Missouri Bills

HB 1778, the "Missouri Religious Freedom Protection Act," prohibits Missouri public officials from restricting religious services or meetings at places of worship (defined as buildings or grounds used for religious activities). It applies to state and local government employees, requiring them to allow such gatherings unless the religious group is knowingly planning violence or harm. The bill explicitly states that places of worship must still comply with standard building and fire safety codes. This law directly affects religious groups seeking to hold in-person services and government officials responsible for enforcing public health or safety regulations.

HB 2574 allows individuals who successfully complete Missouri’s substance abuse treatment program for nonviolent offenders to petition a court for limited driving privileges. This applies specifically to graduates of the state’s intensive treatment program for chronic nonviolent offenders with serious substance abuse addictions who have not been convicted of dangerous felonies. The bill creates a direct pathway for these individuals to request restricted driving rights after program completion, connecting treatment outcomes to driving eligibility. It does not change existing driving laws but adds this new eligibility step for program graduates.

HB 1962 modifies Missouri's limits on selling or purchasing drugs containing ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, or pseudoephedrine (common in cold medications). It sets specific daily, monthly, and annual purchase limits: 3.6 grams per 24 hours, 7.2 grams per 30 days, and 61.2 grams per year for the same individual. The bill requires these drugs to be sold only behind pharmacy counters by licensed staff and mandates pharmacies to report sales to a tracking system. It directly affects pharmacies, pharmacists, and individuals purchasing these specific drug products.

HB 1792 establishes a two-year pilot program (2027-2029) to integrate media literacy into K-12 public schools across 5-7 diverse districts. The program requires schools to teach students to analyze news, identify misinformation, understand algorithms, practice digital safety, and recognize bias in media - including social media and online content - while connecting these skills to First Amendment rights. The Department of Education will study pilot outcomes and develop statewide guidelines and potential standards by 2030, focusing on practical classroom strategies for critical media evaluation. This bill directly affects public school districts, educators, and students in the participating schools during the pilot period.

HB 2562 modifies Missouri's sunshine law by updating when government meetings and records can be closed to the public. It specifically requires public disclosure of final votes on personnel decisions (hiring/firing/promotion) within 72 hours after a meeting, while allowing closed discussions about individual employee performance. For legal cases, it mandates public disclosure of settlement amounts upon final resolution (unless a court orders otherwise), and requires real estate transaction records to be made public after execution. The bill directly affects local governments, school boards, and public officials managing sensitive records. It does not change existing public access to most government proceedings but clarifies specific disclosure timelines for defined exemptions.

SS/SB 914 - This act modifies provisions relating to sewage regulation. The act repeals a provision stating that a state standard for the location, size of sewage tanks and length of lateral lines is based on the percolation or permeability rate of the soil. Under the act, the state standard is based on soil properties. The act repeals a provision stating that soil tests are to be performed by persons who are qualified to perform the percolation tests and creates a new provision authorizing on-site soil evaluators registered by the Department of Health and Senior Services to conduct soils morphology evaluations. This act repeals a provision stating that contractors may be taught and allowed to perform percolation tests. The act repeals a provision relating to the Department of Health and Senior Services periodically reviewing any county and city regulation and enforcement record to ensure that the state standard for sewage regulation is being enforced. The act creates a mandatory registration program requiring continuing education before January 1, 2027, for on-site wastewater treatment system professionals qualified to perform percolation tests in accordance with the state standard as described in the act. Before January 1, 2027, the administrative authority may accept a percolation test at its own discretion if a soil morphology evaluation cannot be reasonably obtained. This provision shall be void and of no effect after December 31, 2026. Under the act, any person who intends to construct or make major modifications or repairs to an on-site sewage disposal system must submit an application fee and obtain a construction permit. The act repeals certain provisions relating to fees for repair of on-site sewage disposal systems. Under the act, the Department shall promulgate regulations establishing the conditions and requirements for the construction permit application, including the collection of reasonable fees set at a level to produce revenue not exceeding the cost and expense of administering the provisions under the act. The act is substantially similar to SB 601 (2025), a provision in the perfected HB 200 (2025), a provision in HCS/SS/SB 61 (2025), HB 2083 (2024), HB 814 (2023), and substantially similar to SB 1283 (2024), and SB 523 (2023). JULIA SHEVELEVA

