Rep. George Hruza

Maddy summaryHB 2472 prohibits call spoofing (misrepresenting the caller's identity) when making telephone solicitations to business subscribers and residential subscribers who have registered their objection with the Missouri Attorney General. The bill requires the Attorney General to establish a state no-call database for subscribers who opt out of unsolicited calls, making it illegal to solicit anyone on this list. It applies to all solicitation methods, including voice calls, text messages, and messaging services, but includes exceptions for calls with prior permission or recent business contact. The law replaces outdated provisions to specifically address caller ID spoofing as a prohibited practice.

Maddy summaryHB 2546 creates a Missouri telemarketing no-call list that allows businesses and residential phone subscribers to register their objection to unwanted sales calls and fundraising attempts. The Missouri Attorney General will maintain a free database where subscribers can opt out, requiring telemarketers to check this list before contacting registered numbers. The bill also prohibits call spoofing (misrepresenting caller identity to deceive recipients) during telemarketing. This law aims to reduce unsolicited calls by giving subscribers a clear opt-out method and enforcing compliance through the state database.

Maddy summaryHB 2557 requires hospitals with emergency departments to have a physician physically present and on duty at all times when the emergency department is open. This bill directly affects hospitals operating emergency services by mandating continuous on-site physician coverage. The key provision specifies that a physician must be responsible for the emergency department during all operational hours, without exceptions. This policy change aims to establish consistent staffing standards for emergency care, though it does not address other hospital resources or patient outcomes.

Maddy summaryHB 2560 allows students with asthma or anaphylaxis to self-administer prescribed epinephrine devices (like EpiPens) at school under specific safety conditions. Schools must verify physician approval, confirm the student can safely use the device, and require a written treatment plan signed by both the physician and parent. The bill also mandates schools keep emergency medication accessible and establishes protocols for school nurses to maintain and use epinephrine during acute reactions. Parental waivers acknowledging school liability protections (excluding negligence) are required for authorization.

Maddy summaryHB 1842 allows Missouri website owners and the state Attorney General to challenge lawsuits alleging website accessibility violations (under laws like the ADA) if those lawsuits are deemed "abusive." It defines abusive litigation as primarily seeking payment from defendants rather than fixing accessibility issues, requiring courts to consider factors like the plaintiff's history of similar lawsuits and the defendant's resources. If litigation is found abusive, the suing party must pay the defendant's legal fees and potentially up to three times those fees as punitive damages. The law includes a 30-day window for defendants to correct accessibility issues to avoid a presumption of abusive litigation.

Maddy summaryHB 1966 requires health insurance plans in Missouri to cover nonopioid medications for acute pain (pain expected to last 30 days or less) on the same terms as opioids. It prohibits insurers from denying coverage for nonopioid drugs, forcing patients to try opioids first, or charging higher out-of-pocket costs for nonopioid options. The law directly affects patients (enrollees) and health insurance plans, ensuring equal treatment for nonopioid alternatives when prescribed by licensed providers. It takes effect for all new or renewed health benefit plans on or after January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1680 requires health insurance plans to cover nonopioid medications equally to opioids for treating acute pain (short-term pain from injury or illness expected to last 30 days or less). It prohibits insurers from denying coverage for nonopioid drugs, forcing patients to try opioids first, or charging higher copays for nonopioid options compared to opioids. This directly affects health insurance plans and their enrollees (policyholders) who need pain treatment. The law applies to all health benefit plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027. The bill aims to expand access to nonopioid pain management by removing financial and procedural barriers in insurance coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 2150 creates a legal process for Missouri businesses sued over website accessibility claims (under ADA or state law) to challenge such lawsuits as "abusive." It directly affects Missouri-based website owners and their attorneys, as well as plaintiffs' lawyers filing these cases. Key provisions require defendants to fix accessibility issues within 30 days to avoid a presumption of abusive litigation, and courts must weigh factors like the plaintiff’s history of similar cases or defendant resources when deciding. If litigation is deemed abusive, courts can award the defendant attorney fees and up to three times those fees as punitive damages. The law expires if the federal government issues website accessibility standards under the ADA.

Maddy summaryHB 2775 requires health insurance companies (health carriers) to pay anesthesia providers based on standard time-based billing without capping or excluding anesthesia time. It prohibits insurers from penalizing in-network providers for out-of-network services and mandates that reimbursement calculations follow established medical coding standards. The bill also requires all insurance contracts and related documents (like policies or protocols) to be clearly accessible electronically, with changes visually marked, for providers and patients. This affects health insurers, anesthesia providers, and patients covered by health plans. The law applies to contracts issued after August 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1755 creates a process for Missouri businesses to challenge lawsuits claiming their websites don’t meet accessibility standards as "abusive litigation." It requires defendants to fix accessibility issues within 30 days before lawsuits can be contested, and directs courts to consider factors like whether multiple similar lawsuits were filed or if the defendant could reasonably address the issue. If a court rules litigation abusive, it can order the filing party to pay the defendant’s legal fees and up to three times those costs. The law specifically targets lawsuits alleging violations of federal or state disability access laws related to websites operated by Missouri residents.