HB 1723 raises the age of consent from 17 to 18 years for sexual intercourse and lowers the age difference threshold for certain offenses from 4 to 3 years when involving minors. It modifies statutory rape and child molestation classifications (e.g., second-degree child molestation becomes a class B felony if the offender is over 3 years older than a minor under 18). The bill updates sex offender registration requirements, establishing tiered registration periods of 15 years (Tier I), 25 years (Tier II), or for life (Tier III), with potential reductions for clean records. These changes directly affect individuals engaging in sexual activity with minors under 18 and those subject to sex offender registration laws.
HB 2351 adds "failure to secure a load" (violating section 307.010) to the list of traffic violations that earn 2 points on a driver's license. This specifically affects commercial drivers who transport goods, as failing to secure cargo properly will now count toward license point totals. The bill amends existing point assessment rules to include this violation, aligning it with other non-speeding traffic offenses like improper equipment. Points are assessed after conviction and can lead to license suspension if accumulated, but drivers may avoid points by completing approved driver improvement courses (within limits).
HB 2357 prohibits minors (under 18) from purchasing or refilling prepaid mobile devices themselves, and also bans adults (non-parents/guardians) from buying or refilling devices for minors. The bill directly affects minors seeking mobile service and adults who might purchase devices for them. Key provisions include treating minor violations as minor offenses, while first-time adult violations are class D misdemeanors, with repeat offenses or prior crimes against children escalating to class A misdemeanors. This creates specific legal consequences for both minors and adults involved in prohibited transactions.
HB 2347 exempts state legislators from paying labor costs when requesting public records under Missouri's sunshine law, while still requiring them to cover material costs for paper copies. The bill amends existing fee rules (sections 610.010-610.028) to clarify that legislators are not charged for staff time or research related to their record requests. This directly affects state lawmakers who seek public records for official duties, as they will no longer incur fees for labor associated with fulfilling those requests. The exemption applies to all fees under subsections (1) and (2) of the sunshine law provisions, except for paper copy costs. The bill does not alter the core sunshine law requirements for other requesters.
HB 2346 requires limited liability companies (LLCs) owning real property in specific large cities or counties - such as St. Louis County (population over 1 million) or certain home rule cities - to file a written statement with the local clerk naming a contact person responsible for the property. This contact must be a natural person with management control, and LLCs must update this information within 30 days if the contact changes. The bill prohibits charging fees for these filings and allows affected individuals, counties, or cities to seek court enforcement if an LLC fails to comply. The law directly affects LLCs owning property in designated high-population areas, aiming to improve accountability for property management.
HB 1724 exempts owners of "prior salvage" vehicles (vehicles declared salvage by insurance but retained by the owner) from mandatory vehicle examinations when applying for a new title. This applies specifically to vehicles where an insurance company paid a claim on a salvage vehicle and the owner kept it, or where the insurance company transferred the salvage vehicle to a buyer. The bill removes the requirement for a vehicle examination certificate under section 301.190, subsection 10, simplifying the title process for these applicants. It directly affects owners of salvage vehicles who retain them after an insurance claim. The exemption would streamline title applications for this specific category of vehicles.
HB 2352 requires individuals convicted of intoxication-related traffic offenses (like DUI/DWI) to install and maintain a functioning ignition interlock device (IID) in their vehicles. This applies to all drivers reinstating a license after a first offense (for at least six months) and those with limited driving privileges after a second or subsequent offense. The device prevents a vehicle from starting if alcohol is detected on the driver's breath. These requirements apply in addition to existing state laws about IIDs and carry penalties for non-compliance.
HB 1720 requires cities, towns, counties, and villages to establish public comment policies for their regular meetings. It mandates a designated public comment period at the start of each meeting, with at least three minutes per speaker, a one-hour total limit, and no restrictions on comment content. The bill also requires local governments to accept written comments from those unable to attend and prohibits banning attendees except for specific offenses like disorderly conduct. These rules apply directly to residents, businesses, and taxpayers seeking to address local governing bodies.
HB 2345 creates tax credits for Missouri taxpayers who donate to domestic violence shelters or rape crisis centers. Businesses and individuals can claim a 50% tax credit for donations before July 1, 2022, and 70% after, up to $50,000 annually per taxpayer. The bill limits total annual credits to $2 million before 2022 (no limit after), requires donations of at least $100 to qualify, and includes a $1,000 credit for converting abandoned property into shelters starting in 2027. It directly affects taxpayers making qualifying donations and shelters classified by the Department of Social Services.
HB 2339 is a definitional bill that clarifies terms used in Missouri's protective order system. It establishes specific meanings for terms like "abuse" (including pet abuse, harassment, and coercive control), "domestic violence," "coercive control" (e.g., isolating a person or controlling finances), and "petitioner" to ensure consistent application of protective orders. The bill does not create new offenses or change existing protections - it only standardizes language to help courts and legal professionals apply existing laws correctly. This summary focuses solely on the bill's purpose as stated in its text.
HB 2360 allows charter counties and counties with alternative government structures in Missouri to create their own property assessment and tax systems. It permits these counties to adjust how often properties are valued, set limits on value changes based on inflation or population, and determine tax calculation methods - while still following state constitutional tax uniformity rules. Counties can also require transparency measures like efficiency audits before seeking tax increases. The bill requires counties using these options to report their methods and impacts annually to the state tax commission and auditor. This directly affects eligible counties and their taxpayers by giving local governments more flexibility in managing property tax policies.
HB 1719 requires that all peace officers' basic law enforcement training include at least four hours of instruction on officer-canine encounters and canine behaviors. This training must cover specific topics such as understanding canine behavior, handling unplanned encounters, using humane methods, relevant state canine laws, and nonlethal defense techniques. The bill applies to every peace officer's basic training requirement, meaning it will be mandated for new officers as part of their initial certification process. The bill is currently pending in the legislature after being prefaced and read in the House.
