Rep. Stephanie Boykin

Maddy summaryHB 2368 prohibits AI developers and deployers in Missouri from advertising or representing artificial intelligence as a mental health professional or capable of providing therapy services. The bill directly affects companies or individuals creating or using AI systems in the state, requiring them to avoid misleading claims about AI's clinical capabilities. Violations would be enforced by the Missouri Attorney General under the state's consumer protection laws, with civil penalties of $10,000 for first offenses and $20,000 for subsequent violations. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (prefiled and first reading) and does not regulate AI use in mental health treatment itself, only advertising practices.

Maddy summaryHB 1880 prohibits Missouri public schools and charter schools receiving state funding from selling caffeinated drinks containing more than 100 milligrams of caffeine per container to children enrolled in those schools. The law applies to all school districts and charter schools that receive state aid under Chapter 163 or other state moneys. It directly limits the caffeine content of beverages sold in school settings by establishing a clear 100-milligram-per-container threshold for all drinks offered to students.

Maddy summaryHB 2771 extends federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) protections to Missouri National Guard members and eligible Missouri employees called to active state duty by their state's governor or adjutant general. It applies to Missouri National Guard members or Missouri-based employees serving in another state's National Guard for more than 30 consecutive days. The bill guarantees these individuals the same reemployment rights and civil protections (like mortgage/rent relief) under federal SCRA law, and authorizes the attorney general to enforce these rights or pursue legal action against violating employers. This ensures state-activated service members face no employment or financial penalties upon returning to civilian life.

Maddy summaryHB 1430 expands Missouri's senior property tax credit by raising the income limit for eligibility and adding new qualifying groups. It increases the spouse income exemption from $2,000 to $20,000 (effective 2026), expands disability eligibility to include veterans with 100% service-connected disability, and adds surviving spouses receiving Social Security benefits. The credit, based on property taxes paid on a primary residence, requires new documentation for disability or veteran status but removes barriers like needing prior employment. This change would allow more seniors, disabled residents, veterans, and surviving spouses to qualify for tax relief on their home payments.

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.

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 1449 establishes the "Youth Workforce Development Program" to provide job training, internships, and life skills support for at-risk youth aged 12-21 in counties with over one million residents or certain cities. The program directly serves youth involved in the juvenile justice system, those with documented risk factors (like school suspensions, homelessness, or substance abuse exposure), and those referred by courts, schools, or social services. Key provisions include creating vocational training and high school completion opportunities within juvenile detention facilities, partnering with local businesses for job placements, and funding through a dedicated state fund for program costs like transportation and mental health services. Annual reports will track participant outcomes, including employment rates and recidivism, with the program set to sunset after six years unless reauthorized.

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 summaryHJR 6 proposes a constitutional amendment to expand property tax exemptions in Missouri, primarily affecting disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. The amendment would exempt the primary home (homestead) of disabled veterans - defined as those certified by the VA for 100% service-connected disability - and their surviving spouses (if they continue living in the home) from property taxes. It also maintains existing exemptions for business inventories (e.g., manufacturers' raw materials and retailers' stock) and properties used by religious, charitable, or educational organizations. The amendment requires voter approval in Missouri’s 2026 general election.

Maddy summaryHB 927 designates June as "Fathership Month" in Missouri to promote awareness of fathers' roles in children's lives and establishes the "Missouri Fathership Project" within the Department of Social Services. The bill creates a grant program to fund community organizations that hire "fathership project specialists" who help fathers rebuild relationships with children, navigate court systems, and overcome barriers to reunification. These specialists serve as direct liaisons for fathers in family court cases, developing personalized plans to address relationship breakdowns and support compliance with court-ordered case plans. The initiative directly affects fathers seeking to reconnect with children, particularly those involved in family court or child support cases, and is funded through state appropriations and dedicated grants.