Labor & Employment in Missouri

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3032: Modifies provisions relating to workers' compensation

HB 3032 strengthens fraud prevention in Missouri's workers' compensation system by adding criminal penalties for false claims and insurance violations. It makes it a felony to submit multiple claims for the same injury, present false information to obtain benefits, or intentionally refuse valid claims, with fines paid back to the workers' compensation fund. Employers with five or more employees (or construction employers with five or more) must carry insurance, and failure to do so results in escalating penalties. The bill also creates a dedicated fraud unit within the workers' compensation division to investigate violations and enforce these new provisions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

passed · Missouri · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 2855: Modifies provisions relating to workers' compensation

HB 2855 modifies Missouri's workers' compensation tax system by establishing a 2% tax on insurers' net premiums and a separate annual surcharge (up to 3%) for the Second Injury Fund. It requires all workers' compensation insurers, self-insuring employers (including state agencies and local governments), and policyholders to pay these taxes/surcharges on premiums or assessments. The surcharge is calculated annually to cover 110% of expected Second Injury Fund payments, based on prior year's premiums, and must be collected quarterly by insurers. All surcharge revenue funds the Second Injury Fund, which supports workers with pre-existing injuries aggravated by workplace accidents.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Workers' Compensation

in committee · Missouri · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 1597: Modifies provisions relating to working after retirement for certain local governments

SB 1597 changes rules for retirees who return to work for their former local government employer. Generally, retirees who rejoin their original employer must forfeit part of their monthly retirement benefit for each month they work. However, it creates an exception for small cities (under 25,000 population): retirees there can keep full retirement benefits while working, provided the salary matches comparable positions and the city covers the retirement contributions instead of the retiree. The bill also clarifies that retirees working for a different employer can keep their full retirement allowance.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits Workforce Development

in committee · Missouri · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 3003: Requires inspections of fire-life-safety damper devices

This bill requires regular inspections of fire safety dampers (devices that prevent fire/smoke spread through HVAC systems) in most non-residential Missouri buildings, excluding small homes. It mandates an initial inspection within 12 months of installation and subsequent checks every four years, following NFPA standards with physical visual inspections required (not remote methods). Inspectors must hold specific ICB certifications or equivalent, and building owners must maintain compliance records, issue deficiency reports for failures, and post public verification notices. These requirements apply to commercial buildings, schools, hospitals, and other multi-use structures governed by Missouri political subdivisions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2988: Modifies provisions relating to leaves of absence for military service

HB 2988 ensures Missouri public employees (including state/local government workers, school staff, and county/municipal employees) who serve in the National Guard or military reserves can take leave for military duty without losing their job, seniority, pay, benefits, or performance ratings. It specifically guarantees leave for both federal service (up to 120 hours per federal fiscal year) and state service (called by the governor, with no time limit), requiring employees to submit military orders as proof. The bill also prohibits employers from discriminating against or firing employees for military service and exempts volunteer firefighters from pay-related protections. This protects over 100,000 public employees who serve in reserve units while maintaining their employment rights.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Public Employees National Guard & Reserve

in committee · Missouri · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 2644: Establishes the "Respiratory Care Interstate Compact"

HB 2644 creates the "Respiratory Care Interstate Compact," allowing respiratory therapists licensed in one participating state to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. This directly affects licensed respiratory therapists and supports active military members and their spouses who relocate across state lines. The bill establishes a "Compact Privilege" that lets therapists practice under their home state license while adhering to the patient’s location rules, requiring only a criminal background check and active home state license. It aims to improve access to respiratory therapy services, reduce administrative burdens, and address workforce shortages without altering state licensing authority.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2772: Establishes the "Youth Workforce Development Program"

HB 2772 establishes the "Youth Workforce Development Program" to provide job training, certifications, and life skills to at-risk youth aged 12-21 in counties with over 1 million residents or cities outside counties. The program, administered by the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, offers vocational training, high school diplomas, internships with local businesses, and mental health support - specifically requiring juvenile detention facilities to provide these services to youth held there. A dedicated state fund finances the program, covering costs like transportation, childcare, mental health services, and internship stipends, with annual reports tracking participant employment rates and recidivism. The program targets youth involved in juvenile justice, those with school suspensions, homelessness, or other risk factors, aiming to improve workforce readiness and reduce future system involvement.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Early Childhood K-12 Education Mental Health Child Labor Workforce Development

in committee · Missouri · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 3066: Modifies provisions relating to the St. Louis board of police commissioners

HB 3066 modifies St. Louis police compensation and funding rules. It requires the city council to appropriate at least 22-25% of general revenue for police funding (increasing annually), excludes pension costs from this calculation. The bill mandates overtime pay at 1.5x regular rate for patrolmen and sergeants working over 40 hours, allows a $360 annual allowance for non-uniformed officers, and establishes academic/leadership bonuses up to 10% of salary. These provisions directly affect St. Louis police officers (from probationary to sergeant rank) and the Board of Police Commissioners.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Pensions Revenue Policing Labor Standards

in committee · Missouri · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 3083: Modifies provisions relating to leaves of absence for military service

HB 3083 ensures public employees in the National Guard or military reserves can take leave for their service without losing their job, seniority, pay, or benefits. For federal military duty, leave is capped at 120 hours (or 38 working days) per federal fiscal year, and employees must provide a military order as proof. The bill prohibits employers from discriminating against employees for military service and requires leave to be charged only for actual hours taken (minimum one hour, in multiples). Volunteer firefighters are covered under these protections but are excluded from monetary compensation provisions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Public Employees

in committee · Missouri · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 2940: Modifies provisions relating to leaves of absence for military service

HB 2940 protects public employees in Missouri who serve in the National Guard or military reserves by guaranteeing they can take leave for military duty without losing their job, pay, seniority, or benefits. It specifically allows up to 120 hours (38 workdays) per federal fiscal year for federal military service, while providing full leave protections for state duty under the governor's call. The bill requires employees to submit military orders to their employer as proof of duty and prohibits employers from discriminating against or firing employees for military service. Volunteer firefighters receive all protections except those related to monetary compensation.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

All labor & employment bills