SECOND REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 785

88TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE TROUPE.

Pre-filed 1, 1995 and 1000 copies ordered printed.

DOUGLAS W. BURNETT, Chief Clerk

L1937.01I

AN ACT

Relating to certain medical practices.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

Section 1. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the state of Missouri or any of its agencies, divisions, departments or subdivisions shall not interfere with the medical practice of any physician licensed to practice medicine pursuant to the provisions of chapter 334, RSMo, because that physician engages in a form of medicine which is not considered standard or orthodox practice by prevailing standards absent the finding that any such practice represents a direct threat to the life or health of the patient.

Section 2. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any physician in the state of Missouri shall, at the request of the patient, provide information on optional treatments, or allow patient access to such information, particularly in cases in which prevailing medical opinion has determined the patient to be in a terminal, incurable or end-state condition, and may, with the informed consent of such patient or guardian, administer such optional treatment.

Section 3. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the state of Missouri or any of its agencies, divisions, departments or subdivisions shall not interfere with the right of a physician to receive into the state for his professional use any nutrient, herbal or other natural substance or combination of substances or any chemical substance or combination thereof or any device or technique which is not considered standard or orthodox practice for medical or diagnostic or evaluative use by prevailing standard definitions of orthodox medicine absent the finding that any such substance or combination of substances or device or technique represents a direct threat to the life or health of the patient.

Section 4. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the state of Missouri or any of its agencies, divisions, departments, or subdivisions shall not interfere with the right of a physician to treat, counsel with, or provide information to his patients concerning substances, therapies, devices or techniques which may not be considered standard practice by prevailing standard definitions, absent the finding that such treatment, counsel or information represents a direct threat to the life or health of the patient.