Schaefer: Final Bill Filed, Visitors from Mizzou

I filed my final bill of the session this week on Tuesday, which was the last day for the Missouri Senate to file legislation. Senate Bill 384 would make pharmacy benefit managers civilly liable to a patient for damages done to them as a result of any drug switch decision, denial or action by pharmacy benefit managers.

Jeffrey Deshon and Kelly, Angie, Haley and Tabitha Gatts sit in the chamber during session Tuesday. Senator Schaefer poses with several members of the University of Missouri School of Health Professions. Senator Schaefer and members of the University of Missouri Extension Center pose in front of the state seal. Senator Schaefer shakes hands with Vicki Ott as he presents the couple with their award. Senator Schaefer poses with students Caleb and Samuel Prather in his office.

Four of my bills were heard in committees this week as well. On Monday (2-28), Senate Bill 69 and Senate Bill 237 were both heard in the Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. Senate Bill 69 would support victims of child pornography by allowing them to file civil suits against their abusers. In addition, the bill would set protocol to ensure proper care of victims of child pornography. Senate Bill 237 would require the September 1996 Missouri Supreme Court standards for representation by court appointed child advocates to be updated. On Tuesday (3-1), Senate Bill 236 was heard in the Health, Mental Health, Seniors and Families Committee. Senate Bill 236 would limit the interference of non-physicians, particularly pharmacy benefit managers, in patient care. Due to the large number of witnesses that were present to testify on the bill, the hearing will be continued next week to allow all concerned parties to be heard by the committee. Also on Tuesday, I introduced Jeffrey Deshon and Kelly, Angie, Haley and Tabitha Gatts of the Freedom Scholars from Moberly on the Senate floor. In addition, I introduced several members of the Associated Students of the University of Missouri. I also met and introduced on the Senate floor multiple members from the University of Missouri Extension Center and the University of Missouri School of Health Professions. On Wednesday (3-2), I had the pleasure of presenting John and Vicki Ott with a courtesy resolution in honor of the Preserve Missouri Award they won for the rehabilitation of the Berry Building in Columbia. Thursday (3-3), I introduced a group of undergraduates, Amanda Sudduth, Shafi Lodhi, Mackenzie Riggs, and Curtis Atkisson, who were visiting the Capitol for the University of Missouri Undergraduate Research Day. I also met with Caleb and Samuel Prather who were at the Capitol representing the Teen PACT Leadership Schools. In news around the district, the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission approved a plan to add shoulders for bicycle lanes to Route K in Boone County. The new shoulders will extend from the Katy Trail in McBaine to Route 163 in Columbia. Work on the project is scheduled to begin in spring of 2012 and will cost approximately $2 million. Eighty percent of the cost will be from federal enhancement funds. For more information about this and other projects, call toll-free 1-888-ASK-MoDOT or visit www.modot.org/central. Thank you for your continued interest in the issues that affect the citizens of Boone and Randolph counties. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact my office at (573) 751-3931.