Labor & Employment in Missouri

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3419: Creates new provisions relating to employee compensation, reinstating certain minimum wage adjustments, implementing earned paid sick leave, and bereavement leave

HB 3419 establishes a new minimum wage schedule that adjusts annually based on cost-of-living changes, starting at $6.50 per hour in 2007 and rising to $13.75 by January 1, 2025, then to $15.00 by 2026. It requires private employers to provide earned paid sick leave and bereavement leave, with specific eligibility rules for family members. Public employers (like government agencies) are exempt from the wage provisions after 2025 but must still follow other minimum wage rules. The bill directly affects most private-sector workers in the state, excluding certain categories like seasonal camp staff, small businesses under $500,000 annual revenue, and some government employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage Paid Leave

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HJR 182: Prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex

HJR 182 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would add a new section to Missouri's Constitution prohibiting state and local governments from discriminating based on sex. If approved by voters, it would require the Missouri General Assembly to pass laws enforcing this ban. The amendment does not take effect immediately - it must be approved by voters in a future election (likely November 2026 or a special election called by the governor), and it would directly affect all state agencies, programs, and policies subject to Missouri law. This is a procedural constitutional change, not an existing law.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1901: Modifies provisions relating to indoor air quality

HB 1901 replaces Missouri's outdated indoor air quality laws with a new "Missouri Clean Indoor Air Act" (sections 191.2710-191.2750). The bill prohibits smoking and vaping in most enclosed public areas - including bars, restaurants, and workplaces - while defining specific terms like "bar," "cigar-tobacco bar," and "electronic smoking device" (ESD) to clarify enforcement. It directly affects businesses (employers), employees, and public venues by requiring smoke-free environments, with strict rules for cigar-tobacco bars (e.g., freestanding locations and revenue limits). The law includes penalty provisions for violations and explicitly exempts entryways and certain medical devices.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Air Quality

passed · Missouri · House Apr 22, 2026

HB 2302: Requires the department of corrections to provide certain services to inmates prior to their release from the department

HB 2302 requires the state Department of Corrections to provide specific services to inmates before their release from state custody. It mandates the department to provide documentation for post-release employment (including vocational records, work history, and a resume) and coordinate with the Department of Revenue to issue state-issued identification cards to inmates without current IDs. The bill applies to most inmates released within the state, with exceptions for those aged 65+ or in medical parole. Identification cards issued under this law are valid for four years, non-renewable, and funded through department resources or inmate trust funds.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

passed · Missouri · House May 7, 2026

HB 2610: Modifies provisions regarding the State Legal Expense Fund

HB 2610 modifies Missouri's State Legal Expense Fund to expand coverage for specific health care providers facing legal claims. It directly affects state-employed physicians, nurses, dentists, and other licensed health professionals working in disability reviews, state correctional facilities, county jails, community health clinics, or schools under defined volunteer or contract arrangements. Key provisions set strict payment limits: $1 million per claimant for most providers (e.g., state-employed health staff), and $500,000 for volunteer services at community clinics or schools. The bill clarifies that volunteer services without compensation (excluding patient co-pays) qualify for fund coverage, while prohibiting the fund from covering abortion-related claims or services outside primary/preventive care.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2210: Establishes a fund for matching school district expenditures of reserve moneys to increase teacher salaries

HB 2210 creates a state "Matching Grants for Teachers Plan Fund" to help school districts increase teacher salaries using their own reserve funds. School districts can withdraw money from their reserves for salary increases and receive state matching funds equal to that amount, up to $1 million annually per district. To qualify, districts must maintain at least $100,000 in reserves, cannot deplete reserves below state minimums, and must use existing interest earnings from school funds to supplement salary increases (not replace them). The bill ensures unspent fund balances do not revert to general revenue and requires districts to deposit interest into reserves.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Revenue State Budget School Funding Teachers

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2112: Establishes the "Missouri Teachers Matter Grant Program"

HB 2112 creates Missouri's "Teachers Matter Grant Program," providing financial incentives for teachers to engage in voluntary extra duties beyond their regular contracts. Qualified teachers (with valid licenses, satisfactory evaluations, and no existing salary supplements) earn up to $4,000 total through two $2,000 payments: the first after 40+ hours of self-directed work (like coaching, mentoring, or test prep) between December and January, and the second after another 40 hours between May and June. School districts match state funds for district grants ($1,000 each), but teachers must document their extra hours via written agreements and logs. The program expires after six years unless renewed by the legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Teachers

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2518: Creates provisions relating to professional licenses issued to DACA recipients

HB 2518 ensures DACA recipients who meet all educational and professional requirements for a licensed occupation in the state can obtain a license on the same terms as U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. It prohibits oversight bodies (like licensing boards) from considering immigration status when reviewing applications, requiring evaluations to be based solely on qualifications, education, and competency. The bill directly affects DACA recipients seeking professions requiring state licenses (e.g., healthcare, law, trades) and mandates that their licenses carry identical rights, renewability, and validity periods as those issued to citizens. The law takes effect for all applications submitted on or after August 28, 2026.

Topics ✓ Immigration ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics DACA & Dreamers Driver Licenses & IDs Work Authorization Professional Licensing Tags Licensing

signed · Missouri · House Jun 30, 2026

HB 2020: Appropriates money for the expenses, grants, refunds, and distributions of the several departments and offices of state government

HB 2020 is Missouri's fiscal year 2027 appropriations bill, allocating $26.3 million from the Budget Stabilization Fund and $15.5 million from the Coronavirus Recovery Fund for specific state programs. It funds higher education grants requiring 50% local matching, technology upgrades for job centers, port authority grants (with local match requirements), streetcar planning, and infrastructure projects like state building HVAC repairs and a new warehouse. The bill also supports broadband expansion in underserved areas, a sports facility for athletes with special needs, and early childhood education programs, all subject to local matching funds where specified. This bill directly affects Missouri state agencies, local governments, and qualifying organizations receiving these allocations for designated projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Early Childhood Broadband Access Ports

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2616: Modifies provisions relating to the "Missouri Working Family Tax Credit Act" and makes the tax credit refundable

HB 2616 modifies Missouri's Working Family Tax Credit Act to make the tax credit refundable starting in 2027. This means eligible taxpayers who owe less state income tax than their credit amount will receive the difference as a refund, rather than losing it. The credit equals 10% of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for 2023, with a potential increase to 20% if Missouri's state revenue grows by at least $150 million over previous fiscal years. The bill also requires the state to proactively identify and notify eligible taxpayers who didn't apply for the credit, using data from federal and state tax records.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Income Tax Revenue Tax Credits

All labor & employment bills