Rep. Josh Hurlbert

Maddy summaryHB 1839 requires commercial websites distributing more than one-third "sexual material harmful to minors" (defined as content appealing to minors' sexual interests without serious artistic value) to implement age verification for users under 18. It mandates that businesses use reasonable age-verification methods (like government ID checks) and prohibits retaining personal user data during verification. Websites must display specific health warnings about pornography's effects and a national helpline notice in 14-point font. The law excludes bona fide news organizations and internet service providers from compliance, and the Missouri Attorney General can enforce it through lawsuits seeking damages or injunctions.

Maddy summaryHB 3240 redefines "sanctuary policy" to include municipal actions that hinder federal immigration enforcement, such as restricting officials from sharing information about individuals without legal immigration status or blocking federal enforcement efforts. The bill prohibits municipalities from adopting such policies, making them ineligible for state grants until the policy is repealed. It also requires municipalities to provide written notice to law enforcement officers about their duty to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. This law, effective January 1, 2009, directly affects all cities, towns, and counties in Missouri.

Maddy summaryHB 3485 allows students attending private, home, or full-time virtual schools to participate in public school sports, fine arts, and other extracurricular activities if their own school does not offer those specific activities. Public schools must permit this participation without requiring students to attend public school classes or enroll in the public school. Students must provide residency proof, pass physicals for sports, follow the same conduct rules, and pay the same fees as public school students. The bill prohibits public schools from creating separate disciplinary or attendance rules for these students and prevents them from blocking participation based on a student’s school type.

Maddy summaryHB 2764 requires port authorities to seek voter approval before issuing bonds for developments located more than 2,000 feet from the Missouri River or Mississippi River shorelines. This provision applies specifically to port authorities planning new projects outside this river proximity zone, mandating that voters in affected counties approve the bond amount through a ballot question. The bill does not change existing rules for developments closer to the rivers or alter other bond issuance procedures for port authorities. It focuses solely on adding a voter approval step for these specific out-of-range projects.

Maddy summaryHB 3096 establishes a rebuttable presumption that certain cancers and occupational diseases (including heart, respiratory, and specific cancers like lung or prostate cancer) contracted by firefighters and fire investigators are work-related, shifting the burden of proof to employers to disprove the connection. It also adds PTSD as a compensable occupational disease for first responders when diagnosed after experiencing specific qualifying traumatic events, such as witnessing severe injuries or deaths. The bill updates Missouri's workers' compensation framework to cover these conditions without requiring proof of direct causation, provided clear evidence links the condition to job-related exposures or events. This directly affects paid firefighters and fire investigators certified under state law who develop covered illnesses during their duties.

Maddy summaryHB 1613 moves elections for county planning commission members to coincide with regular countywide general elections. This affects voters in townships within counties that have planning commissions, requiring them to elect one representative per township during existing general elections. The bill replaces previously appointed commissioners with elected members, establishing four-year terms with overlapping two-year terms for half the members. It also specifies that elected members serve without pay but receive expense reimbursement, while the county highway engineer remains an ex officio member.

Maddy summaryHB 1617 modifies how county auditors in charter counties conduct audits of local government entities. It allows county auditors (or their representatives) to audit political subdivisions or local governments within their county if they suspect improper activity or to perform performance audits focused on economy, efficiency, or compliance. The bill specifies that audit costs must be paid from the county auditor’s existing budget, and auditors must comply with confidentiality laws when accessing records. This changes the scope of audit authority without altering the auditor’s core duties or liability protections.

Maddy summaryHB 2157 requires Missouri public school districts to create policies allowing students to be excused during school hours for religious instruction courses provided by independent organizations. The policy must ensure parental written consent is obtained, the sponsoring entity handles transportation and liability, and no school funds (beyond minimal administrative costs) are used. School districts must award academic credit for these courses based on secular criteria like class hours, syllabus, and instructor qualifications - without considering religious content. The excused time counts toward school attendance for state funding purposes, and students are responsible for missed schoolwork. This directly affects students, parents, and school districts by establishing clear rules for religious instruction outside regular school hours.

Maddy summaryHB 2156 establishes a Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight to monitor Missouri's Department of Transportation (MoDOT) spending. The committee, composed of legislators and state officials, reviews MoDOT's annual financial reports submitted by December 31 each year. These reports must include an independent audit, summaries of transportation funding, and MoDOT's performance publications. The committee can make recommendations to MoDOT but cannot alter transportation projects or priorities, focusing solely on oversight and transparency.

Maddy summaryHB 2159 establishes a licensing system for naturopathic doctors in Missouri by creating the "Board of Naturopathic Medicine" within the Division of Professional Registration. The bill defines naturopathic medicine as a system using natural therapies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and specifies that licensed practitioners can perform common diagnostic procedures (like physical exams and lab tests) and minor office procedures (such as injections and allergy testing), but cannot conduct surgery or use general anesthesia. To practice, naturopathic doctors must complete an approved education program and pass a national professional examination. This bill directly affects naturopathic doctors seeking licensure in Missouri and sets clear boundaries for their scope of practice.