SB 1541 prohibits licensed mental health professionals (such as therapists and counselors) from providing conversion therapy to minors. The bill directly affects minors seeking mental health care and the licensed professionals who provide it. It creates a legal ban on this specific practice within the state, requiring professionals to cease such treatments for patients under 18. The bill is currently in committee review, with no votes taken yet.
HB 3008 expands pharmacists' scope of practice to include managing medication treatment plans under physician protocols for specific conditions like minor illnesses, emergencies, or chronic conditions without requiring a new diagnosis. It permits pharmacists to prescribe nicotine replacement therapy, administer certain vaccines (excluding specific high-risk types), and provide HIV postexposure prophylaxis, all while working within defined boundaries. The bill requires written protocols from physicians (not nurses or physician assistants) and explicitly prohibits pharmacists from diagnosing or independently prescribing outside these specified scenarios. It also clarifies that pharmacists remain responsible for supervising support staff and maintains existing regulations for pharmacy ownership and nonprescription drug sales.
HB 2976 revises Missouri's requirements for physicians seeking a license. Applicants must now provide a criminal background check, proof of graduation from an accredited medical school (or an ECFMG certificate for foreign graduates), and evidence of two years of postgraduate training. The bill also allows the licensing board to request a list of all previous medical licenses and any disciplinary history. These changes directly affect all individuals applying for a physician license in Missouri.
HB 3007 updates Missouri's licensing requirements for psychologists. It requires doctoral degree holders from accredited programs (or programs meeting specific criteria like core curriculum and supervision standards) to complete three semester hours of domestic violence training. Applicants must also accumulate at least 1,500 hours of supervised internship experience and 2,000 total professional experience hours. The bill applies to new license applicants and provides a transition option for those who began their education before August 28, 1990, allowing them to choose between old and new requirements.
HB 3129 creates a "Physician Assistant Licensure Compact" allowing PAs licensed in one participating state to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. It establishes mutual recognition of licenses, requires states to share license status and disciplinary actions through a centralized data system, and sets uniform requirements like passing national exams (e.g., NCCPA PANCE) and background checks. The bill directly affects PAs seeking to work across state lines, especially military families who relocate frequently, by reducing licensing barriers. States joining the compact must adopt these standards to maintain the system.
HB 2821 would prevent employers from including noncompete clauses in contracts with physicians that restrict where or when they can practice medicine after leaving a job. It directly affects physicians and healthcare employers who currently use such clauses in employment agreements. The key provision makes any geographic or time-based restriction on post-employment practice void and unenforceable, while leaving other contract terms valid. The bill is pending in the legislature after introduction in January 2026.
HB 2897 amends Missouri's optometry law to allow optometrists to prescribe and administer injectable medications and perform specific surgical procedures (such as certain laser treatments for eye conditions) that were previously excluded from their scope of practice. Optometrists who graduated before July 1, 2020, must complete a 32-hour certification program covering both theory and clinical training to perform these procedures, while those who graduated after that date are exempt. The bill maintains a list of excluded procedures, such as LASIK, corneal transplants, and most surgeries involving the retina or eye structure. This change expands access to certain eye care services under defined training and certification requirements.
SB 1149 establishes the Athletic Trainers Compact, creating a multi-state agreement to allow athletic trainers licensed in one participating state to practice in other compact states without needing separate licenses. This bill directly affects licensed athletic trainers seeking to work across state lines and the states that adopt the compact. The key mechanism is mutual recognition of licenses among participating states, streamlining professional mobility. The bill is currently pending referral to the Senate Emerging Issues and Professional Registration Committee after initial readings.
HB 1894 prohibits health insurance plans and issuers from discriminating against healthcare providers based on their license type when determining participation or reimbursement. It requires equal reimbursement rates for the same service within a provider's scope of practice, while allowing varying rates based on quality measures. The bill applies to group health plans and individual insurance coverage but excludes physicians licensed under Chapter 334 of Missouri law. The Department of Commerce and Insurance will enforce these provisions, implementing federal nondiscrimination protections from Section 2706 of the Public Health Service Act.
HB 1965 updates Missouri law to clarify how health insurers pay athletic trainers. It requires insurers to pay athletic trainers directly for services when a patient receives out-of-network care authorized by their health plan, rather than paying the patient first. This applies to athletic trainers (defined as licensed providers under Chapter 334) who are not part of an insurer’s network but have prior authorization for care. The bill also establishes new credentialing rules for athletic trainers seeking to join health insurance networks. These changes directly affect athletic trainers, insurers, and patients seeking out-of-network care.
