HB 1190 Missouri House · 2025 Regular Session

Establishes the "Firefighters' Procedural Bill of Rights Act"

HB 1190 establishes procedural protections for firefighters in public agencies (like fire departments and ambulance districts) after they complete their probationary period. It requires that investigations leading to punitive actions (such as dismissal, demotion, or suspension) follow specific rules, including informing firefighters of the investigation's nature, allowing them to have a representative present, recording interrogations, and granting immunity before forced testimony. The bill also prohibits retaliation against firefighters for exercising these rights or using existing grievance procedures, and ensures they can appeal disciplinary decisions. These provisions apply directly to firefighters, paramedics, and emergency dispatchers employed by public agencies.

Issues: ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 4, 2025 Last action Apr 16, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → House Committee Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended from an 'Introduced' version to a 'House Committee Substitute' version, primarily adding new definitions and reorganizing the structure of the Firefighters' Procedural Bill of Rights Act. The most significant change is the expansion of who qualifies as a 'firefighter' to include Missouri residents employed by public agencies in various first responder and ancillary service roles, not just traditional firefighters. The substitute also adds new definitions for 'interrogation', 'representative', and 'social media account' to clarify rights during investigations and communications.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include a broader range of public safety workers beyond traditional firefighters, including emergency maintenance technicians, emergency medical service workers, and other first responders employed by fire districts, departments, or authorities.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'firefighter' was expanded from only firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and 911 dispatchers to include Missouri residents employed as first responders or ancillary service personnel, including emergency maintenance technicians and other EMTs.

New definition of 'interrogation' was added to clarify it means any formal interview or questioning regarding misconduct or policy violations.

New definition of 'representative' was added to establish the right for a firefighter to have someone accompany and advise them during interrogations and investigations.

New definition of 'social media account' was added to include various electronic services and content types, likely to address digital communications in investigations.

STRUCTURE

The bill's header was updated to reflect it is now a House Committee Substitute rather than an introduced bill, and the bill number changed from 2628H.01I to 2628H.03C.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 16, 2025

Committee

Referred: Rules - Administrative(H)

lower

Apr 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

HCS Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 13 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0

lower

Mar 31, 2025

Lower · Passed

HCS Voted Do Pass (H)

lower

Mar 5, 2025

Committee

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)

lower

Feb 4, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and Read First Time (H)

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor