Rep. Phil Amato

Maddy summaryHB 2273 establishes a new "Committee on Sex and Human Trafficking Training" to standardize and improve training for professionals who interact with trafficking victims. The committee, composed of representatives from law enforcement, child advocacy, victim services, and medical centers, will create annual training guidelines and produce digital training materials for professions required to complete such training under existing laws. This bill directly affects state agencies, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and child advocacy organizations that must provide or receive trafficking training. The committee's work will replace outdated training requirements with updated standards, effective January 1, 2027, and expire December 31, 2031. The bill does not create new criminal penalties but focuses on coordinating and modernizing existing training obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 1770 extends the time limit for prosecuting criminal cases involving abuse or neglect of a child under 18. It changes the law so that prosecutions must begin within ten years after the victim turns 18, rather than the previous timeframe. This directly affects victims of childhood abuse/neglect, their families, and the criminal justice system handling such cases. The bill modifies the statute (section 556.035) to set this new ten-year window for filing charges.

Maddy summaryHB 2463 requires referral agencies that connect people with independent living or long-term care facilities to provide clear written disclosures to prospective residents or their representatives. These disclosures must detail any fees paid by the facility, relationships between the referral agency and facility, the right to cancel services without penalty, and how personal information may be shared. The bill also prohibits referral agencies from charging termination fees and bans facilities from paying referral fees until after the disclosure is provided and the resident moves in. Additionally, facilities cannot sell or transfer a prospective resident's contact information without written consent. This bill directly affects older adults seeking housing in these facilities, referral agencies, and the facilities themselves by increasing transparency and consumer protections.

Maddy summaryHB 3186 clarifies that "public swimming pool" includes community pools in apartment complexes or housing developments for residents and guests. This expands location restrictions preventing certain sex offenders (convicted of specific crimes like child sexual exploitation) from being within 500 feet of facilities primarily for children's recreation, such as public pools, parks with playgrounds, or children's museums. The bill specifically adds residential community pools to the definition of "public swimming pool" under these restrictions. It also allows parents or guardians of children attending programs at Missouri Department of Conservation centers to be present with their child if granted permission by the center manager.

Maddy summaryHB 3518 requires venues and teams to withhold 2% of payments over $300 made to nonresident entertainers (like musicians or actors) and nonresident professional athletes (such as out-of-state sports players). This tax applies to their "personal service income" (salaries, bonuses, etc.) but excludes competition prizes. The collected revenue is allocated for 31 years (through 2030): 60% to the Missouri Arts Council, and 10% each to the Missouri Humanities Council, State Library, and Public Television fund. Starting in 2027, 100% of this tax revenue will directly fund these specific programs instead of the general state budget.

Maddy summaryHB 2099 creates a streamlined court process for property owners to remove unlawful occupants from residential properties without a tenant relationship. It allows owners (or agents) to file a verified petition, triggering an immediate court order for removal if they prove the occupant has no legal right to be there (e.g., not a tenant, guest, or family member). The court must issue the order within 48 hours of filing, and sheriffs enforce removal. This directly affects property owners of noncommercial residential properties and occupants without legal occupancy rights, bypassing standard eviction procedures. The bill also permits courts to issue additional restraining orders against occupants for safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "AI Non-Sentience and Responsibility Act" to clarify that artificial intelligence systems are not legal persons and cannot hold rights, responsibilities, or legal status equivalent to humans. It explicitly prohibits AI from being recognized as a spouse, corporate officer, or property owner, while assigning liability for harm caused by AI systems to their owners, users, developers, or manufacturers depending on the circumstances. The legislation requires owners to maintain oversight and safety measures for AI systems that could impact human welfare or public safety, and mandates reporting of severe incidents involving bodily harm or death. These provisions apply to all AI systems developed, owned, or operated on or after August 28, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1249 requires most real estate transfer documents, like quitclaim deeds, to be submitted in person at county offices instead of online. It restricts electronic filing to licensed real estate brokers, title companies, or attorneys, while banning online submissions for others. The bill increases penalties for filing false documents (such as forged deeds or liens) that target officials, first responders, or law enforcement, making these offenses more serious felonies. It also mandates that county recorders log suspicious filings for review by prosecutors. The law aims to prevent fraud in property transactions by tightening submission rules and enhancing penalties for deceptive practices.

Maddy summaryHB 365 modifies compensation for families of Missouri public safety officers killed "in the line of duty," directly affecting surviving spouses and children of firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and specialized air ambulance crew (including pilots, nurses, and respiratory therapists). It sets a $100,000 death benefit for qualifying deaths occurring on or after the bill’s effective date (subject to annual adjustment via the Consumer Price Index starting in 2026), replacing a previous $25,000 benefit. Compensation must be paid within one year of death and distributed as follows: to surviving spouses alone, or split equally between spouses and children if both exist. The bill also clarifies definitions of "public safety officer" and "line of duty" to include specific emergency medical and air ambulance personnel.

Maddy summaryHB 574 modifies Missouri's tax increment financing (TIF) rules for redevelopment projects. It changes how property tax revenues from increased property values in redevelopment areas are allocated, specifically requiring taxing districts' consent before revenues from voter-approved levy rate increases (after August 2014) are deposited into the TIF "Special Allocation Fund." The bill also clarifies that increased property values above initial assessments won't count toward state school aid calculations until redevelopment costs are paid. This directly affects municipalities using TIF programs, property owners in redevelopment zones, and local taxing districts (like school districts) that collect property taxes. The changes aim to clarify revenue distribution between municipalities and taxing districts within redevelopment projects.