Labor & Employment in Missouri

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2285: Provides for mandatory severance for employees terminated in certain layoffs

HB 2285 would require Missouri employers with 100 or more employees to provide severance pay when terminating 50 or more workers at a single establishment within a 30-day period (defined as a "mass layoff"). This applies specifically to layoffs not caused by voluntary departures, retirements, misconduct, or seasonal work, and excludes situations where employers offer equivalent jobs within 50 miles. Employers must give at least 90 days' notice before such layoffs and provide severance pay to affected employees. The bill establishes this as a new employer obligation under Missouri law, without specifying severance pay amounts.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2554: Modifies provisions relating to exemptions from minimum wage

HB 2554 raises the annual sales threshold for small businesses to qualify for minimum wage exemptions from $500,000 to $11.1 million, effective 2028. It requires this threshold to be adjusted annually based on inflation using the Consumer Price Index, with updates published each October. This directly affects small retail or service businesses that would otherwise be required to pay minimum wage to their employees. The change modifies existing exemptions but does not alter other categories of exempt workers listed in the bill.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards Minimum Wage Tags Small Business

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1739: Modifies provisions relating to the "Missouri Working Family Tax Credit Act", making the tax credit refundable

HB 1739 modifies Missouri's Working Family Tax Credit Act to make the state tax credit refundable for eligible low-to-moderate income residents starting in 2027. It allows qualifying taxpayers (those claiming the federal Earned Income Tax Credit) to receive a credit equal to 10% (potentially increasing to 20%) of their federal credit amount, with the refundability change applying only to tax years beginning January 1, 2027, and later. The credit percentage increase to 20% is tied to Missouri's state revenue growth exceeding prior years by $150 million. The bill also requires the state to proactively notify eligible taxpayers who didn't claim the credit and report annual usage statistics.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1793: Modifies provisions governing income exempt from earnings tax

HB 1793 modifies the state's earnings tax by adding a new exemption for low-income individuals. It exempts salary, wage, commission, and other compensation income for people earning at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. This change directly affects low-income taxpayers by removing earnings tax liability on their work income. The bill does not alter existing exemptions for organizations like charities, credit unions, or insurance companies listed in the original tax code. The policy change is a specific addition to the tax exemption list, not a broad overhaul.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Income Tax Sales Tax Tax Incentives

passed both · Missouri · House May 5, 2026

HB 1644: 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.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2284: Prohibits fire protection district boards from enacting ordinances that subject agriculture buildings to certain fire safety requirements

HB 2284 prohibits fire protection districts and counties from requiring fire sprinkler systems or imposing fire safety regulations on agricultural buildings used for livestock or animal farming, such as barns and stables. The bill explicitly blocks ordinances that would mandate permits, inspections, or specific fire safety measures for these farm structures. This directly affects farmers and ranchers operating livestock facilities by removing a potential regulatory requirement. The law replaces an existing statute to ensure agricultural buildings are exempt from fire safety rules that would otherwise apply to non-farm properties.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Tags Agriculture

in committee · Missouri · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 1616: Establishes the "Independent Office of Corrections and Transparency" and provisions relating to department of corrections oversight

HB 1616 creates Missouri's "Independent Office of Corrections and Transparency," a small oversight body with two full-time staff to monitor prison conditions and staff welfare. It directly affects incarcerated people, prison staff, and their families by establishing a formal process for reporting issues like sanitation, abuse, medical care, or safety concerns. Key provisions require the Corrections Director to publicly disclose appointment applicants 30 days in advance, mandate correctional experience for the Director, and empower the new office to investigate complaints about prison conditions under specific "covered issues" (e.g., neglect, violence, access to programs). The office will provide information on rights and monitor department compliance with safety and welfare standards, operating with limited resources. This bill focuses on structural oversight rather than altering sentencing or funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

in committee · Missouri · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 1105: Establishes the Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act

SB 1105 establishes Missouri's Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act to address housing shortages in rural communities (populations under 50,000). It creates a state grant program through the Department of Economic Development, providing nonprofit housing organizations with up to $1 million per grant (with a $2 million lifetime limit) to build or rehabilitate affordable housing. Grants require a 1:1 match from private sources and fund projects where owner-occupied homes cost ≤$275,000 or rentals ≤$200,000 (adjusted annually by inflation). Nonprofits must annually certify their work, manage funds transparently, and return unspent grants if projects stall beyond 24 months.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance Tags Rural Communities

in committee · Missouri · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 1325: Creates a sub-minimum wage rate for minors

SB 1325 establishes a minimum wage of $6.50 per hour for most workers (or the federal minimum wage, whichever is higher), with annual inflation adjustments until 2024. For minors under 18, it sets a higher minimum wage of $12.30 per hour (or the federal minimum wage, whichever is higher), directly affecting employers who hire young workers. The standard minimum wage will increase to $13.75 per hour in 2025 and $15.00 per hour in 2026, with public employers subject to these rates starting in 2025. This policy requires employers to pay minors at least $12.30 hourly, which is initially higher than the standard rate but may align with future standard increases.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards Minimum Wage

in committee · Missouri · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 1053: Removes availability of attorney fees under the Missouri Human Rights Act when a public employer is involved

SB 1053 removes the option for individuals to recover attorney fees when they win discrimination cases against public employers under Missouri's Human Rights Act. This means that if someone sues a government agency, school district, or other public entity for discrimination and wins, they will not be awarded legal costs. The bill specifically targets cases involving public employers, which include state and local government entities covered by the Act. This change modifies the available remedies for plaintiffs without altering the core anti-discrimination protections.

Topics ✗ Housing ✗ Labor & Employment

All labor & employment bills