Rep. Donna Barnes

Maddy summaryThis bill limits digital instruction to 45 minutes daily for elementary students in kindergarten through grade five and requires at least 70% of assignments to be completed using pen, paper, or handwriting practice. It mandates daily access to printed books, hands-on learning tools (like blocks or science materials) in core subjects, and explicit cursive handwriting instruction starting in grade two, with requirements to read/write legible cursive by grade five. Exemptions apply for students with IEPs or 504 plans, and schools must adopt written technology-use policies, report device usage, and verify compliance with paper-based and cursive requirements. The law takes effect for the 2027-28 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 2180 imposes daily late filing fees for unfiled campaign finance reports and financial interest statements. Candidates, committee treasurers, and individuals required to file financial statements face $10/day initially (increasing to $100/day after 30 days of non-compliance), with caps of $3,000 for campaign reports and $6,000 for financial statements. The executive director must send written notices via certified mail to delinquent filers, allowing a 10-day appeal window for "good cause" to waive fees. All collected fees are deposited into the state general revenue fund, in addition to any existing penalties.

Maddy summaryHCR 28 designates the last full week in April each year as "Infertility Awareness Week" to increase public understanding of infertility. The resolution directly affects individuals and couples experiencing infertility, which impacts roughly 1 in 6 U.S. couples, by reducing stigma and promoting awareness. It does not create new programs or change funding but formally recognizes this week annually to encourage support and highlight access to care.

Maddy summaryHJR 115 proposes a constitutional amendment to create a property tax exemption for Missouri disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. It defines a "disabled veteran" as a Missouri resident honorably separated from military service with a 100% VA-certified service-connected disability, and a "homestead" as their primary residence (not exceeding 2.5 acres). The exemption would apply to real property used as a primary home, excluding portions rented for more than six months annually. This amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election and would replace the current property tax exemption provisions in Missouri's constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 3280 creates a special license plate for surviving spouses of disabled veterans, replacing the standard "SHOW-ME STATE" plate with "SURVIVING SPOUSE" and "OF DISABLED VETERAN" on the bottom. To qualify, applicants must prove surviving spouse status, pay a $15 fee on top of regular registration, and own a vehicle (not commercial or over 24,000 lbs gross weight). The plates must be reflective, visually clear at night, and aesthetically consistent with state standards, but cannot be transferred to others except to a co-owner if the qualifying spouse dies. This policy change directly affects eligible surviving spouses by providing a visible identifier for their status.

Maddy summaryHB 3097 creates a 100% state tax credit for Missouri taxpayers who donate to eligible nonprofits running youth police initiatives in urban areas. These initiatives focus on building trust between at-risk youth and local police through structured activities and dialogue. The credit, non-refundable but carryable for up to five years, is capped at $500,000 annually per the state. Taxpayers must contribute to a department-listed entity and provide documentation to claim the credit.

Maddy summaryHB 1694, the "Act Against Abusive Website Access Litigation," creates a legal defense for Missouri residents and businesses targeted by lawsuits alleging website accessibility violations under the ADA or state law. It defines "abusive litigation" as lawsuits primarily seeking monetary settlement rather than improving accessibility, and allows Missouri residents or the Attorney General to challenge such suits in court. Key provisions include a 90-day window for defendants to fix accessibility issues before new claims can be deemed abusive, and courts may award attorney fees and punitive damages (up to three times fees) against parties filing abusive lawsuits. The bill expires if the federal DOJ issues website accessibility standards under the ADA. It directly affects Missouri-based website operators and plaintiffs filing accessibility lawsuits in state courts.

Maddy summaryHB 2394 creates a new law requiring Missouri cities and counties to recognize valid plumber licenses issued by other Missouri localities if the license holder passed a state-approved exam. It applies to plumbers (apprentices, journeyman, and master) who obtained their licenses before August 28, 2026, and are moving between jurisdictions. Local governments must waive their own licensure requirement for these individuals but license holders still need a separate local business license. The law does not apply to plumbing foremen or licenses obtained without passing an approved exam.

Maddy summaryHB 2832 creates a new "Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman" to independently monitor prison conditions and investigate inmate concerns. The office will track issues like sanitation, abuse, medical care access, and facility safety through annual facility inspections, data collection on incidents (e.g., suicides, assaults), and complaint investigations. It directly affects inmates by providing oversight of their living conditions and rights, and family members by improving access to visitation and communication. The ombudsman will issue public reports and recommendations to the corrections oversight committee, which includes formerly incarcerated individuals and family members. This bill establishes a concrete mechanism for accountability without altering prison funding or sentencing policies.

Maddy summaryHB 2771 extends federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) protections to Missouri National Guard members and eligible Missouri employees called to active state duty by their state's governor or adjutant general. It applies to Missouri National Guard members or Missouri-based employees serving in another state's National Guard for more than 30 consecutive days. The bill guarantees these individuals the same reemployment rights and civil protections (like mortgage/rent relief) under federal SCRA law, and authorizes the attorney general to enforce these rights or pursue legal action against violating employers. This ensures state-activated service members face no employment or financial penalties upon returning to civilian life.