Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

SB 1281 repeals the sunset provision for Missouri's grant program funding cyber crime investigations focused on internet sex crimes against children. The bill creates a permanent "Cyber Crime Investigation Fund" in the state treasury, managed by the Department of Public Safety, to provide grants to law enforcement task forces and agencies. Grants cover salaries for detectives and forensic staff, training, equipment, and travel expenses specifically for investigating child exploitation cases. Local agencies must contribute matching funds, and a panel with law enforcement and legislative members will administer the program. This makes the grant program permanent, eliminating its prior expiration date.

HB 1683, titled the "Anti-Red Flag Gun Seizure Act," prohibits Missouri state agencies, law enforcement, and political subdivisions from enforcing any federal or state "red flag law" that would seize firearms from residents, except in specific cases like individuals in custody after dangerous felony charges. The bill bans state use of funds to enforce such laws, blocks enforcement of federal orders related to firearm seizure within Missouri, and creates legal liability for officials who attempt to enforce these laws, including $50,000 penalties per violation. It explicitly allows firearm seizures as evidence during investigations but prohibits enforcement of laws requiring surrender of firearms based on temporary or permanent seizure orders. The bill directly affects Missouri residents by preventing state authorities from complying with red flag law enforcement actions targeting their firearm ownership.

SB 1069 limits the purchase and sale of drugs containing ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, or pseudoephedrine (common methamphetamine precursors) by setting strict daily, monthly, and annual purchase caps. It prohibits selling or buying more than 3.6 grams in 24 hours, 7.2 grams in 30 days, or 61.2 grams in a year to a single person, regardless of transaction count. Pharmacies must sell these products behind counters, maintain sales records accessible to law enforcement, and manufacturers must pay fees starting in 2026 for a real-time tracking system. The law preempts local regulations requiring prescriptions for these products within the set limits.