This bill modifies Missouri's social work licensing laws by creating new license categories for baccalaureate and advanced macro social workers, distinct from the existing clinical and master social worker licenses. The legislation defines specific scopes of practice for each license type, allowing baccalaureate and advanced macro social workers to provide nonclinical services like case management, community organization, and policy development, while prohibiting them from diagnosing mental disorders or providing psychotherapy without direct supervision from a licensed clinical social worker. It also establishes supervision requirements, mandating that supervisors complete specialized training and maintain a minimum of three years of practice experience. These changes aim to formalize career pathways for social workers with bachelor's and master's degrees who focus on macro-level practice rather than direct clinical treatment.
This bill establishes insurance coverage provisions for orthotic, prosthetic, and assistive devices for individuals enrolled in Missouri's MO HealthNet program, which provides health care to low-income residents. The legislation outlines specific payment rules and coverage limits for various health services, including hospital care, physician services, prescription drugs, and home health care, while explicitly excluding certain providers like abortion facilities from receiving funds. Key provisions include setting payment amounts at no more than 80% of reasonable costs for outpatient services, limiting chiropractic visits to 20 per year, and restricting nursing home coverage for those with significant home equity. The bill also defines eligibility criteria and payment methodologies for different types of care, ensuring services are medically necessary and aligned with federal regulations.
SB 887 - This act establishes the "Missouri Lyme Disease Eradication Act". First, Lyme disease is added to the list of diseases that must be reported to the Department of Health and Senior Services by health care providers, laboratories, and local health departments. The Department shall compile an annual report on the incidence and prevalence of Lyme disease in Missouri, as described in the act. The Department shall also collaborate with public four-year institutions of higher education to integrate Lyme disease surveillance data into existing tick-borne disease monitoring programs. Next, this act creates the "Lyme Research and Eradication Fund" in the state treasury. The Department shall use the moneys in the fund to distribute grants for the purposes of developing treatments, studying novel therapies, and researching eradication strategies. Grants shall be prioritized as described in the act, with no less than 20% of funds utilized to support eradication efforts in rural counties. Under this act, a health care provider shall not be subject to any discipline, suspension, or revocation of license or denial of a license renewal, solely for prescribing, administering, or dispensing treatments or therapies for Lyme disease or Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), including extended antibiotic therapy or similar treatment deemed medically necessary. Finally, this act requires every health carrier or health benefit plan offering or issuing health benefit plans in the state on or after January 1, 2027, to provide coverage for diagnostic testing, treatment, and management of Lyme disease and PTLDS for insured persons who receive a diagnosis from a licensed health care provider, including testing, antibiotic therapy, supportive therapies, and holistic or herbal supplements and therapies. Coverage shall be subject to the same deductibles, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximums as apply to other services covered under the plan for nonpreventative services. The carrier or plan shall not deny or limit coverage for Lyme disease tests or treatments based solely on guidelines that deem extended antibiotic therapy to be experimental, impose step therapy or prior authorization requirements described in the act, or rescind coverage retroactively for related claims without evidence of fraud. By July 1 each year, each carrier and plan shall report certain Lyme disease-related data to the Director of the Department of Commerce and Insurance, who shall share the data with the General Assembly and the Department of Health and Senior Services to inform research priorities. SARAH HASKINS
SB 1469 - This act requires that the fee for the professional component of clinical pathology services shall be paid by MO HealthNet for professional services provided by a hospital-based pathologist for inpatient clinical pathology services rendered to MO HealthNet patients. The reimbursement shall be set at thirty percent of the approved outpatient simplified fee schedule based on Medicare's clinical laboratory fee schedule, as described in the act. This act is identical to provisions in HB 1599 (2025), HCS/SB 94 (2025), and SCS/HCS/HB 943 (2025) and substantially similar to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SCS/HCS/HB 2372 (2026) and SS/SCS/SB 841 (2026). SARAH HASKINS
