Senator Brian Williams’ Legislative Column for Feb. 17, 2023

Congratulations to the Chiefs and their loyal kingdom for their victory at the Super Bowl. I hope our St. Louis community will get to host a similar celebration with the Cardinals this October!

Capitol Update

In last week’s column, I explained two proposals which I believe are dangerous for Missouri. I’m sad to report they both advanced this week. With a vote of 21-12, the Senate passed the Parents’ Bill of Rights Act on Feb. 14. I voted against this unneeded policy for a variety of reasons, but mostly because I fear how this will affect the way students learn and educators teach important historical topics, like the Holocaust, Jim Crow laws and other incidents of oppression. Instead of allowing educators to teach actual history and invite open dialogues with students, this bill financially incentivizes them to teach a preordained “patriotic and civics training program” and avoid topics which may make students “bear collective guilt” or feel “inherently responsible” for others’ actions in the past. At a time in our history when the issue of systemic racism is being brought to the forefront, it is my opinion that this bill will force us take several giant steps back. The fate of SB 4 is now up to the House of Representatives.

The other measure that advanced was Senate Bill 134, a proposal that prohibits educators from discussing gender identity or sexual orientation with a student without prior parental consent. Touted as the “Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act,” I have to wonder who the recipient is of said compassion and protection. I believe children who have gender dysphoria or questions about their sexuality need to be able to confide in a trusted adult or teacher, especially when they are uncomfortable or cannot have the conversation with their parents. It is very perplexing to me that these two bills have been prioritized when our state is struggling with astronomical teacher shortages that impact all Missouri children.

Legislation Update

My goals as a state senator are reforming outdated criminal justice policies and uplifting our community. When my police reform bill passed in 2021, it included a provision to allow prosecutors to file a motion to vacate convictions. Since then, two innocent men who were wrongly convicted have been granted their long overdue freedom. Congratulations to Kevin Strickland, Lamar Johnson and their families for their grit, determination and patience along the long and winding road to justice.

On Feb. 13, I was honored to present two of my priority criminal justice reform bills to the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. Senate Bill 36 relaxes our state’s expungement of records laws, and Senate Bill 37 establishes a statewide conviction review unit to investigate claims of innocence, even when the person pled guilty. Since no one testified against these bills during the hearing and they have broad support from prosecutors, defense lawyers and the NAACP, I’m hopeful they will advance soon.

YAB Update

To learn ways to combat food insecurity in our community, my Youth Advisory Board toured the hydroponic growing facilities at FreshHarvest 365 this week. They discussed vertical farming as an option to increase food production with less dependency on farmland.

It is an honor representing each of you in the Missouri Senate. If you have any ideas to improve our district or questions about legislation, please contact my office at 573-751-4106 or visit my Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Williams.