Rep. Bill Irwin

Maddy summaryHB 954 extends federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) protections to Missouri National Guard members and Missouri employees who are National Guard members from other states when called to active state duty by their respective governors. It ensures these individuals receive the same reemployment rights, protection from discrimination, and civil relief under SCRA (50 U.S.C. § 3901 et seq.) as active-duty military. Employers must post a notice about these rights, and the attorney general can enforce them or pursue legal action if violated. The bill directly affects Guard members and their employers by codifying existing federal SCRA benefits for state duty scenarios.

Maddy summaryHB 1193 allows the general assembly, House, and Senate to hire capitol security officers who may carry firearms when needed for security. These officers must be licensed peace officers under the state's POST program and have all necessary law enforcement powers to ensure legislative security, including apprehending and arresting individuals. The bill declares the security provisions an immediate emergency, taking effect upon passage to protect public safety during the legislative session. It directly affects capitol security operations by expanding the authority of legislative security staff to perform duties typically handled by law enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 1200) creates a new "intermediate driver's license" for 16-17 year olds, directly affecting minors seeking to drive. Key provisions require applicants to: hold a temporary permit for 6+ months, complete 40+ hours of supervised driving (with parental/guardian or instructor consent), pass a written test, and pay a $5 fee. Restrictions include nighttime driving curfews (1 a.m.-5 a.m. without supervision), limits on teen passengers (max 1 non-family under 19 for first 6 months), and mandatory seatbelt use. The license transitions to full driving privileges at age 18 if the teen has no alcohol-related offenses or traffic violations in the prior year. The bill’s title referencing "age of marriage" appears inconsistent with its actual focus on driver licensing rules.

Maddy summaryHB 195, the "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act," requires healthcare providers in abortion settings to provide the same medical care to any child born alive during or after an abortion as they would to any other newborn, including immediate hospital transport. It mandates providers to report failures to follow these standards to law enforcement and imposes criminal penalties - up to five years in prison or $10,000 fines - for non-compliance, while classifying intentional killing of such a child as first-degree murder. The bill also establishes civil liability for causing death or failing to comply with these provisions, allowing victims’ families to seek damages for injury or death. It directly affects abortion providers, patients, and children born alive during abortion procedures, with no impact on natural miscarriages before fetal viability.

Maddy summaryHB 1464 replaces over 30 existing Missouri statutes with 38 new sections focused on protecting children and vulnerable persons. The bill establishes a Missouri regional computer forensics lab to combat internet-based crimes, particularly those involving child sexual abuse material, online exploitation, and related offenses. It creates new legal frameworks for law enforcement to investigate and prosecute technology-facilitated crimes against vulnerable populations. The law directly affects law enforcement agencies, courts, and individuals involved in cases related to digital crimes against children.

Maddy summaryHB 993 limits foreign ownership of Missouri's agricultural land to 0.5% of the state's total agricultural acreage. It requires foreign owners or businesses to submit land purchases for review by the Agriculture Department and Attorney General at least 30 days before closing, and mandates reporting land usage changes every five years. The bill exempts land used for agricultural research (like seed testing or animal health studies) and prohibits purchases by entities tied to "foreign adversaries" as defined by federal law. This applies directly to foreign individuals, businesses, or entities seeking to acquire or hold agricultural land in Missouri.

Maddy summaryHB 742 prohibits Missouri state departments from using public funds for any programs, staffing, or initiatives related to "diversity, equity, and inclusion" (or similar terms) that promote preferential treatment based on race, gender, religion, or other protected characteristics. It specifically bans funding for initiatives advancing concepts like "disparities are solely due to oppression" or "collective guilt," while allowing compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The bill also prevents state departments from requiring private companies to adopt such programs as a condition of receiving state contracts. This law directly affects all state agencies and their budget allocations for workplace programs.

Maddy summaryHB 986 updates Missouri's list of diseases that healthcare providers must report to the Department of Health and Senior Services. It adds methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae (CRE), vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE), alpha-gal syndrome, and Lyme disease to the required reporting list. The bill also requires the department to submit an annual report to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) detailing the incidence and reporting of these diseases. This change directly affects healthcare facilities and providers who must now report these specific conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 897 prohibits foreign governments and businesses from "foreign adversary" countries (as defined by federal regulations) from purchasing, holding, or acquiring real estate in the state. It directly affects entities like foreign-owned corporations headquartered in designated adversary nations or controlled by such governments. The bill includes three key exceptions: businesses registered for 7+ years with good standing, CFIUS-approved entities, and those with active federal national security agreements. The law specifies that "foreign adversary" refers to entities listed under 15 CFR 7.4(a), without altering existing federal definitions.

Maddy summaryHB 495 revises Missouri's public safety laws for cities not within a county by creating a new board of police commissioners. The board will include the mayor plus four citizen members: one appointed by the governor and three appointed from panels submitted by the mayor and police officer organizations. The bill removes the previous population requirement (500,000+ residents) for cities to form such a board, making it applicable to all independent cities. It also establishes procedures for board member removal and appeals to the court. This change directly affects governance of police forces in Missouri's independent cities.