Rep. Gregg Bush

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 1616 creates Missouri's "Independent Office of Corrections and Transparency," a small oversight body with two full-time staff to monitor prison conditions and staff welfare. It directly affects incarcerated people, prison staff, and their families by establishing a formal process for reporting issues like sanitation, abuse, medical care, or safety concerns. Key provisions require the Corrections Director to publicly disclose appointment applicants 30 days in advance, mandate correctional experience for the Director, and empower the new office to investigate complaints about prison conditions under specific "covered issues" (e.g., neglect, violence, access to programs). The office will provide information on rights and monitor department compliance with safety and welfare standards, operating with limited resources. This bill focuses on structural oversight rather than altering sentencing or funding.

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 297 requires school district voters in Boone County to approve any new charter school through a public vote before it can be established. Specifically, for counties with 150,000-200,000 residents like Boone County, a proposal must be submitted to voters in the next available election before July 1st, using a specific ballot question asking if the district should authorize a charter school. A majority vote in favor is needed for authorization; if rejected, the proposal cannot proceed without resubmission. This directly affects Boone County residents and school districts by adding community consent as a mandatory step for charter school expansion.

Maddy summaryHB 298 repeals the specific provision that allowed charter schools to operate in Boone County, Missouri. This bill removes Boone County from the list of eligible areas where charter schools could be established under existing law. The change directly affects Boone County school districts and families seeking charter school options there, as it eliminates the legal basis for new charter schools in that county. The bill does not alter charter school rules for other Missouri districts but specifically targets the authorization for Boone County.

Maddy summaryHB 1266 provides legal immunity to healthcare professionals who inquire about potential home hazards (like firearms or dangerous substances) during medical care, provided such inquiries are medically indicated. It specifically prohibits mandatory firearm ownership questions, requires separate patient consent for documenting firearm status (not done routinely), and bans electronic medical records from requiring firearm data entry. The bill directly affects doctors, nurses, and medical facilities by clarifying their legal protections and restrictions around home safety discussions. It also protects patient privacy by limiting how firearm-related information can be documented or shared without consent. This bill focuses on balancing provider safety assessments with patient privacy rights in medical settings.

Maddy summaryHB 1267 prohibits health care professionals from documenting or disclosing a patient's citizenship or immigration status in medical records, except when assessing eligibility for social or community services. It directly affects medical providers (like doctors and nurses) and patients, particularly those in immigrant communities who may fear discrimination or deportation. The bill bans all disclosures to law enforcement agencies and requires licensing boards to investigate violations, imposing probation for accidental breaches or one-year license suspensions for intentional disclosures. This legislation aims to protect patient privacy and build trust in health care settings by limiting how sensitive immigration information is handled.

Maddy summaryHB 1207 prohibits health insurance companies (health carriers) from requiring prior authorization for inpatient psychiatric hospital services. This directly affects individuals seeking inpatient mental health care and their health insurance providers. The bill eliminates the requirement for health carriers to review and approve such services before coverage is granted, removing a common administrative barrier. It specifically targets inpatient psychiatric hospital care for mental disorders as defined in Missouri law, streamlining access to this critical treatment.

Maddy summaryHB 1493 designates a specific section of highway in Boone County as the "Corporal Stephen Lee Irvin Memorial Highway" to honor a deceased law enforcement officer. The bill requires the Department of Transportation to install and maintain signage for this highway, with costs covered by private donations rather than state funds. This is a commemorative measure with no substantive policy changes, solely focused on naming and signage.

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.