SB 1580 - This act creates a new provision relating to the ordering and administering of ketamine for mental health purposes. The act provides that a licensed physician shall not delegate to any individual the authority to order ketamine hydrochloride for mental health purposes. Further, any licensed physician who delegates the administration of ketamine to a certified registered nurse anesthetist shall be on site and immediately available to supervise and respond during such treatment. Intravenous ketamine hydrochloride treatment for mental health purposes shall not be administered without a documented diagnosis and treatment plan from a physician. This act is identical to SB 830 (2025) and substantially similar to HB 1043 (2025). SARAH HASKINS
SJR 71 - This constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, prohibits abortions, except in cases of medical emergencies. The amendment also prohibits the use of surgeries, hormones, or drugs to assist a child with a gender transition. This amendment provides that the right to reproductive freedom shall not be construed to exempt any person, firm, or corporation from civil liability for medical malpractice, negligence, or wrongful death. The General Assembly shall have the authority to enact laws to carry out these provisions. This constitutional amendment is identical to SJR 9 (2025) and similar to the truly agreed to and finally passed HCS/HJR 73 (2025), SCS/SJR 33 (2025), SJR 5 (2025), SJR 17 (2025), SJR 23 (2025), SJR 25 (2025), SJR 27 (2025), SJR 28 (2025), SJR 29 (2025), and SJR 55 (2025). SARAH HASKINS
SB 1167 - This act creates the offense of possession of an abortifacient drug with the intent to induce an abortion on oneself or another person and the offense of delivery of an abortifacient drug with the intent to induce, or otherwise assist in, an abortion on another person. These offenses are Class C felonies. It shall be an affirmative defense for either offense that the possession or delivery of the drug was because of an abortion induced due to a medical emergency. This act is identical to SB 119 (2025). SARAH HASKINS
This bill directs the Missouri Department of Social Services to submit a state plan amendment or seek federal waivers to allow MO HealthNet, the state's Medicaid program, to cover fertility treatments for eligible participants. The legislation specifically targets individuals enrolled in MO HealthNet who may need assisted reproductive services, requiring the department to formally request approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to expand coverage. By mandating this administrative process, the bill ensures that any new fertility treatment benefits comply with federal Medicaid regulations while enabling the state to pursue coverage options for reproductive health services. The measure does not establish new coverage on its own but creates a pathway for the department to seek the necessary federal authorization to include these treatments in the program.
SB 950 - This act modifies several provisions relating to taxation. INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX For all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, this act reduces the top rate of tax by 0.17%. Such reduction in the top rate of tax shall only occur if one or more institutions is subject to the tax on the endowments of higher education institutions imposed under this act. (Section 143.011) HIGHER EDUCATION ENDOWMENT TAX For all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, this act imposes a tax on the endowments of qualifying institutions of higher education at a rate of 1.9% of the aggregate fair market value of the assets of such endowments. The tax shall apply to the endowments, as defined in the act, of higher education institutions that 1) are affiliated with, or provide medical faculty to, any abortion facility, 2) offer specific medical residencies or fellowships that offer training in performing or inducing abortions, or 3) support in any manner any abortion facility where abortions are performed or induced when not necessary to save the life of the mother. Any institution that becomes a qualifying institution of higher education on or after January 1, 2027, shall remain subject to the tax imposed by the act regardless of whether such institution no longer meets the definition of qualifying institution of higher education as defined in the act. All revenues generated by the endowment tax shall be deposited in the General Revenue Fund. (Section 146.200) This act is identical to HB 3444 (2026), SB 27 (2025), SB 1143 (2024), HB 2114 (2024), SB 290 (2023), SB 892 (2022), HB 1874 (2022), SB 451 (2021), and HB 302 (2021), and is substantially similar to HB 1332 (2023), SCS/SB 574 (2020), and SCS/SB 188 (2019). JOSH NORBERG
SB 1221 - This act creates the "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act". Under this act, a child born alive during or after an abortion or attempted abortion shall have the same rights, privileges, and immunities as any other person, citizen, and resident of Missouri, including any other live-born child. Any licensed, registered, or certified health care provider present at the time a child is born alive during or after an abortion or attempted abortion shall exercise the same degree of professional skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child as a reasonably diligent and conscientious provider would render to any other child born alive at the same gestational age or fetal weight, as well as ensure that the child is transported and admitted to a hospital following such care if necessary. A person shall be civilly liable under this act when he or she: (1) knowingly, recklessly, or negligently causes the death of a child born alive during or after an abortion or attempted abortion; (2) knowingly fails to comply with the health care provider standards of care described in this act; (3) knowingly performs or induces, or attempts to perform or induce, an unlawful abortion; (4) knowingly aids or abets another person to undergo a self-induced abortion or attempted self-induced abortion or to procure an unlawful abortion or attempted unlawful abortion; (5) knowingly, recklessly, or negligently supplies or makes available any instrument, device, medicine, drug, or