HB 1939 modifies Missouri law to allow municipalities to permit golf cart operation on streets with posted speed limits of 25 mph or lower, directly affecting local governments and golf cart users. The bill requires golf carts to meet specific safety standards, including headlights, reflectors, brakes, and a valid driver's license for operators, while prohibiting operation on sidewalks, pedestrian trails, or highways with speed limits over 45 mph. It explicitly states golf carts are exempt from vehicle registration and must not exceed 25 mph. This bill replaces existing provisions to clarify municipal authority and safety requirements for golf cart use within city limits.
HJR 130 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow Missouri to pass retrospective civil laws specifically for childhood sexual abuse claims. It would amend the state constitution to create an exception to the general ban on retrospective laws, permitting lawsuits for past abuse to be filed even if the statute of limitations had expired. This change would directly affect victims of childhood sexual abuse in Missouri who may now pursue civil cases for historical incidents. The amendment requires voter approval through a statewide referendum, as it is a constitutional change, not an immediate law. If approved, it would enable victims to seek civil remedies for past abuse that were previously time-barred.
HB 2591 modifies Missouri's requirements for becoming a licensed speech-language pathologist. It adds a new requirement that applicants must complete a supervised clinical fellowship under a licensed speech-language pathologist after meeting educational and exam standards. The bill specifies that this fellowship period must follow the completion of a master's or doctoral degree from an accredited program and submission of equivalent coursework transcripts. Applicants with an audiology clinical doctoral degree are exempt from this fellowship requirement. The changes apply directly to individuals seeking licensure in this profession.
HB 1997 allows Missouri's general assembly, House, and Senate to hire legislative security officers who can carry firearms while on duty. These officers, required to be licensed peace officers under Missouri's POST program, would have full law enforcement powers to maintain security and apprehend individuals within the Capitol building. The bill establishes a legal framework for armed security personnel to ensure the safety and proper functioning of the legislature, with an emergency clause stating immediate action is needed for public safety during the current session. It directly affects Capitol operations and security protocols, creating a new authority for legislative security staff.
HB 2035 prohibits using artificial intelligence to create explicit sexual material featuring a person's image or voice without their express written consent. It directly affects individuals whose likenesses could be misused and entities (like companies or creators) generating such AI content. The bill bans altering or replicating someone's image/voice via AI for explicit material and requires written consent for any use of a person's likeness in such content. Violators face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, and victims can sue for actual damages plus attorney fees. The law explicitly excludes artistic or anthropological works from its definition of "explicit sexual material."
HB 2195 requires Missouri public high schools (grades 9-12) to offer a state-approved driver education program as a graduation requirement starting in the 2027-28 school year. The program teaches safe driving knowledge - covering graduated licensing rules, distracted driving risks, proper traffic stop procedures, and current safety data - without requiring students to operate vehicles. Schools may integrate this content into existing courses, and districts must use vetted sample lessons from the state. This directly affects all Missouri public high school students seeking graduation, focusing on practical safety education rather than hands-on driving practice.
HB 1980 clarifies that licensed health care professionals in Missouri (under sections 190.001-190.245) are explicitly considered health care professionals for the purposes of peer review committee activities under section 537.035. It directly affects licensed medical professionals like doctors and nurses by aligning their quality improvement work with existing peer review committee standards. The bill’s key provision redefines "quality improvement activities" under health licensing laws to automatically qualify as peer review committee activities, streamlining administrative processes. This is a technical clarification within Missouri law, not a new policy change.
HB 3359 creates a tax credit allowing Missouri taxpayers to reduce their state income tax by 20% of qualifying donations to STEAM or robotics programs in local K-12 schools, with a maximum annual credit of $50,000 per taxpayer. Eligible donations include cash, educational materials, or up to 200 hours of employee time per year (valued at the employee's hourly wage). The program is capped at $10 million in total credits annually, and unused credits can be carried forward for up to seven years. This initiative, set to expire after six years unless renewed, requires schools to register with the state and mandates annual reporting on program participation and costs.
HB 3434 establishes a Missouri Statewide Sexual Assault Response Task Force to study and improve the state's system for supporting sexual assault victims. The task force, composed of 22 members including legislators, law enforcement, healthcare providers, victim advocates, and agency representatives, will analyze current response practices from initial reporting through legal proceedings. It must evaluate needs for rape crisis center staffing, assess implementation of the Sexual Assault Survivor Bill of Rights, collect data on reporting and prosecution, and identify gaps in victim services. The task force will submit recommendations to the governor and legislature by December 31, 2028, focusing on concrete improvements to victim care and justice system coordination. This bill directly affects state agencies, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and victim service organizations involved in sexual assault response.
HB 2748 requires all elementary school students (including those in alternative programs and with disabilities, as appropriate under disability laws) to participate in at least 60 minutes daily of supervised moderate physical activity starting in the 2026-27 school year. It also mandates a minimum 20-minute daily recess in elementary schools and allows middle school students to meet activity requirements through 225 minutes weekly of physical activity. The bill establishes a state recognition program for schools showing fitness improvements and permits districts to meet requirements through recess, physical education, or approved activities. These changes directly affect public school districts, students, and physical education staff across the state.
HB 2120 requires Missouri public school districts and charter schools to implement comprehensive antibullying policies. It defines bullying broadly to include physical, verbal, cyber, and electronic harassment that causes fear, disrupts learning, or interferes with educational opportunities. Key requirements include: mandating staff to report witnessed bullying within one school day, banning zero-tolerance disciplinary policies, requiring investigations within ten school days of a report, and providing annual training for staff on policy implementation and student education about bullying prevention. The bill also prohibits retaliation against reporters and mandates specific procedures for notifying parents and addressing incidents, including considerations for self-defense in violent situations.
HB 2149 creates a full-time dementia services coordinator position within Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services. The coordinator will directly support Missourians living with dementia and their caregivers by improving how state services are coordinated, reducing duplication, and connecting people to resources. Key duties include analyzing dementia-related data, building partnerships with agencies, supporting staff training, identifying grant opportunities, and promoting public awareness. The bill aims to streamline care across residential, home-based, and community settings while collecting data on dementia impacts statewide. This is substantive policy, not procedural, so a 4-sentence summary is appropriate.
