MILITARY LICENSEES(Section 41.950)

Certain licensed professionals may renew a license expiring while they are serving in the military, within 60 days from completing their service. The professionals included are: interpreters, clinical perfusionists, dietitians, massage therapists, interior designers, acupuncturists, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, tattoists, body piercers, and branders.

CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE TASK FORCE (192.632)

This act creates the task force to educate the public and health care professionals about early screenings and other preventative measures and practice techniques.

GEOLOGISTS AND REAL ESTATE APPRAISERS (Sections 256.465 and 339.513)

Changes the triggering point at which moneys in the real estate appraiser’s and geologist’s funds organized revert to the general revenue.

BOXING, SPARRING, WRESTLING, KICKBOXING, AND FULL-CONTACT KARATE (Sections 317.001, 317.006, 317.011, 317.013, 317.015, 317.018, 317.019)

This act modifies laws relating to the power of the Office of Athletics to regulate boxing, sparring, wrestling, kickboxing and full-contact karate contests.

Definitions are modified to include mixed martial arts and amateur and exhibition bouts under the purview of the Office of Athletics' regulatory authority.

The maximum duration for bouts is removed and the mandatory medical suspension is increased from 120 to 180 days when a participant is rendered unconscious.

The act creates guidelines for bout contracts.

Additional censure and probation measures are allowed for licensees under certain circumstances.

TATTOOING, BRANDING AND BODY PIERCING (Sections 324.520, 324.522, and 324.523)

The act authorizes the Director of the Division of Professional Registration to promulgate rules to establish education and training requirements for these practitioners. The act also establishes specific causes for complaints to be filed with the Administrative Hearing Commission and allows the Division to enjoin unlawful practices.

PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS (Sections 324.1100, 324.1102, 324.1104, 324.1106, 324.1108, 324.1110, 324.1112, 324.1114, 324.1116, 324.1118, 324.1120, 324.1122, 324.1124, 324.1126, 324.1128, 324.1130, 324.1132, 324.1134, 324.1136, 324.1138, 324.1140, 324.1142, 324.1144, 324.1146, 324.1148, 621.045)

The "Board of Private Investigator Examiners" is created within the Division of Professional Registration in the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration.

The Board consists of five members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. Each member must be a U.S. citizen, Missouri resident, at least 30 years old, and actively engaged as a private investigator for at least five years. Board members will serve staggered terms of two years.

The Board of Private Investigator Examiners Fund is also created. The act makes it unlawful for persons to engage in the private investigator business unless licensed. Attorneys, collection agencies, and insurers are exempted from licensure. Application requirements are specified. Licensees must be at least 21, a U.S. citizen, and comply with qualifications set by the Board. Persons must also provide proof of liability insurance of at least $250,000, and proof of workers' compensation insurance.

The Board shall ensure applicants complete a course of training conducted by a certified trainer; pass a written examination; and submit to an oral interview with the Board. Complete background checks will be conducted on all applicants. The act grandfathers current private investigators and a license will be issued to such persons who show registration and good standing as a business for two years and $250,000 in business general liability insurance. The Board is given authority to review reciprocity applications. Grounds for denial of licensure are specified.

Persons hired by private investigators must apply for agency licenses separately. The act specifies standards for employees of agencies. The act sets continuing education requirements – 16 hours biennially for licensees and 8 hours for employees of agencies.

The Board shall set the fees for licensure. Licenses must be posted in a conspicuous place in the principal place of business of the licensee. Pocket cards will also be issued to licensees. Licenses shall expire two years after issuance and provisions for renewal are provided.

Licensees may divulge to the Board, law enforcement officers, or a prosecuting attorney information acquired as to any criminal offense. Licensees are prohibited from: knowingly making a false report; causing a report to be submitted that the licensee has not exercised due diligence in ascertaining the facts; giving the impression that the licensee is connected with the federal or state government or any political subdivision; appearing as an assignee in any proceeding; manufacturing false evidence; or creating a video of any person in their home without that person's permission.

Restrictions on record keeping and advertising are specified. License disciplinary procedures are specified. The Board is given rulemaking authority.

The Board shall certify qualified trainers of private investigators. Persons who knowingly falsify fingerprints or photographs required to be submitted is a Class D felony. Violation of other provisions is a Class A misdemeanor unless it is a second or subsequent violation in which case it is a Class D felony.

Provisions for licensure of current law enforcement officers and limitations on their conduct are specified.

ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, LAND SURVEYORS, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS (Sections 327.011, 327.076, 327.077, 327.181, 327.441, and 621.045)

The act authorizes the Missouri Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors and Landscape Architects to impose civil penalties against licensed and unlicensed persons. Any person who practices architecture, engineering, land surveying or landscape architecture without a valid license may be subject to an administrative action by the board to seek a civil penalty. The board may initiate investigations against the unlicensed person and may issue subpoenas to compel attendance and testimony of witnesses.