any other means or substance for another person to undergo a self-induced abortion or attempted self-induced abortion or to procure an unlawful abortion or attempted unlawful abortion; or (6) knowingly incites, solicits, or otherwise uses speech or writing as an integral part of conduct in violation of a valid criminal statute to influence another person to undergo a self-induced abortion or attempted self-induced abortion or to procure an unlawful abortion or attempted unlawful abortion. A cause of action for personal injury, bodily injury, or wrongful death may be brought if injury or death arises out of or results from any of these circumstances to: (1) a person upon whom an unlawful abortion or attempted unlawful abortion was performed or induced; (2) a person who underwent a self-induced abortion or attempted self-induced abortion or who procured an unlawful abortion or attempted unlawful abortion; (3) a child who was born alive during or after an abortion or attempted abortion; or (4) an unborn child. In a cause of action for wrongful death, the spouse, partner, parents, and children of the deceased person, child, or unborn child shall be entitled to bring the action and receive damages, attorney fees, and other costs as described in the act. A defendant may not plead or prove a defense that the plaintiff or deceased person assumed or otherwise consented to certain risks involving self-induced or unlawful abortions or attempted self-induced or unlawful abortions. No person shall maintain a cause of action or receive an award of damages under this act if the person engaged in criminal conduct, domestic violence, or sexual assault that caused the pregnancy, or who is a family or household member who aided or abetted in the criminal conduct, domestic violence, or sexual assault. This act is identical to SB 702 (2025), substantially similar to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS#2/SB 999 (2026), HCS/HBs 1667 & 2294 (2026), HB 195 (2025), SCS/SB 753 (2022), provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2012 (2022), HCS/HBs 1593 & 1959 (2022), SB 168 (2021), and SB 665 (2020), and similar to SB 388 (2019). SARAH HASKINS
This bill (SB 1070) has no substantive details provided in its official abstract or recent actions. The abstract simply states it "creates provisions relating to illegal aliens" without specifying any mechanisms, requirements, or affected groups. As it is currently in the early prefiled stage (with only a first reading), no concrete policy changes or key provisions have been described or made public. Without further legislative details, it is not possible to summarize its specific impact or provisions.
SB 1222 - This act establishes that pro-life individuals and organizations, as defined in the act, may intervene in actions in which a provision of the Missouri Constitution, statute, or rule involves the regulation of abortion or where the rights of an unborn child is at issue. This act is substantially similar to a provision in SB 794 (2025). SARAH HASKINS
SB 1703 - This act establishes the "Student Screen-Time Standards Act" and requires each school district and charter school to adopt a written policy governing screen time and the use of instructional technology for students in kindergarten through grade five. The policy shall be designed to promote students' educational interests, prevent harmful effects of excessive screen time on child development, ensure that technology supports rather than supplants foundational learning, and restore evidence-based practices. The act outlines required components of the policy, including limits on student screen time, restrictions on the use of school-issued devices, and limits on student access to internet-connected instructional technology, including laptops, tablets, software platforms, and other similar devices. The policy shall identify approved digital platforms, establish standards for student use of hands-on physical learning tools and traditional materials, outline procedures by which parents may obtain information regarding their child's screen time and technology use and limit such use, and describe the research and evidence upon which the policy is based. In developing the policy, each school district or charter school shall consider and document research on best practices in literacy instruction, instructional technology, assessment, and the role of handwriting and cursive writing in promoting literacy. Each elementary school shall notify parents and guardians annually of the adopted policy, provide parents available information regarding their child's login time and technology use upon request, and publish the policy on the school's website. Each policy shall be periodically updated and shall incorporate recommendations from a model school board policy to be developed by the "Framework on Classroom Use of Screens (FOCUS) Council" established in the act. The policy shall be implemented before the end of the 2027–28 school year and shall apply in all subsequent school years. The Literacy Advisory Council established under current law shall provide advice regarding instruction and assessment of cursive writing and reading, and shall develop recommendations for a related model policy on cursive. The Commissioner of Education shall establish a "Framework on Classroom Use of Screens (FOCUS) Council" composed of the Commissioner as chair, with appointed members representing school boards and charter schools; elementary school principals who have completed state leadership training; teachers with expertise in reading, mathematics, and special education; parental and disability advocacy organizations; faculty from approved teacher preparation programs; a licensed pediatric mental health professional or board-certified behavior analyst; and a medical professional with expertise in child health and development. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall provide staff and resources for the council. The council shall conduct a comprehensive survey and analysis of screen time and instructional technology use in public schools, and shall provide guidance on best practices and policies, as provided in the act. By July 1, 2027, the council shall submit a report containing the council's recommendations and a model school board policy on screen time and instructional technology use to the State Board of Education, the Governor, and the Joint Committee on Education. The report shall be updated at least every two years. This act is similar to SCS/HCS/HBs 2230 & 2978 (2026) and to provisions in HCS/SB 1351 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON
