Keep track of what is going on in Jefferson City!

Take a moment out of your busy day to read my Weekly Capitol Report. My office puts this newsletter together especially for my constituents so you can read what is happening in our state's capitol. There will be an in-depth look at pressing issues, interactions with constituents, and events both here in Jefferson City and back home. If you have questions, comments, or even information you want included in the report, please contact my office!

The General Assembly is spending quite a bit of time this Session on ethics reform, and I believe this bill is a necessity. In order for this reform to be taken as seriously as it should be, then the legislative body should hold all lobbying activities to the same standard, regardless of industry. HB 2250 has completed its public hearing; the next step is an executive session within the committee to determine if it should be heard on the House Floor. Stay tuned for more updates on this and other pieces of legislation that I am sponsoring!

Missouri House Approves Legislation to Provide Affordable Access to Cutting Edge Medications (HB 1366 & 1878)


I was proud to present HB 2250 to the Committee on Workforce Standards and Development. This legislation would repeal provisions that exempt any member of a union having to register as a lobbyist within five days of beginning lobbyist activities.

I was proud to present HB 2250 to the Committee on Workforce Standards and Development. This legislation would repeal provisions that exempt any member of a union having to register as a lobbyist within five days of beginning lobbyist activities.

Members of the Missouri House of Representatives gave near-unanimous approval to legislation that would proactively update Missouri's pharmaceutical laws to keep pace with the rapidly advancing technological developments available in health care. The goal of the bill is to give Missourians better, more affordable access to interchangeable biological products, which are similar in nature to the generic versions of traditional medications. These products are used in the treatment of chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and various forms of cancer.

Missouri law currently allows for the safe substitution of generic medications, but the law does not allow for the substitution of biological drug products. The legislation approved by the House would simply update Missouri's law to allow for the safe substitution of interchangeable biosimilar medications. It's a move that 20 states have already made to improve access to these affordable medications that have been proven to be safe by rigorous FDA testing.

Supporters of the bill said it will give Missourians access to the least expensive versions of the medications they need. They pointed out that approximately 40 biological medications are currently in development and that it is important to ensure Missourians will have access to these medications. They also noted the move would generate approximately $12 million in savings for the state.

Continuing the Fight against Human Traffickers (HB 1562)


The House also took time this week to give overwhelming approval to legislation designed to help stop the multi-billion dollar criminal industry of human trafficking. The legislation would expand the crime of sexual trafficking of a child to include the advertisement of a child participating in a commercial sexual act. Similar to the federal SAVE Act that is now law, the legislation would give law enforcement another tool to investigate and prosecute those who knowingly advertise the victims of sex trafficking.

While Missouri doesn't have an enormous number of trafficking incidents, the City of St. Louis is one of the top 20 trafficking cities in the country according to the F.B.I. Furthermore, this modern form of slavery is widespread throughout the country and leads to thousands of men, women and children being exploited and forced into prostitution each year.

Fortunately, Missouri has been proactive in its approach to stop traffickers. It was in 2004 that Missouri became one of the first states in the nation to put sex trafficking laws in place. And just last year the General Assembly approved legislation to create a task force to study additional ways to strengthen Missouri's laws to further crack down on traffickers. The task force traveled around the state gathering information and then worked together to formulate solutions that would allow the state to better protect the lives of the innocent.

The bill approved by the House this week is an important part of the comprehensive approach the legislature wants to take to fight human trafficking in Missouri. As the sponsor of the bill said, "We may have partisan fights on issues like the budget, taxes, and education, but when it comes to trafficking, we don't fight each other. We fight the traffickers; as one. It's us against them. And we will win."

House Approves Legislation to Protect Mental Health Professionals from Continued Lawsuits (HB 1619)

House members gave approval to legislation meant to clarify Missouri law to protect mental health professionals from limitless liability for malpractice claims. The bill would establish a two-year statute of limitations for actions against a mental health professional for malpractice, negligence, error, or mistake.

HB 1619 is identical to legislation filed during the 2015 session that received near-unanimous approval in the House and committee approval in the Senate, but failed to cross the legislative finish line before the Senate became gridlocked in a filibuster in the final week of session. Supporters hope to push the bill into law in 2016 to give mental health professionals peace of mind that they will not be subjected to lawsuits years later in retirement.

The sponsor of the bill noted during floor debate that mental health providers were meant to fall under the same statute of limitations as other health care providers, but the law was never updated to reflect that fact. He said that as things currently stand, mental health providers have to keep costly malpractice insurance until the day they die. The legislation approved by the House would allow mental health professionals to retire without fear of costly lawsuits or the need to constantly pay for insurance.

House Advances Legislation to Promote Mental Health for Medical Students (HB 1658)

The Missouri House of Representatives this week sent legislation to the Senate that would create the Show-Me Compassionate Medical Education Act. The bill is designed to raise awareness about the high rate of depression and suicide among medical students, and promote research on the issue. The sponsor of the bill told his colleagues that medical students are often hesitant to seek help out of fear that it could hurt their careers.

The bill approved by the House would create the Show-Me Compassionate Medical Education Research Project Committee to collaborate with medical schools to conduct a study on how to reduce medical student depression and suicide. The legislation also would designate August 28 as Show-Me Compassionate Medical Education Day in Missouri. The day is designed to encourage Missourians to participate in activities and events to increase awareness regarding the metal well-being of medical students.

