SB 1691 - Those health care providers, who hold a current license issued by another jurisdiction and are licensed in Missouri with a waiver of examination, educational, or experience requirements, shall be deemed to be fully licensed to practice within the profession's scope of practice in Missouri and may provide telehealth services to the same extent and manner as health care providers who receive a license without a waiver. This act is identical to a provision in HCS/SB 1019 (2026), in HCS/SB 1092 (2026), in the truly agreed to and finally passed HCS/SS#2/SB 1233 (2026), in HCS/HB 2300 (2026), in SCS/HCS/HB 2372 (2026), and in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/HCS/HB 2974 (2026). KATIE O'BRIEN

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jamie Burger

Missouri SB 1691 expands telehealth reciprocity for out-of-state licensed health care providers to serve Missouri patients remotely without separate state licensure.

Second Read and Referred S Emerging Issues and Professional Registration Committee

Legislative bill overview

SB 1691 modifies Missouri's licensure requirements for health care professionals who provide telehealth services, likely expanding reciprocity arrangements so providers licensed in other states can deliver remote care to Missouri patients without obtaining a separate Missouri license. The bill aims to streamline regulatory barriers for telemedicine while maintaining some level of professional oversight.

Why is this important

Telehealth has become a critical component of health care access, particularly for rural and underserved communities. Reciprocity provisions can expand patient access to specialists and reduce wait times by allowing out-of-state providers to serve Missouri residents remotely. However, the changes could affect how Missouri protects patients through its own licensing standards and disciplinary processes.

Potential points of contention

Patient protection standards: Whether out-of-state licensed providers meet equivalent safety and quality standards compared to Missouri-licensed professionals

State regulatory authority: How Missouri maintains oversight and disciplinary power over providers not holding Missouri licenses

Insurance and liability implications: Whether reciprocal arrangements affect malpractice insurance requirements, liability coverage, and patient recourse for complaints