SS#3/SB 1062 - This act requires the Commissioner of Administration, prior to awarding any contract in an amount of $20 million or more, to obtain the consent of both the chair of the house budget committee and the chair of the senate appropriations committee. Under this act, the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing shall establish a statewide communication access services program to improve compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act for agencies and businesses by coordinating resources, filling service gaps, and assisting with costs related to accommodations. The Commission shall develop a statewide registry of service providers, establish training and equipment standards, maintain an informational website, provide training, conduct outreach, and submit an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly, as described in the act. The Commission shall also, subject to appropriation, finance requests for assistance in providing communication access services and administer scholarships for professional development, internships, and certification testing. This provision is identical to SB 1637 (2026) and similar to SB 766 (2025). This act creates the "Charity Act" and the "Charity" program. The act requires the Department of Social Services to coordinate with various state agencies and a partner network to assist participants in achieving personal goals, self-sufficiency, community integration, and a prosperous future. Participation in the Charity program is limited to legal residents who are 18 years of age or older, except as otherwise provided in the act. State departments and agencies are required to participate in the Charity program at the direction of the Governor. In order to use government resources more effectively and efficiently, participating state departments and agencies shall use existing resources and personnel, to the extent possible, to operate the Charity program. This provision is substantially similar to SB 1803 (2026). SARAH HASKINS

Statutes affected:
Introduced (5396S.01): 37.840
Perfected (5396S.07): 34.025, 209.247, 660.365