93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
(AP) – In addition to Missouri’s abortion bill passing Friday, two others came through on the final day of the legislative session.
Missouri school children could get an additional August weekend at home under legislation given final approval.
A bill passed Friday would push back the start date for public schools by an extra four days. State law currently says schools can start no sooner than 10 days before the first Monday in September. The bill would change that to 14 days.
State law currently has an exception for schools to start earlier if the school board gives notice and holds a public meeting before voting to do so.
The legislation would do away with that exception starting with the 2020-2021 school year.
Supporters say the later start dates could help the economy by providing an extra weekend for tourists to take summer vacations.
Missouri lawmakers have also given final approval to a measure that could relax a pair of roadway safety provisions.
The legislation sent to Gov. Mike Parson on Friday would do away with the need for vehicle safety inspections on an estimated one million vehicles that have less than 150,000 miles and are no more than 10 years old.
It also would repeal Missouri’s helmet requirement for motorcycle riders who are at least 18 years old and have health insurance.
Some lawmakers have been trying for a long time to repeal the helmet requirement. They passed a bill to do so in 2009 but it was vetoed by then-Gov. Jay Nixon.
This year’s bill also would raise fees for getting vehicle and driver’s licenses.
