Missouri Governor ? Michael L. Parson

Office of Communications

????????_____________________________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 7, 2023

Governor Parson Signs Legislation to Protect Missouri Children and Female Sports?

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) ??Today, in an effort to protect the integrity?of female sports and Missouri children from potentially?harmful?experimental surgeries and treatment, Governor Mike Parson signed Senate Bill (SB) 39 and SB 49 into law.

SB 39

SB 39 prohibits educational institutions?from allowing biological male students from participating?on sports teams designated for biological females. This law applies to elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education?institutions, including private schools, public school districts, public charter schools, public colleges and universities, and private colleges and universities.?

"We appreciate Senator Holly Rehder for leading on this issue and fighting for women and girls across the state. We, along with the vast majority of the General Assembly, agree?that women and girls deserve fair sports competition without intrusion from biological men," Governor Parson said. "Women and girls deserve and have fought for an equal opportunity?to succeed, and with this legislation today, we stand up to the nonsense and stand with them as they take back their sport competitions. In Missouri, we support real fairness, not injustice?disguised as social righteousness."

For more information on SB 39, click here.

SB 49

SB 49 establishes?the Missouri?Save Adolescents?from Experimentation?(SAFE) Act. The SAFE Act prohibits health care providers from performing?gender transition surgeries or prescribing?hormones or drugs for the purposes?of gender transition to Missouri?children under the age of 18.

"We support everyone's right to his or her own pursuit of happiness; however, we must protect children from making life-altering decisions that they could come to regret in adulthood once they have physically and emotionally?matured," Governor Parson said. "We thank Senator Mike Moon for working to pass?SB 49 to protect Missouri children from harmful, irreversible?treatments and procedures. These decisions have permanent consequences for life and should not be made by impressionable?children who may be in crisis or influenced by the political persuasions?of others."

The SAFE Act also bars MO HealthNet, Missouri's Medicaid program, from providing?payment for gender transition surgeries, cross-sex hormones, or puberty-blocking?drugs for the purpose?of gender transition. Additionally, health care services provided to incarcerated individuals?in Missouri?prisons, jails, and correction?centers will not include elective gender transition surgeries.

The above provisions ensure Missouri taxpayer dollars are not spent on elective gender transition procedures.

For more information on SB 49,?click here.

Today, Governor Parson also signed:

  • House Bill 131 - allowing biweekly?pay for state team members;
  • SB 167 - modifying requirements for medical examiner's certificates?for commercial?driver's licenses (CDL);
  • SB 111 - eliminating?the Personnel Advisory Board;?
  • SB 25 - authorizing state income tax deductions for federal grants expanding broadband?access; and
  • SB 13 - modifying provisions?related to the?regulation?of financial institutions.?

###

?

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Office of Governor Michael L. Parson ? PO Box 720?? Jefferson City, MO 65102 ? (573) 751-3222 GovDelivery logo