Friday, July 8, 2005
Contact: Spence Jackson, (573) 751-0290
Governor Signs Bills Protecting Missouri Children
SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Matt Blunt today signed Senate Bill’s 74 and 73 both sponsored by Springfield area legislators.
"Today I am pleased to sign these bills that will have a positive impact on our state," Blunt said. "Sen. Norma Champion’s bills will help protect Missouri’s children from harmful diseases and elements, will promote efficiency in state government and will make it easier for counties to provide families the tools they need to protect themselves from sexual offenders."
Senate Bill 74, sponsored by Sen. Champion, bans trace amounts of mercury in vaccines given to knowingly pregnant women and children under the age of three. The bill also gives the Department of Health and Senior Services discretion to determine disorders for which the newborn screening program should test, allowing the department to focus state resources on areas that are most beneficial to Missourians. The legislation also expands education resources related to hepatitis C, helping to provide Missourians information on the transmittal, symptoms and effects of hepatitis C.
Senate Bill 74 will capture Blunt’s call to maximize personnel productivity, use technology effectively and increase customer service in state government by allowing the Bureau of Vital Records to accept electronic signatures for birth and death certificates.
Senate Bill 73, also sponsored by Sen. Champion, allows Missouri counties to post convicted sex offenders’ pictures on their Internet sites, in addition to the name and address of the offender. Adding photos to sex offender websites will make it easier for individuals to identify sex offenders living in their communities.
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