Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for April 25, 2025
Friday, April 25, 2025
Senator Barbara Anne Washington’s Legislative Column for April 24, 2025
One Step Forward
I hope everyone enjoyed the Easter and Passover holidays and spending time with family. Even though we had the move the festivities indoors to stay dry, my grandsons were a joy to watch as they power hunted for eggs and binged on their baskets of candy.
Often times when you are in the Senate Minority Caucus, it feels like when you take one step forward, you are pushed two steps back. After successfully stalling the vote last week on a proposal to undo Proposition A, the voter-approved minimum wage increase and earned sick leave passed on the November ballot, two House firearm proposals advanced from the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee, despite heavy opposition.
House Bill 1175 revives the Second Amendment Preservation Act that the courts struck down as unconstitutional last year. The other, House Bill 328, permits firearms on public transit and 18 year-olds to apply for a conceal and carry permit. During the hearing on April 22, I asked the bill sponsor if he had spoken to any bus riders for input, had supporting documentation to demonstrate how this bill will make our public transit safer or knew how many Missourians were injured on public transit each year. I still haven’t received these statistics. I would have rather spent this valuable time passing beneficial policies to help Missourians, not just beating the same drum.
On April 23, the minority party had to return to the defensive line to protect funding for diversity, equity and inclusion in state departments. From my discussions with them, it’s unlikely that the sponsors of legislation like House Bill 742 have experienced the situations that invoked these policies or spoken with stakeholders or populations that would be negatively impacted by the proposal, such as programs for the disabled, the elderly and rural communities. That same day, we once again had to stand for the voters decision regarding minimum wage and sick leave as House Bill 567, the effort to overturn the approved Proposition A, came up for debate on the floor. Luckily, both of these bills were laid over. However, I am doubtful it is the last we’ll see of these proposals before May 16.
On a positive note, the companion bill to my Missouri Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, or CROWN Act took a step forward on April 24 and was heard by the Senate General Laws Committee. In addition to prohibiting hair-based discrimination in public and charter schools, House Bill 937 strengthens school districts’ antisemitism policies. I remain cautiously optimistic that this proposal, my advancing Senate Bill 38 or both will reach the governor’s desk this session.
Before we adjourned for Easter break, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted to pass all of the appropriations bills under consideration. The May 9 deadline is quickly approaching to have the operating budget for fiscal year 2026 balanced and sent to the governor, and I believe the Senate will debate these bills on the floor next week.
A Glorious Day with AKA
On April 23, I had the great honor and privilege of welcoming some of my sorors from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated to Jefferson City for their annual day of advocacy. I always love seeing the halls and steps of the Capitol filled with pink and green suits and the spirit of these fine leaders. I have been a proud member of this distinguished sorority since my college days, and visiting with these powerful women during this annual reunion is one of the highlights of my year.
News for the 9th
Updates to Social Security Identity Requirements
The Social Security Administration is taking a proactive steps to enhance the security of services by implementing stronger identify verification procedures. Under the updated policy, individuals who cannnot use a personal “My Social Security” account to apply for benefits may complete their claim entirely over the telephone or schedule an appointment at a branch office. You will need to prove your identity at a Social Security office if applying for retirement, survivors or auxilllary benefits. Call 800-722-1213 to schedule an appointment.
Please share the community event flyers below!
Senator Washington’s Sponsored Legislation for 2025
Bill Number | Description | Status |
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for feminine hygiene products. | Hearing conducted 3.4, Economic and Workforce Development | |
The Missouri CROWN Act prohibits hair-based discrimination in publicly-funded educational institutions. | Passed 4.23, House Rules | |
Expands and diversifies the Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board. | Referred to Government Efficiency | |
Creates the offense of unlawful possession of a handgun for a minor. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Modifies provisions relating to the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development | Passed 3.12 Economic and Workforce Development | |
Authorizes a tax credit for qualified providers of employment, employment services or housing for homeless persons. | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | |
Authorizes a tax credit for providing housing assistance to victims of domestic violence. | Passed 2.25 Progress and Development Committee | |
Modifies provisions relating to emergency medical services | Hearing conducted 3.25 Emerging Issues | |
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 provisions relating to offenses against employees of election authorities. | Referred to Local Government, Elections and Pension. | |
Enacts provisions relating to health insurance coverage of maternity services to include midwifery. | Referred to Insurance and Banking | |
Designates every Feb. 20 as John Donaldson Day to honor Missouri native and Negro Leagues Baseball star pitcher. | Added to SB 348, Passed on April 9, House Special Committee on Tourism | |
Establishes May 8 each year as Amyloidosis Awareness Day in Missouri. | Added to SB 348, passed on 4.9, House Special Committee on Tourism | |
Modifies provisions relating to the offense of filing false documents. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Requires public and charter schools to provide free feminine hygiene products to female students in grades 4-12. | Referred to Education | |
Creates provisions relating to lactating public and charter school students. | Referred to Education | |
Requires schools that receive state funds to give excused absences for attending scheduled elections with their parents. | Hearing conducted 3.4 Education | |
Requires school districts and charter schools to offer students who are 17 and ½ years the opportunity to register to vote. | Hearing conducted 3.4 Education | |
Creates a health advocate program at the Department of Health and Senior Services for eligible pregnant patients. | Referred to Families, Seniors and Health | |
Modifies provisions relating to restitution for individuals who are actually innocent and exonerated based on evidence other than DNA. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to use of marijuana by family court participants. | Referred to Families, Seniors and Health | |
Authorizes a tax credit for first time home buyers to purchase eligible blighted property. | Referred to Economic and Workforce Development | |
Provides that no person, corporation, or other entity in Missouri shall manufacture, import, possess, purchase, sell or transfer any assault weapon or large capacity magazine. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Designates Officer James Muhlbauer K-9 Officer Champ Memorial Bridge in Jackson County. | Hearing conducted 3.4, Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Modifies provisions relating to closed criminal records. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Creates that eligible offenses be automatically expunged without petition. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to earned discharge from probation. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Designates every Nov. 9 as Links, Incorporated Day in Missouri | Added to SB 348, passed on 4.9, House Special Committee on Tourism | |
Creates a DWI diversion program. | Hearing conducted 2.26 Judiciary | |
Creates provisions relating to parole eligibility after serving 30 years or more of a sentence. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Reduces the term of probation for a misdemeanor violation from 2 years to 18 months and removes the drug and alcohol screening for certain offenses. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Modifies provisions relating to legal representation for certain court proceedings involving children. | Referred to Families, Seniors and Health | |
Prohibits removing registered voters from the Missouri Voter Registration System unless the voter has not voted in the previous five calendar years or met other criteria. | Referred to Local Government, Elections and Pensions | |
Includes CLASS EA – esthetics and manicuring as a new classification for 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 carrying concealed firearms in public libraries. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Modifies continuing education requirements for peace officers. | Referred to Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety | |
Authorizes a sales tax exemption for feminine hygiene product for all purchases made by qualifying organizations. | Referred Economic and Workforce Development | |
Designates the Kansas City Chiefs as the official professional football team of Missouri. | Hearing conducted 4.1, Progress and Development | |
Temporarily extends the hours which liquor may be sold by the drink during the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament. | Referred to General Laws | |
Establishes the Missouri Entertainment Facility – Capital Assistance Program | Referred Economic and Workforce Development | |
Requires the agriculture education pilot program to be implemented at all elementary schools statewide | Referred to Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources | |
Places limits on increases in the assessment of certain properties, pending voter approval. | Referred to Judiciary | |
Eliminates the statute of limitations for civil actions based on certain sexual offenses. | Referred to 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!