Sen. Jill Carter

Maddy summarySB 1597 changes rules for retirees who return to work for their former local government employer. Generally, retirees who rejoin their original employer must forfeit part of their monthly retirement benefit for each month they work. However, it creates an exception for small cities (under 25,000 population): retirees there can keep full retirement benefits while working, provided the salary matches comparable positions and the city covers the retirement contributions instead of the retiree. The bill also clarifies that retirees working for a different employer can keep their full retirement allowance.

Maddy summarySB 1596 requires private dental insurance plans (excluding state programs like MO HealthNet) to spend at least 85% of premiums on actual dental care, not administrative costs. If a plan fails to meet this 85% "dental loss ratio," it must issue rebates to enrollees by August 1st of the following year, calculated as the difference between premiums and care spending. Plans must submit annual reports to the Department of Commerce and Insurance by March 1st, detailing their ratio, with public access to this data. The bill mandates these reporting and rebate requirements to ensure premiums are primarily used for patient care rather than overhead.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 1568) modifies administrative procedures for handling disputes within Missouri's MO HealthNet program, which provides health coverage to low-income residents. The abstract states it changes "provisions of law relating to administrative remedies" but does not specify exact changes to processes, timelines, or who would be directly affected beyond MO HealthNet participants. As it is currently in early committee review (first read January 2026, referred to committee February 2026), no concrete policy details or implementation mechanisms are described in the provided context. The bill appears focused on procedural adjustments to appeals or administrative reviews within the health program, not on altering eligibility or benefits.

SB 1424 - This act modifies provisions relating to credit unions. Current law provides that membership shares in a credit union shall have a par value of $25-100. This act changes the par value to $1-100. The act additionally modifies provisions governing the conduct of board meetings of a credit union. Unless specifically prohibited by the bylaws, directors may participate in and act at any meeting of the board through the use of a telephone, video conference, or other electronic means. Participation by directors in a meeting may be in any combination of in person, telephone, or other electronic or virtual means provided that all directors participating can communicate simultaneously. Any action taken during such meeting shall have the same binding and legal effect as if conducted fully in person. Votes and other actions of the directors may be conducted by electronic means, including remote or online systems, provided that board approved procedures are established to verify the identity of voting directors and to ensure the integrity of the process. This act is substantially similar to the truly agreed to HB 2586 (2026). SCOTT SVAGERA

Maddy summaryThe bill SB 893, titled "Creates and modifies provisions regarding sexual offenses," is in early legislative stages (prefiled and referred to committee as of January 2026). The provided context does not include specific details about the bill's content, such as which provisions are being created or modified, who it affects, or its key mechanisms. Without additional information on the bill's actual text or policy changes, a substantive summary cannot be provided. The abstract and recent actions only confirm the bill's subject area and procedural status.

Maddy summarySB 1242 establishes the Missouri Crime Victims Fund within the state treasury to support victim assistance services. The fund accepts state appropriations, private donations, and grants, and must be used solely for programs matching federal Victims of Crime Act (Pub. L. 98-473) grant purposes, such as counseling, legal aid, and emergency shelter. Funds are disbursed to eligible local entities (like counties or nonprofits) that qualify for federal victim assistance grants, and unspent money cannot revert to general revenue at the end of each biennium. The state treasurer manages the fund and its investments, ensuring dedicated use for crime victim support.

SB 1365 - This act requires employees of lodging establishments and operators of short-term rental properties to receive annual human trafficking awareness training. The operator of the lodging establishment or short-term rental property shall be responsible for maintaining records of the training for periods of time as described in the act. Further, each operator shall establish procedures and policies for the reporting of suspected human trafficking to the National Human Trafficking Hotline or a local law enforcement agency. JIM ERTLE

Maddy summarySB 1191, titled the "Next Generation Family Act," exempts Missouri taxpayers with three or more children (who qualify for federal dependency exemptions) from state income tax starting in 2027. It directly affects families meeting this federal dependency threshold, regardless of the federal exemption amount. The bill requires the state Department of Revenue to create implementing rules, but the core change is a state tax exemption for qualifying households. This policy modifies the state income tax structure for eligible families beginning with tax years after 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1281 repeals the sunset provision for Missouri's grant program funding cyber crime investigations focused on internet sex crimes against children. The bill creates a permanent "Cyber Crime Investigation Fund" in the state treasury, managed by the Department of Public Safety, to provide grants to law enforcement task forces and agencies. Grants cover salaries for detectives and forensic staff, training, equipment, and travel expenses specifically for investigating child exploitation cases. Local agencies must contribute matching funds, and a panel with law enforcement and legislative members will administer the program. This makes the grant program permanent, eliminating its prior expiration date.

Maddy summarySB 1243 amends Supreme Court Rule 33.01 to change how courts set conditions for releasing defendants pending trial in criminal cases. It requires courts to prioritize the least restrictive conditions - starting with non-monetary options like supervision or reporting - before considering money bail, and mandates that monetary conditions must be necessary to ensure court appearance or public safety. The rule also requires courts to consider a defendant's ability to pay costs for conditions like electronic monitoring, waiving fees for indigent defendants who prove financial hardship. This directly affects defendants facing criminal charges who seek release before trial.