Legislative News

Missouri lawmakers returned to the Capitol this week following the annual legislative spring break. The Senate spent a good portion of this first week back working through the Senate Consent Calendar. Consent bills are non-controversial in nature, must not cost the state more than $100,000 or reduce revenue by more than $100,000 and cannot increase an existing civil or criminal penalty or create a new one. The following are a few of the consent bills the Senate approved this week.

Currently, if a two-year college has to replace the signage that directs visitors to its campus, it must switch to signs that are smaller in size when compared to those of four-year colleges. Senate Bill 355 will allow Missouri’s two-year colleges to utilize road signs that are the same size as traditional four-year colleges, irrespective of differences in student housing or types of degrees offered.

Two of the consent bills we passed this week aim to improve emergency operations within Missouri. Senate Bill 405 will permit neighboring Clay County to appoint board members to oversee central dispatching for emergency services without first needing to obtain the affirmative vote of a telephone tax. This will allow for better efficiency and response times within Clay County’s emergency services system. Senate Bill 503 will allow the Committee for 911 Oversight to designate a state 911 coordinator. This individual will be responsible for handling any federal grants that might be available to help our state develop better 911 systems.

Senate Bill 478 simply requires school districts to report breaches of data containing personal information of students to parents, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the state auditor. When it comes to personal information, students generally do not have a choice as to whether their data is retained. The reality is data breaches do happen, and the least we can do is make sure parents are made aware when their children’s personal information has been compromised.

Although not a consent bill, the Senate voted unanimously to advance Senate Bill 160 to the House. This act creates the Foster Care Bill of Rights, which states that the best interests of the child shall be the first priority of the Children’s Division in all circumstances. The Missouri Heart Gallery project reports that more than 13,000 of Missouri’s children are in foster care.

The Foster Care Bill of Rights takes particular care to highlight the importance of familial stability and relationships and both immediate and long-term placement goals. Senate Bill 160 also requires the Foster Care Bill of Rights to be made available to every school-aged foster child and his or her foster parent with an age-appropriate orientation and explanation. It also requires the information to be posted in every office, facility or agency involved in the care and placement of foster children.

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 a complete list of all Sen. Curls' sponsored legislation and committee assignments, please click here or visit her official Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/mem09/.