SB 1614 - This act creates the Missouri Earned Family and Medical Leave Act. GENERALLY Under this act, all employees who are not independent contractors are eligible to receive up to six weeks each year of wage replacement benefits for any of the following reasons: • To bond with a minor child within the first year of birth or placement in connection with foster care or adoption; • To care for a family member with a serious health condition; • To tend to one's own serious health condition; or • To assume any familial responsibility because a spouse, child, or parent of an employee is on, or has been notified of an impending call to, active duty in the armed forces. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations is responsible for administering the program. An employee is eligible for benefits equal to 100% of his or her average weekly pay for each full week taken for family or medical leave. However, an employee's average weekly wage may not be higher than the average state weekly wage. An employee may take partial weeks of leave but will only receive benefits equal to the fraction of the number of days of leave taken divided by the number of the days that the employee would have otherwise worked. An employee may additionally only take leave in full day increments. APPLYING FOR BENEFITS An employee has 41 days following the first day on which he or she begins to take family or medical leave to file a claim for benefits with the Department. Furthermore, an employee may not receive benefits until they have contributed to the Missouri Earned Family and Medical Leave Fund for at least 52 weeks. An employee may not receive benefits on any day for which they are eligible to receive unemployment or workers' compensation benefits. Leave taken under this act must be taken concurrently with leave taken under the federal Family Medical Leave Act. Each employee applying for benefits shall show, on a certificate provided by the Department, that he or she is entitled to family or medical leave. An employee seeking to take leave under this act shall provide at least 30 days notice to their employer if the reason for leave is foreseeable. If it is not practicable, notice shall be given as soon as practicable. APPEALING DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY Employees are entitled to appeal a determination of eligibility by the Department to the Administrative Hearing Commission. A notice of appeal shall be sent to the Commission within 30 days of the receipt of the determination by the employee. A decision by the Commission may be appealed to a court of competent jurisdiction. An employee is not entitled to appeal a determination of the amount of benefits received but may request a redetermination by the Department within one year of the initial determination. UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATORY ACTIONS It is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against an employee because he or she filed a claim for, indicated an intent to file a claim for, or has received Missouri earned family and medical leave benefits. Courts hearing such complaints may grant injunctive, equitable, or compensatory relief to employees. Complaints may be filed by either the employee or the Department. In the event that the Department files a complaint, the employee is thereafter barred from bringing his or her own action. In any event, a discrimination claim shall be brought within three years. OUTREACH AND REPORTS The Department is required to develop and implement an outreach program to make employees aware of their rights, duties, and responsibilities under this act. The State Auditor is required to complete an audit of the program by January 1, 2033. MISSOURI EARNED FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE FUND The Missouri Earned Family and Medical Leave Fund is created. An employee is required to contribute .025% of his or her average weekly pay to the fund, provided that the total wages used to compute the contribution rate shall not exceed the contribution and benefit base used to calculate Social Security taxes. If, at the discretion of the Director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, there is not a sufficient amount of funds in the fund to satisfy all claims, the director is permitted to reduce the benefit amount each employee will receive. Contributions to the program may begin January 1, 2028, but no employee may receive benefits until January 1, 2030. All employee contributions are pre-tax and not considered part of the adjusted gross income. REFERENDUM CLAUSE The act contains a referendum clause to be presented to the voters at the 2026 general election. This act is identical to SB 1069 (2024) and substantially similar to HB 3226 (2026), SB 751 (2025), HB 2597 (2024), SB 548 (2023), HB 1126 (2023), SB 729 (2022), HB 2222 (2022), HB 2822 (2022), SB 416 (2021), HB 1372 (2021), SB 565 (2020), HB 2542 (2020), SB 162 (2019), SB 607 (2018), HB 1956 (2018), SB 69 (2017), HB 659 (2017), SCS/SB 291 (2017), HB 1059 (2017), and SB 1049 (2016), and similar in concept to SB 945 (2024), HB 2505 (2024), SB 193 (2023), HB 1255 (2023), SB 54 (2017), SB 983 (2016), and HB 1161 (2015). SCOTT SVAGERA
This bill directs the Missouri Department of Social Services to submit a state plan amendment or seek federal waivers to allow MO HealthNet, the state's Medicaid program, to cover fertility treatments for eligible participants. The legislation specifically targets individuals enrolled in MO HealthNet who may need assisted reproductive services, requiring the department to formally request approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to expand coverage. By mandating this administrative process, the bill ensures that any new fertility treatment benefits comply with federal Medicaid regulations while enabling the state to pursue coverage options for reproductive health services. The measure does not establish new coverage on its own but creates a pathway for the department to seek the necessary federal authorization to include these treatments in the program.