SB 1509 - This act establishes the "Office of State Ombudsman for Inmates in the Custody of the Department of Corrections" ("Office") within the Department of Corrections ("Department") for the purpose of ensuring the adequacy of care and improving the quality of life of inmates. The Office shall establish and implement procedures for receiving, processing, responding to, and resolving complaints made by or on behalf of inmates in the custody of the Department as well as establish procedures for the resolution of complaints. The Office shall be directed by an Ombudsman, who shall be appointed by the Governor and serve a 6-year term. The Ombudsman shall not be a current or former Department employee or have a spouse, child, or parent as a current or former Department employee. This act provides that the Office shall have the authority to: • Provide information to inmates, family members and representative of inmates, and others regarding the rights of inmates; • Monitor conditions of confinement and assess whether the Department is in compliance with federal, state, and Department regulations; • Establish a state-wide reporting system to collect data related to complaints received by the Department; and • Monitor all decisions of the parole board. The Office shall have reasonable access to all Department facilities, including all areas which are accessible to inmates, and access to programs for inmates at reasonable times. The Office shall have the authority to interview any inmates, Department employees or contractors, or any other person. The Office shall have the authority to copy documents in the possession or control of the Department that the Office considers necessary in an investigation of a complaint and the Department shall provide such documents no later than 30 days after the Office's written request. If the records relate to an inmate death, threat of death, sexual assault, or the denial of necessary medical treatment, the records shall be provided within 5 days, unless a waiver is provided by the Office to the Department. The Office shall establish confidentiality rules and procedures for all information maintained by the Office to ensure that the identity of a complainant is not known to Department employees or other inmates. The Office shall conduct at least one inspection each year of each Department facility and at least two times each year for each maximum security facility to monitor the status of all covered issues as defined in this act. The Office shall release a public report of each inspection. An inspection of a Department facility shall include an assessment of the following: • All policies and procedures related to the care of inmates; • Conditions of confinement; • Availability of educational and rehabilitative programing, drug and mental health treatment, and inmate job training; • All policies and procedures related to visitation; • All procedures and policies of medical facilities; • Review of lock-downs at the facility in the time since the last inspection; • Review of staffing at the facility; • Review of physical and sexual assaults at the facility; • Review of any inmate or staff deaths; and • Review of staff recruitment for the Department. Upon completion of the inspection, the Office shall produce a public report, with information as provided in the act, on its website, and deliver the report to the Governor, Attorney General, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Director of the Department of Corrections. The Department shall then submit a report to the Office within 30 days of the Office's inspection report which shall include a corrective action plan for each recommendation of the Office. This act also provides that the Office may initiate and attempt to resolve an investigation upon its own initiative or upon receipt of a complaint from an inmate, the inmate's family or representative, or a Department employee, regarding violations as provided in the act. The Office may decline to investigate any complaint and shall decline a complaint if the inmate has failed to first utilize Department grievance policies. The Office shall notify the complainant if it does not investigate a complaint. The Office may not investigate any complaints relating to an inmate's underlying criminal conviction and may refer any complaint to another state or federal agency. At the conclusion of an investigation, the Office shall render a public decision within 90 days of the filing of the complaint, except that the documents supporting the decision are subject to the confidentiality procedures established by the Office. The Office shall give a decision in writing to the inmate and to the Department. The Office shall give its recommendations for further action if needed. The Department shall give a report upon request to the Office within thirty days of any action taken on the Office's recommendations or the reasons for not complying with the recommendations. If the Office finds that there has been a significant inmate health or safety issue, the Office shall report such findings to the Governor, the Attorney General, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Director of the Department of Corrections. Finally, the Department and its employees shall not discharge, retaliate against, or in any manner discriminate against any person because such person has filed any complaint or instituted any proceeding under this act. A complaint may be filed with the Attorney General, within 30 days after a violation occurs, for any alleged discharge or retaliation against a complainant. There shall be a rebuttable presumption of retaliation if the complainant has suffered abuse or any other violation after he or she filed a complaint under this act. This act is identical to SB 378 (2025), SB 798 (2024), SB 327 (2023), SB 899 (2022), and SB 471 (2021). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.
