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PDMP Passes House
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 A bill that would establish a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) passed the Missouri House this week by a vote of 98-56. Under HB 1693, sponsored by Rep. Holly Rehder (R-Sikeston), a pharmacist must send prescription and patient information to the Department of Health and Senior Services for any controlled substance issued to a patient within 24 hours. The information will be confidential.
Missouri is the only state that doesn't have a PDMP. Currently, St. Louis County has a drug monitoring program that covers about 80% of the state. This measure would expand coverage statewide with added protections. Supporters of the bill insisted that a PDMP is the only way to prevent people from shopping around for doctors to fill their narcotic prescriptions. Opponents voiced concerns about privacy and that a PDMP could push users to seek more dangerous drugs like heroin and fentanyl.
The bill now moves to the Senate where it will be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee. |
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U.S. Senate to Vote on Pro-life Bills Next Week
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 The United States Senate will soon vote on bills to protect unborn children from late-term abortions and children who survive abortions. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act will likely be brought to the Senate floor next week for a vote.
The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act would make it unlawful to perform an abortion on an unborn child at 20 weeks or later, recognizing the medical evidence that an unborn child can feel pain at this stage. The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act would require any health care provider present when a child is born alive after an abortion to provide the same level of care and treatment as they would any other newborn at the same gestational age.
Archbishop Joseph Naumann, Chairman of the United State Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities, has urged senators to pass both bills. Archbishop Naumann's letter to senators regarding the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act can be read here and his letter regarding the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act can be read here.
In addition, the USCCB is asking Catholics to contact their senators to urge them to vote for both bills when they come up for a vote. Information on how to contact your senator can be found on the USCCB Action Center. |
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Elder Parole Bill Passes Committee
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 By a vote of 6-2, the House Special Committee on Criminal Justice passed HB 2034, sponsored by Rep. Tom Hannegan (R-St. Charles). The bill aims to give a chance at parole to individuals who were sentenced to life without parole for a minimum of 50 years back in the 1980's. Since that time, sentencing laws were changed, reducing life without parole sentences to 30 years, leaving about 55 people caught in outdated 50 year sentences. The bill states that those individuals who have reached 65 years of age, have served thirty years, and meet other criteria, could petition the parole board for a parole hearing. The parole board would still have the authority to deny parole. The bill will now go to the Rules Committee for further debate. |
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Lent - A Season of Reconciliation
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 Next Wednesday begins the season of Lent, and we are called to penance and reflection on our lives with the reminder that "we are dust and to dust we shall return." The Church calls us not only to prayer and fasting during this season, but also to take advantage of the sacrament of reconciliation. Through this sacrament, we can renew our relationship with the Lord by confessing our brokenness as we allow Christ to offer us absolution through the priest who stands in His place through the mystery of the Holy Spirit.
In some states, including Missouri, bills have been filed that would require priests to reveal things learned in the sacrament as a means of preventing child abuse. These bills (HB 1812 and HB 2136), while perhaps well-intentioned, would undermine the confidentiality so necessary to the sacrament and infringe upon religious liberty. In 2019, when such a bill was stopped in California, Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles issued the following statement explaining why such legislation would be harmful. During this season of Lent, take advantage of the sacrament of reconciliation and give thanks to God for the freedom to do so. |
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MCC Public Policy Committee Visits Governor Parson
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 This week, members of the MCC's Public Policy Committee spent the morning at the Missouri State Capitol for the committee's annual lobby day. The group met with several legislators, as well as Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe and Missouri Governor Mike Parson. The committee thanked the legislators for their work on current and past legislation, including bills with a focus on criminal justice reform and pro-life concerns. Lieutenant Governor Kehoe shared insight into his office's special responsibilities and daily life inside the Capitol, and showed us a plaque of the Holy Mother that his own mother had given him when he entered political office. We thanked Governor Parson for his letter in support of refugee resettlement in Missouri and his continued efforts to protect the unborn. To see photos from the day, visit the Public Policy Committee page on our website or visit the MCC Facebook page! |
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