SB 1616 Missouri Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Creates new provisions restricting the availability of public benefits to U.S. citizens

SB 1616 restricts access to Missouri's SNAP food assistance and MO HealthNet medical benefits for non-U.S. citizens, requiring applicants to prove citizenship, national status, or specific federal immigration eligibility. It mandates documentary proof (like driver's license documents or federal status verification) at application, with temporary benefits allowed via sworn affidavit for up to 90 days or until citizenship documentation is provided. The bill explicitly excludes emergency medical care, prenatal services, children's benefits (when applied for by a citizen parent), and certain other non-cash aid like unemployment or postsecondary education. It also requires state agencies to verify immigration status through federal systems like DHS's SAVE program but prohibits denying benefits based solely on data matching.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 3, 2026 Last action Apr 8, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Voted Do Pass S General Laws Committee
upper
Mar 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
Hearing Conducted S General Laws Committee
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Rick Brattin
Rick Brattin
RRepublican
MO
31