HB 1954 requires Missouri landlords to fix health- and safety-threatening conditions in rental properties within 30 days of a tenant’s written notice. It directly affects tenants facing hazards like pest infestations (defined broadly to include bedbugs, rodents, and spiders), hazardous mold, sewage backups, or unsafe structural issues, and landlords who fail to act. Landlords must cover tenant health costs resulting from their failure to remediate, and must have repairs verified by a licensed inspector after fixing the problem. The bill adds these specific protections to Missouri’s landlord-tenant law (RSMo § 441.237).
HB 2833 requires new long-term care facilities and expansions of existing facilities to obtain a certificate of need from a state committee before opening, receiving state funding, or being licensed. The committee must verify the service is needed in the community and that the facility meets health, safety, and financial standards before approval. The bill sets application fees (at least $1,000 or 0.1% of project cost), mandates periodic reporting during construction, and prohibits funding for facilities without a certificate. Exceptions include state-operated facilities, certain research equipment purchases, and transfers of existing ownership. This law aims to manage costs and ensure new long-term care services are appropriately located and necessary.
This bill requires Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services to establish state-wide soil-based standards for septic system installation and maintenance, replacing outdated rules. It defines qualified professionals (including licensed engineers, certified soil scientists, and sanitarians) who can conduct required soil evaluations and mandates a contractor registration program with continuing education requirements by 2027. Homeowners, contractors, and local governments (counties/cities) must comply with these standards, with the state enforcing them if local jurisdictions fail to adopt the rules. The law also creates training programs for contractors and requires counties to adopt the standards or risk state enforcement, with temporary percolation tests allowed until 2026.
HB 1981 modifies Missouri law to allow certain nurses to prescribe controlled substances under specific conditions. It permits advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with a special certificate to prescribe Schedule III-V drugs and limited Schedule II drugs (only hydrocodone for hospice patients), with a 120-hour supply limit and a ban on self-prescribing. Certified nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) can administer controlled substances during anesthesia care without needing a prescriptive certificate. The bill requires written agreements between physicians and nurses to delegate prescribing authority and updates rules for handling unused medications.
HB 1961 creates new provisions to simplify dietitian licensure in Missouri for certain individuals. It allows dietitians licensed in another state (or military branch) with at least one year of experience to apply for a Missouri license without retaking exams or meeting additional education requirements. The bill specifically waives all license requirements for military spouses (both nonresident and resident) who apply for licensure in Missouri, provided they meet other basic criteria. This directly affects military-connected dietitians relocating to Missouri and out-of-state dietitians seeking licensure in Missouri.
HB 2613 establishes Missouri's "Free School Meals Program," requiring qualifying schools to provide free breakfasts and lunches to all students. It applies to public, charter, private, religious, and parochial schools participating in federal meal programs that meet specific poverty thresholds (based on USDA Community Eligibility Provision criteria). The state would reimburse schools for the difference between federal meal reimbursement rates and actual federal payments received for each meal served. This ensures all students in participating schools receive two free, federally reimbursable meals daily at no cost to families.
SB 872 would remove sales tax on essential infant care supplies, such as diapers, formula, and baby wipes, directly benefiting parents and caregivers who purchase these items. The bill establishes a specific exemption from state sales tax for qualifying products used in infant care. This policy change would reduce out-of-pocket costs for families buying daily necessities for newborns and young infants. The bill is currently under review by the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee.
HB 3040 would allow advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), excluding nurse anesthetists, to prescribe certain controlled substances under specific conditions. It permits APRNs with a special certification to prescribe Schedule III-V drugs and limited Schedule II medications (like hydrocodone for hospice or behavioral health patients) through collaborative agreements with physicians. The bill requires written agreements, restricts prescriptions to 120-hour supplies without refills for some drugs, and prohibits APRNs from prescribing for themselves or family. The bill was introduced and withdrawn on January 21, 2026, with no further legislative action.
SB 848 repeals Missouri's existing law requiring state agencies to obtain specific legislative approval (via bill, initiative, or referendum) before establishing health benefit exchanges under the federal Affordable Care Act. This change removes barriers that previously prevented state agencies from creating or operating such exchanges without explicit state law, including prohibitions on using executive orders for this purpose. The bill directly affects Missouri state departments, agencies, and officials responsible for health care programs, allowing them to implement federal health exchange requirements without needing new legislative action. It also eliminates provisions enabling lawsuits by taxpayers or legislators to challenge non-compliance with the prior rules. The repeal simplifies Missouri's administrative process for health exchange operations but does not alter federal law or the Affordable Care Act itself.
HB 2887, the "Missouri Healthy Schools Act," prohibits public schools participating in federally funded meal programs from serving, selling, or allowing third parties to sell ultraprocessed foods during the school day starting in the 2027-2028 school year. It defines "ultraprocessed food" as items containing specific additives like certain dyes (e.g., Yellow 5, Red 40) or chemicals (e.g., potassium bromate). Schools must certify compliance using a state-provided form, and the state education department will publish a list of compliant schools online. The law does not restrict parents from providing such foods to their children. This directly affects Missouri public schools in federally assisted meal programs.
