SB 1519 - This act establishes the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact ("Compact"), which allows for the interstate practice of respiratory therapy. The Compact sets forth the requirements to be met in order for a state to join and maintain membership in the Compact. Additionally, the Compact provides the requirements for a respiratory therapist to obtain and exercise the ability to practice in the remote participating states. The compact privilege of a licensee shall be valid until the expiration or revocation of the home state license. The Compact further provides that a respiratory therapist with compact privilege shall function within the scope of practice of the remote participating state. Respiratory therapists shall also be subject to that remote state's regulatory authority, which has the authority to impose adverse action on licenses issued by that state. A member state may also participate with other member states in joint investigations of a licensee. Participating states shall report licensure data along with any adverse action and significant investigative information to the data system established in the Compact. Additionally, the Compact creates the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact Commission ("Commission"), which is a joint government agency of member states with the power to administer and implement the Compact. Each participating state shall be entitled to one commissioner, who shall be selected by the state's licensing authority for respiratory therapists and shall be an administrator or staff member of such authority. The Commission shall meet at least once a year. Additionally, there shall be an Executive Committee, composed of nine members, to act on behalf of the Commission, including on day-to-day activities related to the administration of the Compact. The Commission may levy and collect an annual assessment from each member state and impose fees on licensees to whom it grants compact privileges to cover the costs of the operations and activities of the Commission and its staff. Member states and commissioners, officers, executive directors, employees, and agents of the Commission shall be immune from liability, both personally and in their official capacity, for any claim for damages arising out of any acts or omissions that occurred within the scope of the Commission's employment, duties, or responsibilities, except for those damages caused by intentional or willful or wanton misconduct. The procurement of insurance by the Commission shall not limit such immunity. For any actions by or against the Commission, venue is proper in a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of the Commission is located. Furthermore, the Compact shall come into effect on the date in which the seventh state enacts the Compact into law. Any participating state may withdraw from the Compact by repealing the Compact, but such withdrawal shall not take effect until 180 days after the enactment of the repeal. If a state defaults in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under the Compact or its rules, the Commission, after notifying state officials and upon a majority vote of the Commission, may terminate membership of the defaulting state. Finally, the Compact shall be binding upon participating states and shall supersede any conflict with state law. KATIE O'BRIEN
HB 3010 sets strict time limits for health insurance companies on prior authorization decisions for medical services. It requires insurers to make initial review decisions within 36 hours, provide phone notifications within 24 hours for both approvals and denials, and send written confirmation within 1-2 working days. The bill specifically extends approval validity to 12 months for chronic conditions (like cancer treatment) and prohibits billing patients for services with valid prior authorization, except for standard cost-sharing. These rules apply directly to health insurance companies, healthcare providers, and patients enrolled in health benefit plans.
HCR 28 designates the last full week in April each year as "Infertility Awareness Week" to increase public understanding of infertility. The resolution directly affects individuals and couples experiencing infertility, which impacts roughly 1 in 6 U.S. couples, by reducing stigma and promoting awareness. It does not create new programs or change funding but formally recognizes this week annually to encourage support and highlight access to care.
HB 3107 protects Missouri financial institutions (like banks, credit unions, and lenders) from state civil lawsuits when they follow written guidance from regulatory agencies (such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or Missouri Division of Finance), as long as they acted in good faith. It explicitly states that institutions cannot be held liable for complying with such guidance, even if the guidance later changes or is invalidated, but does not shield them from liability for fraud, intentional misconduct, or gross negligence. The law applies to guidance covering mandatory disclosures (like mortgage terms under Truth in Lending Act) and accessibility requirements (like ADA compliance). It clarifies that federal law or enforcement actions remain unaffected.
HB 3142 creates a new program for nonprofit organizations to operate "adult high schools" in specific Missouri counties, targeting adults facing barriers like educational disadvantages or homelessness. These schools must offer high school diplomas, industry certifications, and childcare, with strict location requirements (e.g., one per designated county type) and partnerships with postsecondary institutions. The bill sets academic standards for diplomas (matching traditional rigor without differentiating marks), allows flexible pacing, and requires schools to address student barriers like homelessness or disabilities. It also repeals and replaces existing camp licensing provisions, though the core focus is on the adult education program.
