Rep. Yolanda Young

Maddy summaryHB 357 requires background checks for all private firearm transfers between individuals (not licensed dealers), affecting private sellers and buyers. It mandates that non-dealer sellers arrange a background check through a licensed dealer or law enforcement before transferring a firearm, with approval valid for 30 days. Key exemptions include family gifts (spouses, parents, siblings, etc.), antique firearms, temporary transfers at shooting ranges or hunting, and transfers by law enforcement. The bill does not apply to licensed dealers (who already follow federal checks) or specific scenarios like estate transfers or firearm repairs.

Maddy summaryHB 295 creates two new offenses related to school and recreation athletic events. It makes it illegal to harass officials (like referees or coaches) during or near athletic contests, defined as behavior causing a reasonable fear of bodily harm, with penalties including fines up to $500, up to 90 days in jail, 40 hours of community service, and mandatory counseling. The bill also prohibits entering or remaining on athletic event sites after being forbidden by authorities, with similar penalties including fines up to $500 and up to six months in jail. These provisions directly affect individuals who engage in such behavior at sanctioned school or recreation athletic events.

Maddy summaryHJR 17 proposes a constitutional amendment in Missouri that would guarantee the right to bear arms for self-defense in home, person, family, or property, or when lawfully summoned. It states this right is unalienable, requiring any restrictions to undergo "strict scrutiny" and mandating the state to protect it. The amendment also permits counties, St. Louis, and Kansas City to enact local firearm ordinances - regulating possession, carrying, or transfer - with specific rules: 5-year permits (cost-covered fees), exemptions for law enforcement, judges, security guards, and mental health professionals, and penalties capped at $1,000 or 1 year jail. This would override most existing state firearm laws but allow limited local regulation within constitutional boundaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires food businesses in Missouri to place clear warning labels on products containing specific unsafe chemicals, such as acrylamide, arsenic, BPA, and certain dyes. The labels must list each chemical present and include standardized health warnings about potential risks like cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm. It directly affects manufacturers and sellers of food products that contain any of the 11 chemicals explicitly named in the bill. The law applies to products sold to consumers, mandating these labels before products reach store shelves.

Maddy summaryThis Missouri House resolution (HR 542) urges businesses to adopt accessible technology in self-service kiosks and devices - such as restaurant payment terminals, airport check-ins, or pharmacy systems - to ensure equal access for people who are blind or have low vision. It specifically recommends features like screen readers, voice navigation, or tactile keypads, noting these solutions are already available from manufacturers. The resolution emphasizes that accessible kiosks would allow independent use for daily tasks (e.g., payments, check-ins) without requiring assistance, aligning with accessibility standards. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but encourages voluntary adoption by businesses.

Maddy summaryHB 356 requires that all private firearm sales or transfers (including between individuals) must go through a licensed firearms dealer, unless specific exemptions apply. It directly affects private sellers and buyers by mandating background checks through a dealer and allowing limited processing fees (up to $35 per firearm). Key provisions include requiring dealers to conduct background checks, maintain records per federal law, and prohibit state disclosure of these transactions. Exemptions cover law enforcement transfers, family transfers within the first degree of relation, gunsmith repairs, and certain official transfers. Violating this law is a class B misdemeanor.

Maddy summaryHB 354 modifies how medical records and training programs operate for offenders in Missouri’s Department of Corrections. It designates most offender medical records as "closed" (not public), while requiring the department to provide electronic copies of these records to offenders or their representatives within 30 days at no cost. The bill also establishes a healthcare training program partnering corrections with health and commerce departments to certify inmates for healthcare roles, though it explicitly states this does not guarantee employment. Additionally, it mandates hospitals share offender medical records with the department upon request and restricts unauthorized use of offender information.

Maddy summaryHB 676 requires Missouri employers to allow employees unpaid leave for mental health appointments, specifically granting at least one weekly appointment per employee. Employees must provide 48 hours' notice (or certification afterward if unscheduled) and submit a sworn statement with provider documentation for verification. Employers must keep all related information confidential and annually notify staff of this policy. The leave cannot exceed federal FMLA limits or override stronger protections in existing contracts or benefit plans. This bill directly affects Missouri employees and their employers, creating a new standard for mental health leave access.

Maddy summaryHB 648 reduces sales tax on diapers and feminine hygiene products by setting their tax rate equal to the rate applied to food. This affects consumers who purchase these items, including parents buying diapers for infants or toddlers, and individuals using feminine hygiene products. The bill achieves this by amending tax law to define these products as taxable at the food rate, using existing definitions for "food" and clarifying the scope of "diapers" and "feminine hygiene products." The change directly lowers costs for buyers of these essential items without altering tax rates for other goods.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 552) recognizes Missouri's severe housing affordability crisis, citing a shortage of 150,000 rental units for extremely low-income renters and 40% of renters spending over 30% of income on housing. It urges the Missouri General Assembly to prioritize policies like zoning reforms, expanded rental assistance, and increased funding for affordable housing development. The resolution does not create new law but calls for immediate action to address the crisis affecting low-income families, seniors, and vulnerable populations statewide. It is a non-binding request directed at lawmakers and stakeholders.