Legislative News

It is hard to believe the Senate has wrapped up its eighth week of the 2017 session. This week, members of the Senate majority caucus were once again able to use their numbers to advance legislation my fellow minority caucus members and I could not support. In addition to Senate Bill 113, modifying Missouri’s worker’s compensation laws, the Senate approved Senate Bill 45, which will make it easier for employers to enforce employment arbitration agreements with their at-will employees.

Pictured above, Sen. Curls debating legislation on the Senate floor.

Arbitration is an alternative method of dispute resolution that occurs outside of the courtroom and is commonly used in the workplace. It has become increasingly common for businesses to include arbitration clauses in their employee handbooks or contracts, which employees often sign without much thought.

While proponents like to talk about how it generally results in quicker decisions for the parties involved and is therefore less expensive, they also like to disregard the more questionable aspects of arbitration. For example, instead of a judge, an employee argues their case before an arbitrator — whose services are being paid for by the employer. Then there is the fact that arbitration usually occurs in a private setting. While confidentiality can certainly have its advantages, it also has its drawbacks. For instance, an employer may be able to continue a discriminatory practice for years because their unlawful behavior is never made public.

At the end of the day, I believe in the fundamental, constitutional right of each citizen to a trial by jury if they have been wronged by their employer, and that is why I could not support SB 45.

In other news, it was my privilege to introduce Senator Peter Groff on the Senate floor. Senator Groff served as the 47th President of the Colorado State Senate, and he was the first African American in Colorado to hold the position.

Committee Updates

This week, I presented three of my sponsored bills in committee, while another measure was given the green light to advance to the Senate floor for debate. On Monday, I presented Senate Bill 373 to the Senate Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources Committee.

According to the National Council on Aging, in 2014, an estimated 10.2 million seniors faced the threat of hunger. The Council also reports the rate of food insecurity among older adults is growing. Senate Bill 373 would establish the Missouri Senior Farmers’ Market Nutritional Program to provide low-income seniors with vouchers that could be exchanged for eligible food items at farmers’ markets, roadside stands and community-supported agriculture programs.

Also on Monday, I presented Senate Bill 388 to the Senate Professional Registration Committee. This measure would allow the Missouri Dental Board to create and issue dental faculty permits to individuals who have completed dental school, but may be unlicensed, and who are employed by an accredited dental school, college or program in Missouri.

Individuals who receive these permits would only be authorized to practice within the purview of his or her employment at their institution. Currently, recruiting dental faculty is very challenging in Missouri and around the country, primarily due to the disparity in pay between private practice and educational institutions. Missouri law is more restrictive than many other states, which makes it difficult for those who attended school outside of the U.S. to become licensed here; otherwise, these are very qualified individuals. Senate Bill 388 would provide a way to credential highly qualified individuals who wish to teach in Missouri’s dental schools and educational programs.

On Tuesday, I presented Senate Bill 93, which modifies term lengths for certain members of the Kansas City Public School board of directors to ensure terms are staggered.

Finally, the Senate Small Business and Industry Committee approved legislation I filed regarding nuisance action procedures for deteriorated properties in certain cities and counties. Senate Bill 298 changes the definition of nuisance properties to include properties where the owner or occupant engages in activity on the property, or permits others to engage in activity on the property, that encourages, promotes or substantially contributes to unlawful activity within 300 feet of the property. This bill also contains a provision modifying when neighborhood organizations can bring an action against the owners of a nuisance property and changes the definition of neighborhood organization.

It continues to be an honor serving the men, women and children of Missouri’s 9th Senate District. As we move forward through session, please know I value your input, and I invite you to visit my Capitol office if you are ever in Jefferson City.

For more information on Sen. Curls' sponsored legislation and committee assignments, please click here or visit her official Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/mem09/.