House Committee Considers Cronkite New Voices Act to Ensure the Free Speech Rights of Student Journalists (HB 2058)

The House Emerging Issues Committee approved legislation designed to better protect the free speech rights of student journalists. The Cronkite New Voices Act is meant to ensure high school and college student reporters will be able to do their jobs without fear of censorship from administrators or teachers.

The bill, which is modeled after a law passed in North Dakota, would prevent school authorities from exercising prior restraints over student media except when they are about to publish libelous or slanderous material, invade privacy, violate state or federal law or incite students to create a clear and present danger to the institution. It also would restrict authorities from disciplining student journalists or controlling their activities outside of school.

As the sponsor of the bill said, "Missouri is the home of one of the world's most famous and iconic journalists in Walter Cronkite, but also the home of the Hazelwood decision that saw the rights of student journalists suppressed. My hope is that we can reestablish Missouri as a place that supports the freedom of the press, and protects the rights of high school and college student journalists."

Student journalist Tim Tai, whose First Amendment rights were violated by faculty and students at the University of Missouri, attended the hearing to testify in support of the bill. He was joined by student free speech advocate Cathy Kuhlmeier Frey, who also testified in support of the bill. The legislation also has received the support of the Missouri Journalism Education Association, the Missouri Press Association and the Missouri College Media Association.

Services Offered By My Office

Please use this resource guide if you need any information about Resolutions, Certificates, office visits, or constituent concerns. My Legislative Assistant Deborah will be happy to help you!

Requesting a Courtesy Resolution

Courtesy resolutions can be requested for many reasons including, but not limited to, an Anniversary, Birth, Eagle Scout Award, Marriage, Birthday, Business Opening, Special Award, Retirement, or Sports. Please do not hesitate to contact my office should you like to request a Courtesy Resolution. If you would like to have me personally present the Courtesy Resolution, please call my office and my assistant will be happy to work with you to schedule for this. My office number is 573-751-4085.

Scheduling a Visit with Me Back in the District

I always enjoy visiting with my constituents in the 151st District. Some of my favorite groups are school aged children but I also enjoy meeting with every age group! If you would like to schedule a visit with me, please call my office at 573-751-4085 and my assistant Debby will be happy to work with you to arrange a time for us to visit. Visits can include reading and talking with school children, visiting retirement centers, visiting non-profit groups, businesses, coffee talks, and more.

Visiting the Jefferson City and the Capitol

Even though we are out of session from June to December, any time of the year is a great time to visit the Capitol. The building is a beautiful place to visit and my assistant will be happy to arrange a tour for you while you are in Jefferson City. There are many interesting places to visit during your visit to our state Capitol. A great way to get to Jefferson City is via Amtrak if driving is not possible or challenging. Visitors can tour the Missouri Supreme Court, Old Missouri State Penitentiary, the Missouri Military History Museum, the Missouri State Highway Patrol Museum, and more.

Missouri and United States Flags

If you know of a school, retirement center, non-profit group, or someone else that is in need of a flag, please contact my office at 573-751-4085 and we will arrange to have a new flag sent or delivered to them.

Scheduling Class or Large Group Visits at the Capitol

If your school is planning on traveling to the Capitol between January and May, contact my Capitol office as soon as you know a date to set up the tour, as things become busy very quickly during the session. Tours of the Governor's Mansion and Capitol fill up rapidly with schools from all over Missouri, so, the sooner, the better. It is best to set up your school visits or large group visits at least 6 months out if possible. If this is not possible, contact my office and we will try very hard to see what we can arrange for you, rest assured, not all will be lost though, there are plenty of self-guided tours and other sites to visit. If you are planning a visit during the Interim Period, June through December, please let my office know. If I am in Jefferson City during your visit, I would enjoy getting to visit with you and showing you the Capitol!

Service Member and Veterans Services

Enough cannot be said of the sacrifices our brave men and women of the Armed Forces make for our freedoms every day, both at home and abroad. The Missouri Veterans Commission has put together a guide for Missouri resources for military service members and their families with contacts for local VA Hospitals and Centers, the American Legion, the VFW, the other resources for our veterans. To request one, please contact my office at 573-751-4085 and we will be more than happy to provide you with a copy of this helpful guide.

Our mailing address is:

201 West Capitol Avenue

Room 116-1

State Legislators Go Red to Raise Awareness of Heart Disease The Missouri State Capitol was colored in red Wednesday, February 3 as legislators and staff came together to observe the American Heart Association's "Wear Red Day". The day, which is designed to raise awareness of the rate of heart disease in women, was started in 2003 and has become an annual event in the Missouri General Assembly. While many think of heart disease as a man's disease, the truth is that heart disease and stroke kill one out of every 3 women. Awareness is crucial because 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented with education and lifestyle changes. Members and staff of the House and Senate come together each year to do their part to make women aware of the simple changes they can make to promote a healthier and longer life.

State Legislators Go Red to Raise Awareness of Heart Disease The Missouri State Capitol was colored in red Wednesday, February 3 as legislators and staff came together to observe the American Heart Association's "Wear Red Day". The day, which is designed to raise awareness of the rate of heart disease in women, was started in 2003 and has become an annual event in the Missouri General Assembly. While many think of heart disease as a man's disease, the truth is that heart disease and stroke kill one out of every 3 women. Awareness is crucial because 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented with education and lifestyle changes. Members and staff of the House and Senate come together each year to do their part to make women aware of the simple changes they can make to promote a healthier and longer life.

Jefferson City, MO 65101