Rep. LaDonna Appelbaum

Maddy summaryHB 2724 requires most Missouri health insurance plans covering pregnancy to also cover infertility diagnosis and treatment starting August 28, 2026. It mandates coverage for specific procedures like IVF, embryo transfer, artificial insemination, and fertility preservation during cancer treatment (e.g., chemotherapy). The law limits IVF coverage to cases where less expensive treatments have failed, caps coverage at four egg retrieval cycles (with exceptions for live births), and exempts religiously affiliated plans that oppose these treatments based on faith. This directly affects employers offering health insurance to 25+ employees in Missouri.

Maddy summaryHB 2727 amends Missouri law to prohibit possessing high-capacity magazines, defined as devices holding more than ten rounds of ammunition. This directly affects individuals who own such magazines, making it a class D felony for most violations (except for specific exceptions like law enforcement or museums). The bill replaces existing provisions by adding "high-capacity magazine" to the list of prohibited items under weapons possession laws. Exceptions allow possession for official duties, commercial transactions with authorized entities, lawful industrial use, museum displays, or dramatic performances.

Maddy summaryHB 2726 requires Missouri health insurance plans (effective January 1, 2027) to cover a prescribed drug without forcing patients to switch to an alternative drug, unless a patient's doctor provides written approval stating the switch is medically necessary. This directly affects patients prescribed specific medications and health insurers offering plans in Missouri. The bill prevents insurers from mandating drug substitutions solely for cost reasons, ensuring coverage for the doctor-recommended drug. Exceptions include existing step therapy protocols and interchangeable biological products, as specified in related laws.

Maddy summaryHJR 156 proposes amending Missouri's state constitution to protect the right to keep and bear arms, repealing the current Section 23 and replacing it with new language. The amendment guarantees this right for self-defense and requires any restrictions to undergo "strict scrutiny," while explicitly allowing local governments (counties, St. Louis, Kansas City) to create their own firearm ordinances. Key provisions include limiting local permit fees to actual costs, requiring permits to expire after five years, recognizing permits from other jurisdictions, and exempting active law enforcement, judges, and certain security personnel. The bill does not override federal law or the Second Amendment but permits local rules subject to these specific constraints.

Maddy summaryThis Missouri House bill (HR 3879) authorizes a committee selected by the Speaker to introduce articles of impeachment against Secretary of State Denny Hoskins. It alleges he violated Missouri's constitution by unlawfully refusing to verify signatures on a referendum petition challenging a gerrymandered congressional map and by directing election officials to implement the new districts despite a constitutional requirement for voter approval. The bill cites his actions as misconduct, willful neglect of duty, and oppression in office under Article VII, Section 1 of the Missouri Constitution. The impeachment process would begin only if a committee finds "good cause" after investigation.

Maddy summaryHB 3131 requires that for all emergency calls classified as mental-health related, law enforcement must respond with a behavioral health specialist (such as a psychologist, social worker, or counselor) alongside the officer. This applies unless dispatch or on-scene assessment indicates an immediate threat of violence, in which case officers may initially secure the scene without the specialist but must bring them in once the scene is safe. The bill mandates standardized dispatch protocols to identify mental-health calls and assign co-response teams, directly affecting Missouri law enforcement agencies and emergency dispatch centers. It aims to improve crisis response by ensuring trained behavioral health professionals are part of the initial emergency team for mental health calls.

Maddy summaryHB 2236 establishes Missouri's "Infertility Access Program" through the Department of Health and Senior Services to improve fertility treatment access. The program provides travel assistance, lodging stipends, or telehealth subsidies for individuals in rural or medically underserved areas seeking care at certified fertility clinics. It also creates an "Infertility Access Fund" for program administration, requires health carriers to publish clear fertility coverage summaries, and mandates annual reports on treatment utilization, geographic barriers, and demographic data. The bill directly affects patients in underserved regions, certified fertility clinics, and health insurance providers offering fertility coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 1901 replaces Missouri's outdated indoor air quality laws with a new "Missouri Clean Indoor Air Act" (sections 191.2710-191.2750). The bill prohibits smoking and vaping in most enclosed public areas - including bars, restaurants, and workplaces - while defining specific terms like "bar," "cigar-tobacco bar," and "electronic smoking device" (ESD) to clarify enforcement. It directly affects businesses (employers), employees, and public venues by requiring smoke-free environments, with strict rules for cigar-tobacco bars (e.g., freestanding locations and revenue limits). The law includes penalty provisions for violations and explicitly exempts entryways and certain medical devices.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Missouri Department of Social Services to submit a state plan amendment or seek federal waivers to allow MO HealthNet, the state's Medicaid program, to cover fertility treatments for eligible participants. The legislation specifically targets individuals enrolled in MO HealthNet who may need assisted reproductive services, requiring the department to formally request approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to expand coverage. By mandating this administrative process, the bill ensures that any new fertility treatment benefits comply with federal Medicaid regulations while enabling the state to pursue coverage options for reproductive health services. The measure does not establish new coverage on its own but creates a pathway for the department to seek the necessary federal authorization to include these treatments in the program.

Maddy summaryHB 1844 creates the "Athletic Trainer Compact" to allow licensed athletic trainers to practice across participating states without obtaining separate licenses. It directly affects licensed athletic trainers seeking interstate mobility and patients who gain easier access to these professionals. The key mechanism is mutual recognition of licenses between member states, reducing administrative burdens while preserving each state's regulatory authority over scope of practice. The compact also supports telehealth access, shares disciplinary information, and includes provisions for military members and their families.