Rep. Phil Amato

Maddy summaryHB 390 requires referral agencies that send people to long-term care facilities to disclose financial ties to those facilities and provide written agreements to prospective residents. It directly affects referral agencies (like third-party brokers), prospective residents, and long-term care facilities. Key provisions include mandating clear disclosure of fees and relationships, requiring signed agreements that allow residents to cancel services anytime, and prohibiting facilities from paying referral agencies until they receive the signed agreement. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $500 per incident, enforced by the attorney general or circuit attorneys. The bill aims to increase transparency in the referral process for seniors or vulnerable adults entering care facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 400 modifies Missouri law to create a streamlined court process for property owners to remove unlawful occupants from private noncommercial residential properties. It directly affects property owners (or their agents) and individuals occupying property without permission who are not tenants, guests, or family members. Key provisions require property owners to file a verified petition, with courts issuing immediate removal orders if the petition proves the occupant has no legal right to stay, was not invited, and the owner has requested departure. Court clerks must provide free, non-legal assistance with forms, and the process excludes current/former tenants or properties leased for three months. This replaces the previous law to clarify procedures for noncommercial residential properties only.

Maddy summaryHB 208 establishes specific deadlines for candidates filing to run for local offices in political subdivisions or special districts. It sets the filing window to open at 8:00 a.m. on the 16th Tuesday before an election and close at 5:00 p.m. on the 13th Tuesday (or the next business day if a holiday falls on that date). Election authorities must publicly announce these dates in advance through newspaper notices or other required methods. The bill directly affects candidates seeking local office by creating fixed, predictable filing timelines where none existed under previous rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1579 reorganizes Missouri's child welfare structure by renaming and restructuring divisions within the Department of Social Services, specifically establishing the "Division of Maternal and Child Resources" and the "Children's Division." It outlines administrative duties for these divisions, including coordinating adoption services, matching expectant mothers with prospective adoptive parents, and conducting background checks on adoptive applicants. The bill does not introduce new adoption policies but modifies existing administrative frameworks for child welfare services. It primarily affects state agency operations and the process for matching children with adoptive families through state divisions. (Note: The provided text describes structural changes, not new adoption mechanisms.)

Maddy summaryHB 348 requires parties filing civil cases in the twenty-third judicial circuit to pay a $45 surcharge at the time of filing, in addition to existing court costs. These funds will be deposited into a dedicated courthouse construction fund managed by the circuit clerk, with interest accruing, to finance planning and building a new courthouse exclusively for that circuit. The surcharge does not apply to cases where costs are waived or paid by the state, county, or municipality. The fee will expire on August 28, 2045, and the fund may be used to secure bonds for construction costs.

Maddy summaryHB 399 regulates paid assistance with veterans' benefits claims in Missouri. It prohibits anyone from receiving compensation for advising or helping veterans with benefits matters (like VA claims or Missouri Veterans Commission applications) unless they follow strict rules. Key requirements include: requiring a written fee agreement before services begin, banning guarantees of specific benefits, mandating clear disclosures that free help is available through the Missouri Veterans Commission, and prohibiting access to sensitive personal information. Violations are punishable as class A misdemeanors. The bill directly affects paid advocates, companies, or individuals offering such services to veterans.

Maddy summaryHB 224 establishes a committee to develop mandatory human trafficking training for Missouri prosecutors and related professionals. The committee, including representatives from law enforcement, child advocacy, and victim services, will create annual training guidelines and distribute digital training materials. Prosecutors must complete 20 hours of annual training (including one hour on trafficking) to qualify for a $2,000 salary incentive. The requirements take effect January 1, 2026, and expire December 31, 2030.

Maddy summaryHB 458 changes where school board candidates must file in Missouri. For school districts entirely within one county, candidates must now file with the county election authority where the school district is located and where the candidate resides. This replaces previous rules allowing candidates to file at multiple locations. The bill directly affects school board candidates in single-county districts across Missouri, streamlining the filing process to a single county office.

Maddy summaryHB 807 creates a new "Division of Maternal and Child Resources" within Missouri's Department of Social Services. This division will coordinate adoption services specifically for expectant mothers seeking to place their babies for adoption with adoptive families. The bill establishes the "Save MO Babies Act" framework (through new sections 207.100-207.108) to streamline this process, replacing prior adoption-related statutes. It directly affects expectant mothers considering adoption and prospective adoptive parents by centralizing these services under the new division.

Maddy summaryHB 655 requires all Missouri public school districts and charter schools to adopt comprehensive antibullying policies. These policies must define bullying broadly (including cyberbullying and harassment that disrupts learning), ban zero-tolerance disciplinary approaches, and mandate staff to report incidents within one school day. Schools must investigate reports within ten school days, notify parents of bullying incidents, prohibit retaliation against reporters, and provide annual staff training and student education on bullying prevention. The bill directly affects every Missouri K-12 school by mandating specific procedural changes to address bullying and create safer learning environments.