April 2, 2026 We have had a busy and productive couple of weeks in the Missouri State Legislature. This week, the Missouri House gave final approval to the state budget and sent it to the Senate for consideration.
Missouri’s Constitution requires a balanced budget—a principle I’m proud of as a Missourian. Achieving that balance, however, requires a significant amount of careful work from our budget committee. While we have taken steps to promote economic growth across our state, challenges such as inflation and the winding down of federal ARPA funding have placed added strain on this year’s budget.
Given these conditions, every area of spending must be carefully reviewed, and thoughtful decisions must be made to ensure we are using taxpayer dollars responsibly. Missouri’s budget is complex and wide-ranging, covering priorities such as education, infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, corrections, and economic development, among others. As legislators, it is our duty to make sound investments that position our state for long-term success.
I believe the House has put forward a strong budget proposal that serves Missouri well. The next step is for the Senate to develop and pass its version, followed by a conference committee where both chambers will work together to reach a final agreement before sending the budget to the Governor’s desk.
I sincerely appreciate the support, visits, and guidance I’ve received throughout this legislative session. It is an honor to serve the people of Bates, Vernon, and Cedar counties. If you are visiting Jefferson City, please feel free to stop by my office in Room 114, or reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Below you will find information on other legislation that recently was passed in the Missouri House.
Rep. Dane Diehl, District 125
Missouri Legislature Sends Major Regulatory, Infrastructure, and Financial Oversight Measures to Governor
The Missouri General Assembly has passed and sent to the governor for signature three bills addressing cannabis regulation, regional development financing, and financial services oversight. Cannabis and Hemp Regulation, HB 2641, updates state cannabis law by regulating intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoid products under Missouri’s existing marijuana framework through the “Intoxicating Cannabinoid Control Act.” It limits certain products to licensed dispensaries, establishes THC thresholds, and updates definitions of hemp and industrial hemp while maintaining protections for non-intoxicating hemp products.
The measure also strengthens privacy protections for medical marijuana patients by restricting disclosure of personal information and limiting data retention without consumer consent, with penalties for violations. Additional provisions restrict the use of the term “dispensary” by unlicensed entities and establish enforcement authority across state agencies, including the Attorney General. Key provisions take effect in November 2026.
House Advances Health Care, Mental Health, and Nutrition Policy Measures
The House has passed a series of separate measures addressing health care delivery, behavioral health treatment, and nutrition-based public health initiatives.
HCS HB 2372 enacts broad updates to health care and related public safety systems, including changes to hospital investment rules, ambulance district governance, and community paramedic services. The bill modernizes emergency care standards, expands use of epinephrine delivery systems, and establishes the “Hope for Missouri Patients Act,” allowing access to individualized investigational treatments under defined safeguards. It also includes updates to MO HealthNet coverage, telehealth standards, pharmacy regulations, insurance coverage requirements for anesthesia alternatives, mental health detention procedures, and reporting requirements tied to nutrition and disease surveillance programs.
The House also approved HCS HBs 1717 & 1643, the “Veterans Mental Health Innovation Act,” creating a structured framework for clinical research into alternative mental health therapies. The measure allows eligible veterans and first responders participating in approved studies to access psilocybin-assisted therapy under strict clinical controls, while also establishing grant funding and oversight for FDA-regulated research into ibogaine and other alternative treatments for substance use and mental health conditions.
In addition, HCS HB 2355, the “Food is Medicine Act,” expands nutrition-focused health services within MO HealthNet. The legislation directs the state to seek federal approval for a waiver to support nutrition-based interventions for individuals with chronic disease and encourages the use of community organizations and local food producers in program delivery. 
House Passes Childcare Tax Credit Package to Expand Access and Support Providers
Legislation advanced out of the House this week would establish a series of tax credit programs designed to increase access to childcare and support providers, employers, and community investment in childcare services.
Beginning in 2027, HB 2409 creates a tax credit allowing taxpayers to claim up to 75% of contributions made to eligible child care providers, with incentives structured to encourage investment in underserved areas. It also establishes a separate tax credit for employers that invest in or provide childcare for employees, covering a portion of qualified expenses related to childcare facilities.
Additionally, the legislation creates a tax credit program for childcare providers, allowing credits tied to employer withholding taxes and certain capital expenditures to support facility improvements and expansion. Each program includes annual caps, eligibility requirements, and provisions prioritizing resources for areas identified as childcare deserts. All credits are non-refundable and nontransferable, and the programs are subject to annual limits with a six-year sunset.
House Passes PRAISE Act Limiting Restrictions on Religious Services During Emergencies
Reflecting lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, the House has passed HB 2760, known as the “Protecting Religious Assembly in States of Emergency (PRAISE) Act,” establishing clearer limits on how state and local governments may regulate religious services during declared emergencies.
The legislation addresses concerns raised during the pandemic era about inconsistent restrictions on in-person worship and seeks to ensure that religious services are not made impractical or effectively prohibited during future public health emergencies. It provides that state and local governments may not impose restrictions on houses of worship that prevent religious services, including services held on private property.
An exception is included for broadly applied emergency evacuation orders, with religious services permitted to resume once the immediate danger has passed. The bill also allows houses of worship affected by restrictions to pursue legal remedies in court, including injunctive relief and damages, if such restrictions are imposed.
House Advances Student Screen-Time Standards for K–5 Schools
The House has passed HCS HBs 2230 & 2978, known as the “Student Screen-Time Standards Act,” establishing new requirements for how school districts and charter schools manage instructional technology use for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The legislation requires districts to adopt policies limiting screen time during the school day and for assignments or school-issued devices by the 2027–28 school year. The bill also mandates annual parent notification, public posting of district policies, and a process for parents to request information regarding their child’s screen time usage, with exemptions for virtual instruction programs. In addition, the measure directs the Literacy Advisory Council to provide guidance on cursive instruction and creates the “Framework on Classroom Use of Screens (FOCUS) Council” to study best practices and issue recurring reports on student technology use and instructional policy recommendations.
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