Criminal Justice (Corrections)

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2631: Creates the offense of unlawful possession of a firearm by a minor

HB 2631 makes it a serious misdemeanor for anyone under 18 to knowingly possess a handgun or handgun ammunition. It specifically targets minors' firearm possession, with key exceptions allowing it for farm/ranch work (with parental consent), military service, inheritance, or home defense. The bill defines "handgun" as a single-handed firearm (excluding antiques) and clarifies that firearms transferred legally to minors won't be permanently confiscated if the minor later violates the law. Penalties include fines or jail time, but the law emphasizes parental consent and specific permitted activities to avoid criminalizing typical minor firearm use.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor offense for minors' firearm possession, expanding criminalization of minor offenses within criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2451: Modifies the offense of making a false report

HB 2451 modifies Missouri's law against making false reports to law enforcement or emergency services. It defines the offense as knowingly providing false information to: (1) implicate someone in a crime, (2) report a fake crime or emergency, (3) falsely report an emergency situation, or (4) falsely report someone's immigration status. The law classifies this as a class B misdemeanor (punishable by up to 90 days in jail or fines), and allows a defense if the false report is retracted before authorities take action. This bill directly affects individuals who intentionally mislead police, fire departments, or emergency responders with false information.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of false reports to law enforcement, including immigration status, classifying as misdemeanor under CRIMES AND PUNISHMENT90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Missouri · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 2414: Modifies the offense of possession of unlawful items in a prison or jail

HB 2414 clarifies and expands prohibited items in correctional facilities, directly affecting prisoners and facility staff. It bans possession of controlled substances (except prescribed), alcohol, forbidden personal items, weapons, and unauthorized electronic devices like cell phones. Violations carry specific penalties: class D felonies for drugs/electronic devices, class B felonies for weapons, and class A misdemeanors for other prohibited items. Facilities must post clear lists of banned items, and individuals convicted of alkaloid offenses (not controlled substances) may qualify for record expungement under specific conditions. The bill focuses on enhancing facility security through defined prohibitions and consistent enforcement.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by increasing penalties for prison possession offenses, aligning with indicators of stricter enforcement over reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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in committee · Missouri · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 2266: Modifies provisions relating to unlawful use of weapons

HB 2266 replaces Missouri's current law on unlawful use of weapons with specific prohibitions. It bans carrying concealed weapons in restricted areas (like schools, churches, and government buildings), discharging firearms near occupied buildings, and possessing weapons while intoxicated. The bill exempts law enforcement officers, prison staff, and military personnel acting in official duties, even when carrying weapons in restricted locations. This clarifies what constitutes a violation but does not change existing penalty levels for the offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by banning concealed weapons in schools/churches and discharging near occupied buildings, increasing prohibited conduct under criminal law.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1938: Establishes the offenses of harassment of a school or recreation athletic official and entry or remaining on site of a school or recreation athletic contest after being forbidden

HB 1938, known as the "Respect the Whistle Act," creates two new offenses related to school and recreation athletic events in Missouri. It prohibits harassment of athletic officials (defined as behavior causing reasonable fear of harm during contests) and unauthorized entry or remaining on event sites after being forbidden by officials. Violators face fines up to $500, up to 90 days in jail for harassment, or up to six months for entry violations, plus mandatory 40-hour community service and court-approved counseling. The law directly affects attendees, spectators, or participants at public or private school athletic contests or sanctioned recreation events.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offenses with penalties, expanding criminalization rather than advancing reform or protecting rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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in committee · Missouri · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 1321: Creates new provisions relating to illegal immigrants

SB 1321 creates a new Missouri state offense for people entering the state while violating federal immigration law (8 U.S.C. § 1325). It imposes a $10,000 fine for a first offense (classified as a misdemeanor) and escalates to a class E felony for repeat violations. The bill mandates court-ordered removal from Missouri after fines or prison terms, requiring specific details like transportation to a port of entry and law enforcement monitoring. Law enforcement officers may arrest individuals suspected of violating this provision upon probable cause. This bill directly affects immigrants entering Missouri in violation of federal immigration rules, establishing state-level penalties distinct from federal enforcement.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offense for immigration violations, imposing fines and felony penalties, expanding criminalization and increasing punitive measures, opposing criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationCreates state offenses for immigration violations, imposes fines, and mandates removal - increases state enforcement against immigrants per bill's offense provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Law Enforcement Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · Missouri · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 2072: Modifies the offense of assault in the fourth degree

HB 2072 revises Missouri's definition of fourth-degree assault by specifying seven distinct scenarios that constitute the offense, such as recklessly causing injury, placing someone in fear of immediate harm, or knowingly causing offensive physical contact with a person with a disability. It adjusts penalties: most violations remain class A misdemeanors, but causing offensive contact (subdivision 6) or physical pain to a "special victim" (subdivision 7) escalates penalties based on prior offenses - ranging from class C misdemeanors to class D felonies for repeat violations. For subdivision 7 violations, the bill mandates minimum incarceration periods (6 months for first offenses, 1 year for repeat) with no fines or probation until served. This directly affects individuals committing assault, particularly those targeting vulnerable victims or with prior assault records.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for specific assault scenarios involving vulnerable victims, escalating punishment based on prior offenses, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Violent Crime

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1930: Establishes the offense of impeding, threatening, or harassing a first responder

HB 1930 makes it a class D misdemeanor to knowingly approach within 50 feet of a first responder after receiving an oral warning not to, if the person intends to block their work, threaten them with harm, or harass them. It directly affects individuals who interfere with police, firefighters, or emergency medical personnel (including hospital staff in emergency settings) while they are performing their duties. The law defines "harass" as causing substantial emotional distress without a legitimate purpose. Violations carry penalties including fines or jail time for this new offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new class D misdemeanor offense, expanding criminalization (oppose indicator).90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing

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in committee · Missouri · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 1687: Establishes provisions relating to the administration of surgical castration for certain sexual offenders

HB 1687 is a proposed bill that would allow courts to sentence certain sexual offenders to surgical castration as an additional penalty. It applies to individuals convicted of specific aggravated sexual offenses against victims under 13 years old (occurring on or after August 28, 2026), excluding some sexual abuse charges. The court must first obtain a medical expert's determination that the procedure is appropriate, and the surgery must be performed by a licensed physician in a correctional facility no later than one week before the offender's release. Refusing the procedure could result in an additional 3-5 years in prison, but the bill exempts offenders under 17 and does not require castration if medically inappropriate. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (prefiled, read first/second time).

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates surgical castration as additional penalty for specific sexual offenses, expanding punitive measures beyond standard sentencing per bill's provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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