SB 1703 - This act establishes the "Student Screen-Time Standards Act" and requires each school district and charter school to adopt a written policy governing screen time and the use of instructional technology for students in kindergarten through grade five. The policy shall be designed to promote students' educational interests, prevent harmful effects of excessive screen time on child development, ensure that technology supports rather than supplants foundational learning, and restore evidence-based practices. The act outlines required components of the policy, including limits on student screen time, restrictions on the use of school-issued devices, and limits on student access to internet-connected instructional technology, including laptops, tablets, software platforms, and other similar devices. The policy shall identify approved digital platforms, establish standards for student use of hands-on physical learning tools and traditional materials, outline procedures by which parents may obtain information regarding their child's screen time and technology use and limit such use, and describe the research and evidence upon which the policy is based. In developing the policy, each school district or charter school shall consider and document research on best practices in literacy instruction, instructional technology, assessment, and the role of handwriting and cursive writing in promoting literacy. Each elementary school shall notify parents and guardians annually of the adopted policy, provide parents available information regarding their child's login time and technology use upon request, and publish the policy on the school's website. Each policy shall be periodically updated and shall incorporate recommendations from a model school board policy to be developed by the "Framework on Classroom Use of Screens (FOCUS) Council" established in the act. The policy shall be implemented before the end of the 2027–28 school year and shall apply in all subsequent school years. The Literacy Advisory Council established under current law shall provide advice regarding instruction and assessment of cursive writing and reading, and shall develop recommendations for a related model policy on cursive. The Commissioner of Education shall establish a "Framework on Classroom Use of Screens (FOCUS) Council" composed of the Commissioner as chair, with appointed members representing school boards and charter schools; elementary school principals who have completed state leadership training; teachers with expertise in reading, mathematics, and special education; parental and disability advocacy organizations; faculty from approved teacher preparation programs; a licensed pediatric mental health professional or board-certified behavior analyst; and a medical professional with expertise in child health and development. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall provide staff and resources for the council. The council shall conduct a comprehensive survey and analysis of screen time and instructional technology use in public schools, and shall provide guidance on best practices and policies, as provided in the act. By July 1, 2027, the council shall submit a report containing the council's recommendations and a model school board policy on screen time and instructional technology use to the State Board of Education, the Governor, and the Joint Committee on Education. The report shall be updated at least every two years. This act is similar to SCS/HCS/HBs 2230 & 2978 (2026) and to provisions in HCS/SB 1351 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON
SB 1509 - This act establishes the "Office of State Ombudsman for Inmates in the Custody of the Department of Corrections" ("Office") within the Department of Corrections ("Department") for the purpose of ensuring the adequacy of care and improving the quality of life of inmates. The Office shall establish and implement procedures for receiving, processing, responding to, and resolving complaints made by or on behalf of inmates in the custody of the Department as well as establish procedures for the resolution of complaints. The Office shall be directed by an Ombudsman, who shall be appointed by the Governor and serve a 6-year term. The Ombudsman shall not be a current or former Department employee or have a spouse, child, or parent as a current or former Department employee. This act provides that the Office shall have the authority to: • Provide information to inmates, family members and representative of inmates, and others regarding the rights of inmates; • Monitor conditions of confinement and assess whether the Department is in compliance with federal, state, and Department regulations; • Establish a state-wide reporting system to collect data related to complaints received by the Department; and • Monitor all decisions of the parole board. The Office shall have reasonable access to all Department facilities, including all areas which are accessible to inmates, and access to programs for inmates at reasonable times. The Office shall have the authority to interview any inmates, Department employees or contractors, or any other person. The Office shall have the authority to copy documents in the possession or control of the Department that the Office considers necessary in an investigation