Senator Barbara Anne Washington's Legislative Column for March 3, 2023
Friday, March 3, 2023
- Week of March 3, 2023
Greetings from Jefferson City friends and neighbors and thank you for reading this week’s legislative column. With two months of the legislative session behind us, March marks the halfway point to adjournment on May 12. To date, senators have filed over 700 bills and resolutions, and representatives have filed approximately 1,500 measures. It is easy to understand the metaphor of legislators “drinking from a firehose” when they have this many different proposals to consider.
As I wrote this report, the Senate had passed and sent 30 bills to the House for its consideration. Among these are a measure to extend MO HealthNet coverage for postpartum women to one year and a bill to establish a transitional benefits program for TANF and SNAP recipients. Currently, when a person receiving public assistance gets a raise or is offered more hours, they run the risk of losing all of their benefits. This bill provides a progression into self-sufficiency while incentivizing work and financial stability.
On March 1, I had the honor of introducing two VIP guests to my colleagues on the Senate floor, former Senator Kiki Curls and a dear friend from college, Leticia Harrison. Thanks for traveling to Jefferson City and taking the time to visit with me.
March 1 was also the last day to file bills, and I have added 6 new measures to my list of sponsored bills. I’ll begin with my proposal to include midwife health care services in maternity health benefit coverage plans. Under Senate Bill 713, the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) will permit a “doula” to register and apply for reimbursement for services rendered. Another proposal to safeguard pregnant women is Senate Bill 715, which requires DHSS to establish a health care advocate program. The advocates will help eligible pregnant women navigate the health care system by assessing the patients’ needs, preparing a birth plan and being present during the birth of the child.
I’ll discuss my other proposals in detail in a future report, but I want to bring Senate Concurrent Resolution 14 to your attention. Simply stated, SCR 14 apologizes for the State of Missouri’s role in slavery. As you know, Missouri was admitted into the Union in 1821 as a slave state to balance Maine’s admission as a free state. When the United States ratified the Constitution in 1788, it included the 3/5 compromise, counting only 3 out of every 5 enslaved persons when determining the population for taxation and representation. Beginning in 1720 when Philippe Francois Renault brought the first 500 enslaved individuals to work the lead mines in eastern Missouri, our state has made questionable decisions regarding Blacks and slavery. While the 13th and 14th Amendments intended to eradicate these racist policies, it is my belief that Missouri still has a long way to go to achieve restitution for African Americans. I’m hopeful SCR 14 will be one step toward righting these wrongs.
I also want to bring several upcoming community events to your attention. Please mark your calendars and share the graphics below on your social media channels.
Below is a list of the bills I have sponsored in 2023. If you have questions or need additional information or assistance, please reach out.
Senator Washington’s Sponsored Legislation for 2023
|
Bill Number |
Description |
Status |
|
Modifies provisions relating to certification of juveniles for trial as adults. |
Referred to Judiciary |
|
|
Creates new provisions on discriminatory practices relating to hair. |
Referred to Progress and Development |
|
|
Authorizes a tax credit for the purchase of certain homes. |
Referred to Economic Development |
|
|
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for feminine hygiene products. |
Referred to Economic Development |
|
|
Authorizes a tax credit for providing services to homeless persons. |
Referred to Governmental Accountability |
|
|
Creates a Text-to-Donate program for homeless services in certain cities. |
Referred to Governmental Accountability |
|
|
Authorizes a tax credit for providing housing to victims of domestic violence. |
Referred to Governmental Accountability |
|
|
Creates a pilot program for incarcerated mothers to have access to their children. |
Referred to Judiciary |
|
|
Creates the offense of unlawful possession of a handgun. |
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 Progress and Development |
|
|
Creates provisions relating to firearms. |
Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety |
|
|
Modifies provisions relating to concealed firearms. |
Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety |
|
|
Modifies provisions relating to medical marijuana program participants in family court matters. |
Referred to Health and Welfare |
|
|
Creates provisions relating to reporting requirements of law enforcement agencies. |
Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety |
|
|
Modifies provisions relating to use of force by law enforcement officers. |
Referred to Judiciary |
|
|
Modifies provisions relating to restitution for individuals who are actually innocent. |
Referred to Judiciary |
|
|
Modifies provisions relating to criminal records. |
Referred to Judiciary |
|
|
Modifies provisions relating to expungement. |
First Read |
|
|
Modifies provisions relating to earned discharge from probation. |
First Read |
|
|
Creates new provisions relating to state contracts for minority and women’s business enterprises. |
First Read |
|
|
Creates a DWI diversion program. |
First Read |
|
|
Modifies the Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board. |
First Read |
|
|
Modifies provisions relating to the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. |
First Read |
|
|
Creates provisions relating to parole eligibility. |
First Read |
|
|
Modifies provisions relating to terms of probation. |
First Read |
|
|
Authorizes a tax credit for the purchase of electric vehicles. |
First Read |
|
|
Modifies provisions relating to the certification of juveniles for trial as adults. |
First Read |
|
|
Modifies provisions relating to offenses against employees of election authorities. |
First Read |
|
|
Modifies provisions relating to legal representation for certain court proceedings involving children. |
First Read |
|
|
Modifies provisions relating to the offense of filing false documents. |
First Read |
|
|
Enacts provisions relating to health insurance coverage of maternity services. |
First Read |
|
|
Establishes standards for demographic data collection by certain entities. |
First Read |
|
|
Creates a health advocate program in the Department of Health and Senior Services. |
First Read |
|
|
Enacts provisions relating to motor vehicle sales tax payment plans. |
First Read |
|
|
Modifies provisions relating to tax increment financing. |
First Read |
|
|
Relates to voter registration. |
First Read |
|
|
Apologizes for the State of Missouri’s role in slavery. |
Referred to Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics |
|
|
Places limits on increases of the assessment of certain properties. |
Referred to General Laws |
|
|
Exempts from taxation real and personal property of citizens over the age of 65. |
Referred to General Laws |
It is an honor representing the great people of Kansas City’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!