Rep. Doug Clemens

Maddy summaryHB 2285 would require Missouri employers with 100 or more employees to provide severance pay when terminating 50 or more workers at a single establishment within a 30-day period (defined as a "mass layoff"). This applies specifically to layoffs not caused by voluntary departures, retirements, misconduct, or seasonal work, and excludes situations where employers offer equivalent jobs within 50 miles. Employers must give at least 90 days' notice before such layoffs and provide severance pay to affected employees. The bill establishes this as a new employer obligation under Missouri law, without specifying severance pay amounts.

Maddy summaryHJR 127 proposes a constitutional amendment for Missouri that would require all marriages to be between individuals aged 18 or older. If approved by voters, it would repeal the current constitutional definition of marriage (Section 33) and replace it with a new provision stating marriage must exist only between people who are 18 or older. This amendment directly affects anyone seeking to marry in Missouri by establishing a minimum age requirement for marriage. The bill does not change the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman (that language is a placeholder to be removed), but instead focuses solely on the age requirement. The amendment would be submitted to voters in the November 2026 general election.

Maddy summaryHJR 142 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would add a new right to Missouri's state constitution, protecting individuals' ability to make medical decisions - including gender-affirming care - without government interference. It would require that any medical decision be freely made by the individual, supported by a licensed physician, and consistent with evidence-based standards of care. The amendment specifically includes the right for adults to make decisions about gender-affirming procedures (such as hormone therapy, surgeries, and fertility preservation) and prohibits state interference or discrimination against individuals or providers supporting these choices. If approved by voters in the 2026 election, this would become a constitutional right in Missouri, not an immediate law.

Maddy summaryHB 1969 requires excavators (like construction companies) to submit a notice of intent to dig to Missouri's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) before starting work. The DNR must then check if the site is within a location contaminated with hazardous waste, including areas under active cleanup, requiring cleanup, or listed in the state's hazardous waste registry. If contamination is confirmed, the DNR mandates soil testing - either by the responsible party or directly by the DNR - to ensure worker safety. This affects excavation projects by adding a mandatory safety check before digging begins.

Maddy summaryHB 1970 establishes Missouri's "Biometric Information Privacy Act," requiring businesses (private entities) that collect biometric data - such as fingerprints or facial scans - to create public policies for how long they retain and permanently destroy this information. The law mandates specific written consent from individuals for collecting biometric data, limited to purposes like secure access control or tracking work hours without location monitoring. It excludes government agencies, courts, and health-related data (e.g., medical scans under HIPAA) from its scope.

Maddy summaryHB 2590, the Healthy Pets Act, requires commercial breeders to maintain health records for breeding animals, including genetic testing, vaccinations, hip dysplasia screenings for dogs, and annual vet exams with photos. It mandates that breeders provide these records - including medical history, parentage, and socialization details - to pet shops and buyers when selling animals. Pet shops must display the breeder’s license and price prominently, and guarantee animals are free from genetic or major medical conditions for one year, covering treatment costs or refunds if issues arise. Violations by breeders or pet shops can result in fines (class A misdemeanor) or license revocation, with dealers prohibited from purchasing from breeders with recent animal abuse violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires regular inspections of fire safety dampers (devices that prevent fire/smoke spread through HVAC systems) in most non-residential Missouri buildings, excluding small homes. It mandates an initial inspection within 12 months of installation and subsequent checks every four years, following NFPA standards with physical visual inspections required (not remote methods). Inspectors must hold specific ICB certifications or equivalent, and building owners must maintain compliance records, issue deficiency reports for failures, and post public verification notices. These requirements apply to commercial buildings, schools, hospitals, and other multi-use structures governed by Missouri political subdivisions.

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 summaryHB 2303 requires Missouri public school districts to implement a personal finance course as a half-unit graduation requirement starting in the 2027-28 school year. The bill mandates the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to form a work group - including educators, banking representatives, and financial industry experts - to develop course standards. Students must complete this course after ninth grade to earn a high school diploma, with limited exemptions for transfer students or those with approved academic plans. The course content must cover money management, budgeting, and financial tools needed for adulthood. School districts will have until 2027 to adopt these standards, which must be reviewed every seven years.

Maddy summaryHB 1504 modifies contribution rates for the Public School Retirement System of the City of St. Louis, directly affecting public school employees in St. Louis who participate in the retirement system. It sets employee contributions at 5% for pre-2018 hires, increasing by 0.5% annually until reaching 9% by 2022, while new hires (2018+) pay 9% immediately. The bill also adjusts employer contributions, requiring 16% of total member compensation in 2018, decreasing by 0.5% annually to 12.5% by 2025. These changes aim to balance system funding through structured, predictable contribution adjustments for both employees and employers.