Technology

HB 3440 makes it illegal to share an elected county official's or their family's personal information (like home addresses, Social Security numbers, or children's names) online or otherwise, if the intent is to harass, intimidate, or influence the official's work. It classifies this as a class A misdemeanor, but becomes a class B felony if the act causes death or injury. The law directly protects county elected officials and their families from targeted privacy violations aimed at disrupting their duties. Key provisions define "personal information" broadly and establish specific penalties based on the severity of harm caused.

HCR 38 is a Missouri legislative resolution urging the federal National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to permit the state to retain its $1.7 billion allocation of Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funds. The resolution specifically requests that NTIA allow Missouri to continue managing these federal broadband funds through its existing Office of Broadband Development, without requiring changes to current grant administration processes. This follows NTIA's 2025 modification of BEAD project requirements and concerns about potential fund clawbacks. The resolution does not alter federal law but formally requests that the NTIA maintain Missouri's access to these funds for expanding rural internet infrastructure.

HB 3393, the "Missouri Social Media Safety for Minors Act," requires social media platforms operating in Missouri to implement age verification for users under 18. Minors under 16 cannot create accounts without a parent or guardian, while those aged 16-17 need verified parental consent. Platforms must offer parents tools to monitor activity, delete accounts within 10 days, and restrict messaging from unverified adults. The bill also bans addictive features (like infinite scroll) and advertising to minors under 16, with violations subject to $50,000 fines per violation enforced by the attorney general.

HB 3192 establishes regulations for law enforcement use of Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) systems in Missouri. It restricts ALPR use to specific purposes like criminal investigations, missing persons cases, and stolen vehicle alerts - banning general surveillance, immigration enforcement, or monitoring lawful activity. The bill requires law enforcement to destroy ALPR data within 30 days (unless tied to an active investigation or alert) and mandates annual reporting on system use, including scan counts, alerts, and outcomes. These rules directly affect all Missouri state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies operating ALPR systems.

SB 1502 - This act establishes the "Missouri Consent and Likeness Protection Act" which provides that no adhesion contract, disclaimer or waiver, or condition of entry shall be valid or enforceable if it: (1) Waives or limits an individual's right to bring a civil action for the unauthorized use of the individual's identity attributes; or (2) Grants the right to use an individual's identity attributes without allowing the individual to seek judicial relief. As it relates to the use of identity attributes, any provision that purports to release liability, require arbitration, waive jury trial, limit damages, or provide consent without reasonable and just compensation shall be void. Additionally, the rights and requirements of this act shall not be waived by contract. Consent for the commercial or promotional use of identity attributes shall be valid only if the consent is: (1) Affirmative, explicit, and written; (2) Negotiated by all parties in good faith; (3) Separate and distinct from any general terms or conditions; (4) Clearly describing the specific use of the identity attributes, that such use is limited in a duration not to exceed a period of twenty years, and the certain parties authorized to use the identity attributes; and (5) Whether reasonable and just compensation is provided; and (6) Freely revocable at any time. Additionally, consent for the use of identity attributes shall not be implied by an individual's entry onto premises, presence in a public or quasi-public space, participation in an activity, purchase of a ticket, or failure to read or object to posted terms. Consent for the commercial or promotional use of identity attributes obtained through adhesion contracts or disclaimers or waivers shall be conclusively presumed invalid. Furthermore, this act shall apply to any entity doing business in Missouri and to any individual physically present in Missouri at the time of the alleged violation. Any individual whose identity attributes are used in violation of this act may bring a civil action for damages. The court may award a prevailing plaintiff any actual damages, statutory damages of not less than $10,000 per violation, the disgorgement of profits earned through the use of the identity attributes, injunctive and declaratory relief, and reasonable attorney's fees and costs. Additionally, the Attorney General may investigate and bring an enforcement action to enjoin any act or practice which is a violation of this act. Upon a showing of a violation, the Attorney General may seek a civil penalty of up to $25,000 per violation. KATIE O'BRIEN

HB 2208 establishes rules for operating fully autonomous vehicles (without human drivers) on public roads in this state. It requires these vehicles to achieve a "minimal risk condition" during system failures, submit law enforcement plans to the Department of Public Safety, and maintain proof of financial responsibility. The bill mandates special vehicle registration and titling identifying the vehicle as fully autonomous, while exempting them from human-driver-specific traffic laws during autonomous operation. These provisions directly affect companies operating self-driving vehicle fleets, ensuring safety protocols and accountability without restricting human control when needed.

HB 3043 requires virtual currency kiosk operators to clearly disclose key risks to customers before transactions, such as that virtual currency isn't backed by government or protected by deposit insurance. It authorizes the state attorney general to bring civil lawsuits against operators who violate these disclosure rules or other provisions of the law. The bill defines critical terms like "virtual currency kiosk" (an electronic terminal for exchanging fiat currency and virtual currency) and mandates operators to provide written risk disclosures covering irreversibility, market volatility, and regulatory changes. It also establishes confidentiality rules for state division records and ensures federal laws like the Bank Secrecy Act take precedence if conflicts arise. This law directly affects businesses operating physical kiosks for virtual currency exchanges within the state.

HB 2815 establishes a state no-call database in Missouri, allowing residential and business subscribers to register their phone numbers to avoid unsolicited telemarketing calls. The Missouri Attorney General must create and maintain this free database, setting rules for how subscribers can register or revoke their objection and how businesses must access the list before making calls. Businesses making telephone solicitations are required to check the database to avoid contacting registered numbers, with the Attorney General working with telecom companies to provide public education about the service. The law also mandates annual updates to include numbers from national do-not-call lists and prohibits blocking caller ID services to circumvent the database.

SB 1553 authorizes financial incentives, such as tax credits or grants, for companies producing specific critical materials (e.g., minerals for clean energy technology) and certain pharmaceuticals. It directly affects domestic manufacturers in these sectors by potentially lowering production costs through government support. The bill's key mechanism is creating these targeted financial benefits to encourage increased domestic manufacturing capacity. Currently pending in the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee after initial readings.

HB 3139 requires Missouri schools to establish standardized computer science courses covering topics like AI, cybersecurity, and algorithms for all grades. It allows these courses to count toward math or science graduation credits while mandating schools to inform students and parents about potential college admission impacts. The bill creates a dedicated fund for teacher training in computer science and requires all high schools to offer at least one CS course by 2023. Schools must also report student demographics in these courses to track participation across gender, race, and special education status.