Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Missouri Universal School Meals Act to ensure that all students in public, charter, and participating private schools receive free meals upon request, regardless of their family's ability to pay. To support this, the legislation creates a dedicated state fund called the "Universal School Meals Fund" to reimburse schools for the cost of meals that are not covered by existing federal programs. Schools are required to assist families with meal applications without stigmatizing students based on eligibility status and must provide meals to anyone who asks unless a parent explicitly opts out. Additionally, the bill directs the state board of education to create rules for how schools can apply for these reimbursements and ensures that any money left in the fund at the end of a budget cycle remains available for future use.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 2389 modifies Missouri laws regarding how legal documents, known as pleadings, must be signed and verified. The bill simplifies the process by removing the general requirement for pleadings to be verified or accompanied by an affidavit, while still requiring parties or their attorneys to include contact information. It also allows unsworn statements made under penalty of perjury to replace traditional oaths, affidavits, or notarizations in many situations. Additionally, the legislation permits affirmations to be used instead of oaths when signing these documents. These changes apply to all individuals and attorneys involved in legal proceedings within the state.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to perform safety assessments on every public and charter school in the state. The assessments will evaluate specific security measures such as door locks, video surveillance, visitor management systems, and emergency communication tools, while also checking for items like bleeding control kits, defibrillators, and protective fencing. Following the evaluation, the department must provide each school with a report detailing identified vulnerabilities and offering recommendations to address them. This mandate does not replace existing legal requirements for maintaining school safety standards established by state or federal laws.
Maddy summaryHB 2391 modifies the annual mileage limit for Missouri historic vehicle license plates, increasing the allowance for personal use from 1,000 to 1,250 miles per year. The bill requires owners to keep a log of these miles in the vehicle and excludes driving to repair shops or attendance at auto tours from the limit. It also clarifies that vehicles over 25 years old with original plates can be registered as historic vehicles without needing to meet specific reflective material or color design standards.
Maddy summaryHB 2405 creates new ethics rules that allow for the removal of elected officials and state employees convicted of specific crimes related to stealing or misusing campaign funds. The bill requires prosecutors to initiate removal actions against these individuals and extends these removal provisions to supervisors who knowingly hire or keep unfit employees. Additionally, the legislation mandates that employers notify retirement systems when an employee is convicted of certain felonies, such as bribery or forgery, which can result in the loss of future retirement benefits.
Maddy summaryHB 2394 requires health insurance plans to cover genetic counseling and specific BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic testing for individuals at increased risk of breast or ovarian cancer starting in 2025. This coverage must include all associated costs without deductibles or co-pays, provided the testing is recommended by a certified professional following a clinical risk assessment. Additionally, the bill prohibits insurers from using the results of these genetic tests to determine eligibility, set premiums, or make other underwriting decisions. The law applies to all health benefit plans delivered or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, ensuring that preventive care is accessible without financial barriers.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to change how juries are selected and how verdicts are reached in Missouri courts. It allows juries in non-record courts to have fewer than twelve members and permits a two-thirds majority to decide civil cases, while raising the requirement to three-fourths for civil cases in record courts. Additionally, the amendment clarifies that criminal defendants can choose to give up their right to a jury trial if both the government and the court agree. If voters approve this change, it would alter the state constitution regarding jury composition and verdict thresholds for both civil and criminal proceedings.
Maddy summaryHB 2396 modifies how members of street light maintenance district boards are selected by establishing a staggered six-year term system. Under this new process, one board member will be elected every two years starting with municipal elections after August 28, 2025, ensuring continuity on the board. Candidates will run on a separate, nonpartisan ballot where the person with the most votes wins each seat. The bill applies directly to existing street light maintenance districts and outlines a specific schedule for holding elections to transition current members into this new term structure.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for handling rejected absentee ballots in Florida to ensure voters are informed about why their ballots were not counted. It requires election officials to mark rejected envelopes with the specific reason for rejection and immediately notify the voter of the rejection along with instructions on how to fix the issue. Voters who receive this notice have the opportunity to cure certain errors, such as missing signatures or incomplete statements, by submitting an affidavit and ID before a set deadline. If the election authority accepts this documentation and confirms the voter is eligible, the previously rejected ballot will be counted. The law also mandates that all ballot envelopes remain sealed and secure until they are processed according to these procedures.
Maddy summaryHB 2393 requires health insurance plans in Missouri to cover prostheses for individuals experiencing hair loss from chemotherapy or specific autoimmune conditions. The law applies to plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, and mandates that these prostheses be covered with the same deductibles and co-payments as other similar medical services. Coverage is limited to a maximum of $3,200 per person, which can be used for a one-time expense or spread over time, and it does not prevent insurers from offering more generous benefits.