SS#3/SB 1062 - This act requires the Commissioner of Administration, prior to awarding any contract in an amount of $20 million or more, to obtain the consent of both the chair of the house budget committee and the chair of the senate appropriations committee. Under this act, the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing shall establish a statewide communication access services program to improve compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act for agencies and businesses by coordinating resources, filling service gaps, and assisting with costs related to accommodations. The Commission shall develop a statewide registry of service providers, establish training and equipment standards, maintain an informational website, provide training, conduct outreach, and submit an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly, as described in the act. The Commission shall also, subject to appropriation, finance requests for assistance in providing communication access services and administer scholarships for professional development, internships, and certification testing. This provision is identical to SB 1637 (2026) and similar to SB 766 (2025). This act creates the "Charity Act" and the "Charity" program. The act requires the Department of Social Services to coordinate with various state agencies and a partner network to assist participants in achieving personal goals, self-sufficiency, community integration, and a prosperous future. Participation in the Charity program is limited to legal residents who are 18 years of age or older, except as otherwise provided in the act. State departments and agencies are required to participate in the Charity program at the direction of the Governor. In order to use government resources more effectively and efficiently, participating state departments and agencies shall use existing resources and personnel, to the extent possible, to operate the Charity program. This provision is substantially similar to SB 1803 (2026). SARAH HASKINS

Removed all provisions related to communication access services, interpreters, and disability accommodations for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Added a new 'Charity Act' establishing a public-private, community-based assistance program for Missouri residents.

Established eligibility criteria requiring applicants to be legal residents of Missouri, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and at least 18 years old (or 16 if emancipated).

Created new definitions for 'Missouri partner network', 'Participant', and 'Participating state agency' related to the charity program.

Removed the 'Communication Access Services Fund' and replaced it with a new charity program funding structure.

Added requirements for the Department of Social Services to create a case management system and website for the charity program.

Header information was updated to reflect Senate Amendment No. 3 and the bill's current status as offered and adopted.

A new deadline was added requiring that any rulemaking authority granted under this section become invalid and void if a rule is proposed or adopted after August 28, 2026.

Removed the entire 'Hope Missouri' program which was designed to help participants achieve personal goals through care plans, navigators, and community resource connections.

Added a new program to establish a statewide communication access services program for agencies and businesses to improve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Added new definitions for 'Commission' (Missouri commission for the deaf and hard of hearing), 'Communication access services', and 'Communication access service provider'.

Added requirements for the commission to establish a statewide registry of communication access service providers, set minimum standards for training and equipment, and maintain an informational website.

Added requirements for the commission to provide consultation, training, and technical assistance to state and local agencies to help them comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Changed the contract approval requirement from requiring consent from budget and appropriations committee chairs for contracts of twenty million dollars or more to apply to the commissioner of administration.

Created a new 'Communication Access Services Fund' in the state treasury to support the program, including salaries, financial assistance, and scholarships.