Rep. Becky Laubinger

Maddy summaryHB 3168 requires Missouri health insurance plans to cover doula services starting January 1, 2027. It mandates coverage for pregnant women enrolled in MO HealthNet (Missouri's Medicaid program), including up to 16 support sessions (6 base sessions plus 10 additional if needed) during pregnancy and the first year postpartum. The bill defines "doula services" as nonmedical birth support, including prenatal education, labor assistance, and postpartum care, and requires the Department of Health to establish registration criteria for doulas to qualify for reimbursement. It exempts supplemental policies like accident-only or Medicare supplement plans from this requirement. The bill is currently in committee after its first reading in February 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 3044 would allow Park Hills to impose a tax of up to 5% per night on hotel and motel stays for short-term guests (occupying rooms 31 days or less per quarter), but only if voters approve it. The tax must be added separately to room rates and cannot exceed 5% of the nightly charge. All revenue would fund tourism promotion and economic development efforts in the city. The tax requires a voter approval vote through a ballot question before it can take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 1779, titled the "Defining SEX Act," defines key terms in state law to establish that "biological sex" (male or female) determines legal references to "sex" or "gender" in existing statutes and administrative rules. It specifies that "gender," when used alone, must refer to biological sex - not gender identity, expression, or role - and clarifies that "gender identity" cannot replace "sex" in legal contexts. The bill directly affects how state laws and regulations interpret terms in areas like healthcare, education, and employment, requiring state agencies to align their rules with these definitions. It also includes a specific provision ensuring individuals with differences in sex development retain ADA protections under federal law.

Maddy summaryHB 2526 redefines "sex" in Missouri state law to mean only the biological classification of male or female at birth, as clinically verified. This bill directly affects all state statutes using "sex" or "gender" by requiring legal definitions to align with this biological standard, excluding "gender identity" from being used as a synonym. Key provisions include explicitly stating there are only two sexes, clarifying that intersex individuals do not constitute a third sex, and prohibiting "gender identity" from replacing "sex" in legal contexts. The bill amends multiple existing statutes to implement these definitions across state law.

Maddy summaryHB 2068 modifies Missouri's unemployment benefits program by replacing disqualification rules for claimants who left jobs voluntarily or failed to meet job search requirements. It affects individuals applying for unemployment benefits who quit work without "good cause" (e.g., not contacting a temporary agency for reassignment) or who didn't apply for suitable work when directed. Key changes include adding specific exceptions to disqualification, such as quitting for a higher-paying job, returning to a regular employer, pregnancy with medical proof, or relocating due to a military spouse's permanent station change. The bill also clarifies that temporary workers must contact their agency for reassignment to avoid disqualification. These provisions aim to adjust eligibility criteria for unemployment benefits under Missouri law.

Maddy summaryHB 2406 requires state agencies to notify Missouri's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules before finalizing any new rule that would cost over $250,000 annually for state agencies or significantly impact businesses or individuals financially. The bill mandates a 30-day waiting period after committee notification and requires the legislature to approve such rules via a concurrent resolution before they can take effect. This applies to most administrative rules, making them unenforceable without following these steps, though exceptions exist for rules needed for federal compliance or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1818 requires content creators (like influencers or vloggers) who feature minors in their compensated online content to set aside a portion of earnings into a trust fund for the minor. It applies when a minor appears in at least 30% of a creator's content over a month, the content meets view thresholds, and the creator earned $25,000+ in the prior year. Creators must maintain records of views, compensation, and minor features until the minor turns 21, and deposit at least half of the earnings from content featuring the minor into a separate trust account. The funds become accessible to the minor when they turn 18 or are emancipated, ensuring compensation from their online presence is preserved for their future.

Maddy summaryThis Missouri bill requires licensed child care facilities to implement nonrestrained safe sleep policies for children aged one and older (excluding weighted blankets over five pounds or for children under one year), provide safe rest options during non-nap times, and create documented care plans for children with special needs. These care plans must be reviewed annually with parents or guardians, facility staff, and the child's primary care provider. Staff directly caring for children with special needs must receive specific training on those needs, which counts toward required annual training hours. The law applies to all licensed facilities but excludes children under one year, who remain covered by existing regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2536 repeals two existing Missouri law sections (1.020 and 163.048) and replaces them with five new sections defining terms for legal use. The bill specifically adds definitions for "Female" (describing reproductive anatomy related to egg production) and "Male" (describing reproductive anatomy related to sperm production), alongside standard legal terms like "certified mail" and "county attorney." This is a definitional bill, not a substantive policy change, as it establishes terminology for use in other statutes rather than creating new protections or programs. The bill does not directly affect any specific group or mandate new actions beyond clarifying existing legal language.

Maddy summaryHB 2335 requires Missouri school districts to establish written discipline policies that include corporal punishment procedures (with parental written consent required) and specify how to handle student violence, disabilities, and confidentiality. It mandates annual training for all school employees on these policies, including handling school violence and student education plans. The bill also requires schools to report specific violent crimes and drug offenses to law enforcement and restricts suspended students from being within 1,000 feet of school property unless under adult supervision or meeting specific exceptions. This directly affects school employees, administrators, students (especially those with disabilities or involved in discipline incidents), and school safety protocols.