HB 3188, the "Media Literacy and Critical Thinking Act," would have established a pilot program for public schools to integrate media literacy skills into curricula. It required the education department to select 5-7 diverse school districts for a two-year pilot (2027-2029), focusing on teaching students to analyze news, visual media, digital safety, and online misinformation. The program would have developed guidelines covering topics like digital ethics, algorithm awareness, and constitutional free speech rights, with districts reporting outcomes to the state. However, the bill was introduced in February 2026 and withdrawn the same day, so it never became law and no schools participated.
HB 3161 would have allowed spouses to take over utility accounts without extra fees or deposits when the original account holder dies, is deported, or is jailed for over 60 days, provided the account was in good standing. Exceptions would apply if the spouse had unpaid bills (within 5 years), interfered with service, or failed to provide required ID or documentation like a marriage certificate. The bill also permitted utilities to require installment payments for any required deposits. However, this legislation was withdrawn by the House on February 4, 2026, and never became law.
HB 3189, known as the "Evan's Voice Act," creates a new criminal offense for "grooming of a minor," defined as an adult aged 21 or older engaging in a pattern of conduct (like repeated sexualized communication) that a reasonable person would interpret as preparing a minor for sexual conduct. The law classifies this as a class C felony (or class B if sexual conduct occurs), requiring a mandatory minimum 5-year prison sentence with no probation, and mandates restitution for victims covering rehabilitation, lost income, and relocation costs. It also requires a state committee to provide public guidance on recognizing grooming and victim services, plus training for professionals on investigating and prosecuting such cases. The law explicitly excludes parents, guardians, or family members providing standard care without sexual intent from prosecution.
HB 2549 eliminates a requirement for landowners to register their property before obtaining a landowner hunting permit. It mandates that the wildlife commission issue such permits to any landowner (resident or nonresident) owning at least five acres of land. The bill also allows landowners to request a free two-day hunting permit for one nonresident immediate family member (spouse, child, parent, etc.) each calendar year, with a maximum of one such request annually. This changes existing rules by removing registration barriers and providing free permits for family hunting on the landowner's property.
HB 2532 requires insurance companies in this state to cover additional living expenses for homeowners, renters, and dwelling owners when gun violence makes their property uninhabitable. The bill mandates coverage for temporary housing, meals, and transportation costs incurred after a gun violence incident (like drive-by shootings) damages the property, with insurers specifying either a dollar limit or time limit for payments. Insureds must report incidents immediately, provide expense documentation, and cooperate with investigations to qualify for coverage, which begins after a 48-hour waiting period. The law applies to policies delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027.
HB 3026 would allow Missouri counties to replace local real and personal property taxes with an earnings tax on wages and business profits, but only after voters approve the change in a county election. The earnings tax would apply to income earned by residents and nonresidents working in the county, as well as business profits, while exempting certain non-profits, life insurance proceeds, and specific income types like deferred compensation. The bill requires that the new tax rate must generate revenue comparable to the current property tax system. This proposal was introduced in 2026 but withdrawn before becoming law.
HB 2788 would have modified Missouri's unlawful firearm possession law by creating time-based exceptions for people with prior felony convictions. It would have allowed firearm possession after 10 years for violent felony convictions and 3 years for nonviolent felony convictions, following full sentence completion (including probation). The bill exempted antique firearms from these restrictions and defined "violent felony" as involving force/threat against others. However, the bill was introduced in January 2026 and withdrawn the same month without becoming law.
HB 2792 would have required the Missouri Highway Patrol to investigate all officer-involved shootings or serious force incidents resulting in death or serious bodily injury involving civilians or officers in St. Louis city or county. The bill applied specifically to St. Louis (located in a county with over one million residents) and mandated that local law enforcement agencies reimburse the Highway Patrol for investigation costs. It covered four scenarios: civilian shootings by officers, officer shootings by civilians, and serious force incidents causing injury or death. The bill was introduced in January 2026 but withdrawn before committee action.
HB 3040 would allow advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), excluding nurse anesthetists, to prescribe certain controlled substances under specific conditions. It permits APRNs with a special certification to prescribe Schedule III-V drugs and limited Schedule II medications (like hydrocodone for hospice or behavioral health patients) through collaborative agreements with physicians. The bill requires written agreements, restricts prescriptions to 120-hour supplies without refills for some drugs, and prohibits APRNs from prescribing for themselves or family. The bill was introduced and withdrawn on January 21, 2026, with no further legislative action.
HB 2295 increases tax credits for businesses that contribute to community programs in small towns (population ≤15,000) or economically distressed areas, allowing up to 70% of contributions to be refunded. It sets annual limits of $4 million for 1999 and $6 million for 2000 onward, with a $250,000 cap per business unless contributions target impoverished communities (where credits may exceed the cap). The bill restricts credits for financial institutions on routine business activities and establishes a total annual cap of $32 million across all tax credit programs. Businesses claiming housing-related credits must certify tenant income eligibility and housing compliance annually.
HB 1909 requires Missouri's POST Commission to create a system that counts military basic training hours (including Army Military Police School) toward peace officer licensure requirements. It directly affects National Guard members and active/reserve military personnel seeking Missouri peace officer licenses. The bill establishes a point conversion system for military training credit and creates a dedicated "Military Police Program of Instruction Fund" to administer the program. This policy change streamlines licensure for military veterans by recognizing their existing training, pending state funding appropriation.
HB 2638 would have created a fee system to fund behavioral health crisis services by charging mobile phone providers. Dealers selling prepaid mobile services would collect $2.50 per transaction from end users, while providers of postpaid services would charge $0.65 monthly per line for customers using Missouri as their primary location. All collected funds would go into the "988 Crisis Continuum Fund" managed by the Department of Mental Health to support crisis services like the 988 hotline and mobile response teams. The bill was prefaced in January 2026 but withdrawn the same month, so it did not become law.