HB 3111 replaces Missouri's existing licensing framework for bail bond agents with a new "Professional Bail Bondsman and Surety Recovery Agent Licensure Act." It establishes a seven-member regulatory board with specific composition requirements (including three active bail bond business owners, one judge, one law enforcement officer, and two licensed agents) and creates a dedicated fund for administrative costs. The bill sets new licensing rules for bail bond agents and surety recovery agents, prohibits judges, law enforcement, and court employees from holding licenses, and requires agents to work under licensed general bail bond agents. These changes apply directly to individuals and businesses operating in Missouri's bail bond industry.
HB 3157 establishes a statewide mobile food vendor license that replaces local permits, directly affecting vendors operating food carts or trucks and local governments. It requires a single application to the Department of Health and Senior Services for all mobile units, including health inspections and fees paid to a public health fund. Vendors with this license can operate anywhere in Missouri without additional local permits or licenses. The law prohibits local authorities from creating rules that conflict with these state licensing requirements.
HB 2071 modifies Missouri's medical malpractice insurance rules by requiring the state-run insurance pool (joint underwriting association) to suspend operations when medical malpractice insurance is "reasonably available" to healthcare providers in the regular insurance market. Specifically, the association must stop operating if voluntary market coverage becomes accessible and the pool insures two or fewer individual physicians annually for two consecutive years. This directly affects healthcare providers seeking coverage and insurance companies required to join the pool when it operates. The bill ensures the state pool only serves as a backup when private insurers aren't offering coverage, reducing unnecessary costs for providers and insurers during stable market conditions.
HB 2072 revises Missouri's definition of fourth-degree assault by specifying seven distinct scenarios that constitute the offense, such as recklessly causing injury, placing someone in fear of immediate harm, or knowingly causing offensive physical contact with a person with a disability. It adjusts penalties: most violations remain class A misdemeanors, but causing offensive contact (subdivision 6) or physical pain to a "special victim" (subdivision 7) escalates penalties based on prior offenses - ranging from class C misdemeanors to class D felonies for repeat violations. For subdivision 7 violations, the bill mandates minimum incarceration periods (6 months for first offenses, 1 year for repeat) with no fines or probation until served. This directly affects individuals committing assault, particularly those targeting vulnerable victims or with prior assault records.
HB 2122 allows Missouri electrical corporations to include the costs of constructing new nuclear power plants (under 600 MW) in their rate base *before* the plants are completed and operational. This means utilities can recover these pre-completion construction costs through customer rates immediately, rather than waiting until the plant is finished. The Public Service Commission must approve the exact amount based on estimated project costs and actual spending during construction, with refunds required if costs were wasted or the plant isn't completed on time. The provision expires in 2036 unless extended by the Commission, and applies only to new nuclear plants not in operation by August 2026. This directly affects utilities and their ratepayers by changing how construction costs are recovered.
HB 2103 updates Missouri's rules for recording documents with county recorders, primarily targeting fraud prevention in real property and legal filings. It requires recorders to display a visible warning sign about felony penalties for filing false documents (under RSMO § 570.095), clarifies electronic recording standards (e.g., requiring original-sized scans), and imposes new rules for notary seal vendors (who must verify notaries' commissions via an online portal before selling seals). The bill directly affects county recorders, document filers (like homeowners or businesses), and notary seal vendors. Key provisions strengthen penalties for fraudulent filings - making it a felony with enhanced penalties when documents target public officials, law enforcement, or judicial personnel.
HB 1664 extends the time window for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits in Missouri. It allows claims to be filed within 20 years after turning 21 or within 3 years of discovering the abuse caused their injury, whichever is later. The bill also voids any nondisclosure agreements in these cases, making them unenforceable in court. This applies to actions arising on or after January 1, 2026, directly affecting survivors seeking legal recourse for abuse occurring before age 18.