The complaint must be filed with the Administrative Hearing Commission, which shall conduct a hearing and issue its findings of fact and conclusions of law. The duties of the commission are amended to include the ability to hear such cases. If the commission finds the unlicensed person has violated this act, then the board may issue a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 for each day of violation, with a maximum penalty of $25,000. The unlicensed person has the right to appeal the order imposing the fine to a circuit court. Once the case is final, and the penalty is not timely paid, the Attorney General may commence an action to recover the penalty, including reasonable attorney fees and costs and a surcharge of 15% of the penalty plus 10% per year on any amounts owed. The validity and appropriateness of the final order imposing the civil penalty shall not be subject to review.

An unlicensed person may use a form of the word "engineer" without being subject to disciplinary action if the use is reflective of that person's profession and does not imply that the person is holding himself or herself out as being a professional engineer.

CHIROPRACTORS (Section 331.010)

The "practice of chiropractic" is redefined in reference to methods commonly taught in any chiropractic college or chiropractic program in a university accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education.

BOARD OF REGISTRATION FOR THE HEALING ARTS (334.120)

Currently, 5 board members must be graduates of professional schools approved and accredited as reputable by the American Medical Association or the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. This act requires at least 5 members to be graduates of professional schools accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education or recognized by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates.

NURSES (Sections 335.016, 335.036. 335.066, 335.067, 335.068, 335.076, 335.096, 335.097, 383.130, and 383.133)

The act defines "lapsed license status", "retired license status", and "temporary nursing staffing agency" and establishes notice and service requirements for disciplinary hearings before the full board.

The State Board of Nursing may establish an impaired nurse program and require nurses to enter treatment as a condition for licensure.

The State Board of Nursing may request an expedited hearing from the Administrative Hearing Commission, if the board concludes the nurse has committed an act constituting clear and present danger to the public health and safety. After 15 days from the complaint, and after a preliminary hearing, the board may immediately restrict or suspend the license. Temporary authority to restrict or suspend the license becomes final if the nurse does not request a full hearing within thirty days. Dismissal of the action does not preclude subsequent action on the same grounds.

Documentation relating to an unsubstantiated claim and those not constituting a violation are deemed sealed records under the act. Sealed records shall not be disclosed without written permission of the licensee. The board must notify the licensee if it seals any records in relation to that professional.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses are authorized to use the acronym APRN in relation to their practices.

The act stipulates that reports made to the board are not in violation of the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

Under current law, officials of hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers must report disciplinary actions taken against a licensed health care professional to their respective licensing authority. This act requires temporary nursing staffing agencies to do the same and requires the facts to be described with as much detail and information as possible.

BOARD OF NURSING (Section 335.212)

This act redefines the term “qualified employment” for the purposes of the nursing student loan program to include employment in any agency in an area of need, instead of restricting the definition to public or nonprofit agencies.

OPTOMETRISTS (Sections 336.010, 336.020, 336.030, 336.040, 336.050, 336.060, 336.070, 336.080, 336.140, 336.160, 336.220, and 336.225)

The act Modifies the definition of "the practice of optometry" and relocates provisions relating to the scope of practice found in other sections into this definition.

The act allows for reciprocity for out-of-state licensees. The act raises the continuing education requirements from 8 hours annually to 32 hours within a 2 year period.

The 30 day notice requirements for board meetings is removed.

Optometrists who are only authorized to administer diagnostic pharmaceutical agents shall refer patients to a physician under certain circumstances.

Advertising is allowed for all optometrists as long as the name of the licensee is displayed at all practice locations.

SOCIAL WORKERS (Sections 337.600, 337.603, 337.604, 337.612, 337.615, 337.618, 337.622, 337.627, 337.630, 337.636, 337.643, 337.644, 333.645, 337.646, 337.653, 337.665, and 337.689)

Currently, clinical and baccalaureate social workers are licensed. This act expands licensing to two additional groups: advanced macro social workers and master social workers.

Applicants for licensure as a clinical social worker must complete 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience with a qualified clinical supervisor instead of a licensed clinical social worker.

All licensees shall complete three hours in ethics presented by a social worker with a degree.

The act differentiates between the four types of licensure as follows:

CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER REQUIREMENTS

• Master's degree from a program accredited by the council of social work education or a doctorate from a program acceptable to the committee.

• 3,000 hours supervised clinical experience with a qualified clinical supervisor.

• Passing score on an approved exam.

• 18 years old, of good moral character, a U.S. citizen or legally present, and free of felony convictions during the 10 years prior to application.

