HB 3262: Interstate Massage Compact
Sponsor: Tina Peters
OPPOSE
Trades state sovereignty for multistate governance.
HB 3262 would place Missouri into the Interstate Massage Compact, creating a new multistate licensing pathway for massage therapists and tying Missouri into an interstate commission, a shared database, multistate enforcement mechanisms, and commission-made rules that carry the force of law.
What Does This Bill Do?
- Creates an Interstate Commission: Establishes a joint government agency with the power to adopt rules and bylaws, assess fees, and monitor state compliance with the compact.
- Implements Multistate Rulemaking: Authorizes the commission to promulgate rules that "shall have the force of law" in Missouri, bypassing traditional legislative processes for many professional standards.
- Mandates Data Surveillance: Requires Missouri to participate in a coordinated data system that tracks licenses, adverse actions, and investigative information using FBI-linked biometric background checks.
Constitutional or Critical Context
The primary concern lies in the erosion of state sovereignty and the delegation of authority to an unelected interstate body. Under this compact, Missouri law remains valid only as long as it is not "inconsistent" with compact rules. This effectively transfers practical governance of the profession from Missouri lawmakers and citizens to an external commission whose rules become binding law automatically.
Red Flags & Recommended Amendments
Force-of-Law Rulemaking
The bill grants an interstate body the power to create rules that Missouri must follow as law, which is a significant departure from standard state-controlled reciprocity.
Privacy and Surveillance
The requirement for biometric background checks and centralized interstate data sharing creates a massive surveillance apparatus for massage therapy professionals.
Act for Missouri Recommendation:
Act for Missouri opposes HB 3262. While supporters argue it helps military families, this goal can be achieved through Missouri-controlled endorsement pathways that do not require surrendering sovereignty to an interstate governing regime.