Rep. George Hruza

Maddy summaryHB 2872 requires Missouri teacher preparation programs to train future educators in evidence-based reading instruction methods, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and vocabulary. It prohibits the use of the "three-cueing system" in coursework and mandates that programs align with specific literacy components. The bill establishes a new Missouri Advisory Board for Educator Preparation (MABEP) to advise on teacher training and creates an Office of Literacy within the state education department. It also funds school districts through a new "Evidence-based Reading Instruction Program Fund" for tutoring, teacher training, and evidence-based reading materials, with compliance reviews starting in 2027. This directly affects teacher training institutions, new educators, and public school districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes insurance coverage provisions for orthotic, prosthetic, and assistive devices for individuals enrolled in Missouri's MO HealthNet program, which provides health care to low-income residents. The legislation outlines specific payment rules and coverage limits for various health services, including hospital care, physician services, prescription drugs, and home health care, while explicitly excluding certain providers like abortion facilities from receiving funds. Key provisions include setting payment amounts at no more than 80% of reasonable costs for outpatient services, limiting chiropractic visits to 20 per year, and restricting nursing home coverage for those with significant home equity. The bill also defines eligibility criteria and payment methodologies for different types of care, ensuring services are medically necessary and aligned with federal regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2170 updates Missouri's child passenger safety requirements, requiring drivers to secure children under 16 in appropriate restraints based on age, weight, and height. Specifically, children under 3 must use rear-facing seats (with limited manufacturer exceptions), those under 4 must use a restraint regardless of weight, children under 8 and under 40 pounds must use a restraint, and children aged 4-8 who weigh 40+ pounds but are under 4'9" need a booster seat. Violations for the first four categories are minor infractions punishable by up to $50 fines, but drivers can avoid penalties by purchasing a compliant restraint before court. The law excludes school buses (for students 4+ on buses with 11+ seats) and public carriers, and includes a public education program to support compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 1707 modifies Missouri's sales tax code by excluding credit card and debit card processing fees from the definition of "gross receipts." This means businesses will no longer pay sales tax on these transaction fees, as they are now specifically exempted from the taxable sales amount. The bill directly affects retailers, restaurants, and other businesses that process payments through credit or debit cards. The key mechanism clarifies that these fees, previously included in taxable gross receipts, are now treated as separate from the actual sale price for tax calculation purposes. This change reduces the tax burden on businesses for payment processing costs.

Maddy summaryHB 2383 creates new criminal offenses targeting trespass and damage to critical infrastructure facilities, such as power plants, water treatment centers, telecom networks, pipelines, and dams. It establishes a misdemeanor charge for unauthorized entry and elevates damage to a felony, with penalties increasing based on the cost of damage or service disruption. The bill also prohibits unauthorized possession of copper, fiber-optic, or telecom materials (like cables or wires) without proper authorization, making it a felony for most individuals. These provisions directly affect trespassers, vandals, and unauthorized scrap handlers, while exempting authorized entities like utility companies and licensed recyclers. The law focuses on protecting essential infrastructure from intentional harm or theft of materials.

Maddy summaryHB 2404 prohibits political subdivisions (like cities, counties, and school districts) from creating policies or restrictions that block charter schools from using property they’ve sold, leased, or transferred for lawful education. Specifically, it bans deed restrictions, local ordinances, or policies that prevent charter schools from using such property for classrooms, programs, or other educational purposes. The bill also requires school districts to offer unused school buildings (those not used for academic or school activities within two years) to charter schools first, with specific notice and 60-day right-of-first-refusal rules. This directly affects charter schools seeking facilities and local governments managing property transfers.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits digital instruction to 45 minutes daily for elementary students in kindergarten through grade five and requires at least 70% of assignments to be completed using pen, paper, or handwriting practice. It mandates daily access to printed books, hands-on learning tools (like blocks or science materials) in core subjects, and explicit cursive handwriting instruction starting in grade two, with requirements to read/write legible cursive by grade five. Exemptions apply for students with IEPs or 504 plans, and schools must adopt written technology-use policies, report device usage, and verify compliance with paper-based and cursive requirements. The law takes effect for the 2027-28 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 1855 requires Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services to add alpha-gal syndrome and Lyme disease to its list of noncommunicable diseases needing mandatory reporting. Healthcare providers must report most cases within seven days of a positive lab result, while labs must report alpha-gal syndrome cases using specific IgE test thresholds (≥0.1 IU/mL). The department must verify cases through random sampling and submit annual reports to the CDC on these diseases. This directly affects healthcare providers, laboratories, and public health officials responsible for disease surveillance in Missouri.

Maddy summaryHB 1945 modifies Missouri's health care payment system for clinical pathology services under MO HealthNet (the state's Medicaid program). It requires MO HealthNet to pay hospital-based pathologists 30% of Medicare's rate for the "professional component" of their services (interpretation and diagnosis), with payments going directly to the hospital if the pathologist is employed there, or to the third-party provider if not. This affects hospitals, pathologists, and MO HealthNet patients by standardizing reimbursement for these diagnostic services. The bill also adds licensing requirements for drug distributors (section 338.333), but the primary focus is on pathology billing changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1644 clarifies employer responsibility in franchise relationships by stating that a franchisor (the company granting the franchise) is not considered an employer of a franchisee's (the individual running the franchise location) employees, unless the franchisor directly controls hiring, firing, discipline, or daily work direction. This bill specifically prevents franchisors from being held responsible for employment matters like wages or working conditions for franchisee employees, unless they exercise direct control over those specific actions. The law applies to all franchise operations covered under the U.S. Department of Labor's franchising rules (16 CFR 436.1) and directly affects franchisees, their employees, and franchisors by defining clear boundaries for employer liability. It creates a straightforward rule to avoid confusion over who is legally responsible for employee treatment in the franchise model.