HCS HB 175 Sassmann, Bruce Committee
HCS HB 175 -- MASSAGE THERAPISTS
SPONSOR: Sassmann
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass with HCS" by the Standing Committee on Professional Registration and Licensing by a vote of 9 to 0. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules- Administration Oversight by a vote of 6 to 1.
This bill provides that the Board of Therapeutic Massage can apply to the Administrative Hearing Commission (AHC) for an emergency suspension or restriction of a license for a licensed massage therapist 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 the public health, safety, or welfare is at imminent risk of harm.
Within five days of receipt of the complaint, the AHC shall conduct a review and, if the AHC determines there is reasonable cause for the Board's complaint, enter the order requested by the Board. Such 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 shall continue in effect and whether a cause for discipline exists.
This bill is similar to HB 1610 (2022).
The following is a summary of the public testimony from the committee hearing. The testimony was based on the introduced version of the bill.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this is a needed protection for the public. Not only could a massage therapist directly violate and harm a patient, but he or she could also be involved in human trafficking and prostitution which has been an issue before.
Testifying in person for the bill was Representative Sassmann.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
OTHERS: Others testifying on the bill say that language can be added to specify what criminal charges apply. However, the language requiring the criminal charge in tandem with the Board believing that the public health, safety, or welfare is at imminent risk of harm from the holder of the license should narrow what criminal charges would apply.
Testifying in person on the bill was the Missouri Division of Professional Registration.
This bill is similar to HB 1610 (2022).
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.