Missouri Code of State Regulations › Title 20 - DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND INSURANCE › Division 2095 - Committee for Professional Counselors › Chapter 1 - General Rules › Section 20 CSR 2095-1.050 - Public Complaint Handling and Disposition Procedure

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 14, July 15, 2024
PURPOSE: This rule establishes a procedure for the
				  receipt, handling and disposition of public complaints pursuant to the mandate
				  of section 620.010.16(6), RSMo.
(1) The Committee for Professional Counselors
				will receive and process each complaint made against any licensed professional
				counselor, counselor-in-training, registered supervisor, provisional licensed
				professional counselor or unlicensed individual or entity, in which a complaint
				alleges acts or practices constitute one (1) or more violations of the
				provisions of sections 337.500-337.545, RSMo or regulations governing the
				counseling profession. No member of the Committee for Professional Counselors
				may file a complaint with the committee while serving as a member unless that
				member is excused from further committee deliberation or activity concerning
				the matters alleged within that complaint. The division, division's designated
				representative, or any division staff member may file a complaint pursuant to
				this rule in the same manner as any member of the public.
(2) Complaints shall be mailed or delivered
				to the following address: Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors, 3605
				Missouri Boulevard, PO Box 1335, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Complaints may be
				based upon personal knowledge, information and belief, or reciting information
				received from other sources. Individuals with special needs addressed by the
				Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the committee office at (573)
				751-0018. The TDD toll free number is (800) 735-2966.
(3) All complaints shall be made in writing
				and shall fully identify the person making the complaint by name and address.
				Verbal or telephone communications will not be considered or processed as
				complaints. A person making a verbal or telephone complaint shall be asked to
				supplement those communications with a signed complaint form or written, signed
				statement. A complaint submitted anonymously shall be reviewed by the committee
				to determine if further inquiry is required.
(4) Each complaint received under this rule
				shall be logged and shall include the name and address of the person initiating
				the complaint, name and address of the subject(s) of the complaint, date the
				complaint was received by the committee, brief description concerning the
				allegation, and the final disposition of the complaint. This log shall be a
				closed record.
(5) Each complaint
				received pursuant to this rule shall be acknowledged in writing and the
				complainant and licensee shall be notified of the disposition of the
				complaint.
(6) This rule shall not
				be deemed to limit the division's or committee's authority to file a complaint
				with the Administrative Hearing Commission charging a licensee or registrant of
				the committee with any actionable conduct or violation, whether or not such a
				complaint exceeds the scope of the acts charged in a preliminary public
				complaint filed with the committee, and whether or not any public complaint has
				been filed with the committee.
(7)
				This rule is interpreted to exist for the benefit of those members of the
				public who submit complaints to the division or committee. This rule is not
				deemed to protect, or benefit licensees, registrants, or other persons against
				whom the committee has instituted or may institute administrative or judicial
				proceedings concerning possible violations of or may institute administrative
				or judicial proceedings concerning possible violations of the provisions of
				sections 337.500-337.545, RSMo.
*Original authority: 337.520, RSMo 1989, amended 1989,
					 1993, 1995 and 620.010, RSMo 1973, amended 1981, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1993,
					 1994, 1995, 1999, 2001 .