HB 3116 changes Missouri's civil court filing rules, allowing lawsuits to be filed in counties where the cause of action occurred, where a defendant resides, or where a victim resides in identity theft cases. It updates discovery procedures to let courts order document production and permit parties to use prior statements without special justification. The bill also revises the priority order for paying claims in receivership cases, listing eight categories from secured creditors to unsecured claims like wages or taxes. These changes directly affect plaintiffs, defendants, and courts handling civil litigation in Missouri.
HB 2169 restricts utility companies from using eminent domain to take land from other utility providers (like municipalities or cooperatives) unless the company seeks only a nonexclusive right-of-way that won’t disrupt existing services or future expansion. It specifically prevents condemnation for wind/solar energy facilities themselves but allows utilities to acquire rights for transmission lines connecting renewable energy sources to the grid. This bill directly affects utility companies, rural cooperatives, and other providers of public utility services seeking to expand infrastructure.
HB 2199 establishes a three-year pilot program to provide professional development workshops for Missouri music educators. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, the program will fund five annual workshops at regional centers, covering topics like arts integration and curriculum development. It includes dedicated funding for substitute teachers, mileage reimbursement (up to $0.38/mile), and presenter honorariums (up to $500), with the program ending in 2029. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must evaluate the pilot and report results to the legislature.
HB 1627 creates a new "Career and Technical Education Advisory Council" within Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The council, composed of 16 appointed members (including business representatives, educators, student organization advisors, community college reps, and legislative appointees), will develop a statewide strategic plan for career and technical education programs. It must identify service gaps, recommend legislative improvements, oversee student organization funds, and provide annual reports to education officials. The bill also requires the council to post meeting materials and decisions online 48 hours after meetings, ensuring public transparency in its work. This bill directly affects Missouri's career and technical education programs, students, educators, and businesses involved in workforce development.
HB 2266 replaces Missouri's current law on unlawful use of weapons with specific prohibitions. It bans carrying concealed weapons in restricted areas (like schools, churches, and government buildings), discharging firearms near occupied buildings, and possessing weapons while intoxicated. The bill exempts law enforcement officers, prison staff, and military personnel acting in official duties, even when carrying weapons in restricted locations. This clarifies what constitutes a violation but does not change existing penalty levels for the offense.
HB 2300 would create a two-year temporary license for out-of-state professionals who have at least three years of work experience in an occupation requiring a license in this state but did not require one where they worked. Applicants must pass required exams, prove U.S. citizenship, and provide proof of residency within 90 days of approval. The license expires after two years, requiring a permanent application, and does not qualify for interstate licensing compacts or reciprocity with other states. It excludes professions covered by existing licensing compacts, federal requirements, or specific regulated fields like electrical contractors. The bill applies to all licensing boards but does not override current interstate agreements.
HB 1747 requires anyone publishing AI-generated or AI-modified images, videos, or audio to include a clear, visible, or audible label stating the content was created or altered using artificial intelligence. This applies to all publishers and disseminators of such content, including social media platforms, news outlets, and other entities. The bill creates a legal right for individuals who suffer harm due to a failure to label such content to sue the publisher for damages. The label must be developed by the secretary of state and used consistently across all AI-generated media.
HJR 119 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how judges are selected in Missouri. It would require the governor to appoint judges from three nominees provided by a nonpartisan judicial commission for vacancies in the supreme court, court of appeals, and St. Louis city/Jackson County circuit courts. For other judicial circuits, voters would decide at elections whether to adopt this appointment method (instead of the current system) or maintain the existing process, with changes allowed only once every four years. The amendment must be approved by voters in 2026.
HB 2606 strengthens patient control over health records by requiring healthcare providers to obtain explicit, written patient consent before sharing health information, except during medical emergencies. It prohibits providers from conditioning treatment on consent, banning blanket consent forms for research, and mandating specific patient authorization for any use of health data. The bill also establishes civil penalties, allowing patients to recover $1,000-$10,000 per violation for unauthorized disclosures or lack of proper consent. This directly affects patients (who gain ownership rights) and healthcare providers (who must follow strict disclosure rules).
HB 2303 requires Missouri public school districts to implement a personal finance course as a half-unit graduation requirement starting in the 2027-28 school year. The bill mandates the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to form a work group - including educators, banking representatives, and financial industry experts - to develop course standards. Students must complete this course after ninth grade to earn a high school diploma, with limited exemptions for transfer students or those with approved academic plans. The course content must cover money management, budgeting, and financial tools needed for adulthood. School districts will have until 2027 to adopt these standards, which must be reviewed every seven years.
HB 2628, the "Assistance for Rape Emergencies (CARE) Act," requires hospitals and health care facilities to provide specific medical care to sexual assault victims. It mandates that facilities orally inform victims about emergency contraception, immediately provide it if requested, and offer sexually transmitted infection screening and treatment. The bill also requires forensic examinations using telehealth support (via a statewide network) when needed, with limited waivers allowed for technological hardships or network outages. These provisions directly affect hospitals, health care facilities, and individuals who are sexual assault victims seeking emergency care.
HB 3176, the Missouri Declaration and Bylaws Modernization Act, updates rules for homeowners' associations (HOAs), condominium associations, and cooperative housing in Missouri. It establishes clearer processes for amending governing documents (like bylaws or declarations), including automatic approval if no objection is received from 20% of members within 60 days. The bill also shortens deadlines for legal challenges to amendments (1 year for declarations, 6 months for bylaws) and allows HOAs to pursue unpaid dues in small claims court without legal representation. These changes apply to events occurring after January 1, 2027, and directly affect HOAs managing residential communities statewide.