of a complaint and the Department shall provide such documents no later than 30 days after the Office's written request. If the records relate to an inmate death, threat of death, sexual assault, or the denial of necessary medical treatment, the records shall be provided within 5 days, unless a waiver is provided by the Office to the Department. The Office shall establish confidentiality rules and procedures for all information maintained by the Office to ensure that the identity of a complainant is not known to Department employees or other inmates. The Office shall conduct at least one inspection each year of each Department facility and at least two times each year for each maximum security facility to monitor the status of all covered issues as defined in this act. The Office shall release a public report of each inspection. An inspection of a Department facility shall include an assessment of the following: • All policies and procedures related to the care of inmates; • Conditions of confinement; • Availability of educational and rehabilitative programing, drug and mental health treatment, and inmate job training; • All policies and procedures related to visitation; • All procedures and policies of medical facilities; • Review of lock-downs at the facility in the time since the last inspection; • Review of staffing at the facility; • Review of physical and sexual assaults at the facility; • Review of any inmate or staff deaths; and • Review of staff recruitment for the Department. Upon completion of the inspection, the Office shall produce a public report, with information as provided in the act, on its website, and deliver the report to the Governor, Attorney General, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Director of the Department of Corrections. The Department shall then submit a report to the Office within 30 days of the Office's inspection report which shall include a corrective action plan for each recommendation of the Office. This act also provides that the Office may initiate and attempt to resolve an investigation upon its own initiative or upon receipt of a complaint from an inmate, the inmate's family or representative, or a Department employee, regarding violations as provided in the act. The Office may decline to investigate any complaint and shall decline a complaint if the inmate has failed to first utilize Department grievance policies. The Office shall notify the complainant if it does not investigate a complaint. The Office may not investigate any complaints relating to an inmate's underlying criminal conviction and may refer any complaint to another state or federal agency. At the conclusion of an investigation, the Office shall render a public decision within 90 days of the filing of the complaint, except that the documents supporting the decision are subject to the confidentiality procedures established by the Office. The Office shall give a decision in writing to the inmate and to the Department. The Office shall give its recommendations for further action if needed. The Department shall give a report upon request to the Office within thirty days of any action taken on the Office's recommendations or the reasons for not complying with the recommendations. If the Office finds that there has been a significant inmate health or safety issue, the Office shall report such findings to the Governor, the Attorney General, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Director of the Department of Corrections. Finally, the Department and its employees shall not discharge, retaliate against, or in any manner discriminate against any person because such person has filed any complaint or instituted any proceeding under this act. A complaint may be filed with the Attorney General, within 30 days after a violation occurs, for any alleged discharge or retaliation against a complainant. There shall be a rebuttable presumption of retaliation if the complainant has suffered abuse or any other violation after he or she filed a complaint under this act. This act is identical to SB 378 (2025), SB 798 (2024), SB 327 (2023), SB 899 (2022), and SB 471 (2021). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.
This bill requires Missouri's MO HealthNet program to cover childbirth education classes for eligible low-income individuals. It achieves this by updating existing state health insurance statutes to include payment for prenatal and childbirth preparation courses as a covered benefit. The changes directly impact pregnant women enrolled in the state's Medicaid program by ensuring their insurance plans pay for these educational services. The legislation modifies current payment rules to explicitly allow reimbursement for these classes without adding new funding requirements.
SB 1454 - This act modifies current law on the use of investigational drugs and devices for individuals with terminal illnesses to include those individuals with life-threatening or severely debilitating conditions or illnesses. Currently, investigational drugs shall not include Schedule I controlled substances. This act repeals that prohibition. This act is substantially similar to provisions in SB 1682 (2026, SCS/SB 90 (2025), SB 1767 (2026), SCS/HCS/HBs 1717 & 1643 (2026), SCS/HS/HCS/HBs 3068 & 3049 (2026), and SCS/SB 768 (2024). SARAH HASKINS
