SPONSOR: DeGroot
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions by a vote of 11 to 0. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules- Legislative Oversight by a vote of 9 to 0.
This bill specifies that the Director of the Department of Corrections must ensure that tampons and sanitary napkins are available for free to offenders while they are confined in any of the Department's correctional centers. The Director must ensure that the products conform with applicable industry standards. Additionally, every sheriff and jailer who holds a person in custody pursuant to a writ or process for a criminal offense must ensure that tampons and sanitary napkins are available for free to such person in custody, in a quantity that is appropriate for the health care needs of the person. The sheriff or jailer must ensure that the products conform with applicable industry standards. The General Assembly may appropriate funds to assist the Director or sheriffs and jailers in fulfilling their duties.
The bill contains an emergency clause.
This bill is similar to HB 920 (2019).
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that the bill enacts rules similar to federal requirements and state correctional facility practices. It provides inmates with dignity and helps prevent medical issues at a very small cost.
Testifying for the bill were Representative DeGroot; Jewish Community Relations Council; Olivia McLarnan, Dream Corps Justice; Missouri Appleseed; Candance Wesson, The Help(Kc); Kaitlin Owens, American Conservative Union; Matthew Rosene; Twyla Adair; Arnie C. A Dienoff; Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri; St. Louis Area Diaper Bank; and the National Association of Social Workers - Missouri Chapter.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
Testifying on the bill was Jill Barnas, Missouri Science and Technology Policy Initiative.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: