From child marriage to sick leave, these 12 Missouri laws are taking effect

Eleanor Nash, The Kansas City Star on Aug 27, 2025

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Dozens of new Missouri laws take effect Thursday, Aug. 28, changing paid sick leave, child marriage and school cellphone policies.

The Missouri Legislature passed a total of 51 non-budget bills during the 2025 regular session, more than last year’s record low of 28.

Republicans had control of the state government, with a GOP governor and veto-proof supermajorities in the House and Senate.

Throughout the session, the most contentious topics were overturning paid sick leave and abortion rights, which more than half of Missouri voters approved in 2024.

At the end of the session, Gov. Mike Kehoe introduced a last-minute plan to keep the Royals and Chiefs stadiums in Missouri, which ended up passing in a special session.

But outside of the sports stadiums, lawmakers passed bills that affected many aspects of life in Missouri, including stunt driving, hair texture discrimination and temporary license plates.

Here are 12 of these Missouri laws that take effect Thursday. Find all the bills passed this year on the Missouri House website.

No more paid sick time

Missouri workers will no longer automatically earn paid sick leave after Gov. Kehoe signed HB 567 to repeal the measure. Last year, 58% of Missouri voters approved paid sick time and minimum wage increases, the latter of which stands for now.

The bill does not specify what happens to accrued sick time after Aug. 28. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce advised businesses let workers use their sick time within a year or pay them out, St. Louis Public Radio reported. A Missouri organization already filed a similar sick leave measure for the 2026 ballot.

Paying with gold and silver

Under this new law, HB 754, businesses can accept gold and silver as legal tender and the metals can be used to pay taxes. Many legislators questioned the logistics of the law, which was backed by hard-right Republican senators.

Ending child marriage

This measure, HB 737, raises the state’s minimum marriage age from 16 to 18. A similar bipartisan bill failed to pass last year after House Republicans stalled the legislation. Before 2018, there was no minimum marriage age in Missouri, and children 14 or younger could wed with a judge’s approval.

Misdemeanor for driving in illegal sideshows

This provision, HB 495, creates a specific offense for stunt driving while blocking traffic. The first offense is considered a class B misdemeanor, with a penalty of up to $1,000 and/or 6 months in jail. Sideshows are a growing issue in Kansas City, with loud racing heard late in the night.

Immigration status in crime reports

When submitting information about a crime to the Missouri Department of Public Safety, local law enforcement agencies now have to include information about citizenship or immigration status of the person arrested.

HB 495 applies to certain charges, including felonies and driving under the influence.

No sales tax on some hygiene products

HB 594 ends sales tax for diapers, incontinence supplies and period products.

Stopping renter protections

This law blocks local governments from making or enforcing laws that prohibit landlords from discriminating against renters with housing vouchers, in addition to other categories.

HB 595 stops protections for Section 8 renters on the books in Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia and other municipalities, the Missouri Independent reported.

First steps to Northland Royals stadium

Clay County can now establish a “county sports complex authority” under HB 199, paving the way for a possible Royals stadium in Kansas City’s Northland. Jackson County has a similar governing body, which acts as the landlord for the current Royals and Chiefs stadiums.

Banning student phones in school

Under SB 68, Missouri schools have to make cellphone policies that prohibit students from using “electronic personal communications devices during instructional activities, passing periods, and meal times.”

Protection from hair texture discrimination

The Missouri CROWN Act, SB 160, prohibits discrimination based on hair texture or protective hairstyle in educational institutions. Supported by organizations like Dove and the National Urban League, versions of the CROWN act have passed in 28 states.

Hazing whistleblower protection

This law offers good samaritan protection for witnesses of university hazing who call 911 or attempt to give medical aid.

SB 43 is named “Danny’s Law” after University of Missouri student Daniel Santulli who received severe brain damage during fraternity hazing in 2021.

Fewer paper tags

Aimed at reducing the number of paper temporary tags on Missouri roads, SB 28 will let the state plan and implement a new system for car owners to pay vehicle sales tax. The streamlined program will take until 2027 at the earliest to implement, the Missouri Department of Revenue told The Star in July.

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(The Star’s Kacen Bayless contributed to this report.)

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