Rep. Tiffany Price

Maddy summaryHB 1554 modifies Missouri's Working Family Tax Credit to make it refundable for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, meaning eligible taxpayers can receive a cash refund if the credit exceeds their state tax bill (unlike prior years, where excess credits were not refunded). The bill sets the credit at 10% of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for 2023, with a potential increase to 20% if Missouri's net general revenue growth meets a specific threshold (a $150 million increase over the previous three years' peak). It requires the state Department of Revenue to proactively notify eligible taxpayers who may not have claimed the credit and to publish annual reports on credit usage, including income-level distribution. This credit directly affects Missouri residents filing as single, head of household, widowed, or married filing jointly who qualify for the federal EITC.

Maddy summaryHB 266 requires all Missouri public and charter schools to provide bleeding control kits in classrooms and other high-traffic or high-risk areas, such as cafeterias, gyms, and vocational classrooms. The kits must contain specific items like tourniquets (endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense), bandages, gloves, and "Stop the Bleed" instructional materials. Schools must train designated staff annually using the "Stop the Bleed" program, inspect kits yearly, restock after use, and include kits in emergency drills. Implementation is required by the end of the 2025-26 school year, though costs depend on legislative funding.

Maddy summaryHB 213, the "Firefighters' Procedural Bill of Rights Act," establishes specific procedural protections for firefighters during investigations that could lead to disciplinary action. It requires employers to inform firefighters of investigation details, conduct interrogations at reasonable times with clear notification of participants, prohibit coercive tactics, allow recording of sessions, and guarantee legal representation during investigations. The bill also prohibits retaliation for exercising these rights and ensures firefighters cannot be punished for lawful activities like political engagement or seeking public office. This directly affects public agency firefighters (including paramedics and EMTs) who have completed their probationary period, setting clear standards for fair treatment during disciplinary processes.

Maddy summaryHB 890 creates a state registration system allowing doulas to seek health insurance reimbursement for their services. It requires the Missouri Department of Health to establish registration criteria, review applications, approve qualified doulas, and maintain a statewide registry of approved providers. The bill does not prevent unregistered doulas from practicing but mandates the department consult community organizations like the Missouri Community Doula Council when setting standards. This policy change directly affects doulas seeking reimbursement and health insurers required to cover these services under the new framework.

Maddy summaryHB 891 creates a new criminal offense for manufacturing, transporting, repairing, or selling ammunition feeding devices (like magazines) that hold more than ten rounds. This law directly affects individuals and businesses handling such devices, making it a class D felony to sell or distribute them. The bill defines "large-capacity ammunition feeding device" as any magazine, belt, drum, or similar item holding over ten rounds, with exemptions for law enforcement, lawful commercial transactions, museum displays, or dramatic performances. Violations involving other prohibited items (like machine guns or switchblade knives) carry lesser penalties. The bill does not change existing federal law but establishes new state-level criminal penalties for these specific items.

Maddy summaryHB 1381 eliminates the one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits starting in 2026. It removes the requirement that claimants must wait one week without benefits before receiving payments, effective for all new claims filed on or after January 1, 2026. This change applies directly to individuals filing new unemployment claims after that date, though existing requirements like work search contacts and reporting remain unchanged. The bill does not alter other eligibility rules, such as job search obligations or reemployment services, which continue to apply as before.

Maddy summaryHB 1380 automatically enrolls individuals who pay a spenddown (out-of-pocket medical costs) to qualify for MO HealthNet health coverage into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food assistance. This applies to people already receiving MO HealthNet benefits who meet the spenddown requirement. The bill requires the Department of Social Services to establish enrollment procedures and seek necessary federal approvals from the USDA. It removes the need for these individuals to separately apply for SNAP, directly increasing access to food assistance for low-income Missourians. The policy change takes effect once federal approval is secured, streamlining access to nutrition support.

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 269 creates three tax credits to support child care access: a credit for individuals donating to child care providers, a credit for employers purchasing care for their employees' children, and a credit for child care providers themselves. Taxpayers can claim a 75% credit (minimum $100, maximum $200,000 annually) on verified donations to approved child care providers or organizations, provided funds are used for specific purposes like facility improvements, staff training, or quality enhancements. Contributions must be made to entities without the donor’s financial interest, and providers must verify proper use of funds within 60 days. The credits apply to tax years starting January 1, 2026, and cannot be refunded or transferred, though unused credits may be carried forward for up to six years.

Maddy summaryHB 284, the Missouri CROWN Act, prohibits educational institutions receiving state financial aid or serving students with state financial aid from discriminating against students based on hair texture or protective hairstyles (like braids, locks, twists, or afros) that are commonly associated with race. It defines "protective hairstyles" as those designed to protect natural hair and explicitly bans discrimination based on these styles in school programs. Exceptions allow schools to require hair nets or secured hair for safety in career/technical classes and permit religious institutions to exempt themselves if the rule conflicts with their tenets. The bill directly affects public and private schools, colleges, and student programs receiving state or federal education funding.