HB 2455 replaces Missouri's existing anti-discrimination laws with a new Missouri Fair Housing Act framework. It expands protections to prohibit housing discrimination based on familial status (e.g., families with children) and clarifies "disability" to include individuals successfully in rehabilitation programs. The bill creates 28 new sections defining prohibited practices in both employment and housing, including updated terms for protected characteristics like race, religion, and disability. This directly affects landlords, employers, and residents across Missouri by establishing clearer standards for fair housing and workplace practices.
HB 2441 increases penalties for illegally parking in spaces reserved for people with disabilities in Missouri. It raises fines from $50-$300 to $100-$500 for unauthorized use of these spaces, as specified in the amended statute (Section 301.143). The bill also requires clear signage with the accessibility symbol and the exact fine amount, and mandates that new parking spaces include wider access aisles for wheelchair lifts. This directly affects individuals who misuse disability parking permits and property owners responsible for maintaining compliant parking facilities.
This bill modifies Missouri's compulsory school attendance law to require parents or guardians to enroll children aged 5-17 in an educational program (public, private, parochial, home, or full-time equivalent) and ensure regular attendance. It adds new exemptions allowing excused absences for mental health concerns (with professional documentation), 14+ year olds with legal employment (after parental notice), and children with mental/physical incapacities. The law sets the compulsory attendance age at 17 for most districts (with metro districts able to set it at 16), clarifies that private/religious schools cannot be forced to adopt state-mandated curricula, and defines home school credits as 100+ hours of instruction. It directly affects all Missouri families with school-aged children and educational institutions.
HB 2443 revises Missouri's laws governing degrees at public colleges and universities. It designates the University of Missouri as the sole state institution permitted to offer research doctorates (like PhDs) and certain professional degrees (such as law, medicine, or veterinary medicine), with limited exceptions. The bill creates a new Coordinating Board for Higher Education to review and approve all new degree programs, requiring institutions to prove they’ve explored collaboration with other schools, meet quality standards, address workforce needs, and align with state education plans. This replaces prior oversight structures and centralizes authority over degree offerings for public institutions.
HB 2453 removes the statute of limitations for prosecuting certain sexual offenses under Missouri's Chapter 566, meaning prosecutors can file charges at any time, regardless of when the crime occurred. This directly affects victims of these specific sexual offenses, as it eliminates time restrictions that previously prevented prosecution after a certain period. The bill repeals prior limits and replaces them with a provision stating prosecutions for these offenses "may be commenced at any time." It does not change time limits for other crimes, which remain subject to standard statutes of limitations.
HB 2440 lowers the minimum age for jury service eligibility in Missouri from 21 to 19 years old. The bill directly affects Missouri residents aged 19 to 20 who were previously disqualified from serving on petit or grand juries. It amends Missouri law to replace the existing disqualification for "less than twenty-one years of age" with "less than nineteen years of age" in the list of eligibility requirements. This change specifically modifies the age threshold for jury service without altering other disqualification criteria like citizenship, residency, or felony convictions.
HJR 141 proposes a constitutional amendment that would change how Missouri's state tax commission handles property tax appeals. If approved by voters in 2026, it would limit the commission's authority starting January 1, 2027: the commission could no longer increase property valuations in appeals, only uphold current values or lower them. The amendment also requires the commission to provide each county with detailed reports listing properties that are either undervalued or overvalued compared to their actual market value. This change would directly affect property owners, local governments, and the commission by altering the appeal process for property tax assessments.
HB 2438 renames Missouri's "State Tax Commission" to the "State Assessment Commission" and changes its structure. The bill expands the commission from three to seven members starting January 1, 2027, requiring all commissioners to have real property appraisal experience (as former assessment officers, appraisers, or licensed appraisers). It modifies appointment rules, including staggered terms and a limit of four commissioners from the same political party. The change directly affects the commission's composition and operations, shifting focus from tax administration to property assessment oversight. The bill does not alter tax rates or policies, only the governing body's name and membership requirements.
HB 2446 adds the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) to Missouri's list of professional sports teams eligible for special license plates. Missouri vehicle owners who pay a $35 annual fee to these teams can obtain personalized plates bearing their emblems, with the fee partially funding local sports marketing. The bill requires teams to forward most of the $35 fee (minus up to 5% for administration) to either the Jackson County Sports Authority or St. Louis tourism commission for team promotion. This change expands existing license plate options for teams already listed, such as the NFL and NBA, without altering other eligibility rules.
HB 2450 decriminalizes specific acts related to prostitution by removing criminal penalties for individuals engaging in consensual sex work, while establishing a new offense of "commercial sexual exploitation" targeting those who profit from or control others in sex work. The bill directly affects people engaging in certain sex work activities (no longer facing criminal charges) and those exploiting others through commercial sex operations. Key mechanisms include repealing existing prostitution-related statutes and replacing them with new definitions and penalties, such as criminalizing commercial sexual exploitation (e.g., profiting from others' sex work) while removing criminal liability for the individuals performing the acts. The law clarifies terms like "commercial sexual exploitation" and "sexually oriented business" to define the scope of the new offense.
HB 2451 modifies Missouri's law against making false reports to law enforcement or emergency services. It defines the offense as knowingly providing false information to: (1) implicate someone in a crime, (2) report a fake crime or emergency, (3) falsely report an emergency situation, or (4) falsely report someone's immigration status. The law classifies this as a class B misdemeanor (punishable by up to 90 days in jail or fines), and allows a defense if the false report is retracted before authorities take action. This bill directly affects individuals who intentionally mislead police, fire departments, or emergency responders with false information.
HJR 142 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would add a new right to Missouri's state constitution, protecting individuals' ability to make medical decisions - including gender-affirming care - without government interference. It would require that any medical decision be freely made by the individual, supported by a licensed physician, and consistent with evidence-based standards of care. The amendment specifically includes the right for adults to make decisions about gender-affirming procedures (such as hormone therapy, surgeries, and fertility preservation) and prohibits state interference or discrimination against individuals or providers supporting these choices. If approved by voters in the 2026 election, this would become a constitutional right in Missouri, not an immediate law.
