Rep. Ben Keathley

Maddy summaryHB 1043 modifies rules for administering ketamine hydrochloride for mental health treatment. It requires that only physicians licensed under Chapter 334 may order ketamine, prohibiting delegation to other providers like nurse anesthetists. The bill also mandates that physicians must be physically present during ketamine administration by certified registered nurse anesthetists and that all treatments require a physician-documented diagnosis and treatment plan. This directly affects mental health facilities and providers using intravenous ketamine for patient care.

Maddy summaryHB 1388 establishes Missouri's participation in a multi-state "Physician Assistant Licensure Compact," allowing PAs licensed in other participating states to practice in Missouri without retaking exams or meeting additional education/experience requirements. It directly affects licensed PAs from other states (with at least one year of active licensure) and military spouses relocated to Missouri. Key provisions include waiving state-specific requirements for qualifying applicants, requiring a valid license in good standing elsewhere, and maintaining Missouri's authority to deny licenses for disciplinary issues or criminal records. The bill specifically streamlines licensure for military spouses to reduce relocation barriers, while preserving patient safety through state licensing board oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 1387, the "Alexander Whalen Safe Highways Act," requires the state transportation department to install wrong-way vehicle detection systems (WWVDS) at high-risk highway interchanges by March 1, 2026. These systems use radar, thermal cameras, LED-enhanced warning signs, and real-time alerts to detect wrong-way drivers and automatically notify emergency responders. The bill prioritizes installation at specific high-risk locations, including the intersection of westbound I-64 and Jefferson Avenue, and mandates integration with digital highway signs to warn other drivers. It also requires the department to conduct an educational campaign and submit annual reports to the legislature on system implementation, effectiveness, and costs starting in 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 782 prohibits the use of physical restraints (like handcuffs or straitjackets) on children during juvenile court proceedings, directly affecting minors appearing in such cases. The bill allows restraints only if a court holds a hearing and finds they are necessary due to immediate harm risk, disruptive behavior history, or flight risk, after confirming no less restrictive alternatives (e.g., staff presence) exist. If restraints are permitted, they must allow limited hand movement for court documents, and cannot be fixed to walls or furniture. The bill requires written requests from juvenile officers and mandates court findings of fact before any restraint use.

Maddy summaryHB 666 creates a new law granting health care providers immunity from criminal charges for harm arising from their care, except in cases of gross negligence, willful misconduct, or intentional acts. It defines "health care provider" to include licensed professionals (like doctors and nurses) and facility employees, covering services under Missouri health regulations. The bill explicitly states this immunity does not affect liability for gross negligence or intentional harm, nor does it change other existing legal protections or defenses.

Maddy summaryHB 664 requires Missouri state agencies to obtain legislative approval before new administrative rules take effect. Specifically, agencies must submit proposed rules to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, which can hold hearings and suspend rules costing over $250,000 until the full General Assembly votes on them. Rules cannot become effective until the legislature approves them via a concurrent resolution, with a 30-day waiting period after committee review. This change ensures all significant agency rules undergo direct legislative scrutiny before implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 783 clarifies how local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) must adjust property tax rates after a voluntary tax rate reduction in the following year. It requires these entities to revise tax rates to maintain the same total tax revenue as the previous year, based on updated property valuations, while ensuring rates do not exceed the highest voter-approved rate from prior years. The bill specifies that tax revenue calculations exclude railroad/utility property and include adjustments for sales tax reductions that offset property tax cuts. This ensures local governments can stabilize funding without exceeding legal rate limits after valuation changes.

Maddy summaryThe provided bill text for HB 44 appears corrupted and contains unrelated federal code references (e.g., "50 U.S.C. Section 1701") that do not align with the stated title about income tax deductions for private pensions. The text includes garbled phrases like "shall pick up and pay the to review" which are not coherent legislative language. Without a clear, accurate description of the bill's provisions or specific policy changes, a factual summary cannot be generated. The title suggests it would affect taxpayers claiming pension deductions, but the provided text does not describe any actual modifications to tax rules or their concrete effects.

Maddy summaryHB 663 modifies Missouri's judicial review process for agency decisions by requiring courts to interpret statutes, rules, regulations, and subregulatory documents **de novo** (without deferring to agency interpretations). It directly affects courts, state agencies, and individuals or entities challenging agency actions. The key provision mandates that courts independently interpret legal texts rather than relying on agency explanations, with courts resolving ambiguities by favoring interpretations that limit agency power and protect individual liberty. This change applies to all administrative cases under sections 536.100-536.140, altering the standard of review for agency determinations.

Maddy summaryHB 344 repeals Missouri's existing law allowing local governments to enforce stricter tobacco product regulations and replaces it with a new provision stating that state law preempts all local rules on tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor product sales. This means cities and counties can no longer pass their own ordinances that are stricter than state regulations for these products. The bill directly affects local governments and businesses selling these products by removing their ability to implement additional local restrictions. It creates a uniform state standard for regulating these sales across Missouri, superseding any existing or future local laws on the same topic.