Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for April 12, 2024
Friday, April 12, 2024
|
Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for April 12, 2024
Going There for Health Care
Hey Kansas Citians! Thanks for reading my update and showing interest in the legislative process. If I had to come up with a theme or tagline for this week’s activities, it would be “going there for health care.” This is precisely the direction the minority party headed when the Senate took up and debated House Bill 2634 on April 9. This legislation would prohibit health care providers who are affiliated with those providing abortions, like Planned Parenthood, from being reimbursed by the state for services provided to MO HealthNet patients. To protect low-income Missourians who rely on these clinics for other health care and lifesaving services, the minority party stood in opposition for nearly 11 hours before a vote was taken to pass the legislation. In my opinion, this bill was an unnecessary distraction and complete waste of crucial legislative time that could have been devoted to passing policies to help Missourians, instead of depriving the already vulnerable from access to vital care. I fear defunding these clinics will also be detrimental to our state’s high maternal mortality rates and take away a potential partner on the Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board I am trying to diversify and enhance with Senate Bill 888.
I am thankful this midweek setback was equalized by some forward-facing policies. On April 10, the Senate took a big step to protect young women when it passed Senate Bill 767, a bipartisan proposal to ban all child marriages. Under current law, children can marry at age 16 with parental consent, but SB 767 will prohibit issuing a marriage license to those under 18. Teens aren’t mature enough to enter contracts, open a bank account or serve their country, and they certainly aren’t ready to make such life altering decisions. I believe this policy will improve health and mental health outcomes, financial security and the overall wellbeing of young people and prevent them from being trapped in difficult, oftentimes abusive, relationships.
Several of my pieces of legislation took a step forward this week as well. On April 11, the Senate passed a bill to honor important Missourians and bring awareness to diseases. The measure includes my Senate Bill 1417, which designates every Feb. 20 as John Donaldson Day in Missouri to commemorate this legendary Negro League baseball superstar, and my proposal to establish May 8 as “Amyloidosis Awareness Day in Missouri.”
The Senate Governmental Accountability Committee approved my bill on April 11 to modify provisions relating to emergency medical services, including community paramedic services, ambulance districts and the makeup of the State Advisory Council on Emergency Medical Services.
Emerging Leaders Conference
High school freshmen, sophomores and juniors are invited to attend the Emerging Leaders Conference at the University of Missouri-Columbia scheduled for June 22 – June 25. The conference is co-hosted by the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus, Inc., in conjunction with the Office of Academic Access and Leadership Development. Call 573-882-3394 or email academicaccess@missouri.edu for more information or to apply.
At Home under the Dome
The highlight of my week is making visitors feel at home under the dome. I appreciate your input, advocacy and dedication to our community.
Senator Washington joins members of the Missouri Pork Association.
Senator Washington meets with members of the Youth and Police Initiative.
Students from Southeast High School gather with Sen. Washington on the steps of the Capitol.
Upcoming Community Events
Mark your calendar for the annual Public Health and Safety Fair on July 13, 2024, at the Kansas City Urban Youth Academy. Please share this graphic on your social media channels to spread the word!
Senator Washington’s Sponsored Legislation for 2024
Bill Number | Description | Status |
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for feminine hygiene products. | Referred to Economic Development | |
Authorizes a tax credit for providing services to homeless persons. | Hearing conducted 4/4 | |
Authorizes a tax credit for providing housing to victims of domestic violence. | Passed out of committee 2/28 | |
Permits restitution payments for the innocent who were wrongfully convicted. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Raises the age from 12 to 14 to certify juveniles for trial as adults. | Combined with SB 754, Referred to House Judiciary | |
Modifies the Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board | Combined with SB 1357 and passed out of committee | |
Permits family court participants to possess and use legal marijuana. | Referred to Health and Welfare | |
Missouri Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act to prohibit hair-based discrimination in state-funded educational institutions. | Placed on formal calendar for perfection. | |
Authorizes a tax credit for first-time homebuyers’ purchase of eligible, blighted property. | Referred to Economic Development | |
Creates a “Text-to-Donate” pilot program in St. Louis and Kansas City to help reduce homelessness. | Referred to Governmental Accountability | |
Creates a two-year pilot program for incarcerated women to have access to their children. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Creates the offense of unlawful possession of a firearm for minors to carry a handgun. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Establishes the “Cronkite New Voices Act” to protect freedom of press for student journalists. | Placed on informal calendar for perfection | |
Restricts the manufacturing and possession of assault weapons and large capacity magazines. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Prohibits carrying concealed firearms in public libraries. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Creates and modifies reporting requirements for law enforcement agencies. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Modifies provisions relating to use of force by law enforcement officers. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to criminal records. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Creates provisions relating to expungement of criminal records. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to earned discharge from probation. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Creates new provisions relating to state contracts for minority and women’s business enterprises. | Referred to Governmental Accountability | |
Creates a DWI diversion program. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. | Referred to Empowering Missouri Parents and Students | |
Creates provisions relating to parole eligibility for senior citizens who have served 30 years. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to terms of probation. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Authorizes a tax credit for the purchase of electric vehicles. | Referred to Economic Development | |
Raises the age for juveniles to be certified for trial as adults. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to offenses against employees of election authorities. | Referred to Local Government and Elections | |
Modifies provisions relating to legal representation for certain court proceedings involving children. | Referred to Health and Welfare | |
Modifies provisions relating to the offense of filing false documents. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Enacts provisions relating to health insurance coverage of maternity services. | Referred to Insurance and Banking | |
Establishes standards for demographic collection by certain entities. | Referred to Health and Welfare | |
Creates a health advocate program in the Department of Health and Senior Services. | Referred to Health and Welfare | |
Enacts provisions relating to motor vehicle sales tax payment plans. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Modifies provisions relating to tax increment financing. | Hearing conducted 2/26 | |
Modifies provisions relating to voter registration. | Referred to Local Government and Elections | |
Modifies provisions relating to tax credits for improving access to foods, including urban farms and grocery stores. | Referred to Economic Development | |
Designates “Fallen Firefighters Memorial Bridge” in Kansas City. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Modifies provisions relating to community paramedics | Passed out of committee on 4/11 | |
Designates every Feb. 20 as John Donaldson Day in Missouri | Added to SB 964 and passed Senate on 4/11 | |
Includes Class EA-esthetics and manicuring as a new classification of licensure for cosmetologists. | Referred to Governmental Accountability | |
Establishes May 8 as “Amyloidosis Awareness Day” | Added to SB 964 and passed by Senate on 4/11 | |
Creates new provisions relating to digital assets. | Referred to Banking and Insurance | |
Modifies provisions relating to the collection of delinquent property taxes. | Referred to Emerging Issues | |
Designates Feb. 20 as John Donaldson Day | Referred to Rules, Joint Rules and Resolutions | |
Places limits on increases of the assessment of certain properties. | Referred to General Laws | |
Authorizes a tax exemption for certain senior citizens. | Referred to General Laws | |
Modifies the statutes of limitations for civil actions based on certain sexual offenses. | Referred to Judiciary |
It is an honor representing the great people of Jackson County’s 9th Senatorial District. If you need assistance navigating state government or understanding the legislative process, please contact me by calling 573-751-3158 or emailing Barbara.Washington@senate.mo.gov. My team is here for you!