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HB 2454

Establishes provisions relating to discriminatory employment practices and discriminatory housing practices based on a person's private medical history or medical choices

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lilly Fuchs

Missouri would bar discrimination in employment and housing based on private medical history or medical choices, with limited exceptions for duties or religious affiliations.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
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Bill Summary · HB 2454

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes unlawful discriminatory practices in Missouri based on an individual’s private medical history or medical choices.
  • Applies to employment, labor organizations, employment agencies, and housing/real estate transactions and related financial services.
  • Includes carve-outs for bona fide occupational qualifications and certain religious or historic religious affiliation institutions.

Key provisions and changes

Employment-related provisions (Section 213.061)

  • Prohibited discriminatory employment practices:
    • Employers may not hire, discharge, or discriminate in compensation or terms/conditions/privileges of employment due to private medical history or medical choices of an individual (including dependents).
    • Employers may not take adverse employment actions against an employee for their private medical history or medical choices (or those of a dependent).
    • Labor organizations may not exclude or discriminate against applicants or members for private medical history or medical choices.
    • Employment agencies may not fail or refuse to refer for employment or discriminate for private medical history or medical choices.
    • Prohibits printing/circulating advertisements or inquiries that express discrimination based on private medical history or medical choices, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification.
  • Defense/limitation:
    • Prohibitions do not apply if private medical history or medical choices directly impede an individual’s ability to perform essential job functions. Inquiries must still be job-related and consistent with business necessity.

Housing/realty-related provisions (Section 213.062)

  • Prohibited discriminatory housing practices:
    • Discrimination in housing/realty transactions, or in receiving real estate loans or financial assistance, based on private medical history or medical choices.
    • Real estate brokers/salespersons or their agents may not make statements about neighborhood entry based on private medical history or medical choices.
    • Refusal to sell or rent to an individual due to private medical history or medical choices.
    • Discrimination in terms/conditions/privileges of sale or rental, or in services related to housing, due to private medical history or medical choices.
    • Prohibits notices/advertisements indicating discrimination based on private medical history or medical choices.
    • Prohibits representing to an individual that a dwelling is not available for inspection/sale/rental due to private medical history or medical choices.
    • Prohibits discrimination in access to or membership in multiple-listing services or real estate organizations for such reasons.
  • Defense/limitation:
    • As with employment, allowed if a private medical history or medical choices conflict with requirements based on historic religious affiliation, subject to uniform application to similarly situated individuals.

Affected parties

  • Individuals seeking or engaged in employment, including dependents.
  • Employers, labor organizations, and employment agencies.
  • Real estate brokers, real estate salespersons, lenders, and financial institutions involved in housing transactions or financing.
  • Housing applicants, tenants, buyers, and anyone seeking or obtaining real estate loans or financial assistance.
  • Religious institutions or entities with historic religious affiliation receive specified carve-outs.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Bill introduced in 2026 (HB 2454) and referred to Emerging Issues (H) as of May 15, 2026.
  • Previously read in committee and on the House floor in early 2026 (Second Reading noted on January 8, 2026; First Reading on January 7, 2026; prefiled December 16, 2025).
  • Provisions would amend Chapter 213, RSMo, by adding two sections (213.061 and 213.062).

Summary in plain language

HB 2454 would make it unlawful in Missouri to discriminate in employment, housing, and related areas based on a person’s private medical history or medical choices. This includes decisions about hiring, firing, compensation, promotions, references, and training in employment, as well as housing transactions, loan/credit decisions, and access to real estate services. There are exceptions where the medical information directly prevents someone from performing essential job functions or where bona fide occupational qualifications apply. Religious-conscience related protections are retained for historic religious-affiliated institutions, with specified allowances consistent with their beliefs, provided policies are applied uniformly.

If enacted, the bill would expand protections for individuals tied to medical history or choices beyond current anti-discrimination provisions, potentially affecting hiring practices, employee management, housing decisions, lender practices, and real estate advertising.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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