For Immediate Release: | Capitol Building, Room 427 |
This Session’s Legislative Successes
The 2026 legislative session was all about making practical improvements that help Missourians in their everyday lives. We took steps to protect vulnerable children, seniors, and animals, and passed legislation aimed at lowering costs for families, strengthening public safety and expanding access to healthcare. I worked hard to deliver thoughtful, commonsense solutions that make a real difference.
I was proud to sponsor and pass legislation that closes gaps in abuse reporting, modernizes outdated rules for certain professions, supports healthcare workers, safeguards patients, protects homeowners and strengthens protections against online exploitation. I also focused on ensuring continuity of care during emergencies, supporting Missourians with disabilities who want to work, and raising awareness for families facing devastating health challenges.
This year, through my Senate Bill 899 (passed as a provision within House Bill 2292), we made meaningful progress to better protect vulnerable Missourians by strengthening how abuse and neglect are reported. New cross-reporting requirements now improve coordination between agencies when elder, child or animal abuse is suspected. By closing gaps in reporting and adding protections for animals, this legislation helps ensure warning signs don’t fall through the cracks.
My Senate Bill 991 (passed as a provision within Senate Bill 1233) advances commonsense reforms for licensed interior designers. Previously, interior designers were required to work under an architect, even when no structural changes were involved, adding thousands of dollars to project costs. This change allows licensed interior designers to practice fully within their training, use their own stamp and seal, and deliver high-quality work more efficiently. The result is lower costs for consumers and greater equity within the profession.
My Senate Bill 1405 (passed as a provision in both Senate Bill 1233 and House Bill 2372) addresses workforce shortages in healthcare through updated licensure requirements for speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Qualified professionals can now complete their clinical fellowships under supervision in any state, rather than only in Missouri. This change welcomes trained providers from across the country and helps ensure Missourians can access the care they need.
Through my Senate Bill 1640 (passed as a provision in Senate Bill 878), we took steps to ensure continuity of care during emergencies. New provisions allow the Missouri Board of Pharmacy to temporarily waive certain rules during declared disasters, enabling pharmacies to dispense, ship or deliver medications where they’re urgently needed. This ensures patients can still receive lifesaving prescriptions during natural disasters or emergencies.
Protecting patients during vulnerable health care visits was another priority this session. Through my Senate Bill 1647 (passed as a provision within Senate Bill 1233), the Board of Therapeutic Massage and the Board of Chiropractic Examiners can now seek emergency license suspensions or restrictions when a licensee faces serious criminal charges that pose an immediate risk to public safety. This change strengthens oversight and protects public trust.
In the housing arena, my Senate Bill 1684 (passed as a provision in Senate Bills 834 and 973, as well as House Bill 2636), addressed risks tied to residential sale-leaseback agreements. These complex transactions can leave homeowners confused and vulnerable. New protections ensure homeowners are clearly informed when giving up ownership and provide time to seek professional advice before entering these agreements, helping prevent loss of equity or housing stability.
With my Senate Bill 1687 (passed as a provision within House Bill 2372), we improved efficiency and fairness within MO HealthNet by updating third-party liability rules. The new law sets clear timeline expectations for claims processing and prevents third parties from denying claims based solely on prior authorization issues. These changes keep the system moving, reduce unnecessary costs and ensure accountability from insurers who should be paying first.
For Missourians with disabilities, my Senate Bill 1708 (passed as a provision within House Bill 2372) secured the future of the Ticket to Work Health Assurance Program. This program allows individuals to work while maintaining access to health insurance and was scheduled to expire this year. By removing the sunset date, we ensured the program can continue providing stability and opportunity.
Through my Senate Bill 1709 (passed under House Bills 2372 and 2576), we recognized the importance of awareness and education by designating the last week of September as Frontotemporal Degeneration Awareness Week, helping shine a light on this devastating neurological condition and support families affected by it.
Finally, portions of my Senate Bill 1747 (passed as provisions within Senate Bill 999 and within House Bill 2637) delivered major updates to Missouri law to address cybercrimes, harassment and stalking in the digital age. These provisions strengthen tools for prosecutors, expand protections for victims and create new criminal offenses for cyberstalking, cyber harassment, unlawful tracking of a motor vehicle, sadistic online exploitation, and the disclosure or threat of disclosure of intimate digital images. Together, these changes modernize our laws and better protect Missourians, especially vulnerable individuals, from online exploitation and abuse.
One in 10 Missourians Has Unclaimed Money. Do You?
A review of the Unclaimed Property database shows Missouri is currently holding more than $55 million for about 447,000 people in Senate District 24. In fact, one in 10 Missourians have unclaimed property with an average value of around $300.
I encourage you to take a moment to see if any of that money is yours by searching, free of charge, at ShowMeMoney.com. It only takes a few minutes and could put money back in your pocket. If you’d rather use a paper claim form, my office is happy to mail one to you.
Keep in Touch During the Interim
If there is ever anything I or my amazing staff, Hannah Dolan and Emily O’ Laughlin, can do to assist you, please contact our office at 573-751-9762, email tracy.mccreery@senate.mo.gov.