Kehoe Kills Proposition A's Paid Sick Leave for Missouri Workers

On July 10, 2025, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed HB 567, repealing the paid sick leave provisions of Proposition A approved by Missouri voters in November 2024. HB 567 also repeals annual increases to the minimum wage based on Consumer Price Index adjustments, but maintains the $15 minimum wage increase set to go into effect on January 1, 2026. The paid sick leave provisions of Proposition A went into effect on May 1, 2025, and will remain in effect for eligible workers until August 27, 2025. Any paid sick leave accrued in that time under Proposition A is not legally guaranteed when HB 567 goes into effect on August 28, 2025.

At the time HB 567 was signed, Governor Kehoe stated: "Today, we are protecting the people who make Missouri work—families, job creators, and small business owners—by cutting taxes, rolling back overreach, and eliminating costly mandates."

Proposition A was approved by 58% of Missouri voters in the November 2024 election. We previously wrote about those provisions here. Proposition A provided for a $15 minimum wage with annual increases, as well as paid sick leave - a benefit not previously required under state law.

After it was approved by Missouri voters, Proposition A faced significant challenges in Missouri courts as well as the Missouri legislature. We previously wrote about HB 567 here. Proposition A was criticized by pro-business organizations and groups as an unconstitutional overreach that would cost jobs, force small businesses to cut back other benefits, and hinder economic growth. HB 567 passed with support from 65% of the Missouri House and 67% of the Missouri Senate earlier this year.

In Missouri, voters have two specific avenues to initiate statewide ballot measures: statutory propositions and constitutional amendments. A statutory proposition proposes new statutes or changes to existing statutes and allows lawmakers to alter or repeal those propositions by a majority vote of the general assembly. Proposition A was approved by voters as a statutory proposition rather than a constitutional amendment.

A new ballot initiative has been filed with the Missouri Secretary of State that would potentially put those paid sick leave and wage increase provisions provided by Proposition A before Missouri voters once again in the 2026 election, this time as a constitutional amendment. Missouri constitutional amendments require a statewide vote to be repealed or revised.

Missouri businesses are still obligated to honor all paid sick leave accrued under Proposition A between May 1, 2025, and August 27, 2025. Employers should review any recent changes to their compensations and paid sick-leave policies that may be impacted by HB 567. Employers are always entitled to implement their own compensation and paid sick leave policies, but are no longer bound to the mandatory requirements of Proposition A starting August 28, 2025. Missouri’s minimum wage will remain set at $13.75 per hour for 2025 and will increase to $15 per hour on January 1, 2026.