Since the conclusion of the 2010 legislative session, 74 House bills and 32 Senate bills were sent to the governor. Of those measures, 68 House bills and 30 Senate bills received the governor's signature. Many of these measures took effect Aug. 28, exactly 90 days after the constitutional last day of session. I touched on several of these bills in my end-of-session report, found on my Missouri Senate website.
Perhaps one of the most important measures passed last session was meaningful autism insurance reform that provides coverage to thousands of Missouri families. House Bill 1311, which I handled in the Senate, requires coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, including coverage for applied behavior analysis, for up to $40,000 annually, through the age of 18. Even though the bill took effect Aug. 28, families can begin purchasing coverage on Jan. 1, 2011.
As a pro-life supporter in the General Assembly, I worked to help pass legislation that prohibits your tax dollars from funding abortions in Missouri through the federal health care bill. Senate Bill 793 contains language that enacts new requirements for women seeking an abortion, such as having the opportunity to hear her baby's heartbeat and view an ultrasound. The mother also will be told that the baby may feel pain during the procedure, be given an explanation of the financial responsibilities regarding the father of the child, and be informed of available counseling.
In order to help stop fraud, waste, and abuse in our state before it happens, my legislation, Senate Bill 757, was adopted into House Bill 1965, which also received the governor's signature. The measure establishes a joint committee of House and Senate members to oversee the various grants and contracts awarded by federal stimulus funds. The bill also requires the governor to submit a daily report of all amounts held from the state operating budget to the Missouri Accountability Portal, as well as out-of-state travel expenses for state employees or elected officials.
As a co-sponsor of the Health Care Freedom Act, which was included in House Bill 1764, voters were allowed to make their voice heard in this year's August primary elections and decided for themselves whether or not they want federal law to require them to purchase health insurance. With an overwhelming 71 percent of the vote, Missourians made themselves loud and clear on this issue — citizens should be able to choose their own health care products and services.
To see a complete list of legislation delivered to the governor this year, visit the Missouri Senate website (www.senate.mo.gov), click on Session Information, and then on the Truly Agreed Bills link.
If you have any questions or comments about these measures or any other topic regarding state government, please visit my website, e-mail me, or call my office toll-free at (866) 271-2844.
Showing posts with label 95-SB757. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 95-SB757. Show all posts
09 September 2010
09 July 2010
Rupp: Pro-Life Legislation Languishes on Governor’s Desk
This past legislative session, we didn't waste a second when it came to blocking the federal government's plan to use your taxpayer dollars to fund abortions.
The day after Congress passed their health care bill, I was testifying before a Missouri Senate Committee on my legislation, Senate Bill 747, which would prohibit any health insurance exchanges in Missouri, including federally mandated insurance exchanges, from allowing abortions using taxpayer dollars.
Language from SB 747 was eventually added into Senate Bill 793, a bill I co-sponsored that modifies several provisions relating to abortion. If enacted, SB 793 requires a woman seeking an abortion to review printed material detailing the risks of the procedure to the mother and child, including photos that detail the child's life at two-week intervals. It also would give the mother the opportunity to hear the unborn child's heartbeat and view an ultrasound, all within 24 hours of the procedure.
In addition to written, informed consent, SB 793 would require the physician to explain alternative options and provide access to numerous counseling resources. Plus, it makes sure that the mother is reminded of the father's financial responsibility to take care of the child.
Despite our swift reaction to the federal attempts to circumvent our state's long-standing desire to reject using taxpayer dollars to fund abortions, the governor is now dragging his feet when it comes to the will of the people. Senate Bill 793 sits on his desk waiting to be signed into law, and waiting to be the saving factor in many young lives.
I want to urge the governor to stop the delay and sign SB 793 so that it can become law as intended on August 28. If you would like to also persuade him to sign this critical legislation, I recommend you call his office at (573) 751-3222.
Like any discussion involving abortion, the debate in both chambers of the Legislature was heated and intense. Nevertheless, an overwhelming majority of elected officials supported this measure to get the expecting mother all the information we can give her and make sure that our hard-earned money isn't going to end defenseless lives.
We acted when it was time to act, because a real leader doesn't waste time when it comes to doing what is right. Now we hope that the governor will do the same.
