Sen. Dempsey and his family pose for a photo on the dais in the Senate Chamber on the first day of the 2013 legislative session.

Keeping our children safe is one of the most important jobs we can do as lawmakers.  We need to act as advocates for our children and protect them from abuse and neglect. This past session we worked hard to improve the safety and health of kids in the Show-Me State.

This week the governor signed two bills that will help ensure the safety of children. House Bill 505 strengthens reporting laws that help prevent child abuse and neglect within our public schools. The bill requires mandatory reporters, like teachers, to directly notify Missouri's Children Division of suspected cases of child abuse or neglect. Aside from streamlining reporting of abuse, the bill also extends safeguards to ensure that school employees who abuse children are taken out and kept out of our schools.  This bill improves the safety of our children and ensures their abusers are held accountable.

The governor also signed Senate Bill 230, which establishes "Chloe’s Law." The law requires every child born in Missouri to be screened for critical congenital heart diseases. Many times these diseases can be
treated quickly and effectively when detected early. "Chloe's Law" was named after Chloe Manz of Lee's Summit.  Chloe was born with a congenital heart defect, which was detected after she was tested with a pulse oximeter.  She then had surgery that saved her life.  Senate Bill 230 makes sure every Missouri child gets that same chance for early detection by having this potentially life-saving test done.

Our state depends on future generations, and their success is dependent on education and our schools. This past session, legislators took steps to improve educational quality for students in failing school districts. Senate Bill 125 removes the two-year waiting period that an unaccredited school district must receive before the Missouri State Board of Education can intervene and make necessary reforms and improvements. Upon the governor’s signature, the state will be able to immediately start gathering input from stakeholders, including parents and community leaders, in districts like Normandy and Riverview Gardens and begin making changes in hopes of helping those schools regain accreditation.

Our children will always remain a priority for me. I appreciate hearing from you. If you have any questions about the topics discussed above, or any other issues, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

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