Legislative Update: 4.14.24

Voting Rights Bill #: ΗΒ 1445 LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill. Short Description: Makes Election Day a state holiday and requires colleges & universities to be closed that day unless serving as a polling place. Status of the Bill: Scheduled for a hearing on Monday, April 15 @ 4:30 PM in the House Elections and Elected Officials Committee. Link to the summary of the bill: Summary of HB 1445 5 for Democracy: Submit testimony here Firearms Bill #: HCS HB 1440 LWVMO OPPOSES this bill. Short Description: This bill allows designated school personnel the authority to carry a weapon on school grounds if they have obtained a concealed carry endorsement or permit. Status of the Bill: Placed on the House Formal Perfection Calendar, Monday April 15. Link to the summary of the bill: Summary of HCS HB 1440 5 for Democracy: Contact your Representative and tell them you oppose this bill. Look up your representative HERE. Links to further reading: https://www.acluwv.org/en/news/four-reasons-why-arming-schoolteachers-wont-make-schools-safer https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/04/11/about-1-in-4-us-teachers-say-their-school-went-into-a-gun-related-lockdown-in-the-last-school-year/?utm_source=pocket-newtab-en-us Social Justice Bill #: SB969 LWVMO SUPPORTS this bill. Short Description: Prohibits discrimination on the basis of hair texture and protective hairstyles in any program or activity conducted by educational institutions that receive or benefit from state financial assistance or state student financial aid. This bill is similar to HCS HBS 1900, 1591 & 2515. Status of the Bill: Placed on the Senate Formal Perfection Calendar. Link to the summary of the bill: Summary of SB969 here 5 for Democracy: Contact your Representative and tell them you support this bill. Look up your representative HERE. Links to further reading: MO has yet to pass the CROWN Act to ban hair discrimination; When CROWN Acts stall in states