Rep. Kimberly-Ann Collins

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits life without parole sentences for individuals under 20 at the time of their offense, except in cases involving multiple victims, extreme cruelty, or evidence of adult-level planning. It requires courts to consider youth-related factors like rehabilitation potential and maturity when sentencing, and sets a 25-year maximum confinement period for non-exceptional cases. Current inmates under 20 serving life without parole must receive parole reviews within two years of August 28, 2026. Victims and families gain the right to participate in parole hearings and submit input during these proceedings.

Maddy summaryHB 2348 changes the trial process for first-degree murder cases where the death penalty is not waived. It requires a two-stage trial: first, a jury or judge decides guilt (without considering punishment), and second, if convicted, they determine punishment based on specific legal standards. The bill mandates life imprisonment without parole if the jury finds the defendant intellectually disabled, lacks sufficient aggravating factors, or determines mitigating evidence outweighs aggravating factors. It also clarifies jury instructions for cases where punishment is disputed, including procedures if the jury cannot agree on a sentence. This applies only to offenses committed on or after August 28, 2001.

Maddy summaryHB 2153 abolishes the death penalty in Missouri by repealing all statutes that permitted capital punishment. It mandates that anyone convicted of a crime previously punishable by death must instead receive life imprisonment without parole. This change directly affects all current death row inmates and future defendants facing capital charges for offenses like murder. The bill removes the death penalty as a sentencing option, replacing it with life without parole for those specific crimes.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 2830 proposes increasing a user fee collected by Missouri recorders of deeds from $3 to $9 per recorded property document. This fee change directly affects property owners and real estate professionals who must pay the fee when recording deeds, mortgages, or other land-related documents. The additional $6 per transaction (making the total $9) would be sent to the Missouri Housing Trust Fund, specifically designated for housing-related programs under Section 215.034. The bill does not alter other fee components, such as the $2 retained by recorders for office operations or the $1 allocated to land survey and local records funds.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 2302 requires the state Department of Corrections to provide specific services to inmates before their release from state custody. It mandates the department to provide documentation for post-release employment (including vocational records, work history, and a resume) and coordinate with the Department of Revenue to issue state-issued identification cards to inmates without current IDs. The bill applies to most inmates released within the state, with exceptions for those aged 65+ or in medical parole. Identification cards issued under this law are valid for four years, non-renewable, and funded through department resources or inmate trust funds.

Maddy summaryHJR 115 proposes a constitutional amendment to create a property tax exemption for Missouri disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. It defines a "disabled veteran" as a Missouri resident honorably separated from military service with a 100% VA-certified service-connected disability, and a "homestead" as their primary residence (not exceeding 2.5 acres). The exemption would apply to real property used as a primary home, excluding portions rented for more than six months annually. This amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election and would replace the current property tax exemption provisions in Missouri's constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 2747 modifies Missouri's criminal trial procedures for first-degree murder cases involving the death penalty. It establishes a two-stage trial process: the first stage determines guilt, and the second stage (only if the death penalty wasn't waived) decides sentencing based on aggravating/mitigating factors. The bill specifies that life imprisonment without parole must be imposed if the defendant is intellectually disabled, no aggravating circumstances are proven, or the jury cannot unanimously agree on the death penalty. It also defines "intellectual disability" and applies only to offenses committed on or after August 28, 2001. The bill does not address expungement procedures, despite references to related sections in the text.

Maddy summaryHB 1872, the "Missouri Survivors' Act," allows courts to reduce sentencing levels for individuals charged with crimes who were survivors of domestic abuse by an intimate partner or family member. If proven with documented evidence (such as court records, medical reports, or witness statements), the court must consider the abuse as a mitigating factor, lowering felony classifications (e.g., a Class A felony becomes a Class B). This applies to offenses committed before November 1, 2026, and enables eligible individuals already incarcerated to request resentencing starting November 1, 2026. The law directly affects survivors facing criminal charges whose domestic abuse history contributed to their offense.