Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for May 19, 2026
Time to Say So Long
Each May at the end of session, I am reminded of the closing song from the Carol Burnett Show. “…Seems we just get started and before you know it, comes the time we have to say, ‘so long’.” I love representing our community in the Missouri Senate and working with my colleagues to pass policies, but I am always ready to get back home to the 9th, host and attend public events and listen to your ideas to improve our community and state. As I was pulling out of the Capitol garage on May 15 and saying “so long” to Jefferson City, my heart was blasting, “Kansas City, here I come!”
Diversifying the Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board
During deliberations on Senate Bill 999, I amended language from my Senate Bill 871 to the final bill to diversify the state’s Pregnancy-Related Mortality Review Board. If signed by the governor, this Board will increase its membership from 18 to 22 and require representation from each of Missouri’s eight congressional districts. The bill also requires the Board to report and review demographics, health care deserts, access to prenatal care and other determinants to health mothers-to-be continue to face. Missouri’s maternal mortality rates remain high, so studying the lead-up to these preventable deaths will make a real impact across the state.
Masked Intimidation Bill Heads to Governor
On May 15, the Legislature sent a comprehensive public safety bill to the governor, Senate Bill 1421. One of its provisions stems from my Senate Bill 1043 and creates the offense of masked intimidation when a person intentionally harasses, intimidates or threatens another person while concealing their identity with a mask or other face covering. Those who are convicted of masked intimidation will face a felony charge. This does not apply to law enforcement officers and has exceptions for religious, occupational and safety purposes.
I am also thankful SB 1421 includes provisions to automatically expunge nonviolent records, like drug possession or paraphernalia. This will give those with a criminal record, but who have completed their sentence, a clean slate to find suitable housing and employment and move on with their lives.
My quest to replace the current agricultural education pilot program and implement a voluntary statewide program crossed the finish line this year. Language from Senate Bill 1383 was added to House Bill 2896 and was sent to the governor for consideration on May 15. I believe the more knowledge and exposure our kids have to the foods they eat, the better off our state will be.
Thanks for your Service!
Last week marked the final week of service for the hardworking interns of the Senate. I want to give a shoutout to Trevor Cecini, a student from the University of Missouri-Kansas City who has been a cheerful and professional helper at every turn of the legislative session. Thanks for your service, Trevor. I wish you well in the future.
Capitol Visitors
As always, I love spending time with Capitol visitors. On April 29, I welcomed and introduced Gwen Grant, Bishop James Tindall and Joe Williamsom to my colleagues in the chamber.
News for the 9th
Mark your calendars and share these flyers!
Senator Washington’s Sponsored Legislation for 2026
Bill Number | Description | Status |
Modifies the Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board | Sent to governor on SB 999. | |
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 Rules 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. | Sent to the governor on SB 1421. | |
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. | Sent to the governor on HB 2896. | |
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 | Referred to Progress and Development | |
Modifies the calculation of state aid for certain school districts | Referred to Education | |
Creates provisions related to insurance coverage of annual kidney functioning screenings | Referred to Insurance and Banking | |
Creates the offense of tampering with an elected official | Referred to Judiciary | |
Creates provisions relating to solicitations to buy real property | Referred to General Laws | |
Creates a mobile device pilot program implemented by DSS | Referred to General Laws | |
Modifies provisions relating to rental protections for victims of domestic violence | Referred to Famies, Seniors and Health | |
Preempts local regulation of intoxicating liquor in original packages | Referred to Emerging Issues | |
Modifies provisions relating to automated expungement | Referred to Judiciary | |
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!