Rep. Betsy Fogle

Maddy summaryHB 1323 requires most health insurance plans sold in the state to cover in vitro fertilization (IVF) starting January 1, 2026. It directly affects health insurers and individuals seeking IVF treatment by mandating coverage for IVF services performed at state-licensed facilities following guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. The bill excludes supplemental policies like Medicare supplements, accident-only coverage, and short-term health plans. This is a substantive policy change expanding reproductive healthcare access under state-regulated health benefit plans.

Maddy summaryHB 1325 sets a 36% maximum annual percentage rate (APR) for short-term consumer loans of $500 or less, directly affecting lenders offering these loans and borrowers who take them out. Lenders must obtain a license (with a $600 annual fee per location) and clearly disclose the APR, cancellation rights, and loan terms, including a requirement to reduce principal by 5% with each renewal. The bill prohibits disguising loans to evade the APR cap (e.g., as property sales or cash rebates) and limits loan renewals to six times with a minimum 14-day and maximum 31-day term. It also mandates that lenders post the maximum APR visibly and provides penalties for violations, including license suspension or civil fines.

Maddy summaryHB 1326 prohibits employers from enforcing non-compete agreements against hourly wage employees. The bill defines a "covenant not to compete" as an agreement restricting employees from working for competitors after leaving a job, but states such agreements are void for hourly workers. Key provisions make these clauses unenforceable in employment contracts where the employee is paid hourly wages, regardless of time or geographic limits. This directly affects hourly workers in industries like retail, hospitality, and food service who might face such restrictions. The bill does not apply to salaried employees or other employment arrangements.

Maddy summaryHB 1319 modifies eligibility criteria for Missouri's business development incentive program by defining key terms. It establishes how "average wage," "county average wage," and "full-time employee" are calculated to determine a company's qualification for incentives. The bill specifies that companies must meet wage requirements relative to county averages and track new jobs created, excluding certain owners from employee counts. This affects businesses seeking state economic development benefits by clarifying eligibility standards. The bill is currently pending committee referral after introduction in February 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1117 sets new safety rules for railroad operations, primarily affecting railroad carriers and their freight trains. It limits train length to 8,500 feet on main tracks and branch lines, requires at least two qualified crew members for most freight operations (with exceptions for helper services, hostler services, and slow-moving loading/unloading), and establishes fines for violations (up to $1,000 for repeat offenses). The bill also mandates redacting crew members' personally identifying information from public incident reports involving motor vehicles, while allowing access to employers, courts, and specific officials when necessary. These changes aim to standardize safety practices and protect crew privacy in incident documentation.

Maddy summaryHB 2893 modifies the rules for Missouri's empowerment scholarship accounts to define which schools can accept these funds and how students using them are counted for state funding. The bill expands the list of eligible schools to include public and private virtual schools, provided they do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. It also clarifies that private schools receiving these funds are not considered government agents and establishes a legal burden of proof on the state if a school's eligibility is challenged. Additionally, the legislation ensures that students who leave their local public or charter schools to attend other qualified schools continue to be counted toward their original district's attendance and funding for up to five years.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new photo identification requirements for voters in Missouri who wish to cast a ballot at a polling place or vote absentee in person. To vote, individuals must present specific forms of ID, such as a nonexpired Missouri driver's license, a nondriver's license, a Missouri student ID, or other government-issued documents containing a photo and name. If a qualified voter arrives without the required identification, they may cast a provisional ballot but must return to the polling place within a set window to provide the necessary ID or have their identity verified by signature comparison for the vote to be counted. The legislation also mandates that the state provide nondriver's licenses free of charge to eligible voters and covers the costs for obtaining essential documents like birth certificates or Social Security cards needed to secure that identification.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the definitions and criteria used by the Missouri Department of Economic Development to determine eligibility for business development incentives. It updates how "average wage" is calculated to include hourly rates and clarifies rules for counting full-time employees, specifically requiring that they receive health insurance with the employer paying at least half the premiums. The legislation also expands the definition of infrastructure projects to include broadband internet and revises requirements for military projects to ensure annual reporting on job numbers, salaries, and capital expenditures. Additionally, it adjusts how "new capital investment" is defined to include costs incurred after a company accepts a proposal for state benefits. These changes aim to provide clearer guidelines for businesses seeking financial support to create or retain jobs in Missouri.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Missouri school districts to excuse students from attendance when a qualified health professional determines that mental or behavioral health concerns make it necessary. The law applies to children of all ages and mandates that each school district create a written policy for handling these absences starting in the 2024-2025 school year. Additionally, the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will work with the Department of Mental Health to develop a model policy that districts can adopt to ensure consistency. This change directly affects parents, guardians, students, and school administrators by formalizing the process for excusing absences related to mental health.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans and benefit providers in Missouri to cover in vitro fertilization (IVF) for policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025. The coverage must include services performed at medical facilities that meet specific guidelines set by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. The law explicitly excludes various types of supplemental insurance, such as accident-only policies, Medicare supplements, and long-term care plans, from this requirement.