The Governor recently signed into law Senate Bill 758 and House Bill 1965.
Senate Bill 758, signed by the governor on July 7, requires bonds issued by the Bi-State Development Agency to mature in 40 years, rather than 30, as originally written. The agency, which is a partnership formed with the state of Illinois, facilitates development between the two states in a manner that is beneficial for both parties.
I'm pleased the governor has signed SB 758 because our state's future prosperity will be determined by smart investment in our state's waterways. The additional 10 years will free up more investment funding so that we can keep that boat floating in a positive direction.
Also signed into law was House Bill 1965, which contains language from his SB 757, and establishes the Joint Committee on Recovery Accountability and Transparency. This new committee will oversee the funding of projects within the federal economic stimulus act to prevent waste, fraud and abuse.
Specifically, the bill creates a committee of four members of the Senate and four members of the House of Representatives whose duties include the review of contracts, grant management, job creation, and state agency and departmental spending practices.
This committee will be critical to stopping the waste and fraud we normally associate with federal government spending. It's also going to make sure that the projects and companies that use these funds are accountable and good stewards of the taxpayer dollar.
Both measures take effect on Aug. 28.
If you have any questions or comments about this week's column or any other matter involving state government, please do not hesitate to contact me. You can reach my office by phone at (866) 271-2844.
The day after Congress passed their health care bill, I was testifying before a Missouri Senate Committee on my legislation, Senate Bill 747, which would prohibit any health insurance exchanges in Missouri, including federally mandated insurance exchanges, from allowing abortions using taxpayer dollars.
Language from SB 747 was eventually added into Senate Bill 793, a bill I co-sponsored that modifies several provisions relating to abortion. If enacted, SB 793 requires a woman seeking an abortion to review printed material detailing the risks of the procedure to the mother and child, including photos that detail the child's life at two-week intervals. It also would give the mother the opportunity to hear the unborn child's heartbeat and view an ultrasound, all within 24 hours of the procedure.
In addition to written, informed consent, SB 793 would require the physician to explain alternative options and provide access to numerous counseling resources. Plus, it makes sure that the mother is reminded of the father's financial responsibility to take care of the child.
Despite our swift reaction to the federal attempts to circumvent our state's long-standing desire to reject using taxpayer dollars to fund abortions, the governor is now dragging his feet when it comes to the will of the people. Senate Bill 793 sits on his desk waiting to be signed into law, and waiting to be the saving factor in many young lives.
I want to urge the governor to stop the delay and sign SB 793 so that it can become law as intended on August 28. If you would like to also persuade him to sign this critical legislation, I recommend you call his office at (573) 751-3222.
Like any discussion involving abortion, the debate in both chambers of the Legislature was heated and intense. Nevertheless, an overwhelming majority of elected officials supported this measure to get the expecting mother all the information we can give her and make sure that our hard-earned money isn't going to end defenseless lives.
We acted when it was time to act, because a real leader doesn't waste time when it comes to doing what is right. Now we hope that the governor will do the same.
Signing of Several Measures
New bills contain Stimulus Funding Oversight Committee and an extension of bond requirementsThe Governor recently signed into law Senate Bill 758 and House Bill 1965.
Senate Bill 758, signed by the governor on July 7, requires bonds issued by the Bi-State Development Agency to mature in 40 years, rather than 30, as originally written. The agency, which is a partnership formed with the state of Illinois, facilitates development between the two states in a manner that is beneficial for both parties.
I'm pleased the governor has signed SB 758 because our state's future prosperity will be determined by smart investment in our state's waterways. The additional 10 years will free up more investment funding so that we can keep that boat floating in a positive direction.
Also signed into law was House Bill 1965, which contains language from his SB 757, and establishes the Joint Committee on Recovery Accountability and Transparency. This new committee will oversee the funding of projects within the federal economic stimulus act to prevent waste, fraud and abuse.
Specifically, the bill creates a committee of four members of the Senate and four members of the House of Representatives whose duties include the review of contracts, grant management, job creation, and state agency and departmental spending practices.
