Rep. Renee Reuter

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that the vote-counting process be recorded and livestreamed. The resulting recordings will become public records accessible to anyone under existing state laws. It directly affects election officials and the public by increasing transparency during vote counting. The measure does not change how votes are counted but mandates how the process is documented and shared.

Maddy summaryHB 1860 updates Missouri laws regarding the licensing and operation of summer camps and child care facilities. The bill establishes a new public record system where substantiated parental complaints against licensed facilities must be made available to the public upon request. It clarifies various exemptions from licensure requirements, such as for small family caregivers, religious organizations, and businesses providing brief on-site care for customers or employees. Additionally, the legislation mandates that all facilities, including exempt ones, must clearly disclose their licensure status to parents and provide written explanations of their disciplinary policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires elementary school districts to teach cursive writing so that students can produce legible documents by the end of fifth grade. It mandates that every student must pass a teacher-made test proving they can both read and write cursive proficiently. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is authorized to create specific rules to carry out these requirements, subject to standard legislative review processes. The law directly impacts public and charter elementary schools, their teachers, and the students enrolled in them.

Maddy summaryHB 2259 modifies how property assessors in Missouri calculate tax values for various types of real and personal property. The bill establishes specific assessment percentages for different categories, such as taxing historic vehicles and older aircraft at five percent and farm machinery at twelve percent. It also updates the valuation rates for residential real estate and clarifies how manufactured homes used as dwellings should be assessed. Additionally, the legislation sets new rules for computer-generated assessments, shifting the burden of proof to the assessor when using automated methods.

Maddy summaryHB 2789 updates Missouri laws regarding the custody of in vitro human embryos by defining key terms such as "custody," "surrogate," and "third-party custody." The bill establishes a legal presumption that equal parenting time is in the best interest of the child, which can only be overturned with proof of domestic violence or a mutual agreement between parents. It also sets specific guidelines for courts to consider when making custody decisions, including the child's adjustment to home and school, the parents' willingness to foster a relationship with the other parent, and any history of abuse. Additionally, the legislation restricts courts from awarding custody or unsupervised visitation to parents who have been convicted of certain crimes where the child was the victim.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Missouri Religious Freedom Protection Act to prevent public officials from issuing orders that stop religious groups or their places of worship from holding services or meetings. It specifically protects these groups from restrictions related to public health mandates or other government directives, while explicitly allowing buildings to follow standard fire and safety codes. The law includes exceptions for situations involving imminent dangers like natural disasters or terrorist threats, as well as cases where a religious group plans to commit acts of violence or harm.

Maddy summaryHB 2728 establishes a legal cause of action for individuals whose private intimate images are intentionally disclosed without their consent. The bill defines intimate images as photos or videos showing uncovered private body parts or sexual conduct and creates liability for anyone who knowingly shares these images when the person depicted did not agree to the disclosure. While the law provides protections for parents sharing images of their children and includes exceptions for law enforcement and public interest reporting, it also allows plaintiffs to use pseudonyms in court to maintain privacy. If a person is found liable, they may be required to pay damages for harm caused, any profits made from the image, and potentially punitive damages.

Maddy summaryHB 1830 creates a legal framework allowing adults aged 21 and older to use psilocybin for therapeutic purposes if they have specific conditions like PTSD, depression, substance use disorders, or require end-of-life care. To qualify, individuals must enroll in a clinical trial or be declined due to lack of space, obtain a physician's certification, and have their psilocybin tested by a state-licensed laboratory before use. The bill also provides immunity from civil and criminal penalties for patients, assistants, and licensed laboratories involved in the process, while prohibiting state agencies from sharing participant data with the federal government. Additionally, the legislation allocates two million dollars in grants for research and requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to submit annual reports on the program's implementation and outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends existing legislation to clarify the definition of a "pipeline facility" when discussing the export of water out of the state. It specifically includes components like pipes, valves, pumping units, and metering stations within that definition. Additionally, the bill restricts water exports to only those moving via a pipeline facility. These changes directly affect the legal framework governing how water can be transported across state lines.