Missouri Senate opens day, introduces bills on pediatric obesity coverage, paid leave and specialty license plates
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Summary
Senators introduced a broad slate of bills including measures to require insurance coverage for certain obesity treatments, create professional sports special license plates for the Kansas City Current, and a proposed Missouri earned Medical Leave Act guaranteeing 30 days of paid leave for long-term employees; committee reports recommending passage were also presented.
The Missouri Senate convened and introduced a package of bills on health coverage, workforce supports and commemorations, including a detailed explanation from sponsors of several substantive proposals.
Senator Lewis described Senate Bill 1606 as a response to pediatric obesity, calling it "a chronic, complex disease impacting approximately 1 in 5 Missouri children" and said the bill would require insurance coverage for a range of evidence-based interventions, from family-centered behavioral therapy and medication to metabolic surgery for adolescents. Lewis also explained Senate Bill 1607 would allow the Kansas City Current to design a special professional-sports license plate, citing the team’s community investments and the opening of CPKC Stadium.
Senator McCreery introduced Senate Bill 1614, the Missouri earned Medical Leave Act, saying the proposal would guarantee workers who have been employed at least one year up to 30 days of wage replacement to care for a new child or respond to a medical emergency. McCreery told the Senate employees would contribute a portion of their annual salary to fund the program; the bill’s text and funding mechanism were presented as part of the sponsor’s explanation.
Senator Washington had a block of bills read into the record (S.B. 1608–1612) addressing a tax credit for contributions to certain youth police initiatives, changes to unemployment-benefits eligibility, supports for homeless pupils through the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, urban farming apprenticeships, and liaisons for vulnerable students at public institutions of higher education. Senator Moseley introduced S.B. 1613 recognizing Frankie Muse Freeman Day. Multiple standing committees then reported recommending that several bills be considered the same and pass, with committee chairs submitting written reports to the body.
Before adjournment, the Senate recognized guests Joycelyn Norton and Tyree Bluford, student leaders with JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates). The Senate approved the journal by voice vote after a motion by the Senator from Platt and later adopted a motion to adjourn until Monday, Feb. 2 at 4 p.m.
No final floor votes on the newly read bills were recorded during this session; the measures were entered on the daily calendar or referred to appropriate committees as noted in committee reports and referrals.