MO SB852

Redefines "age" discrimination to apply to employees aged 40-70 (previously 40+), with exceptions for compulsory retirement of executives at age 65 with pension benefits of at least $44,000

Changes the legal standard for age discrimination from "motivating factor" to "but for" causation, requiring plaintiffs to prove the employment decision would not have occurred without the age factor

Establishes employment discrimination caps on damages based on employer size: $50,000 (6-100 employees), $100,000 (101-200 employees), $200,000 (201-500 employees), and $300,000 (500+ employees), excluding back pay

Excludes from employer definition the United States, federal corporations, Indian tribes, DC agencies subject to competitive service procedures, and religious/sectarian organizations

Requires courts to apply federal legal frameworks from Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act when interpreting Missouri employment discrimination law, and abrogates certain prior Missouri case precedents