Hope all is well, just wanted to get everyone a quick update as of 2/18/25. 

Mark Meirath, from the 39th District of the MO House of Representatives has submitted bill number HB-1361 (2930H.01I) - "Rue Wells Act" for committee review.  In the near future, both Rue and I will be headed down to testify in front of the House Committee hearing and welcome anyone that has been negatively impacted by MSHSAA through the years to also join in and tell your story. We can testify to Rue's journey and the injustice that he faced. We can show the facts of the process to help guide the representatives through the development of this to a MO Bill and effectively make it law moving forward in the State of Missouri. If you or anyone you know has been treated unfairly by MSHSAA or the process, I would be happy to get them in touch with the appropriate representatives from the State to work towards getting on that list to testify how they've been negatively impacted by MSHSAA and their rulings through the years. Please just email me at stephenpmortimer@gmail.com and happy to facilitate.  

Essentially the bill says something to the tune of this...the State of Missouri will create a Transfer Board that will be responsible for handling appeals of decisions by statewide activities associations to allow MO taxpayers to have an impartial governing body that has zero influence from the education sector and/or ulterior motives to protect their bureaucracies over the mental well being of our children. That transfer board would be made up of 3 from the Senate, 3 from the House and one from the Governors office. From the time of submission, they would have 7 days to hold an in-person or virtual meeting to listen to the facts of the situation and present a ruling that would have to be followed. It essentially gives a MO taxpayer an outlet versus fighting an impossible battle in court when they are being negatively targeted because someone at a state association "deems" it necessary, as it was in the case of Rue. Most may not know, but an association is governed by its members (ultimately the schools of Missouri), so as long as MSHSAA administratively follows its procedures, MO taxpayers cannot take this matter to court, thus making MSHSAA judge, jury and executioner. They have ultimate power over all children in the state of Missouri and that needs to change for future generations, especially since they only exist off your tax dollars funded from the member schools you support from your local communities. 

We are continually thankful for Mark Meirath and others at the State Reps that took the time to LISTEN and continue the fight for all future children in Missouri and hopefully all states as this progresses.  More updates will come as this progresses through the legislative process.