Missouri Revised Statutes § 191.648 - Expedited partner therapy permitted, requirements for physicians utilizing — rulemaking authority

191.648. Expedited partner therapy permitted, requirements for physicians utilizing — rulemaking authority. — 1. As used in this section, the following terms mean: (1) "Designated sexually transmitted infection", chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, or any other sexually transmitted infection designated as appropriate for expedited partner therapy by the department of health and senior services or for which expedited partner therapy was recommended in the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for the prevention or treatment of sexually transmitted infections; (2) "Expedited partner therapy", the practice of treating the sex partners of persons with designated sexually transmitted infections without an intervening medical evaluation or professional prevention counseling; (3) "Health care professional", a member of any profession regulated by chapter 334 or 335 authorized to prescribe medications. 2. Any licensed physician or health care professional may, but shall not be required to, utilize expedited partner therapy for the management of the partners of persons with designated sexually transmitted infections. Notwithstanding the requirements of 20 CSR 2150-5.020(5) or any other law to the contrary, a licensed physician or health care professional utilizing expedited partner therapy may prescribe and dispense medications for the treatment of a designated sexually transmitted infection for an individual who is the partner of a person with a designated sexually transmitted infection and who does not have an established physician/patient relationship with such physician or an established health care professional/patient relationship with such health care professional. 3. Any licensed physician or health care professional utilizing expedited partner therapy for the management of the partners with designated sexually transmitted infections shall provide explanation and guidance to each patient of the preventative measures that can be taken by the patient to stop the transmission of such infection. 4. Any licensed physician or health care professional utilizing expedited partner therapy for the management of partners of persons with designated sexually transmitted infections under this section shall have immunity from any civil liability that may otherwise result by reason of such actions, unless such physician or health care professional acts negligently, recklessly, in bad faith, or with malicious purpose. 5. The department of health and senior services and the division of professional registration within the department of commerce and insurance shall by rule develop guidelines for the implementation of subsection 2 of this section. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028. This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2010, shall be invalid and void. (L. 2010 H.B. 1375, A.L. 2025 S.B. 79)