Labor & Employment in Missouri

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2820: Prohibits employers from discriminating in providing compensation based on gender for the same work

HB 2820 prohibits Missouri employers from paying employees differently based on gender for the same work requiring equal skill, effort, and responsibility under similar working conditions. It allows pay differences only for legitimate factors like seniority, job performance, or regional economic costs - not gender. Employees can file complaints with the Labor Commission or sue for back pay, damages, and attorney fees if they face discrimination, and the law bans retaliation for discussing pay or filing claims. This directly affects all Missouri workers and employers covered by state labor laws.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Labor Standards

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2826: Requires private employers that provide paid family and medical leave to provide equivalent leave for adoption and fostering

HB 2826 requires private employers that already offer paid family or medical leave to provide equivalent leave for adoption and fostering. It mandates that this leave cover the child's birth, placement, and bonding period, under the same terms and conditions as existing leave for maternity, paternity, or other family leave. The bill applies directly to private employers with paid leave policies, extending their current coverage to include adoption and foster care without creating new leave requirements.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Child Labor Paid Leave

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2691: Prohibits state contracts for the purchase of electric vehicles unless the manufacturer certifies that the vehicles were produced without forced or child labor

HB 2691 requires Missouri state agencies and local governments to obtain a sworn certification from electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers before purchasing EVs or components. This certification must confirm no forced labor or oppressive child labor was used in any stage of production, including material sourcing. The bill imposes penalties: manufacturers face $10,000 per false statement or half the contract value, while government entities and employees violating the requirement pay similar fines. It directly affects all Missouri public entities buying EVs and the manufacturers supplying them, mandating ethical supply chain verification as a condition of state contracts.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Child Labor Professional Licensing

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2911: Modifies provisions of the Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act

HB 2911 modifies Missouri's Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act to create a tuition award program for eligible public safety workers. It provides up to 100% of resident tuition for associate or bachelor's degrees in approved fields (e.g., criminal justice for police, fire science for firefighters) to personnel with at least six years of service who hold current licenses/certificates and meet admission requirements. Dependents of personnel with ten years of service qualify for similar awards. Applicants must first apply for all other federal and state financial aid before accessing this tuition award.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Policing Higher Education Student Financial Aid Tags Public Safety

in committee · Missouri · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 1611: Establishes the "Missouri Urban and Local Food Systems Apprenticeship Act"

SB 1611, titled the "Missouri Urban and Local Food Systems Apprenticeship Act," proposes to establish a state-supported apprenticeship program for careers in urban and local food systems, such as farming, food processing, and community-based food distribution. The bill, introduced on January 29, 2026, has not yet advanced beyond its first reading, so specific provisions, funding mechanisms, or eligibility criteria for participants are not detailed in the available information. This legislation would directly affect Missouri residents seeking training in food industry careers, though its exact scope and implementation remain undefined at this early stage.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2982: Establishes provisions relating to summer camps

HB 2982 establishes new safety standards for non-religious summer camps operating in the state for children aged five and older (May-September). It requires camps to implement written emergency plans covering medical, aquatic, and other crises; ensure 50% of counselors and directors are trained in CPR/AED; conduct annual inspections of aquatic equipment; maintain public licensing records; and conduct comprehensive criminal background checks for all counselors. The bill directly affects summer camp operators, staff, and parents (who must receive licensure disclosures), replacing prior informal practices with mandatory compliance. Violations after May 1, 2028, face escalating fines, while pre-2028 offenses receive written warnings.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Child Labor Professional Licensing

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2821: Prohibits noncompete clauses in physician employment contracts

HB 2821 would prevent employers from including noncompete clauses in contracts with physicians that restrict where or when they can practice medicine after leaving a job. It directly affects physicians and healthcare employers who currently use such clauses in employment agreements. The key provision makes any geographic or time-based restriction on post-employment practice void and unenforceable, while leaving other contract terms valid. The bill is pending in the legislature after introduction in January 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2674: Creates provisions relating to mental health leave for employees

HB 2674 requires private Missouri employers to allow employees unpaid leave for at least one mental health appointment per week. It defines "mental health appointment" as visits under four hours with a provider for mental disorders, excluding public employers. Employees must provide 48 hours' notice (or certification after unscheduled absences), and employers may request sworn statements plus provider documentation - keeping all records confidential. The bill clarifies this leave cannot exceed federal FMLA limits and does not override existing policies offering more generous mental health benefits. Employers must annually inform employees of these rights.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Mental Health Paid Leave Professional Licensing

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2943: Establishes the "MO GIVES Program" to allow members of the Missouri National Guard to receive living donor medical orders

HB 2943 establishes the "MO GIVES Program" to provide Missouri National Guard members (in Troop Program Unit or Individual Ready Reserve status) who choose to be living organ donors with paid leave during their donation process. The program guarantees up to 45 days of paid leave (extendable medically) for the full donation period, exempts members from using accrued leave, and covers housing and per diem based on rank. Benefits are funded through a new dedicated "MO GIVES Fund" in the state treasury, which can accept donations and won't revert unspent funds to general revenue. This directly affects National Guard members who lack employer donor leave or choose not to use it, ensuring they can donate without financial penalty.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2664: Establishes the "MO GIVES Program" to allow members of the Missouri National Guard to receive living donor medical orders

HB 2664 establishes the "MO GIVES Program" to provide Missouri National Guard members who donate organs with guaranteed paid leave during their donation process. The program covers up to 45 days of paid status (extendable if medically necessary), exempts members from using personal leave, and provides per diem and housing allowances based on rank and location. To qualify, members must be in Troop Program Unit or Individual Ready Reserve status, in good standing, and either lack employer donor leave or choose not to use it. Benefits are funded through a dedicated "MO GIVES Fund" created in the state treasury, which can accept private or federal contributions and retains unspent funds at biennium end.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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