Rep. Tonya Rush

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 3187, the "Credit Fairness and Financial Opportunity Act," prohibits lenders from denying personal loans (like credit cards, auto loans, or installment loans) solely based on a numerical credit score. Instead, lenders must conduct an individualized review of factors showing repayment capacity - such as verified income, debt-to-income ratio, payment history, and extenuating circumstances like medical hardship - before denying an application. Consumers denied a loan gain the right to request a written explanation, submit additional repayment evidence, and seek reconsideration. The law empowers the state Division of Finance to enforce these rules and impose civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation for noncompliance. It takes effect on January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 3184 would allow married individuals to sue a third party (not their spouse) for emotional, financial, or relational harm caused by that person's adultery with their spouse. It establishes criminal penalties for adultery itself, ranging from a Class C misdemeanor (first offense) to a Class E felony (third or subsequent offenses), with evidence rules including communications and witness testimony. The bill includes key exceptions: no civil suit or criminal charge if spouses were legally separated or had a prior written agreement permitting non-monogamy. Damages in civil cases could include emotional distress, counseling costs, attorney fees, and punitive damages. The bill is currently in early stages (introduced February 2026) and would directly affect married individuals, their spouses, and third parties involved in adulterous relationships.

Maddy summaryHB 3207 requires employers with 10 or more employees in the state to provide workers with at least three days of bereavement leave when they lose a companion pet (like a dog, cat, or bird), with at least one day paid. Employees must provide reasonable documentation (such as a vet certificate) to qualify, and the leave can be taken consecutively or within 30 days of the pet's death. Employers cannot retaliate against employees using this leave, and it does not replace other available leave unless the employee chooses to combine them. The bill directly affects employees and their employers, adding pet loss to state bereavement leave protections.

Maddy summaryHB 3260 creates Missouri's "Four For More Program," allowing parents of K-12 students to take up to four hours of paid leave annually to work at their child's public school. Employers in Missouri (with 5+ employees) who pay these parents during their school work hours can claim a tax credit covering 50% of the wages paid, up to $50,000 per business yearly. The tax credit is capped at $10 million total statewide each year and expires after six years unless renewed. The program requires schools to document parent participation and applies only to businesses subject to Missouri state income tax.

Maddy summaryHB 3285 creates a temporary six-month nonrenewable salesperson license for applicants who meet specific requirements but haven't taken the salesperson exam. It directly affects new real estate salesperson applicants who have completed approved education within six months, have no disciplinary history, and are not yet licensed. The license allows them to work while awaiting their permanent license, expiring automatically after six months or upon issuance of the permanent license. This provision aims to streamline entry into the profession for qualified applicants without requiring the initial exam.

Maddy summaryHB 3197 requires hospitals in Missouri to administer genetic testing at birth for newborns when a putative father is identified, paternity is disputed, or requested by the mother or alleged father. It establishes legal paternity only after a DNA test confirms a 99% biological relationship, preventing child support obligations (including retroactive payments) until testing is complete. The bill creates a state fund to cover testing costs for low-income individuals and mandates destruction of genetic data after paternity is confirmed, except for voluntary retention for medical history. This directly affects newborns, mothers, putative fathers, and the child support system by changing how paternity is legally verified and when financial responsibilities begin.

Maddy summaryHB 3196 requires employers with 10+ employees to provide each worker with two hours of paid leave monthly specifically for school-related activities involving their child. This covers meetings, conferences, or academic support sessions initiated by schools or childcare providers, including for foster, adopted, or children the employee cares for like a parent. Employers must pay at the employee’s regular rate (not deducted from other leave), allow 30-minute increments, and cannot retaliate against workers using this time. The state labor department enforces the law, imposing $500 penalties for willful violations, while existing benefits under contracts or other laws remain unaffected.

Maddy summaryHB 3302 creates a public registry for individuals convicted of animal abuse in Missouri. Courts must send conviction details (including name and date of birth) to the state highway patrol within 60 days of sentencing. First-time offenders' names stay on the registry for two years after conviction, while repeat offenders' names remain for five years, with removal if no new offenses occur during that time. Names are also removed if the conviction is expunged. The registry will be searchable on the state public safety website.

Maddy summaryHB 3525 exempts makeup application (e.g., applying foundation, lipstick, or airbrush makeup) from cosmetology licensing requirements, meaning anyone can perform this service without a cosmetology license. It requires hair braiders to register with the state board ($20 fee, completion of a training video on infection control), but exempts hair braiding from full cosmetology licensing. The bill defines "hair braiding" as techniques without chemical treatments (e.g., twisting hair by hand) and clarifies "makeup application" excludes permanent makeup or tattooing. Licensed cosmetologists can still perform both services without additional registration under this bill.