Rep. Ken Jamison

Maddy summaryHB 3433 modifies Missouri law to allow grandparents to seek court-ordered visitation with a grandchild in four specific situations: during divorce proceedings, after one parent's death, when parents were never married, or when the child lived with the grandparent for six months in the past two years. The bill requires that visitation must have been denied for over 60 days and that the court must determine visitation is in the child's best interests before granting it. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem for the child and order a home study to assess the child's best interests, and the grandparent's right ends if the child is adopted. The bill also allows courts to award attorney fees to the prevailing party in such cases.

Maddy summaryHB 3417 defines and establishes specialized treatment courts (including adult, DWI, family, juvenile, mental health, and veterans courts) to address substance use or mental health disorders among defendants. It requires circuit courts to create these divisions by a specific deadline, mandating referrals to state-certified treatment programs unless none exist locally. The bill specifies that successful completion of treatment can lead to dismissed, reduced, or modified charges, with fees paid to treatment providers not classified as court costs. It directly affects defendants with substance use or mental health disorders in criminal cases, as well as courts and treatment providers operating within the system.

Maddy summaryHJR 182 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would add a new section to Missouri's Constitution prohibiting state and local governments from discriminating based on sex. If approved by voters, it would require the Missouri General Assembly to pass laws enforcing this ban. The amendment does not take effect immediately - it must be approved by voters in a future election (likely November 2026 or a special election called by the governor), and it would directly affect all state agencies, programs, and policies subject to Missouri law. This is a procedural constitutional change, not an existing law.

Maddy summaryHJR 184 proposes a constitutional amendment to Missouri's Article I, prohibiting state and local government agencies from discriminating against individuals based on race. This amendment would require voter approval in a future election (no later than November 2026) before taking effect. If adopted, it would give the Missouri legislature the authority to create laws enforcing this anti-discrimination provision. The bill directly affects all state agencies, programs, and policies subject to constitutional review, ensuring racial discrimination is barred in government actions.

Maddy summaryHB 3178 requires all rules and regulations governing library programs receiving state funding to comply with the First Amendment, Missouri’s free speech protections, and anti-discrimination laws. This applies directly to every public library in Missouri that receives state financial support. Existing rules must be reviewed for compliance by August 2028, and new rules must meet these standards from the start. The law ensures library policies align with constitutional free speech and civil rights requirements without altering existing funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 2800 creates a state grant program to fund senior-serving nonprofit organizations that help seniors challenge property tax bills. Nonprofits must apply with details about their services, staff, outreach plans, and geographic reach, and grants will be awarded based on their ability to assist seniors, capacity to serve, and community need. The program directly supports seniors facing complex property tax appeals and provides resources to nonprofits already working with older adults. It does not change property tax laws but offers financial support to help seniors navigate the appeals process.

Maddy summaryHB 2634 updates the requirements for reporting elder abuse and neglect by mandating that hotline reports include specific details: the eligible adult's name, age, address, and caregiver information, plus the nature of their condition. It also requires the state department to refer cases where individuals aren't deemed "eligible adults" to other authorities. The bill ensures a statewide 24/7 toll-free hotline is maintained for receiving reports, operating continuously without interruption. This directly affects seniors at risk of abuse, their caregivers, and the state agency managing the hotline.

Maddy summaryHB 2629 requires long-term care facilities (like nursing homes) to maintain either $1 million in liability insurance or a separate reserve fund to cover abuse/neglect claims against residents. It also mandates that state health departments post verified abuse/neglect findings on their websites with a standardized icon for 36 months, including details like incident dates and sources. The bill adds a 30-day timeline for investigating resident abuse complaints and requires facilities to share investigation results with complainants and the public (while protecting resident privacy). These provisions directly affect facility operators and state agencies, aiming to increase accountability and transparency without changing existing abuse investigation standards.

Maddy summaryHB 2149 creates a full-time dementia services coordinator position within Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services. The coordinator will directly support Missourians living with dementia and their caregivers by improving how state services are coordinated, reducing duplication, and connecting people to resources. Key duties include analyzing dementia-related data, building partnerships with agencies, supporting staff training, identifying grant opportunities, and promoting public awareness. The bill aims to streamline care across residential, home-based, and community settings while collecting data on dementia impacts statewide. This is substantive policy, not procedural, so a 4-sentence summary is appropriate.

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.