Criminal Justice (Violent Crime)

HB 2325 would increase sentencing for individuals convicted of specific crimes when they intentionally wore face coverings to hide their identity during the offense. It applies only to misdemeanors or felonies involving theft, assault, or property damage exceeding $500, allowing courts to elevate the offense class by one level. The law includes exemptions for religious, medical, or occupational use of coverings, or if concealment was incidental and not intended to aid the crime. It does not create new offenses but modifies sentencing for existing crimes when concealment intent is proven.

HB 1682 defines "person" to include "an unborn child at every stage of development from the moment of fertilization until birth," treating abortion as criminal homicide under existing murder laws. It prohibits abortion except in limited medical emergencies where a licensed physician performs a procedure to save the pregnant person’s life when all alternatives failed. The bill removes defenses like "duress" for abortion-related offenses (except for the mother in specific cases) and allows prosecution in multiple counties based on where the offense occurred or the victim resided. This would directly affect individuals seeking or providing abortions, medical providers, and law enforcement in Missouri.

HB 2072 revises Missouri's definition of fourth-degree assault by specifying seven distinct scenarios that constitute the offense, such as recklessly causing injury, placing someone in fear of immediate harm, or knowingly causing offensive physical contact with a person with a disability. It adjusts penalties: most violations remain class A misdemeanors, but causing offensive contact (subdivision 6) or physical pain to a "special victim" (subdivision 7) escalates penalties based on prior offenses - ranging from class C misdemeanors to class D felonies for repeat violations. For subdivision 7 violations, the bill mandates minimum incarceration periods (6 months for first offenses, 1 year for repeat) with no fines or probation until served. This directly affects individuals committing assault, particularly those targeting vulnerable victims or with prior assault records.