This committee will be critical to stopping the waste and fraud we normally associate with federal government spending. It's also going to make sure that the projects and companies that use these funds are accountable and good stewards of the taxpayer dollar.
Both measures take effect on Aug. 28.
If you have any questions or comments about this week's column or any other matter involving state government, please do not hesitate to contact me. You can reach my office by phone at (866) 271-2844.
14 May 2010
Rupp: My History of Protecting Children
Perhaps the biggest impact I’ve had personally this session is legislation that would impact the lives of children. There is no bigger joy in my life than my two kids, and to think that anyone would want to allow any kind of harm to any of these young lives or jeopardize their future in any way is a very sad mark of our society.
That is precisely why it is up to government leaders to do everything they can to make sure our children and their future are safe, and why I never hesitate to use my power as a state senator to do what I can to provide protection for their fragile lives.
My most recent example is an amendment I successfully added to House Bill 1609, a judicial bill I believe has a pretty good chance of becoming law. My amendment basically says that if a child care provider has a pending criminal charge for child abuse or child endangerment, that provider cannot continue to provide child care services until the situation is resolved. It also sets the penalties for breaking this law, and it syncs the same restrictions faced by licensed day-care providers and applies it to unlicensed providers.
This may seem like a no-brainer to most of you, but there is a loophole in the law that unfortunately resulted in a sad consequence in our state. A Missouri family lost their three-month old baby while a daycare provider cared for their little boy. While the provider faced charges of involuntary manslaughter and abuse of a child resulting in death, the family was horrified to learn – as was I – that the unlicensed provider continued to care for other children. With the Senate’s full support of this amendment, I hope we can equalize this law and make sure this type of situation never happens again.
My record on protecting the well-being of children stands for itself. Just this session alone, I have continued to fight for pro-life legislation, autism spectrum disorder health care insurance, charter schools, and early high school graduation. Throughout the last few years, I have passed new laws to reform Missouri’s outdated harassment and stalking laws to protect children from cyber stalkers and increase penalties for adults that prey on children over the internet. I have also increased protections for our children against sexual predators and protected and improved important early intervention services for children with special needs. I want every Missouri child to have the bright and boundless future that they can make for themselves, and I will continue to support legislation that upholds that notion.
This passion might be the father in me, because when I’m faced with tough decisions, I just look around my office at the drawings or photos of my kids, and it never fails to bring clarity. Or maybe it’s the hundreds of children that come to visit me in the Capitol each and every year, who ask me what it takes to do my job.
Wherever that inspiration to protect children comes from, I’m glad it’s there, because it colors everything I do in Jefferson City.
My pro-life measures, approved by the Senate in April, today passed the House and are now headed to the Governor’s desk.
Senate Bill 793 includes the pro-life provisions included in SB747 that he sponsored this session. These measures include language that prohibits any policies issued within the health insurance exchanges established by the federal health care bill from covering an abortion. The federal bill includes several provisions that threaten the lives of the unborn and would compel Missouri taxpayers to pay for abortion coverage if Missouri did not pass Sen. Rupp’s abortion opt out provision contained in SB793.
SB 793 also contains language that enacts new requirements for women seeking an abortion, such as viewing printed materials that detail the risk of an abortion and an opportunity to hear the unborn child’s heartbeat and view an ultrasound.
Today Missouri continued to be the leader on protecting Life by stopping the federal government from forcing our tax dollars to fund abortions through the federal health care bill,” said Sen. Rupp. “Coupled with ultrasound viewings and other pro-life provisons in the bill, this was a HUGE victory for Life and I am so blessed to have helped make this possible.”
My legislation that establishes a joint committee to protect federal stimulus funds from fraud, waste and abuse was adopted into House Bill 1965 and passed yesterday.
My original bill Senate Bill 757, designed to form joint committee made up of House and Senate members to provide oversight of the grants and contracts awarded by federal stimulus funds. The act would also require the governor to submit a daily report of all amounts held from the state operating budget to the Missouri Accountability Portal, as well as the expenses state employees or elected officials turn in for out-of-state travel.
After final approval from the Senate, the legislation would go to the governor for his signature before becoming law.
