Maddy summaryHB 1421 creates a task force to address violence against African American women and girls. The task force, composed of legislative members, public safety officials, legal experts, and community advocates (including survivors), will examine systemic causes of violence, improve data collection on missing and murdered cases, and review policing and legal practices affecting this community. It must submit annual reports to the governor and legislature by December 31, detailing findings and recommendations for prevention and victim support. The task force will expire on December 31, 2027, unless extended by the public safety department. This bill directly affects African American women and girls in Missouri by establishing a formal mechanism to study and respond to violence targeting them.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1006 modifies how excavation notifications are handled when work occurs near environmentally sensitive sites. It requires the Department of Natural Resources to review all excavation notices and determine if the location is near sites undergoing cleanup, requiring remediation, or listed as hazardous waste. If so, the department must either require the contaminator to test soil safety for excavators (for active cleanup sites) or conduct the test itself and share results (for investigation or hazardous waste sites). This bill directly affects excavators, property owners, and entities responsible for site contamination by adding specific soil safety checks before digging begins.
Maddy summaryHB 1352 modifies Missouri's missing persons reporting procedures to improve response times and coordination. It defines "missing child" more specifically (including youth under 21 in foster care at risk of sex trafficking) and requires law enforcement to immediately enter reports into state and national databases (MULES, NCIC) within two hours of receiving a missing child complaint from agencies or guardians. The bill mandates that law enforcement submit detailed information to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and maintain active records in databases like NamUs until the person is found or the case closes. It also prohibits law enforcement from ending investigations based solely on arbitrary time limits, ensuring ongoing efforts for missing persons.
Maddy summaryHB 1332 repeals the Trauma-Informed Schools Initiative, a law requiring school districts to adopt trauma-informed practices. The initiative mandated training for educators, required the state education department to provide resources and a website, and established a pilot program for five schools with funding and monitoring. The repeal would remove these requirements, though the initiative had already expired in 2019. This bill is currently under review by the committee on Emerging Issues.
Maddy summaryHB 1351 requires individuals and organizations acting as agents for foreign governments, political parties, or entities (defined as "foreign principals") to register with Missouri if they engage in political activities within the state. It directly affects foreign-connected lobbyists, PR consultants, and fundraisers operating in Missouri who represent foreign interests, such as influencing state officials or collecting funds for foreign governments. Key provisions define "agent" broadly to include those conducting political advocacy, public relations, or fundraising on behalf of foreign principals, while excluding U.S.-owned media and news organizations. The bill mandates registration for covered agents but exempts bona fide news services meeting specific U.S. ownership and operational criteria.
Maddy summaryHB 1353 bans the use of pesticides and pesticide ingredients manufactured in the People's Republic of China within Missouri. This directly affects agricultural producers, businesses, and individuals using pesticides in the state. The bill prohibits any such products from being applied or sold in Missouri, targeting all pesticides and ingredients originating from China.
Maddy summaryHJR 97 proposes a constitutional amendment in Missouri that would define key terms related to abortion (like "fetal viability," "late-term," and "emergency situation") and establish new restrictions. It would require parental consent for minors under 15 seeking abortions (with specific exceptions for certain parent situations) and mandate informed consent for all abortions except in emergencies. The amendment would also define prohibited procedures, such as "dismemberment abortion" and "partial birth abortion," and set the threshold for "late-term" as when a fetus can survive outside the womb. If approved by voters in 2026, this would become part of Missouri’s constitution, overriding current state law on abortion access.
Maddy summaryHB 243 ensures that pregnancy cannot delay or prevent a court from granting a divorce (dissolution of marriage) or legal separation. It explicitly states that a court must proceed with the judgment regardless of whether one party is pregnant, removing pregnancy as a barrier to these proceedings. The bill affects individuals seeking divorce or legal separation who are pregnant, requiring courts to follow standard residency and procedural requirements without considering pregnancy status. This change applies to all divorce or separation cases, maintaining existing rules about residency, custody, and property division while clarifying that pregnancy alone does not block finalization.
Maddy summaryHB 236 requires commercial websites where 33% or more of content is deemed "material harmful to minors" to use reasonable age-verification methods before allowing minors access. If a website fails this, it can be sued by a minor who accessed such content, facing damages and legal fees. The law explicitly excludes news organizations and internet service providers from liability, stating they aren't responsible for content they transmit but don't create. It defines "material harmful to minors" as content appealing to prurient interests, depicting sexual acts or nudity, or lacking artistic/scientific value for minors.
Maddy summaryHB 477 requires school districts to obtain written or electronic parental consent before making certain changes to a child's Individualized Education Program (IEP), such as initial placements, service removals, or changes exceeding 25% in service minutes. It mandates a standardized consent form with options for full consent, refusal, or partial consent, and requires schools to document parent signatures. The bill also establishes a 10-business-day timeline for resolving disagreements and allows parents to visit proposed programs before consenting. This bill, which would take effect July 1, 2026, is currently inactive after being dropped from the legislative calendar in May 2025.