Prescription drug monitoring program on top of Rehder's 2015 to-do list

SIKESTON, Mo. -- As she enters her second full term, state Rep. Holly Rehder, R-Sikeston, is preparing for the first regular session of the 98th Missouri General Assembly that convenes at noon Wednesday in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Rehder, who was elected to her first two-year term in November 2012, represents District 148, which comprises parts of Scott and Mississippi counties. She has served on the Appropriations Committee for Health, Mental Health and Social Services and also the Appropriations Committee for Revenue, Transportation and Economic Development, among others.

Last month, Rehder prefiled to sponsor a bill she has co-sponsored the past couple years, House Bill 130, which establishes the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Act.

"This bill is a high priority for me," Rehder said. "The last two years, Rep. [Kevin] Engler had carried that bill, and I felt that this year I'm filing it to be the sponsor."

Missouri is the only state without a prescription drug monitoring program. The program would be a database that collects information to let doctors and pharmacists know a patient's prescription history. The program is used to reduce the amount of medications sold on the street and to reduce the risk of doctor-shopping and abusing painkillers for nonmedical reasons, Rehder said.

In addition, Rehder said she plans to continue pushing bills that didn't get passed last session. Among those at the top of her list is the grandparent guardianship bill.

"I'm hopeful we're going to mimic some legislation that's been done in other states," Rehder said. "You have so many children now -- and often because of the drug epidemic -- being raised by their grandparents, and a lot of them are just dropped off or their mom goes to jail, and these kids are left with their grandparents who are strapped for money already."

In addition, Rehder said she hopes to see movement on right-to-work legislation.

"Labor reform is still on the top of my list," Rehder said. "... I am 100 percent for employees' freedom, and I believe it's the employee's right whether they want to join a union or not."

Rehder said she plans to pursue the paycheck protection bill, which last year made it through the House and Senate before being traded for a bill regarding a 72-hour abortion waiting period.

"I'm very happy and proud about that," Rehder said. "We have a larger majority this year than last, so I feel that we can get that [paycheck protection bill] passed through both the House and Senate this year."

The bill prohibits any public employee from being required to pay dues or other fees to a labor organization.