3.6.2023
Advocacy Alert & Update
Actions Needed NOW!
Greetings!

In the Senate, the Senate General Laws Committee will hear the Missouri Non Discriminations Act, we continue to track the same bills we have highlighted in the previous weeks; and the House is considering bills that would make DEI training in healthcare instruction illegal. Actions are indicated in yellow below.

Missouri Senate:

The Senate General Laws Committee will hear the Missouri Non-Discrimination Act on Wednesday, March 8 at 8:00 a.m. which will end discrimination against people who identify as LGBTQ. This is the first time this bill has been heard in several years.

Four bills are poised for floor debate. If you have not taken action yet, please contact your Senators and ask them to oppose these bills. We expect these bills to discussed this week before legislative Spring Break.



  • Contact your Senator and tell them to vote no on SB 134, the "Don't Say Gay" bill, which impacts teachers' and counselors' ability to discuss gender issues with their students, which will come up for debate by the Senate.
  • Review this email by MOEEP which provides further details and talking points.


Missouri House:

The House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee met last week to discuss the Forced Out Bill - HB 634 (Kelley, A). This bill has provisions that will harm kids while purporting to protect them: forced outing, possible prohibitions against counselors talking to them and prohibitions against wellness questionnaires. Over 35 people testified against this legislation and only two people testified in support.
 
The House Special Committee on Government Accountability heard two bills on March 6 that will prohibit healthcare-related required DEI instruction for any post secondary education coursework, certification and licensure, including medical licenses.


Our friends at the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition still need election protection volunteers for the March 7 St. Louis City primaries. See below for more information.

Join me in Jefferson City on March 8 in support of Clean Slate Expungement. More information is available below.

Thank you for your advocacy.
Cheryl Adelstein
Deputy Director
Upcoming JCRC Programs
Election Protection Volunteers Needed 
St. Louis City Primary - Tuesday, March 7
 
The Missouri Voter Protection Coalition is seeking individuals to serve as Election Protection Volunteers at selected City of St. Louis polling locations.
 
Information about training & supply pickup as well as links to important information about this primary will be sent to the email address you use for the signup.
Upcoming Lobby Days

Lobby days are a great way to engage with legislators and staff on issues important to you, and learn your way around the Capitol.
Moms Demand Action State-Wide Advocacy Day
Wednesday, March 7 | 10 AM
Missouri State Capitol, Jefferson City, MO
Hosted by Mom's Demand Action
Clean Slate Expungement Lobby Day
Wednesday, March 8 | 11 AM-3 PM
Missouri State Capitol, Jefferson City, MO
Missouri Faith Voices
Wednesday, March 28| 11 AM - 3 PM
First United Methodist Church, Jefferson City, MO
Missouri Faith Voices
For More Information

There are many great resources to keep up-to-date on the issues referenced above. Please check out these links and register for these updates based on your issue preferences.
Changes to the Citizen Initiative Petition and Voting Rights
Criminal Justice Reform Clean Slate Expungement
Protect A Child's Right to Play and Access to Critical Health Care
Medicaid and Other Healthcare and Tax Issues