March 23, 2023

Protecting Our State’s Most Vulnerable Residents

After a week-long legislative spring break, my Senate colleagues and I were ready to hit the ground running on behalf of the people of Missouri. With less than eight weeks left of the legislative session, it is paramount that both the Missouri House of Representatives and Senate work tirelessly to advance policy that is not only beneficial, but expands individual freedoms and liberties.

In an effort to protect our country’s most vulnerable, the Senate passed Senate Bill 49, the “Missouri Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act,” and Senate Bill 39, which establishes guidelines for student participation in athletic contests organized by sex. I was proud to co-sponsor both of these bills with several of my fellow senators.

Senate Bill 49 would effectively bar physicians or health care providers from providing gender transition procedures to any minor in the state of Missouri. Senate Bill 39 would restrict athletes to playing on school sports teams matching the sex on their birth certificate.

While these bills are not without controversy, it is vital that Missouri protects and defends its most vulnerable – our children. Irreversible gender transition procedures and hormone therapy medication have no place for minors in Missouri. The SAFE Act is not about discrimination. Instead, it is about the defense and protection of individuals under the age of 18 who do not have the cognitive discernment to make such a drastic and permanent decision. Implementing these preventative measures and approaching every child with the care, love and protection they deserve is necessary for the success and wellbeing of Missouri’s next generation.

As for Senate Bill 39, my colleagues and I have chosen to protect women’s sports. In an age of changing political and cultural dynamics, it is important for legislators to be proactive, not just reactive. It is essential to preserve the spirit of competition and fairness of sports across K-12 and post-secondary institutions here in the state of Missouri. We owe it to the women who fought for decades for the right to compete in unisex, fair and organized athletics. I am proud of the work the Senate has done this past week to better protect the futures of young people across this great state.

One of the more rewarding experiences of serving in the Senate is the opportunity to honor and highlight the stellar talents and public service of the constituents in the 20th district. This past week I had the pleasure of meeting with and presenting resolutions to two constituents from our community. Please contact my office if there are any other individuals we should highlight.

I am incredibly proud of both of these individuals and the multitude of constituents who serve our communities in the 20th district every day. I thank you all for giving me the opportunity to serve Southwest Missouri, and I look forward to working on your behalf in the days and weeks ahead!

Please visit Sen. Trent’s official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Trent for more legislative and constituent resources.

Senator Curtis Trent proudly serves the citizens of Barton, Dade, Greene and Webster counties in the Missouri Senate.