Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Public Domain Preservation Act" to ensure that official documents and materials created by Missouri state employees remain free for public use. It prohibits the state from claiming copyright or patent rights over judicial opinions, administrative rulings, legislative texts, and other records produced during an employee's official duties, while explicitly excluding independent contractors and inventions made by public school or university staff. Additionally, the law requires that public materials containing these works include a notice stating "Public Domain Content. No Rights Reserved" and mandates that government-funded publications display funding sources and administrator names. Finally, the act mandates that any existing state-held copyrights on such works, as of August 28, 2024, be released into the public domain under a perpetual license.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman to monitor conditions and address complaints regarding inmate welfare, safety, and rights. The office will consist of two sections dedicated to inspections and complaint investigations, with the authority to collect data on issues such as abuse, medical care, sanitation, and access to education or family visits. An independent ombudsman will lead the office and conduct regular facility inspections while issuing public reports on findings and recommendations. The position is overseen by a bipartisan oversight committee that includes former inmates, medical professionals, and family members of incarcerated individuals to ensure diverse representation. Staff members hired by the office must adhere to strict conflict-of-interest rules to maintain independence from the Department of Corrections.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the law regarding unlawful firearm possession to allow individuals who have finished their sentences for nonviolent felonies to legally own guns. Currently, people on probation or parole for such crimes are prohibited from possessing firearms, but this change would remove that restriction once their supervision ends. The legislation defines a nonviolent felony as an offense that does not involve threats or force against another person, while maintaining stricter rules for those convicted of violent felonies. Antique firearms are also exempted from these new restrictions.
Maddy summaryThis bill abolishes the death penalty in Missouri and mandates that anyone convicted of first-degree murder be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, except by an act of the governor. It achieves this by repealing existing statutes that authorized capital punishment and replacing them with new sections that specify life without parole as the mandatory penalty for adults aged eighteen and older. The legislation also clarifies how offenses are classified based on potential prison terms and outlines rules for combining homicide charges with other crimes during legal proceedings. These changes directly affect the sentencing outcomes for individuals convicted of murder and alter the legal framework governing capital cases in the state.
Maddy summaryHB 2333 prohibits the foreclosure of a principal residence to collect delinquent property taxes or special assessments, requiring creditors to use alternative collection methods instead. The bill applies to homeowners living in their primary homes and affects local governments, counties, and community improvement districts that levy these charges. Under the new rules, if a lien is placed on a principal residence, the lienholder must recover the debt through non-foreclosure procedures outlined in the law rather than seizing the home. This change modifies existing statutes to prevent the loss of primary residences due to unpaid taxes while maintaining the ability for authorities to collect the owed funds.
Maddy summaryHB 2284 prevents state and local governments from creating laws that restrict how private property owners park unlicensed vehicles on their own land, provided the car is on a suitable surface and not lifted. The bill also stops officials from banning non-corporate owners or renters of single-family homes from using their property in ways that do not endanger neighbors or passersby. Additionally, it prohibits regulations that force these homeowners or renters to use parts of their residence against their will, unless there is an existing easement or right of way. This legislation directly affects private property owners and local municipalities by limiting their ability to enforce rules on vehicle storage and residential usage.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Biometric Information Privacy Act in Missouri to protect personal biological data, such as fingerprints and facial scans, from unauthorized use by private companies. It requires any private entity holding this data to create and publish a policy explaining how long they will keep it and how they will securely destroy it once it is no longer needed. The law specifically allows employers to collect biometric data only for limited purposes like granting access to secure areas or tracking work hours, provided they obtain written consent from employees. Additionally, the act defines what types of information count as biometric identifiers and explicitly excludes standard photographs, physical descriptions, and medical records from these protections.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Missouri's disaster relief laws to help local governments and rural electric cooperatives recover financially after a disaster. It establishes a state disaster fund that the governor can use to provide financial aid to these entities when they face severe burdens that exceed their normal reserves. The law outlines a process where affected groups apply for assistance, which is reviewed by the state emergency management agency before the governor approves and releases the funds. Additionally, the bill allows the state to pay for necessary supplies and services during an emergency and receive reimbursement from local agencies or cooperatives that are able to pay.
Maddy summaryHB 2682 modifies how juvenile court records are managed to balance privacy with public safety needs. The bill establishes stricter confidentiality rules for most juvenile records while allowing public access to hearing records for serious offenses like murder, rape, or robbery if the child was adjudicated delinquent. It also mandates that peace officer records for children be kept separate from adult files and creates a process for sealing or destroying non-essential records once a youth turns eighteen. Additionally, the legislation defines specific criteria for identifying criminal street gang activity and outlines the types of violent crimes that constitute a pattern of such activity.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state and local governments from using automated cameras to issue fines for traffic violations such as running red lights or speeding. It defines these systems as devices that capture images of vehicles or drivers to prove noncompliance with traffic laws. While new enforcement systems are banned, the law allows existing contracts signed by August 28, 2024, to continue until September 1, 2025, after which the prohibition takes full effect.