This week, the House gave approval to legislation reforming Missouri's workers' compensation law and improving the state's workforce development programs, amongst other priorities. You can learn more about the legislative initiatives advanced by the House below.
House
Approves Workers'
Compensation Reform
The House passed legislation to revise Missouri's outdated and inefficient workers' compensation system this Thursday. Senate Bill 66, handled by Rep. Joe Don McGaugh, would implement a number of reforms to Missouri's workers' compensation law including prohibiting employers from using workers' compensation claims as motivation to fire or discriminate against employees; preventing illegal drug users from making workers' compensation claims for injuries related to on-job illegal drug use; and stipulating that employees cannot re-open workers' compensation claims after a physician declares the employee has reached maximum medical improvement.
Improving Missouri's out-of-date workers' compensation laws is a key priority of the House. It is imperative that workers' compensation laws fully protect workers while not overburdening businesses and dis-incentivizing economic growth and expansion. The common-sense reforms advanced by this legislation are part of a broader economic development package that will allow Missouri workers to compete in the global marketplace of the 21st century.
Senate Bill 66 has now received approval from the House and will be sent back to the Senate to reconsider the measure as amended by the House. I remain committed to reforming our state's regulatory environment to ensure the rights of workers and employers upheld in order to form a stable foundation for economic growth.
House Moves
Workforce
Development
Measures
This Tuesday, the House granted overwhelming bipartisan support to legislation that will improve Missouri's workforce training programs and help prepare our students for the economy of the 21st century. House Committee Bills 4 and 5, both sponsored by Rep. Jeanie Lauer, would allow small businesses to pool together to meet the requirements of the Missouri Works program, allow students to opt to seek the ACT National Career Readiness Certification instead of taking the ACT College Readiness Assessment and ensure all Missouri high school students have access to computer programming courses.
Missouri Works is the number one incentive tool for business expansion and retention in Missouri. Increasing access to the program will strengthen Missouri small businesses, allowing small businesses to grow and expand. In the process, this small business growth will provide new economic opportunities for Missouri workers and more choice for Missouri consumers.
Additionally, this legislation will help ensure all students in Missouri are afforded a high-quality, up-to-date education. By allowing students to complete the ACT Career Readiness Certification, students will be able to opt to prove their career readiness if they do not wish to pursue a college degree. Furthermore, computer technology has grown immensely in the past few decades, yet thousands of Missouri students lack access to coursework necessary to prepare them for careers in computer programming. Mandating school districts offer such coursework will ensure all students have access to classes that will prepare them for high-paying computer technology careers.
House Committee Bills 4 and 5 were third read and finally passed from the House on Tuesday and will now be sent to the Senate for further consideration. The House will continue seeking innovative solutions to improve the quality of education of our children receive and provide better workforce training for all to ensure Missouri workers are prepared for newly-created high-paying jobs.
Continuing the
Protection of Life
On Wednesday, the Missouri House acted to ensure Missouri abortion clinics are abiding by state law by giving initial approval to House Bill 194. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Diane Franklin, would ensure all fetal remains are disposed of in accordance with state law; require unannounced on-site inspections of abortion clinics annually; and strengthen protections for abortion clinic employees reporting misconduct. In addition, the bill would require the consenting parent or guardian of a minor seeking an abortion to notify any other custodial parent or guardian in writing prior to submitting informed written consent to a physician.
Protecting the fundamental, natural right to life of every Missourian, born and unborn alike is a vital duty of the General Assembly. As a small part of this vital duty, this legislation will require that all abortion clinics in Missouri undergo regular, unannounced inspections and provide clear documentation that all fetal remains are disposed of in accordance with state law. These requirements ensure that proper respect is shown to the remains of unborn children lost to abortion and that clinics are following all state laws implemented for informing and keeping patients safe.
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House Bill 194 needs one more vote in the House before advancing to the Senate for further consideration.
Please feel free to contact my office at any time. Our phone number is (573) 751-4039 and my email address is todd.richardson@house.mo.gov.