Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for March 5, 2026
March Madness
The weeks leading up to the midterm break in the Missouri Legislature remind me of the March madness that has become synonymous with the NCAA basketball tournaments. They are full of energy, surprises, tense moments and victories. Spring break begins after adjournment next Thursday, and I will give you an in-depth report on my legislation and what has progressed so far next week.
I enjoyed a brief break from presenting bills in committee this week, but my interactions in the chamber intensified. During discussions on Senate Bill 1351 to change the school board terms of the Independence School District, I was proud to amend the contents of Senate Bill 962 onto the bill. My amendment will give students an excused absence for attending an election with their parents or guardian.
Several other bills were passed and sent to the Missouri House of Representatives. When my colleagues were debating on a proposal to update the sex offender registry, Senate Bill 982, I carefully examined the technical language, reordering of the current provisions and tier system with the bill sponsor to ensure the law remains an effective tool for law enforcement and protects Missourians.
The other criminal justice reform bill that passed following an hours-long debate is Senate Bill 888. During deliberations, senators tried to strike a balance between improving public safety while guaranteeing justice for juvenile offenders and ensuring their rehabilitation is age appropriate. I ultimately voted no on SB 888 because I do not believe it addresses the root problem of children committing crimes: lack of opportunities and access to firearms. You may read about the other legislation passed by the Senate here.
Final Bills Read
The final day to file legislation was last Thursday, and my final nine pieces of legislation have been placed on the calendar for second reading, when they will be assigned to a Senate committee. I am excited about my proposals to recalculate state aid for public schools and to establish the Lori Zena Baker Act, which includes creating a Sickle Cell Standing Committee, to commemorate her life and assess the impact of the disease in Missouri.
News for the 9th
Senior Service Award Nominations
If you know a deserving senior citizen from District 9 who has volunteered or gone above and beyond to improve Kansas City, please consider nominating them for a Lieutenant Governor’s Senior Service Award before the March 17 deadline.
Check out these Scholarship Opportunities!
1890 National Scholars Program Accepting Applications
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program, which aims to encourage students at the Congressionally created 1890 land-grant universities to pursue careers in food, agriculture, and natural resource sciences. This includes Lincoln University in Jefferson City. The application deadline is March 8, 2026. Click here for more information.
Women Legislators of Missouri Scholarship
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Scholarships
Senator Washington’s Sponsored Legislation for 2026
Bill Number | Description | Status |
Modifies the Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board | Passed by Progress and Development Committee | |
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for supplies needed to care for infants. | Passed by Economic and Workforce Development | |
Authorizes a tax credit for providing housing to victims of domestic violence. | Passed by Progress and Development | |
Requires state-funded schools to give students excused absences for attending elections with their parents. | Amended to SB 1351, passed Senate March 5 | |
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Requires school districts and charter schools to offer students who are 17 and ½ years old the opportunity to register to vote. | Referred to Education | |
Modifies provisions relating to community paramedics. | Referred to Families, Seniors and Health | |
Creates the offense of unlawful possession of a handgun by a minor. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Creates the criminal offense of masked intimidation. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Authorizes a tax credit for providing services to homeless persons. | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | |
Modifies the composition of the State Tax Commission. | Referred to the Select Committee on Property Taxes and State Tax Commission | |
Increases the homestead exemption from $15,000 to $50,000 in bankruptcy law. | Combined with SB 853 and passed Senate 2.19 | |
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for breast pump supplies. | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | |
Creates the offense of community endangerment due to unsafe storage of a firearm. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Establishes the “Cronkite New Voices Act” to protect the freedom of press in school-sponsored media. | Referred to Education | |
Modifies the number of hours of racial profiling training required during the basic training for licensed peace officers. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Enacts provisions relating to criminal proceedings. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. | Referred to Education | |
Enacts provisions relating to health insurance coverage of maternity services. | Hearing conducted 2.24, Insurance and Banking | |
Modifies provisions relating to the filing of false documents. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Requires public schools and charter schools to provide free feminine hygiene products to female students in grades 4-12. | Referred to Education | |
Creates and modifies provisions relating to lactation accommodations in public and charter schools. | Referred to Education | |
Modifies provisions relating to the carrying of firearms or weapons into polling places on election days. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Creates a health advocate program in the Department of Health and Senior Services. | Referred to Families, Seniors and Health | |
Modifies provisions relating to the use of marijuana by family court participants. | Referred to Families, Seniors and Health | |
Creates provisions relating to parole eligibility. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Authorizes a tax credit for the purchase of certain homes. | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | |
Creates provisions relating to firearms. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Modifies provisions relating to criminal records. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to earned discharge from probation. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to terms of probation. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to voter registration. | Referred to Local Government, Elections and Pensions | |
Includes “Class EA – esthetics and manicuring” as a new classification of licensure for cosmetologists. | Referred to Emerging Issues and Professional Registration | |
Creates new provisions relating to state contracts for minority and women’s business enterprises. | Referred to Government Efficiency | |
Prohibits the carrying of concealed firearms in any public library. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Requires the agriculture education pilot program to be implemented at all elementary schools statewide. | Do pass Education Committee 2.24 | |
Creates and modifies provisions relating to elementary and secondary education. | Referred to Education | |
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for diabetic supplies. | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | |
Authorizes a tax credit for certain firearm safety training courses. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Increases the size of the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission from 3 to 5 members. | Referred to Government Efficiency | |
Modifies provisions relating to special elections to fill vacancies in the General Assembly. | Referred to Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics | |
Authorizes a tax credit for contributions made to certain youth police initiatives. | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | |
Modifies provisions relating to eligibility for unemployment benefits. | Referred to General Laws | |
Creates the Laison for Postsecondary Education for Homeless Pupils within the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development | Referred to Education | |
Establishes the Missouri Urban and Local Food Systems Apprenticeship Act | Referred to Education | |
Creates the Success for Homeless and Foster Youth in Higher Education Act | Referred to Education | |
Establishes the Sickle Cell Committee | First read | |
Modifies the calculation of state aid for certain school districts | First read | |
Creates the offense of tampering with an elected official | First read | |
Creates provisions relating to solicitations to buy real property | First read | |
Creates a mobile device pilot program implemented by DSS | First read | |
Modifies provisions relating to rental protections for victims of domestic violence | First read | |
Preempts local regulation of intoxicating liquor in original packages | First read | |
Modifies provisions relating to automated expungement | First read | |
Places limits on increases of the assessment of certain properties. | Referred to Select Committee on Property Taxes | |
Modifies the statutes of limitations for civil actions based on certain sexual offenses. | Hearing cancelled 2/11 Judiciary |
It is an honor representing the great people of Jackson County’s 9th Senatorial District. If you need assistance navigating state government or understanding the legislative process, please contact me by calling 573-751-3158 or emailing Barbara.Washington@senate.mo.gov. My team is here for you!