HB 2285 would require Missouri employers with 100 or more employees to provide severance pay when terminating 50 or more workers at a single establishment within a 30-day period (defined as a "mass layoff"). This applies specifically to layoffs not caused by voluntary departures, retirements, misconduct, or seasonal work, and excludes situations where employers offer equivalent jobs within 50 miles. Employers must give at least 90 days' notice before such layoffs and provide severance pay to affected employees. The bill establishes this as a new employer obligation under Missouri law, without specifying severance pay amounts.
HB 2299 modifies Missouri's qualifications for running for elected office. It prohibits candidates convicted of a felony (under federal, state, or equivalent out-of-state law) from qualifying, with exceptions for pardoned individuals or those with expunged records. The bill also requires most candidates to submit a sworn affidavit confirming they are not delinquent on state income taxes, personal property taxes, municipal taxes, or real property taxes at their residence, and not a corporate officer of a tax-delinquent entity. If a candidate's affidavit is found false, they get 30 days to pay overdue taxes before being disqualified for a full election cycle. This affects all candidates for statewide, legislative, or local elected offices (excluding county/city party committee candidates).
HB 2286 bars Missouri government entities (including courts, legislatures, and agencies) from granting legal rights or personhood to non-human entities. It specifically prohibits recognizing legal personhood for items like rivers, land, artificial intelligence, real property, atmospheric gases, plants, nonhuman animals, and other non-human things. The law defines "legal personhood" as rights under Missouri law and lists 11 specific categories it blocks, such as bodies of water and nonhuman animals. This directly affects how Missouri government bodies handle legal cases involving these entities. The bill aims to prevent government recognition of legal rights for things that are not human beings.
HB 2293 would allow hydroxychloroquine tablets to be sold over-the-counter without a prescription or pharmacist consultation in this state. The bill specifically targets hydroxychloroquine availability, removing current prescription requirements for this medication. It declares the provision an emergency act to take immediate effect upon passage, though it does not address ivermectin's OTC status as stated. This bill directly affects residents seeking hydroxychloroquine for personal use without healthcare provider involvement. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (prefiled and read twice in the House).
HB 1662 requires all public schools to provide every enrolled student with one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day they attend classes. This applies to all students attending public schools as defined by state law, directly affecting every child in participating schools. The bill mandates daily meal provision without requiring families to qualify for reduced-price programs. It creates a new requirement for school districts to cover the cost of these meals for all students. The legislation is still in early stages, having been prefaced and read for the first time.
HB 1618 proposes a new "Missouri Clean Indoor Air Act" by redefining key terms that determine where smoking and vaping are prohibited. It clarifies that smoke-free rules apply to restaurants, health care facilities, government buildings, and most workplaces, while creating specific exemptions for certain cigar-tobacco bars that meet revenue thresholds (over 50% from tobacco sales). The bill defines terms like "electronic smoking device" (including e-cigarettes and vapes), "secondhand smoke," and "enclosed area" to establish clear boundaries for smoke-free zones. This proposed legislation would directly affect businesses (especially bars and food service venues), employees, and public health agencies by standardizing indoor air quality requirements. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (prefiled and read first/second time in 2026) and has not yet become law.
HB 2305 requires Missouri local governments (like counties and cities) to allow contractors to submit bids electronically for publicly funded construction projects (e.g., roads, bridges, public buildings). It mandates that political subdivisions use secure online platforms for bid submissions, publish notices on public websites or e-procurement systems, and implement security measures like digital signatures and encryption to protect bid confidentiality. The bill also requires electronic receipts for bidders showing submission time and ensures public access to bids at opening. These changes apply to all local governments handling qualifying construction projects, effective after the Office of Administration issues implementation guidelines within one year.
HB 2310 would increase the maximum time a person can be held in custody after an arrest without a warrant from 24 to 72 hours. This applies to individuals arrested without a court order for alleged breaches of the peace or criminal offenses, requiring release within 72 hours unless formally charged by a credible person. The bill also mandates that arrested individuals be allowed reasonable access to consult with an attorney or others during detention. If enacted, officers who fail to release individuals within the timeframe or deny access to counsel would face misdemeanor charges. The bill is currently pending in the Missouri House after being prefaced and read twice.
HB 1702 defines key terms and establishes new regulations for businesses offering sexually oriented materials or performances, primarily affecting adult entertainment venues like strip clubs, adult cabarets, and businesses selling explicit materials. It specifies that a "sexually oriented business" is one where more than 10% of display space shows such materials, and prohibits exterior advertising signs within one mile of state highways (allowing only two signs if located near highways). The bill also clarifies prohibited activities, including nudity (showing genitals or female breasts with minimal coverage) and "seminudity" (partial coverage of sensitive areas), and defines "sexually oriented materials" as depictions of nudity or sexual conduct. These provisions directly regulate how such businesses operate, advertise, and define their offerings under Missouri law.
HB 1701 requires public schools to include specific human growth and development instruction in health classes, directly affecting students in grades where such curriculum is taught. The bill mandates medically accurate content covering abstinence as the preferred choice for unmarried students, STD prevention (including HIV/AIDS and HPV), contraception effectiveness rates, emotional consequences of teen pregnancy, and skills for healthy relationships. It specifically requires schools to show two videos: a high-definition fetal development ultrasound and the "Meet Baby Olivia" video (or successor), both depicting early human development. The bill also requires parental notification about curriculum content and the right to opt children out, while prohibiting abortion-related materials or services in school instruction.
HB 1703 allows Missouri taxpayers who serve in the National Guard or military reserves to deduct a portion of their military-related income from their state taxable income. The deduction percentage increases gradually - from 20% in 2020 up to 100% starting in 2024 - and applies to income from training, reserve duty, or joining/re-enlistment bonuses. It directly affects Missouri military members (National Guard/reserves) who file state tax returns, reducing their taxable income for eligible military compensation. The bill also specifies that this deduction will no longer apply to civilian federal service positions (including uniformed roles) beginning in 2027.
HB 1705 restricts foreign ownership of agricultural land in the state by capping total foreign ownership at 1% of all agricultural acreage. It bans new foreign business acquisitions after August 28, 2026, and requires existing foreign landowners to sell their holdings by August 28, 2031. All transfers of agricultural land involving foreign entities must be reviewed by the Department of Agriculture starting in 2026. The law also mandates the department to track compliance and report violations to the state.
