Criminal Justice (People with Disabilities)

HB 3175 allows Missouri residents with a health condition or disability that impairs communication with law enforcement to request a special designation when registering a motor vehicle. To qualify, applicants must provide certification from a licensed physician or psychologist confirming the condition will likely persist for at least five years. If approved, the designation is added to the state law enforcement database (MULES), alerting officers during interactions. The designation remains active for five years and requires renewal with updated certification, with the state highway patrol required to educate law enforcement on its use.

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.

HB 1840 creates Missouri's "Purple Alert System" to help locate missing persons with developmental disabilities who face immediate danger. It directly affects individuals with intellectual disabilities, brain injuries, or other non-Alzheimer's cognitive conditions who go missing. The bill requires law enforcement to immediately notify officers, contact local media, and share details with neighboring agencies when such a case is reported. It also mandates training for officers on crisis intervention and policies to enhance emergency response and public awareness about developmental disability-related elopement risks. The system must be implemented by July 1, 2027.