Criminal Justice in Missouri

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3429: Requires the department of public safety to establish an office dedicated to preventing the targeting of African American women and girls

HB 3429 creates a dedicated office within Missouri’s Department of Public Safety focused on addressing disparities in cases involving missing and murdered African American women and girls. The office will collect and analyze data on missing persons, homicides, Amber alerts, and trafficking cases involving this group, comparing outcomes to other demographics. It will develop recommendations for legislative, agency, and community actions to improve responses, particularly regarding labor trafficking, sex trafficking, and domestic violence intersections. The office must report annual data and outcomes to the legislature by January 15 each year, including case statistics and analysis of justice system responses. This bill directly affects Missouri law enforcement agencies, state departments, and the communities impacted by these cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

in committee · Missouri · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 1649: Modifies procedures relating to the detention of a juvenile

SB 1649 modifies Missouri's juvenile detention procedures to ensure faster court review and stricter criteria for holding minors. It requires that juveniles taken into custody be immediately brought before juvenile court or a juvenile officer, and mandates that courts review detention reasons within 24 hours. The bill limits detention to 24 hours without a hearing (with a 3-day deadline for the hearing), and specifies that continued detention is only permitted if the court finds probable cause for an offense and that detention is necessary to protect the juvenile, others, prevent flight, address lack of supervision, or handle fugitive status. This directly affects minors in custody, their families, and juvenile court processes.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3481: Modifies Supreme Court Rule 33.01 relating to conditions of release from custody in criminal proceedings

HB 3481 modifies Missouri's Supreme Court Rule 33.01 to clarify conditions for releasing defendants before trial in criminal cases. It requires courts to prioritize non-monetary conditions (like reporting or electronic monitoring) over monetary bail whenever possible, and prohibits setting bail amounts higher than necessary to ensure court appearances or community safety. The bill also mandates courts to consider a defendant's ability to pay when imposing monetary conditions and to waive costs for indigent defendants. This directly affects people charged with bailable offenses who may face pretrial detention or restrictive release terms. The law aims to reduce unnecessary pretrial incarceration while maintaining public safety.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

in committee · Missouri · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 1676: Creates new provisions relating to persons with impaired or limited ability to communicate with law enforcement

SB 1676, known as "Mason's Law," creates a voluntary designation for Missouri residents with health conditions that may impair communication with law enforcement. To qualify, individuals must obtain certification from a physician or psychologist confirming a likely 5-year communication impairment and apply during motor vehicle registration. Approved applicants receive a designation visible to law enforcement via Missouri's MULES system, which will remain active for five years and require renewal with updated certification. The law also mandates that law enforcement agencies receive training on this system.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

in committee · Missouri · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 1782: Establishes "Justin's Law", authorizes law enforcement agencies to use canines to detect illicit narcotics

SB 1782, titled "Justin's Law," authorizes law enforcement agencies to use trained canines for detecting illicit narcotics. This bill directly affects police departments and other law enforcement entities by providing a legal basis for employing drug-sniffing dogs during investigations. The key provision is the explicit authorization for canine use in narcotics detection, which becomes part of standard law enforcement procedures. The abstract does not specify additional requirements or limitations for this authorization.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement Policing

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HJR 184: Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race

HJR 184 proposes a constitutional amendment to Missouri's Article I, prohibiting state and local government agencies from discriminating against individuals based on race. This amendment would require voter approval in a future election (no later than November 2026) before taking effect. If adopted, it would give the Missouri legislature the authority to create laws enforcing this anti-discrimination provision. The bill directly affects all state agencies, programs, and policies subject to constitutional review, ensuring racial discrimination is barred in government actions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3380: Establishes provisions relating to visitors to jails or detention facilities in a city not within a county

HB 3380, titled the "No More Jail Deaths Act," establishes rules for visitor access to jails in cities not located within a county. It automatically allows specific officials (like city leaders, state officers, judges, and clergy) to enter these facilities at any time, while requiring all other visitors to get permission from the jail’s chief administrator. Cities must create or update visitor rules by March 1, 2027, to comply with the law. The bill directly affects city-operated jails in non-county cities and their visitors, focusing on structured access without changing jail operations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3272: Modifies provisions relating to county and municipal jail visitation

HB 3272 modifies visitation rules for county and municipal jails by specifying who may enter these facilities without special permission. It authorizes state/local officials (like governors, judges, and elected leaders), clergy, and their designated staff to visit at reasonable times, subject to security rules. The bill explicitly grants religious leaders access to administer faith practices upon request, while allowing facilities to deny entry for safety reasons. This directly affects jail visitors, facility administrators, and incarcerated individuals seeking authorized visits.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · Missouri · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 3313: Creates provisions relating to court-ordered involuntary outpatient treatment for persons with mental disorders

HB 3313 establishes court-ordered outpatient mental health treatment for adults with severe mental disorders who cannot make informed treatment decisions and face a risk of serious harm. It directly affects individuals meeting strict criteria: aged 18+, suffering from a mental disorder, unable to seek voluntary treatment, and at risk of deterioration or harm due to past non-compliance or violent behavior. The law creates a process where mental health providers, guardians, or health agencies can petition a court for treatment, requiring a hearing within two days, clear evidence of eligibility, and appointed legal representation for the affected person. Key provisions include defining "assisted outpatient treatment" (covering case management, therapy, medication, and crisis services) and mandating that courts approve such treatment only when less restrictive options have failed.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health

in committee · Missouri · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 1731: Modifies provisions relating to critical incident management

SB 1731 establishes Missouri's "Critical Incident Stress Management Program" within the Department of Public Safety to support peace officers and first responders. The bill requires these personnel to complete a mental health check-in with program providers every 3-5 years, with confidentiality protections for disclosures (except in limited cases like preventing harm or under mandatory reporting laws). It creates a dedicated "988 Public Safety Fund" using state appropriations to cover program costs, including services like consultation, risk assessment, and crisis intervention. The fund's remaining balance at biennium end cannot revert to general revenue, ensuring sustained funding for mental health support. This bill directly affects law enforcement and first responders by mandating regular mental health check-ins and funding targeted support for trauma related to critical incidents.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Revenue Law Enforcement Mental Health Tags Public Safety

All criminal justice bills