HB 3484 updates laws governing the unauthorized practice of medicine by clarifying the definition of "surgery" to include specific procedures like tissue alterations and certain injections (excluding standard nurse-administered injections). It allows out-of-state physicians to consult with patients via telemedicine when working under a licensed local physician who retains final responsibility for care. The bill also permits licensed out-of-state doctors to provide sports-related medical services to athletes and team staff during travel or events without a local license, but prohibits such services at hospitals or clinics. This directly affects healthcare providers, telemedicine services, and sports teams traveling to the state. The bill is in early stages (introduced February 2026) and does not alter standard medical practice requirements within the state.
SB 1691 streamlines licensure for healthcare professionals in Missouri who hold valid licenses in other states or jurisdictions, allowing them to practice telehealth services without retaking exams or meeting additional experience requirements. It directly affects healthcare workers licensed elsewhere (including military or law enforcement spouses moving to Missouri) who have held a valid license for at least one year in their previous jurisdiction. Key provisions require Missouri licensing boards to waive exams and experience requirements for eligible applicants within six months (or 30 days for military/law enforcement spouses), while maintaining standards like background checks and fees. The bill does not apply to business licenses, interstate compacts, or cases where an applicant’s license is under disciplinary action.
HB 3215, titled the "Missouri Family Building and Fertility Access Act," creates a state program to improve access to fertility treatment for individuals in rural or medically underserved areas. The program provides travel assistance, lodging stipends, and telehealth subsidies for those who cannot access certified fertility clinics, while also supporting telemedicine infrastructure in shortage areas. Health insurance companies must publish plain-language summaries of fertility coverage on their websites and submit annual reports on treatment usage, which the state will aggregate and publish to track access trends. The bill establishes a dedicated "Infertility Access Fund" to finance these efforts and requires biennial reports on barriers to care, including cost and geographic challenges.
HB 3460 (the "Assistance for Rape Emergencies (CARE) Act") requires hospitals and affiliated health care facilities to provide specific medical care to sexual assault victims. It mandates that facilities: (1) verbally inform victims about emergency contraception, (2) immediately provide the full regimen if requested, and (3) offer sexually transmitted infection screening and treatment. The bill also establishes standards for forensic examinations, requiring trained providers or telehealth support for non-SANE staff, with limited waivers for technological barriers. This directly affects hospitals, health care facilities, and sexual assault victims across the state, standardizing emergency medical responses to sexual assault.
HB 1844 creates the "Athletic Trainer Compact" to allow licensed athletic trainers to practice across participating states without obtaining separate licenses. It directly affects licensed athletic trainers seeking interstate mobility and patients who gain easier access to these professionals. The key mechanism is mutual recognition of licenses between member states, reducing administrative burdens while preserving each state's regulatory authority over scope of practice. The compact also supports telehealth access, shares disciplinary information, and includes provisions for military members and their families.
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 2628, the "Assistance for Rape Emergencies (CARE) Act," requires hospitals and health care facilities to provide specific medical care to sexual assault victims. It mandates that facilities orally inform victims about emergency contraception, immediately provide it if requested, and offer sexually transmitted infection screening and treatment. The bill also requires forensic examinations using telehealth support (via a statewide network) when needed, with limited waivers allowed for technological hardships or network outages. These provisions directly affect hospitals, health care facilities, and individuals who are sexual assault victims seeking emergency care.
HB 2242 provides state funding to help public school districts hire licensed school nurses and mental health professionals. School districts can apply for a state supplement covering up to the full salary (including experience) for one nurse or mental health professional per school, with preference given to schools with the greatest need - based on factors like student health ratios, free/reduced lunch eligibility, and Title I funding. Districts may also use the funds to reimburse telehealth services for remote access to these professionals, subject to parental consent. The bill creates dedicated state funds for these supplements, ensuring unspent money doesn’t revert to general revenue and must be used solely for this purpose.
HB 2236 establishes Missouri's "Infertility Access Program" through the Department of Health and Senior Services to improve fertility treatment access. The program provides travel assistance, lodging stipends, or telehealth subsidies for individuals in rural or medically underserved areas seeking care at certified fertility clinics. It also creates an "Infertility Access Fund" for program administration, requires health carriers to publish clear fertility coverage summaries, and mandates annual reports on treatment utilization, geographic barriers, and demographic data. The bill directly affects patients in underserved regions, certified fertility clinics, and health insurance providers offering fertility coverage.
HB 1636 modifies rules for collaborative practice between physicians and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). It allows APRNs to prescribe certain controlled substances (including Schedule III-V drugs and hydrocodone) under written agreements, with a 120-hour supply limit for most prescriptions. The law requires clear patient disclosure about seeing an APRN, specifies physician review of APRN care, and adds flexibility for rural areas and telehealth regarding geographic proximity requirements between physicians and APRNs. This directly affects APRNs, their patients, and collaborating physicians by expanding prescribing authority while maintaining oversight safeguards.
