1. 1. The committee may refuse to issue any license or renew any license required by the provisions of sections 324.200 to 324.225 for one or any combination of reasons stated in subsection 2 of this section. The committee shall notify the applicant in writing of the reasons for the refusal and shall advise the applicant of the right to file a complaint with the administrative hearing commission as provided in chapter 621, RSMo.

2. 2. The committee may cause a complaint to be filed with the administrative hearing commission as provided in chapter 621, RSMo, against the holder of any license required by sections 324.200 to 324.225 or any person who has failed to renew or has surrendered the person's license for any one or any combination of the following causes:

   1. (1) Use of fraud, deception, misrepresentation or bribery in securing a license issued pursuant to the provisions of sections 324.200 to 324.225 or in obtaining permission to take the examination required pursuant to sections 324.200 to 324.225;
   2. (2) Impersonation of any person holding a license or allowing any person to use his or her license or diploma from any school;
   3. (3) Revocation or suspension of a license or other right to practice medical nutrition therapy by another state, territory, federal agency or country upon grounds for which revocation or suspension is authorized in this state;
   4. (4) Obtaining a license based upon a material mistake of fact; or
   5. (5) Failure to display a valid license if so required by sections 324.200 to 324.225 or any rule promulgated pursuant thereto.
3. 3. Any person, organization, association or corporation who reports or provides information to the committee pursuant to the provisions of sections 324.200 to 324.225 and who does so in good faith shall not be subject to an action for civil damages as a result thereof.
4. 4. After the filing of a complaint pursuant to subsection 2 of this section, the proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 621, RSMo. Upon a finding by the administrative hearing commission that the grounds, provided in subsection 2 of this section, for disciplinary action are met, the committee may, singly or in combination, censure or place the person named in the complaint on probation on such terms and conditions as the committee deems appropriate for a period not to exceed three years, or revoke the license of the person.
5. 5. The committee shall maintain an information file containing each complaint filed with the committee relating to a holder of a license. The committee, at least quarterly, shall notify the complainant and holder of a license of the complaint's status until final disposition.
6. 6. The committee shall recommend for prosecution violations of sections 324.200 to 324.225 to an appropriate prosecuting or circuit attorney.

(L. 1998 H.B. 1601, et al. merged with S.B. 650, A.L. 1999 H.B. 343)