Rep. Cathy Loy

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HCR 40) requests the Governor to clarify the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's duties and authorizes its Commissioner and State Board to focus solely on core education functions. It directs the Department to: (1) operate within constitutional limits, (2) create a public scorecard tracking student outcomes and funding, (3) run a streamlined accreditation system focused on academic results, (4) distribute state education funds efficiently with clear audits, and (5) provide support when schools or parents request it. The resolution does not create new laws but aims to refocus the Department on improving student success rather than expanding administrative tasks. It directly affects the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, its Commissioner, and the State Board of Education.

Maddy summaryHB 2909 requires public schools to include specific human sexuality and development instruction for students, directly affecting K-12 students in the state. The bill mandates medically accurate lessons covering abstinence, sexually transmitted diseases, contraception effectiveness, emotional consequences of teen sex, conflict management, and online safety. Crucially, it requires schools to show two specific videos during instruction: a fetal development ultrasound and the "Meet Baby Olivia" video depicting human gestation. Parents must be notified of the curriculum content and can opt their child out of any portion of the instruction. The bill also prohibits school personnel from providing abortion-related materials or services.

Maddy summaryHB 2157 requires Missouri public school districts to create policies allowing students to be excused during school hours for religious instruction courses provided by independent organizations. The policy must ensure parental written consent is obtained, the sponsoring entity handles transportation and liability, and no school funds (beyond minimal administrative costs) are used. School districts must award academic credit for these courses based on secular criteria like class hours, syllabus, and instructor qualifications - without considering religious content. The excused time counts toward school attendance for state funding purposes, and students are responsible for missed schoolwork. This directly affects students, parents, and school districts by establishing clear rules for religious instruction outside regular school hours.

Maddy summaryHB 2419 requires physicians prescribing abortion-inducing drugs to be physically present during all doses and perform an ultrasound to confirm pregnancy stage before administration. It mandates that doctors inform patients about "abortion reversal" options and provide contact information for the H3HELPLINE counseling resource. The bill also requires physicians to have a complication plan approved by health authorities for certain drugs with known high surgical intervention rates, unless the patient is in a hospital emergency. These provisions directly affect medical providers who prescribe medication abortion and patients seeking such care in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 2420 authorizes charter schools in specific Missouri school districts under defined conditions, directly affecting districts classified as unaccredited, provisionally accredited, or meeting population size criteria. The bill establishes six eligibility scenarios for charter schools, including districts with financial hardship or those in counties with 150,000-200,000 residents, while limiting local school board sponsorship to districts with under 1,550 students or allowing broader sponsorship in certain cases. It permits eligible sponsors like local school boards, colleges, or nonprofits to operate charter schools, and imposes a 35% enrollment cap on charter schools within large districts (over 1,550 students). The law also prohibits sponsors from charging fees for charter applications and outlines transition rules for districts changing accreditation status.

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 2443 revises Missouri's laws governing degrees at public colleges and universities. It designates the University of Missouri as the sole state institution permitted to offer research doctorates (like PhDs) and certain professional degrees (such as law, medicine, or veterinary medicine), with limited exceptions. The bill creates a new Coordinating Board for Higher Education to review and approve all new degree programs, requiring institutions to prove they’ve explored collaboration with other schools, meet quality standards, address workforce needs, and align with state education plans. This replaces prior oversight structures and centralizes authority over degree offerings for public institutions.

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 2417, the "Parents' Bill of Rights of 2026," grants parents and guardians specific access rights regarding their minor child's education in public schools and charter schools. It requires schools to provide parents with syllabi, reading lists, and teaching staff information; prohibit nondisclosure agreements for curriculum access; obtain parental consent for diversity, equity, and inclusion activities; and notify parents within 48 hours of specific safety incidents like assaults or weapon incidents. The bill also mandates access to student records, financial information about third-party contracts, and the right to object to classroom materials related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Parents can file complaints with local prosecutors if denied these rights, who may seek court orders to enforce them. This bill directly affects all parents of K-12 students in participating school districts.

Maddy summaryHJR 169 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring voter approval before Missouri state or local districts can increase taxes, debt, or annual spending above certain thresholds. It directly affects state and local governments (excluding government-owned enterprises) by mandating public votes for new revenue measures and creating a refund process for illegally collected revenue. Key mechanisms include requiring districts to provide detailed spending data to voters before tax/debt votes, refunding illegally collected revenue with 10% annual interest, and suspending certain spending limits only during declared emergencies. The amendment takes effect January 1, 2027, and would override conflicting existing laws.