JEFFERSON CITY – Senate Leader Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, signed numerous bills today (5-27) including measures that will add protections for survivors of sexual assault and create a Human Trafficking Task Force. Senator Dempsey also signed a bill that gives greater access to insurance coverage for Missourians suffering from eating disorders.
Senator Dempsey said these measures are not only necessary, but they will provide essential steps to protect Missourians.
“The General Assembly was successful this year passing legislation that will promote access to resources and prevent violence especially against women and children,” said Sen. Dempsey. “Much of the violence against women and children can also have harmful negative health effects as a result. We needed to address some of the major holes in our laws.”
Senate Bill 321 add victims of sexual assault to the list of whom can be granted an order of protection and modifies the definitions of sexual assault and stalking as they relate to orders of protection. Missouri’s current law allows a person, including a child, who has been a victim of domestic violence by a family or household member or has been a victim of stalking, to be granted an order of protection. This bill, sponsored by Sen. Dan Hegeman, R-Cosby, adds those affected by sexual assault able to seek orders of protection.
“This bill add a necessary safety measure to those in most need. As lawmakers, we try to make sure all victims of sexual assault are protected, especially women and children. We hope this law will also help women come forward if they have been a victim of rape or violence,” said Sen. Dempsey.
The Legislature also sent House Concurrent Resolution 38 to the governor’s desk. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, creates a Human Trafficking Task Force and outlines a diverse number of members who may serve on the task force. Together, they will raise awareness of the problem and provide a central location of resources for lawmakers to use so they can craft legislation to end or limit human trafficking. The task force will issue recommendations on legislation to address human trafficking to the General Assembly by Jan. 1, 2017.
“Whether we see it directly in our communities, human trafficking exists in our state. This task force will bring all of the stakeholders together in one place. Then they will be able to coordinate, work on solutions, and lead the legislature on the steps we should take in the future,” said Sen. Dempsey.
Another bill signed by the Senate Leader today was Senate Bill 145. The bill, sponsored by Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg, identifies standards of care treatment guidelines for eating disorders which are currently included under the Missouri Mental Health Parity. Today, hundreds of Missourians are fighting a serious, complex mental illness. This bill provides much-needed, lifesaving care throughout the state.
“This bill will give people who are suffering from eating disorders better access to insurance coverage for diagnosis and treatment of the disease. While eating disorders are highly treatable, the disease is still killing our children. We can no longer pretend these diseases don’t exist. Missourians will now be able access insurance coverage to receive lifesaving treatment,” said Sen. Dempsey.
These three measures are now awaiting the governor’s signature before they will become law. For more on these measures and others, visit www.senate.mo.gov. |
