Criminal Justice

in committee · Missouri · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 1102: Modifies provisions relating to the restoration of certain firearm rights

SB 1102 automatically restores the right to own, transport, or possess firearms for most individuals after they complete their sentence (including probation or parole) for a felony conviction. This replaces prior law that required separate applications for restoration. The bill excludes individuals convicted of violent felonies (as specifically defined, including murder, assault, or violating protection orders), those required to register as sex offenders (unless removed from the registry), or certain other offenses listed in the law. It directly affects Missouri residents with felony convictions who have finished their sentences but were previously barred from firearm ownership.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomatically restores firearm rights for non-violent felons post-sentence, reducing reintegration barriers and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of rehabilitation and reduced recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Firearms Probation & Parole

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2160: Adds mifepristone to the list of Schedule IV controlled substances and establishes the offense of coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud

HB 2160 adds mifepristone (a medication used in medical abortions) to Missouri's Schedule I controlled substances, placing it under the most restrictive drug classification. The bill also creates a new criminal offense for "coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud," which would penalize individuals who fraudulently induce an abortion. These changes directly affect healthcare providers, patients seeking abortion care, and individuals accused of coercive abortion practices. The law modifies Missouri's controlled substances scheduling framework and introduces a specific criminal penalty related to abortion procedures. (Note: The bill text lists mifepristone under Schedule I, not Schedule IV as stated in the title.)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for coerced abortion by fraud and adds mifepristone to controlled substances, expanding criminalization in drug and abortion law.90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts access to mifepristone (abortion medication) by classifying it as Schedule I controlled substance, directly limiting healthcare access for abortion services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Women's Health

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in committee · Missouri · House May 14, 2026

HB 1712: Modifies the offense of tampering with electronic monitoring equipment

HB 1712 makes it a crime for individuals under electronic monitoring (such as probation or parole) to intentionally remove, alter, damage, or disable their monitoring device. It classifies most tampering as a class D felony, while failing to charge or disable the device is a class E felony (or a misdemeanor if the original offense was a misdemeanor). The bill explicitly excludes owners or agents performing routine maintenance from these penalties. This law directly affects people on electronic monitoring supervision, imposing new criminal consequences for interfering with their monitoring equipment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for electronic monitoring tampering, expanding criminalization and strengthening enforcement without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · Missouri · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 1687: Establishes provisions relating to the administration of surgical castration for certain sexual offenders

HB 1687 is a proposed bill that would allow courts to sentence certain sexual offenders to surgical castration as an additional penalty. It applies to individuals convicted of specific aggravated sexual offenses against victims under 13 years old (occurring on or after August 28, 2026), excluding some sexual abuse charges. The court must first obtain a medical expert's determination that the procedure is appropriate, and the surgery must be performed by a licensed physician in a correctional facility no later than one week before the offender's release. Refusing the procedure could result in an additional 3-5 years in prison, but the bill exempts offenders under 17 and does not require castration if medically inappropriate. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (prefiled, read first/second time).

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates surgical castration as additional penalty for specific sexual offenses, expanding punitive measures beyond standard sentencing per bill's provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1931: Prohibits arrest warrant information from being accessible on an electronic case management system until the warrant is executed

HB 1931 requires arrest warrants issued for crimes in Missouri to remain private in electronic court systems until the arrest is actually made. This affects law enforcement agencies and courts that use digital case management tools, preventing public or unauthorized access to warrant details before an arrest occurs. The bill amends Missouri law (RSMo § 544.076) to ensure warrant information is not visible online until execution, overriding conflicting court rules about case record access. It directly changes how warrant data is handled in Missouri’s electronic systems, focusing on confidentiality during the pre-arrest phase.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts premature public access to warrant details, protecting individual privacy in criminal procedure per bill's amendment to RSMo § 544.076.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts public access to arrest warrant data in digital systems, enhancing data privacy protections per bill's mandate to keep warrant details private until execution.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1688: Modifies criminal penalties for certain sexual offenses

HB 1688 changes Missouri law to set life imprisonment or death as the maximum penalty for several sexual offenses, including rape in the first and second degrees, sexual abuse, enticement of a child, and trafficking for slavery or sexual exploitation. Key provisions remove probation or suspended sentences for specific cases, such as when a child under 12 is the victim of rape in the first degree, and update definitions of related crimes. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of these offenses in Missouri by altering the potential sentences they may face.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves probation/suspended sentences for child rape and sets life/death penalties, increasing mandatory sentences for sexual offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Probation & Parole

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2348: Modifies provisions relating to jury instructions for the offense of murder in the first degree

HB 2348 changes the trial process for first-degree murder cases where the death penalty is not waived. It requires a two-stage trial: first, a jury or judge decides guilt (without considering punishment), and second, if convicted, they determine punishment based on specific legal standards. The bill mandates life imprisonment without parole if the jury finds the defendant intellectually disabled, lacks sufficient aggravating factors, or determines mitigating evidence outweighs aggravating factors. It also clarifies jury instructions for cases where punishment is disputed, including procedures if the jury cannot agree on a sentence. This applies only to offenses committed on or after August 28, 2001.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates life without parole under specific conditions, restricting sentencing discretion and increasing mandatory sentences in murder cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1700: Establishes the "Anti-Red Flag Gun Seizure Act"

HB 1700, titled the "Anti-Red Flag Gun Seizure Act," prohibits Missouri state agencies, law enforcement, and political subdivisions from enforcing any "red flag law" that would temporarily or permanently seize firearms from citizens. The bill defines "red flag law" broadly to include federal or state laws requiring firearm surrender based on safety concerns, excluding only individuals charged with dangerous felonies while on bail. Key provisions ban the use of state funds to enforce such laws, impose $50,000 civil penalties for violations, and allow affected citizens to sue for damages. The law explicitly does not prevent standard firearm seizures as evidence during criminal investigations. This bill directly affects Missouri residents who might face firearm seizures under red flag laws and state officials responsible for law enforcement.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeProhibits enforcement of red flag laws (a criminal justice reform tool for firearm safety), directly restricting a policy aimed at reducing gun violence and enhancing public safety within the justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Missouri · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1249: Allows the Director of Public Safety to deny certain individuals a peace officer license or entry into basic training courses

SB 1249 grants the Director of Public Safety the authority to deny an individual a peace officer license or prevent them from entering basic training courses. This directly affects applicants seeking to become peace officers in the state. The bill's key provision is the Director's discretionary power to deny licensing or training access based on specific criteria outlined in the bill (though the abstract does not specify those criteria). The legislation focuses on establishing this administrative review process for licensing eligibility.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill grants Director authority to deny peace officer licenses, enhancing oversight and accountability in law enforcement recruitment, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Missouri · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 1189: Modifies provisions relating to juvenile detention centers

SB 1189 modifies Missouri's laws governing juvenile detention centers, requiring counties to provide separate facilities for minors that prevent contact with adult inmates. It establishes new rules for counties to coordinate shared detention facilities across multiple counties within judicial circuits, with costs prorated based on population. The bill allows counties to impose an additional up to 1% sales tax to fund these facilities, while mandating that detention centers must provide care resembling "good homes" and be overseen by a superintendent appointed by the juvenile court. This directly affects counties (especially third and fourth class), juvenile courts, and children in detention.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly authorizes counties to impose up to 1% additional sales tax to fund juvenile detention centers, directly linking taxation to government spending for a specific program.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires separate juvenile facilities from adults to prevent negative influences, aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform by improving youth care and reducing recidivism risks.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Courts Judges Juvenile Justice

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