Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for April 2, 2026
World Cup Prep in Full Swing
The six FIFA World Cup 2026 matches that will occur in Kansas City are quickly approaching. The years of preparation and planning by city leaders and millions of dollars allocated by the General Assembly to promote the event and enhance security will finally come to fruition in June and July. I know we are all greatly anticipating the arrival of athletes and fans from other nations and the chance to show off our extraordinary city to visitors.
Uplifting African American Communities
Last year, I passed legislation to name April 1 as Link’s Day at the Capitol. Established in 1946, Missouri Links, Incorporated’s membership includes fourteen thousand professional women of color who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of people of the African diaspora. I was proud to present a resolution to the group in honor of Links Day and their immense contributions to Missouri and society.
This week, the Senate sent two proposals to the Missouri House of Representatives to memorialize a Black leader and bring attention to an issue disproportionally affecting Missouri’s diverse African American communities.
Senate Bill 1613 designates every Nov. 24 as Frankie Muse Freeman Day to commemorate the birthday and vast contributions of this trailblazing Black woman and first female to be appointed to the United States Commission on Civil Rights. Respectfully known as a pioneer of civil rights, Frankie was an attorney from St. Louis who served under three presidential administrations and monitored the desegregation of public schools. This proposal is now awaiting a committee hearing in the House.
The bill to establish the Office of Missing and Murdered African American Women and Girls within the Department of Public Safety has been sent to the House as well. Senate Bill 1652 also authorizes the establishment of a statewide Phoenix Alert System to help quickly identify and locate abducted or missing Black women and girls who are believed to be victims of a criminal offense, including child and parental kidnapping or trafficking. The proposal also outlines the mechanisms to fund, enforce and enhance communications between departments, and report data.
Ag Ed in Public Schools
On April 1, I presented Senate Bill 1383 to members of the House Special Committee on Rural Issues. The proposal authorizes the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to expand the current agricultural education pilot program to all Missouri public schools and work with Missouri’s agriculture commodity groups to establish the curriculum. If passed, SB 1383 outlines how the department will implement agriculture education in districts that choose to offer it, evaluate the program’s success and impact, and report these findings on its website. I’m hopeful this legislation maintains its momentum and lands on the governor’s desk this year.
News for the 9th
Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest
Amateur photographers of all ages are invited to participate in the 13th Annual Missouri DNR Photo Contest from April 1 – Sept. 1, 2026. The categories are Natural Resources, Unique Places and People Enjoying Missouri’s Outdoors. Help capture Missouri’s natural and cultural resources and submit your photos.
Please share these flyers on social media.
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 | |
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. | Combined and passed Judiciary 3.25 | |
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. | Third read and passed 3.25. Presented to House committee 4.1. | |
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. | Hearing conducted 3.11 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 provisions related to insurance coverage of annual kidney functioning screenings | 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!