Missouri legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Missouri HB1932: Requires employers to provide meal periods or meal breaks to employees
Status: In committee, May 15, 2026
What the bill says
To amend chapter 290, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to mandatory employee meal periods, with penalty provisions. Section A. Chapter 290, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 290.180, to read as follows: 290.180. 1. As used in this section, the following terms (2) "Meal period" or "meal break", an approved period of time in a nonwork status that interrupts a basic workday or a period of overtime work for the purpose of permitting employees to eat or engage in permitted personal activities, which may be paid or unpaid. A "meal period" shal.
From the introduced text:
To amend chapter 290, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to mandatory employee meal periods, with penalty provisions. Section A. Chapter 290, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 290.180, to read as follows: 290.180. 1. As used in this section, the following terms (2) "Meal period" or "meal break", an approved period of time in a nonwork status that interrupts a basic workday or a period of overtime work for the purpose of permitting employees to eat or engage in permitted personal activities, which may be paid or unpaid. A "meal period" shall provide bona fide breaks in the workday. If an employee is not excused from job duties, or if he or she is recalled to job duties, the employee is entitled to pay for compensable work, including work that is de minimis in nature. 2. Except as provided under subsection 4 of this section, every employer in this state shall allow its employees a meal period of not less than thirty consecutive minutes for each eight-hour shift. In no event shall an employee be at the place of employment for a period longer than five and one-half hours without a meal break. 3. Nothing in this section requires the employer to pay the employee during the meal break. …
Sponsors
- Marla Smith (D, 074) · primary sponsor