Criminal Justice in Missouri

in committee · Missouri · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 1690: Establishes provisions relating to the effect of homicide on benefits received from a decedent's estate

SB 1690 prevents individuals who intentionally kill someone from inheriting from that person's estate. It requires killers to forfeit all estate benefits, including will bequests, homestead allowances, elective shares, and any fiduciary appointments. The bill revokes all gifts or roles (like executor) in wills or trusts naming the killer, and converts joint property ownership to tenancy in common. Third parties, such as banks, must halt payments after receiving written notice of the forfeiture but are protected if they acted in good faith before notice.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

in committee · Missouri · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 3423: Modifies provisions relating to judges

HB 3423 requires judges and certain state/local officials to recuse themselves from cases where they have close family relationships with a party (including relatives up to cousins) or received anything of value from a party. It specifically applies to judges, court officials, state executive branch leaders (like the governor's chief aides), and many elected or appointed officials in local governments and public entities. The bill establishes clear rules for when recusal is required and allows judges to disqualify themselves or transfer cases without party consent. It also clarifies that financial interest filings for these officials must be submitted to designated state or local filing officers. This bill modifies existing ethics rules to expand the scope of mandatory disqualification for judicial and public officials.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3389: Modifies the offense of tampering with a judicial officer

HB 3389 makes it a serious criminal offense to threaten, harass, or intimidate a judicial officer or their family. It specifically prohibits actions like sharing personal information (e.g., home address, Social Security number), threats, stalking, or offering benefits to influence their work. The law covers judges, court staff, probation officers, and their spouses, children, or ancestors, with penalties rising to a more severe felony if injury or death occurs. This expands legal protections for court personnel facing harassment, particularly online targeting.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Judges

in committee · Missouri · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 3204: Authorizes a tax credit for contributions to prevention resource centers

HB 3204 creates a 70% state tax credit for Missouri taxpayers who contribute $50 or more to certified prevention resource centers, which are entities within the Missouri Department of Mental Health's prevention network. Taxpayers can claim a maximum annual credit of $50,000 per year, with the total statewide credits capped at $2.5 million annually. Unused credits may be carried forward for up to five years, and the program expires six years after enactment unless renewed by the legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Mental Health

in committee · Missouri · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 3332: Modifies provisions relating to employment benefits for first responders

HB 3332 modifies Missouri's Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act to provide tuition awards for eligible public safety personnel and their dependents. Public safety personnel with at least six years of service (police officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, etc.) may receive up to 100% of resident tuition for degrees in specific fields like criminal justice or fire science, subject to meeting license, employment, and admission requirements. Legal dependents of personnel with ten or more years of service also qualify for tuition awards covering associate or bachelor's degrees. The program requires applicants to first seek other federal and state financial aid before applying for the tuition award, with eligibility lasting up to five years or 120 credit hours.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Policing Higher Education Student Financial Aid Tags Public Safety

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3345: Establishes yearly requirements for members of the general assembly to visit department of corrections facilities and communicate with inmates

HB 3345 requires members of the state general assembly to complete at least four annual interactions with the prison system. These interactions must either be in-person visits to a corrections facility or direct communication with an inmate to resolve a specific issue at that facility. The bill directly affects state legislators, mandating this engagement as a procedural requirement. It does not change prison policies or inmate rights, but establishes a formal process for legislative oversight. As a procedural bill, it focuses on creating a structured way for lawmakers to connect with correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · Missouri · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1657: Modifies provisions relating to the Board of Police Commissioners

SB 1657 modifies how city police departments set salaries and funding. It gives boards of police commissioners authority to set officer salaries without legislative approval (minimum current pay), requires cities to fund police at 22% of general revenue in 2025 rising to 25% by 2028, and details overtime pay rules (1.5x for hours over 40). The bill directly affects city police departments, their boards, and officers through changes to compensation structures, funding obligations, and benefit provisions like health insurance and shift differentials. Key mechanisms include mandatory minimum funding percentages, standardized overtime rates, and new allowances for academic achievement or training roles.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations Government Spending Revenue Policing Sentencing Labor Standards

in committee · Missouri · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 3292: Establishes the "Motivational Boot Camp Incarceration Program" in the department of corrections and allows certain persons to be sentenced to the Program

HB 3292 creates Missouri's "Motivational Boot Camp Incarceration Program" within the Department of Corrections, targeting individuals aged 17-22 with two prior nonviolent convictions who receive a third nonviolent conviction (excluding serious offenses like murder or rape). The program requires a two-year commitment involving rigorous physical activity, counseling to address criminal behavior, and strict discipline, with successful completion leading to expungement of the criminal record. Failure to complete the program results in the original jail or prison sentence being imposed. The program is set to expire six years after implementation unless renewed by the legislature.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · Missouri · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 1650: Modifies provisions relating to the offense of tampering with a judicial officer

SB 1650 makes it a class D felony to threaten, harass, or influence a judicial officer (including judges, prosecutors, probation officers, and their families) through specific actions like threats, deception, offering benefits, stalking, or sharing personal information (such as addresses, phone numbers, or Social Security numbers). The bill explicitly prohibits online dissemination of a judicial officer's personal details, expands the definition of "judicial officer" to cover broader court staff, and defines "family" to include spouses, children, and ancestors. If the offense causes death or injury, it becomes a class B felony. This bill directly affects individuals who target judicial personnel and aims to strengthen legal protections for them.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Probation & Parole Data Privacy

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3492: Establishes a process in which persons registering a motor vehicle may apply for a designation and license plate decals indicating a health condition or disability that limits or impairs the ability to effectively communicate with law enforcement

HB 3492 allows Missouri residents with a physical or mental health condition that impairs communication with law enforcement to apply for a designation when registering a vehicle. Applicants must provide certification from a physician or psychologist confirming the condition will last at least five years. If approved, law enforcement will see this designation in Missouri's MULES system, and applicants may receive standardized license plate decals displaying a non-specific symbol. The designation lasts five years and requires renewal with new medical certification, directly affecting individuals with communication-related health conditions and their immediate family members.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Tags People with Disabilities

All criminal justice bills