Rep. Sarah Unsicker

Maddy summaryHB 1846 eliminates the death penalty in Missouri by mandating that anyone convicted of first-degree murder receive a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, unless the governor grants clemency. The bill repeals existing statutes related to capital punishment and establishes new legal classifications for felonies and misdemeanors to align with this change. It also outlines procedures for sentencing, including how cases are tried and how punishments are assessed when a defendant is found guilty of homicide. This legislation directly affects the criminal justice system by removing execution as a legal penalty and ensuring that all murder convictions result in lifelong incarceration.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Missouri Division of Labor Standards and the Attorney General to investigate wage complaints and take legal action on behalf of employees who have been denied proper pay. It expands the state's ability to enforce wage laws by granting officials the power to subpoena records, examine witnesses, and file civil or criminal charges against employers accused of wage theft. The legislation also allows for the recovery of unpaid wages through class-action lawsuits and provides for liens on employer property to secure these claims. Additionally, the bill extends the time limit for filing civil actions regarding wage violations to three years from the date of the incident.

Maddy summaryThis bill describes and officially renames a specific tract of land in Missouri as "The Valor of Soldiers Memorial Park." The legislation defines the exact boundaries of the property, which was originally set aside in 1925 to honor soldiers who served in the War between the States. Under this new description, the Department of Natural Resources is designated as the agency responsible for controlling, maintaining, and administering the park. The bill focuses on clarifying the legal status and name of the site rather than proposing new operational rules or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the Drug-Free Schools Act to include tobacco products and vapor products alongside existing controlled substances and alcoholic beverages. By amending the legal definition of "drugs," it requires schools to address these items as part of their drug prevention and enforcement programs. The change directly affects elementary and secondary education institutions and the state department responsible for overseeing them.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Missouri Bureau of Investigation within the Office of the Attorney General to conduct investigations into crimes of any nature. The bureau director, who is appointed by the Attorney General and confirmed by the Senate, will have the authority to launch investigations at the request of local law enforcement officials or the State Highway Patrol. Agents hired by the bureau must not have felony convictions and must take an oath of office to perform their duties faithfully. Additionally, the bill requires that non-drug-related investigations initiated by the Attorney General or Highway Patrol be notified to the relevant local authorities, unless those officials are subjects of the investigation.

Maddy summaryHB 1845 requires a "certificate of value" to be filed before any deed transferring an interest in real property can be recorded by county officials. This document must confirm whether the transaction was at arm's length and disclose the property's use and total consideration paid, with the responsibility falling on the grantee or their representative. The bill establishes a $10 filing fee for this certificate and sets a start date of January 1, 2025, while allowing for exemptions in cases involving corrections of prior deeds, transfers before that date, or transactions involving federal or Missouri entities. Additionally, the law clarifies that recorded data can be used for statistical purposes and outlines specific conditions under which the information may be disclosed to authorized parties.

Maddy summaryHB 1844 establishes legal protections for tenants by prohibiting landlords from threatening or disclosing a tenant's immigration status to harass them or force them out of their home. The bill explicitly bans landlords from filing eviction lawsuits based solely on a person's citizenship or immigration background, while still allowing them to verify financial qualifications and collect rent. Tenants who are victims of these prohibited actions can sue for actual damages, civil penalties of up to $2,000 per violation, and legal fees. The legislation also restricts courts from ordering inquiries into a tenant's immigration status unless it is directly relevant to the case or required by federal law.

Maddy summaryHB 1842 updates the legal rules governing child custody cases in family court by modifying specific sections of the state code. The bill ensures that these revised provisions apply to all custody proceedings, which are defined by existing statutes. By amending the relevant code sections, the legislation changes how family courts handle custody disputes, though it does not specify new rights or obligations for parents or children. This change affects any family court case involving child custody that occurs after the new rules take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal process for terminating state employees who intentionally provide false information to the public while performing their job duties. It requires all government agencies to use a centralized online system for citizens to report suspected misconduct, detailing how complaints are investigated by department directors and potentially reviewed again by the Office of Administration if the complainant disagrees with the initial findings. A confirmed violation of this rule would result in termination and must be reported to the governor, the legislature, and the public, while all related records and an annual summary of findings are made available as public documents.

Maddy summaryHB 2758, known as the "Missouri Stands for the Unborn Act," repeals and replaces existing abortion-related laws to define an unborn child as a person from the moment of conception. The bill establishes specific legal definitions for terms like "abortion," "viability," and "medical emergency," while also mandating that physicians report instances of abortion for patients under eighteen who are victims of sexual abuse or incest. Additionally, the legislation includes findings asserting that human life begins at conception and that fetal heartbeats can be detected as early as six to eight weeks gestational age.