Legislative wrap up

By Jewels Phraner

Published June 8, 2006

Availability of Plan B still has foggy future

Competing bills filed to address the availability of emergency contraception died in the legislative session ending last month.

Plan B can be taken up to 72 hours after sex to prevent pregnancy.

Sen. Joan Bray, D-St. Louis, sponsored a bill in January designed to reduce abortions by ensuring access to Plan B.

Although the bill never reached the floor, Sen. Rita Days, D-St. Louis, said she was pleased with how far the bill got.

"Of course, getting the bill passed was our ultimate goal," she said. "But I am generally very pleased that there was not much anti-choice legislation and the continuation with the forward thinking in the Senate. I see a bill similar to this one passing in the future."

Two other bills regarding the availability of the drug were introduced but never reached the floor either. One would have required emergency contraceptives, like Plan B, be available by prescription only and the other would have allowed pharmacists to refuse to fill a Plan B prescription because they "have good faith belief is used for abortions."

Senate Bill No. 943: First Prevention Act

Sponsor: Sen. Joan Bray, D-St. Louis

Next Session: If sen. Bray gets reelected, she plans on re-filing the same legislation.

Middle school student's bill fails to pass

Sen. Bill Alter's, R-High Ridge, efforts to ban the sale of cold beer went nowhere this session.

Alter got the idea from a middle school student. Each student attending one of three schools in his district had to write an essay giving a solution to prevent drunken driving. One girl's essay suggested no alcohol be sold at a temperature of less than 60 degrees.

The bill would "prohibit the sale of individually packaged beer or beer that is refrigerated below 60 degrees on the premises of any grocery or convenience store."

It got a hearing in the Senate Pensions, Veterans Affairs and General Laws Committee in February but never reached the floor.

Alter's legislative aid Mary Lois Gerdes said the ban likely won't be back next year.

Senate Bill No. 763: No Cold Beer

Sponsor: Sen. Bill Alter, R-Jefferson County

Next Session: This bill started as a middle school project. Rep. Alter does not plan on re-filing next session.

No-drug scholarship gets a no-go

A bill that would give college scholarships to students who pledge to stay drug-free died in the House Special Committee on Student Achievement and Finance.

Rep. Rachel Storch, D-St. Louis, said she plans to introduce the same legislation next session.

The bill would have established the Twenty- First Century Scholars program to give high school students, who are qualified for reducedprice lunch, financial aid at any Missouri college or university, if they sign a contract saying they will stay away from drugs and alcohol through high school. Students would also be required to maintain a 2.0 grade point average and apply for other scholarships.

Storch said she would work with Republicans to build support for the program next year.

"This program has a lot of merit and makes secondary education more accessible for all students, especially low income students," she said.

House Bill No. 1643: Drug-Free Scholarships

Sponsor: Rep. Rachel Storch, D-St. Louis

Next Session: Plan to introduce the same legislation next senate.

Deadly force defense put on hold

To give Missourians a new edge in protecting themselves against criminals, Sen. John Cauthorn, R-Mexico, tried to exempt people from prosecution if they kill another when they fear death, serious injury, rape, sodomy or kidnapping.

It also allowed people to use deadly force to protect their homes and vehicles.

The bill had a hearing in the Senate Judiciary and Civil & Criminal Jurisprudence Committee in February, but the legislative session ended before it could reach the floor.

It was Cauthorn's last attempt at passing the bill because term limits forced him to leave the Senate when the session ended in May.

A companion bill filed by Rep. Marilyn Ruestman, R-Joplin, cleared the House.

Senate Bill No. 571: Person & Property Protection

Sponsor: Sen. John Cuathorn, R-Mexico

Next Session: Sen. Cauthorn has termed out as senator, so this bill will not be reintroduced next session.