Rep. Stephanie Hein

Maddy summaryHB 2778 creates "transitional child care benefits" for families whose income exceeds the threshold for full childcare subsidies but remains below 200% of the federal poverty level. It replaces attendance-based reimbursement with enrollment-based payments and establishes a sliding scale (80% to 20% of the state base rate) based on income tiers. The program is voluntary, allows immediate access without prior full-benefit eligibility, and requires families to pay the remaining fee to providers. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must track participation and report annually on employment impact and costs starting in 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2930 requires students renewing Missouri's empowerment scholarship to provide proof of household income, demonstrating that their annual income does not exceed 300% of the income standard for free and reduced-price lunch programs. This requirement applies to all renewal applications and determines eligibility for the next school year; exceeding this threshold makes a student ineligible. The bill does not alter the existing list of allowable expenses, which include tuition, textbooks, educational therapies, and approved technology at qualifying schools. It directly affects families seeking to continue using the scholarship for their children's education.

Maddy summaryHB 3117 requires health insurance plans in the state to cap out-of-pocket costs for prescription insulin at $30 per 30-day supply for people with diabetes. It mandates that plans reduce the drug price by 100% of all rebates received (before applying cost-sharing), ensuring the $30 limit reflects the lowest possible price. The bill protects rebate information as trade secrets, preventing health plans from disclosing rebate details to the public or third parties. This law applies to all health benefit plans issued, renewed, or continued on or after January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 2616 modifies Missouri's Working Family Tax Credit Act to make the tax credit refundable starting in 2027. This means eligible taxpayers who owe less state income tax than their credit amount will receive the difference as a refund, rather than losing it. The credit equals 10% of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for 2023, with a potential increase to 20% if Missouri's state revenue grows by at least $150 million over previous fiscal years. The bill also requires the state to proactively identify and notify eligible taxpayers who didn't apply for the credit, using data from federal and state tax records.

Maddy summaryHB 2615 allows Missouri individual taxpayers to claim a state income tax credit for purchases of approved firearm safes or safety devices (like trigger locks), up to $500 per tax year. The credit directly affects residents who buy these items for personal use, offsetting their state income tax liability - up to the amount owed - without carryover to future years. The bill caps total annual credits at $500,000 and expires after six years unless renewed by the legislature. It defines "approved" items through joint rules by the Public Safety and Revenue departments, requiring receipts for verification.

Maddy summaryHB 2614 modifies income eligibility rules for state-funded child care assistance in Missouri. It establishes a sliding fee scale based on family income and size, allowing families to pay reduced fees while receiving subsidies. Families earning above the annual income limit (determined yearly by budget) must pay the full cost of child care, ending their subsidy eligibility. The bill also waives fees for children with special needs and requires applicants to work 20+ hours weekly in licensed child care settings to exclude income from eligibility calculations. These changes directly affect low-income families using state child care programs.

Maddy summaryHB 2613 establishes Missouri's "Free School Meals Program," requiring qualifying schools to provide free breakfasts and lunches to all students. It applies to public, charter, private, religious, and parochial schools participating in federal meal programs that meet specific poverty thresholds (based on USDA Community Eligibility Provision criteria). The state would reimburse schools for the difference between federal meal reimbursement rates and actual federal payments received for each meal served. This ensures all students in participating schools receive two free, federally reimbursable meals daily at no cost to families.

Maddy summaryHB 1855 requires Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services to add alpha-gal syndrome and Lyme disease to its list of noncommunicable diseases needing mandatory reporting. Healthcare providers must report most cases within seven days of a positive lab result, while labs must report alpha-gal syndrome cases using specific IgE test thresholds (≥0.1 IU/mL). The department must verify cases through random sampling and submit annual reports to the CDC on these diseases. This directly affects healthcare providers, laboratories, and public health officials responsible for disease surveillance in Missouri.

Maddy summaryHJR 115 proposes a constitutional amendment to create a property tax exemption for Missouri disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. It defines a "disabled veteran" as a Missouri resident honorably separated from military service with a 100% VA-certified service-connected disability, and a "homestead" as their primary residence (not exceeding 2.5 acres). The exemption would apply to real property used as a primary home, excluding portions rented for more than six months annually. This amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election and would replace the current property tax exemption provisions in Missouri's constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 2644 creates the "Respiratory Care Interstate Compact," allowing respiratory therapists licensed in one participating state to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. This directly affects licensed respiratory therapists and supports active military members and their spouses who relocate across state lines. The bill establishes a "Compact Privilege" that lets therapists practice under their home state license while adhering to the patient’s location rules, requiring only a criminal background check and active home state license. It aims to improve access to respiratory therapy services, reduce administrative burdens, and address workforce shortages without altering state licensing authority.