HB 2966 (as described in the provided text) does not address wrongful convictions, despite its title. Instead, it amends Missouri's state legal expense fund to clarify how money is used for claims against the state or its employees. The bill specifies that fund moneys can cover final judgments against the state, state employees, or certain contracted health care providers (like physicians in community clinics or school health services), with strict payment limits per claimant (e.g., $1 million for physicians, $500,000 for clinic volunteers). It does not create new rights for wrongful conviction victims but refines existing fund allocation rules. The title appears inconsistent with the actual bill text provided.
HJR 167 proposes a constitutional amendment to exempt from property taxes the real and personal property (up to $200,000 in value, adjusted for inflation) owned by Missouri veterans with a total service-connected disability. This exemption would take effect starting in 2027 and requires voter approval through a statewide election. The amendment also includes other tax exemptions (such as for religious organizations and business inventories), but the primary focus is on veterans. If approved, this change would reduce local property tax revenue for qualifying veterans' property, though the bill does not specify how to replace that lost revenue.
HB 2988 ensures Missouri public employees (including state/local government workers, school staff, and county/municipal employees) who serve in the National Guard or military reserves can take leave for military duty without losing their job, seniority, pay, benefits, or performance ratings. It specifically guarantees leave for both federal service (up to 120 hours per federal fiscal year) and state service (called by the governor, with no time limit), requiring employees to submit military orders as proof. The bill also prohibits employers from discriminating against or firing employees for military service and exempts volunteer firefighters from pay-related protections. This protects over 100,000 public employees who serve in reserve units while maintaining their employment rights.
HB 2972 requires healthcare providers (physicians, midwives, nurses) to obtain written informed consent from a newborn's parent or guardian before administering erythromycin eye drops to prevent infection. The bill mandates that providers document consent and submit a written report to the local public health agency within 48 hours of administration. It also protects religious objections by allowing parents to refuse the treatment, and imposes penalties for providers who administer the drops without consent - including written warnings, fines, and license suspensions for repeat violations. The bill explicitly states that refusing consent cannot trigger contact with child welfare agencies, and parents may sue if such contact occurs.
HB 2981 creates a new property tax credit for eligible Missouri homeowners, primarily seniors (65+), disabled individuals, or qualifying married couples, whose property tax bills increase by more than a calculated threshold. It directly affects homeowners with combined income under $70,000 (adjusted annually) who own a homestead without significant non-disability improvements (exceeding 5% of assessed value). The credit offsets tax increases above the "homestead exemption limit" (based on prior-year tax liability changes), calculated separately from existing tax rates. Homeowners must apply annually between April 1 and October 15, providing proof of age, income, and tax payment history, with applications processed by the Department of Revenue. The credit applies only to subclass (1) real property and excludes those already claiming other property tax relief.
HB 2987 would designate the black bear as Missouri's official state mammal. This symbolic bill does not create new policies or affect laws, but formally recognizes the black bear as the state's representative mammal. It amends Missouri law to replace the current official mammal designation with the black bear. The bill is procedural and has no direct impact on citizens, regulations, or funding.
HB 2985 requires background checks for all private sales or transfers of firearms, affecting individuals selling firearms to others outside of licensed dealer transactions. Sellers must arrange for a background check through a licensed dealer or law enforcement agency before transferring a firearm, and the transfer cannot proceed without the central repository's approval, valid for 30 days. Exceptions include transfers between immediate family members, antique firearms, temporary transfers for hunting or shooting range use, and transfers due to death or legal ownership changes. Violating this requirement would be punishable as a class B misdemeanor.
HJR 166 proposes amending Missouri's state constitution to redefine marriage as a union between "two persons regardless of their genders," replacing the current definition of marriage between "a man and a woman." If approved by voters in a 2026 election, this change would directly affect all marriage licenses issued in Missouri by altering the constitutional basis for marriage. The bill requires voter approval through a referendum scheduled for November 2026 or a special election called by the governor. This is a procedural constitutional amendment, not a law changing current marriage regulations.
HB 2982 establishes new safety standards for non-religious summer camps operating in the state for children aged five and older (May-September). It requires camps to implement written emergency plans covering medical, aquatic, and other crises; ensure 50% of counselors and directors are trained in CPR/AED; conduct annual inspections of aquatic equipment; maintain public licensing records; and conduct comprehensive criminal background checks for all counselors. The bill directly affects summer camp operators, staff, and parents (who must receive licensure disclosures), replacing prior informal practices with mandatory compliance. Violations after May 1, 2028, face escalating fines, while pre-2028 offenses receive written warnings.
HB 2976 revises Missouri's requirements for physicians seeking a license. Applicants must now provide a criminal background check, proof of graduation from an accredited medical school (or an ECFMG certificate for foreign graduates), and evidence of two years of postgraduate training. The bill also allows the licensing board to request a list of all previous medical licenses and any disciplinary history. These changes directly affect all individuals applying for a physician license in Missouri.
HB 2973 requires public and private schools, including charter schools and colleges, to restrict student athletic competition to categories matching the student's biological sex as recorded on their official birth certificate or another government document. It prohibits students from competing in sports designated for the opposite biological sex unless no equivalent competition exists for their biological sex. Schools violating this rule risk losing state funding, and affected students or parents can seek legal remedies. The bill also mandates separate facilities for bathing and restrooms based on biological sex, with limited alternative accommodations requiring parental consent for minors.
HB 2983 changes workers' compensation rules so that if an employee dies and has no dependents, payments can go directly to certain family members instead of being held by the estate. It specifically allows payments to adult children (even if too old to be dependents), parents, grandparents, siblings, or other close relatives defined in the bill. The bill explicitly rejects a 2007 Missouri court case (Schoemehl v. Treasurer) that had previously limited these payments to dependents only. This affects families of deceased workers who currently might not receive compensation due to lack of qualifying dependents.
