Preparing for Easter
The week leading up to Easter has been busy, but productive, in the State Capitol. Policymakers have been vetting, improving and advancing bills, while meeting with constituents who are attending advocacy days in between. Many of you have also been preparing for Easter, having fasted, given up something important or practiced other Lenten traditions over the past 40 days. However you celebrate, enjoy time spent with family and try to keep the miracle and hope of Christ’s resurrection and everlasting life in your hearts and actions.
Key Proposals Advance
I had the honor of advancing two of the bills I sponsored this week. On March 30, I presented my proposal to create the Purple Alert System in Missouri to the Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee. Senate Bill 1409 authorizes the Department of Public Safety to create this alert system to aid in the identification and location of missing persons with developmental disabilities whose disappearance poses a credible threat of immediate danger or serious bodily harm to themselves. The department will collaborate with other state agencies and law enforcement to develop a training and alert system that is compatible with existing alert systems and will help peace officers respond effectively to these specialized cases. Parents of children with special needs live in fear of their child, who may be nonverbal and oblivious to danger, going missing. I appreciate the parents and advocates who shared stories and provided examples of why this legislation is needed. Creating a Purple Alert system and training responders appropriately respond will save lives, distill fears and create a safer Missouri for all.
On March 31, my Athletic Trainers Compact legislation was approved by the Emerging Issues and Professional Registration Committee. If passed and signed into law, Senate Bill 1149 will facilitate this interstate practice, enable licensed trainers to practice in the states that join the compact, and create the Athletic Trainer Licensure Compact Commission to oversee and implement the cadre.
My top three pieces of legislation are still awaiting further discussion on the Senate floor before being perfected. I have been working with my colleagues and stakeholders on negotiating the language and hope an agreement can be reached soon on a post-consumer paint recycling program, sovereign immunity for private contractors and aligning Missouri’s statute on the admissibility of expert testimony evidence with federal rules – Senate Bills 916, 917 and 918, respectively. These were filed with the intent to protect workers and improve uniformity within the legal system.
Conservation Day at the Capitol
Each year, passionate conservation advocates gather at the Capitol to meet legislators and share successes. I am proud to be named the Conservationist of the Year by the Conservation Federation of Missouri and accepted the award at their trade conference last month and in the Rotunda on March 31. I appreciate our community’s support for conservation and will remain a great steward for natural resources in Jefferson City.
Welcoming Guests from the 27th
As always, the highlight of my week is visiting with folks from back home. Thanks for taking the time to share your legislative goals.
Vinnie Club and his family
SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence
Staff from SEMO Food Bank
Advocates from Catholic Charities