Maddy summaryHB 778 sets a $150,000 annual spending limit for the radioactive waste investigation fund, requiring any unused funds at year-end to revert to the hazardous waste fund. It allows local governments to request investigations into potential radioactive contamination in their areas by submitting written requests with supporting documentation. The Department of Natural Resources must prioritize these requests (giving extra weight to areas near known contamination sites), conduct investigations using scientific methods, and report results to local officials and the public within 45 days of final testing. The bill ensures investigations are conducted by qualified contractors or agencies and mandates that results be made publicly available online.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 280 modifies Missouri's divorce and legal separation laws by removing pregnancy as a barrier to court decisions. The bill requires courts to enter dissolution (divorce) or legal separation judgments if all other legal requirements are met, regardless of a party's pregnancy status. Key provisions include updated court procedures for handling child custody, support, and property division, while mandating that court records include the last four digits of Social Security numbers for all parties and children. This directly affects individuals seeking divorce or legal separation in Missouri who are pregnant, ensuring pregnancy cannot delay or prevent these proceedings.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the rules for the Radioactive Waste Investigation Fund to allow local governments to request investigations into potential radioactive contamination within their jurisdictions. Under the new provisions, the Department of Natural Resources must evaluate these requests and prioritize those near federally designated radioactive sites, while ensuring that any sampling inside homes only occurs with homeowner permission. The fund is capped at $150,000 per fiscal year for transfers and investigation costs, with any remaining money at the end of a two-year period returning to the general hazardous waste fund. All investigation results must be reported to the attorney general and the requesting local body, and the final reports must be made publicly available on the department's website.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Missouri's Health Professional Student Loan Repayment Program to expand the list of eligible professions to include psychologists, counselors, social workers, and marital and family therapists alongside physicians and dentists. It establishes a state fund to provide direct loan repayments to students in their final year of training or licensed professionals who agree to practice in designated areas of defined need, such as shortage zones or disaster-affected regions. The legislation outlines specific eligibility requirements, including Missouri residency and citizenship, and sets up financial penalties, including interest and legal fees, for individuals who fail to complete their service obligations after receiving repayment assistance.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates the legal definition of a public nuisance to clarify that asking for police or emergency help is not considered a nuisance. It specifically protects residents, tenants, and landlords from penalties, such as fines or eviction, if they call for assistance during an abuse situation, a crime, or an emergency. If a local government tries to punish someone for making such a call, the law allows the affected person to sue for damages, legal fees, and an order to stop the penalty. The measure aims to ensure that individuals can seek help without fear of facing housing or financial repercussions.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows courts in Missouri to order fathers to pay child support for unborn children if the mother requests it within two years of the birth. It defines an unborn child as existing from conception and sets the start of support obligations at six weeks after conception, as determined by a doctor. The amount of support is decided by a judge considering the best interests of the mother and child, and fathers who paid support under this law may seek reimbursement if paternity is later reassigned to someone else.
Maddy summaryHB 1899 requires certain public schools in the state to offer breakfast after the school day officially begins but before lunch starts. This mandate applies to schools where at least 70% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals, though schools that already provide universal breakfast before classes start are exempt. The law allows schools flexibility in how they serve the meals, such as in the classroom or for pickup, and includes a two-year grace period for schools that later fall below the eligibility threshold. Additionally, the bill directs the state education department to provide guidance, track implementation data, and submit annual reports on the program's effectiveness.
Maddy summaryHB 1896 removes the legal protection of confidentiality for communications made to ministers or clergypersons when those communications involve suspected child abuse or neglect. This change directly affects religious leaders and their organizations by requiring them to report known or suspected abuse to authorities, overriding previous rules that allowed them to keep such information private. The bill defines "abuse" and "neglect" broadly and specifies that ministers, designated agents, or staff members must immediately report these situations to the relevant division. Additionally, the law allows religious organizations to appoint specific agents responsible for making reports if a minister or staff member does not do so personally.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires limited liability companies that own real property in specific St. Louis County areas to file an affidavit with the county clerk. The document must list the name and address of at least one natural person who has management control over the property. Companies must update this information within thirty days if the designated contact person changes, and the state will not charge a fee for these filings. If a company fails to provide the required information, affected individuals or local governments can ask a court to force the filing.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Public Safety to include specific training on victims' statements in its human trafficking instruction for law enforcement officers. The legislation also establishes an affirmative defense for prostitution charges if the defendant was coerced through force or threats, and mandates that agencies notify social services when they encounter potential trafficking victims. Furthermore, it authorizes the Department of Social Services to coordinate with various organizations to provide support services such as housing, counseling, and job training to confirmed victims. Finally, the bill creates new legal avenues for victims to sue traffickers for damages and allows the Attorney General to seek civil penalties from entities that profit from trafficking violations.