Governor Signs Omnibus Higher Education Bill into Law

On June 16, the governor signed into law an omnibus higher education bill which I sponsored.

Senate Bill 718 designates the third week of September each year as “Historically Black Colleges and Universities” week to raise awareness for all the excellent work our HBCUs do day-in and day-out in Missouri. Our state is home to two HBCUs – Lincoln University in Jefferson City and Harris-Stowe State College in St. Louis.

My legislation also tweaks statutory provisions allowing college athletes to profit off of their name, image and likeness. It allows postsecondary institutions and associated employees to assist with opportunities for student-athletes to earn compensation for their name, image and likeness.

The measure makes several other changes to state law:

• Creates a $3,000 maximum tax credit for physicians who provide preceptorship training to medical students;
• Establishes the “Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment Scholarship Act” and provides qualifying students a scholarship equal to the tuition and fees paid for dual enrollment courses;
• Requires Missouri high schools to offer a minimum of one computer science course to students;
• Creates the Workforce Diploma Program to help adults obtain a high school diploma with an emphasis on technical skills;
• Requires Missouri K-12 and public higher education institutions to post the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number on student ID cards;
• Requires Missouri public higher education institutions to grant course credit to any student who scores a three or higher on an advanced placement examination; and
• Provides bankruptcy protections for Missouri 529 college savings plans.

I’m pleased with all the hard work that went into SB 718, and I deeply appreciate the governor signing it into law. Senate Bill 718 will take effect Aug. 28.

Upcoming Town Hall

I will be hosting an in-person town hall on Saturday, June 25, at 9:30 a.m. The event will be held at the Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, located at 2657 Independence Ave., Kansas City, MO.

Social distancing will be observed during the event, and breakfast will be served. For more information or to RSVP, please email Brian.Farmer@senate.mo.gov or call 573-751-3158.

Registering to Vote Information

If you are a Kansas City resident, please visit the Kansas City Election Board website for more information on how to vote or where to register to vote. If you a resident of Jackson County, but not a Kansas City resident, please visit the Jackson County Election Board website for more information.

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Special License Plate

During the 2021 legislative session, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 189, which I was proud to sponsor. This legislation creates a special license plate for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Anyone interested in supporting this Kansas City gem can apply for the license plate by following these steps:

1. Make a $10 donation to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
   • Donations can be made directly to the museum or by sending the museum a check upon submitting your application. Be sure to get a receipt for your contribution.
2. Complete the 1716 form to apply for the specialty license plate. This form can be found at mo.gov/motor-vehicle/plates/personalized-specialty.html.
   • When completing the form, select “other” and fill in that you are applying for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum plate.
3. Send your application, along with your $10 museum donation (or the receipt for your donation), and your $15 standard plate application fee to the museum at 1616 E. 18th St., KCMO 64108.

As of April 9, 2021, anyone age 5 and up is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Please contact your local pharmacy or health care provider for information on how best to receive one of the available vaccines. For more information about the vaccine in Missouri, please visit covidvaccine.mo.gov.

University Health is now providing Pfizer, Moderna and J & J booster shots for COVID-19. The CDC approved a booster shot for any adult who received their first two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago, or for any adult who received a single dose of the J & J vaccine at least two months ago. If you are eligible, you can schedule an appointment by calling 816-404-CARE or walk in to University Health (2211 Charlotte St., KCMO 64108) or University Health Lakewood Medical Center (7900 Lee’s Summit Road, KCMO 64139). The COVID-19 vaccine is available for children ages 5-12 at these two locations as well. Patients may make an appointment with their child’s provider at the Med/Ped’s clinic at UHTMC or the Family Medicine Clinic at UHLMC. Additional vaccine information, including free transportation info, is available at www.universityhealthkc.org/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine/.

The Jackson County Health Department also has numerous vaccine and testing clinics available. For more information, please visit jacohd.org.

The Center for COVID Recovery is open to treat patients who experience long-term effects from the virus. For more information, visit universityhealthkc.org/covid-19/center-for-covid-recovery; please share this information with anyone who continues to struggle after a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.

Thank you for your vote of confidence to serve the people of the 9th District in the Missouri Senate. In an effort to keep you up-to-date with my legislation or other proposed measures, please feel free to visit my website at senate.mo.gov/Washington. I appreciate your active interest in your community and encourage your participation in the legislative process. Should you need assistance with state matters, please feel free to contact my office at (573) 751-3158.

Senator Washington’s Sponsored Legislation for 2022

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