Keaveny: State Resources Online, Autism Insurance Law Takes Effect

MoDOT Map Provides Information Regarding State Highways

In the Midwest, winter is sometimes accompanied with snow and ice. During winter storms, I advise citizens to play it safe and stay home if possible. If you must venture out of your home and travel, please be sure you are as informed as possible about the condition of the roadways.

A great resource is the Missouri Department of Transportation’s (MoDOT) Traveler Information Map. This map gives drivers an up-to-date look at the condition of Missouri’s major highways. If you must travel in a winter storm, please consult this map before leaving your current location. You can follow MoDOT’s news on Twitter at www.modot.org/twitter. For those without Internet access, call MoDOT toll-free at 888-ASK-MODOT and ask for the current road conditions.

For tips about staying safe on the roadways during winter, please visit www.modot.org, or take a look at the January Keaveny Connection and review "How to Stay Safe on Wintery Roads."

My Senate Committees

In January, several Senate committees were announced, and I am very pleased to say that I have been appointed to serve as vice-chair of the Progress and Development Committee.

This committee discusses legislation that concerns the changing or maintenance of issues regarding human welfare. During the 2010 legislative session, the Progress and Development Committee considered a variety of measures, including legislation concerning food stamp assistance, equal pay for employees regardless of gender, state and federal holidays and awareness days, and the creation of tax-free zones.

In addition to vice-chairmanship of the Progress and Development Committee, I have been selected to serve on the:

• Education Committee
• Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee
• Veterans’ Affairs, Emerging Issues, Pensions and Urban Affairs Committee

To learn more about Senate committees and scheduled hearings for the committees, please visit www.senate.mo.gov.

Assistance Provided to Answer Tax Questions

The time of year has come again for us to begin preparing our taxes. This can be an overwhelming and intimidating procedure, and to address many of our anxieties, the Missouri Department of Revenue has provided various resources to help citizens. Some of these resources include tax assistance centers. These centers provide an outlet for citizens with questions or concerns regarding their taxes, and gives individuals the opportunity to speak to a specialist happy to help. Some services provided by the centers include:

• Preparation of individual income tax returns and/or property tax credit claims free of charge
• Help for citizens filing business taxes
• Seminars that can assist employers and business owners with tax-related questions

Please take advantage of this helpful service by calling the St. Louis Tax Assistance Center at (314) 877-0177, or visiting them at 3256 Laclede Station Road, Suite 101. The deadline to file taxes in Missouri is April 18.

For more information regarding tax assistance, please visit www.dor.mo.gov and click on the "Tax Assistance Centers" link under "Contact Information/Office Locations."

Missouri Attorney General's Website Resources

One of the ways the Missouri Attorney General protects consumers is by providing resources that can be found online at www.ago.mo.gov. Among these resources is information regarding:

• Consumer complaint forms
• Check-a-Charity tools
• Crime victims’ rights
• Environmental issues
• Domestic violence issues
• Missouri Office of Prosecution Services

I hope these helpful tools can be useful to you, and as always, please feel free to call or e-mail me with any questions or concerns.

New Missouri Senate Website

The First Regular Session of the 96th General Assembly is underway, and my fellow legislators and I are working together to make Missouri government as efficient as possible, producing a higher level of effectiveness for the citizens of our state.

To stay informed about legislation the Missouri Senate is discussing, please visit the Missouri Senate website. Recently updated, the website features information about:

• 2011 Senate bills
• Session dates and information
• Senate committees and scheduled hearings
• Legislative audio and video clips

Please feel free to visit my website as well, www.senate.mo.gov/keaveny. There you will find:

• Monthly Keaveny Connections
• Press releases
• Audio and video clips
• My community services directory

Staying up to date with state government is important, and as always, I welcome suggestions and opinions from all my constituents in the 4th Senatorial District.

House Bill 1311 Provides Health Care for Autistic Children

Beneficial legislation passed last year improves the lives of Missourians with autism, and provides peace of mind to their families. House Bill 1311, which was signed by Gov. Jay Nixon on June 10, 2010, requires private insurance companies in Missouri to provide coverage under group health insurance policies for applied behavioral analysis therapy to children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The health benefit plans went into effect on Jan. 1, 2011. I was proud to vote “yes” on the bill, and I’m very pleased that children with autism are getting the care and therapy they deserve.

This law requires insurance companies to cover up to $40,000 a year for a child that is 18 years old or younger who has an ASD. Furthermore, the bill prohibits health carriers from refusing to cover an individual or dependent solely because the individual is diagnosed with autism, and the child’s family can not be subjected to a higher deductible for health care services.

I am very glad this legislation is now in effect, making a positive impact in the lives of Missouri families. To learn more about this helpful bill, visit www.senate.mo.gov and type "HB1311" in the bill search field (make sure you use the "2010 Bills" index).

HealthStreet of Washington University

HealthStreet offers free services and health screenings to those in need.

Health care and the well being of St. Louis citizens is extremely important to me, and therefore, I would like to recognize HealthStreet, a community-based organization that collaborates with the Center for Community-Based Research at the Washington University Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences.

This organization provides health care referrals, medical care, social programs, and opportunities to participate in medical research. Also provided by HealthStreet are the following services:

• Complimentary personal hygiene products (shampoo, toothpaste, etc.)
• HIV testing
• Complimentary use of computers to search for jobs and housing
• Blood pressure tests
• Clothing pantry access
• Assistance with finding other helpful services (food pantries, medical care, and more)

For more information about HealthStreet and programs offered by Washington University, please call (314) 531-3034.

Women's Safe House Wish List

Since 1999, TWSH has provided refuge for nearly 6,000 women and children at no cost.

As previously mentioned in the November Keaveny Connection, The Women’s Safe House (TWSH) is a caring and efficient organization that provides shelter and support for victims of domestic violence. Serving such a large number of people, TWSH is in need of many items, including:

• Women’s clothes - pajamas, T-shirts, sweatsuits
• Baby items - diapers, baby monitors, formula, cribs
• Bathroom supplies - toilet paper, toothbrushes, hair brushes
• Linens - twin and full sheet sets, body and hand towels
• Children’s clothes - clothing for toddlers to teenagers
• Toiletries - shampoo, deodorant, bar soap
• Cleaning supplies - laundry detergent, paper towels, brooms
• Miscellaneous - bus passes, gift cards

If your school or organization is looking for a community outreach project, I would certainly recommend hosting a fundraiser for TWSH. For further inquiries about TWSH or to find out more regarding volunteer and fundraiser opportunities, call (314) 772-4535.