Criminal Justice in Missouri

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2876: Modifies provisions relating to trial procedures for murder in the first degree

HB 2876 modifies Missouri's trial process for first-degree murder cases where the death penalty is sought but not waived. It requires a two-stage trial: first, the jury determines guilt only; second, if convicted, the jury decides sentencing based on specific aggravating circumstances and mitigating evidence. The bill mandates that juries must find aggravating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt to impose the death penalty, or sentence to life without parole if they find intellectual disability, insufficient mitigating evidence, or choose not to impose death. This directly affects defendants charged with first-degree murder in Missouri and changes how capital sentencing is conducted. The law applies to offenses committed on or after August 28, 2001.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3134: Requires the POST commission to accept a diploma received from the United States Army Military Police School as credit to qualify to sit for the Missouri peace officer standards and training examination

HB 3134 creates Missouri's "Green-to-Blue Bridge Program" to help military veterans transition to law enforcement. It allows veterans who earned a diploma from the U.S. Army Military Police School (USAMPS) with MOS 31A or 31B to receive POST credit toward Missouri peace officer certification, exempting them from redundant training for skills like firearms, defensive tactics, and criminal investigation. The bill requires the POST commission to design a training program that grants this credit and consults with the Missouri National Guard to align military training with state standards. This directly affects qualifying veterans seeking to become Missouri law enforcement officers.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing National Guard & Reserve

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3042: Requires the Missouri state highway patrol to investigate any incident occurring in St. Louis city or St. Louis county in which a law enforcement officer is involved in a shooting or incident resulting in death

HB 3042 requires the Missouri State Highway Patrol to investigate any officer-involved shooting or incident resulting in death within St. Louis City or St. Louis County. It specifically covers cases where law enforcement officers use force against civilians causing death, or civilians use force against officers causing death. The bill mandates that local law enforcement agencies reimburse the Highway Patrol for all investigation costs incurred. This bill directly affects St. Louis City and County law enforcement agencies and the Missouri State Highway Patrol by shifting investigation responsibility to the state agency. The bill is currently in early stages (introduced January 2026) and has not yet been voted on.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2785: Adds provisions relating to an offender attending a funeral of a relative

HB 2785 allows incarcerated individuals to attend funerals of immediate family members under specific conditions. Offenders must be escorted by corrections staff, pay all associated costs (including escort fees) in advance, and the deceased relative must be a close family member (e.g., parent, child, spouse, or sibling). This provision exempts funeral visits from the standard annual 30-day furlough limit and ensures access if the offender does not receive prior approval. The bill adds this as a defined right without altering sentencing or correctional policies.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2639: Authorizes tax credits for certain contributions to local law enforcement foundations

HB 2639 creates a state tax credit for individuals and businesses that donate to certified local law enforcement foundations. Taxpayers can claim credits of up to $5,000 (single filers) or $10,000 (married/joint filers) annually for contributions used to fund officer training, salary supplements, equipment, or joint emergency response teams with behavioral health specialists. Foundations must be certified by the state, limit annual contributions to $3 million, and cannot accept more than $3 million per year from this program. The total tax credits available are capped at $75 million annually, with unused credits carried forward for up to five years.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives Law Enforcement

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2648: Establishes the Organized Retail Theft Coordination Center in the Department of Public Safety

HB 2648 establishes the Organized Retail Theft Coordination Center within Missouri's Department of Public Safety to coordinate state and local law enforcement efforts against organized retail theft. The Center will share threat information with law enforcement agencies and affected businesses (like retailers and transportation companies), track theft trends through annual public reports, and support investigations and loss prevention activities. It requires an evaluation of existing anti-theft programs by March 2027 and mandates reports on the Center's activities, with the program set to expire six years after the bill's effective date unless renewed.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

in committee · Missouri · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 2832: Establishes the "Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman"

HB 2832 creates a new "Office of the Department of Corrections Ombudsman" to independently monitor prison conditions and investigate inmate concerns. The office will track issues like sanitation, abuse, medical care access, and facility safety through annual facility inspections, data collection on incidents (e.g., suicides, assaults), and complaint investigations. It directly affects inmates by providing oversight of their living conditions and rights, and family members by improving access to visitation and communication. The ombudsman will issue public reports and recommendations to the corrections oversight committee, which includes formerly incarcerated individuals and family members. This bill establishes a concrete mechanism for accountability without altering prison funding or sentencing policies.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

in committee · Missouri · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 2967: Establishes the "Missouri Expungement Fund"

HB 2967 establishes the "Missouri Expungement Fund" to support clearing criminal records. The fund, managed by the state treasurer, accepts gifts, donations, and grants (not general tax revenue) and earns interest on investments. It directs three state agencies - the Office of State Courts Administrator, Department of Public Safety, and IT Services - to use appropriated funds for technology systems and personnel costs related to expunging or sealing criminal records, including bulk expungement efforts. Funds must remain in the dedicated account and cannot revert to general revenue at the end of each biennium.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Missouri · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 3066: Modifies provisions relating to the St. Louis board of police commissioners

HB 3066 modifies St. Louis police compensation and funding rules. It requires the city council to appropriate at least 22-25% of general revenue for police funding (increasing annually), excludes pension costs from this calculation. The bill mandates overtime pay at 1.5x regular rate for patrolmen and sergeants working over 40 hours, allows a $360 annual allowance for non-uniformed officers, and establishes academic/leadership bonuses up to 10% of salary. These provisions directly affect St. Louis police officers (from probationary to sergeant rank) and the Board of Police Commissioners.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Pensions Revenue Policing Labor Standards

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2915: Establishes provisions relating to freestanding claims of actual innocence

HB 2915 allows the Department of Corrections to file a claim of actual innocence in postconviction cases challenging a conviction or sentence. It requires courts to review such claims only if clear and convincing evidence shows innocence and undermines confidence in the original verdict, considering all evidence - including new evidence not presented at trial. If proven, the court must vacate the conviction and provide written findings explaining the evidence used. This directly affects individuals serving prison sentences who can now present new evidence of innocence through this specific legal pathway.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

All criminal justice bills