Rep. George Hruza

Maddy summaryHB 1674 creates a legal process for Missouri-based website operators to challenge lawsuits claiming their sites violate accessibility laws (like the ADA). If a business fixes the alleged website issue within 30 days (or 90 days if not fixed), the lawsuit is presumed abusive unless proven otherwise. Courts will assess if the lawsuit’s primary goal was financial gain, considering factors like the plaintiff’s history of similar cases, the defendant’s resources, and settlement discussions. The law expires if federal authorities issue official website accessibility standards under the ADA.

Maddy summaryHB 1780 creates a legal process for Missouri website owners facing lawsuits alleging violations of accessibility laws (like the ADA) to challenge whether such lawsuits are "abusive." It allows defendants to file a civil action asking courts to determine if the lawsuit's primary purpose was obtaining payment for defense costs, not fixing website access. Courts must consider factors like the plaintiff's history of similar lawsuits, defendant resources, and whether the website was corrected within 30 days (creating a presumption the lawsuit is abusive if not corrected within 90 days). The law expires if the federal government issues ADA website accessibility standards.

Maddy summaryHB 2312, if passed, would create a legal remedy for Missouri residents and businesses targeted by lawsuits claiming websites violate accessibility laws (like the ADA). It allows these parties to sue the lawyers or firms filing such lawsuits if courts determine the litigation is "abusive" - meaning it primarily seeks payment for defense costs rather than fixing accessibility issues. Key provisions include a 30-day window for defendants to correct website issues before lawsuits can be deemed abusive, court factors to assess abuse (like history of similar lawsuits or defendant resources), and penalties including attorney fees for abusive cases. The law would expire if the federal government issues ADA website accessibility standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1732 restricts the use of license plate covers in Missouri, requiring any cover to be transparent, non-tinted, and not impairing the plate's visibility to the naked eye or law enforcement technology. It prohibits covers that obscure license plate information or reduce reflective qualities, directly affecting all vehicle owners who use such covers. The bill mandates that plates remain plainly visible with intact reflectivity, aligning with existing requirements for plate mounting and legibility. This change updates vehicle registration rules to standardize cover usage without banning covers entirely.

Maddy summaryHB 754 updates rules for Missouri financial organizations (like banks and trust companies) by replacing outdated sections of state law. It requires new corporate formation documents to include specific details like corporate name restrictions, capital stock amounts, and shareholder information. The bill also allows directors of well-rated institutions (FFIEC rating 1 or 2) to participate in board meetings remotely via phone or video, provided meeting materials are shared and participation meets strict privacy requirements. These changes directly affect financial organizations seeking to form or operate in Missouri.

Maddy summaryHB 121 amends Missouri law to allow parents to safely leave newborns (up to 90 days old) in hospital or maternity home newborn safety incubators, rather than requiring them to go to a specific location. The bill defines "newborn safety incubator" as a medical device for infant care and specifies that parents using this option cannot be prosecuted for abandonment. It also guarantees parents' anonymity, prohibits staff from seeking identifying information, and restricts disclosure of parent details except to specific child welfare or legal personnel. This directly affects parents considering safe surrender, hospitals, maternity homes, and pregnancy resource centers.

Maddy summaryHB 225 allows Missouri police chiefs or their designees to request assistance from law enforcement agencies in other Missouri jurisdictions or within the U.S. (including out-of-state agencies). It specifies that officers making arrests outside their jurisdiction must deliver offenders to local officers and assist with paperwork, while clarifying that officers remain employees of their home agency for liability and workers' compensation during such requests. The bill also confirms that qualified immunity and state/federal court interpretations apply to these cross-jurisdictional actions. It does not change existing emergency vehicle privileges (covered under section 300.100) or limit mutual aid agreements under other statutes.

Maddy summaryHB 1599 sets a specific reimbursement rate for Missouri's Medicaid program (MO HealthNet) for the professional interpretation of lab tests by pathologists. It requires MO HealthNet to pay 30% of Medicare's outpatient fee schedule for the "professional component" of clinical pathology services (the pathologist's diagnosis and interpretation, excluding lab work) provided to inpatient MO HealthNet patients by hospital-based pathologists. Payments are directed to the hospital if the pathologist is employed there, or to the third-party pathologist if they work outside the hospital. This bill directly affects hospital-based pathologists and MO HealthNet's payment process for these services, establishing a fixed reimbursement mechanism without expanding coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 1465 requires all entities distributing drugs in Missouri - including wholesale distributors, pharmacies, drug outsourcers, and third-party logistics providers - to obtain a license from the Missouri Board of Pharmacy before operating, including during emergencies or supply shortages. It mandates separate licenses for each distribution site and allows temporary licenses while applications are processed. The bill also establishes reciprocity rules for out-of-state companies with comparable licenses or National Association of Boards of Pharmacy accreditation, ensuring they can operate in Missouri under specific conditions. This directly affects pharmaceutical distributors and logistics businesses operating within the state.

Maddy summaryHB 844 requires all public school campuses to install FDA-approved automated external defibrillators (AEDs) by the 2026-27 school year and mandates that school personnel receive initial and annual training in AED use and CPR. The bill directly affects public schools and their staff, specifying that AEDs must be placed in high-traffic areas like gyms and cafeterias, meet technical standards (including automatic data collection), and be maintained annually by qualified technicians. It also establishes protocols for emergency response, including immediate CPR and defibrillation within 3-5 minutes of cardiac arrest. The legislation aims to improve emergency response to cardiac incidents in school settings without altering existing curriculum or student activities.