Rep. Tonya Rush

Maddy summaryHB 1529 requires public schools serving grades 7-12 to implement suicide prevention measures. It mandates annual suicide prevention training for all teachers (starting 2023-24), school district policies for identifying at-risk students, and printing the 988 suicide hotline number on student ID cards by 2025. Starting in 2026, training must include the Columbia Protocol for suicide risk assessment and a virtual mental health tool for educators. The bill also requires mental health awareness education in high school curricula beginning 2022-23.

Maddy summaryHB 1575 modifies Missouri's unlawful firearm possession law to specifically prohibit minors (under 18) from possessing a firearm on public property. This directly affects underage individuals in public spaces like parks or sidewalks, unless they are accompanied by an adult, participating in a school-sanctioned firearm event, hunting legally, or under another authorized circumstance. The law establishes a class C felony charge for this violation (or class B if the minor has prior dangerous felony convictions or prior unlawful possession). It excludes antique firearms from this provision.

Maddy summaryHB 1220 requires school districts to adopt written discipline policies covering corporal punishment procedures (requiring parental written consent), annual staff training on discipline and student safety, and specific reporting protocols for violent acts. The bill mandates schools to report to law enforcement any incidents involving 25 specific crimes (like assault, sexual offenses, or weapon possession) committed on school property or during school activities, and to share relevant student safety information with staff who interact with the student. It also adds a condition for suspended students: they cannot be within 1,000 feet of school property without supervision or specific authorization, except in limited cases like living nearby or attending an alternative school. This bill directly affects public school districts, students, parents, and school staff by altering discipline policies and safety reporting requirements. The bill was introduced in February 2025 and referred to a committee for review. (Note: The bill title mentions "attendance data," but the provided text focuses on discipline and safety policies, not attendance reporting.)

Maddy summaryHB 255, the "Missouri Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act," requires hospitals and clinics providing pregnancy-related care to implement mandatory implicit bias training for all staff involved in perinatal care. The training must cover identifying unconscious biases, understanding historical exclusion, cultural competence, health inequities, and reproductive justice. Facilities must provide initial training and biennial refreshers, with data tracking on severe maternal morbidity (like hemorrhage or hypertension) and pregnancy-related deaths published every three years, disaggregated by race and ethnicity. This directly affects Missouri healthcare facilities, providers, and patients receiving care during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum.

Maddy summaryHB 1576 requires Missouri public schools to offer computer science courses meeting specific standards starting in 2023, covering topics like AI, cybersecurity, and algorithmic processes. It allows these courses to count toward math or science graduation credits while requiring schools to inform students and parents that using CS for math credit may affect college admissions. The bill creates a dedicated "Computer Science Education Fund" to support teacher training programs focused on underrepresented students and hands-on learning. These courses must meet state-developed performance standards and be reported annually by school districts, including demographic data on student enrollment.

Maddy summaryHB 693 makes it a violation to transport or store a loaded, concealed firearm in a motor vehicle outside a locked container or trunk. This applies to most people (excluding specific exceptions like law enforcement, firefighters, and others performing official duties under defined conditions). The bill adds this specific storage method to the existing offense of unlawful use of a weapon. It does not change general firearm laws but creates a new penalty for improper vehicle storage.

Maddy summaryHB 1435 requires charter schools and public school districts serving students in grades 6-12 to provide free period products (tampons and sanitary napkins) in all school restrooms starting July 1, 2026. It applies specifically to schools where at least 40% of students live in households earning below 185% of the federal poverty level. The state will cover all costs through dedicated funding for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. This policy directly affects eligible schools and ensures no student bears the cost of essential menstrual products.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires elementary school districts to teach cursive writing to ensure students can produce legible cursive handwriting by the end of fifth grade. It mandates that each student pass a teacher-created test demonstrating proficiency in both reading and writing cursive before completing the requirement. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is authorized to create rules to implement these provisions, subject to standard administrative review processes. The legislation directly affects public and charter elementary schools and their students, establishing a specific skill benchmark for handwriting instruction.

Maddy summaryHB 1401 creates a six-month temporary real estate salesperson license that does not require taking the standard salesperson examination. This license is available to applicants who have not previously taken the exam, have completed the required salesperson coursework within six months, and have no disciplinary history that would block a license. The temporary license automatically expires after six months or when a permanent license is issued and cannot be renewed. This provision allows qualified applicants to begin working in real estate sales more quickly while meeting regulatory requirements.

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.