July 13, 2010
Gov. Nixon signs bills that include protection for consumers, help for fraternal and veterans' organizations, increased access to emergency care for rural Missourians
JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Jay Nixon today signed several bills into law, including bills to increase the number of emergency medical technicians available to serve rural Missourians, to increase protections for insurance consumers, and to require increased public notice by local governments before voting on tax increases and eminent domain. The Governor was joined by several legislators and by representatives of organizations at the bill-signing ceremony in his Capitol office.
The bills signed today by the Governor include:
Senate Bill 583
Senate Bill 583 is an omnibus insurance bill containing several provisions, including requiring a refund of unearned premiums for Medicare supplement and long-term care policies to be returned to the consumer; allowing a person enrolled in a health benefit plan to receive materials from the managed care entity or HMO in printed or electronic form; and requiring health insurance policies to include coverage for adopted children on the same basis as other dependents of the enrollee. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Norma Champion (R-Springfield) and handled in the House by Rep. Steve Hobbs (R-Mexico).
Senate Bill 851 and House Bill 1444
These bills contain identical provisions that require local governmental bodies to provide at least four days' notice before voting on tax increases, eminent domain, and certain districts and projects. Senate Bill 851 was sponsored by Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Glendale) and handled in the House by Rep. Mike Parson (R-Bolivar); House Bill 1444 was sponsored by Rep. Tim Jones (R-Eureka) and handled in the Senate by Sen. Schmitt.
Senate Bill 940
Senate Bill 940 will help fraternal and veterans' organizations that hold bingo games by increasing the number of days per week they can hold bingo from one to two, by expanding the hours of operation, by increasing the amount the organizations can spend on advertising, by removing the cap on cash prizes, and the increasing the number of "pull tab" events per year from four to 15. The bill was sponsored by Sen. David Pearce (R-Warrensburg) and handled in the House by Rep. Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg).
Senate Bill 942
Senate Bill 942 makes changes to the law regarding annexation. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Scott Rupp (R-Wentzville) and handled in the House by Rep. Chuck Gatschenberger (R-Lake Saint Louis).
Senate Bill 984
Senate Bill 984 permits patrons of Missouri casinos to use gaming chips for food and beverages on the floor of a gaming establishment. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Jim Lembke (R-St. Louis) and handled in the House by Rep. Anne Zerr (R-St. Charles).
House Bill 1375
House Bill 1375 will increase the information available to young women and their parents about the connection between the human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer. The bill also allows physicians to prescribe medication for the sexual partners of their patients to treat chlamydia and gonorrhea, a practice known as expedited partner therapy. The therapy, designed to stop the spread of these sexually transmitted diseases, is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is allowed by more than 20 other states. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Robert Cooper (R-Camdenton) and handled in the Senate by Sen. Jolie Justus (D-Kansas City).
House Bill 1977
House Bill 1977 will allow ambulance services to hire intermediate-level emergency medical technicians in addition to the advanced-level EMT-paramedics they currently can hire. The new law should improve emergency services in underserved rural Missouri by expanding the role of the EMT-Intermediate. The bill also requires all ambulances and stretcher vans to be equipped with an automated external defibrillator and to be staffed by a person trained to use this equipment. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Jay Wasson (R-Nixa) and handled in the Senate by Sen. John Griesheimer (R-Washington).
In addition to these bills signed today, Gov. Nixon ceremonially signed copies of House Bill 1692 and House Bill 2226, two bills he signed earlier this month. House Bill 1692 addresses numerous issues related to real estate, while House Bill 2226 addresses several professional registration issues.