173.754. Unlawful use false or misleading degree, when--violation, penalty. - Missouri Statutes

Unlawful use false or misleading degree, when--violation, penalty.

173.754. 1. It is unlawful for a person to knowingly use or attemptto use, in connection with admission to any institution of higher educationor in connection with any business, employment, occupation, profession,trade, or public office:

(1) A false or misleading degree from any institution of highereducation, regardless of whether that institution is located in Missouriand regardless of whether the institution has been issued a certificate ofapproval or temporary certificate of approval by the board; or

(2) A degree from any institution of higher education in a false ormisleading manner, regardless of whether that institution is located inMissouri and regardless of whether the institution has been issued acertificate of approval or temporary certificate of approval by the board.

2. For the purposes of this section, a degree is false or misleadingor is used in a false or misleading manner if it:

(1) States or suggests that the person named in the degree hascompleted the requirements of an academic or professional program of studyin a particular field of endeavor beyond the secondary school level and theperson has not, in fact, completed the requirements of the program ofstudy;

(2) Is offered as his or her own by a person other than the personwho completed the requirements of the program of study; or

(3) Is awarded, bestowed, conferred, given, granted, conveyed, orsold in violation of this chapter.

3. The penalty for a violation of this section shall be a class Cmisdemeanor.

4. For purposes of this section, the term "board" shall mean thecoordinating board for higher education.

(L. 2009 H.B. 62)