Rep. Yolanda Young

Maddy summaryHB 954 extends federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) protections to Missouri National Guard members and Missouri employees who are National Guard members from other states when called to active state duty by their respective governors. It ensures these individuals receive the same reemployment rights, protection from discrimination, and civil relief under SCRA (50 U.S.C. § 3901 et seq.) as active-duty military. Employers must post a notice about these rights, and the attorney general can enforce them or pursue legal action if violated. The bill directly affects Guard members and their employers by codifying existing federal SCRA benefits for state duty scenarios.

Maddy summaryHB 294 lowers the automatic age exemption for jury service in Missouri from 75 to 70 years old. It directly affects Missouri residents aged 70 or older who receive a jury summons. The bill replaces the previous age threshold in Section 494.430 with the new 70-year limit, while keeping other exemptions (like for nursing mothers, health care providers, or those facing undue hardship) unchanged. This change simplifies the process for older citizens to be excused from jury duty without needing to apply for hardship exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 892 adds honey to the list of eligible foods that participants in Missouri's WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program can purchase with vouchers. The bill directly affects low-income seniors (60+), pregnant/postpartum women, and children under five at nutritional risk who qualify for WIC or related programs. Key provisions allow participants to use vouchers for Missouri-grown fresh produce and honey at designated farmers' markets, aiming to improve nutrition access while boosting local honey sales. The program is designed to stimulate demand for Missouri-grown products without altering existing income eligibility or distribution processes.

Maddy summaryHB 355 creates state funding to help public school districts hire licensed school nurses or mental health professionals, or to cover telehealth services providing these services remotely. School districts can apply for funds to cover salaries (up to district-approved rates) for one nurse or mental health professional per school, with priority given to schools with higher student-to-staff ratios or greater socioeconomic need (e.g., higher free/reduced lunch rates). The bill establishes dedicated state funds for this purpose, ensuring unused funds carry over to future biennia and cannot revert to general revenue. Schools must use the funds primarily for student health services, with telehealth options requiring parental consent and similar reimbursement rules as other programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a non-binding resolution that urges the Missouri General Assembly to increase public awareness about kidney disease. It highlights the importance of early diagnosis and screening, noting that many cases go undetected and can lead to severe health outcomes. The text does not create new laws or allocate funding but instead serves as a formal statement to encourage legislative focus on this health issue.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits local governments from issuing licenses to firearms businesses that wish to operate within 1,000 feet of schools, child care facilities, or religious organizations. The rule applies to any business selling or dealing in federally regulated guns, ammunition, or destructive devices that opens after August 28, 2024, while allowing existing businesses to remain unaffected. Distance is measured in a straight line between the property lines of the two locations, ignoring any buildings or objects in between. The legislation directly impacts gun dealers and local licensing authorities by restricting where new stores can be established near protected community sites.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates the Kansas City Chiefs on winning Super Bowl LVIII. It highlights specific game details, such as the team's comeback victory and the outstanding performances of players like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. The legislation directs the Chief Clerk to create and present an inscribed copy of the resolution to the team. This action serves to formally recognize the achievement rather than enact any legal or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires election authorities in the state to provide at least one electronic voting machine at every polling location for use by blind or visually impaired voters during statewide, general assembly, and local elections. The law ensures that these accessible machines are treated the same as those used for federal elections and states that the state government will cover any additional costs for their maintenance and use. Qualified voters can use these machines without proving their disability, though the requirement does not force them to do so if they prefer other legal voting methods like absentee ballots.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that almost all sales and transfers of firearms be processed through a licensed firearms dealer. Under the new rules, private individuals cannot sell or transfer guns to one another online or in person unless they use a licensed dealer to facilitate the transaction and conduct a background check. The law allows for exceptions for law enforcement, military personnel, gunsmiths performing repairs, common carriers, and transfers between immediate family members. Violations of these requirements are classified as misdemeanors, and licensed dealers who fail to comply must report the incident to state and federal authorities.

Maddy summaryHB 2745 establishes a new minimum wage schedule for Missouri that raises the hourly rate to $15 by January 1, 2026. The bill mandates that employers pay at least $8.60 per hour starting in 2019, with fixed annual increases of $0.85 until reaching $12.00 in 2023, followed by a jump to $13.75 in 2025 and the final target of $15.00 in 2026. This law applies to private employers across the state, while public employers such as government agencies and school districts are exempt from these specific wage increases. Additionally, the legislation ensures that if the federal minimum wage ever exceeds the state rate, the higher federal standard will automatically apply.