JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri State Representative Ray Reed has reintroduced legislation in the Second Regular Session of the 103rd Missouri General Assembly to ensure that Missourians with DACA status who have completed their education and passed required exams are eligible for professional licenses.
The bill would remove state-level barriers that prevent qualified individuals from working in licensed professions such as healthcare, education, and other critical fields despite having done everything asked of them to prepare for these careers. Similar legislation was enacted in Arkansas in 2021, demonstrating that states across the region can take practical, bipartisan steps to strengthen their workforces.
“Missouri has always been at its best when we recognize talent, reward hard work, and expand opportunity rather than deny it,” said Rep. Reed. “This bill is rooted in a simple idea: if you’ve studied, trained, and proven you’re ready to serve your community, Missouri should not stand in your way. We all benefit when people are allowed to contribute fully to the only home many of them have ever known.”
Advocates say the legislation would help address workforce shortages while honoring the contributions of immigrant families who are deeply woven into Missouri’s communities.
Gabby Eisner with The MICA Project, a leading immigrant advocacy organization in Missouri, voiced strong support for the bill:
“We are so excited to see this bill introduced by Representative Reed again this session! Missouri blocks some immigrants from entering licensed professions, even if they’ve completed college and passed exams. These are our friends, our neighbors, and our clients who are not able to pursue the occupation of their choice. This bill would help unlock their talent and build a more resilient workforce in Missouri.”
Rep. Reed emphasized that the measure is not about partisanship, but practicality and fairness.
“At a moment when Missouri employers are searching for skilled workers, it makes no sense to sideline people who are ready and eager to serve,” Reed said. “This is about aligning our laws with our values and with common sense so that Missouri can compete, grow, and lead.”
Representative Ray Reed proudly serves as the State Representative for Missouri’s 83rd House District, which includes vibrant communities across the St. Louis region, including Brentwood, Maplewood, Richmond Heights, Shrewsbury, and portions of Affton. He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2024.