Rep. Bennie Cook

Maddy summaryHB 1981 modifies Missouri law to allow certain nurses to prescribe controlled substances under specific conditions. It permits advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with a special certificate to prescribe Schedule III-V drugs and limited Schedule II drugs (only hydrocodone for hospice patients), with a 120-hour supply limit and a ban on self-prescribing. Certified nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) can administer controlled substances during anesthesia care without needing a prescriptive certificate. The bill requires written agreements between physicians and nurses to delegate prescribing authority and updates rules for handling unused medications.

Maddy summaryThis Missouri bill replaces the state's self-defense law with updated rules. It allows deadly force to protect against unlawful entry into a home, vehicle, business, or personal property, and removes the requirement to retreat in those locations. The law clarifies that force is justified when a person reasonably believes it's needed to prevent death, serious injury, or a forcible felony. It directly affects individuals claiming self-defense in criminal cases, shifting the burden of proof to the defendant in certain scenarios.

Maddy summaryHB 1971 modifies Missouri's laws regarding privileged information in probation and parole cases. It requires court clerks to maintain permanent records of probation/parole applications and presentence investigations, and establishes that information gathered by probation officers is "privileged" - meaning it cannot be used in court except for lawful criminal matters. The bill includes an exception allowing presentence investigation reports to be shared with the state at a court's discretion if deemed necessary for the state's interests. This directly affects probation officers, courts, defendants, and the state in handling sensitive case information. The bill replaces Section 559.125 of Missouri law with these clarified provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1972 requires Missouri's General Assembly to approve proposed administrative rules before they take effect. State agencies creating new rules must submit them to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, with a mandatory 30-day waiting period before final filing. Rules estimated to cost over $250,000 must be suspended by the committee until legislative approval is secured via a concurrent resolution. This bill directly affects state agencies and the legislative process, making all administrative rules void without prior Assembly approval as specified in Section 536.180.

Maddy summaryHB 1978 removes the expiration date for Missouri's RX Cares program, making it permanent. The program, administered by the Missouri Board of Pharmacy, focuses on promoting medication safety and preventing prescription drug abuse through funding for education and community programs. It allows the Board to allocate funds to private or public entities for these purposes, while prohibiting use of funds for state prescription drug monitoring systems. The bill eliminates the previous requirement that the program end on August 28, 2026, ensuring ongoing operation without sunset provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 3105, titled the "Second Amendment Preservation Act," protects Missouri residents' right to possess firearms by declaring federal gun regulations within the state invalid if they exceed constitutional limits. It grants the state attorney general or county prosecutors authority to sue federal officials for infringing on these rights and requires disciplinary action for law enforcement officers who knowingly violate them. The bill also affirms Missouri's exclusive authority to regulate firearms, including maintaining the existing federal excise tax on firearms, which it states does not restrict lawful ownership.

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 153 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how judges are selected in Missouri courts. It would replace current election-based selection with a system where the governor appoints judges (with Senate approval) from a list of nominees recommended by a nonpartisan judicial commission. The amendment also establishes a new seven-year term for all judges, including circuit and associate circuit judges, instead of varying terms under current law. Voters in certain counties could later choose through a ballot measure whether to maintain this appointment system or revert to elections. This change would affect all judges serving in Missouri's circuit courts, associate circuit courts, and higher courts, with the proposal requiring voter approval in the 2026 election.

Maddy summaryHJR 124 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Missouri counties to elect sheriffs every four years by majority vote of county voters, with specific exceptions for certain cities and large-county scenarios. It defines the sheriff as the chief law enforcement officer with duties including apprehending felons, attending court sessions, executing court processes, and maintaining public order. The amendment also restricts removal of sheriffs to a writ of quo warranto initiated by the attorney general, barring other removal methods. This would directly affect all Missouri counties (except those with specific charters or population thresholds) by changing how sheriffs are elected and their core responsibilities under state law.

Maddy summaryHB 1980 clarifies that licensed health care professionals in Missouri (under sections 190.001-190.245) are explicitly considered health care professionals for the purposes of peer review committee activities under section 537.035. It directly affects licensed medical professionals like doctors and nurses by aligning their quality improvement work with existing peer review committee standards. The bill’s key provision redefines "quality improvement activities" under health licensing laws to automatically qualify as peer review committee activities, streamlining administrative processes. This is a technical clarification within Missouri law, not a new policy change.