Criminal Justice in Missouri

in committee · Missouri · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 2458: Changes provisions relating to orders of protection

HB 2458 updates definitions and procedures for orders of protection in domestic violence cases. It explicitly defines "abuse" to include intentionally harming a pet (e.g., for control or intimidation), clarifies that "child" means under 18, and specifies that "pet" means a companion animal not used commercially. The bill requires courts to appoint a guardian ad litem for minors involved in protection orders and transfers cases involving minor respondents to juvenile court for a full hearing. These changes directly affect domestic violence victims, pet owners, and children in protection order cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Juvenile Justice

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1841: Modifies provisions relating to sports officials, including civil liability protections and classification as special victims for criminal assault

This bill shields certified sports officials (like referees, umpires, and linesmen) from civil lawsuits for injuries occurring during officiating duties at athletic events, unless the harm resulted from intentional, reckless, or grossly negligent actions. It also classifies sports officials as "special victims" if assaulted while performing their duties, meaning such assaults would be treated as more serious crimes under Missouri law. The law applies specifically to officials registered or certified by recognized sports organizations. This replaces prior legal protections and clarifies that liability protections do not cover intentional misconduct.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2569: Modifies provisions relating to civilian review boards

HB 2569 modifies Missouri's law governing civilian review boards for police oversight. It allows cities, counties, and city-county entities to establish or use existing civilian review boards to investigate public complaints about police misconduct, including excessive force, abuse of authority, or offensive language (such as slurs based on race, religion, gender, or disability). Boards must base findings on verified evidence, cannot rely solely on unsworn complaints, and cannot consider unsubstantiated prior complaints. The bill exempts cities with 125,000-160,000 residents, permitting them to create boards with broader authority to handle such complaints.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Policing

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2319: Expands the definition of special victim to include sports officials at a sporting event

HB 2319 expands Missouri's legal definition of a "special victim" to include sports officials (such as referees, umpires, or linesmen) who are assaulted while performing their duties at any level of sporting event. This change adds a new category (14)(l) to the statute, specifying that a sports official must be trained and certified by an authorized organization to qualify. The bill directly affects sports officials by granting them the same legal protections as other "special victims" (like law enforcement or emergency personnel) when they are assaulted during their work. This is a concrete policy change to the criminal code, not a procedural measure.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1620: Modifies provisions relating to the sentencing of persons under nineteen years of age

This bill modifies sentencing for individuals convicted of murder who were under 19 at the time of the offense. It allows them to petition for parole review after 25 years (and again after 35 years) of incarceration, replacing life without parole sentences. Parole boards must consider rehabilitation efforts, maturity, accountability, and institutional conduct during reviews. Judges must also weigh youth-specific factors like development, background, and rehabilitation potential when sentencing minors convicted of murder.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole Sentencing

passed · Missouri · House Apr 22, 2026

HB 2302: Requires the department of corrections to provide certain services to inmates prior to their release from the department

HB 2302 requires the state Department of Corrections to provide specific services to inmates before their release from state custody. It mandates the department to provide documentation for post-release employment (including vocational records, work history, and a resume) and coordinate with the Department of Revenue to issue state-issued identification cards to inmates without current IDs. The bill applies to most inmates released within the state, with exceptions for those aged 65+ or in medical parole. Identification cards issued under this law are valid for four years, non-renewable, and funded through department resources or inmate trust funds.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1911: Establishes the offense of unlawful tracking of a motor vehicle

HB 1911 creates a new criminal offense for installing, concealing, or placing an electronic tracking device on a motor vehicle without the consent of all vehicle owners, specifically to monitor occupants. It directly affects vehicle owners and occupants by prohibiting unauthorized tracking, with key exceptions including law enforcement investigations, parents monitoring minor children, tracking stolen vehicles, and certain insurance programs. The bill specifies penalties: a class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a class E felony for repeat violations. It explicitly excludes manufacturers' built-in tracking systems and covers specific authorized uses like lienholders repossessing vehicles.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1926: Creates provisions relating to the disclosure of patients' citizenship or immigration status

HB 1926 prohibits health care professionals in Missouri from documenting or disclosing a patient's citizenship or immigration status in medical records, except when assessing eligibility for social or community services. It specifically bans sharing this information with law enforcement agencies under any circumstances. The bill establishes that licensing boards must investigate violations, imposing one-year license suspensions for intentional disclosures and probation for accidental ones. This law directly affects doctors, nurses, and other licensed health care providers who handle patient records across Missouri.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Probation & Parole Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs

in committee · Missouri · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 2256: Modifies provisions relating to minimum prison terms

HB 2256 modifies Missouri's minimum prison terms for certain felony offenders sentenced after August 28, 2026. It requires offenders with one or two prior felony convictions (unrelated to the current offense) to serve at least 50% of their sentence or until age 70, whichever occurs first. The bill also mandates that presentence reports include available alternatives to incarceration, such as restorative justice programs, and details about the crime's impact on victims. This affects individuals convicted of qualifying felonies who are committed to the Department of Corrections, altering sentencing options and minimum service requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2165: Expands the definition of special victim to include sports officials at a sporting event

HB 2165 amends Missouri law to expand the definition of "special victim" in criminal assault cases. It specifically adds sports officials - such as referees, umpires, or linesmen - who are assaulted while performing their duties at any level of sporting event. To qualify, the official must be trained, certified, or registered by a recognized sports organization. This change means assault against these officials will now be treated as a "special victim" offense under existing sentencing laws, potentially leading to enhanced penalties. The bill does not alter sentencing ranges but broadens who qualifies for this legal classification.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime

All criminal justice bills