Criminal Justice

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1930: Establishes the offense of impeding, threatening, or harassing a first responder

HB 1930 makes it a class D misdemeanor to knowingly approach within 50 feet of a first responder after receiving an oral warning not to, if the person intends to block their work, threaten them with harm, or harass them. It directly affects individuals who interfere with police, firefighters, or emergency medical personnel (including hospital staff in emergency settings) while they are performing their duties. The law defines "harass" as causing substantial emotional distress without a legitimate purpose. Violations carry penalties including fines or jail time for this new offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new class D misdemeanor offense, expanding criminalization (oppose indicator).90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2160: Adds mifepristone to the list of Schedule IV controlled substances and establishes the offense of coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud

HB 2160 adds mifepristone (a medication used in medical abortions) to Missouri's Schedule I controlled substances, placing it under the most restrictive drug classification. The bill also creates a new criminal offense for "coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud," which would penalize individuals who fraudulently induce an abortion. These changes directly affect healthcare providers, patients seeking abortion care, and individuals accused of coercive abortion practices. The law modifies Missouri's controlled substances scheduling framework and introduces a specific criminal penalty related to abortion procedures. (Note: The bill text lists mifepristone under Schedule I, not Schedule IV as stated in the title.)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for coerced abortion by fraud and adds mifepristone to controlled substances, expanding criminalization in drug and abortion law.90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts access to mifepristone (abortion medication) by classifying it as Schedule I controlled substance, directly limiting healthcare access for abortion services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Women's Health

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in committee · Missouri · House May 14, 2026

HB 1712: Modifies the offense of tampering with electronic monitoring equipment

HB 1712 makes it a crime for individuals under electronic monitoring (such as probation or parole) to intentionally remove, alter, damage, or disable their monitoring device. It classifies most tampering as a class D felony, while failing to charge or disable the device is a class E felony (or a misdemeanor if the original offense was a misdemeanor). The bill explicitly excludes owners or agents performing routine maintenance from these penalties. This law directly affects people on electronic monitoring supervision, imposing new criminal consequences for interfering with their monitoring equipment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for electronic monitoring tampering, expanding criminalization and strengthening enforcement without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · Missouri · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 1687: Establishes provisions relating to the administration of surgical castration for certain sexual offenders

HB 1687 is a proposed bill that would allow courts to sentence certain sexual offenders to surgical castration as an additional penalty. It applies to individuals convicted of specific aggravated sexual offenses against victims under 13 years old (occurring on or after August 28, 2026), excluding some sexual abuse charges. The court must first obtain a medical expert's determination that the procedure is appropriate, and the surgery must be performed by a licensed physician in a correctional facility no later than one week before the offender's release. Refusing the procedure could result in an additional 3-5 years in prison, but the bill exempts offenders under 17 and does not require castration if medically inappropriate. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (prefiled, read first/second time).

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates surgical castration as additional penalty for specific sexual offenses, expanding punitive measures beyond standard sentencing per bill's provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1688: Modifies criminal penalties for certain sexual offenses

HB 1688 changes Missouri law to set life imprisonment or death as the maximum penalty for several sexual offenses, including rape in the first and second degrees, sexual abuse, enticement of a child, and trafficking for slavery or sexual exploitation. Key provisions remove probation or suspended sentences for specific cases, such as when a child under 12 is the victim of rape in the first degree, and update definitions of related crimes. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of these offenses in Missouri by altering the potential sentences they may face.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves probation/suspended sentences for child rape and sets life/death penalties, increasing mandatory sentences for sexual offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Probation & Parole

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2348: Modifies provisions relating to jury instructions for the offense of murder in the first degree

HB 2348 changes the trial process for first-degree murder cases where the death penalty is not waived. It requires a two-stage trial: first, a jury or judge decides guilt (without considering punishment), and second, if convicted, they determine punishment based on specific legal standards. The bill mandates life imprisonment without parole if the jury finds the defendant intellectually disabled, lacks sufficient aggravating factors, or determines mitigating evidence outweighs aggravating factors. It also clarifies jury instructions for cases where punishment is disputed, including procedures if the jury cannot agree on a sentence. This applies only to offenses committed on or after August 28, 2001.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates life without parole under specific conditions, restricting sentencing discretion and increasing mandatory sentences in murder cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1700: Establishes the "Anti-Red Flag Gun Seizure Act"

HB 1700, titled the "Anti-Red Flag Gun Seizure Act," prohibits Missouri state agencies, law enforcement, and political subdivisions from enforcing any "red flag law" that would temporarily or permanently seize firearms from citizens. The bill defines "red flag law" broadly to include federal or state laws requiring firearm surrender based on safety concerns, excluding only individuals charged with dangerous felonies while on bail. Key provisions ban the use of state funds to enforce such laws, impose $50,000 civil penalties for violations, and allow affected citizens to sue for damages. The law explicitly does not prevent standard firearm seizures as evidence during criminal investigations. This bill directly affects Missouri residents who might face firearm seizures under red flag laws and state officials responsible for law enforcement.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeProhibits enforcement of red flag laws (a criminal justice reform tool for firearm safety), directly restricting a policy aimed at reducing gun violence and enhancing public safety within the justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2376: Establishes the offense of solicitation on an interstate highway or in a public right-of-way

HB 2376 makes it a class B misdemeanor to intentionally solicit, beg, or ask for cash, currency, or other financial items on interstate highways, public rights-of-way, or adjacent ramps. It directly affects individuals who solicit for money in these specific public transportation areas. The law defines "anything of value" as cash or financial instruments but excludes authorized charitable solicitors under existing law. This bill creates a new minor criminal offense for solicitation in these high-traffic zones.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor for solicitation in transit areas, expanding criminalization without reform elements. Excludes charities but broadens criminal penalties in public spaces.95% confidence

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in committee · Missouri · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 1418: Provides exemptions for records of certain criminal offenses from public access on statewide court automation systems

SB 1418 would exempt certain criminal offense records from public view on the state's court automation systems. It directly affects individuals convicted of specific offenses whose records would no longer be accessible to the public through these online systems. The bill's key provision is removing these designated records from public search capabilities on the statewide court database, changing how such information is handled. This is a procedural change to court record access, not a new criminal law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts public access to criminal records, weakening transparency and oversight in criminal justice systems per bill's core provision.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2138: Modifies the offense of unlawful possession of a firearm

HB 2138 redefines when firearm possession becomes unlawful by adding three specific circumstances: (1) having a felony conviction (state, federal, or other state), (2) being a fugitive, habitually intoxicated/drugged, or mentally incompetent, or (3) being under 18 on public property. It includes an exception for those who completed hunter education, and exempts antique firearms from these rules. The bill changes penalties: unlawful possession is a class C felony by default, but becomes a class B felony if the person has a prior dangerous felony conviction or prior unlawful possession. This bill applies directly to individuals meeting these defined conditions, not to the general public.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of firearm possession by adding felony convictions, fugitive status, and age restrictions, increasing penalties to class B felony.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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