Rep. John Hewkin

Maddy summaryHB 618 limits health insurers' ability to require prior authorization for medical services starting January 1, 2026. Insurers must approve at least 90% of a provider's past requests for a service before requiring prior authorization, or the provider qualifies for an exemption. Hospitals may qualify for exemptions by entering value-based care agreements with insurers, achieving a 3+ star CMS rating, or having a high prior-authorization approval rate. The bill excludes pharmacy, imaging, cosmetic, and experimental services from exemptions (with annual $100,000 cost limits adjusted for inflation) and requires insurers to provide a 90-day medication coverage grace period if a patient's insurance changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers from discriminating against hospitals and clinics participating in the federal 340B drug program. It specifically bans them from paying lower reimbursements for 340B drugs than other pharmacies, applying different requirements (like fees or network restrictions), or refusing to cover 340B drugs. Violations can trigger $5,000 daily penalties enforced by the Insurance Department. The law applies to safety-net hospitals and clinics that buy drugs at discounted federal rates under the 340B program.

Maddy summaryHB 1175, titled "Reestablishes the Second Amendment Preservation Act," prohibits Missouri state officials from enforcing federal laws, regulations, or executive orders related to firearms within Missouri. It declares that federal actions restricting firearm ownership, possession, or use in Missouri are "unauthoritative, void, and of no force," and grants Missouri exclusive authority over such matters under state law. Key provisions include imposing a $50,000 civil penalty per violation on state officials who knowingly enforce federal gun laws, allowing citizens to sue for damages, and removing sovereign immunity as a defense in such cases. The bill directly affects Missouri law enforcement officers and state agencies operating within Missouri’s borders, ensuring they cannot comply with federal firearm regulations. It does not alter Missouri’s own firearm laws but asserts state authority against federal overreach in this domain.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires scrap metal dealers and secondhand property sellers to maintain detailed records for all transactions involving detached catalytic converters. Specifically, they must document the buyer's ID, transaction details, vehicle identification number (VIN) of the converter's source, and keep records for 36 months. Dealers cannot alter converters for five business days after purchase and face fines up to $10,000 for knowingly buying stolen converters. It exempts regular business-to-business transactions and minor metal components in larger items. The law directly affects scrap metal dealers handling catalytic converters, aiming to combat theft by creating traceable records.

Maddy summaryHB 982 requires pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to allow patients to choose any pharmacy for their prescriptions without penalty or redirection. It prohibits PBMs from restricting patient access to covered pharmacies, forcing patients to pay more than the cash price or their plan's copay, or charging pharmacies for claim processing. Pharmacists can share cost comparison information with patients and must disclose conflicts of interest to health plans. The bill applies to most health plans but excludes Medicare Part D and self-funded employer plans under federal law. It directly affects patients, pharmacists, and PBMs by increasing transparency and choice in prescription drug coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 1284 repeals Missouri laws (sections 229.430, 229.440, and 229.450) that required counties to designate memorial roads for fallen public safety personnel, mandated bridge protections for heavy machinery, and regulated temporary road closures for mineral mining. It replaces these with a new section (229.222), but the new section's specific content is not provided in the bill text. This bill removes the existing requirements for memorial roads, bridge safety measures, and mining-related road management from the law. The bill passed the House unanimously and is now pending in the Senate.

Maddy summaryHB 433's title about "storage and use of gold and silver" is inaccurate - the bill is actually a Missouri income tax modification. It adjusts how Missouri calculates taxable income by adding back certain items excluded from federal taxable income, such as: 1) Federal tax refunds that created Missouri tax benefits (excluding pandemic-related refunds), 2) Interest on some government bonds, 3) Specific deductions for property purchases (2002-2003), and 4) Net operating loss carryforwards. It also subtracts certain items added back (like state tax refunds or military combat zone income) to prevent double taxation. The bill directly affects all Missouri individual income taxpayers by changing their taxable income calculation relative to federal rules.

Maddy summaryHB 68 shortens the statute of limitations for personal injury claims from five years to two years, effective for injuries occurring on or after August 28, 2025. This means individuals seeking compensation for injuries like car accidents, medical malpractice, or other physical harm must file lawsuits within two years of the incident. The bill also establishes a two-year limit for related claims such as defamation and wage disputes, but the primary change targets personal injury cases. This directly affects people pursuing legal action for injuries and the defendants (e.g., businesses, healthcare providers) they sue.

Maddy summaryHB 222 requires child care facilities (excluding public schools) to adopt allergy prevention and response policies by July 2027, focusing on managing severe food allergies. Facilities must stock epinephrine auto-injectors under physician prescriptions, store them accessibly, and train staff to recognize anaphylaxis and administer the device. The bill mandates staff training through approved organizations, requires coordination with health authorities, and provides liability protection for facilities and trained staff following the guidelines. It also specifies that parental consent is needed for epinephrine use in children under 18, unless immediate danger exists.

Maddy summaryHB 850 modifies licensing rules for child care facilities in Missouri. It creates a new temporary license for providers expanding existing sites or adding new locations, requiring fire/sanitation inspections, background checks, and 13 months of prior operation before approval. The bill also establishes a process for facilities to request variances from licensing rules if they don’t endanger children’s health or safety. These changes directly affect child care providers, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and children receiving care, while ensuring religious facilities remain exempt from certain regulations.