[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6096439,"mediaKeyId","2833078-090b6a1e56ca49fd1bf8f5182a245f53","parentId",2833078,"title","Senate bill to shield campus belief-based student groups draws sharp debate in committee hearing","audioSeconds",542,"startMs",1163000,"endMs",1705000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2833078-090b6a1e56ca49fd1bf8f5182a245f53&start=1163&end=1705","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2833078-090b6a1e56ca49fd1bf8f5182a245f53/thumbnail_1163000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6096439/Missouri/Senate-bill-to-shield-campus-belief-based-student-groups-draws-sharp-debate-in-committee-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6096439-326f5a3a537980a8df4daee4b7f38639/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763283&Signature=EBSlx-RF3hFP4ZTl~XToBq9BZbOyMZ7LCJ1E1doNM1a3FLUYIhU7SL0GIsIqYyrK9mPyqnWEYxMCrIPlPIcbjA3HDI7d-86Ezszd6GHchaJ7D-ufVjJ0GybrziSL8BJG9YFciGqzVjIgW2YSzyImK-sEQRcNGKu5AYD4oINMaG96HsgsOWrF2pSClpZVWL5iJVxAqnT2y9P27YzWYhoojw7Grc2gVAId~SuiC5BUQWbICRaC09PMLCswFapFyZJf3KbfeahXnDS98A0A3lXtBgiA-FvsaMPpbjfbdaeOqs-wpuW9GKo0FTS08QWlWTTK2YLZcr2mkR~va9fxIpTUdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Missouri Legislature","date","2025-03-31T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Brad Hudson told the House Committee on Emerging Issues he sponsored Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 160 to protect belief-based student associations at public community colleges and technical schools from adverse action by institutions because of an association's beliefs or leaders' actions.

\"Specifically, these institutions shall not deny a belief based student association such as a political, ideological, or religious association any benefits that are available to other student groups,\" Hudson said during opening remarks. He described the bill as a codification of existing First Amendment protections and said it would reduce litigation risk for colleges.

Debate during the hearing focused on the tension between viewpoint protections and concerns about discriminatory or harassing conduct. Hudson and witnesses for the bill repeatedly cited U.S. Supreme Court and federal case law, including Healy v. James and Rosenberger v. University of Virginia, as legal guardrails reflected in the proposed text. In his presentation Hudson said a senate amendment (page 3, lines 33–41) had been added to clarify that the statute would not protect groups whose viewpoint or conduct would \"cause a material and substantial disruption to the educational environment.\"

Supporters included Lance Kinzer of the First Amendment Partnership, representatives of Chi Alpha campus ministry and Alliance Defending Freedom, and testimony stressing the view that viewpoint discrimination by public institutions is constitutionally barred and that codifying that protection avoids costly lawsuits. Chi Alpha's witness described several out-of-state examples of student groups losing recognition or access and urged passage \"from a religious liberty perspective.\" Lance Kinzer and other supporters emphasized three operative provisions in the bill: (1) bans blanket denial of political, ideological or religious groups, (2) forbids viewpoint discrimination, and (3) protects leadership standards for associations.

Opponents — including PROMO, Missouri Equity Education Partnership and other civil-rights witnesses — said the bill's language could be used to excuse discrimination by student groups, warned of harms to protected groups and urged caution. Several committee members asked detailed constitutional and fact-based questions about how the bill would be applied in practice and pressed sponsors for examples and clarifications about the change made in the Senate version.

The transcript shows sustained back-and-forth on whether the bill would allow student groups with \"despicable\" viewpoints to use constitutional precedent to claim recognition, and whether the proposed statutory language is necessary or adds clarity beyond existing case law. No vote on SB 160 was recorded in the transcript; the item proceeded as a public hearing with multiple witnesses for and against.

Authorities and legal precedents cited in the hearing included Healy v. James and Rosenberger v. University of Virginia; senator and witnesses also referenced state-level litigation risk and instances where courts awarded damages to student groups following the denial of recognition.

