Thursday, June 21, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Signs Bills furthering his Commitment to Missouri's Children
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today signed bills that further his commitment to enhancing the delivery of services for Missouri's children. The governor also signed two bills championed by Missouri students.
"I am committed to providing our children the tools they need to succeed and will continue to support policy and budget priorities that put Missouri children first," Blunt said. "Missourians can be proud that this legislation continues our efforts to improve the Amber Alert system in Missouri, to ensure that Missouri students receive proper screening for vision problems and to improve the educational resources available to Missourians who are hearing impaired. I am also pleased that some of Missouri's students have made the trip to the Capitol to be here as I sign legislation they championed while learning about the legislative process."
Senate Bill 16, sponsored by Sen. Delbert Scott, requires comprehensive eye examinations for children entering kindergarten or first grade, and also requires vision screenings for students beginning first and third grades. Comprehensive eye exams are conducted by eye care professionals and review all aspects of eye health; visual screenings may be performed by a variety of school officials and usually review only children's visual acuity.
Senate Bill 84, sponsored by Sen. Norma Champion makes changes to laws that will improve children's safety and help law enforcement. Among other provisions, the bill states in law that the Amber Alert System is exclusively for children less than 18 years of age. This legislation also puts into law a similar program that started in January of this year that builds on the same concept as the Amber Alert to locate other missing or endangered persons. The legislation helps ensure that Missouri's laws are consistent with national alert standards so that state borders will not hinder efforts to recover missing or endangered children. Governor Blunt encourages all Missourians to sign up as Amber Alert partners at www.missouriamberalert.com.
House Bill 181, sponsored by Rep. Therese Sander, requires closed or open captioning on electronic video instructional materials for use in educational institutions beginning Jan. 1, 2008.
House Bill 272, sponsored by Rep. Jim Viebrock, designates the three-toed box turtle as the official reptile of the state of Missouri and House Bill 351, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Wood, designates the crayfish as the official invertebrate of the state of Missouri. Students from Reed Springs Elementary School championed House Bill 351.