Criminal Justice in Missouri

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1721: Creates provisions relating to reporting requirements of prosecuting attorneys

HB 1721 requires prosecuting and circuit attorneys to submit standardized, annual reports on case handling to the governor, attorney general, and legislative committees by March 1st each year. The reports must include non-personally identifying data broken down by offense category, covering intake (arrests, referrals, dismissals), dispositions (diversion, pleas, dismissals), and sentencing (incarceration, probation, jail terms). These reports must be made publicly available upon request and help compile uniform data for oversight. The bill directly affects local prosecutors' offices by mandating specific data collection and reporting formats. It aims to increase transparency in how criminal cases are processed across jurisdictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing Tags Data Reporting

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1807: Authorizes law enforcement to intercept and disable unmanned aircraft that post credible threats to public safety

HB 1807 authorizes Missouri law enforcement to intercept or disable drones that pose credible threats to public safety. The bill specifically allows officers to use detection, tracking, and "mitigation measures" (like jamming or hacking) if there is reasonable suspicion the drone is being used illegally - such as for spying, smuggling, or directly endangering people. It applies to law enforcement agencies and directly affects drone operators who misuse their devices in a "nefarious manner" (illegal, dangerous, or harmful activity). The law requires officers to act only when a drone poses an imminent threat or violates state/federal law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1992: Establishes the offense of unlawful tracking of a motor vehicle

HB 1992 makes it illegal to install, conceal, or place an electronic tracking device on a motor vehicle without the consent of all owners, specifically to monitor occupants. This law directly affects individuals who track vehicles without permission, such as partners, stalkers, or unauthorized third parties. Key exceptions include law enforcement during investigations, parents monitoring minor children in their vehicle, tracking stolen vehicles, and certain insurance or rental company uses. Violations are punishable as a class A misdemeanor for a first offense or a class E felony for repeat offenses, excluding manufacturer-installed tracking systems.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

passed · Missouri · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 2547: Modifies provisions relating to the placement of any surveillance or game camera on private property

HB 2547 requires anyone placing a surveillance or game camera on private property to first get written consent from the landowner or their representative, or obtain a search warrant under Missouri or U.S. constitutional protections. It directly affects property owners, hunters, security personnel, and others who might use such cameras on private land. The bill also allows law enforcement to place cameras only if facing publicly accessible areas within 100 feet of the location, with approval from the top law enforcement officer. The bill passed the Missouri House with 9-1 support after public hearings.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1836: Requires that a guardian ad litem who is appointed to a child to have mandatory conversations with the child

HB 1836 requires guardians ad litem (court-appointed advocates for children) to have a private, 15-minute conversation with the child in every court proceeding involving specific child-related cases. This applies to cases under Missouri laws covering child abuse/neglect (chapters 210, 211), custody/visitation/support (chapter 452), and juvenile proceedings (chapter 453). The bill mandates these conversations occur before each court hearing, ensuring the child’s voice is directly heard by their appointed advocate. It does not change legal standards but adds a procedural requirement for guardians ad litem to engage with the child directly.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1737: Establishes the offense of unlawful tracking of a motor vehicle

HB 1737 makes it illegal to secretly install or place an electronic tracking device on a motor vehicle without the consent of all vehicle owners, specifically to monitor or follow occupants. This directly affects individuals who might secretly track vehicles (e.g., in stalking, unauthorized monitoring, or without owner permission), with penalties including a class A misdemeanor for a first offense or a class E felony for repeat violations. Key exceptions include law enforcement using trackers during investigations, parents monitoring minor children in their vehicle, tracking stolen vehicles or goods, and certain rental companies or insurance programs. The law explicitly excludes vehicle manufacturers and covers specific scenarios like vulnerable adult care or lienholder repossession.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2450: Decriminalizes certain prostitution offenses and establishes the offense of commercial sexual exploitation

HB 2450 decriminalizes specific acts related to prostitution by removing criminal penalties for individuals engaging in consensual sex work, while establishing a new offense of "commercial sexual exploitation" targeting those who profit from or control others in sex work. The bill directly affects people engaging in certain sex work activities (no longer facing criminal charges) and those exploiting others through commercial sex operations. Key mechanisms include repealing existing prostitution-related statutes and replacing them with new definitions and penalties, such as criminalizing commercial sexual exploitation (e.g., profiting from others' sex work) while removing criminal liability for the individuals performing the acts. The law clarifies terms like "commercial sexual exploitation" and "sexually oriented business" to define the scope of the new offense.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

in committee · Missouri · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 2512: Creates provisions relating to humane access to emergency psychiatric treatment

HB 2512 creates a new "predictable harm" standard for accessing emergency psychiatric treatment in Missouri, replacing the current "imminent danger" requirement. It allows family members or specific professionals (like social workers) to petition a court when someone with severe mental illness shows a pattern of homelessness and untreated symptoms that predict serious harm - such as repeated cycles of emergency care due to impaired judgment. If approved, the court orders a 96-hour psychiatric evaluation in a clinical setting (not jail), during which doctors may administer long-acting medication under strict clinical criteria. The bill directly affects individuals with severe mental illness who cannot recognize their need for care and aims to prevent crises before they escalate to homelessness or emergency detention.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Mental Health

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2483: Establishes the "Respect People's Abortion Decisions Act"

HB 2483, titled "Respect People's Abortion Decisions Act," proposes definitions for key terms related to abortion (such as "abortion," "medical emergency," and "gestational age") and states that "the state shall protect a person's right to terminate a pregnancy" under certain conditions. It defines abortion broadly as "the intentional termination of the pregnancy" and specifies that a "medical emergency" justifies abortion to prevent death or serious harm. The bill claims no criminal prosecution can occur for actions permitted under it, though it remains in early prefiled stages (prefiled December 2025, read first time January 2026). This bill does not yet create enforceable policy but outlines proposed definitions and protections for abortion access.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Women's Health

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1907: Establishes the "Child Protection Through Nonprofit Integrity Act"

This bill, the "Child Protection Through Nonprofit Integrity Act," prohibits individuals required to register as sex offenders for crimes against minors from working with or volunteering for child-serving organizations (like schools, camps, youth programs, or childcare centers). It requires these organizations to annually certify, under penalty of perjury, that they have checked the Missouri sex offender registry for all staff and volunteers and confirm no disqualified individuals are involved. Organizations that fail to comply face denied registration, civil penalties up to $50,000 per violation, and a five-year loss of state funding eligibility. Violations by disqualified offenders carry felony penalties (class D for first offense, class C for repeat), while organization leaders knowingly allowing such individuals face felony charges and a 10-year ban from similar roles.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

All criminal justice bills