Rep. Cathy Loy

Maddy summaryHB 1506 establishes new minimum prison terms for Missouri felons committed to the Department of Corrections after August 28, 2025. For non-dangerous felonies without prior prison commitments, offenders must serve at least 50% of their sentence (with a 40% minimum). For non-dangerous felonies with prior prison commitments or dangerous felonies (as defined in state law), the minimum is 85% of the sentence (also with a 40% minimum). The bill also creates a Sentencing Advisory Commission to study and recommend changes to sentencing practices.

Maddy summaryHJR 62 is a procedural bill proposing to amend Missouri's Constitution to establish new rules for submitting future constitutional amendments to voters. It requires that each proposed amendment be voted on separately at general or special elections, limits amendments to one article per ballot, and mandates specific newspaper publication notices before voting. The bill also sets requirements for approval (a majority statewide and in most congressional districts) and specifies that approved amendments take effect 30 days after the election. This bill does not change any existing policies but alters the process for how future constitutional changes would be proposed and approved.

Maddy summaryHJR 5 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how judges are selected in Missouri for specific courts. It would require the governor to appoint judges from a list of three nominees submitted by a nonpartisan judicial commission for vacancies in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and circuit/judges in St. Louis and Jackson County. Outside those areas, voters in each county could decide via ballot question whether to adopt this appointment system or keep the current method, with votes allowed only once every four years. The amendment must be approved by Missouri voters in the 2026 general election to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 461 requires public schools to teach human sexuality education with specific content, directly affecting students in grades where such instruction occurs. Key provisions mandate medically accurate instruction on sexually transmitted diseases, contraception, emotional consequences of adolescent activity, and conflict management, while emphasizing abstinence as the "preferred choice." The bill uniquely requires schools to show two specific videos: a high-definition fetal development ultrasound (3+ minutes) and the "Meet Baby Olivia" video detailing human development from fertilization to birth. It also includes parental notification and opt-out rights, prohibits using materials from abortion service providers, and defines terms like consent and sexual violence for classroom instruction.

Maddy summaryHB 1130 reserves specific medical titles and specialty designations (like "MD," "cardiologist," or "pediatrician") exclusively for licensed physicians. It explicitly lists 43 titles that can only be used by physicians licensed under state law, with the exception of "chiropractic physician" for those licensed under Chapter 331. The bill defines which professional titles require medical licensure, directly affecting healthcare providers who use these terms in practice. This is a procedural bill clarifying terminology, not creating new healthcare programs or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 76 defines "female," "male," and "sex" based on biological reproductive systems (e.g., egg/sperm production) in state law. It mandates that "gender" must be interpreted as biological sex in existing state laws, rules, or guidelines - not as gender identity, expression, or role. This affects how state agencies, courts, and programs apply current laws related to sex, gender, and discrimination. The bill also clarifies that people with disorders of sex development retain ADA protections under federal law.

Maddy summaryHB 664 requires Missouri state agencies to obtain legislative approval before new administrative rules take effect. Specifically, agencies must submit proposed rules to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, which can hold hearings and suspend rules costing over $250,000 until the full General Assembly votes on them. Rules cannot become effective until the legislature approves them via a concurrent resolution, with a 30-day waiting period after committee review. This change ensures all significant agency rules undergo direct legislative scrutiny before implementation.

Maddy summaryHCR 4 designates the last full week in April each year as "Infertility Awareness Week" in Missouri. This symbolic resolution aims to raise public understanding of infertility, reduce stigma, and highlight the emotional, financial, and medical challenges faced by individuals and couples affected by infertility - impacting millions of Missourians. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or change healthcare access; instead, it formally recognizes the week to support awareness efforts led by local and national organizations. The resolution was introduced by Representative Murray and sent to the governor for approval.

Maddy summaryHB 1175, titled "Reestablishes the Second Amendment Preservation Act," prohibits Missouri state officials from enforcing federal laws, regulations, or executive orders related to firearms within Missouri. It declares that federal actions restricting firearm ownership, possession, or use in Missouri are "unauthoritative, void, and of no force," and grants Missouri exclusive authority over such matters under state law. Key provisions include imposing a $50,000 civil penalty per violation on state officials who knowingly enforce federal gun laws, allowing citizens to sue for damages, and removing sovereign immunity as a defense in such cases. The bill directly affects Missouri law enforcement officers and state agencies operating within Missouri’s borders, ensuring they cannot comply with federal firearm regulations. It does not alter Missouri’s own firearm laws but asserts state authority against federal overreach in this domain.

Maddy summaryHB 75, the "Missouri Religious Freedom Protection Act," prevents Missouri public officials from issuing orders that restrict religious services or meetings at places of worship or for religious groups. It directly affects religious organizations and places of worship by requiring public officials to allow such gatherings, unless the group is planning violence (as excluded in subsection 5). The bill explicitly states that places of worship must still comply with standard building and fire safety codes (subsection 6). This legislation focuses on ensuring religious assembly rights while maintaining public safety and regulatory compliance.