Rep. Melanie Stinnett

Maddy summaryHB 845 exempts specialty hospitals in Missouri from certain transfer requirements if they maintain a policy for moving sexual assault victims to hospitals with emergency departments. Specialty hospitals are defined as facilities designated by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services as non-general acute care hospitals. The exemption specifically applies to sections 192.2520 and 197.135 of Missouri law, which otherwise govern hospital transfer protocols. This change directly affects specialty hospitals seeking to comply with sexual assault victim transfer standards under state law.

Maddy summaryHB 825 modifies telehealth service rules in our state. It requires health care providers offering telehealth to patients within the state to hold a full license to practice here and follow the same care standards as in-person visits. The bill allows providers to use any electronic platform for telehealth (like video or phone calls), as long as they comply with privacy laws, and clarifies that non-real-time communication (like sending patient data for later review) is permitted. It also specifies exceptions for emergencies, informal consultations between out-of-state providers, and episodic advice requested by a local doctor. The law does not change existing scope-of-practice rules for providers.

Maddy summaryHJR 54 proposes a constitutional amendment in Missouri that would restrict abortion access, allowing it only in cases of medical emergency, fetal anomaly, rape, or incest (with a 12-week gestation limit and 48-hour law enforcement reporting required for rape/incest). It also prohibits abortions based on disability diagnoses, bans public funding for most abortions, and prohibits gender transition surgeries, cross-sex hormones, and puberty-blocking drugs for minors under 18 (except for treating certain medical conditions). The amendment includes a provision ensuring access to care for miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, and medical emergencies, and would require voter approval to take effect. This measure would directly affect individuals seeking reproductive health services, medical providers, and minors seeking gender-related care in Missouri.

Maddy summaryHB 766 establishes a "Division of Professional Registration" within the Department of Commerce and Insurance to manage professional licensing for various boards. It sets rules for license renewal periods (one to three years), requires boards to set uniform registration fees for entire licensing cycles, and creates a "Professional Registration Fees Fund" to cover administrative costs. The bill also mandates confidentiality for applicant and licensee records (excluding basic license status), requires standardized renewal forms, and clarifies that the division handles only ministerial tasks like document verification - not discretionary licensing decisions. This bill reorganizes administrative processes for professional licensing but does not address tax-related license suspensions as suggested by its title.

Maddy summaryHB 1198 creates a new pathway for international physicians to obtain a temporary license to practice medicine in the state, directly affecting physicians trained outside the U.S. and health care providers seeking to hire them. The bill requires applicants to meet specific criteria - including ECFMG certification, U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) steps, five years of licensed practice in their home country, and English fluency - and be sponsored by a local health care provider. It grants a three-year provisional license that automatically converts to a full license upon successful completion of active practice, without requiring the physician to remain with the sponsoring employer after the period ends. The bill includes safeguards like background checks, application fees, and revocation for safety violations, while allowing physicians to apply for the provisional license before securing federal work authorization.

Maddy summaryThe bill title claims to address speech-language pathologist licensure, but the provided text actually governs embalmer licensing requirements for funeral services in Missouri. It repeals and replaces sections related to funeral service education, requiring applicants to complete an accredited program, pass national and state exams, and complete supervised embalming practice (including 25 bodies under direct supervision for 12 months). Key provisions include age/education requirements, exam standards, and strict supervision rules during apprenticeship. The bill does not affect speech-language pathologists; it directly impacts individuals seeking embalmer licensure in Missouri. (Note: The title appears inconsistent with the bill's actual content based on the provided text.)

Maddy summaryHB 929 expands Missouri optometrists' scope of practice to include the use of injectable medications and certain surgical procedures for eye care. It explicitly removes the current exclusion of "injectable agents" from optometric practice while listing 17 specific procedures (like LASIK, corneal transplants, and retinal injections) that remain prohibited. The bill clarifies that optometrists may perform pre- and post-operative care for excluded procedures but cannot conduct the surgeries themselves. This change directly affects Missouri optometrists by allowing them to provide additional treatments like injectable therapies for eye conditions within defined limits.

Maddy summaryHB 946 allows spouses of Missouri law enforcement officers and military spouses moving to Missouri to obtain professional licenses in the state without retaking exams or meeting extra experience requirements, if they already hold valid licenses in another jurisdiction. The bill requires Missouri's licensing agencies to waive these barriers for eligible applicants who have been licensed for at least one year in good standing elsewhere. It specifically covers spouses of Missouri law enforcement officers (who are Missouri residents) and military spouses relocating to Missouri on permanent change-of-station orders. The law does not apply to certain professions like electrical contractors, and applicants must still pay fees and provide required insurance.

Maddy summaryHB 803 modifies Missouri law to require licensed healthcare providers to offer standard blood tests for syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and other treatable conditions during the first prenatal visit and at 28 weeks of pregnancy, with patient consent. If a pregnant woman tests positive for these conditions, providers must administer appropriate treatment and, for hepatitis B, ensure newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine and immune globulin. The bill also mandates that testing cannot be denied due to inability to pay and requires the health department to set rules based on current medical guidelines. This directly affects pregnant women receiving prenatal care in Missouri and their newborns.

Maddy summaryHB 846 modifies Missouri's solar energy rules by establishing a new "Net Metering and Easy Connection Act." It requires retail electric suppliers (like municipal utilities and cooperatives) to offer net metering to eligible solar customers (called "customer-generators") on a first-come, first-served basis. The bill sets a cap: suppliers must continue offering net metering until the total solar capacity reaches 15% of their previous year's peak electricity demand. This directly affects residential and commercial solar system owners who generate their own power and utility companies that must implement these rules.