Criminal Justice (Courts)

SB 1176 - This act creates and modifies provisions relating to firearms. ASSAULT WEAPONS (Section 571.023) This act provides that no person, corporation, or other entity in Missouri shall manufacture, import, possess, purchase, sell, or transfer any assault weapon or large capacity magazine as defined in the act. Any person in violation of this act shall be guilty of a class C felony. This act shall not apply to government entities or agents, law enforcement officers, manufacturers selling to government entities, properly licensed firearms dealers, and any person legally in possession of an assault weapon or large capacity magazine prior to the effective date of this act. This provision is identical to SB 1337 (2026), and to a provision in SB 346 (2025), SB 405 (2025), SB 1100 (2024), SB 971 (2024), SB 330 (2023), SB 441 (2023), and HB 1533 (2020). UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OR TRANSFER OF A FIREARM (Section 571.070 & 571.080) This act provides that any person committed to a mental institution at 16 years of age or older is prohibited from possessing a firearm unless he or she petitions the court to remove the disqualification pursuant to current law. Additionally, this act provides that for firearm purchasers under the age of 21, a background check is required to determine whether the individual has a juvenile record that would disqualify him or her from purchasing firearms, pursuant to federal law. This provision is identical to a provision in SB 346 (2025), SB 971 (2024) and SB 330 (2023). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

Based solely on the provided context, a detailed summary of SB 1055 cannot be generated. The bill's title and abstract ("Modifies provisions relating to firearms") are too generic to identify specific policy changes, affected groups, or mechanisms. No concrete provisions, voting records, or committee details about the bill's content are included in the provided information. Without the actual bill text or specific legislative details, describing its provisions or impact would require speculation, which violates the requirement for factual, neutral reporting.

SCS/SBs 1164 & 1476 - This act modifies provisions relating to adult cabaret performances. ADULT CABARET PERFORMANCE DEFINITION (67.2540) This act defines "adult cabaret performance" in regards to provisions relating to restrictions on sexually oriented businesses. This provision is identical to a provision contained in HB 1702 (2026) and HB 2407 (2026). SEXUALLY ORIENTED BILLBOARDS (226.531) This act adds the definition of "adult cabaret performance" in regards to sexually oriented billboards. The definition of "sexually oriented business" is modified to include any business that offers an adult cabaret performance. This provision is identical to a provision contained in HB 1702 (2026) and HB 2407 (2026). CIVIL ACTIONS FOR ADULT CABARET PERFORMANCES (SECTION 537.048) This act establishes a civil action brought by a resident of a city, town, or village where an adult cabaret performance is conducted against an adult cabaret performer whose adult cabaret performance contains actions or material that, proven by a preponderance of the evidence, appeal to a prurient interest in sex and occur on public property or in a location that could be viewed by a person under the age of 18. The court may award damages or injunctive relief as it deems appropriate, but no damages, except for nominal damages, shall be awarded in more than one action arising out of a single occurrence. This provision is identical to a provision in SCS/SB 295 (2025) and in SCS/HCS/HB 1464 (2025). OFFENSE OF ENGAGING IN AN ADULT CABARET (SECTION 573.010 & 573.520) This act creates the offense of engaging in an adult cabaret performance if such performance is on public property or in a location where the performance could be viewed by a person who is not an adult. Such offense shall be a class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a class E felony for any subsequent offense. These provisions are identical to provisions in HB 1702 (2026), HB 2407 (2026), SCS/SB 295 (2025), are substantially similar to provisions in SB 764 (2025) and in SCS/HCS/SB 1464 (2025), and are similar to provisions in HB 722 (2025), SB 949 (2024), in HB 1650 (2024), in HB 1849 (2024), in HB 2300 (2024), in HCS/HB 494 (2023), and SB 693 (2023). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

HB 3210, the "Safe Neighborhoods Act," allows property owners in cities with over 100,000 residents to seek compensation from their city if the city fails to enforce laws against public camping, loitering, public intoxication, or other activities that create a public nuisance. Property owners can claim either documented costs spent to address these issues or the reduced property value caused by the city’s inaction, but compensation cannot exceed their prior year’s primary property taxes. Cities must respond to claims within 30 days; if rejected, owners can sue in court, with cities bearing the burden of proving their actions were lawful. This law creates a new legal remedy for property owners but does not replace existing legal options or apply to case-by-case prosecutorial decisions.

This bill prohibits port authorities from using their facilities for detention, corrections, or civil confinement for three years after any agreement involving bonds, leases, or tax incentives. To override this ban, port authorities, the local municipality, and a majority of affected taxing jurisdictions must all agree at a public hearing. Violating this restriction without proper exemption would automatically end financial incentives, require reclaiming benefits already received, and potentially trigger court-ordered payments. The bill directly affects port authorities, local governments, and any entity seeking to use port facilities for detention purposes.

HB 3413 modifies Missouri's juvenile justice system by establishing clear criteria for when a child aged 12-18 may be transferred to adult court for serious offenses. It requires courts to hold a hearing and consider specific factors - such as the offense's severity (including murder, drug manufacturing, or violent crimes), prior offenses, and community safety - before transferring a case. The bill directly affects juveniles charged with certain felonies (like first-degree murder or drug distribution) or repeat offenses, and juvenile courts handling these cases. Key provisions include mandatory hearings for specified offenses, allowing evidence obtained during age misrepresentation to be used, and requiring written reports detailing rehabilitation prospects before transfer decisions.

SJR 110 proposes amending Missouri's Constitution to allow criminal defendants to waive jury trials with the government's and court's consent, making the judge's ruling legally equivalent to a jury verdict. It repeals the current constitutional provision on jury trials and replaces it with new language governing jury sizes in civil cases and waiver procedures. This constitutional amendment will be submitted to Missouri voters in the 2026 election for approval or rejection. The bill directly affects criminal defendants who choose to forgo a jury trial.

HB 2310 would increase the maximum time a person can be held in custody after an arrest without a warrant from 24 to 72 hours. This applies to individuals arrested without a court order for alleged breaches of the peace or criminal offenses, requiring release within 72 hours unless formally charged by a credible person. The bill also mandates that arrested individuals be allowed reasonable access to consult with an attorney or others during detention. If enacted, officers who fail to release individuals within the timeframe or deny access to counsel would face misdemeanor charges. The bill is currently pending in the Missouri House after being prefaced and read twice.

SB 1309 modifies rules for admitting expert testimony in court. It requires experts to base opinions on reliable data and methods, and mandates that testimony must help the judge or jury understand evidence or resolve facts. The bill applies to most civil cases (like family law or probate) and criminal cases, but specifically prohibits experts from stating opinions about a defendant’s mental state in criminal trials. These changes aim to ensure expert testimony is both relevant and scientifically sound before being presented to a court.

HB 1633 restricts public access to arrest warrant records for certain serious offenses, including Class A/B felonies, dangerous felonies, and crimes against minors under 18. It requires that such records not be available online until the warrant is executed (person arrested) or a prosecutor files a motion showing public safety needs. Exceptions allow immediate access for law enforcement, attorneys, victims, and court personnel. The law also protects officials from liability for following these rules and directs courts to implement technical controls to enforce the changes.