SS/SB 975 - AMBULANCE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERSHIP Current law requires county commissions to divide newly formed ambulance districts into six election districts for the election of members of the board of directors. This act makes the election for all such directors at-large, and allows ambulance districts the option of dividing into six election districts. (Section 190.050) Current law authorizes six-member ambulance districts to adopt a resolution increasing the board to seven members. This act requires that any such resolution shall state the names of the existing directors as well as any vacancies to be filled in a subsequent election. If a six-member ambulance district votes to decrease the number of directors to five or three, all existing board members shall complete their terms. (Section 190.051) Current law requires the county commission to fill vacancies on an ambulance board if the board is unable to fill such vacancies on its own within sixty days or if there are more than two vacancies at a time, with such appointment made by the county commission within ten days. This act modifies such provision by requiring a written request from the ambulance board or the ambulance service administrator prior to the county commission filling a vacancy, and by increasing the deadline to fill such vacancy from ten days to thirty calendar days. (Section 190.052) DISTRICT ANNEXATION OF LAND Current law requires a petition for the annexation of land into an ambulance district to be filed with the county clerk, with the county commission ordering an election if such petition complies with state law. This act moves such responsibilities to the ambulance district board of directors. (Section 190.070) AMBULANCE DISTRICT CONSOLIDATION This act requires every petition or resolution for the consolidation of two or more ambulance districts to be accompanied by a consolidation plan, which shall include information described in the act. Petitions and resolutions for consolidation shall be received from all consolidating ambulance districts within the same calendar year or shall be considered null and void. Notice of intent is required to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in every county in which the proposed consolidated district will be located, and a joint public hearing shall be held no more than ten days after the date of the second publication of the notice of intent. If no objections are filed within thirty days after the public hearing, the county commission shall order the districts consolidated. If a qualified objection is made, the county commission shall order the submission of the question of consolidation to the voters. A consolidated ambulance district may impose a tax levy not to exceed the highest tax levy imposed among the consolidating districts, provided that such rate is approved by the voters. No tax rate greater than the lowest rate imposed by the consolidating districts shall be imposed without a vote of the district voters. Any ambulance district that has contracted for ambulance service with another ambulance district for more than five consecutive years may consolidate into such district without providing notice or a public hearing. (Section 190.090) TRISTAN BENSON JR

HB 3375 modifies Missouri's eminent domain laws to provide additional protections for specific property owners. It defines "beginning farmers" (those with ≤10 years of farming experience), requires valuation based on "highest and best use" for agricultural properties, and establishes "heritage value" at 20% of fair market value for family-owned properties held for 50+ years. The bill also creates "homestead taking" protections for primary residences and restricts public utilities from condemning another utility provider's property unless it’s for a non-exclusive easement that doesn’t interfere with current use. These changes directly affect farmers, family-owned landholders, homeowners, and utility companies seeking to acquire land.

SB 1637 is a bill that creates new provisions related to communication access services, but the provided context does not include specific details about its content, affected groups, or key mechanisms. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process (first read, referred to committee), with no substantive details available in the abstract or recent actions. Without further information on the proposed changes or scope, a meaningful summary of its policy impact cannot be provided. For updates on specific provisions, check the bill's full text or committee hearing materials once available.

HB 3534 requires all new playground areas and surfaces built by state or local governments to meet the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design or future Department of Justice regulations. This applies directly to public playgrounds constructed on or after the bill's effective date, ensuring they are accessible to people with disabilities. The key provision mandates compliance with these specific accessibility standards for both the playground structure and its surface materials. The bill focuses on concrete design requirements rather than broader policy impacts.

HB 2644 creates the "Respiratory Care Interstate Compact," allowing respiratory therapists licensed in one participating state to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. This directly affects licensed respiratory therapists and supports active military members and their spouses who relocate across state lines. The bill establishes a "Compact Privilege" that lets therapists practice under their home state license while adhering to the patient’s location rules, requiring only a criminal background check and active home state license. It aims to improve access to respiratory therapy services, reduce administrative burdens, and address workforce shortages without altering state licensing authority.

HB 2957 updates licensing rules for respiratory care practitioners. It creates a 12-month conditional license for applicants pending background checks, requires active National Board for Respiratory Care credentials for license renewal, and mandates random audits to verify these credentials. Licensees can opt for inactive status instead of completing continuing education, but practicing without an active license is prohibited. The bill directly affects current and prospective respiratory therapists seeking to maintain or obtain licensure in the state.