HB 1644 Missouri House · 2026 Regular Session

Creates new provisions relating to joint employers

HB 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.

Issues: ✗ Labor & Employment

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Dec 2025

Committee Review

May 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

Governor

Introduced Dec 1, 2025 Last action May 5, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Senate Committee Substitute → Senate Substitute (Senate Floor Substitute) · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to expand its scope from solely regulating employer-employee relationships in franchising and general employment to also covering public sector labor rights. The new version repeals sections related to police, teachers, and other public employees, adding specific protections for their right to unionize and negotiate wages. It also introduces a detailed dispute resolution process for 'first responders' involving mandatory mediation and arbitration if negotiations fail.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded significantly to include public sector employees (such as police, teachers, and state highway patrolmen) and established a specific framework for collective bargaining for first responders, whereas the original version focused on franchising relationships and general private sector definitions.

SCOPE

Added provisions granting public employees the right to form labor organizations and negotiate salaries without fear of discharge or discrimination.

Removed the specific definition of 'franchisee' and 'franchisor' and the clause regarding direct control over hiring and termination in franchise relationships.

DEFINITION

Defined 'first responder' to include firefighters, EMTs, 911 dispatchers, and police officers for the purpose of collective bargaining.

Removed the extensive list of exclusions from the definition of 'employee' found in the original version, which included exemptions for agricultural workers, small business employees, and those in specific industries.

REQUIREMENT

Established a mandatory timeline for bargaining, requiring meetings within thirty days of union designation and mediation if an agreement is not reached within one hundred eighty days.

ENFORCEMENT

Created a binding interest arbitration process to resolve labor disputes, including the selection of arbitrators from federal or private panels.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 5, 2026

Committee

Referred: Fiscal Review(H)

lower

May 5, 2026

Introduced

Reported to the House with... (H) - SS SCS, as amended

lower

May 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Read and Passed with Amendments (S) - SA 1 - AYES: 23 NOES: 8 PRESENT: 0

upper

May 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

SS Adopted (S)

upper

May 5, 2026

Introduced

SS Offered

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

SCS Reported Do Pass (S)

upper

Mar 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

SCS Voted Do Pass (S)

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Committee

Second read and referred: Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence(S)

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Read and Passed (H) - AYES: 103 NOES: 45 PRESENT: 0

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 9 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Voted Do Pass (H)

lower

Jan 29, 2026

Committee

Referred: Rules - Administrative(H)

lower

Jan 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Jan 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Voted Do Pass (H)

lower

Jan 8, 2026

Committee

Referred: Economic Development(H)

lower

Dec 1, 2025

Introduced

Prefiled (H)

lower

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors