Friday, January 8, 2021

Bill Would Protect Rights of Missourians Working From Home

State Representative Derek Grier is hoping that his recently-filed legislation will help ensure the rights of Missourians who now find themselves shifting from working in business offices to home offices.

Grier’s HB 491 seeks to prohibit local governments and local officials from issuing unreasonable and far reaching regulations against those operating businesses from home as the world adjusts to more and more people working from home due to the COVID 19 pandemic.

Under the bill, municipalities would be barred from restricting the operation of “no-impact home-based businesses” and requiring a person to obtain a permit or license to operate such a business. Municipalities would be allowed to establish reasonable regulations if they are narrowly tailored for specified purposes, such as public health and safety.

"Protecting home based businesses is more important than ever in the wake of Covid-19,” Grier, R-Chesterfield, said. "Locals officials should not be able to arbitrarily stop people from operating businesses out of their homes. Regulation of home based businesses must be narrowly tailored and serve a clear public interest."

Grier’s legislation will be considered by the Missouri General Assembly, which officially convened for the 2021 legislative session on January 6.


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