This bill basically says that as taxpaying citizens, we want to know where federal stimulus funds are going. We’ll make sure that every dollar is accounted for, and stop fraud, waste, and abuse before it happens. This legislation protects the taxpayer and provides governmental accountability.
Autism insurance reform, which I sponsored, passed the Missouri Legislature, sending legislation to the Governor that will provide coverage to thousands of Missouri families.
I’m very pleased that so many families will now get the coverage they have paid for and deserve. I am grateful for all of their support and encouragement as we continued this fight throughout the last few years. I cannot thank my colleagues in the Legislature enough for seeing the importance of this measure.
House Bill 1311 requires coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, including coverage for applied behavior analysis, for up to a maximum of $40,000 annually through the age of 18. The bill restricts health carriers from refusing to issue or renew coverage simply because an individual has an autism diagnosis.
By passing this legislation we have made significant improvements for the lives of families dealing with autism. Missouri's law now provides coverage for the therapies that get results, and has the only cost-of-living increase for those therapies in the nation. The people spoke, the legislature listened and our communities and families benefited. This is the way the system is supposed to work. We continued to make Missouri a leader for autism research, treatment and advocacy when this bill was passed on Wednesday.
With the governor’s signature, the measure becomes Missouri law on August 28, 2010, and affects polices starting January 1, 2011.
Missouri voters will now be able to make their voices heard on the federal healthcare bill, as the House has approved the “Health Care Freedom Act,” [HB1764] which puts the measure on the August ballot. I sponsored the bill in the Senate that includes the health care provision.
The “Health Care Freedom Act” says that, upon voter approval, no federal law will compel a patient, employer, or health care provider to participate in any government or privately run health care system, nor prohibit a patient or employer from paying directly for legal health care services.
Instead of just sitting back and allowing the federal government to force us to join a health care plan and penalize Missourians for making certain health care choices, this will allow our citizens to vote on the issue. I think the passage of this measure reaffirms the values of our democracy in that it allows the voters of our state to choose what they want for their health care.
I took an oath to protect and defend the constitution and to protect the rights and freedoms of all Missourians. I am proud to have been the Senate handler of this very important legislation that fulfills that oath.
As always, if you have any questions about this week’s column or any other matter involving state government, please do not hesitate to contact me. You can reach my office by phone at (866) 271-2844.
That is precisely why it is up to government leaders to do everything they can to make sure our children and their future are safe, and why I never hesitate to use my power as a state senator to do what I can to provide protection for their fragile lives.
My most recent example is an amendment I successfully added to House Bill 1609, a judicial bill I believe has a pretty good chance of becoming law. My amendment basically says that if a child care provider has a pending criminal charge for child abuse or child endangerment, that provider cannot continue to provide child care services until the situation is resolved. It also sets the penalties for breaking this law, and it syncs the same restrictions faced by licensed day-care providers and applies it to unlicensed providers.
This may seem like a no-brainer to most of you, but there is a loophole in the law that unfortunately resulted in a sad consequence in our state. A Missouri family lost their three-month old baby while a daycare provider cared for their little boy. While the provider faced charges of involuntary manslaughter and abuse of a child resulting in death, the family was horrified to learn – as was I – that the unlicensed provider continued to care for other children. With the Senate’s full support of this amendment, I hope we can equalize this law and make sure this type of situation never happens again.
My record on protecting the well-being of children stands for itself. Just this session alone, I have continued to fight for pro-life legislation, autism spectrum disorder health care insurance, charter schools, and early high school graduation. Throughout the last few years, I have passed new laws to reform Missouri’s outdated harassment and stalking laws to protect children from cyber stalkers and increase penalties for adults that prey on children over the internet. I have also increased protections for our children against sexual predators and protected and improved important early intervention services for children with special needs. I want every Missouri child to have the bright and boundless future that they can make for themselves, and I will continue to support legislation that upholds that notion.
This passion might be the father in me, because when I’m faced with tough decisions, I just look around my office at the drawings or photos of my kids, and it never fails to bring clarity. Or maybe it’s the hundreds of children that come to visit me in the Capitol each and every year, who ask me what it takes to do my job.
Wherever that inspiration to protect children comes from, I’m glad it’s there, because it colors everything I do in Jefferson City.
