HCS SCS SB 756 -- PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION

SPONSOR:  Clemens (Behnen)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Professional Registration and Licensing by a vote of 12 to 0.

This substitute changes the laws regarding the licensing of
certain professions within the Division of Professional
Registration in the Department of Economic Development.

PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY

The substitute authorizes advance practice nurses to prescribe
certain substances containing pseudoephedrine while engaged in a
collaborative agreement with a physician.

MASSAGE THERAPY

The Board of Therapeutic Massage is authorized to promulgate
rules establishing requirements for granting licenses for
applicants from other states who have completed massage therapy
programs which are less than 500 hours.  Massage therapy
businesses are prohibited from employing an unlicensed person for
the purpose of performing massage therapy services.  The board is
required to send copies of all board survey inspections to the
business within 30 days of the inspection and is allowed to waive
or extend the time requirements for completion of continuing
education requirements under certain circumstances as determined
by the board.  Nonresident licensed massage therapists will be
exempt from licensure if they are providing services or
instruction in conjunction with disaster relief or at special
events.

The board is also authorized to contract for legal services.

DENTAL RECORDS

Dentists are required to maintain complete and adequate patient
records.  Records must be retained for at least seven years from
the date of the last professional service.  Any addition or
change to a patient's record made more than 48 hours after the
final entry will be entered as an addendum and will specify the
time; date; name of person making the addition, correction, or
change; and the reason for the change.

Laboratory work orders are also required to be maintained for
seven years.

REVOCATION OF LICENSES

The State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts is
authorized to revoke the professional license of any person
licensed under Chapter 334, RSMo, who has been found guilty of a
felony.  Currently, it only applies to physicians.

COLLABORATIVE AGREEMENT REPORTING

The substitute requires physicians to report to the State Board
of Registration for the Healing Arts any collaborative practice
or physician assistant agreement entered into within 30 days.
Physicians are also required to provide the board with all their
collaborative practice agreements when renewing their license.
This information will be available to the public.

The board is authorized to conduct random reviews of these
agreements to determine whether licensees are in compliance with
the provisions of the substitute.

ATHLETIC TRAINERS

The substitute requires that after August 28, 2006, applicants
for licensure as athletic trainers must pass the examination
given by the National Athletic Trainers Association Board of
Certification or its successor agency.  Currently, the State
Board of Registration for the Healing Arts administers the
licensing examinations.

Certain academic and experience requirements necessary for
licensure are repealed.

PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS

Professional counselors licensed in other states are allowed to
apply for licensure in Missouri without examination if the
applicant has had no disciplinary action taken against his or her
license in the past five years or has met all eligibility
criteria established by the American Association of State
Counseling Boards or its successor organization.

SOCIAL WORKERS

Clinical social workers licensed in other states are allowed to
obtain a Missouri license if they have had no disciplinary action
taken against their license in the preceding five years and their
current state license has substantially the same licensing
requirements as the State of Missouri.

VETERINARIANS

The Missouri Veterinary Medical Board is authorized to promulgate
rules determining when applicants are required to submit an
application for the licensing examination.  Currently, applicants
are required to make application 60 days prior to taking the
examination.

ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING COMMISSION

The Administrative Hearing Commission is authorized to publish
notifications of licensing cases to be heard before the
commission if notification cannot be accomplished in person or by
certified mail.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost to General Revenue Fund of $0 to
$505,668 in FY 2007, $0 to $606,801 in FY 2008, and $0 to
$606,801 in FY 2009.  Estimated Income on Other State Funds of
Unknown in FY 2007, FY 2008, and FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill changes the practice
act allowing for a national exam and allows Missouri to be
consistent with other states in requirements for accreditation.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Clemens; and Missouri
Athletic Trainers' Association.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Bob Dominique, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:46 am