Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for April 4, 2025
Friday, April 4, 2025
Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for April 4, 2025
Clearing Legislative Hurdles
Tulips are blooming around the Capitol, redbuds are dotting the woods in bright pink, and hundreds of bills are clearing legislative hurdles in route to the governor’s desk – including a few of my own! As a former Mizzou athlete who ran track and field, I have always loved this season, and as a lawmaker, it is gratifying to watch the collective work of the Legislature come to fruition as proposals cross the finish line and become law.
One of the causes I have been passionate about since being elected to the General Assembly is reducing discrimination. On March 31, my Missouri CROWN Act cleared another hurdle when I presented it to the House Emerging Issues Committee. I have filed legislation like Senate Bill 38 for eight consecutive years to protect children from hair-based discrimination in institutions of elementary and secondary education. During the presentation of Missouri Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, or CROWN Act, I emphasized how a person’s hair is a sacred gift and can be a reflection of their culture, identity and the way they were created. Hair is also engrained with faith and sense of worth. Too often, Black and Brown children have been made to feel that their natural hair is unacceptable or unprofessional. Already enacted in 25 other states, the CROWN Act will provide protections to help ensure that no Missouri child is denied opportunity or dignity simply because of the way their hair naturally grows. This type of discrimination has impacted childrens’ ability to play sports, participate in activities and feel at ease in their skin. I hope SB 38 finds its way to the governor’s desk to give minority children the self-confidence and foundation of pride needed for future success.
My other advancing bill, Senate Bill 820, will designate the Kansas City Chiefs as the official professional football team of the State of Missouri. Since 1963, the Chiefs have been an economic driver, community builder and charitable contributor to the state, setting an unmatched spirit and culture that has positively impacted generations of fans and Missourians. The Super Bowl Champs are a hallmark of our city, and I believe it is time to recognize their vast contributions to philanthropy, our state’s bottom line and the sport of football by codifying their significance in statute.
Senate Bill 348, which includes the language from two of my bills, was heard by the House Special Committee on Tourism on April 2. If passed, the bill will designate May 8 as Amyloidosis Awareness Day in Missouri, name John Donaldson Day in Missouri on Feb. 20 and designate Nov. 9 as Links, Incorporated Day, honoring the contributions of this prestigious African American volunteer service organization I have belonged to for years.
The Missouri House of Representatives has passed most of the spending bills that comprise the operating budget for fiscal year 2026. Once these are voted on and passed, the Senate Appropriations Committee will compare line items and make adjustments it deems necessary. As the only constitutional mandate imposed on the Legislature, a balanced budget must be passed by the General Assembly by May 9.
News for the 9th
REAL ID Deadline Approaching
Starting May 7, 2025, you will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver license, non-driver ID card or another form of identification accepted by the Transportation Security Administration, to board domestic flights. You can apply for a REAL ID at Missouri license office locations. Visit dor.mo.gov for a list of acceptable documents.
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. | Hearing conducted 3.31, House Emerging Issues | |
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 | Passed 3.12 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. | Passed 2.25 Progress and Development Committee | |
Modifies provisions relating to emergency medical services | Hearing conducted 3.25 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. | Added to SB 348, hearing conducted 4.2, House Special Committee on Tourism | |
Establishes May 8 each year as Amyloidosis Awareness Day in Missouri. | Added to SB 348, hearing conducted 4.2, House Special Committee on Tourism | |
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 | Added to SB 348, hearing conducted 4.2, House Special Committee on Tourism | |
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. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for feminine hygiene product for all purchases made by qualifying organizations. | Referred Economic and Workforce Development | |
Designates the Kansas City Chiefs as the official professional football team of Missouri. | Hearing conducted 4.1, Progress and Development | |
Temporarily extends the hours which liquor may be sold by the drink during the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament. | Referred to General Laws | |
Establishes the Missouri Entertainment Facility – Capital Assistance Program | Referred Economic and Workforce Development | |
Requires the agriculture education pilot program to be implemented at all elementary schools statewide | Referred to Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources | |
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!