Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1937: Expands the definition of special victim to include sports officials at a sporting event

HB 1937 expands Missouri's legal definition of "special victim" to include sports officials (like referees, umpires, and linesmen) who are assaulted while performing their duties at any level of sporting event. This change directly affects certified sports officials by granting them the same legal protections as other special victims, such as law enforcement or emergency personnel, under Missouri's criminal statutes. The key provision adds a new subsection (14)(l) to the definition, specifying that a "sports official" must be trained and certified by an official sports organization. This bill modifies existing law to ensure these individuals receive enhanced legal consideration if assaulted during their official duties at games or events.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim protections under criminal statutes for sports officials, aligning them with law enforcement protections under Missouri's criminal code.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1677: Establishes provisions relating to mental health evaluations upon arrest

HB 1677 requires that individuals arrested for crimes undergo a mental health evaluation within 45 days to determine if they are competent to participate in court proceedings. If evaluation results indicate a need for treatment, the person must be transferred to a mental health facility within 45 days of the evaluation. The bill mandates that agencies explain delays beyond these deadlines to law enforcement or prosecutors and requires annual reports to the legislature by the Department of Mental Health starting in 2027. This bill directly affects arrested individuals who may require mental health assessments, focusing on timely evaluations and treatment access while establishing accountability measures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates mental health evaluations and treatment pathways instead of incarceration, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce unnecessary court involvement and improve rehabilitation outcomes.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health evaluations and treatment transfers for arrested individuals, advancing access to mental health services within legal framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Mental Health

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2133: Expands the definition of special victim to include sports officials at a sporting event

HB 2133 expands the legal definition of "special victim" to include certified sports officials (such as referees, umpires, or judges) who are assaulted while performing their duties at any level of sporting event. This change directly affects sports officials by granting them the same legal protections currently available to other defined special victims like law enforcement or emergency personnel. The bill achieves this by explicitly adding section (14)(l) to the definition, clarifying that a sports official must be trained, certified, or registered by a recognized sports organization to qualify under this provision.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim protections to sports officials, strengthening legal safeguards for specific victim groups under criminal justice reform framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights

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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 · 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 · House May 15, 2026

HB 2237: Modifies provisions relating to civilian review boards

HB 2237 establishes detailed procedures for administrative investigations of law enforcement officers that could lead to disciplinary action, economic loss, or other employment consequences. It requires agencies to provide officers with written notice of investigations 24 hours in advance, allow attorney presence during questioning, explain Garrity rights (that answers can't be used criminally), and complete investigations within 90 days (with limited 60-day extensions). The bill directly affects law enforcement officers facing disciplinary reviews by guaranteeing specific procedural rights, including access to complaint details, reasonable interview durations, and a full due process hearing for suspensions or terminations. Key provisions include confidentiality for complaint filers, restrictions on off-duty questioning, and requirements for agencies to maintain complete, confidential records of investigations. The title mentioning "civilian review boards" is inaccurate; the bill focuses solely on internal administrative investigation procedures for officers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes fair procedures for law enforcement investigations including notice, attorney access, and Garrity rights, directly enhancing police accountability and due process in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2315: Enacts various provisions relating to suspicious deaths where there is a history of domestic violence

HB 2315 restricts the sharing of photographs or recordings of deceased persons' bodies in cases involving suspicious deaths with a domestic violence history. It prohibits coroners from making or distributing such copies except for criminal cases, court orders, or civil cases with specific authorization from legal heirs or family members (verified via declaration, ID, and death certificate). The bill also requires law enforcement to notify coroners about domestic violence histories when reporting such deaths. Key exceptions include use in forensic pathology, medical education, or law enforcement investigations. This directly affects coroners, law enforcement, and families seeking access to death-related images in domestic violence cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts sharing of sensitive death images in domestic violence cases, requiring family authorization to protect victims' rights and prevent trauma during investigations, aligning with criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

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in committee · Missouri · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 1281: Repeals the sunset for the program providing grants for certain cyber crime investigations

SB 1281 repeals the sunset provision for Missouri's grant program funding cyber crime investigations focused on internet sex crimes against children. The bill creates a permanent "Cyber Crime Investigation Fund" in the state treasury, managed by the Department of Public Safety, to provide grants to law enforcement task forces and agencies. Grants cover salaries for detectives and forensic staff, training, equipment, and travel expenses specifically for investigating child exploitation cases. Local agencies must contribute matching funds, and a panel with law enforcement and legislative members will administer the program. This makes the grant program permanent, eliminating its prior expiration date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates permanent fund for cyber crime investigations grants, preserving government spending on critical public safety program (funds essential services via state budget appropriation).90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates permanent funding for cyber crime investigations targeting child exploitation, directly strengthening law enforcement capabilities in criminal justice through grants for specialized investigations.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates permanent fund for cyber crime investigations targeting child exploitation, directly enhancing cybersecurity capabilities through law enforcement funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Missouri · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 1069: Limits the sale or purchase of certain drugs

SB 1069 limits the purchase and sale of drugs containing ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, or pseudoephedrine (common methamphetamine precursors) by setting strict daily, monthly, and annual purchase caps. It prohibits selling or buying more than 3.6 grams in 24 hours, 7.2 grams in 30 days, or 61.2 grams in a year to a single person, regardless of transaction count. Pharmacies must sell these products behind counters, maintain sales records accessible to law enforcement, and manufacturers must pay fees starting in 2026 for a real-time tracking system. The law preempts local regulations requiring prescriptions for these products within the set limits.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts meth precursor access to prevent drug manufacturing, aligning with public safety goals in criminal justice by reducing illegal drug production and trafficking.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement

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