Designates September as "Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month"
Summary
SB 111 designates the month of September each year as "Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month" in Missouri. The bill is primarily commemorative and educational: it encourages Missouri citizens to take part in activities and events that raise awareness of ovarian cancer, with an emphasis on the importance of early detection and treatment.
The measure does not create a regulatory program, mandate reporting, or appropriate funding. Instead, it adds a new section to Chapter 9 of the Missouri statutes establishing an official state observance and promoting public awareness of a serious health issue.
Impact
By adding section 9.234 to Chapter 9, RSMo, the bill formally places ovarian cancer awareness on the state calendar and authorizes an annual observance in September. Its legal effect is limited to symbolic designation and public encouragement; it does not alter health-care coverage, screening requirements, or treatment standards, and it does not impose obligations on state agencies, employers, or private parties.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests broad support and little controversy. The Senate passed the bill on third reading by a unanimous 28-0 vote, indicating strong bipartisan agreement or at least no recorded opposition. No committee transcripts are available, but the vote pattern is consistent with a noncontroversial awareness-resolution style bill.
Contention
There is no recorded substantive contention in the materials provided. Because the bill is an awareness designation rather than a policy or spending measure, any debate would likely have centered on the value of official state observances versus the need to keep the statute book limited, but no such objections appear in the available record. The unanimous vote suggests that legislators viewed the measure as a straightforward public-health awareness effort.