(From Sen. Bill White, R-Joplin)Legislators began the process of pre-filing bills for consideration during the 2022 legislative session on Dec. 1. I have pre-filed 23 bills to date, but I want to highlight three of my priority pieces of legislation in this report.
The first proposal was filed at the request of the secretary of state to help secure and strengthen our elections. Senate Bill 670 requires all voters to cast a hand-marked paper ballot when voting in elections.
In addition, the legislation allows the secretary of state to audit voter registration records, prohibits any changes to election laws within 26 weeks of a presidential election and ensures automatic vote-counting equipment has no capability for any electronic communications.
The second bill stems from the investigation conducted by the Senate Interim Committee on Medicaid Accountability and Taxpayer Protection, which I chaired, and adds a negligence provision to the state’s current elder and disabled abuse statute. Senate Bill 671 also establishes the Essential Caregiver Program Act, which will allow residents in certain care facilities to designate at least two caregivers who may visit and have physical contact with them during governor-declared states of emergency. This proposal also sets limits on the length of time in-person visitations may be suspended to prevent the devastating instances of separation that occurred during the COVID-19 lockdown, when families were unable to visit their loved ones in residential care facilities.
Once again, I am honored to carry a military affairs bill this session, Senate Bill 882. The measure will establish the Missouri Orange Heart Medal to honor Vietnam veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange during their military service. The measure also outlines school choice opportunities for students of military families and creates a professional licensing informational webpage for current service members, veterans and their spouses.
The second bill stems from the investigation conducted by the Senate Interim Committee on Medicaid Accountability and Taxpayer Protection, which I chaired, and adds a negligence provision to the state’s current elder and disabled abuse statute. Senate Bill 671 also establishes the Essential Caregiver Program Act, which will allow residents in certain care facilities to designate at least two caregivers who may visit and have physical contact with them during governor-declared states of emergency. This proposal also sets limits on the length of time in-person visitations may be suspended to prevent the devastating instances of separation that occurred during the COVID-19 lockdown, when families were unable to visit their loved ones in residential care facilities.
Once again, I am honored to carry a military affairs bill this session, Senate Bill 882. The measure will establish the Missouri Orange Heart Medal to honor Vietnam veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange during their military service. The measure also outlines school choice opportunities for students of military families and creates a professional licensing informational webpage for current service members, veterans and their spouses.
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