Criminal Justice

in committee · Missouri · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 1173: Modifies the number of hours of racial profiling training required during the basic training for licensed peace officers

SB 1173 changes the required number of hours for racial profiling training during the basic certification process for new licensed peace officers in the state. This bill directly affects law enforcement recruits who must complete this training as part of their foundational officer education. The key provision is modifying the specific hour requirement for this training component, though the abstract does not specify whether the change increases or decreases the hours. As a procedural training requirement bill, it focuses on standardizing or adjusting the curriculum for officer certification.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeModifies racial profiling training for peace officers, enhancing police accountability - a key criminal justice reform indicator.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Missouri · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 2574: Allows graduates of certain programs to petition the court for limited driving privileges

HB 2574 allows individuals who successfully complete Missouri’s substance abuse treatment program for nonviolent offenders to petition a court for limited driving privileges. This applies specifically to graduates of the state’s intensive treatment program for chronic nonviolent offenders with serious substance abuse addictions who have not been convicted of dangerous felonies. The bill creates a direct pathway for these individuals to request restricted driving rights after program completion, connecting treatment outcomes to driving eligibility. It does not change existing driving laws but adds this new eligibility step for program graduates.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables reintegration for treatment graduates, reducing recidivism barriers through restricted driving access post-rehabilitation for nonviolent offenders.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2109: Creates and modifies provisions relating to victims of crime

HB 2109 proposes creating "family justice centers" that bring together multiple service providers - like law enforcement, medical staff, victim advocates, and social workers - into one location to support victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking. These centers must maintain strict confidentiality for all victim information, cannot require victims to cooperate with law enforcement to access services, and protect staff from liability when acting in good faith. The bill also adds criminal penalties (up to a class D felony) for tampering with victims or witnesses, including threats, deception, or offering benefits to prevent reporting or prosecution. It affects victims of specified crimes and the organizations providing their services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates victim-centered services with confidentiality protections, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to support victims without mandating law enforcement cooperation.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIntegrates medical staff into victim services centers, ensuring confidential healthcare access without law enforcement coercion, improving patient access to medical care for trauma victims.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking Victims' Rights

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2529: Modifies certain provisions to include artificially generated visual depictions of a minor

HB 2529 updates state laws to explicitly include artificially generated visual depictions of minors in the definition of child pornography. The bill expands existing prohibitions to cover digital images or computer-generated content that are indistinguishable from real minors, morphed from real images, or created without actual minor involvement. This directly affects individuals or entities creating, distributing, or promoting such AI-generated content that mimics real children in sexually explicit contexts. The law aims to close a loophole by treating these digital fakes as equivalent to actual child sexual abuse material under current statutes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands criminal law to protect minors from AI-generated child exploitation, strengthening legal safeguards against sexual offenses.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts AI-generated content mimicking minors under child pornography laws, targeting misuse of technology for illegal acts90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Artificial Intelligence Online Safety

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1953: Contains provisions relating to law enforcement officer accountability

HB 1953 revises Missouri's law enforcement accountability standards by replacing existing statutes with five new sections. It clarifies that officers may only use force they reasonably believe is necessary to make an arrest, with deadly force permitted only in specific situations like when a person is committing a violent felony or threatening serious harm. The bill requires officers to intervene and report excessive force by colleagues during arrests or crowd control, and prohibits retaliation against officers who report misconduct. It also mandates immediate dismissal and license revocation for officers using respiratory choke-holds outside of specific exceptions. These provisions directly affect all Missouri law enforcement officers and their agencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens police accountability through force limitations, mandatory intervention/reporting of excessive force, and prohibits retaliation against whistleblowers, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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passed · Missouri · House May 7, 2026

HB 2587: Modifies provisions relating to law enforcement interception of unmanned aircraft systems

HB 2587 restricts drone operations near specific facilities to enhance security. It prohibits flying drones within 400 feet vertically over correctional centers (prisons), large open-air venues (like stadiums with 500+ capacity), or mental health hospitals without authorization. Exceptions allow facility staff, law enforcement, utilities, and others with written permission or official duties. Violations are typically infractions, but delivering weapons, drugs, or aiding escapes escalates penalties to felonies (class B, C, or D). The bill requires facilities to post 11x14 inch warning signs and permits law enforcement to intercept drones posing immediate threats.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts drone flights near prisons to prevent smuggling/escapes, enhancing correctional facility security per bill's focus on corrections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1860: Establishes a task force on gun violence in St. Louis City

HB 1860 creates a 15-member "Task Force on Gun Violence in the City of St. Louis" to address local gun violence. The task force includes four state legislators (appointed by chamber leaders), a public safety director, and eight community members representing police, schools, parents, students, and residents. It will form specialized teams to analyze gun violence data, build community partnerships, develop reduction strategies, and measure progress through monthly meetings. The task force must submit annual reports to the governor and legislature and expires on December 31, 2028 (or extended to 2030). This bill directly affects St. Louis City residents and local institutions by establishing a formal structure for collaborative violence prevention efforts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates task force to analyze gun violence data and develop community-based reduction strategies, aligning with criminal justice reform efforts to address root causes of violence.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2432: Authorizes the city of Richmond to levy a sales tax whose revenues are dedicated to public safety upon voter approval

HB 2432 allows eligible cities meeting specific population and county criteria (e.g., cities with 3,000-3,300 residents in certain counties) to impose a 0.5% sales tax on retail purchases, but only after voter approval in a general or special election. All revenue from this tax must be used exclusively for public safety services, including police, fire, and emergency medical equipment, salaries, and facilities, and must be deposited in a special trust fund. The tax is in addition to existing sales taxes and requires a majority "yes" vote to take effect, with no re-submission allowed for 12 months if rejected. Cities must meet one of 21 defined population thresholds to qualify for this tax authority.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes dedicated 0.5% sales tax for public safety services (police/fire/EMS), directing all revenue exclusively to essential program funding per bill language.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes dedicated sales tax revenue for public safety services including police, fire, and emergency medical equipment, directly funding law enforcement within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Sales Tax Tax Incentives Policing

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in committee · Missouri · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 1235: Modifies the offense of tampering with a judicial officer and the offense of tampering with a judicial proceeding

SB 1235 modifies Missouri law to criminalize actions intended to harass, intimidate, or influence judicial officers and proceedings. It defines "tampering with a judicial officer" as threatening harm, sharing personal information (like home addresses or Social Security numbers), or offering benefits to judges, court staff, or their families. The bill classifies this as a class D felony (class B if injury or death occurs) and prohibits parole or probation for certain violations. It also defines "tampering with a judicial proceeding" as threatening jurors or offering benefits to influence court outcomes, making it a class D felony with no parole eligibility. The law directly affects judges, court personnel, jurors, and their families by expanding protections against harassment and intimidation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCriminalizes tampering with judicial officers, strengthening court integrity and protecting judicial process within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1719: Requires law enforcement officers to receive training on officer-canine encounters and canine behaviors

HB 1719 requires that all peace officers' basic law enforcement training include at least four hours of instruction on officer-canine encounters and canine behaviors. This training must cover specific topics such as understanding canine behavior, handling unplanned encounters, using humane methods, relevant state canine laws, and nonlethal defense techniques. The bill applies to every peace officer's basic training requirement, meaning it will be mandated for new officers as part of their initial certification process. The bill is currently pending in the legislature after being prefaced and read in the House.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates humane canine training for officers, promoting accountability and reducing unnecessary force incidents through nonlethal defense techniques and behavioral understanding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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