Perspective: Protecting freedom of conscience

The House passed legislation last week to protect the First Amendment right of freedom of conscience for health care providers. HB 1430, sponsored by Speaker Tim Jones, specifies that doctors, pharmacists, nurses and other health care providers cannot be required to participate in medical procedures which violate their conscience.

Several Democrats voiced objections to the bill - arguing that it intruded on their pro-abortion values. One representative argued, "Someone else's principles don't get to trump my principles" and then explained why her principles should require doctors to participate in abortions. For this representative and others who voted no, it is apparent that being pro-choice is not nearly enough. Instead, they seek to force medical professionals to perform abortions. I find this position morally and legally repugnant. Freedom cannot depend on forcing someone else to do something that violates their religious beliefs. That's not freedom. It's compulsion.

I was pleased to see the bill pass by an overwhelming vote of 116-38, and hope it can make it through the Senate this year to become law.

Improving career and technical education

On Wednesday, the House Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education heard legislation to increase flexibility for students pursuing career and technical education. The bill, sponsored by Rep. David Wood, R-Eldon, allows students who will likely enter the workforce immediately upon high school graduation to take classes directly relevant to their chosen career path. I look forward to voting for it in committee and on the House floor.

Education establishment asks state board to pretend it has a magic wand

On Tuesday, the state's education establishment joined together to offer a "plan" to fix struggling schools in our state. Their plan is simple. They ask the State Board of Education to wave its magic wand and declare a struggling district cured through a simple administrative pronouncement. Here's how it would work. Once the State Board declares a district unaccredited, the district could enter into a contract with the State Board promising to improve ... and presto!, the district would magically be deemed provisionally accredited.

This plan wouldn't require any evidence of actual improvement, and it makes a joke of the school accreditation process. It changes that process from one which stresses accountability to one which perpetuates failure without consequence. It's geared toward protecting existing power structures rather than ensuring substantive changes to improve the lives of Missouri families with students trapped in struggling schools. In addition, it arguably violates the letter of existing state laws and undoubtedly violates the intent of SB 125, the education reform bill I helped pass just last year.

In recent years, the State Board has proven that it has the political courage to make difficult decisions regarding struggling districts, and it's my hope that the board will continue in that tradition.

Death penalty protocol

Last Monday, the House Committee on Government Oversight and Accountability heard testimony on the state's new death penalty protocol. This hearing was not about whether the state should continue to have a death penalty, but instead about how it is carried out.

Regardless of your opinion on the death penalty, I think reasonable people agree that executions should happen constitutionally.

This hearing followed numerous press reports raising questions about whether the last three executions had occurred improperly, while the condemned had an outstanding appeal, and illegally because the Department of Corrections procured the lethal drugs in an illegal fashion.

After hearing from the Department of Corrections, an attorney for death row inmates, the Attorney General's office, and a death penalty expert from Mizzou, I believe Missourians can be confident that, press reports to the contrary, there was nothing unconstitutional about the timing of the last three executions.

However, serious questions still exist as to the legality of the state's method for obtaining the execution drugs.

It was obvious from the hearing that the Department of Corrections has been placed in an impossible situation. As explained by the director of the department, the "statute mandates the department to carry out the executions. It doesn't say, "Try your best.'" In terms of a legislative response, I will support legislation sponsored by Rep. Eric Burlison, which would subject the execution protocol to greater public and legislative oversight.

Other happenings

Privacy Bills Advance - On Thursday, the House Committee on Downsizing State Government passed two of the privacy bills I have filed: HB 1332, relating to the privacy of vehicle GPS recorders, and HB 1330, relating to the privacy of personal health records.

School-Based Health Clinics Legislation Advances - On Monday, the House Committee on Government Oversight and Accountability voted to do pass HB 1052, legislation I sponsored to encourage the creation of school-based health clinics, which studies show save money and improve education and health outcomes for students.

State Rep. Jay Barnes, R-Jefferson City, represents Missouri's 60th District.