Rep. Matthew Overcast

Maddy summaryHB 945 establishes a "Youth Bill of Rights" for foster children in state custody, outlining 16 specific protections. It requires foster children and their caregivers to receive an age-appropriate orientation about these rights, and mandates that all child welfare agencies post the rights and make them accessible online. Key provisions include the right to stay in their school of origin, maintain family contact, attend court hearings, and receive a transition plan when aging out of care. The bill also requires child welfare agencies to develop permanency and case plans within 12 months of a child entering foster care, addressing medical, emotional, and educational needs.

Maddy summaryHB 408 requires Missouri school districts to adopt written policies banning student use of cell phones, smartwatches, and other connected devices during regular class time starting in the 2025-26 school year. The policy must prohibit devices in classrooms unless authorized by a principal, require students to turn off and store devices during instruction, and include exceptions for students with IEPs, 504 plans, or individualized health care plans. It also mandates guidelines for device use during non-instructional activities like field trips. The law directly affects all K-12 public school students and school districts across Missouri.

Maddy summaryHB 69 modifies how medical costs are handled in personal injury lawsuits. It changes the "collateral source rule" by requiring that only the actual amount paid for medical care (after discounts or write-offs) can be used as evidence, not the original billed amount. If a defendant pays a plaintiff's medical costs before trial, that payment reduces the amount the plaintiff can later recover. This directly affects plaintiffs seeking compensation, defendants, and insurers in injury cases, ensuring medical expenses are based on actual payments rather than inflated bills. The bill aims to prevent double recovery and align evidence with real financial obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 986 updates Missouri's list of diseases that healthcare providers must report to the Department of Health and Senior Services. It adds methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae (CRE), vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE), alpha-gal syndrome, and Lyme disease to the required reporting list. The bill also requires the department to submit an annual report to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) detailing the incidence and reporting of these diseases. This change directly affects healthcare facilities and providers who must now report these specific conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 1068 clarifies that a franchisor is not considered an employer of a franchisee's employees, unless the franchisor directly controls hiring, termination, discipline, or work direction. This directly affects franchise businesses and their workers by limiting when a franchisor can be held legally responsible for employment matters. The key provision sets a clear standard: franchisors only become joint employers if they exercise specific, direct control over employee management. The bill aims to reduce ambiguity in employment relationships within franchising systems. It does not change existing labor laws but defines the circumstances under which franchisors may be liable.

Maddy summaryHB 744 creates an online "Missouri Accountability Portal" requiring public entities - including school districts, public charter schools, and higher education institutions - to publicly share detailed financial data daily. This includes tracking all government spending (purchases, bonds, employee pay), debt, and revenue streams, with data updated daily and searchable by fund or amount. The bill also grants parents specific rights to access school curricula, teacher information, student records, safety incident reports, and school contracts, while mandating schools to develop policies supporting these rights by the 2026-27 school year. It directly affects school districts, public entities, and parents of students in Missouri public schools.

Maddy summaryHB 1010 creates a new licensure category for "assistant physicians" - medical graduates who meet specific criteria (U.S. residency, USMLE Step 2/3 completion, English proficiency, and no prior residency). It allows these professionals to provide primary care **only** in medically underserved rural/urban areas or federally qualified health centers, working under a supervising physician in a "collaborative practice arrangement." The bill mandates that health insurers reimburse assistant physicians at the same rate as physician assistants or nurse practitioners and permits them to use "doctor" titles. It also sets clear licensing rules, including a 60-month practice requirement for transitioning to full physician licensure.

Maddy summaryHB 32 lowers the age requirement for enrollment in adult high schools from 21 to 18 years old, directly affecting adults aged 18 or older without a high school diploma. The bill establishes new adult high schools that must offer high school diplomas alongside industry certification programs, childcare for students, and flexible learning options (including limited online instruction). It requires nonprofit organizations to meet specific criteria, such as partnerships with colleges and plans to address local workforce needs, while ensuring diplomas are equivalent to traditional high school credentials with no distinguishing marks. The legislation also adjusts admission preferences to prioritize students receiving income-based assistance and clarifies how student transfers affect school dropout rate reporting.

Maddy summaryHB 393 imposes a 2% excise tax on the retail sale of hemp-derived consumable products (like edibles, beverages, or inhalables with under 0.3% THC) starting in 2026. Retailers must collect this tax separately from customers and remit it to the state, with revenue funding veterans' programs, drug prevention, and first responder initiatives. The bill defines key terms like "hemp-derived consumable product" and requires independent lab testing for THC content, ensuring products meet safety standards. It directly affects retailers, manufacturers, and consumers purchasing these regulated products within the state.

Maddy summaryHB 1153 modifies Missouri's teaching certification process by creating new pathways to earn licenses and expanding options for educators. It establishes an 18-hour online teacher preparation program (approved by the state) for bachelor's degree holders seeking initial certification, though public schools aren't required to accept this certificate. The bill also introduces a two-year provisional certification for those who haven't passed required exams, allowing renewal through classroom evaluations or exam success, and adds a "visiting scholars" program for professionals with industry credentials teaching in hard-to-staff subjects or schools. These changes directly affect new teachers, school districts hiring educators, and teacher preparation programs, while restricting certain certificates (like for ABCTE holders) from early childhood or special education roles.