Rep. Matthew Overcast

Maddy summaryHB 1675 limits when health insurance companies (health carriers) can require doctors and hospitals (health care providers) to get prior authorization for medical services. Specifically, insurers cannot demand prior approval unless they approved less than 90% of similar requests from that provider in the previous six-month period (either January-June or July-December). The bill requires insurers to notify providers within 25 days after each period, provide appeal options, and maintain an online portal showing all authorization decisions. It applies to most health plans but excludes Medicaid managed care organizations and providers who haven’t participated in a plan for a full six-month period. The law does not change what services are covered or allow providers to exceed their licensed scope.

Maddy summaryHB 2388, the "Clean Skies Act," prohibits all geoengineering, cloud seeding, and atmospheric interventions in Missouri. It directly affects any entity - including individuals, corporations, government agencies, or organizations - conducting such activities within the state. The bill requires the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to create a public reporting system, investigate violations, issue enforceable cease-and-desist orders, and impose penalties: felony charges with fines of at least $100,000 or up to two years in prison per violation (with separate penalties for each day of continued activity). The law explicitly excludes pesticide use in farming and ranching operations from the prohibition.

Maddy summaryHB 2817, the Veterans Mental Health Innovation Act, creates a state grant program to fund clinical trials using ibogaine for treating opioid use disorder and other mental health conditions. Eligible entities (like hospitals or research institutions within the state) must partner with a consortium that has submitted an FDA application for ibogaine trials, demonstrate relevant research experience, and match state grant funds with non-state funding. The bill establishes two dedicated state funds: an "Ibogaine Study Fund" for grant awards and an "Intellectual Property Fund" to collect revenue from trial-related patents or treatments, which will support veteran and at-risk population programs. It requires quarterly progress reports from grant recipients and annual legislative updates, with grant applications to begin accepting before November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1717 would allow veterans aged 21+ with PTSD, major depression, substance use disorders, or end-of-life care needs to legally use psilocybin for therapeutic purposes under strict conditions. To qualify, veterans must enroll in a research study, provide physician documentation of their condition, identify a trained facilitator (a licensed mental health professional meeting specific criteria), and have psilocybin tested by a state-licensed lab. The bill prohibits state/local penalties for compliant use, requires a 150mg annual limit, and shields healthcare providers from professional discipline for participating. It also mandates a $2 million state grant for psilocybin research and annual reports on the program’s implementation. This bill is currently pending in committee and has not yet become law.

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 summaryHB 1644 clarifies employer responsibility in franchise relationships by stating that a franchisor (the company granting the franchise) is not considered an employer of a franchisee's (the individual running the franchise location) employees, unless the franchisor directly controls hiring, firing, discipline, or daily work direction. This bill specifically prevents franchisors from being held responsible for employment matters like wages or working conditions for franchisee employees, unless they exercise direct control over those specific actions. The law applies to all franchise operations covered under the U.S. Department of Labor's franchising rules (16 CFR 436.1) and directly affects franchisees, their employees, and franchisors by defining clear boundaries for employer liability. It creates a straightforward rule to avoid confusion over who is legally responsible for employee treatment in the franchise model.

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 summaryHB 2426 establishes that parents have fundamental rights to direct their child's education, healthcare, and upbringing without government interference. It grants specific rights including choosing schools (public, private, homeschool, or faith-based), accessing educational and medical records, consenting to medical treatments (except abortions, which require parental consent), and opting children out of school data collection. The bill prohibits government restrictions unless necessary to serve a compelling interest, with explicit exceptions for life-threatening medical care and child safety. It applies to all state and local laws and allows parents to seek legal remedies if their rights are violated.

Maddy summaryHJR 130 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow Missouri to pass retrospective civil laws specifically for childhood sexual abuse claims. It would amend the state constitution to create an exception to the general ban on retrospective laws, permitting lawsuits for past abuse to be filed even if the statute of limitations had expired. This change would directly affect victims of childhood sexual abuse in Missouri who may now pursue civil cases for historical incidents. The amendment requires voter approval through a statewide referendum, as it is a constitutional change, not an immediate law. If approved, it would enable victims to seek civil remedies for past abuse that were previously time-barred.

Maddy summaryHB 2304 requires schools to obtain written or electronic parental consent before making specific changes to a child's Individualized Education Program (IEP), including initial placements, placement changes, removal of services, or service minute changes exceeding 25%. It directly affects parents of students with disabilities and local school districts (LEAs), mandating they use a standardized consent form that includes options for full consent, refusal, or partial consent. The bill also requires schools to document consent dates and provide dispute resolution options if parents and schools disagree on IEP changes. Schools must allow parents to visit proposed programs before consenting and notify parents of conduct-related IEP changes per federal rules. The law takes effect July 1, 2027.