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.
HB 3132 creates a court-issued "certificate of exemplary conduct" for eligible individuals with certain past convictions (excluding sex offenses requiring registry). This certificate prevents employers, housing providers, and licensing boards from considering their conviction history when making decisions about jobs, housing, or professional licenses. The court must grant the certificate if an applicant demonstrates consistent good moral character and that granting it serves the public interest, with annual reports required on how often the certificate is used. The bill directly affects people with non-sex-offense convictions who meet these standards, removing barriers to employment and licensing without changing existing criminal penalties.
HB 2834 would restore voting rights to Missouri residents on felony probation or parole by removing the current disqualification from voting while under supervision. Currently, individuals convicted of felonies cannot vote while on probation or parole until their supervision ends, but this bill eliminates that restriction. The key change amends state election law (sections 115.133 and 561.026) to delete the provision barring voting during probation or parole. This directly affects thousands of Missourians with felony convictions who are under community supervision but not incarcerated. The bill is pending in the House Corrections and Public Institutions committee after its introduction in January 2026.
HB 2519 expands Missouri's hate crime definitions to include offenses motivated by race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. It upgrades penalties for hate-motivated crimes to class D or E felonies and requires law enforcement agencies to report such offenses. The bill mandates new training for peace officers, including six hours on hate offense identification and victim assistance for those licensed after 2026, and six hours on racial profiling and bias for those licensed after 2027. These changes directly affect law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and court systems by altering how hate crimes are defined, prosecuted, and handled during officer training.
HB 2592 would restore voting rights to Missouri residents convicted of a felony who are on probation or parole, removing a current barrier that prevents them from voting until their supervision ends. The bill amends state law to eliminate the provision that disqualifies individuals "while on probation or parole" after a felony conviction, directly affecting thousands of Missourians under community supervision. Key provisions would allow these individuals to register and vote in all elections once they meet standard residency and registration requirements, without waiting for full discharge from supervision. This change specifically applies to felony convictions, not misdemeanor offenses or incarceration, and aligns with broader efforts to expand voting access for people with past criminal convictions.
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.
