Jill Carter offers updates on sexual exploitation, drug cost transparency bills

(From Sen. Jill Carter, R-Granby)

Week one of the Missouri General Assembly is in the history books. A record-breaking number of new provision and laws have been filed.

1,352 House bills
713 Senate bills

113 SJR’s (proposed ballot initiatives to go before the voters)

The State of the State address on Tuesday kicked off the Govenor’s state budget priorities, and now the budget committee begins meeting with Directors and Departments. That will be an ongoing priority that will largely come from the House.

Two of our priority bills are scheduled for hearings: the first one dealing with criminal offensives for sexual exploitation, grooming and trafficking had a hearing in the House that lasted 4 hours with an abundance of overwhelming testimony in behalf of the bill that was both heartbreaking to listen to and somewhat healing to the victims. 

The committee gave their full attention to those who came to testify, and even this legislation to protect our children is long overdue, and the stories and momentum for this is largely coming from our community- our citizens who we partnered with to make this a priority. 

The second bill that is important to our area is the Prescription Benefit Manager (PBM Bill) that calls for more transparency in drug costs. Just today, Attorney General Hanaway filed a suit against Pharmacy Benefit Mangers insulin pricing schemes. Senate bill 984 that would give consumers transparency was filled after a casual stop into Mitchell’s Pharmacy. 

That stop was the beginning of what would become more conversations, more visits, and a partnership with other local pharmacists by the independent pharmacists in our area that brought this to my attention. The work to transform conversations into policy is the magic of our form of government, where you are included in priorities and have a seat at the table.

The beginning of session often feels like the first days of the new school year. I’m optimistic with our community engaging more in the legislative process that more good things will follow. Thank you for your prayers for our community, state and national leaders.