Senator Bill White Appointed To Chair Veterans and Military Affairs Committee
Joplin Senator and Marine veteran Bill White has been appointed to chair the Veterans and Military Affairs committee, saying he’s honored to take on the leadership role in an area that he is extremely passionate about. He’ll also serve on an additional six committees including General Laws, Judiciary, Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence; Joint Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect; Health and Pensions; and Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment.
White has filed several bills this session.
Senate Bill 65, which states that punitive damages will only be awarded in a lawsuit if the plaintiff proves through clear and convincing evidence that the defendant intentionally harmed the plaintiff without just cause or acted with a deliberate disregard for the safety of others. The bill also applies to health care providers who intentionally cause damage or demonstrate malicious conduct.
Senate Bill 67 specifies that persons providing emergency medical services, in certain instances, shall only be liable for gross negligence damages in a potential lawsuit.
Senate Bill 234, specifies that hearing tests shall not be required for commercial driver’s license (CDL) applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing. It also provides a process by which CDL applicants with disabilities can request testing accommodations for the written and driving tests. This bill would eliminate an initial barrier an applicant with a hearing impairment may have previously encountered.
Senate Bill 235 would require health insurance policies to provide coverage for hearing instruments and related services for enrollees under the age of 18. This legislation would provide one hearing aid for each ear every 36 months and include selection and adjustment services. This proposal increases the level of access and affordability of hearing instruments to families with children under the age of 18.
The last proposal is Senate Bill 237. This bill would modify post-conviction treatment programs, allowing the Department of Corrections to place a person on probation into a community based cognitive behavioral intervention program as appropriate.