Hello!  We are definitely in the last half of the session.  Things are hoping here and everyone is very busy.  One of the tools used during the last half of session is to attach legislation to other legislation in the form of amendments.  I have begun using this tool with mixed success so far.  There were so many bills filed this year that it is impossible for every bill to receive a hearing in committee, in fact, a number of bills have yet to be referred to committee due to the high volume of legislation filed.
 
I will give a brief update of my filed legislation in the following lines:
 
My HB 1366 has progressed and is now known as SCS HCS HB 1366 and 1878.  All of this is actually Senate Committee Substitute for House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1366 and 1878—quite a mouth full!!  This bill has been voted out of committee in the Senate and is on its way to the Senate floor!! I am quite excited about this progress!  This bill will be so good for Missouri and Missourians.  There has been absolutely no opposition from any group during this entire process; it is really amazing what happens when everyone works together!  The bill has a positive fiscal note which means it will save the state money as well as individual Missourians.   I am hopeful that either this bill or the Senate companion which is SB 875 will make it across the finish line this year and be signed into law.  We really need the money saving benefits of this legislation.
 
HB 1368—legislation proposing a committee to study the regulations the Schools for the Severely Disabled must operate under and then to make recommendations to the General Assembly as well as to our Federal Delegation in Washington DC on how to assist Schools for the Severely Disabled to operate more freely and allow them to really focus on the children’s special needs.  This legislation received a hearing in the first level of committee this week and will hopefully be voted to the second level of committee next week.
 
HCS HB 1866—legislation related to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses was placed on the House Floor Calendar for Perfection.  I am looking forward to the debate on the floor for this legislation.  I am hoping to receive enough votes to send this legislation to the Senate.  We have a health care provider shortage in Missouri and this will allow us to take steps towards meeting the health care needs of Missouri.
 
HB 2546—legislation which will require the Dyslexia Specialist hired by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to begin disseminating information regarding dyslexia to our educators at no charge to the schools or educators.  This bill was heard in committee this week and will be hopefully voted to the second level of committee next week.
 
I am preparing for another meeting with the Department of Health and Senior Services to continue the work being done to update the Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program.  CNAs are used greatly in long term care facilities as well as in all health care situations.  I want to ensure the CNAs receive the very best training we can give them to prepare them to provide the very best care to our citizens.  I will keep you posted as to the outcome of this next meeting.  We haven’t scheduled a date yet for the meeting, we are both waiting for information to arrive we need for our next discussion.
 
I am staying in Jefferson City an extra day this week to attend a State Interagency Coordinating Council Meeting.  But I will head for home at the conclusion of the meeting!!  SICC works to coordinate Early Childhood Outreach and Education Efforts in our state for children with developmental delays and disabilities.  I am anxious to attend this meeting and learn more about SICC and the needs in Missouri.
 
Until Next Week!!
Tila