The committee concluded public testimony after a mix of pro and con witnesses; no committee final action on the substitute was recorded in the meeting transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Emerging Issues - Monday, March 31","oneSentenceSummary","Senator Brad Hudson told the House Committee on Emerging Issues he sponsored Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 160 to protect belief-based student associations at public community colleges and technical schools from adverse action by institutions because of an association's beliefs or leaders' actions.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MO, Missouri","taxId",77693,"location","Missouri","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6096429,"Proposal to require amended birth certificate before changing gender marker on ID draws intense opposition in committee hearing",1792,4698000,6490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2833078-090b6a1e56ca49fd1bf8f5182a245f53&start=4698&end=6490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2833078-090b6a1e56ca49fd1bf8f5182a245f53/thumbnail_4698000.jpg","/articles/6096429/Missouri/Proposal-to-require-amended-birth-certificate-before-changing-gender-marker-on-ID-draws-intense-opposition-in-committee-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6096429-6099c5a72f49b17c7317011e00741bf2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763283&Signature=mnrsH3XBdyfFBK-G09BTnETLiKxl7DOb6NcTic0M3XOpfJs~maoy5ZMMr~235MDik5dWqPM0Ei13j6~U-000TRCvE5gy8gsWpZe8dMKR6y5Pjl20e13AsMSeSIm6YiKDaS4-1wI-dGxvdDsVtf6EUYDBIgeBwkzc3r0DFgR7DOPuo~dQRIQeX8cfgf7pI7k~7hljLrss~zR7j8cKK-9QncbZixizM0WHdB-q5iRUkJ-i9LTXl2vJtcHmGp-vvQEujwdsHUmtHxIq7UWPY2d1PlIWxt4VYUZFTe1c5qxEXi0ykiqnSRAdy7tjF35a4P1k~FLHtW3Jee5O7rLXtFolmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Brandon Phelps presented House Bill 13 62 to the committee and said the bill \"requires that a person seeking to obtain a driver's license, a non‑driver's license or an instructional permit designating a *** other than the applicants biological *** assigned at birth for that person to provide an amended birth certificate that reflects the *** designation being requested.\"

Sponsor and several committee members framed the proposal as a way to align official state-issued documents so a person's birth certificate and a driver's license do not conflict. Representative Phelps and some committee members referenced Department of Revenue processes and recent internal changes to documentation and the removal of an earlier administrative form (form 5532) used to support gender-marker changes; the sponsor said the bill would shift the evidentiary standard to amended birth-certificate documentation obtained via court order or other processes already codified in statute.

The hearing produced extensive testimony in opposition from transgender Missourians and civil-rights groups. Witness Danny Lecio (PROMO) said the measure \"would require someone to amend their birth certificate before they can update their gender marker on their Missouri driver's license\" and added that for people born in states that no longer permit birth-certificate changes, the bill would permanently block access to an accurate Missouri ID. The ACLU of Missouri, Metro Trans Umbrella groups, legal-aid providers and multiple individual witnesses described the measure as an unnecessary barrier that would place at-risk Missourians in daily danger. ACLU witness Jonathan Schmidt called the process \"onerous, time consuming, and potentially expensive\" and emphasized that many transgender or nonbinary people do not have surgical records or cannot obtain amended birth certificates in some jurisdictions.

Witnesses described concrete practical and safety impacts: a pro bono legal volunteer estimated court costs for an adult to obtain a Missouri birth-certificate amendment between roughly $350 and $800 (testimony described cost ranges and barrier to fee waivers); other witnesses cited examples of being harassed, stopped at airports or denied services because their ID did not match how they present. Danny Lecio, a trans man, testified: \"It is not just inconvenient, it is dangerous.\" Several witnesses who are veterans and advocates noted that a significant share of transgender Americans are veterans and said the bill would harm people who have served.

Representative Phelps and some committee members argued the bill would put the onus on courts to amend the birth certificate and would relieve front-line license-bureau staff of making case-by-case determinations about what constitutes sufficient documentation. Committee members pressed the sponsor on how department policy had changed and on whether the bill duplicates existing statute (Representative Phelps cited Missouri statute 193.215 as the process to amend a birth certificate by court order).

The transcript records an extended hearing with numerous witnesses; the committee concluded public testimony that night. No committee vote on House Bill 13 62 is recorded in the transcript.","Representative Brandon Phelps presented House Bill 13 62, which would require an amended birth certificate before a person may change the gender marker on a Missouri driver's license, non‑driver ID or instructional permit.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6096434,"Senate substitute for Crown Act gets unanimous committee support in earlier chamber; hearing held on protecting hairstyles in schools",515,3826000,4341000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2833078-090b6a1e56ca49fd1bf8f5182a245f53&start=3826&end=4341","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2833078-090b6a1e56ca49fd1bf8f5182a245f53/thumbnail_3826000.jpg","/articles/6096434/Missouri/Senate-substitute-for-Crown-Act-gets-unanimous-committee-support-in-earlier-chamber-hearing-held-on-protecting-hairstyles-in-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6096434-1b32ee7d4b9e74bb10ab74f5aaf2993d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763283&Signature=TG4BtqRaYsQg3eNiBlg0iyMwi5-W3wEaGwYXSgDwNYue4~jrGQlkjvud2D~XBbjwt~OC22fWRljICjERiU8aYJl5JS~YYQL-zy80C1VihWd9k6kAvBt9THaTX-WPHGOcoNLQAZeP9fwwITEM-h3yWH8oyniN4l5ypOxycYpxINgbi~ZudTfnlq-7RFqhI-TIDtP0jz3VuxAQMoYqvn5-MP81GIdOyoJUj7kb0s8zPp4cmn7wEpUv8TQCZN2r4wWeIlfzug2dCj9VE8eJBGssEhjWUriv0ihUudwOMRE2O1SVckW1fa3P9BXg96GIGhG1G5aCyVFzoWtJJjPXWDJIQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Barbara Ann Washington presented Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 38, the Missouri Crown Act, to the House Committee on Emerging Issues and described the proposal as a targeted bill to prohibit hairstyle-based discrimination in elementary and secondary educational institutions.

