January 23rd Legislative Update

January 23, 2025 Update:

Advocacy Committee Update:
               There are a variety of pieces of legislation APRNs will support and oppose this legislative session.  As a reminder, the legislative session runs from January through mid-May.  Here are some of the priority bills for you to follow:

• Senate Bill 144: https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=295
• Senate Bill 179: https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=419
• House Bill 392: https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB392&year=2025&code=R
• House Bill 327: https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB327&year=2025&code=R

This morning the Senate referred SB 144 and SB 179 to the committee on emerging issues and professional registration. We hope the chair of that committee will hold a hearing soon.  In the meantime, we can still  take action on items to help advance these pieces of legislation.

Action Items:  

Right now, we can do two things to support the above legislation.  Please contact your state representative/senator about your support for these bills. If you don’t remember who represents you in Jefferson City, you can look it up here: https://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/Default

The second way to support the legislation is to call leadership in the House and ask them to move these bills through the legislative process by referring them to the committee after you contact your state representative and state senator.

APRN Day at the Capitol: 

               On Wednesday, January 22, 2025 we had our first day at the Capitol focused on APRN issues. There were about 20 APRNs from all over the state travel to Jefferson City.  We had productive meetings with our senators and representatives.  Some of these conversations were with elected officials in leadership positions and key committee chairs.  We ended the day with a meeting with State Senator Patty Lewis, the first nurse ever elected to the State Senate.

Upcoming Events:

• Solutions Conference – January 27th : https://members.missourinurses.org/calendar/Details/2025-solutions-for-the-healthcare-crises-in-missouri-1178397?sourceTypeId=Website  
• MONA/MONL Day at the Capitol – February 5th : https://members.missourinurses.org/calendar/Details/mona-monl-day-at-the-capitol-1240361?sourceTypeId=Website
• MONA Day at the Capitol – February 26th : https://members.missourinurses.org/calendar/Details/mona-day-at-the-capitol-1232283?sourceTypeId=Website
• Nurse Advocacy Day – March 5th : https://members.missourinurses.org/calendar/Details/2025-missouri-nurse-advocacy-day-1229622?sourceTypeId=Website
• MONA Day at the Capitol – March 26th : https://members.missourinurses.org/calendar/Details/mona-day-at-the-capitol-1232289?sourceTypeId=Website
• MONA Day at the Capitol – April 23rd: https://members.missourinurses.org/calendar/Details/mona-day-at-the-capitol-1232296?sourceTypeId=Website

Refer to your STLNAP website and AMNP website for dates sponsored by STLNAP/AMNP at the Capital!

 

This is the year to move forward with access to care for our citizens of Missouri.