Bill > HB441

This bill requires employers in Missouri to provide employees with a meal period or break of at least 30 consecutive minutes for each eight-hour shift, ensuring that no employee works longer than five and a half hours without a meal break. The bill defines "meal period" as an approved time during the workday when employees can eat or engage in personal activities, which can be paid or unpaid. Importantly, if an employee is not fully relieved of job duties during this break or is recalled to work, they must be compensated for that time. The bill includes several exemptions, such as for businesses with fewer than five employees on a shift, positions that can only be performed by one employee, or workplaces covered by collective bargaining agreements. Employers who violate these provisions could face fines starting at $300 and increasing for subsequent violations, up to a maximum of $1,200 per violation. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations is authorized to create rules for implementing this section and can grant additional exemptions in specific circumstances related to public safety or continuous operations. The bill is set to take effect after August 28, 2025.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB441&year=2025&code=R