Missouri Senate

Senate Committee Substitute

MILITARY FAMILY MONTH (SECTION 9.297)

This act designates November as "Military Family Month" in Missouri to recognize the daily sacrifices of military families.

This provision is identical to a provision in SS/SCS/SB 718 (2020) and HB 1328 (2020).

SURVIVING SPOUSES IN THE MERIT SYSTEM (SECTION 36.020)

This act modifies the definition of "surviving spouse" in provisions of law relating to the merit system.

This provision is identical to HB 296 (2021), SB 620 (2020), a provision in SS/SCS/SB 718 (2020), in HCS/SB 282 (2019), and in the perfected HB 461 (2019) and is substantially similar to a provision in HCS/SB 587 (2020) and HB 1566 (2020).

HIRING PREFERENCES FOR MISSOURI NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS (SECTIONS 36.221 AND 105.1204)

This act creates new provisions establishing hiring preferences for current or former members of the Missouri National Guard for purposes of state employment. Specifically, in filling any position of state employment in a state agency, the appointing authority or employing agency shall offer an interview to every applicant who is or was a member of the Missouri National Guard and meets other specified criteria.

This provision is identical to HB 659 (2021) and HB 1491 (2020), and is similar to perfected SB 78 (2021).

CLASSIFICATION OF MISSOURI NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS (SECTION 41.201)

This act provides that service members of the Missouri National Guard shall be considered as state employees for the purposes of operating state-owned vehicles for official state business unless they are called into active federal military service by order of the President of the United States.

This provision is identical to SB 258 (2021) and is substantially similar to HB 391 (2021).

VETERAN QUESTIONS ON STATE AGENCY FORMS (SECTION 42.390)

This act requires that every state agency shall ensure that any form used to collect data from individuals include the following questions:

(1) Have you ever served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States and separated from such service under conditions other than dishonorable?

(2) If answering Question 1 in the affirmative, would you like to receive information and assistance regarding the agency's veteran services?

Every state agency shall prepare information regarding applicable services and benefits that are available to veterans and provide such information to those who answer the questions in the affirmative.

PURPLE STAR CAMPUS (SECTION 160.710)

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall designate a school district as a purple star campus if the school district applies and qualifies for the designation. To qualify as a purple star campus, a school district shall:

(1) Designate a staff member as a military liaison to serve as the point of contact between the school district and the military connected student, as defined in the act;

(2) Identify military connected students enrolled in the school district;

(3) Determine appropriate services available to military connected students;

(4) Coordinate programs relevant to military connected students;

(5) Maintain on the school district website an easily accessible webpage that includes resources for military connected students, including information regarding relocation, enrollment, registration, and transferring records to the school district, academic planning, counseling, and the military liaison;

(6) Establish and maintain a transition program led by students, when appropriate, that assists military connected students in transitioning into the school district;

(7) Offer professional development and education for staff members on issues related to military connected students; and

(8) Offer at least one of the following: A resolution showing support for military connected students, recognition of military holidays with relevant events, or a partnership with a local military installation that provides opportunities for active duty military members to volunteer with the school district, speak at an assembly, or host a field trip.

MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE (SECTION 379.122)

This act requires the Adjutant General to ensure that members of the state military forces receive notice of certain protections relating to motor vehicle insurance, and encourages the secretaries of the branches of the United States Armed Forces to likewise notify members under their jurisdictions.

The act specifically notes that the term "adverse underwriting decision" shall include a decision to charge an increased premium.

This provision is identical to a provision in SS/SCS/SB 718 (2020) and SB 1036 (2020).

QUALIFIED MILITARY PROJECTS IN THE MISSOURI WORKS PROGRAM (SECTIONS 620.2005 AND 620.2010)

This act modifies the Missouri Works program to provided that, for qualified military projects, the benefit shall be based on part-time and full-time jobs created by the project.

This act contains an emergency clause for these provisions.

This provision is identical to the perfected SS/SB 2 (2021) and is substantially similar to provisions in SS/SCS/SB 718 (2020), in HCS/SS#2/SB 704 (2020), in SS#2/SCS/HCS/HB 1854 (2020) and SB 1057(2020).

KATIE O'BRIEN