Criminal Justice in Missouri

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3130: Modifies provisions relating to constitutional liberties

HB 3130 is a Missouri legislative declaration asserting state authority over federal laws regarding firearms and law enforcement transparency. It states that Missouri rejects federal restrictions on gun ownership within the state and declares that federal laws requiring facial coverings for police or limiting gun rights exceed constitutional limits. The bill mandates that all peace officers in Missouri must publicly identify themselves during interactions, prohibiting face coverings except in immediate safety emergencies. This is a declaratory statement of policy, not a new law, and does not change existing legal obligations. It directly affects Missouri law enforcement practices and residents' gun rights within state borders.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3132: Establishes safeguards concerning discriminatory practices against persons who have been convicted of certain offenses

HB 3132 creates a court-issued "certificate of exemplary conduct" for eligible individuals with certain past convictions (excluding sex offenses requiring registry). This certificate prevents employers, housing providers, and licensing boards from considering their conviction history when making decisions about jobs, housing, or professional licenses. The court must grant the certificate if an applicant demonstrates consistent good moral character and that granting it serves the public interest, with annual reports required on how often the certificate is used. The bill directly affects people with non-sex-offense convictions who meet these standards, removing barriers to employment and licensing without changing existing criminal penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2805: Modifies provisions relating to offenders in the custody of the department of corrections

HB 2805 modifies Missouri's correctional records policies to protect offender privacy while enabling necessary access. It designates medical records and certain security documents as protected (not public), requires the department to provide offenders with free electronic copies of their medical records within 30 days of request, and establishes rules for sharing records with treatment agencies, law enforcement, or researchers under confidentiality agreements. The bill also creates a new hospice care training program within state prisons, allowing inmates to earn certification through joint programs with health and licensing departments. These changes directly affect incarcerated individuals, correctional staff, healthcare providers, and agencies handling offender records.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2696: Requires expenditures accruing in the circuit courts to be paid out of the treasury of the state

HB 2696 shifts responsibility for most circuit court expenses from local counties to the state treasury, requiring that all such expenditures (except salaries, clerk hire, and municipal court divisions) be paid from the state. The bill repeals prior laws and establishes new budget procedures: circuit courts must submit spending estimates to county officials, and disputes over these estimates must be reviewed by the judicial finance commission. This directly affects all 40 Missouri circuit courts and their counties, moving financial accountability for court operations from local governments to the state. The law aims to standardize funding and reduce budget conflicts between counties and courts.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2822: Increases the penalties for the offense of animal abuse and establishes an animal abuse registry

HB 2822 increases penalties for animal abuse in Missouri, reclassifying some offenses as felonies (including for repeat offenders or cases involving torture) and raising maximum punishments. It establishes a public registry of individuals convicted of animal abuse, maintained by the Missouri State Highway Patrol starting January 1, 2028. The registry will include convicted offenders' full names, photographs, and other identifying details (but not Social Security or driver's license numbers) and will list first-time offenders for two years or repeat offenders for five years after conviction. The registry is removed if a conviction is expunged or if no new offense occurs during the specified period.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2952: Establishes provisions relating to mental health evaluations upon arrest

This bill requires that individuals arrested for criminal offenses who need a mental health evaluation to determine if they can proceed with trial, conviction, or sentencing must receive that evaluation within 45 days of arrest. It also mandates that if an evaluation shows a person needs treatment, they must be transferred to a mental health facility within 45 days of the evaluation. Exceptions allow delays for medical emergencies, lack of evaluators (with documented efforts), or court-approved delays up to 15 days. The Department of Mental Health must submit annual reports to the legislature starting in 2027, detailing compliance with these timelines.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing Mental Health

signed · Missouri · House Jun 12, 2026

HB 2637: Modifies and establishes provisions relating to public safety

HB 2637 revises Missouri's criminal justice system by requiring detailed documentation for offender transfers to correctional facilities, including sentencing specifics, health records, and victim information. It establishes a new 12-24 month treatment program for nonviolent offenders with substance abuse issues (excluding those convicted of dangerous felonies), allowing courts to suspend incarceration pending program completion. The bill also mandates parole board guidelines prioritizing serious offenders, using risk assessments, and publishing transparency data on release and recidivism rates. These changes directly affect nonviolent offenders, correctional departments, courts, and parole boards by altering transfer procedures, treatment eligibility, and parole decision-making processes.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

in committee · Missouri · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 3045: Modifies provisions relating to administrative investigations and questioning of law enforcement officers

HB 3045 establishes specific procedural requirements for administrative investigations into law enforcement officers' conduct. It requires agencies to provide officers with written notice of investigations 24 hours in advance, including complaint details and investigator identities, and mandates that complaints include the complainant's identifying information (held confidential except to the officer under investigation). The bill limits investigations to 90 days (with up to two 60-day extensions for "good cause"), ensures officers receive Garrity warnings before questioning, and guarantees access to attorneys during interviews that could lead to disciplinary action. These changes directly affect law enforcement officers facing disciplinary reviews and the agencies conducting those investigations.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2892: Establishes the "Missouri Domestic Abuse Offender Registration and Accountability Act"

HB 2892 requires high-risk domestic abuse offenders (those with two prior convictions or a high recidivism risk assessment) to register with Missouri’s Department of Public Safety within 72 hours of conviction or release. Offenders must provide personal details like addresses, employment, and vehicle information, updating within 10 days of changes, with registration lasting five years after sentence completion. The confidential registry is accessible only to law enforcement for safety planning, not the public, and includes penalties for non-compliance (fines for first violations, misdemeanor charges for repeat offenses). The program expires after six years unless reauthorized by the legislature, with biennial reports required to assess effectiveness and recidivism rates.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 3148: Allows persons who are permanent residents of the United States who have been honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces to serve as law enforcement officers in this state

HB 3148 repeals Missouri's previous requirement that law enforcement officers must be U.S. citizens, replacing it with a provision allowing certain permanent residents to serve. The bill specifically permits individuals who are lawful permanent residents of the U.S. and have been honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces to work as police officers, turnkeys, or police officers in Missouri. This change directly affects military veterans with permanent residency status who were previously barred from these roles due to citizenship requirements. The key mechanism is the updated eligibility criterion in section 84.120(2), which expands the qualifying group beyond U.S. citizens alone.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Citizenship & Naturalization

All criminal justice bills