- Week of March 31, 2023

Greetings from Jefferson City, neighbors and Royals fans in the 9th Senatorial District. Just like our beloved boys in blue, the General Assembly answered the call to “play ball” this week and sent several measures to the House for consideration.

This legislative grand slam includes a bill to waive fees for obtaining legal documentation for homeless youth and survivors of domestic abuse; an act to ban courts from awarding custody to a parent found guilty of abusing the child; a proposal to prevent distracted driving; and a measure to designate a Public Defender fund in the state treasury and prohibit judges from placing cases on a waiting list. Safeguarding funding for the Missouri State Public Defender will help this office manage excessive caseloads, attract and retain attorneys and provide better representation to low-income individuals.

My Senate Bill 423 rounded first base on March 27 and passed out of committee. I began working on the certification of juveniles for trial as adults when I served in the House. Going through this process for those so young can cause unnecessary trauma that will last the rest of their lives. I want to strengthen protections for children in the justice system to make sure we are helping them maximize their potential as members of our communities.

The Senate also fielded some tough line drives this week. I am extremely pleased to report the “Anti-Red Flag Gun Seizure Act” failed to pass out of committee on March 29. Missourians are still recovering from the fatal school shooting in St. Louis, and now our nation is mourning more innocent lives lost at the hands of a mentally unstable school shooter in Nashville. Having a red flag law in place may have prevented the tragic event that took place at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School last fall, so I’m relieved my colleagues put a stop to this proposal. In my opinion, the General Assembly should be working on ways to reduce gun violence and prevent those with a history of mental illness from accessing deadly weapons, instead of condoning anti-red flag measures.

Another item of good news to share is regarding the initiative petition process. Multiple bills have been brought forward in an effort to thwart Missourians’ ability to modify our Constitution through this tried-and-true method. The Senate debated House Joint Resolution 43 for several hours on March 29 but didn’t come to an agreement on the language. Ironically, it seems like there is frequently a push by the majority party to reform and complicate this process after an amendment they don’t support passes by the will of the people.

Welcoming MCC Students

I enjoyed visiting with several Metropolitan Community College students who visited the Capitol this week to advocate for student issues.

April’s Free Family Health Essentials Event – April 1 at Swope Health Central

We will once again be holding our free monthly Family Health Essential event from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 1 at Swope Health Central, located at 3801 Martin Luther King Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64130. It is the Easter edition of the event that will feature four stations: Household Baskets, Toiletry Bags, Easter Baskets (Maximum 3 per family), and Food Boxes that include a free ham (limited to the first 500 families). 

Call for Vendors Now Open for Public Health and Safety Fair

On June 24, I will host the annual Public Health and Safety Fair at the Urban Youth Academy, and we are now accepting submissions from vendors and sponsors. If you have a resource or product that would benefit our community, please sign-up today.

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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

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!