SPONSOR: Sassmann
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Professional Registration and Licensing by a vote of 19 to 0. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules- Administrative by a vote of 10 to 0.
This bill specifies that the Board of Therapeutic Massage and the Board of Chiropractic Examiners can apply to the Administrative Hearing Commission (AHC) for an emergency suspension or restriction of a license for a licensed massage therapist or a licensed chiropractor if the licensee is the subject of a pending criminal indictment or other criminal charge related to the duties and responsibilities of the licensed occupation, and there is reasonable cause to believe that the public health, safety, or welfare is at imminent risk of harm.
Within five days of receipt of the complaint, the AHC must conduct a review and, if the AHC determines there is reasonable cause for the Board's complaint, enter the order requested by the Board. The order will be effective upon personal service or delivery of a copy at all of the licensee's addresses on file with the Board. The AHC must then hold an evidentiary hearing on the record within 45 days of the Board's filing or upon final adjudication of the criminal charges to determine if the initial order entered by the AHC will continue in effect and whether a cause for discipline exists.
This bill is similar to HB 1549 (2024) and HCS HB 175 (2023).
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this is good for both industries. The people going to the professionals are put in very vulnerable situations and they need to feel safe.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Sassmann; Missouri Chiropractic Physicians Association; Arnie C. Dienoff.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
OTHERS: Others testifying on the bill say that this is put together to protect the public while also giving the professionals due process.
Testifying in person on the bill was Division of Professional Registration. Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: