Social Justice

Bill #: SB 969

LWVMO SUPPORTS

Short Description:  Creates the “Missouri Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (Missouri CROWN) Act, which governs discriminatory practices as they relate to protective hairstyles.  

Status of the Bill: Hearing scheduled In the Senate for Wednesday, February 28, at 12:00 PM in the Senate Progress and Development Committee.

Talking points:  

• Workplaces or schools are still able to discriminate against a person because of their natural or protective hairstyle

• Hair discrimination remains a source of racial injustice with serious economic consequences for Black people

• People should not be singled out and shamed and punished for wearing hairstyles consistent with their natural hair

• Black Missourians are often denied employment opportunities, unfairly targeted in education, and deprived of their dignity through dress code policies and concepts like ‘professionalism’ set by employers and institutions designed to discriminate against Black people

Link to the summary of the bill: SB 969

Call to action:

5 for Democracy:  Senate hearings only allow in person testimony.  Contact the members of the committee and tell them you support SB 969  HERE.

Links to further reading: KCUR Crown Act     PBS

LWV Position: 

LWV is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice to all persons, regardless of their race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or disability.  (LWVMO Guide to State Action, p. 51)

Firearms

Bill #: HCS HB 1708

LWVMO OPPOSES

Short Description: Allows concealed carry permit holders to carry firearms on public transportation and in churches; removes ban on eligibility for a permit if applicant has pled guilty to misdemeanor offenses involving crimes of violence; lowers the age requirement for concealed carry permits. This bill was removed from consideration for a short time after the shooting in Kansas City.  It is back for consideration. 

Status of the Bill:  Placed on the House Formal Perfection Calendar, February 26.

Talking points:  

• "...the Second Amendment right is not unlimited. It is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose…” (Former Supreme Court Justice Scalia, 2008 DC vs. Heller)

• With a rate of 22.3 deaths per 100,000 people, Missouri has the 7th-highest rate of gun deaths in the US.  (CDC)

• Guns are the number one killer of children in America and the leading cause of death among children & teens in MO. (MOMS Demand Action)

• Gun deaths & injuries cost MO $17.6 billion each year, $455.3 million paid by taxpayers. (EveryStat.org, March 2023)

Link to the summary of the bill: HCS HB 1708

Call to action:

5 for Democracy:  Contact your representative and tell them to oppose this bill.  Find your legislator HERE.

LWV Position: Protect the health and safety of citizens through limiting the accessibility of guns. Supports regulating firearms for consumer safety. (Impact on Issues, p. 153)

Health Care

Bill #:  HB 14212 and HB 1873

LWVMO SUPPORTS

Short Description:  Modifies the definition of "telehealth" to include audiovisual and audio-only technologies.

Status of the Bills:  Scheduled for Executive Session on Monday, February 26 at 12:00 PM in the House Health and Mental Health Policy Committee.

Talking points:

• Health care providers shall not be limited in their choice of which electronic platforms are used to deliver services provided that services delivered are in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996  

• Cost effective means to treat a range of health concerns  

• Beneficial to people with disabilities given transportation challenges and other barriers traveling to health visits

Link to the summary of the bills: HB 1421 HB1873

Call to action:

5 for Democracy:  Contact committee members and tell them you support these bills HERE.

LWV Position: The League of Women Voters believes that a basic level of quality health care at an affordable cost should be available to all US residents.  (Impact on Issues, p. 137)

Education

Bill #: SB 1051

LWVMO OPPOSES 

Short Description: This act establishes the “Public School Open Enrollment Act” that will enable students to transfer from their resident district to a nonresident district.

Status of the Bill: Voted Do Pass out of the Senate Select Committee on Empowering Missouri Parents and Children Committee.

Talking points:  

• Allows non-resident pupils to transfer to charter schools as well as to other school districts 

• Concerns with public school choice plans using state funding as they may harm students and our public schools unless essential criteria are in place for implementing, monitoring and evaluating their effectiveness  

• Experience from other states has shown that open enrollment, particularly if it includes charter schools, tends to further increase segregation

• Harmful to both the sending and receiving public schools 

Link to the summary of the bill: SB 1051. 

Call to action:

5 for Democracy:  Contact your senator and tell them you oppose SB 1051.  Find your senator HERE.

Links to further reading: Information from LWVMO Legislative Bulletin regarding Open Enrollment.

LWV Position: Support public schools that have accountability and transparency in matters of governance, accreditation, and funding. Oppose charter school expansion until such time as the same standards are applied to all schools receiving public funding. (Guide to State Action, p. 52)

Reproductive Rights

Bill #: SCS/SBs 1168 & 810;  HCS HB 1563

LWVMO OPPOSES

Short Description:  No public funds shall be expended to any abortion facility, or affiliate or associate thereof, including for MO HealthNet reimbursement.

Status of the Bill: SCS/SBs 1168 & 810 has been placed on the Senate Informal Perfection Calendar for Monday, February 26. HCS HB 1563 was placed back on the House Formal Perfection Calendar.

Talking points:  

• Patients with Medicaid will have no place to receive care because there are not enough providers who accept Medicaid

• Indigent people who count on Medicaid will be denied necessary healthcare

• Planned Parenthood does not provide abortions in MO but it provides necessary healthcare such as contraception, std testing and treatment, etc.

• This bill would not allow Medicaid patients to get treatment at PP because it has affiliates in other states that provide abortion care

Link to the summary of the bill: SCS/SBS 1168 & 810;  HCS HB 1563

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Contact your State Senator or House Representative to tell them you oppose these bills using the form on the legislator’s website.  Look up your Senator HERE.

LWV Position: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that public policy in a pluralistic society must affirm the constitutional right of privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices.