SB 1697 - This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Anti-Epstein Child Protection Act". This act provides that the death penalty may be sought for the offenses of statutory rape in the first degree and sexual trafficking of a child in the first degree. If the death penalty is not waived by the state, the trial shall proceed in two stages before the same trier of fact. In the first stage, the trier shall determine whether the defendant is guilty. In the second stage, if the trier found the defendant guilty of statutory rape in the first degree or sexual trafficking of a child in the first degree, the trier shall assess and determine the punishment. If the trier finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant is intellectually disabled, there is a mitigation of punishment, or the trier decides not to declare a punishment of death, then a punishment at life imprisonment without eligibility for parole shall be declared. If the trier is a jury and it is unable to decide upon the punishment, the judge shall determine the punishment. This act shall only apply to offenses committed on or after August 28, 2026. This act is identical to SB 196 (2025) and SB 951 (2024). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.
SB 1215 - This act authorizes the sentencing court to reduce a sentence of life without eligibility for probation or parole or reduce a sentence of 30 years or greater to a sentence of life with eligibility for probation or parole if the convicted person has served at least 30 years, was under 20 years of age at the time of the offense, made reasonable efforts towards rehabilitation, and has exhibited model citizen behavior. Any offender receiving such reduction shall be granted a hearing before the Parole Board. Furthermore, an offender receiving a reduction shall provide the Parole Board the following in order to be eligible for supervised release: (1) At least 5 statements from current or former Department of Corrections employees attesting to the offender demonstration of institutional adaptability and conduct in the correctional center; (2) At least 20 signed statements from residents of the community where the offender will reside upon release that commit to providing assistance with the offender's reentry; and (3) A safe and secure home plan. This act is identical to HB 2663 (2026), SB 582 (2025), HB 1151 (2025) and is similar to HB 2127 (2024), HB 907 (2023), and contains a provision similar to HB 1799 (2022), HB 2232 (2022), HB 2254 (2020), HB 195 (2019), and HB 2072 (2018). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.
HB 3527 would allow certain individuals convicted of homicide stemming from domestic violence or trafficking to become eligible for parole after serving just five years (or one-third of their sentence, whichever is shorter), instead of the current 15-year minimum. It applies specifically to people who: (1) pleaded guilty or were convicted of a homicide directly linked to their history of abuse by a spouse, partner, or trafficker; (2) have no prior violent felony convictions; (3) can prove ongoing domestic violence or trafficking through evidence like medical records or police reports; and (4) have no remaining legal claims. The parole board must consider factors like rehabilitation efforts, corroborated abuse evidence, and community support when deciding parole, while requiring written reasons for denials and allowing reapplications every two years. This bill aims to adjust parole eligibility for a narrow group of offenders whose crimes were tied to their own victimization.
SB 1775 creates new rules to prevent and address workplace violence against healthcare workers in hospitals and clinics. It directly affects healthcare facilities, staff, and individuals who commit violent acts in these settings. The bill modifies how assault charges apply when violence occurs in healthcare environments, potentially elevating penalties for such offenses. This is a substantive policy change focused on worker safety and legal accountability, not a procedural or commemorative measure.
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).
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.
This bill would allow certain incarcerated individuals convicted of homicide to become eligible for parole after serving five years (instead of 15), if they meet strict criteria. Specifically, it applies to people who: (1) were victims of ongoing domestic violence or trafficking directly linked to their crime; (2) have no prior violent felony convictions; (3) have no legal recourse; and (4) can provide documented evidence (like medical records or police reports) of their victimization. The parole board must review these cases using specific guidelines, including the offender's prison record, rehabilitation efforts, and corroborated evidence of abuse, and must provide written reasons if parole is denied. The bill does not change current parole eligibility for others and is pending legislative action.
HB 3189, known as the "Evan's Voice Act," creates a new criminal offense for "grooming of a minor," defined as an adult aged 21 or older engaging in a pattern of conduct (like repeated sexualized communication) that a reasonable person would interpret as preparing a minor for sexual conduct. The law classifies this as a class C felony (or class B if sexual conduct occurs), requiring a mandatory minimum 5-year prison sentence with no probation, and mandates restitution for victims covering rehabilitation, lost income, and relocation costs. It also requires a state committee to provide public guidance on recognizing grooming and victim services, plus training for professionals on investigating and prosecuting such cases. The law explicitly excludes parents, guardians, or family members providing standard care without sexual intent from prosecution.
HB 3498 requires Missouri parolees and probationers to register with local law enforcement upon release and when changing residence, with failure to register potentially leading to revocation. It mandates that all conditions of probation or parole be recorded in the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES), a shared database accessible to law enforcement. The bill allows parole or probation officers to issue warrants for violations, enabling officers to arrest individuals without a warrant if they have probable cause. These changes directly affect parolees and probationers under Missouri supervision, while increasing data sharing between correctional agencies and law enforcement.
HB 3339 requires Missouri parole board members to visit state prison facilities at least four times annually starting January 1, 2027. This directly affects parole board members, who must conduct these in-person facility inspections as part of their duties. The bill adds this specific requirement to existing rules governing the board’s operations. It does not change parole decision-making processes but mandates regular on-site oversight of correctional facilities. The bill is currently in committee after its introduction on February 18, 2026.