Senator Scott T. Rupp’s Pro-Life Measures Sent to Governor
My pro-life measures, approved by the Senate in April, today passed the House and are now headed to the Governor’s desk.
Senate Bill 793 includes the pro-life provisions included in SB747 that he sponsored this session. These measures include language that prohibits any policies issued within the health insurance exchanges established by the federal health care bill from covering an abortion. The federal bill includes several provisions that threaten the lives of the unborn and would compel Missouri taxpayers to pay for abortion coverage if Missouri did not pass Sen. Rupp’s abortion opt out provision contained in SB793.
SB 793 also contains language that enacts new requirements for women seeking an abortion, such as viewing printed materials that detail the risk of an abortion and an opportunity to hear the unborn child’s heartbeat and view an ultrasound.
Today Missouri continued to be the leader on protecting Life by stopping the federal government from forcing our tax dollars to fund abortions through the federal health care bill,” said Sen. Rupp. “Coupled with ultrasound viewings and other pro-life provisons in the bill, this was a HUGE victory for Life and I am so blessed to have helped make this possible.”
Senator Rupp’s Accountability and Transparency Legislation Passes
My legislation that establishes a joint committee to protect federal stimulus funds from fraud, waste and abuse was adopted into House Bill 1965 and passed yesterday.
My original bill Senate Bill 757, designed to form joint committee made up of House and Senate members to provide oversight of the grants and contracts awarded by federal stimulus funds. The act would also require the governor to submit a daily report of all amounts held from the state operating budget to the Missouri Accountability Portal, as well as the expenses state employees or elected officials turn in for out-of-state travel.
After final approval from the Senate, the legislation would go to the governor for his signature before becoming law.
This bill basically says that as taxpaying citizens, we want to know where federal stimulus funds are going. We’ll make sure that every dollar is accounted for, and stop fraud, waste, and abuse before it happens. This legislation protects the taxpayer and provides governmental accountability.
Autism Insurance Reform Measure Sponsored By Sen. Scott T. Rupp Goes to Governor
Autism insurance reform, which I sponsored, passed the Missouri Legislature, sending legislation to the Governor that will provide coverage to thousands of Missouri families.
I’m very pleased that so many families will now get the coverage they have paid for and deserve. I am grateful for all of their support and encouragement as we continued this fight throughout the last few years. I cannot thank my colleagues in the Legislature enough for seeing the importance of this measure.
House Bill 1311 requires coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, including coverage for applied behavior analysis, for up to a maximum of $40,000 annually through the age of 18. The bill restricts health carriers from refusing to issue or renew coverage simply because an individual has an autism diagnosis.
By passing this legislation we have made significant improvements for the lives of families dealing with autism. Missouri's law now provides coverage for the therapies that get results, and has the only cost-of-living increase for those therapies in the nation. The people spoke, the legislature listened and our communities and families benefited. This is the way the system is supposed to work. We continued to make Missouri a leader for autism research, treatment and advocacy when this bill was passed on Wednesday.
With the governor’s signature, the measure becomes Missouri law on August 28, 2010, and affects polices starting January 1, 2011.
Senator Scott T. Rupp Hails Passage of “Health Care Freedom Act”
Missouri voters will now be able to make their voices heard on the federal healthcare bill, as the House has approved the “Health Care Freedom Act,” [HB1764] which puts the measure on the August ballot. I sponsored the bill in the Senate that includes the health care provision.
The “Health Care Freedom Act” says that, upon voter approval, no federal law will compel a patient, employer, or health care provider to participate in any government or privately run health care system, nor prohibit a patient or employer from paying directly for legal health care services.
Instead of just sitting back and allowing the federal government to force us to join a health care plan and penalize Missourians for making certain health care choices, this will allow our citizens to vote on the issue. I think the passage of this measure reaffirms the values of our democracy in that it allows the voters of our state to choose what they want for their health care.
I took an oath to protect and defend the constitution and to protect the rights and freedoms of all Missourians. I am proud to have been the Senate handler of this very important legislation that fulfills that oath.
As always, if you have any questions about this week’s column or any other matter involving state government, please do not hesitate to contact me. You can reach my office by phone at (866) 271-2844.
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