2010 Legislative Wrap-UP
BILLS THAT DID NOT PASS
VOTING BILLS
At one time during the session, predictions were that some form of voting bill might pass, but none did. There were again bills to require a photo ID in order to vote, increasing the difficulty for some individuals with disabilities who wish to vote. Other provisions were for the creation of an advanced voting period of 5 days before the election, in which anyone could go vote for any reason. HJR64 passed the House, but got hung up in the Senate.
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY BILLS
Two bills to improve access to assistive technology did not pass. HB1880 would have revised MO statute language to improve the availability of accessible instructional materials for students with reading disabilities in elementary, secondary, and higher education. HB1884 would have restored coverage of hearing aids for adults in MO HealthNet (Medicaid). Hearing aids for adults have not been covered since 2005. Neither bill received a committee hearing.
SB606 -- MO HealthNet Coverage of COMPREHENSIVE DAY REHABILITATION SERVICES
The bill would add Comprehensive Day Rehab to covered services under MO HealthNet (Medicaid) for individuals who have incurred a traumatic brain injury to restore them to the optimal level of functioning possible. The bill was voted do-pass from its Senate committee, but it did not advance.
HB1293 & HB2324--SERVICE DOGS
HB1293, which had a hearing, would have added "therapy dog" to the definition of "service dog" as it relates to crimes against those animals or to crimes of impersonating someone with a disability. HB2324 would have prohibited discrimination against individuals using a service dog at any public or private educational institution in the state, including elementary and secondary schools, institutions of higher education and technical or trade schools. The bill did not receive a hearing.
SB666 & SB932/HB2249--CAPITOL BUILDING ACCESSIBILITY
SB666 would have required offices of elected officials in the capitol building to be accessible by the end of 2015. The bill has been introduced each of the past several years. The estimated cost for the bill is $46 million. SB932 and HB2249 would have required legislators to inform constituents through legislator websites and newsletters whether their office was accessible for constituents with mobility impairments. The bills would have also established a protocol for constituents with mobility impairments who wished to meet with a legislator who did not have an accessible office.
HB1883/HB2274--DISABLED PARKING SIGNS
The bills would have required all new signs erected for disabled parking to use the words "Accessible Parking" rather than "Handicap Parking" or "Handicapped Parking".
HB2274 also would have exempted anyone over the age of 80 from obtaining a physicians statement in order to obtain or renew a disabled parking plate or placard.