HB 3039 modifies rules for physician assistants' prescribing authority and scope of practice. It requires physician assistants to work under written collaborative agreements with physicians for prescribing drugs, including limiting Schedule II controlled substances (like hydrocodone and oxycodone) to a 120-hour supply without refill. The bill explicitly prohibits physician assistants from prescribing abortions or using titles like "doctor," and mandates they identify themselves as PAs. Additionally, it requires new applicants after 2008 to hold a master's degree in physician assistant studies.
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 2702 sets new standards for establishing a doctor-patient relationship before providing telemedicine services in Missouri. It requires that this relationship be created through an in-person visit, consultation with another physician, or a telemedicine encounter that meets specific clinical and technological standards - prohibiting prescriptions based solely on internet questionnaires or telephone calls without a prior established relationship. The bill mandates that telemedicine providers review patient medical history, perform sufficient examinations via technology, and send a written report to the patient’s primary care provider within 14 days, including diagnosis and treatment details. These provisions apply to all healthcare providers using telemedicine for prescribing medications or treatments under Missouri law.
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.
