Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for May 1, 2026
Celebrating the History and Reopening of the Boone Theater
I have great news to share about our community. The historic Boone Theater in the heart of the 18th and Vine Jazz District will host a grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony on May 1. Originally constructed in 1924 at the height of the district’s boom, the newly redeveloped Boone Theater will house the Black Movie Hall of Fame, Black Repertory Theater of Kansas City and multi-use office suites. This structure is listed on the Kansas City and National Register of Historic Places, so I’m thankful for the advocacy and tireless efforts of Shomari Benton, Tim Duggan, Jason Parson and the Vine Street Collaborative for returning this building to its original glory.
Limiting Screen Time in Schools
Last year, the governor signed a bill into law prohibiting students from using cell phones during the school day. To add to these protections, legislators have been considering legislation to further limit screen time in schools. Now approaching the finish line, Senate Bill 1351 has been amended to include several provisions. First, it establishes the Student Screen-Time Standards Act and Framework, requiring school districts to adopt a policy to limit “instructional technology” in K-5 classrooms by 2028. It contains language to establish an A-F grading system and accountability report cards for public school districts and my amendment to grant students an excused absence for attending elections with their parents or guardians, from Senate Bill 962. Since the House made changes, the Senate will have to reconsider the amended proposal.
Masked Intimidation Legislation Maintains Momentum
A House bill similar to my masked intimidation legislation has maintained momentum in the Legislature as we enter the final two weeks of session. Heard by the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee on April 29, House Bill 2848 will establish the offense of masked intimidation when a person conceals their face and harasses, intimidates or threatens another person with the intention to cause another person to be in reasonable fear of their safety. While I wish the language included law enforcement officers, I believe establishing this offense and imposing tough penalties will help deter these incidences in the future.
Agriculture Education Program Passes Senate Committee
The House version of my proposal to expand agricultural education to all public schools in Missouri passed out of the Senate Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources on April 28. House Bill 2097 replaces the current pilot program with a statewide initiative during the 2027-28 school year. Unfortunately, today’s students aren’t as immersed in agriculture as their parents and/or grandparents likely were and lack knowledge about healthy, natural foods. Making this comprehensive program available to all districts who choose to offer it will expose more children to the foods they eat and how they are grown, while highlighting the job opportunities in the industry.
Back to the Budget
The Senate Appropriations Committee held hearings on the final appropriations bills that will be incorporated in the fiscal year 2027 state budget that cover capital improvements, maintenance and repair projects. Next week, I will serve on a conference committee with other senators and representatives to hash out the differences between the two chambers’ budget proposals. The entire package must be delivered to the governor by May 8.
News for the 9th
KC Footprint Celebrates the Opening of Heroes Home Gate
On April 30, Footprints KC celebrated the grand opening of Heroes Home Gate, a facility to provide safe housing for more than 100 veterans. The supportive environment includes amenities, resources and activities designed to ignite positive change through love and outreach. I was honored to provide a resolution to mark the occasion and salute their mission to elevate veterans’ quality of life.
Community Flyers
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, House Leg. Review Committee | |
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 with SB 1150 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 1410 -Informal Calendar for perfection | |
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, passed on 4.8 | |
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. | Passed 4.8 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!