Governor Parson Concludes 2021 Bill Signings

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(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) ? By the end of today, Governor Mike Parson will have signed 13 remaining pieces of legislation into law, concluding bill singings for the 2021 legislative session.?

Modifies several provisions related to public safety, including providing taxpayers with the ability to obtain injunctive relief if a local government decreases its police department?s budget by a prescribed amount and creating additional?protections for law enforcement officers.?

Additionally, this bill modifies provisions?related?to jail time credit for criminals prior to?conviction and allows a defendant's?behavior during that same period?to be considered in sentencing proceedings.?

Modifies several provisions related to public safety, including establishing new watercraft and waterway regulations and eliminating safety inspections for new vehicles.

Modifies several provisions related to public safety, including clarifying?the Raise the Age statute, increasing the penalty for doxing a first responder or law enforcement?officer, modifying the residency requirement?for Kansas City law enforcement officers to assist with recruitment?efforts, and creating a judicial procedure that provides a pathway for a prosecuting attorney to correct a miscarriage of justice resulting from a wrongful conviction.

The bill also allows prosecutors to use a witness or victim statement when a defendant engaged in wrongful conduct that prevented the witness or victim from being available to testify in a criminal proceeding.

Modifies record keeping requirements for purchasers of gold, silver, or platinum to reduce theft.

Establishes Law Enforcement Appreciation Day as the first Friday in May, creates Pioneering Black Women's Day on March 26th, and establishes The Gateway Arch as Missouri's official state monument.?

Ensures National Guard service members are granted interviews for state government positions, promotes awareness of the state's resources that are available for veterans, and creates the Purple Star Campus for K-12 schools.?

Expands the available uses of 529 education savings plans, requires Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create a state plan for Career and Technical Education, and allows college?student-athletes to earn compensation for their name, image, or likeness.?

Creates Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) that will offer scholarships to qualifying students to attend a K-12 school that is outside of their current school district.?

Prohibits the contribution or expenditure of public funds for a variety of political causes and updates provisions related to ESAs.?

Makes statutory changes to implement the Office of Childhood, clarifies wage requirements for sheltered workshops, and establishes a right to unpaid leave for victims of domestic or sexual violence and their caregivers.?

Establishes minimum reporting requirements for license-exempt residential care facilities in an effort to ensure the safety and well-being of children and requires background checks for all facility and agency workers who have contact with children.?

For more information on the above bills visit the Missouri?Senate?or?House?website.?Photos will be available on Governor Parson's?Flickr page.

Contact: Kelli R. Jones

Communications Director

Work:? 573-751-0765

Mobile: 573-508-9072

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.governor.mo.gov

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