Rep. Tonya Rush

Maddy summaryHB 833 creates a $250 annual state income tax credit for Missouri volunteer first responders who serve for at least one month during the tax year. It directly affects volunteer firefighters, EMS personnel, and reserve peace officers who meet state training requirements and provide verified service (via a supervisor's statement). The credit is prorated for partial-year service (e.g., $20.83 per month) but limited to one role per year and non-refundable. The program expires automatically six years after implementation unless reauthorized by the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 603 establishes Missouri's Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman to independently monitor correctional conditions and investigate complaints. The ombudsman office, with inspection and complaints investigation sections, directly affects incarcerated people and correctional staff by addressing "covered issues" like sanitation, safety, medical care, access to programs, and abuse allegations. Key provisions require the ombudsman to monitor department compliance with safety standards, provide information about rights, and investigate concerns raised by incarcerated individuals, staff, or family members. The bill mandates the ombudsman report annually to the governor and legislature on findings and recommendations. This creates a new oversight mechanism within the Department of Corrections, focusing on transparency and accountability.

Maddy summaryHB 1068 clarifies that a franchisor is not considered an employer of a franchisee's employees, unless the franchisor directly controls hiring, termination, discipline, or work direction. This directly affects franchise businesses and their workers by limiting when a franchisor can be held legally responsible for employment matters. The key provision sets a clear standard: franchisors only become joint employers if they exercise specific, direct control over employee management. The bill aims to reduce ambiguity in employment relationships within franchising systems. It does not change existing labor laws but defines the circumstances under which franchisors may be liable.

Maddy summaryHB 1221 amends Missouri's empowerment scholarship program to allow funds in students' accounts to cover driver education costs. Specifically, it adds "reimbursing a qualified student for up to one thousand dollars of costs and fees incurred for driver education instruction, training, and testing" as an eligible expense. This directly affects students enrolled in the Missouri empowerment scholarship program who need driver education. The change expands existing allowable uses of scholarship funds without altering eligibility requirements or program administration.

Maddy summaryHB 1400 modifies licensing requirements for home health agencies by mandating that agencies require in-home care providers to sign noncompete agreements. These agreements prevent providers from competing with the agency for six months after termination within their first six months of employment. The bill also requires annual license renewal with a $600 fee, proof of compliance with existing regulations (verified by department inspections), and reporting of updated agency information. It ensures licenses are specific to the agency listed in the application and allows the department to accept comparable surveys from other agencies. The bill directly affects home health agencies and their in-home care providers by changing employment contract requirements and renewal processes.

Maddy summaryHB 1075 allows individuals already convicted of a crime to file a separate legal claim arguing they are factually innocent, directly affecting those challenging their conviction through postconviction proceedings. The bill requires courts to vacate a conviction if clear and convincing evidence shows the conviction is unreliable, considering new evidence not presented at trial, original trial evidence, and prior appeal records. It creates a specific process for courts to evaluate innocence claims without requiring a new trial. The bill does not change sentencing or create new crimes, focusing solely on reviewing existing convictions based on new factual evidence. This is a procedural change for postconviction cases, not a substantive policy shift in criminal law.

Maddy summaryHB 1039 extends the expiration date of a provision allowing retired teachers (not receiving disability benefits) to work as part-time or temporary substitute teachers without losing their retirement allowance. The bill updates the existing policy, which currently expires in 2025, to remain in effect until June 30, 2030. This change directly affects retired teachers who wish to substitute in public schools while continuing to receive their retirement benefits, provided they work part-time or temporarily (not full-time). The law maintains existing requirements, such as background checks and school district approval, but clarifies that retirees cannot contribute to retirement systems during substitute work and must not exceed part-time limits to retain benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 290 creates the "Radioactive Waste Investigation Fund" in Missouri's state treasury, managed by the state treasurer. The fund allows the Department of Natural Resources to investigate local concerns about radioactive waste contamination, using scientific methods, after receiving written requests from local governments with specific area details and supporting documentation. It limits annual spending to $150,000 per fiscal year, with unused funds reverting to the hazardous waste fund, and requires the department to report results publicly within 45 days of completing investigations. This directly affects local governments seeking to address potential radioactive contamination and the Department of Natural Resources, which administers the fund and conducts investigations.