\"Senate Bill 38 is about ensuring that no child in Missouri school is denied the opportunity or dignity because of the way their hair naturally grows or the protective styles they need choose to wear,\" Washington said. She told the committee the bill was narrower than some versions enacted in other states because it covers only elementary and secondary schools, not employment.

Supporters included the Missouri State Conference of the NAACP and the Missouri Equity Education Partnership, both of which testified about students who had been prevented from participating in school activities — from prom to graduation — because of natural or protective hairstyles such as braids, locks and afros. Witness Sharon Goway Jones (Missouri State Conference of the NAACP) told the committee the group had worked on the bill for years and urged passage. David Lee Brush of Missouri Equity Education Partnership described personal experience as a long-time educator seeing hairstyle-based discrimination in schools.

Senator Washington noted that 25 states have enacted versions of the Crown Act and told committee members the measure had previously passed the House in an earlier session. Committee members asked questions about safety exceptions for trade classes and other limited circumstances; Senator Washington said the bill includes safeguards for classroom-safety situations.

The transcript records the committee \"will now enter a public testimony on senate substitute for senate bill 38\" and later that \"seeing no further witnesses that will conclude the hearing on senate substitute for senate bill 38.\" No committee vote on the substitute is recorded in the transcript from this hearing.","Senator Barbara Ann Washington presented Senate Bill 38 (the Missouri Crown Act) to prohibit hairstyle discrimination in K–12 schools; sponsor and supporters described instances where protective hairstyles led to discipline and asked committee to protect students' dignity. Committee took testimony and closed the hearing.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6096444,"Young Springfield resident urges committee to require ADA-compliant playgrounds in House Bill 12 44 hearing",227,571000,798000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2833078-090b6a1e56ca49fd1bf8f5182a245f53&start=571&end=798","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2833078-090b6a1e56ca49fd1bf8f5182a245f53/thumbnail_571000.jpg","/articles/6096444/Missouri/Young-Springfield-resident-urges-committee-to-require-ADA-compliant-playgrounds-in-House-Bill-12-44-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6096444-03a4aef77f234b4e5301ac42e3aef576/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763283&Signature=Jeeo6h5svEn2yrG8JO~Nq9iUQMq7zQS2IEaVfaaMf7vu~Us-8wQfL8PIVpB5X5MoM3GDK6tT3rMzA5bvGCQU7HyFn6D5MaiJInAOVzQmfVdx9FeO4HaXvKxKTc07b~r-DDnVsIYHRoudGYN5wXVvdXvA1yFBOwKXctSL4kHwy1uFKNy~EUrEchsQBiunqodOksqT-8awrbtBFbIgWcXiinX33-c32sWhFyyKc4VUxR~3rtgXD6ntiUarxaLSKZHq1dAinJ0tc2FSI4MXnPZgEnnbmsk5oBJvStmyN7jIhWbSlQTFYdyj4UgOL4M7S4Lap8C1GtQlnB6OxSU-ojpgAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State Representative Rachel Prouty, joined by a constituent who uses a wheelchair, presented House Bill 12 44 to the House Committee on Emerging Issues and asked the committee to require that taxpayer-funded playgrounds meet federal accessibility standards.

\"Simply is just ensuring that all of our state parks and parks built, using taxpayer money in political subdivision, school districts, municipalities, county and things of the like, are up to federal standards as far as the Americans with Disabilities Act,\" Representative Prouty said during the hearing. The bill sponsor said she wanted Missouri law to reflect that commitment so families and children know the state has enacted a clear standard.

A central witness, Izzy Uso of Springfield, described childhood experiences where playground ramps and loose surfaces prevented her wheelchair from reaching equipment. Izzy told the committee: \"House bill 12 44 will make it so kids like me can play with friends.\" Her mother, Becky Uccello, testified the bill \"is a game changer for families like mine\" and emphasized the measure would not force retrofits of existing parks but apply to new construction.

