SB 969 - This act modifies provisions relating to public safety. SEXUAL OFFENDERS WITHIN SCHOOL PROPERTIES (Section 566.149) This act provides that any person required to register as a tier III sexual offender who is a parent, legal guardian, or custodian of a student shall not be present in any school building, any real property that comprises a school, or any place where a school-related activity is taking place. This provision is identical to a provision in SB 134 (2025). RIGHTS OF VICTIMS OF CRIMES (Section 595.209) This act provides that victims of certain crimes under the age of 19 years old shall have the right to appear by video during any deposition or hearing in lieu of appearing in person. This provision is identical to a provision in SB 134 (2025). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.
SB 1671 would allow qualifying Missouri cities, including Lexington, to impose up to a 0.5% sales tax for public safety purposes, subject to voter approval. The tax requires a citywide ballot measure where voters must approve the specific tax rate (e.g., "Shall the city of Lexington impose a citywide sales tax of ___% for public safety?"). All revenue must be deposited into a special trust fund and used exclusively for police, fire, and emergency medical services equipment, salaries, and facilities. The bill specifies detailed population and geographic criteria cities must meet to qualify for this tax authority.
HB 3332 modifies Missouri's Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act to provide tuition awards for eligible public safety personnel and their dependents. Public safety personnel with at least six years of service (police officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, etc.) may receive up to 100% of resident tuition for degrees in specific fields like criminal justice or fire science, subject to meeting license, employment, and admission requirements. Legal dependents of personnel with ten or more years of service also qualify for tuition awards covering associate or bachelor's degrees. The program requires applicants to first seek other federal and state financial aid before applying for the tuition award, with eligibility lasting up to five years or 120 credit hours.
HB 3277 authorizes cities meeting specific population and county size criteria (e.g., certain population ranges within defined counties) to impose a 0.5% sales tax for public safety, including funding police, fire, and emergency medical services. Before implementation, the city must seek voter approval through a referendum. All tax revenue must be deposited into a special fund and used exclusively for public safety purposes, with remaining funds after tax termination also dedicated to public safety. The bill applies to multiple qualifying cities across the state, not exclusively to one city like Northwoods.
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.
HB 3355 makes it a minor criminal offense (class D misdemeanor) to knowingly approach within 25 feet of a first responder after being orally warned not to, when the person intends to impede duties, threaten physical harm, or harass. It directly affects anyone who engages in such behavior toward law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, or hospital staff performing emergency duties. Key provisions require an oral warning before the 25-foot approach, define "harass" as causing substantial emotional distress with no legitimate purpose, and specify the three prohibited intents. The law aims to protect first responders during active duty by criminalizing disruptive or threatening conduct near them.
HB 2911 modifies Missouri's Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act to create a tuition award program for eligible public safety workers. It provides up to 100% of resident tuition for associate or bachelor's degrees in approved fields (e.g., criminal justice for police, fire science for firefighters) to personnel with at least six years of service who hold current licenses/certificates and meet admission requirements. Dependents of personnel with ten years of service qualify for similar awards. Applicants must first apply for all other federal and state financial aid before accessing this tuition award.
HB 2751 replaces two Missouri laws related to public safety. It creates a new exemption from disqualification for the food stamp program for individuals convicted of a drug felony who actively participate in or complete substance abuse treatment, comply with court and treatment requirements, avoid new drug offenses for one year, and pass sobriety tests. The bill also modifies how inmates earn time off their sentences by requiring specific conditions for good time credit, which applies only to the current sentence and can be revoked by correctional authorities. These changes directly affect people seeking food assistance and inmates in Missouri's correctional system.
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HB 3100 creates a new class C misdemeanor offense for intentionally approaching within 25 feet of a first responder after being orally warned to stop, when the person knows the responder is performing duties. It specifically targets actions intended to block the responder’s work, threaten them with physical harm, or harass them (defined as causing substantial emotional distress with no legitimate purpose). The law applies to individuals who ignore such warnings while law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, or hospital emergency staff are on duty. Violators face misdemeanor penalties, with the bill defining "first responder" to include emergency medical personnel and security staff in hospital emergency settings.
HB 2344 protects tenants, landlords, and residents who contact law enforcement or emergency services to address abuse, crime, or emergencies. It prohibits local governments from penalizing these individuals through eviction, license revocation, fines, or other penalties for making such requests when done with a reasonable belief that intervention was necessary. The bill allows affected individuals to sue local governments for violations and seek remedies like court orders halting penalties, compensation for damages, and reinstatement of rental licenses. This directly affects people in housing situations who report safety concerns, ensuring they cannot be punished for seeking help.
