Rep. Kem Smith

Maddy summaryHB 1481 repeals a requirement that counties with a charter government and a population between 600,000 and 700,000 must hold regular county municipal court sessions in the evening after 6:00 p.m. and at locations outside the county seat. This change directly affects those specific counties by removing a mandatory scheduling rule. The bill replaces the repealed section with a new provision that does not include this requirement, allowing counties greater flexibility in organizing court sessions. Other aspects of county municipal courts, such as jurisdiction, judge qualifications, and case procedures, remain unchanged under the new law.

Maddy summaryHB 1439 exempts offenders on probation, parole, or conditional release from paying intervention fees for the first 60 days of their supervision. This directly affects individuals under community supervision, preventing fees from accruing during their initial transition period. The bill specifies that fees (capped at $60 monthly after the 60-day period) may still be charged and collected for community corrections services like substance abuse treatment or electronic monitoring. It modifies existing fee collection rules by mandating a temporary waiver period, without altering sentencing or parole eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 732 modifies Missouri's minimum prison terms for certain offenders. It requires offenders with prior felony convictions to serve: 40% of their sentence (or until age 60) for one prior commitment, 50% for two unrelated prior commitments, and 80% for three or more unrelated prior commitments. Dangerous felony offenders must serve 85% of their sentence. The bill also creates a Sentencing Advisory Commission to study sentencing disparities and alternative programs, though it does not change current sentences for offenders convicted before August 2019.

Maddy summaryHB 279 creates a tax credit for Missouri taxpayers who donate to shelters for domestic violence victims or rape crisis centers. The credit covers 50% of donations made before July 1, 2022, and 70% for donations after that date, up to the taxpayer's state tax liability. It caps annual credits at $50,000 per taxpayer, with unused portions carryable to the next tax year. Donations must total at least $100 in a tax year to qualify, and the Department of Social Services will verify eligible facilities.

Maddy summaryHJR 34 proposes a constitutional amendment to Missouri's Article III, adding "employees of school districts" to the list of exempt positions for state legislators. Currently, legislators cannot hold certain government jobs, but school district employees were not explicitly exempt (unlike school board members). This bill would allow legislators to work for school districts without losing their legislative seat. The amendment would take effect if approved by voters, changing the existing rule to include these employees in the exemption. It directly affects state representatives and senators who work for or seek employment with school districts.

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 summaryThis bill updates Missouri's laws regarding firearm possession for individuals subject to domestic violence protection orders by repealing and replacing several existing statutes. It directly affects people who have been issued full or ex parte orders of protection due to domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault. The key provision prohibits these individuals from possessing firearms while the protection order is in effect, with the order also allowing courts to include additional safety terms like no-contact rules and restrictions on entering shared living spaces. The legislation also expands what courts can order in protection cases, including child custody, visitation, support payments, counseling requirements, and reimbursement for shelter services.