One of my bills was heard in committee for the first time tonight (in front of the Judiciary Committee). SB 343 is a bill that would create one definition of "unknown father" for purposes of adoption, termination of parental rights and guardianships. The current definitions are confusing and cause difficulty for family court practitioners.
The bill was researched and drafted by three great UMKC law students. I was thrilled that the students were able to attend and testify at the hearing tonight.
I have requested consent status for the bill. Consent status would increase the chances that the bill will actually pass. To achieve consent status, the bill must have a small fiscal note (i.e., not cost much, if anything) and it must be non-controversial. This bill is a simple definitional change and as such, should qualify for the consent calendar. I will keep you posted as it progresses.
Tomorrow morning I have a hearing on my child care subsidy bill. Senator Koster and I are co-sponsoring companion bills that would raise the eligibility level for child care subsidies in the state. MO currently ranks 50th in the nation (51st if you count DC) in child care subsidy eligibility. This bill makes sense from a social/economic justice perspective and it also makes sense for the state's bottom line. Increasing the subsidy will put more people in the workforce and actually spur economic growth in the state. We can't afford NOT to pass this one.