MASTER SOCIAL WORKER REQUIREMENTS

• Master's or doctorate degree from a program accredited by the council of social work education.

• Passing score on an approved exam.

• 18 years old, of good moral character, a U.S. citizen or legally present, and free of felony convictions during the 10 years prior to application.

ADVANCED MACRO SOCIAL WORKER REQUIREMENTS

• Master's degree from a program accredited by the council of social work education or a doctorate from a program acceptable to the committee.

• 3,000 hours supervised clinical experience with a qualified macro supervisor.

• Passing score on an approved exam.

• 18 years old, of good moral character, a U.S. citizen or legally present, and free of felony convictions during the 10 years prior to application.

BACCALAUREATE SOCIAL WORKER REQUIREMENTS

• Baccalaureate degree from a program accredited by the council of social work education.

• 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience with a qualified baccalaureate supervisor.

• Passing score on an approved exam.

• 18 years old, of good moral character, a U.S. citizen or legally present, and free of felony convictions during the 10 years prior to application.

FAMILY AND MARITAL THERAPISTS (Sections 337.700, 337.715, and 337.718)

The act expands the definition of marital and family therapy to include the diagnosis of behavior and intrapersonal or interpersonal dysfunctions within the context of marital and family systems.

Additional requirements for licensees are proposed, including a minimum of three semester hours of graduate course work in diagnostic systems and supervised diagnosis education as a core component of postgraduate supervised clinical experience.

Continuing education requirements may be set by rule and may be waived upon a showing of illness or other good cause.

PHARMACIES (Section 338.220)

Missouri businesses incorporated prior to January 1, 2005 that have sold, dispensed, or filled veterinarian prescribed animal pharmaceutical products shall not be required to obtain Class L veterinary permits.

REAL ESTATE BROKERS AND AGENTS (Sections 339.100, 339.200, 339.205)

The Real Estate Commission is authorized to impose civil penalties upon licensed and unlicensed individuals in the same manner described in the above sections relating to architects, engineers, land surveyors, and landscape architects.

Currently, applicants for nursing home administrator licenses pay a fee of $100 to the Director of Revenue. This act leaves the amount of the fee up to the board and directs the payment to the Department of Health and Senior Services.

NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATORS (Sections 344.020, 344.030, 344.040, 344.050, 344.060, 344.070, 344.080, 344.105, 344.108)

Out of state applicants for licenses shall not be recognized when the applicant fails the national examination three times.

The act allows for probationary status as an alternative to refusing to issue or renew a license. Licensees and applicants may appeal this decision.

The act adds additional grounds upon which a licensee may be disciplined including:

• Violating any provision of law regulating convalescent, nursing and boarding homes.

• Violating any professional trust or confidence.

• Having administered a convalescent, nursing or boarding home during a time when the facility has had its license revoked

• Having entered into a consent agreement to obtain a probationary license for facilities under chapter 198 or having such a license denied or surrendered while under investigation.

The act modifies the membership of the Board of Nursing Home Administrators by imposing citizenship requirements and replace the Director of the Division of Aging with the Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services.

The act provides for inactive license status and requirements for reactivation.

AUDIOLOGISTS (Sections 345.015, 345.030, 345.033, 345.045, 345.055, 346.015, 346.030, 346.035, 346.055, 346.060, 346.110)

The act adds fitting, programming, and dispensing of assistive listening devices and other amplification systems to the definition of the practice of audiology.

Licensed audiologists who sell devices shall deliver a purchase agreement to the purchaser containing information including the terms of the sale, name of the manufacturer, make, model, whether the item is used and other details.

Under current law, hearing instrument retailers must employ a licensed hearing aid specialist. Under the act, the retailers may employ a licensed audiologist in lieu of a specialist.

The act also phases in education requirements for applicants for instrument specialist licenses or hearing instrument specialist-in-training permits.

PERFORMING GROUPS (407.309)

Prohibits the advertising or conducting of live musical performances under certain deceptive circumstances.

This act is similar to SB 524 (2007), HB 873 (2007), SB 308 (2007), HB 914 (2007), SB 482 (2007), HB 753 (2007), HB 776 (2007), HB 310 (2007), HB 117 (2007), HB 815 (2007), HB 998 (2007), HB 657 (2007), SB 527 (2007), SB 31 (2007), SB 666 (2007), SB 272 (2007), SB 333 (2007), SB 577 (2007), SB 677 (2007), HB 1084 (2007), SB 10 (2007), HB 833 (2007), HB 233 (2007), SB 513 (2007), HB 749 (2007), SB 542 (2007), HB 830 (2007), HB 953 (2007), SB 584 (2007), HB 399 (2007), SB 485 (2007).

CHRIS HOGERTY