Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for March 6, 2025
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for March 6, 2025
In Like a Lion
Missouri’s weather came in like a lion this first week of meteorological spring, with temperatures ranging from 20-70 degrees and forecasts of tornadoes, hail, thunderstorms and snow in the mix. The Senate also got the month of March off to a roaring start, first reading the final submissions of 2025 and sending several more to the Missouri House of Representatives for consideration. This week has been pretty wild for me as well, presenting four bills in committee, negotiating language to make legislation more beneficial to Missourians and standing up for local control of police departments.
My Missouri Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act was passed by the Senate on March 6. Senate Bill 38 prohibits hair-based discrimination in all publicly-funded educational institutions. Similar legislation has progressed in past sessions, so I am hopeful for this small win for our state’s young African diaspora.
My week started by presenting Senate Bill 422 to the Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee on March 3, a bipartisan proposal to designate the Officer James Muhlbauer K-9 Officer Champ Memorial Bridge in Jackson County. Officer Muhlbauer, his K-9, Champ, and a pedestrian were killed by a speeding driver in a fatal car crash in February of 2023. A memorial bridge will be a great way to pay homage to his service and sacrifice.
The next day, I presented two bills to the Senate Education Committee. Senate Bill 344 requires school districts to excuse the absences of students who are participating in an election with their parents. Senate Bill 375 requires school districts to offer two opportunities per school year for students who are 17 ½ to register to vote on campus. The goals of this pair of proposals are to empower young people to engage in the democratic process, reinforce responsible citizenship and create lifelong voters. I was inspired to file these bills by my grandsons, who treasure accompanying me to the polls and love pretending to vote. My legislation went unopposed during the hearing and was supported by voters’ and educational advocacy groups.
On Wednesday, I strongly encouraged members of the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee to pass Senate Bill 37 and exempt feminine hygiene products from sales tax. Menstruation products are a necessity, not a luxury, and therefore should not be taxed as such. Women should never be forced to decide whether to buy the sanitary items they need to go to school or work, or put food on the table for their family. I really want this measure to pass and give impoverished women one small financial break.
I was proud to support and vote for Senate Bill 66, which passed on March 6 and will have a great impact on the future of our state, especially for young women. Currently, a 16 or 17 year-old can obtain a marriage license with parental consent. If SB 66 passes, no one underage age 18 will be allowed to marry in Missouri. Children do not have the capacity to make decisions that will affect the rest of their lives, and statistics show that young girls who marry as teens are more susceptible to abuse, poverty and poorer health outcomes.
The minority caucus spent hours trying to defend local control of the St. Louis Police Department during discussions on House Bill 495. Voters mandated that this control be returned to local authorities in 2012 when it became evident that the governor-appointed state commission wasn’t addressing violent crime or its underlying causes. A compromise was reached during negotiations to permit citizen commissioners who reside in the impacted jurisdiction to serve on the board and to put checks and balances in place to monitor progress and efficiency.
Capitol Visitors
I had a great visit with a group of nursing students from MIZZOU who were at the Capitol to meet with lawmakers and attend an advocacy event.
News for the 9th
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Unveils New Logo and Campaign
During 2025, our community’s famed Negro Leagues Baseball Museum will launch a year-long campaign to highlight some of its significant contributions to the sport. Last month, the museum unveiled a new logo, Leaders and Innovators, to capture some of these influences, such as shin guards, lighted night games and batting helmets. The expansion project includes a larger showroom, hotel and more interactive displays.
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 before the April 1 deadline.
Women Legislators of Missouri Scholarship Deadline Approaching
The deadline to apply for these scholarships is next Wednesday, March 12. Please share the info below with the college bound young women in your life.
Black Family Wellness Expo is Saturday, March 15
Senator Washington’s Sponsored Legislation for 2025
Bill Number | Description | Status |
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for feminine hygiene products. | Hearing conducted 3.4, Economic and Workforce Development | |
The Missouri CROWN Act prohibits hair-based discrimination in publicly-funded educational institutions. | Perfected in Senate on 3.4. | |
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 | Hearing conducted 2.26 Economic and Workforce Development | |
Authorizes a tax credit for qualified providers of employment, employment services or housing for homeless persons. | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | |
Authorizes a tax credit for providing housing assistance to victims of domestic violence. | Hearing conducted on 2.11 Progress and Development Committee | |
Modifies provisions relating to emergency medical services | Referred to Emerging Issues | |
Creates the offense of community endangerment due to unsafe storage of a firearm. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Establishes the Cronkite New Voices Act to protect the freedom of press in school-sponsored media. | Referred to Education. | |
Modifies provisions relating to offenses against employees of election authorities. | Referred to Local Government, Elections and Pension. | |
Enacts provisions relating to health insurance coverage of maternity services to include midwifery. | Referred to Insurance and Banking. | |
Designates every Feb. 20 as John Donaldson Day to honor Missouri native and Negro Leagues Baseball star pitcher. | Hearing conducted 2.25 Progress and Development | |
Establishes May 8 each year as Amyloidosis Awareness Day in Missouri. | Referred to Progress and Development | |
Modifies provisions relating to the offense of filing false documents. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Requires public and charter schools to provide free feminine hygiene products to female students in grades 4-12. | Referred to Education | |
Creates provisions relating to lactating public and charter school students. | Referred to Education | |
Requires schools that receive state funds to give excused absences for attending scheduled elections with their parents. | Hearing conducted 3.4, Education | |
Requires school districts and charter schools to offer students who are 17 and ½ years the opportunity to register to vote. | Hearing conducted 3.4, Education | |
Creates a health advocate program at the Department of Health and Senior Services for eligible pregnant patients. | Referred to Families, Seniors and Health | |
Modifies provisions relating to restitution for individuals who are actually innocent and exonerated based on evidence other than DNA. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to use of marijuana by family court participants. | Referred to Families, Seniors and Health | |
Authorizes a tax credit for first time home buyers to purchase eligible blighted property. | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | |
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. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Designates Officer James Muhlbauer K-9 Officer Champ Memorial Bridge in Jackson County. | Hearing conducted 3.4, Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Modifies provisions relating to closed criminal records. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Creates that eligible offenses be automatically expunged without petition. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to earned discharge from probation. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Designates every Nov. 9 as Links, Incorporated Day in Missouri | Referred to Progress and Development | |
Creates a DWI diversion program. | Hearing conducted 2.26 Judiciary | |
Creates provisions relating to parole eligibility after serving 30 years or more of a sentence. | Referred to Judiciary | |
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. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to legal representation for certain court proceedings involving children. | Referred to Families, Seniors and Health | |
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. | Referred to Local Government, Elections and Pensions | |
Includes CLASS EA – esthetics and manicuring as a new classification for licensure for cosmetologists. | Referred to Emerging Issues and Professional Registration | |
Creates new provisions relating to state contracts for minority and women’s business enterprises. | Referred to Government Efficiency | |
Prohibits carrying concealed firearms in public libraries. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Modifies continuing education requirements for peace officers. | First read. | |
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for feminine hygiene product for all purchases made by qualifying organizations. | First read. | |
Designates the Kansas City Chiefs as the official professional football team of Missouri. | First read. | |
Temporarily extends the hours which liquor may be sold by the drink during the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament. | First read. | |
Establishes the Missouri Entertainment Facility – Capital Assistance Program | First read. | |
Requires the agriculture education pilot program to be implemented at all elementary schools statewide | First read. | |
Places limits on increases in the assessment of certain properties, pending voter approval. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Eliminates the statute 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!