Rep. Donna Barnes

Maddy summaryHB 2372 modifies Missouri health care laws primarily by establishing new policies for student medication access and hospital investments. It requires schools to allow students with asthma or anaphylaxis to self-administer prescribed medication under specific conditions, including physician approval, demonstrated skill, and written treatment plans (§ 191.1146). The bill also changes hospital investment rules, permitting up to 50% of "available funds" to be invested in certain stocks, bonds, or mutual funds (§ 96.192), subject to revenue source restrictions. Additionally, it designates "Aneurysm Awareness Month," "Infertility Awareness Week," and "PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day" in Missouri, though these are commemorative and do not alter policy.

Maddy summaryHB 1840 creates Missouri's "Purple Alert System" to help locate missing persons with developmental disabilities who face immediate danger. It directly affects individuals with intellectual disabilities, brain injuries, or other non-Alzheimer's cognitive conditions who go missing. The bill requires law enforcement to immediately notify officers, contact local media, and share details with neighboring agencies when such a case is reported. It also mandates training for officers on crisis intervention and policies to enhance emergency response and public awareness about developmental disability-related elopement risks. The system must be implemented by July 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 1740 updates the state's point system for driving violations, affecting drivers who accumulate points on their license record. It sets specific thresholds for license suspension (e.g., 8 points in 18 months) and revocation (12 points in 12 months), while allowing drivers to avoid full suspension by installing an alcohol interlock device in their vehicle. License reinstatement requires proof of financial responsibility (like insurance) and takes 30-90 days depending on prior suspensions, with shorter timelines for first-time offenses. The bill also clarifies that points cannot be reduced during suspension periods and mandates reinstatement fees for suspended drivers.

Maddy summaryHB 3288 creates a statewide communication access services program under Missouri’s Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. It establishes a registry of qualified providers (like interpreters, captioners, and notetakers), sets minimum standards for services, and creates a dedicated fund to cover program costs, scholarships for providers, and financial assistance for agencies. The program directly helps individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing by improving access to communication services and supporting businesses/agencies in meeting federal ADA requirements. Key mechanisms include funding scholarships, providing training, and maintaining a statewide resource website to address service gaps, especially in underserved areas. The bill requires the commission to report annually on program effectiveness and utilization.

Maddy summaryHB 2441 increases penalties for illegally parking in spaces reserved for people with disabilities in Missouri. It raises fines from $50-$300 to $100-$500 for unauthorized use of these spaces, as specified in the amended statute (Section 301.143). The bill also requires clear signage with the accessibility symbol and the exact fine amount, and mandates that new parking spaces include wider access aisles for wheelchair lifts. This directly affects individuals who misuse disability parking permits and property owners responsible for maintaining compliant parking facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 2440 lowers the minimum age for jury service eligibility in Missouri from 21 to 19 years old. The bill directly affects Missouri residents aged 19 to 20 who were previously disqualified from serving on petit or grand juries. It amends Missouri law to replace the existing disqualification for "less than twenty-one years of age" with "less than nineteen years of age" in the list of eligibility requirements. This change specifically modifies the age threshold for jury service without altering other disqualification criteria like citizenship, residency, or felony convictions.

Maddy summaryHB 1936 lowers the age at which Missouri residents can be excused from jury duty from 75 to 70 years old. It also specifies additional exemptions, including for nursing mothers (with physician certification), health care providers (with service verification), religious employees (with religious supervisor certification), and those facing undue hardship (requiring documented evidence like medical records or tax returns). Individuals must apply for exemption before their jury duty date and provide supporting documentation to the court. This change directly affects older adults and others meeting the new exemption criteria, reducing the burden of jury service for these groups.

Maddy summaryHB 1937 expands Missouri's legal definition of "special victim" to include sports officials (like referees, umpires, and linesmen) who are assaulted while performing their duties at any level of sporting event. This change directly affects certified sports officials by granting them the same legal protections as other special victims, such as law enforcement or emergency personnel, under Missouri's criminal statutes. The key provision adds a new subsection (14)(l) to the definition, specifying that a "sports official" must be trained and certified by an official sports organization. This bill modifies existing law to ensure these individuals receive enhanced legal consideration if assaulted during their official duties at games or events.

Maddy summaryHB 1938, known as the "Respect the Whistle Act," creates two new offenses related to school and recreation athletic events in Missouri. It prohibits harassment of athletic officials (defined as behavior causing reasonable fear of harm during contests) and unauthorized entry or remaining on event sites after being forbidden by officials. Violators face fines up to $500, up to 90 days in jail for harassment, or up to six months for entry violations, plus mandatory 40-hour community service and court-approved counseling. The law directly affects attendees, spectators, or participants at public or private school athletic contests or sanctioned recreation events.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes insurance coverage provisions for orthotic, prosthetic, and assistive devices for individuals enrolled in Missouri's MO HealthNet program, which provides health care to low-income residents. The legislation outlines specific payment rules and coverage limits for various health services, including hospital care, physician services, prescription drugs, and home health care, while explicitly excluding certain providers like abortion facilities from receiving funds. Key provisions include setting payment amounts at no more than 80% of reasonable costs for outpatient services, limiting chiropractic visits to 20 per year, and restricting nursing home coverage for those with significant home equity. The bill also defines eligibility criteria and payment methodologies for different types of care, ensuring services are medically necessary and aligned with federal regulations.