Legislative Column for Feb. 2, 2018
This week, the Missouri Senate passed several meaningful pieces of legislation that are sure to not only help, but protect countless Missourians.
We have heard from many of our seniors who were affected by last year’s changes to the MO Rx Plan. These seniors are truly among our most vulnerable, and many are making the tough choice – buy prescription drugs or pay the electric bill.
Senate Bill 563 restores the cuts made to the MO Rx Program, and removes the Medicaid dual-eligible only requirement and restores the program to all seniors who were eligible prior to last year’s budget, when the unfortunate cuts were made to the program.
The MO Rx program was created to help seniors with out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs. The Senate is committed to supporting our senior citizens in the Show-Me State. By passing this measure, we will restore prescription drug assistance to nearly 60,000 Missouri seniors who will once again be able to afford their vital, life-saving prescriptions.
As Missouri’s Sex Trafficking Awareness Month comes to a close, the Senate truly agreed and finally passed legislation aiming to bring more awareness across the state as well as give additional resources to victims of sex trafficking. House Bill 1246 requires the Department of Public Safety to develop human trafficking hotline posters. As a result of the legislation, establishments where victims of sex trafficking are most likely to be found are required to display the informational poster. House bill 1246 is the first bill to receive approval from both legislative chambers during the 2018 legislative session.
While it occurs in every state, unfortunately, Missouri is a hotspot for human trafficking because of our central location. In our own communities, victims are being bought and sold for sexual exploitation. The statistics are alarming and a major cause for concern. Many of these victims are vulnerable children, only 13 years old who have already been lost in the system.
It is vital that we protect those who protect us. That is one reason I am happy to have seen Senate Bill 579 advance so quickly through the legislative process. Current law, outlines the penalties for crimes, and allows for enhanced penalties on special victims, which includes law enforcement officers, first responders and emergency medical service providers. Senate Bill 579 eliminates probation or parole for those who are convicted of crimes against law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical service providers. This ensures that offenders of such crimes serve their full sentence.
We must ensure criminals convicted of crimes against law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical service providers serve their full sentence. This legislation is another step in ensuring we are doing all we can to protect those who serve and protect us.
As always, I appreciate it when groups from around Missouri and from our community back home come to visit me at the Capitol. If you would like to arrange a time to come and visit me in Jefferson City, or if you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact my Capitol office at (573) 751-1882.