The Missouri Legislature sent to the governor more than 180 bills before the conclusion of the 2013 legislative session. A majority of the measures were approved in the last week, with some in the final hours before the 6 p.m. constitutional deadline.

In addition to passing a balanced $25 billion state budget, the General Assembly also approved numerous measures aimed at improving the lives of hard-working Missourians, streamlining state government and protecting citizens’ privacy.

Senate Bill 1 addresses Missouri’s insolvent Second Injury Fund (SIF) by establishing a funding mechanism to bolster the SIF in instances of a shortfall. It also prohibits claims for permanent partial disability against the SIF, which will eliminate a number of claims. Fixing the SIF was one of our highest priorities this year. Workers need to know they’ll receive equitable compensation for work injuries, and employers need certainty that the fund they pay into will fulfill its purpose.

We approved two measures this year to eliminate fraud and abuse in our social services programs. The Legislature has received numerous reports in recent years that Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits were used in casinos and adult establishments. In response, we approved Senate Bill 251, which prohibits TANF benefits from being used in any liquor store, casino, adult business, or other places primarily marketed for adults and not in the best interests of the children or household.

We also approved Senate Bill 28, which strengthens the requirements for receiving unemployment benefits. The current eligibility requirements are loose. It’s not at all uncommon for someone fired for negligence to turn around and receive unemployment from their former employer. This isn’t right. Senate Bill 28 modifies who can receive unemployment benefits so those funds are used and available to people who truly need them.

A measure I co-sponsored this year will give more Missourians access to physical therapy. Senate Bill 159 requires insurance companies to charge the same co-payments or co-insurance amounts for a visit to a physical therapist as they would for a visit to a doctor’s office that performs the same services. Physical therapy is a beneficial service that allows patients to recover faster and avoid future setbacks, which improves their quality of life and saves on medical expenses. This bill will give more citizens access to this helpful therapy.

One of the biggest issues this session revolved around the Department of Revenue and its illegal policy of scanning and collecting citizens’ private information. I am still actively leading the investigation into the department and will continue to keep you updated on any new, future developments.

In the meantime, we approved two measures this year that will prevent incidents like this from happening in the future. Senate Bill 252 bans the Department of Revenue from retaining copies of source documents used to obtain a driver’s license or nondriver’s license. We also passed Senate Bill 75, which removes the issuance of CCW permits from DOR and gives that duty to local sheriffs’ offices instead.

I carried two bills this year to help motorcyclists. Senate Bill 72 establishes the month of May as “Motorcycle Awareness Month” to encourage Missourians to better observe motorcyclists on the state’s roads and learn more about motorcycle safety. Senate Bill 73 prohibits law enforcement agencies from establishing roadside checkpoints based on a particular vehicle type, including motorcycles. However, the bill doesn’t interfere with law enforcement’s ability to stop and check commercial motor vehicles.

Additionally, the Legislature approved two measures aimed at helping children in our foster care system. Senate Bill 205 gives every child age 15 or older within the custody of the Children’s Division of the Department of Social Services a chance visit to a state university, community or technical college, or Armed Services recruiter before they are adopted, leave the foster care system or complete the division’s custody or training.

Senate Bill 208 allows teenagers who have left foster care to petition the court to return to the custody of the state. This lets teenagers who leave foster care at 18 years old and encounter difficulties in the “real world” return to the care of the state until they’re 21 years old.

For more information on legislation approved during the 2013 legislative session, visit the Missouri Senate’s website at www.senate.mo.gov or click here.

Did you know...?

The shortest bill introduced in the Missouri Senate was one line long. One of the longest bills ever introduced was Senate Bill 872 in 2012. At 1,034 pages, the bill was filed to make comprehensive changes to Missouri's criminal laws.