HB 2663 allows Missouri courts to reduce life sentences without parole or 30+ year sentences to life with parole eligibility for specific inmates. It applies to those who served at least 30 years, were under 20 when convicted, and completed rehabilitation programs (like substance treatment or vocational training) while demonstrating good behavior in prison. To qualify for parole after a sentence reduction, inmates must provide five statements from prison staff, 20 community support letters, and a safe housing plan. The parole board must hold a hearing, and supervision continues for life after release.
HB 3155 creates a new program for nonviolent offenders with serious substance abuse issues who haven't been convicted of violent crimes. It requires courts to refer eligible offenders to a 12-24 month treatment program in correctional facilities, with suspended incarceration during participation. The bill also mandates detailed information sharing when transferring offenders to correctional facilities, including health records, sentencing details, and victim impact statements. Additionally, it updates parole board guidelines to prioritize releasing lower-risk offenders, use risk assessments, and publish data on parole outcomes and recidivism.
HB 2868 requires certain individuals - including those convicted of specific felonies (like burglary or offenses under Chapters 565-566), sex offenders, and sexually violent predators - to provide DNA samples at defined legal milestones, such as jail booking, entry into correctional facilities, or sex offender registration. The law mandates collection without refusal at designated sites, with no additional samples needed if already in the state DNA database. It strictly prohibits unauthorized use of DNA records, requiring confidentiality for all stored data and outlining clear procedures for expungement if convictions are reversed or expunged. The bill applies to all Missouri law enforcement, correctional facilities, and agencies handling DNA collections under state and federal systems.
HB 2695 modifies Missouri's correctional credit system by creating two distinct types of credit for offenders: "good time" for behavioral compliance and "earned time" for participation in rehabilitation programs. Offenders serving sentences longer than one year (excluding death penalty or life without parole) can earn up to 54 days of good time credit annually for exemplary conduct and up to 10 days of earned time credit for every 30 days in approved programs like education, job training, or substance abuse treatment. The bill requires the Department of Corrections to publish policies on these credits, notify inmates about eligibility, and allows petitioning for earned time credit for programs completed after 2010 starting January 1, 2027. Offenders sentenced to death or life without parole are excluded from credit but their program participation is still documented.
HB 2676 ensures inmates receive credit for all time spent in custody after an offense occurred but before their sentence began, including retroactive credit for those held before August 28, 2023. It requires sheriffs and custodial officers to certify pre-sentence custody time, which must be applied toward the sentence regardless of when the offense happened. The bill also clarifies that time served under a vacated sentence counts toward a new sentence and that escapes interrupt both the sentence and credit calculation. This directly affects all individuals sentenced to imprisonment in the state, ensuring they receive full credit for pre-sentence detention. The law mandates that credit cannot exceed the actual time spent in custody prior to sentencing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
