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.
Sponsored bills
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 875 prohibits public colleges and universities from denying student groups equal access to benefits like registration, meeting space, or communication channels based on their religious, political, or ideological nature. It directly affects student associations (including religious, political, or ideological groups) and public institutions of higher learning governed by state boards. The bill defines "adverse action" as denying such benefits due to a group's viewpoint, mission, or leadership requirements tied to sincerely held beliefs. Groups harmed by such discrimination can seek legal relief through courts or administrative proceedings. This policy change ensures public institutions treat all student associations equally regardless of their core beliefs or expression.
Maddy summaryHB 941 prohibits public and charter school districts from using the "three-cueing system" (a reading method relying on meaning, structure, and visual clues) for teaching students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Instead, it mandates that all schools establish evidence-based reading programs for kindergarten through fifth grade, requiring instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The bill also requires new K-3 reading teachers to receive specialized training in these research-backed methods. This policy directly affects schools, teachers, and students by shifting reading instruction away from the banned approach toward structured, scientifically supported techniques.
Maddy summaryHB 1287, the "Missouri Educators and Parental Empowerment and Rights Act," requires Missouri public schools to strengthen teacher authority and parental involvement through new policies. It mandates schools to create clear procedures for notifying parents about student safety incidents, disciplinary actions, and classroom behavior, and to post parental rights online. The bill also requires schools to adopt a student code of conduct emphasizing respect for teachers, fair discipline without racial bias, and parental engagement in behavioral issues. All schools must implement these policies for the 2025-26 school year and beyond.
Maddy summaryHB 220 creates Missouri’s "Course Access and Virtual School Program" to provide statewide virtual education for K-12 students under 21. It establishes funding rules where state aid for virtual students is calculated based on their attendance (using a defined "weighted average daily attendance" method), requires virtual programs to report student data to host school districts, and mandates participation in statewide assessments. The bill ensures virtual students receive equivalent funding to in-person students, allows districts to approve course enrollment with parental input, and prohibits counting students beyond full-time equivalent for funding. It directly affects public school districts, virtual providers, and students seeking remote learning options.
Maddy summaryHB 968 establishes the Missouri Financial Empowerment Commission, a 13-member body tasked with developing financial empowerment plans for specific Missourians. The commission includes state officials, Federal Reserve representatives, industry associations, and community members appointed by the state treasurer. Its key provisions require the commission to create actionable plans targeting low-income residents, people with disabilities, students (as non-mandatory recommendations), military veterans, and seniors. The commission must annually review its progress and operate through bylaws, contracts, and an executive director, with no compensation for members beyond reimbursed expenses.
Maddy summaryHB 219 replaces multiple existing statutes with new provisions primarily defining terms and updating legal standards related to sexually oriented businesses and criminal offenses involving vulnerable persons. It establishes clear definitions for "nudity," "seminude," "sexually oriented business," and "specified criminal activity" (including offenses like child sexual abuse material, indecency with a child, and prostitution). The bill modifies how these definitions apply to business licensing, criminal penalties, and the closure of establishments deemed "nuisances" under these standards. It does not create new child protection programs but refines existing legal frameworks for regulating adult entertainment businesses and prosecuting related crimes. The bill passed the Missouri House unanimously in February 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 555 delays minimum wage increases for public construction workers, postponing the $13.75 hourly rate from 2025 to 2028 and adjusting future annual increases. It raises the project cost threshold for requiring prevailing wage rates from $75,000 to $150,000, exempting smaller public works projects. The bill also exempts projects under $10,000 from competitive bidding requirements. These changes directly affect public construction workers, contractors, and public bodies managing projects under the new thresholds. The law modifies existing wage provisions without altering overtime pay rules or lunch break requirements.
Maddy summaryHB 854 requires all public school districts and charter schools to create written policies prohibiting students from using personal electronic devices (like phones or tablets) during regular class time. The policy must include disciplinary steps for violations, allow exceptions for emergencies, teacher-directed learning, or students needing accommodations under federal disability laws (IDEA, ADA, or Rehabilitation Act). Schools must publish these policies online and ensure staff following the rules are protected from liability. This directly affects all K-12 schools in the state and their students during instructional hours.