Sen. Schupp prioritizes families, seniors, children in 2017 legislative session

Schupp prioritizes families, seniors, children in 2017 legislative session

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Sen. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, today pre-filed 10 bills for the 2017 legislative session. The 10 bill package serves to enhance protections for the safety, health, wellbeing, and economic success of Missourians, with an emphasis on families, seniors, and children.“Elected officials have the ability and moral obligation to help create an environment that allows Missourians opportunities to succeed,” Schupp said. “My pre-filed legislation addresses such critical issues as achieving financial equity and security; living in a safe and healthy environment; and accessing affordable healthcare including the full range of reproductive health options.”The ten priority bills would:

• Create a paid family and medical leave program for working individuals
• Expand Medicaid eligibility up to 138 percent of the poverty level, in accordance with the Affordable Care Act
• Repeal targeted regulation of abortion providers (TRAP laws), including burdensome regulations struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt
• Expand safety regulations in unlicensed, in-home child care facilities
• Offer incentives to nursing facilities for installation of generators to enhance safety and security of vulnerable patients during power outages
• Require employees and volunteers working in health care facilities to receive a flu vaccine
• Increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour
• Limit fees and interest rates to 36 percent on predatory loans from Payday lenders, title lenders, and consumer installment lenders
• Create a 24-hour wait to purchase a handgun
• Ban texting while driving for all persons, regardless of age

Pre-filing of bills will remain open until the legislative session begins on January 4, 2017.For more information on Sen. Schupp’s legislation, visit her official Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/schupp.
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