Rep. LaDonna Appelbaum

Maddy summaryHCR 28 designates the last full week in April each year as "Infertility Awareness Week" to increase public understanding of infertility. The resolution directly affects individuals and couples experiencing infertility, which impacts roughly 1 in 6 U.S. couples, by reducing stigma and promoting awareness. It does not create new programs or change funding but formally recognizes this week annually to encourage support and highlight access to care.

Maddy summaryHJR 115 proposes a constitutional amendment to create a property tax exemption for Missouri disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. It defines a "disabled veteran" as a Missouri resident honorably separated from military service with a 100% VA-certified service-connected disability, and a "homestead" as their primary residence (not exceeding 2.5 acres). The exemption would apply to real property used as a primary home, excluding portions rented for more than six months annually. This amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election and would replace the current property tax exemption provisions in Missouri's constitution.

Maddy summaryHJR 57 proposes a constitutional amendment to replace Missouri's current Section 23 of the state Constitution with a new provision protecting the right to keep and bear arms. The amendment guarantees this right for home defense, personal safety, and property protection, requiring strict scrutiny for any restrictions and exempting convicted violent felons or individuals deemed a mental health risk by a court. It also allows cities and counties to regulate firearm possession, carrying, or transfer through local ordinances that limit fees to administrative costs, require 5-year permits, and exempt active law enforcement, judges, and certain security personnel. The amendment explicitly states it complies with the U.S. Second Amendment and federal court decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 487 requires health insurance plans covering 25+ employees to include infertility diagnosis and treatment (like IVF, embryo transfer, artificial insemination, and egg freezing before cancer treatment) starting August 2025. It mandates coverage only after less expensive infertility treatments fail, limits IVF to four oocyte retrievals (with exceptions for live births), and excludes religious institutions that oppose the procedures based on faith. The bill directly affects employers offering group health plans and employees seeking fertility care, ensuring broader access while respecting religious exemptions. Coverage is not required for plans sponsored by religious organizations that object to the treatments.

Maddy summaryHB 878 changes Missouri law by making it illegal to possess a "high-capacity magazine" (defined as a magazine holding more than ten rounds of ammunition). This directly affects individuals who own or carry such magazines, as it becomes a class D felony offense. The bill adds this specific provision to existing weapons possession laws, with exceptions for law enforcement, military personnel, and certain commercial or display activities under federal law. It does not change penalties for other weapons listed in the law.

Maddy summaryHB 998 establishes Missouri's "Free School Meals Program," requiring participating public schools and charter schools to provide all students with two free, federally reimbursable meals daily (breakfast and lunch) at no cost. It directly affects Missouri schools enrolled in the USDA National School Lunch Program that qualify for federal free meal rates under the Community Eligibility Provision. The program mandates state reimbursement to schools for the difference between the federal meal rate and what they actually receive, ensuring no cost to students. This replaces previous eligibility requirements, making meals universally free for all students in participating schools.

Maddy summaryHB 877 requires Missouri health insurance plans (effective January 2026) to cover a prescribed drug without forcing patients to switch to a different medication first, unless their doctor provides written approval stating the switch is medically necessary for their health. This directly affects patients who receive prescriptions and their healthcare providers, preventing insurers from mandating alternative drugs without medical justification. The bill does not apply to step therapy protocols (already covered under existing law) or interchangeable biological drugs. It aims to give patients and doctors more control over medication choices within insurance coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 980 creates a state tax credit for individuals who adopt pets from animal shelters. Taxpayers can claim a credit of up to $125 per adoption (capped at two adoptions per year) to offset adoption fees and associated costs, with the total annual credit amount limited to $500,000 across all taxpayers. To qualify, adopters must keep the animal as a pet and maintain proper care; if the animal is returned, abused, sold, or otherwise mishandled, the credit must be repaid. The program expires automatically after six years unless renewed by the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 876 requires property owners, sellers, landlords, or transferors to disclose in writing if a property was contaminated with radioactive or hazardous material, but only if they have formal knowledge of the contamination (e.g., via a government agency report). This applies to current or prospective tenants, buyers, or transferees of rental, leased, sold, or transferred properties. Failure to disclose such contamination can result in a class A misdemeanor charge, and tenants may terminate leases without cost if contamination was concealed. The bill also mandates that property owners disclose government requests for testing and requires agencies to notify residents of contamination on residential properties within 30 days.

Maddy summaryHB 879 establishes Missouri's "Voter Fraud Prevention Act" by creating automatic voter registration through state agencies. Eligible voters automatically register when interacting with agencies like the DMV, social services, or universities, unless they actively decline within 45 days via a mailed notice. The bill defines penalties for intentional fraud, such as submitting false information for registration or voting multiple times, but clarifies that system errors aren't offenses unless knowingly caused. It directly affects all eligible Missouri voters who engage with designated state services, requiring agencies to share registration data monthly to the secretary of state.