Rep. Bennie Cook

Maddy summaryHB 624 requires schools and colleges to determine student eligibility for athletic teams based on biological sex as recorded on a student’s official birth certificate or another government record. It prohibits participation in sports designated for the opposite sex unless no equivalent team exists for the student’s sex (e.g., a female student may join a boys’ team only if no girls’ team is available). The bill directly affects student-athletes, schools, and athletic programs by mandating this eligibility standard, with exceptions only when no team for the student’s sex is offered. Violations could result in loss of state funding, and affected students or parents may seek legal remedies. The policy aims to ensure opportunities for female athletes, as stated in the bill’s findings.

Maddy summaryHB 1495 directs the Missouri Veterans Commission to review existing federal laws and regulations related to veteran mental health care. The commission must then work with the Department of Mental Health to develop and implement new procedures, programs, and treatment options aimed at preventing veteran suicide. Additionally, the commission is required to submit annual reports to the Department of Public Safety and the General Assembly by July 1st each year detailing the progress and effectiveness of these efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants the Missouri Constitution Project temporary use of the House of Representatives Chamber on September 18, 2024, to host a program for youth. The event aims to educate students about the U.S. Constitution through hands-on activities and discussions on topics like due process and freedom of the press. The resolution outlines specific rules for the event, requiring participants to maintain decorum, prohibiting food and smoking, and restricting access to certain areas like the dais and staff zones. Additionally, the bill's sponsor or their representative must be present to oversee the group's conduct during the session.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals convicted of specific child-related crimes, such as incest or child pornography offenses, from being within 500 feet of Missouri state parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, and other facilities primarily used by children. The law establishes that a first violation is a class E felony, while a second or subsequent violation is elevated to a class D felony. However, the bill includes an exception allowing parents or guardians of children attending programs at nature or education centers to enter those properties with permission from the site manager.

Maddy summaryHB 2220 updates the rules for how the Department of Health and Senior Services designates hospitals as trauma, STEMI, or stroke centers. The bill requires the department to use evidence-based clinical guidelines and allows for designations without on-site reviews if a hospital is already verified by a national organization. It mandates regular site reviews every three years to ensure compliance, though hospitals that fix issues before an inspection may avoid penalties. Additionally, the legislation creates a streamlined process for hospitals already certified by national bodies to receive state designation without meeting extra state-specific standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Missouri's sentencing laws to establish mandatory minimum prison terms for repeat offenders convicted of specific felonies, while creating a new Sentencing Advisory Commission to study sentencing disparities. Under the proposed rules, a first-time offender serving a sentence for a non-dangerous felony would be required to serve 75% of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole, whereas a second-time offender would have to serve 80% of their sentence. The legislation also sets higher minimums for those with three or more prior felony convictions and mandates that dangerous felons serve at least 85% of their sentences. Additionally, the bill creates an eleven-member commission tasked with investigating sentencing inconsistencies across the state and evaluating alternative incarceration options. These new requirements apply only to cases where the offender is sentenced after August 28, 2024, and do not affect individuals convicted of the listed crimes before that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific day as PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day to encourage citizens to participate in events that raise awareness about these pediatric disorders. The legislation directly affects the general public by promoting community engagement in educational activities rather than mandating specific actions or funding. By establishing this awareness day, the bill aims to increase public understanding of the conditions without altering existing laws or creating new regulatory requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the ability of licensed pharmacists to administer specific vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to patients aged seven and older, while explicitly excluding certain travel-related and pediatric vaccines. It establishes a new certification called "medication therapeutic plan authority" that pharmacists can earn by completing advanced clinical training, allowing them to design and monitor personalized medication plans under a written protocol from a physician. The legislation also mandates that pharmacists follow CDC guidelines when giving vaccines and requires them to observe patients for adverse reactions after administration. Additionally, the bill clarifies that pharmacists cannot independently diagnose conditions or make therapeutic substitutions without a physician's authorization or a specific written protocol.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific bridge on State Highway 17 in Texas County as the "POW/MIA Theodore Padberg Memorial Bridge" to honor veterans. The legislation requires the state Department of Transportation to install and maintain official signs for the memorial. All costs associated with creating and upkeeping these signs will be covered by the Department of Transportation.

Maddy summaryHB 2480 modifies the rules for who can appeal court decisions in juvenile cases and clarifies how long youth can remain in state custody. The bill expands the right to appeal by allowing juvenile officers, parents, and social service divisions to challenge specific orders, such as those suppressing evidence, changing a youth's placement, or denying the termination of parental rights. It also establishes strict time limits for filing these appeals and requires the Division of Youth Services to notify the court at least three weeks before releasing a committed youth to aftercare. Additionally, the legislation sets a maximum age of twenty-one for state custody, with exceptions only proven by a court, and mandates regular reviews of treatment plans to determine if a youth's disposition should be modified.