcome, any rules and regulations promulgated by the department of health and senior services pursuant to sections 190.185, 190.241, and 192.006, chapter 197, or any other provision of Missouri law shall not require hospitals to have a fence, or other barriers, around such hospital’s helipad. Any regulation requiring fencing, or other barriers, or any interpretation of such regulation shall be null and void.

2. In addition to the prohibition in subsection 1 of this section, the department shall not promulgate any rules and regulations with respect to the operation or construction of a helipad located at a hospital.

3. Hospitals shall ensure that helipads are free of obstruction and safe for use by a helicopter while on the ground, during approach, and takeoff.

4. As used in this section, the term “hospital” shall have the same meaning as in section 197.020.