Missouri legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Missouri HB2979: Creates provisions relating to covenants not to compete involving physicians
Status: In committee, March 12, 2026
What the bill says
To amend chapter 191, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to covenants not to compete involving physicians. Section A. Chapter 191, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 191.260, to read as follows: 191.260. 1. The provisions of this section shall be known and may be cited as the "Missouri Rural Doctors Act". 2. As used in this section, the following terms mean: (1) "Covenant not to compete", an agreement or part of a contract of employment in which the employee agrees to: (a) Refrain from competition with an employer for a specific period of t.
From the introduced text:
To amend chapter 191, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to covenants not to compete involving physicians. Section A. Chapter 191, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 191.260, to read as follows: 191.260. 1. The provisions of this section shall be known and may be cited as the "Missouri Rural Doctors Act". 2. As used in this section, the following terms mean: (1) "Covenant not to compete", an agreement or part of a contract of employment in which the employee agrees to: (a) Refrain from competition with an employer for a specific period of time upon termination or conclusion of the employment; (b) Refrain from competition with an employer within a particular geographic area upon termination or conclusion of the employment; or (c) Refrain from competition with an employer for a specific period of time and within a particular geographic area upon termination or conclusion of the employment; (2) "Nonprofit employer", an entity that employs one or more physicians and that is owned or operated by a nonprofit corporation that is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; (3) "Physician", a physician licensed under chapter 334; (4) "Research university hospital", a hospital, as defined in section 197.020, owned or operated …