Bill > HB268

This bill modifies provisions relating to professional registration by introducing comprehensive changes to how various professional licensing boards handle criminal background checks and interstate licensing. The bill creates a new Dietitian Licensure Compact and requires numerous professional licensing boards (including those for dentists, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, and many others) to implement a standardized process for collecting fingerprints from license applicants. Under these new provisions, applicants would be required to submit fingerprints to the Missouri state highway patrol, which would then conduct state and federal criminal history background checks. The results of these background checks would be made accessible to the relevant professional licensing board, notwithstanding existing confidentiality laws. The Dietitian Licensure Compact specifically establishes a multi-state framework for licensing dietitians, creating a system that allows for easier interstate practice while maintaining individual states' regulatory authority. The compact includes provisions for data sharing, disciplinary actions, and establishing a coordinated data system to track licensees across participating states. Additionally, the bill streamlines licensing processes for military spouses and creates more uniform standards for professional licensure across different occupations.

Education, Government Affairs, Labor and Employment

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB268&year=2025&code=R