Missouri Code of State Regulations
Title 20 - DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND INSURANCE
Division 2015 - Acupuncturist Advisory Committee
Chapter 3 - Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics, Professional Conduct
Section 20 CSR 2015-3.020 - Code of Ethics

Universal Citation: 20 MO Code of State Regs 2015-3.020

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, March 15, 2024

PURPOSE: This amendment clarifies the code of ethics.

(1) All applicants and licensees shall:

(A) Demonstrate behavior that reflects integrity, supports objectivity, and fosters trust in the profession of acupuncture;

(B) Conduct business and activities relating to acupuncture with honesty and integrity;

(C) Respect and protect the legal and personal rights of the patient/client, including the right to informed consent, refusal of treatment, and refrain from endangering patient health, safety or welfare;

(D) Refuse to participate in illegal or unethical acts, or conceal illegal, unethical or incompetent acts of others;

(E) When conducting research , comply with federal, state, and local laws or rules and applicable standards of ethical procedures regarding research with human subjects;

(F) Comply with all state and federal laws and regulations regarding the practice of acupuncture;

(G) Not allow the pursuit of financial gain or other personal benefit to interfere with the exercise of sound professional judgment and skills;

(H) Within the limits of the law, report to the advisory committee all knowledge pertaining to known or suspected violations of the laws and regulations governing the practice of acupuncture.

(2) An acupuncturist shall not:

(A) Encourage unnecessary or unjustified acupuncture services;

(B) Engage in any verbally or physically abusive behavior with a patient/client, detox technician or trainee;

(C) Exploit a patient/client, detox technician, or trainee for the purpose of financial gain. For the purpose of this rule exploitation is defined as any relationship between the acupuncturist, patient/client, technician, or trainee that may cause harm to the patient/client, technician, or trainee;

(D) Accept gifts or benefits intended to influence a referral, decision or treatment that are primarily for personal gain;

(E) Engage in or exercise influence concerning sexual activity with a patient, trainee(s), or detox technician during an ongoing professional relationship with such person or within six (6) months after termination of such professional relationship:
1. For the purpose of this rule sexual activity includes and is not limited to kissing, touching, caressing by any person or between persons that is intended to erotically stimulate either person, or which is likely to cause such stimulation and includes sexual intercourse, sodomy, fellatio, cunnilingus, masturbation, oral copulation, and penetrating the anal or vaginal opening with anything. Sexual activity can involve the use of any device or object and is not dependent on whether penetration, orgasm, or ejaculation has occurred. For the purpose of this rule, masturbation means the manipulation of any body tissue with the intent to cause sexual arousal.

*Original authority: 324.481, RSMo 1998, amended 1999 and 324.496, RSMo 1998, amended 1999.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Missouri may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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