Rep. Kathy Steinhoff

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public school districts and charter schools to create written policies that stop students from using personal electronic devices like phones and tablets during regular class time. The rules must clearly state the penalties for breaking the policy and allow for exceptions in emergencies, when a teacher instructs a student to use the device for learning, or when required by federal disability laws. Schools must also post these policies on their websites, and the law protects teachers and staff from liability if they follow the established disciplinary procedures in good faith.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rules for the safe storage of firearms to prevent unauthorized access by children and individuals prohibited from owning guns. It defines responsible storage as keeping firearms unloaded and secured in locked containers or with locking devices, while also requiring the activation of safety features on personalized firearms that use biometric technology. Owners who fail to secure their guns when a child or ineligible person could access them face fines for a first violation and potential misdemeanor charges for subsequent offenses. The legislation includes exemptions for antique firearms and provides a legal defense if a child used the weapon in self-defense or to protect livestock. Additionally, the bill mandates that licensed dealers display warning notices about storage laws and requires the state to provide information on these offenses in both English and Spanish to various groups.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates how the state calculates financial aid for Missouri school districts by replacing older formulas with new definitions for key terms. It changes how "current operating expenditures" are determined, using data from fiscal year 2004 as a baseline and allowing for specific increases in state funding through 2025. The legislation also redefines how student attendance is counted and establishes a method to adjust funding based on regional wage differences. These changes directly impact the amount of state money school districts receive and the specific metrics used to measure their financial needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to protect the right to own and carry firearms for self-defense, while allowing local governments in certain counties and cities to regulate firearm possession. The amendment states that restrictions on gun rights must meet a high legal standard called strict scrutiny, but it also permits laws that ban guns for convicted violent felons or individuals deemed a danger due to mental health issues. Local authorities would be allowed to issue permits for carrying firearms, charge fees to cover administrative costs, and set penalties for violations, though these penalties are capped at a one-thousand-dollar fine or one year in jail. The text also includes specific exemptions for law enforcement officers, judges, and licensed security guards from local permit requirements.