Criminal Justice in Missouri

in committee · Missouri · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 3257: Establishes the offense of impeding, threatening, or harassing a first responder

HB 3257 makes it a misdemeanor to impede, threaten, or harass a first responder while they are performing their duties. It specifically prohibits approaching within 25 feet after being orally warned, if the intent is to interfere with their work, cause physical harm, or harass them (defined as causing substantial emotional distress with no legitimate purpose). The law directly affects individuals who target police officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, or hospital staff working in emergency settings. Key provisions require a prior warning and define "first responder" to include law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. This bill creates a new legal consequence for disruptive or threatening behavior toward those providing critical public safety services.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3265: Eliminates fines and fees for cases in juvenile court

HB 3265 eliminates court-imposed fines and fees for minors involved in juvenile court cases. It specifically repeals provisions allowing courts to assess up to $10 toward the clerk of court for juveniles, removing this financial burden. The bill directly affects children and families navigating juvenile court proceedings, particularly in cases involving delinquency or dependency. Key mechanisms include removing fee assessments from court orders and updating procedures to prioritize child welfare services over financial penalties. This change aims to prevent economic barriers from impacting juvenile justice outcomes.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3523: Establishes a work program within the department of corrections to build single-family homes and other residential structures

HB 3523 creates Missouri's "Homes for Missouri Program," allowing the Department of Corrections to contract with nonprofits for inmates to build single-family homes in areas with documented affordable housing shortages. Inmates participating voluntarily would receive structured vocational training in construction trades (like carpentry and electrical work), classroom instruction, and opportunities to earn industry certifications (such as OSHA safety credentials), with homes sold at below-market, cost-based prices. The program requires participation to be voluntary, mandates documentation of skills for post-release employment, and expires six years after enactment unless renewed by the legislature. It directly affects eligible incarcerated individuals and communities facing housing shortages, focusing on workforce development and affordable housing delivery.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Corrections Affordable Housing Property Development

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3417: Modifies provisions relating to treatment courts

HB 3417 defines and establishes specialized treatment courts (including adult, DWI, family, juvenile, mental health, and veterans courts) to address substance use or mental health disorders among defendants. It requires circuit courts to create these divisions by a specific deadline, mandating referrals to state-certified treatment programs unless none exist locally. The bill specifies that successful completion of treatment can lead to dismissed, reduced, or modified charges, with fees paid to treatment providers not classified as court costs. It directly affects defendants with substance use or mental health disorders in criminal cases, as well as courts and treatment providers operating within the system.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Juvenile Justice Mental Health Substance Abuse

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3286: Modifies provisions relating to firearms

HB 3286 modifies Missouri's domestic violence protection order process to require courts to prohibit respondents from possessing firearms during active orders. It mandates that courts issue written firearm prohibitions, orally inform respondents, and immediately notify the Missouri Highway Patrol to update the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This applies specifically to individuals subject to domestic violence protection orders, directly affecting respondents in such cases. The bill adds this firearm restriction as a standard provision within existing protection order mechanisms, without altering other elements like custody or child support.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Firearms

passed · Missouri · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 1652: Creates the Phoenix Alert System to help identify and locate abducted or missing African American women and girls and establishes an office to prevent and end the targeting of African American women and girls

SB 1652 would create a new office within Missouri's Department of Public Safety dedicated to addressing cases involving missing and murdered African American women and girls. The office would collect data on these cases - including solving rates, Amber alert disparities, and intersections with trafficking or domestic violence - and develop policy recommendations based on this analysis. It would also advocate for legislative and law enforcement changes to improve responses, using data from the state's task force on missing and murdered African American women. The bill requires the office to track outcomes, coordinate with relevant agencies, and report findings to the legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

in committee · Missouri · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 1665: Prohibits warrantless searches of private residences by state employees, except under certain circumstances

SB 1665 prohibits state employees from searching a private residence without a court-issued warrant, directly affecting homeowners and state employees conducting searches. The bill allows warrantless searches only in emergencies (like immediate danger to life) or if the homeowner consents. It requires state employees to obtain a warrant for routine searches, strengthening privacy protections for residents. The bill is currently pending after its first reading on February 12, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

in committee · Missouri · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 1747: Modifies provisions relating to cybercrimes, harassment, and stalking

SB 1747 replaces outdated definitions and provisions related to cybercrimes, harassment, and stalking in Missouri law with 30 new sections. It creates clear definitions for "cyberharassment" (repeated digital contact causing fear) and "cyberstalking" (using digital tools to intimidate or track), specifying these involve invasion of privacy and repeated actions over time. The bill directly affects victims of these offenses and their family members, as it expands protections for "qualified individuals" impacted by cyberharassment, cyberstalking, or related violence. Key mechanisms include standardizing legal definitions to improve prosecution and clarify jurisdiction for cases occurring across multiple locations. The changes aim to strengthen legal tools for addressing digital harassment and stalking without adding new penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Drug Policy Telecommunications

in committee · Missouri · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 1681: Modifies provisions relating to parole eligibility

SB 1681 creates a new pathway for specific inmates to request parole after serving 30 years. It applies to individuals sentenced to life without parole for offenses committed before October 1, 1984, who are 60+ years old, have no prior dangerous felony convictions, are not sex offenders, and have served at least 50 years of their sentence. To qualify, they must demonstrate good conduct, self-rehabilitation, a workable release plan with community support, and meet assessed risk and mental health criteria during a parole hearing. If granted parole, they would face a minimum five years of probation supervision, while existing parole rules and clemency powers remain unaffected. This bill is currently in early legislative stages (first reading filed February 19, 2026).

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole

in committee · Missouri · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 1680: Modifies provisions relating to eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SB 1680 modifies Missouri's rules for SNAP (food stamp) eligibility for individuals convicted of felony offenses involving controlled substances. It allows these individuals to qualify for SNAP benefits if they meet four specific conditions: (1) participating in or completing an approved substance abuse treatment program, (2) complying with court and treatment obligations, (3) avoiding new substance-related offenses within one year, and (4) providing documented sobriety through voluntary urinalysis testing. The bill requires applicants to provide evidence of compliance to the Department of Social Services, which will work with the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse to establish implementation rules. This change exempts eligible individuals from a federal disqualification that previously barred them from SNAP benefits after such convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Substance Abuse

All criminal justice bills