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HB 1623

Creates provisions relating to emergency suspensions or restrictions for massage therapists and chiropractors

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bruce Sassmann

Allows licensing boards to obtain an emergency suspension or restriction of a massage therapist or chiropractor’s license if charged with a related crime and public safety is at im

Perfected (H)
#chiropractors #professionalregistrationandlicensing
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Bill Summary · HB 1623

Summary — HB 1623

Title: Creates provisions relating to emergency suspensions or restrictions for massage therapists and chiropractors
Status: Prefiled (H). Introduced Dec. 16, 2024. Sponsors: Sen. B. Johnson; Rep. J. Moore

Purpose / Intent

HB 1623 creates a statutory procedure allowing licensing boards that regulate professions under RSMo chapters 324 and 331 (the bill title identifies massage therapists and chiropractors) to seek an expedited, emergency suspension or restriction of a license when a licensee faces criminal charges related to their professional duties and the board reasonably believes the public’s health, safety, or welfare is in imminent danger.

Key provisions

  • Boards may apply to the Administrative Hearing Commission (AHC) for an emergency suspension or restriction of a license if:
    • The licensee is the subject of a pending criminal indictment, information, or other criminal charge connected to the licensed duties; and
    • The board has reasonable cause to believe the public faces imminent risk from the licensee.
  • Filing requirements: the board must submit a complaint with supporting affidavits and certified court records and provide the licensee’s last home/business addresses on file.
  • Service and initial review:
    • The AHC must return a service packet to the board within one business day of filing.
    • The board must serve (or leave) the packet at the licensee’s current addresses within 24 hours of receiving it.
    • Within five days of filing, the AHC reviews the submission and issues findings. If it finds reasonable cause, it may enter the requested emergency order, effective upon service.
  • Evidentiary hearing:
    • The AHC must hold an on-the-record evidentiary hearing within 45 days of filing (or upon final adjudication of related criminal charges), with a maximum permitted delay of 120 days if continuances are granted.
    • The licensee may submit affidavits and certified records in advance; the board may amend its complaint under specified timing/conditions.
    • If no cause for discipline is found, the AHC terminates the emergency order. If cause is found, the emergency order may remain in effect pending a disciplinary hearing before the board.
  • Miscellaneous:
    • The emergency procedure is expressly in addition to other disciplinary powers and may be pursued concurrently.
    • If the AHC denies the initial emergency order, the board must remove references to that emergency action from its public records.

Who is affected

  • Licensees regulated under RSMo chapters 324 and 331 (identified by the bill as massage therapists and chiropractors).
  • The relevant licensing boards and the Administrative Hearing Commission, which must meet strict filing, review, service, and hearing deadlines.
  • Potentially the public, by providing a faster mechanism to address immediate risks posed by charged practitioners.

Procedural / timeline aspects

  • Rapid initial AHC review: within 5 days of filing.
  • Emergency order (if granted) becomes effective upon service.
  • Evidentiary hearing on the record required within 45 days (but no later than 120 days if continued).
  • Process designed to be additive to existing disciplinary procedures.

Legislative status & actions (selected)

  • Filed: Dec. 16, 2024 (Prefiled).
  • Read first time: Mar. 12, 2025; referred to Ways & Means.
  • Reported status entries indicate the bill did not advance before adjournment (noted as “Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment” on May 5, 2025).

Fiscal impact: None stated in the bill text.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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