SB 977 Missouri Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Establishes the "No Foreign Laws Act" which prohibits the application and enforceability of foreign law, legal codes, and systems

SB 977 proposes to prohibit state courts from applying or enforcing foreign legal systems, including Shari'a law, in civil or criminal cases. It would directly affect legal disputes where foreign law might otherwise be considered, such as in family law, contracts, or inheritance matters. The bill's key mechanism requires courts to disregard foreign legal codes when making decisions, ensuring state law governs all proceedings. This bill remains under review in the Judiciary Committee as of its latest committee vote.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
Jul 2026
Introduced Dec 1, 2025 Signed Jul 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

3/31/2026 - SS for SCS S offered (Schroer)--(5434S.04F) 3/31/2026 - Adopted, as amended 3/31/2026 - SA 1 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Lewis)--(5434S04.01S) 3/31/2026 - Adopted · 2 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to narrow its scope by explicitly excluding the Hague Conference on Private International Law from the definition of 'international organization or body.' This change ensures that Missouri's child support enforcement programs can continue to utilize international treaties and conventions without being blocked by the bill's restrictions on foreign laws.
Scope change
The bill's scope was reduced by adding a specific exemption for the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), allowing state agencies to enforce related international agreements.
DEFINITION

Added a specific exclusion stating that the term 'international organization or body' does not include the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH).

ENFORCEMENT

Clarified that the child support program within the Department of Social Services is authorized to enforce or implement provisions of conventions and instruments issued by the HCCH.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
29
Key actions
15
Committee
11
Jul 13, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor
executive
May 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported Duly Enrolled Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions & Ethics Committee
upper
May 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed
upper
May 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
H Third Read and Passed
lower
Apr 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported Do Pass H Rules - Legislative
lower
Apr 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
Voted Do Pass H Rules - Legislative
lower
Apr 21, 2026
Committee
Referred H Rules - Legislative
lower
Apr 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported Do Pass H Government Efficiency
lower
Apr 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
Voted Do Pass H Government Efficiency
lower
Apr 13, 2026
Committee
Referred H Government Efficiency
lower
Apr 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
S Third Read and Passed
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported Truly Perfected S Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics Committee
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Upper · Passed
SS for SCS, as amended, S adopted
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Upper · Passed
SA 1 to SS for SCS S offered & adopted (Lewis)--(5434S04.01S)
upper
Mar 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from S Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee w/SCS
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
SCS Voted Do Pass (w/SCS SBs 977 & 1011) Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee (5434S.02C)
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Upper · Passed
Hearing Conducted S Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee
upper
Dec 1, 2025
Introduced
Prefiled
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Nick Schroer
Nick Schroer
RRepublican
MO
2