Gov. Matt Blunt on Friday signed into law new legal protections for doctors, health care providers and volunteers who help during state emergencies.

 The measure bars most lawsuits and administrative penalties against licensed caregivers who are deployed in Missouri during officially declared emergencies. It would still permit penalties for injuries caused by "willful and "wanton" mistakes.

Blunt signed the new provisions at a St. Louis hospital. They take effect immediately. In a written statement, he said the law will help the state better respond to emergencies.

"Health care professionals who offer their time and expertise to help our neighbors during an emergency should not fear frivolous lawsuits," Blunt said.

The measure also allows the Department of Health and Senior Services to train volunteers to hand out medicine, such as flu vaccines, if they are supervised by a health care professional. The volunteers would be protected by the state if they are sued.