It was a busy week for the Missouri State Senate, according to Denny Hoskins, R-District 21, Warrensburg.

A release from Hoskins says the Missouri Senate began the week with a late night. On Monday, it took up a proposal to increase the penalties for protesters who block traffic. The senate worked on the legislation until well past midnight before finally perfecting Senate Bill 26 <https://www.senate.mo.gov/21info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=54105537>.

In addition to making unlawful traffic interference a crime – the first offense is an infraction; the bill also includes a provision making it illegal to deface a public monument or structure on public property. Both of these provisions are in response to last summer’s protests, which included destruction of statutes honoring historic figures. Also included in SB 26 is a Bill of Rights for law-enforcement officers, ensuring due process for policemen and women accused of wrong-doing. The bill was third read and passed before the Senate left for the week, and now is in the hands of the State House of Representatives.

Also this week, the Senate passed a COVID-19 liability protection bill and sent it onto the House of Representatives for its consideration. Senate Bill 51 <https://www.senate.mo.gov/21info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=54105525> shields small businesses, healthcare facilities and first responders from lawsuits resulting from COVID-19 exposure, except in cases of recklessness or willful misconduct. The legislation also offers product liability protections for manufacturers who stepped outside their normal business expertise to produce PPE and other products in response to the health emergency. Additional provisions exempt churches from COVID-19 lawsuits unless intentional misconduct can be shown. Despite an unfounded rumor to the contrary, this bill does not require anyone to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.