Rep. Cathy Loy

Maddy summaryHB 2273 establishes a new "Committee on Sex and Human Trafficking Training" to standardize and improve training for professionals who interact with trafficking victims. The committee, composed of representatives from law enforcement, child advocacy, victim services, and medical centers, will create annual training guidelines and produce digital training materials for professions required to complete such training under existing laws. This bill directly affects state agencies, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and child advocacy organizations that must provide or receive trafficking training. The committee's work will replace outdated training requirements with updated standards, effective January 1, 2027, and expire December 31, 2031. The bill does not create new criminal penalties but focuses on coordinating and modernizing existing training obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 2418 creates the "Missouri Crime Victims Fund" to provide dedicated funding for crime victim services. The fund, managed by the state treasurer, accepts state appropriations and donations from public or private sources. It ensures leftover funds at the end of each biennium stay in the fund (not revert to general revenue) and requires all money to be used by local organizations eligible for federal Victims of Crime Act grants, for the same purposes those federal grants cover. This bill directly affects Missouri organizations providing victim assistance services by aligning state funding with existing federal grant requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1778, the "Missouri Religious Freedom Protection Act," prohibits Missouri public officials from restricting religious services or meetings at places of worship (defined as buildings or grounds used for religious activities). It applies to state and local government employees, requiring them to allow such gatherings unless the religious group is knowingly planning violence or harm. The bill explicitly states that places of worship must still comply with standard building and fire safety codes. This law directly affects religious groups seeking to hold in-person services and government officials responsible for enforcing public health or safety regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2559 requires state agencies to obtain legislative approval before implementing new administrative rules that would cost over $250,000 annually for government, businesses, or individuals. Agencies must notify the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and the full legislature, which must pass a concurrent resolution approving the rule before it takes effect. Rules not approved this way become invalid, with exceptions for federal compliance or funding requirements. This directly affects state agencies creating significant-cost rules and shifts authority to the legislature for final approval.

Maddy summaryHB 1814 creates a new offense called "grooming of a minor" in Missouri law, targeting adults (18+ years) who engage in a pattern of conduct - such as repeated sexual communications or acts - with minors (17 or younger) that a reasonable person would interpret as preparing them for sexual activity. The law classifies this as a class B felony (or class A if sexual conduct occurs), requiring a minimum 5-year prison sentence with no probation or parole eligibility. It includes exemptions for age-appropriate relationships (within 4 years), licensed professionals acting within their role, and family members providing standard care, provided no sexual intent is shown. The bill also mandates restitution for victims covering mental health, lost income, and relocation costs, and requires state guidance for the public and professionals on identifying and responding to grooming.

Maddy summaryHB 2551 creates a new criminal offense for "grooming of a minor," defining it as a pattern of sexual acts or communications by someone 18+ directed at a minor under 17, with intent to prepare them for sexual conduct. It allows prosecutors to prove intent through context and frequency of communications (not direct statements) and includes exceptions for teachers, parents, and minor age gaps (up to 4 years older) without exploitation. Violations are punishable as a serious felony (class B or A if sexual conduct occurs), requiring a minimum 5-year prison sentence with no probation, and mandating court-ordered restitution for victims covering mental health, lost income, or relocation. The bill also requires state guidance for the public and professionals on recognizing grooming and supporting victims.

Maddy summaryHB 1946 replaces multiple existing Missouri laws with 42 new sections to strengthen anti-trafficking efforts. It creates a "Committee on Sex and Human Trafficking Training" composed of representatives from state agencies (like the attorney general and public safety), child advocacy groups, and victim services. The committee will develop annual training guidelines and produce a digital training platform for required anti-trafficking education, targeting professions such as law enforcement and child advocates. This initiative is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2027, and end on December 31, 2031.

Maddy summaryHB 2442 modifies Missouri's education assessment rules by replacing outdated provisions with new requirements for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The bill directly affects public schools, charter schools, and school districts by prohibiting the use of test results to classify school districts (Section 160.518, subsection 13) and banning assessments focused solely on rote memorization. Its key mechanism creates an "Outstanding Schools Waiver" program: schools meeting performance criteria for three consecutive years can apply for exemptions from certain testing requirements and state regulations under Section 160.518, subsection 4. The changes aim to align assessments with federal standards while emphasizing critical thinking skills over memorization, with waivers limited to qualifying schools within a district.

Maddy summaryHJR 3 proposes a constitutional amendment titled "Protect Missouri Voters" to restrict foreign influence in statewide ballot measures. It would ban contributions from foreign adversaries (as defined by U.S. designations) and foreign nationals to support or oppose such measures, with penalties including fines, imprisonment, or triple the illegal contribution amount. The amendment also criminalizes petition signature fraud, requires public hearings before initiative petitions are submitted, mandates majority approval in each congressional district for constitutional initiatives, and ensures the full text of initiatives is provided to voters with their ballots. If approved by voters, these provisions would become part of Missouri's constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 121 amends Missouri law to allow parents to safely leave newborns (up to 90 days old) in hospital or maternity home newborn safety incubators, rather than requiring them to go to a specific location. The bill defines "newborn safety incubator" as a medical device for infant care and specifies that parents using this option cannot be prosecuted for abandonment. It also guarantees parents' anonymity, prohibits staff from seeking identifying information, and restricts disclosure of parent details except to specific child welfare or legal personnel. This directly affects parents considering safe surrender, hospitals, maternity homes, and pregnancy resource centers.