Voting Rights

Bill #: ΗΒ 1445

LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill.

Short Description: Makes Election Day a state holiday and requires colleges & universities to be closed that day unless serving as a polling place.

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a hearing on Monday, April 15 @ 4:30 PM

in the House Elections and Elected Officials Committee. 

Talking points:  

• An election day holiday facilitates voting

• For college students, a holiday will also facilitate voting, especially for those whose place of voting is not near the campus

Link to the summary of the bill: Summary of HB 1445

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Submit testimony here

LWV Position: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that voting is a fundamental citizen right that must be guaranteed. (LWVUS Impact on Issues); Support measures that facilitate participation in the election process. (LWVMO Guide to State Action, p 13)

Health Care

Bill #: HB 1793

LWVMO FOR INFORMATION ONLY.

Short Description: Allows employees to take unpaid leave from work to attend mental health appointments.

• Employees shall be entitled for at least one mental health appointment leave per week

• Information provided to the employee shall be retained in the strictest possible confidence by the employer

• Employers must annually notify employees of the requirements set forth in this bill

Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a hearing on Monday, April 15 at 12:00 PM in the House Health and Mental Health Policy Committee.

Link to the summary of the bill: Summary of HB 1793

Firearms

Bill #: HCS HB 1440

LWVMO OPPOSES this bill.

Short Description: This bill allows designated school personnel the authority to carry a weapon on school grounds if they have obtained a concealed carry endorsement or permit.

Status of the Bill: Placed on the House Formal Perfection Calendar, Monday April 15.

Talking points:  

• Law enforcement agencies oppose arming school personnel; first responders will not be able to distinguish between the attacker and armed school staff when attempting to secure the premises (ACLU)

• Mass shootings have occurred where armed police officers with much more training than an armed  teacher, were on duty (ACLU)

• 1.6 million children attend public schools that have police officers but no counselors (US Dept of Education)

• Studies show people are much more likely to be shot when guns are more readily available and fall into the wrong hands (ACLU)

• Seven-in-ten teachers say this would not be very or at all effective (PEW)

Link to the summary of the bill: Summary of HCS HB 1440

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Contact your Representative and tell them you oppose this bill.  Look up your representative HERE.

Links to further reading: https://www.acluwv.org/en/news/four-reasons-why-arming-schoolteachers-wont-make-schools-safer

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/04/11/about-1-in-4-us-teachers-say-their-school-went-into-a-gun-related-lockdown-in-the-last-school-year/?utm_source=pocket-newtab-en-us

LWV Position: Protect the health and safety of citizens through limiting the accessibility of guns. Supports regulating firearms for consumer safety. (LWVMO Guide to State Action, p10, Gun Policy).

Social Justice

Bill #:  SB969

LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill.

Short Description:  Prohibits discrimination on the basis of hair texture and protective hairstyles in any program or activity conducted by educational institutions that receive or benefit from state financial assistance or state student financial aid. This bill is similar to  HCS HBS 1900, 1591 & 2515.

Status of the Bill: Placed on the Senate Formal Perfection Calendar.

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

• Only Black people in this country are shamed and punished for wearing hairstyles consistent with their natural hair

• Black Missourians are 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: Summary of SB969 here  

Call to action:

5 for Democracy: Contact your Senator and tell them you support this bill.  Look up your Senator HERE.

Links to further reading: 

MO has yet to pass the CROWN Act to ban hair discrimination; When CROWN Acts stall in states

LWV Position: The League supports federal efforts to prevent and/or remove discrimination in education, employment, and housing and to help communities bring about racial integration of their school systems. (Equality of Opportunity, p. 122)