Labor & Employment in Missouri

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1709: Modifies provisions related to workers' compensation administrative law judges

HB 1709 updates Missouri's workers' compensation rules for permanent total disability claims. It establishes specific weekly payment formulas based on injury dates (1983-2038), capping benefits at 70-105% of the state average weekly wage. The bill clarifies that death benefits for permanent disability terminate with the employee, with no payments to dependents or estates. For toxic exposure claims (including mesothelioma), it creates tiered benefits: 200% of average wages for 100 weeks (non-mesothelioma) and 300% for 212 weeks (mesothelioma), with employer election options for liability.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation Workplace Safety

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2507: Prohibits labor organizations from collecting payment for union dues from a new employee until such employee has worked at least two hundred fifty hours

HB 2507 requires labor organizations in Missouri to wait until a new employee completes 250 hours of work before collecting union dues. This directly affects new employees who join unions, giving them a 250-hour "grace period" to work before dues are required. The bill mandates that employers provide new hires with a written accounting of all dues owed, including how calculations are made, and requires the employee to sign an acknowledgment of this notice before starting work. The law does not prevent voluntary dues payments during the grace period or apply to existing collective bargaining agreements signed before the bill’s effective date.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Labor Standards

passed · Missouri · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 2375: Modifies provisions relating to workers' compensation

HB 2375 revises Missouri's workers' compensation law by tightening eligibility requirements. It defines "accident" as requiring work to be the "prevailing factor" causing injury - meaning the injury must directly stem from workplace conditions, not just be triggered by work. The bill explicitly excludes ordinary diseases of life, cardiovascular issues (unless work was the primary cause), and most occupational diseases, listing only specific conditions like mesothelioma or asbestosis as compensable. This primarily affects workers seeking compensation for injuries or illnesses, making it harder to qualify by requiring a direct, primary workplace link to the injury. The law also rejects prior court interpretations that expanded coverage.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation Workplace Safety

in committee · Missouri · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 2332: Establishes the "Firefighters' Procedural Bill of Rights Act"

HB 2332 creates the "Firefighters' Procedural Bill of Rights Act" in Missouri, establishing specific procedural protections for firefighters during investigations that could lead to disciplinary action. The bill requires that interrogations (formal questioning about misconduct) occur during work hours (with compensation for off-duty time if needed), that firefighters be informed of the investigation's nature and the identity of the interrogator, and that only two interrogators be present. It also explicitly protects firefighters' rights to engage in political activities while on duty or in uniform and to seek election to local governing boards like school districts. This law applies directly to all full-time or part-time firefighters employed by Missouri fire departments, fire districts, or emergency services agencies.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Tags Public Safety

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1921: Creates the "Missouri Worker Dues Tax Fairness Act", authorizing an income tax subtraction for certain union dues paid to a labor organization by a taxpayer

HB 1921, the "Missouri Worker Dues Tax Fairness Act," allows Missouri taxpayers to subtract union dues from their state income tax. It applies to individuals who pay union dues (including initiation fees but excluding political contributions) and are subject to Missouri income tax, with a maximum annual subtraction of $2,000 per person or $4,000 for joint returns. The deduction becomes effective for tax years beginning January 1, 2027, and requires taxpayers to provide documentation like pay stubs or union statements to claim the benefit. This policy directly affects union members by reducing their taxable income for state tax purposes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Income Tax Collective Bargaining

in committee · Missouri · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 2095: Modifies the total cost of living adjustments for members of the Public School Retirement System and the Public Education Employee Retirement System

HB 2095 changes how retirement benefits are calculated for public school and education employees in Missouri's Public School Retirement System and Public Education Employee Retirement System. It sets new percentage rates based on years of service, such as 2.5% per year for 5+ years of service but 2.05% per year for those with 25-26 years of service. The bill also offers an alternative payment option for members with 25+ years of service or those aged 55+ with 5+ years of service, allowing reduced monthly payments with a survivor benefit. These changes directly affect current and future retirees in these systems.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

in committee · Missouri · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 1193: Prohibits expenditures by state departments for certain diversity initiatives

SB 1193 prohibits Missouri state departments from using state funds for any programs, staffing, or initiatives related to "diversity, equity, and inclusion" or similar terms that promote differential treatment based on race, gender, religion, or other protected characteristics. It specifically bans activities like claiming disparities result solely from oppression, implementing race-based hiring, or requiring private companies to adopt such programs for state contracts. Exemptions include compliance with court orders (approved by the attorney general) and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The bill aims to restrict funding for initiatives deemed to advance "diversity" programs, while allowing standard antidiscrimination compliance. This is a procedural spending restriction, not a substantive policy change.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Education ✗ Labor & Employment

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2454: Establishes provisions relating to discriminatory employment practices and discriminatory housing practices based on a person's private medical history or medical choices

HB 2454 prohibits employers, labor organizations, and employment agencies in Missouri from discriminating against individuals based on their private medical history or medical choices. It specifically bans actions like refusal to hire, termination, demotion, or adverse employment decisions tied to such medical information, affecting employees and job applicants at businesses with six or more workers. The bill includes exceptions when medical history directly impacts job performance or for religious institutions regarding reproductive health services. It defines key terms like "adverse employment action" and requires medical inquiries to be job-related and necessary for business operations. The law applies to both employment and housing contexts as stated in its title, though the detailed provisions focus primarily on employment practices.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Women's Health

in committee · Missouri · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 1733: Establishes the "Firefighters' Procedural Bill of Rights Act"

HB 1733 establishes the "Firefighters' Procedural Bill of Rights Act" for Missouri firefighters employed by public agencies (including fire departments, emergency dispatch, and EMS). It requires that during investigations leading to disciplinary action, firefighters must be informed of their rights, including the Garrity warning (that answers won’t be used criminally), allowed reasonable breaks, and permitted to have a representative present. The bill also prohibits employers from coercing firefighters to disclose social media passwords or sharing their personal information with media without consent. These provisions apply to all formal interrogations by employers regarding alleged misconduct.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Tags Public Safety

in committee · Missouri · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 1089: Requires health benefit plans providing for maternity benefits to cover a home blood pressure monitoring device and associated services for pregnant and postpartum women

SB 1089 - This act provides that health benefit plans providing for maternity benefits shall provide coverage for a home blood pressure monitoring device and home blood pressure monitoring device services, as defined in the act, for pregnant and postpartum women. This act contains provisions identical to provisions in SB 539 (2025), substantially similar to provisions in HCS/HB 2371 (2026), HB 842 (2025), and similar to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SCS/HCS/HB 2372 (2026), the truly agreed to and finally passed HCS/SS/SCS/SB 878 (2026), and SB 498 (2025). TAYLOR MIDDLETON

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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