Renewal and Hope
I hope everyone was renewed by the beautiful weather and time spent with family this past Easter weekend. When I returned to Jefferson City on Tuesday, the redbud and dogwood trees were blossoming in the woods and the Capital grounds were surrounded by red, purple and yellow tulips. It’s hard not to feel rejuvenated by all this natural beauty.
The Senate perfected several measures this week and sent a handful of third read and passed legislation to the House of Representatives on April 4, two of which could renew hope for children. Senate Bill 862 aims to safeguard benefits left for children in the custody of the Children’s Division and utilize the funds for that specific child’s future needs. The proposal also prohibits courts from awarding custody, guardianship or unsupervised visitation to a parent who has been found guilty of offenses against the child.
The other bill that I think will benefit kids authorizes the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to create a licensure program for those who wish to operate or establish a prescribed pediatric extended care center. This pertains to facilities that provide medically necessary, multidisciplinary services to children under the age of six, including skilled nursing, personal care, nutrition, developmental assessment, speech pathology and physical therapy. The legislation also addresses caregiver staffing ratios and gives DHSS more oversight in these facilities.
On March 26, the Senate passed a comprehensive care package for veterans. Under Senate Bill 912, service men and women will have greater access the benefits they’ve earned and be able to apply for a disabled placard, specialty license plate or military designation on their driver’s license with greater ease. The legislation also establishes a new medallion program for those who served in Afghanistan during the war on terrorism and strengthens suicide prevention efforts across the state. According to the 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, 6,392 veterans took their life in 2021, and Missouri’s rate surpasses the national average. We have got to do a better job of restoring hope and caring for the mental health of our nation’s defenders, and SB 912 is a good start.
2024 Senate Student Fine Arts Exhibit Honoree
Since 2014, the Missouri Art Education Association and the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education have co-hosted a statewide art contest, and senators are charged with selecting the artwork that will represent their district in the 2024 exhibit at the Capitol. I appreciate all the entries from the talented young artists in our community and loved viewing the displays during the month of March. Congratulations to this year’s winner, Ocarina Smith, a junior from Valley R-VI High School. I enjoyed meeting this young lady and presenting her a resolution.