Rep. Yolanda Young

Maddy summaryHCR 17 is a non-binding resolution urging Missouri's legislature to prioritize environmental and economic policies. It calls for advancing renewable energy (including 100% clean electricity by 2040), supporting farmers with climate-resilient practices, and improving infrastructure for climate resilience. The resolution does not create new laws but encourages the General Assembly to develop and support such policies through future legislation. It specifically emphasizes benefits for rural communities, farmers, and underserved populations affected by environmental challenges.

Maddy summaryHB 1515 establishes Missouri's Small Business Property Crime Prevention Grant Program, providing financial assistance to eligible small businesses for security upgrades and property crime repair costs. The program targets for-profit businesses with fewer than 50 employees in Missouri, offering grants up to $1,000 per fiscal year for items like surveillance systems, access controls, storefront redesigns, or repairs after crimes. Applications require detailed cost breakdowns and security plans, with grants awarded based on need, feasibility, and proposed timelines, and businesses must complete projects within 18 months. The program begins funding in fiscal year 2027 and will sunset six years after enactment unless reauthorized by the legislature.

Maddy summaryHJR 93 proposes a constitutional amendment to remove a Missouri voting restriction for individuals declared mentally incapacitated by a court. Currently, Missouri law bars voting for people with court-appointed guardians for mental incapacity or those involuntarily confined in mental institutions. The bill would delete this exclusion from the state constitution, allowing these individuals to vote if otherwise eligible under standard registration and residency rules. This change would directly affect Missouri residents under court guardianship for mental health reasons.

Maddy summaryHB 1410 requires all peace officers (law enforcement officers) to complete one hour annually of autism sensitivity training as part of their existing continuing education requirements. The training must cover identifying autism spectrum disorder (ASD) signs and effective interaction techniques with individuals on the autism spectrum. This annual training, which may be completed virtually, is integrated into current POST commission requirements and does not add extra hours beyond standard mandates. The bill directly affects all active law enforcement officers in the state, aiming to improve officer interactions with people with autism during routine encounters.

Maddy summaryHB 95 prohibits publicly funded libraries (state or local) from removing or restricting access to books based on political or religious disagreement. It directly affects libraries receiving state or local government funding by preventing content-based bans. The bill clarifies that libraries are not required to purchase specific books, only that they cannot remove materials due to partisan or doctrinal disapproval. This policy change aims to protect library collections from ideological removals while preserving library autonomy in collection decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 361 modifies Missouri's blind pension eligibility rules to clarify who qualifies for annual payments. It sets asset limits (excluding primary homes and up to $100,000 in ABLE accounts), requires surrendering driver's licenses (with a free non-driver card option), and establishes income thresholds for sighted spouses. The bill directly affects blind Missourians aged 18+ who lost sight while residing in the state and meet residency requirements. Key provisions include mandatory vision tests for recipients, reporting address changes within 10 days, and excluding certain circumstances like operating vehicles or public begging. These changes aim to align state rules with federal requirements and clarify program administration.

Maddy summaryHB 359 updates eligibility rules for state blind pensions. It clarifies the medical definition of "blind" (requiring vision uncorrectable to better than 5/200 in one eye or a visual field ≤5 degrees) and requires annual vision tests by approved eye specialists for initial and renewal applications. The bill extends the re-examination period from every 5 to 7 years for most recipients, exempts those with no usable vision from retests (unless the department suspects ineligibility), and sets a minimum $340 monthly pension amount. It also specifies that pension payments stop if a recipient qualifies for federal SSI or general relief assistance.

Maddy summaryHB 358 designates the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November during even-numbered years as a new state holiday for Election Day. This change directly affects state employees, who would receive the day off, and all public and private colleges and universities within the state. The bill requires these institutions to close on Election Day unless they are designated as official polling places. This policy aims to ensure accessibility for voters by making Election Day a universal holiday while allowing campuses to remain open if serving as polling locations.

Maddy summaryHB 1458 creates a state grant program administered by Missouri's Department of Social Services to help senior citizens navigate property tax appeals. The bill provides funding to nonprofit organizations that assist seniors (typically aged 65+) with challenging property tax assessments, requiring nonprofits to apply with details about their services, staff expertise, and outreach plans. Grants will be awarded based on the nonprofit's ability to serve seniors, geographic need, capacity, and available funds. This program directly affects seniors facing complex tax appeals and nonprofit organizations providing such support, with funding dependent on annual state appropriations.

Maddy summaryHB 360, the "Accessible Prescription Labels Act," requires pharmacies to provide free accessible prescription labels in audible, large print, or Braille formats to customers who are blind, visually impaired, or print-disabled upon request. Pharmacies must ensure these labels contain all required information (including warnings), are available in a timely manner comparable to standard labels, and are compatible with prescription reader devices. The bill directly affects pharmacies and people with visual impairments by mandating accessible labeling without additional cost, aligning with established accessibility standards.