SECOND REGULAR SESSION

SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE BILL NO. 1392

93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

     Reported from the Committee on Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections, April 12, 2006, with recommendation that the Senate Committee Substitute do pass and be placed on the Consent Calendar.

TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.

3871S.02C

AN ACT

To repeal sections 332.311 and 337.700, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof two new sections relating to the licensing of certain professionals.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:

            Section A.  Sections 332.311 and 337.700, RSMo, are repealed and two new sections enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as sections 332.311 and 337.700, to read as follows:

            332.311.  1.  Except as provided in subsection 2 of this section, a duly registered and currently licensed dental hygienist may only practice as a dental hygienist so long as the dental hygienist is employed by a dentist who is duly registered and currently licensed in Missouri, or as an employee of such other person or entity approved by the board in accordance with rules promulgated by the board.  In accordance with this chapter and the rules promulgated by the board pursuant thereto, a dental hygienist shall only practice under the supervision of a dentist who is duly registered and currently licensed in Missouri, except as provided in subsection 2 of this section.  

            2.  A duly registered and currently licensed dental hygienist who has been in practice at least three years and who is practicing in a public health setting may provide fluoride treatments, teeth cleaning and sealants, if appropriate, to children who are eligible for medical assistance, pursuant to chapter 208, RSMo, without the supervision of a dentist.  Medicaid shall reimburse any eligible provider who provides fluoride treatments, teeth cleaning, and sealants to eligible children.  Those public health settings in which a dental hygienist may practice without the supervision of a dentist shall be established jointly by the department of health and senior services and by the Missouri dental board by rule.  [This provision shall expire on August 28, 2006.]

            337.700.  As used in sections 337.700 to 337.739, the following terms mean:

            (1)  "Committee", the state committee for family and marital therapists;

            (2)  "Department", the Missouri department of economic development;

            (3)  "Director", the director of the division of professional registration in the department of economic development;

            (4)  "Division", the division of professional registration;

            (5)  "Fund", the marital and family therapists' fund created in section 337.712;

            (6)  "Licensed marital and family therapist", a person to whom a license has been issued pursuant to the provisions of sections 337.700 to 337.739, whose license is in force and not suspended or revoked;

            (7)  "Marital and family therapy", the use of scientific and applied marriage and family theories, methods and procedures for the purpose of describing, diagnosing, evaluating and modifying marital, family and individual behavior within the context of marital and family systems, including the context of marital formation and dissolution.  Marriage and family therapy is based on systems theories, marriage and family development, normal and dysfunctional behavior, human sexuality and psychotherapeutic, marital and family therapy theories and techniques and includes the use of marriage and family therapy theories and techniques in the diagnosis, evaluation, assessment and treatment of intrapersonal or interpersonal dysfunctions within the context of marriage and family systems.  Marriage and family therapy may also include clinical research into more effective methods for the treatment and prevention of the above-named conditions;

            (8)  "Practice of marital and family therapy", the rendering of professional marital and family therapy services to individuals, family groups and marital pairs, singly or in groups, whether such services are offered directly to the general public or through organizations, either public or private, for a fee, monetary or otherwise.

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