Rep. Justin Sparks

Maddy summaryHB 163 prohibits using fetal organs or tissue from *elective* abortions for medical, scientific, research, therapeutic, or any other purpose. It specifically bans offering money or incentives to conceive a child for organ harvesting, to obtain an abortion for that purpose, or to sell fetal tissue (except for burial or medical exams). The law applies to medical professionals, researchers, and anyone handling fetal tissue, requiring knowledge of intent to harvest before prohibitions apply. Exceptions include standard burial costs and pathology examinations, but the bill explicitly targets tissue use tied to elective abortions rather than medical necessity.

Maddy summaryHJR 62 is a procedural bill proposing to amend Missouri's Constitution to establish new rules for submitting future constitutional amendments to voters. It requires that each proposed amendment be voted on separately at general or special elections, limits amendments to one article per ballot, and mandates specific newspaper publication notices before voting. The bill also sets requirements for approval (a majority statewide and in most congressional districts) and specifies that approved amendments take effect 30 days after the election. This bill does not change any existing policies but alters the process for how future constitutional changes would be proposed and approved.

Maddy summaryHB 161 modifies the trial process for defendants charged with sodomy in the first degree under a specific legal subsection (subdivision (4) of subsection 2 of section 566.060) when the death penalty is sought. It requires a two-stage trial: first determining guilt, then assessing punishment. The bill specifies that life imprisonment without parole (instead of the death penalty) applies if the defendant is intellectually disabled, no aggravating circumstances are proven, or mitigating evidence outweighs aggravating factors. This change directly affects defendants in capital sodomy cases under this exact legal provision, altering sentencing procedures for this specific offense.

Maddy summaryHB 159 modifies juvenile court procedures by adding "tampering in the second degree involving a motor vehicle when a juvenile is in possession of a firearm during the offense" to the list of serious crimes requiring automatic transfer to adult court for youth aged 12-18. If a juvenile commits this specific offense, the court must hold a hearing to determine whether the case should be transferred from juvenile to adult court, rather than allowing the juvenile system to handle it. The bill outlines criteria for this transfer, including the offense's severity, use of violence, and the juvenile's history, while ensuring the youth has legal representation during the process. This change directly affects juveniles aged 12-18 charged with this type of property crime involving firearms and motor vehicles.

Maddy summaryHB 1475 would amend Missouri's voting registration rules to allow children born outside the U.S. to U.S. citizen parents who are Missouri residents and eligible to vote in Missouri to register to vote in the state. Specifically, it would permit these children to register using their parent's last Missouri address as their voting jurisdiction, rather than requiring them to meet standard residency or birthplace criteria. However, the bill states it would only take effect after Missouri voters approve a constitutional amendment addressing this issue. This change would directly affect Missouri-resident children born abroad to U.S. citizen parents who are currently barred from registering to vote under current law.

Maddy summaryHB 924 modifies Missouri's vital statistics laws to clarify how fetal deaths related to abortion must be registered. The bill defines "induced fetal death" as a death from abortion and requires physicians, physician assistants, or advanced practice nurses to complete medical certifications within 72 hours for such cases. Funeral directors or those handling final disposition must file death certificates with local registrars within five days, using an electronic system mandated by the Department of Health. This affects medical providers, funeral directors, and the state vital records system by establishing specific reporting requirements for abortion-related fetal deaths.

Maddy summaryHJR 9 proposes a constitutional amendment to Missouri's constitution that would define "person" to include all humans with unique DNA from conception through birth. This would replace the current constitutional language and directly affect abortion access by legally recognizing in utero children as persons under the constitution. The amendment specifies that the new definition does not secure a right to abortion or require abortion funding. If approved by voters in 2026, it would change Missouri's constitutional framework regarding personhood and life. The official ballot question asks whether Missouri's constitution should "protect each human life with a unique DNA code regardless of age."

Maddy summaryHB 1293 modifies retirement benefits for paid firefighters and fire explosion investigators exposed to hazardous materials. It creates a presumption that certain health conditions - like specific infectious diseases (e.g., HIV, TB), heart/lung diseases, or designated cancers - were incurred in the line of duty if they develop after a clean physical exam, unless proven otherwise. To qualify for this presumption, firefighters must undergo annual physicals with blood tests for infectious disease claims, and cancer claims require proof that tobacco use didn’t contribute. The law applies to all paid members of fire departments and fire explosion investigators across state jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryHB 1224 creates a new class C felony offense for clergypersons who engage in sexual activity with a person seeking religious, spiritual, or relationship counseling, or while exploiting a position of trust. It specifically applies when the sexual activity occurs during or shortly after counseling sessions, during ongoing counseling, or when the clergyperson uses their authority to initiate the activity. Consent is not a defense unless the victim is under 17 years old. The bill defines "clergyperson" broadly to include ministers, priests, rabbis, and similar religious leaders, making this a criminal offense for certain clergy misconduct.

Maddy summaryHB 925 defines "special victims" to include specific groups like law enforcement officers, emergency personnel, elderly individuals, people with disabilities, corrections officers, highway workers, utility workers, cable workers, and mass transit employees. When reporting crimes, these individuals may provide their business address or phone number instead of personal contact details to protect their privacy. The bill establishes this new category and the corresponding privacy mechanism without changing criminal penalties or creating new offenses. It directly affects these designated groups when they report assaults or other crimes related to their work.