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Hello Colleagues,
We are well into session and are working hard for you in Jefferson City! Below, find some of the work being done by NASW-MO’s lobbying team. NASW-MO is still active in the Capitol representing social work, your clients, and Missouri’s most vulnerable. Consider getting involved in the following ways!
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Stay informed about bills in Missouri by signing up for VoterVoice on the NASW-MO website. This powerful tool also lets you search for bills by topic (try searching “Medicaid” or “gender”) and find your elected officials. Fill in your address information to ensure action alerts related to your specific legislators are sent to you!
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Attend our Legislative Advocacy calls (click here for the Zoom link) on the 1st
and 3rd Fridays of the month, from 12-12:30 pm.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES!
Anti-Poverty Efforts
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Create a series of tax credits to spur investment in childcare to improve access and affordability. HB 269, sponsored by Representative Brenda Shields (R-St. Joseph), passed the House Economic Development Committee and now moves to a Rules Committee.
- NASW MO supported this bill in committee.
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Reinstate the ability of individuals with felony drug convictions to access SNAP benefits. HB 916, sponsored by Representative Chad Perkins (R-Bowling Green), was heard in the House Corrections and Public Safety Committee.
- NASW MO supported this bill in committee.
Children and Youth
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Ensure children in the foster care system receive the benefit of any social security benefits they are eligible for. HB 737, sponsored by Representative Melissa Schmidt (R-Eldridge), passed the House and now moves to the Senate for consideration.
- NASW MO supported this language in committee.
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Prohibit educational institutions from discriminating based on hair texture or protective hairstyles. HB 284, sponsored by Representative Raychel Proudie (D-St. Louis), passed the House Urban Issues Committee. SB 38, sponsored by Senator Barbara Washington (D-Kansas City), passed the Senate Progress and Development Committee.
- NASW MO supported this bill in committee.
Health and Behavioral Health
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Streamline the prior authorization process for healthcare providers to simplify patients’ access to care. HB 618, sponsored by Representative Melanie Stinnett (R-Springfield), was heard in the House Insurance Committee. SB 230, sponsored by Senator Ben Brown (R-St. Louis), will be heard in the Senate Insurance Committee on February 18.
- NASW MO supported this bill in committee.
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Require insurers cover to non-opioid alternatives for pain management for patients who are at risk for opioid misuse. HB 804, sponsored by Representative Melanie Stinnett (R-Springfield), was heard in the House Insurance Committee. SB 158 will be heard in the Senate Insurance Committee on February 18.
- NASW MO supported this bill in committee.
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Codify the ability of providers to deliver audio-only telehealth services when appropriate. SB 94, sponsored by Senator Patty Lewis (D-Kansas City), passed the Senate Families, Seniors, and Health Committee. HB 825, sponsored by Representative Melanie Stinnett (R-Springfield), passed the House Health and Mental Health Committee.
- NASW MO supported this bill in committee.
Human Rights
- Senator Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville) offered an amendment on SB 10 to make Missouri’s restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors permanent. Currently, the statute barring minors’ access to puberty blockers and hormone therapy expires in 2027. This amendment was adopted by a 22-8 vote. Several members of the Senate Democrat caucus spoke against the language and the bill was laid over. This means it can be taken up for debate later.
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NASW MO opposes this language. To reference the full list of bills filed impacting the LGBT community, please reference NASW’s full bill tracking list.
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