Rep. Brian Seitz

Maddy summaryHB 2394 creates a new law requiring Missouri cities and counties to recognize valid plumber licenses issued by other Missouri localities if the license holder passed a state-approved exam. It applies to plumbers (apprentices, journeyman, and master) who obtained their licenses before August 28, 2026, and are moving between jurisdictions. Local governments must waive their own licensure requirement for these individuals but license holders still need a separate local business license. The law does not apply to plumbing foremen or licenses obtained without passing an approved exam.

Maddy summaryHB 1681 requires health insurance plans (health benefit plans) to include medication costs toward an enrollee's yearly out-of-pocket maximum when a generic drug alternative is unavailable for that medication. It prevents health carriers and pharmacy benefit managers from adjusting an enrollee's out-of-pocket costs or benefits based on the availability of cost-sharing assistance programs for non-generic medications. The bill applies to most health benefit plans starting August 28, 2026, and does not affect plans covered under the Labor Management Relations Act. This directly affects people enrolled in health insurance who need medications without generic options, ensuring these costs count toward their annual coverage limit.

Maddy summaryHB 1803 requires Missouri's Air Conservation Commission to suspend all motor vehicle emissions inspections by January 1, 2028. This affects all Missouri vehicle owners currently required to undergo emissions testing under the state's existing program. The bill mandates the suspension of the program established under Missouri's Air Quality Attainment Act. The change takes effect automatically on the specified deadline without further legislative action.

Maddy summaryHB 1680 requires health insurance plans to cover nonopioid medications equally to opioids for treating acute pain (short-term pain from injury or illness expected to last 30 days or less). It prohibits insurers from denying coverage for nonopioid drugs, forcing patients to try opioids first, or charging higher copays for nonopioid options compared to opioids. This directly affects health insurance plans and their enrollees (policyholders) who need pain treatment. The law applies to all health benefit plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027. The bill aims to expand access to nonopioid pain management by removing financial and procedural barriers in insurance coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 1672 prohibits healthcare providers in this state from performing gender transition surgeries or prescribing cross-sex hormones and puberty-blocking drugs for gender transition to individuals under 18 years old, with limited exceptions for medically verified disorders of sex development. The bill creates civil liability for violations, allowing affected individuals to sue providers for damages (including up to triple damages) and establishing a presumption of harm if infertility occurs after treatment. It exempts care for certain medical conditions, such as disorders of sex development, and includes a grandfather clause for minors already receiving treatment before August 2023. The law takes effect immediately but expires in 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1674 creates a legal process for Missouri-based website operators to challenge lawsuits claiming their sites violate accessibility laws (like the ADA). If a business fixes the alleged website issue within 30 days (or 90 days if not fixed), the lawsuit is presumed abusive unless proven otherwise. Courts will assess if the lawsuit’s primary goal was financial gain, considering factors like the plaintiff’s history of similar cases, the defendant’s resources, and settlement discussions. The law expires if federal authorities issue official website accessibility standards under the ADA.

Maddy summaryHB 737 replaces four existing Missouri statutes with new provisions governing financial accountability for children in state custody. The bill directly affects children under the Children's Division, their parents, and financial representatives (like fiduciaries or payees) handling funds for these children. Key mechanisms require all money received for a child - such as benefits from Social Security or Veterans Administration - to be accounted for in the child’s name and used *only* for "unmet needs" like tutoring, transportation, housing preparation, or technology (not for foster care costs or general maintenance). The law also mandates annual reviews to identify new benefits and ensures the division only acts as a representative payee when no other suitable candidate exists.

Maddy summaryHB 594 replaces Missouri's tax calculation rules for individual income tax by adding specific items back to federal adjusted gross income. It directly affects Missouri residents filing state income tax returns by increasing taxable income for certain deductions, such as federal tax refunds related to pandemic credits (excluding specific pandemic relief), interest on certain government bonds, and business deductions like accelerated depreciation. The bill also modifies how net operating loss carryforwards and out-of-state property taxes are treated in state tax calculations. These changes adjust Missouri's taxable income upward for affected taxpayers without altering the state's tax rates.

Maddy summaryHB 262 creates a state fund to reimburse health care facilities for providing hyperbaric oxygen therapy to Missouri veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI). To qualify, veterans must have a diagnosis from a licensed health care provider, have previously sought treatment through Veterans Health Administration or private insurance, and reside in Missouri. Facilities must use FDA-approved equipment, follow treatment protocols based on clinical trials, and not charge veterans for the therapy. The Missouri Veterans Commission will manage the fund and require facilities to submit annual reports on therapy outcomes to assess effectiveness.

Maddy summaryHJR 73 proposes a constitutional amendment in Missouri that would restrict abortion access and regulate reproductive health care. It allows abortions only in cases of medical emergency, fetal anomaly, rape, or incest (with a 12-week limit for rape/incest), bans abortions based on disability diagnoses (except fetal anomalies), and prohibits public funding for most abortions. The amendment also bans gender transition surgeries and puberty-blocking drugs for minors under 18, with exceptions for medical conditions, and requires specific medical safeguards for abortion providers. If approved by voters in 2026, these provisions would become part of Missouri’s constitution, directly affecting patients, medical providers, and minors seeking reproductive or gender-affirming care.