MO HB597

Beginning August 28, 2015, employers are prohibited from entering into non-compete covenants with employees who hold degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) and work in STEM fields

The bill amends Missouri Revised Statutes section 431.202, which governs enforceable covenants not to solicit, recruit, or hire employees

Existing law allows non-compete agreements lasting up to one year for most employees, with exceptions for secretarial and clerical workers

Protected business interests under current law include confidential/trade secret information and customer/supplier relationships

The prohibition applies regardless of other provisions in the statute that would otherwise permit such covenants