Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for Feb. 7, 2025
Friday, February 7, 2025
Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for Feb. 7, 2025
NOLA Bound!
Hello, Jackson County neighbors and fellow Chiefs fans. Andy Reid’s squad is New Orleans bound to compete in the Super Bowl for the fourth time in the last five seasons and seventh time in NFL history. The Feb. 9 contest promises to be another nail-biting showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles, and I hope our men can win the 3-peat they deserve and have worked so hard to bring back to their adoring fans.
Standing up for Our Community
After weeks of traditional ceremonies, committee assignments and other Senate procedures, legislators finally had a full week of public hearings and were able to start the process of vetting legislation. While many of the bills we hear will benefit Missourians, occasionally proposals are introduced that could have horrendous consequences, especially for communities of color.
The Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee I serve on heard two such bills on Jan. 27. Senate Bills 58 and 72 modify provisions relating to illegal immigrants. Both of the bill’s sponsors stated the purpose of their proposals was to help law enforcement and make our communities safer by cracking down on those who are in the country without proper documentation.
Even though I repeatedly asked, no Missouri-specific statistics or other credible data to show the scope of the problem or need for this legislation was ever offered. The sheer number of passionate advocates and experts who testified against these bills speaks volumes about the legislation’s negative impact. I believe this legislation, if passed, will wreak more havoc on minority communities and increase racial profiling, not reduce crime or improve our state. I am immensely proud to represent one of the most diverse districts in the nation, and I will always stand against extremism and prejudice.
On Jan. 28, I presented my C.R.O.W.N. Act to members of the Senate Progress and Development Committee, pictured on the left. I’ve sponsored similar legislation since 2020 and am optimistic the act will be signed into law this session since it’s off to such an early start. Eliminating hair-based discrimination in our K-12 schools will give children of African descent the confidence, respect and God-given right they deserve to look the way they were born, without the fear of discrimination, belittling or bullying.
State of the State Address
On Jan. 28, the new governor delivered the annual State of the State Address to a joint assembly in the chamber of the Missouri House of Representatives. Public safety will be the overarching priority of his administration, alongside workforce development, agriculture and education. I was glad to hear him announce, “We can only secure Missouri’s future if we work together.” After years of infighting and dysfunction in the Missouri Senate, I say, bring it on!
Wrongful Conviction Compensation Package Moves Forward
On Jan. 29, the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee voted to pass Senate Bill 36. This legislation permits claims for damages for wrongful convictions and restitution for those who served time but were later exonerated and proven innocent through non-DNA evidence. People like Keven Strickland, who was released from prison in 2021 after serving a 42-year sentence as an innocent man, would be one of the many beneficiaries of this bill.
Senator Washington visits with Kevin Strickland at the Capitol.
MU Life Sciences Quest Accepting Applications
Attention High School-Aged Students! The University of Missouri-Columbia is now accepting applications for its Life Sciences Quest program, a free, week-long summer academy for students interested in agriculture and its impact in our daily lives. Visit MU Life Sciences Quest for more information or to apply.
News for the 9th
20/20 Leadership Members at the Capitol
This week, I had the fantastic opportunity to welcome and address members of Kansas City’s 20/20 Leadership. Since 1993, this program has helped thousands of Kansas City youth succeed, both in and outside of the classroom.
1890 National Scholars Program Accepting Applications through March 1
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for the USDA 1890 Scholars Program, which aims to encourage students at 1890 land-grant universities to pursue career paths in food, agriculture, natural resource sciences or related academic disciplines. The application deadline is March 1, 2025. The program is available to eligible high school seniors entering their freshman year of college as well as rising college sophomores and juniors.
Women Legislators of Missouri Scholarship Program Now Accepting Applications
Please share this flyer with the college-bound young women in your life.
Senator Washington’s Sponsored Legislation for 2025
Bill Number | Description | Status | |
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for feminine hygiene products. | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | ||
The Missouri CROWN Act prohibits hair-based discrimination in publicly-funded educational institutions. | Hearing conducted 1/28. | ||
Expands and diversifies the Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board. | Referred to Government Efficiency | ||
Creates the offense of unlawful possession of a handgun for a minor. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | ||
Modifies provisions relating to the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | ||
Authorizes a tax credit for qualified providers of employment, employment services or housing for homeless persons. |
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Authorizes a tax credit for providing housing assistance to victims of domestic violence. | Hearing Scheduled 2/11 | ||
Modifies provisions relating to emergency medical services | Referred to Emerging Issues | ||
Creates the offense of community endangerment due to unsafe storage of a firearm. |
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Establishes the Cronkite New Voices Act to protect the freedom of press in school-sponsored media. | First read | ||
Modifies provisions relating to offenses against employees of election authorities. | First read | ||
Enacts provisions relating to health insurance coverage of maternity services to include midwifery. | First read | ||
Designates every Feb. 20 as John Donaldson Day to honor Missouri native and Negro Leagues Baseball star pitcher. | First read | ||
Establishes May 8 each year as Amyloidosis Awareness Day in Missouri. | First read | ||
Modifies provisions relating to the offense of filing false documents. | First read | ||
Requires public and charter schools to provide free feminine hygiene products to female students in grades 4-12. | First read | ||
Creates provisions relating to lactating public and charter school students. | First read | ||
Requires schools that receive state funds to give excused absences for attending scheduled elections with their parents. | First read | ||
Requires school districts and charter schools to offer students who are 17 and ½ years the opportunity to register to vote. | First read | ||
Creates a health advocate program at the Department of Health and Senior Services for eligible pregnant patients. | First read | ||
Modifies provisions relating to restitution for individuals who are actually innocent and exonerated based on evidence other than DNA. | First read | ||
Modifies provisions relating to use of marijuana by family court participants. | First read | ||
Authorizes a tax credit for first time home buyers to purchase eligible blighted property. | First read | ||
Provides that no person, corporation, or other entity in Missouri shall manufacture, import, possess, purchase, sell or transfer any assault weapon or large capacity magazine. | First read | ||
Designates Officer James Muhlbauer K-9 Officer Champ Memorial Bridge in Jackson County. | First read | ||
Modifies provisions relating to closed criminal records. | First read | ||
Creates that eligible offenses be automatically expunged without petition. | First read | ||
Modifies provisions relating to earned discharge from probation. | First read | ||
Designates every Nov. 9 as Links, Incorporated Day in Missouri | First read | ||
Creates a DWI diversion program. | First read | ||
Creates provisions relating to parole eligibility after serving 30 years or more of a sentence. | First read | ||
Reduces the term of probation for a misdemeanor violation from 2 years to 18 months and removes the drug and alcohol screening for certain offenses. | First read | ||
Modifies provisions relating to legal representation for certain court proceedings involving children. | First read | ||
Prohibits removing registered voters from the Missouri Voter Registration System unless the voter has not voted in the previous five calendar years or met other criteria. | First read | ||
Includes CLASS EA – esthetics and manicuring as a new classification for licensure for cosmetologists. | First read | ||
Creates new provisions relating to state contracts for minority and women’s business enterprises. | First read | ||
Prohibits carrying concealed firearms in public libraries. | First read | ||
Places limits on increases in the assessment of certain properties, pending voter approval. | First read | ||
Eliminates the statute of limitations for civil actions based on certain sexual offenses. | First read |
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!