Rep. Donna Barnes

Maddy summaryHB 2831 modifies Missouri's good time credit system for inmates, allowing eligible individuals to earn time off their sentences by participating in approved programs. Inmates can earn up to 360 days total (capped at 90 days annually) for completing high school/GED equivalents, vocational training, alcohol/drug treatment (excluding court-ordered programs), or 1,000 hours of restorative justice. Credit is revoked for major rule violations, parole revocation, or excessive minor violations, and excludes those sentenced to death or life without parole. The bill also permits retroactive petitions for programs completed between 2010 and 2026, with applications accepted in 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1993 extends federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) protections to Missouri National Guard members and Missouri employees who are National Guard members of other states when called to active state duty for more than 30 consecutive days. This means these individuals gain the same legal protections as federal service members for issues like rent, mortgage adjustments, and credit relief. The law requires employers to maintain job protections and allows affected members to sue if rights are violated, with the attorney general also empowered to enforce compliance. It replaces an outdated Missouri law that previously did not cover state National Guard duty under SCRA.

Maddy summaryHB 1842 allows Missouri website owners and the state Attorney General to challenge lawsuits alleging website accessibility violations (under laws like the ADA) if those lawsuits are deemed "abusive." It defines abusive litigation as primarily seeking payment from defendants rather than fixing accessibility issues, requiring courts to consider factors like the plaintiff's history of similar lawsuits and the defendant's resources. If litigation is found abusive, the suing party must pay the defendant's legal fees and potentially up to three times those fees as punitive damages. The law includes a 30-day window for defendants to correct accessibility issues to avoid a presumption of abusive litigation.

Maddy summaryHB 2056, the "Act Against Abusive and Predatory Website Access Litigation," creates a legal process for Missouri businesses sued over website accessibility claims to challenge whether the lawsuit is "abusive." It directly affects Missouri-based businesses (public accommodations) facing lawsuits alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or state law regarding website access. The key mechanism establishes a rebuttable presumption that litigation is abusive if the business corrects the alleged website issue within 30 days (with a 90-day window), and requires courts to consider factors like the plaintiff’s history of similar lawsuits or the defendant’s resources. If deemed abusive, the court can award the defendant reasonable attorney fees and costs, plus potential penalties up to three times those fees.

Maddy summaryHB 1755 creates a process for Missouri businesses to challenge lawsuits claiming their websites don’t meet accessibility standards as "abusive litigation." It requires defendants to fix accessibility issues within 30 days before lawsuits can be contested, and directs courts to consider factors like whether multiple similar lawsuits were filed or if the defendant could reasonably address the issue. If a court rules litigation abusive, it can order the filing party to pay the defendant’s legal fees and up to three times those costs. The law specifically targets lawsuits alleging violations of federal or state disability access laws related to websites operated by Missouri residents.

Maddy summaryHB 1780 creates a legal process for Missouri website owners facing lawsuits alleging violations of accessibility laws (like the ADA) to challenge whether such lawsuits are "abusive." It allows defendants to file a civil action asking courts to determine if the lawsuit's primary purpose was obtaining payment for defense costs, not fixing website access. Courts must consider factors like the plaintiff's history of similar lawsuits, defendant resources, and whether the website was corrected within 30 days (creating a presumption the lawsuit is abusive if not corrected within 90 days). The law expires if the federal government issues ADA website accessibility standards.

Maddy summaryHB 2312, if passed, would create a legal remedy for Missouri residents and businesses targeted by lawsuits claiming websites violate accessibility laws (like the ADA). It allows these parties to sue the lawyers or firms filing such lawsuits if courts determine the litigation is "abusive" - meaning it primarily seeks payment for defense costs rather than fixing accessibility issues. Key provisions include a 30-day window for defendants to correct website issues before lawsuits can be deemed abusive, court factors to assess abuse (like history of similar lawsuits or defendant resources), and penalties including attorney fees for abusive cases. The law would expire if the federal government issues ADA website accessibility standards.

Maddy summaryHB 737 replaces four existing Missouri statutes with new provisions governing financial accountability for children in state custody. The bill directly affects children under the Children's Division, their parents, and financial representatives (like fiduciaries or payees) handling funds for these children. Key mechanisms require all money received for a child - such as benefits from Social Security or Veterans Administration - to be accounted for in the child’s name and used *only* for "unmet needs" like tutoring, transportation, housing preparation, or technology (not for foster care costs or general maintenance). The law also mandates annual reviews to identify new benefits and ensures the division only acts as a representative payee when no other suitable candidate exists.

Maddy summaryHB 1482 creates a "Veterans Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund" to distribute state funds for veterans memorials and museums. It specifically authorizes a one-time matching grant of up to $5 million for Perry County’s memorial or museum dedicated to World War I veterans, subject to the county meeting population criteria and submitting an application before July 1, 2004. The bill also establishes broader statewide rules allowing up to $10 million total in matching funds for other veterans memorial projects meeting specific municipal population requirements. All funds must be used solely for construction, renovation, or maintenance of eligible memorial or museum facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 1568 creates a statewide program managed by Missouri's Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to improve access to communication services for deaf, deaf-blind, and hard-of-hearing individuals. The bill establishes a statewide registry of qualified service providers (including real-time captioning, notetakers, and support for deaf-blind users), sets minimum training and equipment standards for providers, and creates an informational website to connect users with services. It also creates a dedicated "Communication Access Services Fund" to distribute grants for individuals, businesses, and agencies to cover costs of these services, with annual reporting requirements. This directly affects deaf/hard-of-hearing Missourians, state/local agencies, and businesses needing to provide communication accommodations.