Sen. Caleb Rowden’s Column – March 29, 2018

March 29, 2018

Senator Caleb Rowden’s Column for the Week of March 26, 2018

Senate Bill 1074 specifies that third-party payers for health care services shall not limit or deny coverage for treatment of physically or developmentally disabled people. If a physician or psychologist determines an individual needs care or assistance, or if their symptoms or behaviors affect participation in everyday activities, SB 1074 protects against potential denial of coverage. This legislation is not a new mandate, but rather takes an existing developmental disability and extends coverage to all developmental disabilities.

This bill also adds developmental and physical disabilities to the autism spectrum disorder health insurance mandate. In essence, SB 1074 ensures that individuals who are physically or developmentally disabled are protected from being denied insurance or having unfair premium increases as a result of their condition. Senate Bill 1074 was heard in the Missouri Senate’s Insurance and Banking Committee this week. Several individuals testified in support of the measure, and the bill was also supported by the Missouri Association for Behavior Analysis and the Missouri Occupational Therapy Association. If SB 1074 is approved by the Insurance and Banking Committee, it will move to the Missouri Senate for debate.

Justice Reinvestment Act

Missouri is currently experiencing alarming increases in violent crimes and in the female prison population. The female prison population in Missouri has grown more than any other state in the nation over the last several years. For nearly a year, the Missouri State Justice Reinvestment Task Force has worked to come up with a proposal to reform Missouri’s criminal justice system.

Senate Bill 966 is the culmination of many months of work by stakeholders within the state’s criminal justice system and representatives from all three branches of state government.  In 2015, Missouri’s crime rate was the 13th-highest in the nation, and while national crime rates are decreasing, Missouri’s rates have increased by 9 percent. These increases are partly due to a lack of community-based treatment options and there is a need to make some major changes to our state’s criminal justice system.

Senate Bill 966, known as the Justice Reinvestment Act creates a Division of Probation and Parole within the Department of Corrections and specifies operational guidelines for cooperation between the new division and the Department of Corrections. Additionally, a community behavioral health program will be created in cooperation with the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Corrections. This program will develop a risk/need assessment tool to evaluate offenders and match them with appropriate services. Senate Bill 966 also includes a variety of other measures designed to streamline programs involved in the collection of evidence, confidentiality of information, and community policing.

This legislation is a result of the task force’s findings and suggestions, and it will help address and reduce recidivism. These provisions will not only produce positive outcomes, but they will also help the state save money. The need for criminal justice reform is urgent in Missouri and I believe SB 966 is a step in the right direction.

I am here to serve you, and my office door is always open to your questions, concerns and suggestions. You can reach my staff at 573-751-3931, and you can visit www.senate.mo.gov/rowden for an array of legislative and constituent resources.