Committee members praised Izzy's testimony. Representative Hausman and Vice Chair Peters each commended the girl's advocacy. Committee staff indicated no opposition had been registered at that time and the hearing concluded with the committee taking testimony for the record; the transcript records the committee \"will now go into public testimony on House Bill\" and then that the committee \"will conclude the hearing on House Bill 12 44.\" No committee vote is recorded in the transcript.

Key details in the hearing: witnesses repeatedly referenced federal disability law and the \"20 10 ADA standards\" as the technical standard to be used in the bill's language; sponsors and witnesses said the bill would not require retrofits of existing playgrounds and emphasized it was aimed at new playgrounds paid for by state and local governments. Supporters argued the bill would reduce everyday access burdens for children and caregivers and make playgrounds safer and more welcoming.

The hearing record does not show a committee action on the bill that evening; the transcript ends the item with the committee concluding the hearing on House Bill 12 44.","State Rep. Rachel Prouty and a young constituent, Izzy Uso, testified in favor of House Bill 12 44, which would require new publicly funded playgrounds to meet federal ADA standards. Supporters said the bill addresses practical access barriers for children who use wheelchairs; no vote was recorded.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6096448,"Committee approves four House committee substitutes in executive session",0,1988000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2833078-090b6a1e56ca49fd1bf8f5182a245f53&start=1988&end=1988","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2833078-090b6a1e56ca49fd1bf8f5182a245f53/thumbnail_1988000.jpg","/articles/6096448/Missouri/Committee-approves-four-House-committee-substitutes-in-executive-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6096448-290cc3a736609860db2f114e6bc43aab/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763283&Signature=ORxHAJYzXFgLp~EvHojd5dkHpeZ2RBjFIIgRqIgbV0oRE-eMYld20tF14pmDEPTVdRaLgI3HLQ9X9l-9vpCdf3QORCY5uQrwPgEiEiNG30YrWxnZG89mTmyUrDchqDzlserHIUjrDSh9UDz1qabPkkGWZjypi-WXNKsAzk4FLg9Bu6RXxrL7qkkNFtSQHG-96EwzzP7T4P3j3p-jXnYFkVvNN1nF6f65EGRmB9sXIoGkrSXqKsAcjw~FxKVQJgKuvX84zAl9HIPODVwQ1jy~M4zNmuZ8wGqsV3Imbgr9Zhn~xmJ2ABbzpUC8bgRgle0b1K~ZLJCsJqS0YV0z00JWKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Emerging Issues adopted House committee substitutes for four bills during the meeting's executive-session portion, chairing members announced after roll calls.

The votes were taken in executive session at the start of the hearing. Committee members moved to adopt substitutes and then to vote the committee substitutes \"do pass.\" The chair called the roll and announced each final tally on the record.

Committee votes recorded in the transcript: By voice and roll call, the committee approved a House Committee substitute combining House Bills 13 89 and 10 40 (substitute ending in .02c), 11 ayes to 1 no. The committee approved the House Committee substitute for House Bill 14 46 by a roll call tally of 9 ayes, 4 noes. The committee approved the House Committee substitute for House Bill 11 90 by a roll call of 13 ayes, 0 noes. The committee approved the House Committee substitute for House Bill 6 62 by a roll call tally of 10 ayes, 3 noes.

The chair stated that the executive-session votes concluded the committee's executive session and that the hearing portion would continue with public testimony. The transcript does not record further on-floor actions for those bills during this hearing; the committee announced each outcome immediately after each roll call.

Votes at a glance:
- House Committee substitute for House Bills 13 89 & 10 40 (rolled together, substitute ending .02c): adopted, 11 ayes, 1 no.
- House Committee substitute for House Bill 14 46 (substitute ending .04c): adopted, 9 ayes, 4 noes.
- House Committee substitute for House Bill 11 90 (amendments rolled and adopted): adopted, 13 ayes, 0 noes.
- House Committee substitute for House Bill 6 62 (substitute ending .01H rolled/adopted): adopted, 10 ayes, 3 noes.

The committee moved from executive session to the public hearing portion of the evening after announcing these outcomes.","In an executive-session portion of the House Committee on Emerging Issues, members adopted House committee substitutes for four bills: House Bills 1389 & 1040 (rolled together), 1446, 1190 and 662. Vote tallies were announced on the record.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate bill to shield campus belief-based student groups draws sharp debate in committee hearing

Proposal to require amended birth certificate before changing gender marker on ID draws intense opposition in committee hearing

Senate substitute for Crown Act gets unanimous committee support in earlier chamber; hearing held on protecting hairstyles in schools

Young Springfield resident urges committee to require ADA-compliant playgrounds in House Bill 12 44 hearing

Committee approves four House committee substitutes in executive session