Rep. Bill Allen

Maddy summaryHB 1940 updates requirements for newspapers publishing legal notices and real estate advertisements. It would require such newspapers to have been continuously published for at least one year (reducing the prior three-year requirement), maintain a list of paid subscribers, and meet specific circulation standards. The bill also specifies that in cities with over 100,000 residents, legal notices must appear in a daily newspaper that has met these requirements for one year. These changes apply directly to newspapers seeking to be designated as legal publications for court or government notices.

Maddy summaryHB 3243 requires Missouri state agencies and schools to notify the Children's Division within 24 hours if a child's parent or legal guardian faces federal immigration enforcement (like detention or deportation). The Children's Division must then assess the child's safety, needs, and placement options, prioritizing relatives or known caregivers when safe and appropriate. Schools must maintain educational stability for affected children, and the bill explicitly prohibits state agencies from asking about immigration status or interfering with federal enforcement. This law aims to protect children's well-being during parental immigration actions while aligning with existing child welfare standards.

Maddy summaryHB 3215, titled the "Missouri Family Building and Fertility Access Act," creates a state program to improve access to fertility treatment for individuals in rural or medically underserved areas. The program provides travel assistance, lodging stipends, and telehealth subsidies for those who cannot access certified fertility clinics, while also supporting telemedicine infrastructure in shortage areas. Health insurance companies must publish plain-language summaries of fertility coverage on their websites and submit annual reports on treatment usage, which the state will aggregate and publish to track access trends. The bill establishes a dedicated "Infertility Access Fund" to finance these efforts and requires biennial reports on barriers to care, including cost and geographic challenges.

Maddy summaryHB 3096 establishes a rebuttable presumption that certain cancers and occupational diseases (including heart, respiratory, and specific cancers like lung or prostate cancer) contracted by firefighters and fire investigators are work-related, shifting the burden of proof to employers to disprove the connection. It also adds PTSD as a compensable occupational disease for first responders when diagnosed after experiencing specific qualifying traumatic events, such as witnessing severe injuries or deaths. The bill updates Missouri's workers' compensation framework to cover these conditions without requiring proof of direct causation, provided clear evidence links the condition to job-related exposures or events. This directly affects paid firefighters and fire investigators certified under state law who develop covered illnesses during their duties.

Maddy summaryHB 1613 moves elections for county planning commission members to coincide with regular countywide general elections. This affects voters in townships within counties that have planning commissions, requiring them to elect one representative per township during existing general elections. The bill replaces previously appointed commissioners with elected members, establishing four-year terms with overlapping two-year terms for half the members. It also specifies that elected members serve without pay but receive expense reimbursement, while the county highway engineer remains an ex officio member.

Maddy summaryHB 1617 modifies how county auditors in charter counties conduct audits of local government entities. It allows county auditors (or their representatives) to audit political subdivisions or local governments within their county if they suspect improper activity or to perform performance audits focused on economy, efficiency, or compliance. The bill specifies that audit costs must be paid from the county auditor’s existing budget, and auditors must comply with confidentiality laws when accessing records. This changes the scope of audit authority without altering the auditor’s core duties or liability protections.

Maddy summaryHB 1881 amends Missouri's controlled substances law by adding specific fentanyl analogs and synthetic opioids to Schedule I (not Schedule III, as the title states). The bill lists numerous fentanyl derivatives (e.g., acetyl fentanyl, xylazine is not listed) and opioid compounds under Schedule I, which requires they have high abuse potential and no accepted medical use. This change directly affects law enforcement, healthcare providers, and individuals handling these substances by classifying them as illegal under Missouri law. The bill does not mention xylazine in its text; the title appears to contain an error, as the actual provisions focus on fentanyl-related compounds. This is a substantive policy change to drug scheduling, not a procedural measure.

Maddy summaryHB 2710 requires all Missouri public schools and districts to publish standardized annual report cards showing student performance, finances, and staff data in an accessible format. It establishes a new A-F rating system based on student achievement (40% for elementary/middle schools, 25% for high schools), academic growth metrics (30% for elementary/middle, 25% for high schools), and high school "Success Ready Graduate" measures (15% for high schools). Top-performing schools in the top 5% for achievement or growth will receive $100 per student in performance-based funding starting in 2026-27, while those in the top 10% but not top 5% get $50 per student. The bill directly affects every public school, district, and charter school by linking their ratings and funding eligibility to specific student outcome metrics.

Maddy summaryHB 2404 prohibits political subdivisions (like cities, counties, and school districts) from creating policies or restrictions that block charter schools from using property they’ve sold, leased, or transferred for lawful education. Specifically, it bans deed restrictions, local ordinances, or policies that prevent charter schools from using such property for classrooms, programs, or other educational purposes. The bill also requires school districts to offer unused school buildings (those not used for academic or school activities within two years) to charter schools first, with specific notice and 60-day right-of-first-refusal rules. This directly affects charter schools seeking facilities and local governments managing property transfers.

Maddy summaryHB 2592 would restore voting rights to Missouri residents convicted of a felony who are on probation or parole, removing a current barrier that prevents them from voting until their supervision ends. The bill amends state law to eliminate the provision that disqualifies individuals "while on probation or parole" after a felony conviction, directly affecting thousands of Missourians under community supervision. Key provisions would allow these individuals to register and vote in all elections once they meet standard residency and registration requirements, without waiting for full discharge from supervision. This change specifically applies to felony convictions, not misdemeanor offenses or incarceration, and aligns with broader efforts to expand voting access for people with past criminal convictions.