Rep. Wick Thomas

Maddy summaryHB 1585 exempts registered syringe access programs and their staff from criminal charges for distributing hypodermic needles/syringes when operating under state health department authorization. To qualify, programs must register with the Department of Health and Senior Services, partner with mental health/substance use treatment providers, and avoid locations within 500 feet of schools built after their operation began. The bill specifically removes penalties for needle distribution tied to these registered programs, while maintaining criminal penalties for general drug paraphernalia sales. This policy change allows harm-reduction services to operate without fear of prosecution for needle distribution under defined conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 1460 amends Missouri's anti-discrimination law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran status in both employment and housing. The bill updates the definition of "discrimination" to include these categories alongside existing protections like race, sex, and disability, which were not previously covered for sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status. This affects employers with six or more employees and housing providers by requiring them to avoid discriminatory practices based on these protected characteristics. Individuals facing such discrimination can file complaints with the Missouri Commission on Human Rights under the updated law.

Maddy summaryHB 1052 requires the secretary of state to provide printed public materials in Spanish upon request. This directly affects residents who need Spanish-language versions of official documents, such as forms or informational brochures. The bill adds a new provision that mandates Spanish availability when requested, without changing existing requirements for all materials. It focuses on improving access to government information for Spanish-speaking residents through a straightforward request process.

Maddy summaryThis Missouri legislative resolution urges the President and Congress to formally recognize the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It states that three-fourths of states have ratified the ERA, meeting the constitutional requirement for ratification under Article V. The resolution specifically requests the President publish the ERA and Congress pass a joint resolution affirming it as the 28th Amendment. As a non-binding state action, it does not change federal law but calls for federal officials to complete the constitutional amendment process, citing historical precedent like the 27th Amendment.

Maddy summaryHB 994 abolishes the death penalty for first-degree murder convictions in Missouri, replacing it with a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without parole. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of first-degree murder who would have previously faced execution. Key provisions repeal all existing death penalty statutes and require courts to impose life imprisonment without parole as the sole penalty for this offense. The law eliminates the possibility of a death sentence, ensuring all such convictions result in life in prison. It applies to all current and future cases involving first-degree murder.

Maddy summaryHB 95 prohibits publicly funded libraries (state or local) from removing or restricting access to books based on political or religious disagreement. It directly affects libraries receiving state or local government funding by preventing content-based bans. The bill clarifies that libraries are not required to purchase specific books, only that they cannot remove materials due to partisan or doctrinal disapproval. This policy change aims to protect library collections from ideological removals while preserving library autonomy in collection decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a constitutional amendment to Missouri's constitution requiring that marriage exist only between individuals who are 18 years of age or older. It would replace the current constitutional reference to marriage "between a man and a woman" with this age requirement, directly affecting all Missouri residents seeking marriage licenses. If adopted, the amendment would change the state's constitutional definition of marriage, making 18 the minimum age for legal marriage under state law. The bill is currently in committee referral and has not yet been voted on by the full legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 428 repeals a state law that blocked local governments from regulating paper and plastic bags. It allows businesses to provide either bag type to customers and prohibits cities or counties from banning, taxing, or charging fees for paper or plastic bags. Local areas can still permit reusable bags, but cannot restrict their use. This bill removes state barriers to local bag policies, giving communities direct authority over bag regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 118 abolishes the death penalty for first-degree murder convictions in Missouri, requiring courts to sentence offenders to life imprisonment without parole instead. The bill directly affects individuals currently sentenced to death or convicted of first-degree murder, replacing the death penalty with a mandatory life sentence that includes no possibility of parole or release except through a governor's action. Key provisions include repealing existing death penalty statutes and mandating that all future first-degree murder convictions result in life without parole, while also converting existing death sentences to life imprisonment. The bill does not create new sentencing options but changes the mandatory penalty for this offense.

Maddy summaryHB 1573 expands absentee voting access by allowing any registered voter in the state to request an absentee ballot without providing a reason for voting by mail during a three-week period before elections. This change applies to all candidates and issues for which the voter is eligible to vote at their polling place. Voters must still provide photo ID when requesting the ballot, and specific ballot submission rules (like notarization requirements for certain ballots) remain in place. The bill directly affects all registered voters who choose to vote absentee without needing to justify their absence from polling places on election day.