Senator Barbara Anne Washington's Legislative Column for April 18, 2024
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for April 19, 2024
The Arc of Justice
Happy Friday, JACOMO! I am thrilled you are reading my column. One of my favorite Martin Luther King Jr. quotes is “We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” This message of hope resonated with me this week as I presented Senate Joint Resolution 88 to members of the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee on April 15.
Pending voter approval, this resolution will remove the statute of limitations for sexual assault crimes, enabling survivors to file suit against the institutions that perpetuated or concealed the abuse. In my opinion, permitting cases to be brought against unregulated residential boarding schools and religious organizations where sexual abuse has gone unchecked will expose the public to the truth, hold these institutions accountable and put an end to this reckless behavior of protecting perpetrators and further punishing victims.
During the emotional hearing, several witnesses shared heart wrenching stories and explained that victims of these heinous crimes are referred to as “survivors” because far too many cannot and do not recover from the trauma they sustained as children. On average, it takes these these brave souls 40 years to come forward, if they do at all, and oftentimes it’s to prevent future crimes or encourage others to heal. I believe eliminating arbitrary statutes of limitations through SJR 88 will empower survivors of sexual abuse to overcome, shed a light on the lasting impact of this scourge and bend this long overdue arc toward justice.
On April 17, the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee heard my proposal to designate the bridge on U.S. Highway 71 that crosses the Blue River and 85th Street the “Fallen Firefighters Memorial Bridge.” While the placement honors the five Kansas City firefighters who perished as a result of arson at that location 40 years ago, the bridge will commemorate the lives and sacrifices of all fallen firefighters in Missouri.
A packet of House approved spending bills were referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee on April 11. As always, I will be advocating for vital funding for our community throughout the extensive markup process as the Legislature works to balance the operating budget for fiscal year 2025 and have it to governor’s desk by the May 10 deadline.
Charging my Senatorial Battery
Nothing charges my senatorial battery quite like meeting with the great people who travel to Jefferson City from our community.
On April 15, I was honored to present Yoselyn Banuelos a resolution and introduce her to my colleagues on the floor. A senior at Allen Village School who plans to major in biology at Washington University, Miss Banuelos is one of several deserving recipients of a 2024 Women Legislators of Missouri Scholarship.
Senator Washington presents a resolution to Yoselyn Banuelos.
Members of the Sierra Club Missouri Chapter, pictured below, held their annual lobby day and advocated for measures to protect the environment, Missouri’s State Parks and other natural resources.
Back in March, I welcomed my sorority sisters who were at the Capitol for the annual Alpha Kappa Alpha Day to advocate for education and social issues. Recently, I had the opportunity to strike a solidarity pose with Senator Angela Walton Mosley. She represents the 13th Senatorial District in St. Louis and is an esteemed member of another influential sorority founded by African American women, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Senators Angela Walton Mosley and Barbara Anne Washington show solidarity for women and the vast contributions of their respective leadership sororities.
On April 16, students from Metropolitan Community College attended the annual advocacy day at the Capitol. These pillars of education have opened the doors of opportunity for thousands with four campuses and an online degree program. I enjoyed visiting with the future leaders pictured below and presenting them a resolution.
On April 17, I had the pleasure of meeting Yelena Turner, a 7th grader from Kairos Academy in St. Louis who came to the Capitol to advocate for Activate STL.
Yelena Turner joins Sen. Washington at 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. | Hearing conducted 4/17 | |
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. | Hearing conducted 4/15 |
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!