The Power of a Legislative Champion: SB 618 Passes Second Reading in MO Senate

(February 4, 2010) -- The Missouri autism insurance reform bill, Senate Bill 618, faced two days of debate on the floor of the State Senate this past week. The bill’s sponsor, Missouri State Senator Scott Rupp, fought incredibly hard against opposition and amendments that sought to weaken the bill. Thanks to Senator Rupp’s passionate and well prepared arguments in support of this bill, SB 618 passed its second reading and was perfected (meaning no more amendments can be added). The bill now heads to the Fiscal Oversight committee before being read on the floor for a third time for the final vote.

• Watch footage of Senator Rupp discussing SB 618

On the House side, HB 1311 passed out of the Special Standing Committee on Insurance and has now been placed in the Rules Committee for consideration as early as next week before heading to the floor for its second reading.