Criminal Justice (Victims' Rights)

in committee · Missouri · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 1494: Establishes procedures for the automatic expungement of certain criminal offenses

SB 1494 would automatically remove certain criminal records from public access without requiring individuals to file a court petition. It specifically targets non-violent offenses that have been resolved, directly affecting people convicted of those offenses who would no longer need to navigate a legal process to clear their records. The bill establishes clear, standardized procedures for state agencies to identify eligible cases and expunge records upon completion of sentencing or probation. This policy change shifts the burden from individuals to the state, ensuring eligible records are removed systematically and efficiently.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomatically expunges non-violent records, reducing barriers to employment/housing and lowering recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges Victims' Rights

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2678: Establishes provisions relating to parole hearings for certain offenders

HB 2678 creates a process for parole hearings for offenders who were adolescents (18-21 years old) when they committed their crimes and are serving 25+ year sentences. It requires the parole board to grant a hearing after 15 years of incarceration, mandating an institutional parole officer to investigate rehabilitation efforts (including work, programs, and behavior) and prepare a report. The bill also requires 12 months' written notice to victims or their families about the hearing, including their right to attend and provide input. If parole is granted, offenders face 3-10 years of supervised release (depending on offense type), and denied parole applicants must wait 3 years for a second hearing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates parole hearings after 15 years for adolescent offenders, requiring rehabilitation assessments and victim notice - aligns with criminal justice reform goals of reducing recidivism through structured rehabilitation pathways.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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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 Jan 27, 2026

HB 2551: Modifies and establishes provisions relating to sexual offenses

HB 2551 creates a new criminal offense for "grooming of a minor," defining it as a pattern of sexual acts or communications by someone 18+ directed at a minor under 17, with intent to prepare them for sexual conduct. It allows prosecutors to prove intent through context and frequency of communications (not direct statements) and includes exceptions for teachers, parents, and minor age gaps (up to 4 years older) without exploitation. Violations are punishable as a serious felony (class B or A if sexual conduct occurs), requiring a minimum 5-year prison sentence with no probation, and mandating court-ordered restitution for victims covering mental health, lost income, or relocation. The bill also requires state guidance for the public and professionals on recognizing grooming and supporting victims.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new felony offense for minor grooming, enhancing legal protections against sexual exploitation and strengthening criminal justice through specific penalties for predatory behavior.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Victims' Rights

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in committee · Missouri · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 2418: Establishes the "Missouri Crime Victims Fund"

HB 2418 creates the "Missouri Crime Victims Fund" to provide dedicated funding for crime victim services. The fund, managed by the state treasurer, accepts state appropriations and donations from public or private sources. It ensures leftover funds at the end of each biennium stay in the fund (not revert to general revenue) and requires all money to be used by local organizations eligible for federal Victims of Crime Act grants, for the same purposes those federal grants cover. This bill directly affects Missouri organizations providing victim assistance services by aligning state funding with existing federal grant requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated fund with retained balances, ensuring continuous funding for victim services without reverting to general revenue, aligning with fiscal responsibility.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates dedicated fund for crime victim services, ensuring sustained funding for victim support programs under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Human Trafficking Victims' Rights

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in committee · Missouri · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 1242: Establishes the Missouri Crime Victims Fund

SB 1242 establishes the Missouri Crime Victims Fund within the state treasury to support victim assistance services. The fund accepts state appropriations, private donations, and grants, and must be used solely for programs matching federal Victims of Crime Act (Pub. L. 98-473) grant purposes, such as counseling, legal aid, and emergency shelter. Funds are disbursed to eligible local entities (like counties or nonprofits) that qualify for federal victim assistance grants, and unspent money cannot revert to general revenue at the end of each biennium. The state treasurer manages the fund and its investments, ensuring dedicated use for crime victim support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state fund using appropriations for victim services, aligning with funding essential public programs per topic description.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds victim assistance services (counseling, legal aid) per federal VICA standards, directly supporting crime victims within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Victims' Rights

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in committee · Missouri · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 1872: Establishes and modifies provisions relating to offenses stemming from abuse, violence, or trafficking

HB 1872, the "Missouri Survivors' Act," allows courts to reduce sentencing levels for individuals charged with crimes who were survivors of domestic abuse by an intimate partner or family member. If proven with documented evidence (such as court records, medical reports, or witness statements), the court must consider the abuse as a mitigating factor, lowering felony classifications (e.g., a Class A felony becomes a Class B). This applies to offenses committed before November 1, 2026, and enables eligible individuals already incarcerated to request resentencing starting November 1, 2026. The law directly affects survivors facing criminal charges whose domestic abuse history contributed to their offense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates courts to reduce sentences for domestic abuse survivors by considering abuse as a mitigating factor, directly advancing criminal justice reform through trauma-informed sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking Victims' Rights

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in committee · Missouri · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 1170: Creates provisions relating to compensation for wrongful convictions

This bill (SB 1170) aims to establish new legal procedures for compensating individuals wrongfully convicted of crimes. However, the provided context does not include specific details about the compensation amounts, eligibility criteria, or the exact process for claiming compensation. Without additional information on the bill's concrete provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties, a substantive summary cannot be generated. The official abstract only states the bill "creates provisions relating to compensation for wrongful convictions" without describing how these provisions would function.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates funds from State Legal Expense Fund to compensate wrongfully convicted individuals, advancing state budget provisions for justice-related expenses.75% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCompensating wrongful convictions advances criminal justice reform by addressing systemic errors, protecting civil rights, and enhancing accountability within the justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2133: Expands the definition of special victim to include sports officials at a sporting event

HB 2133 expands the legal definition of "special victim" to include certified sports officials (such as referees, umpires, or judges) who are assaulted while performing their duties at any level of sporting event. This change directly affects sports officials by granting them the same legal protections currently available to other defined special victims like law enforcement or emergency personnel. The bill achieves this by explicitly adding section (14)(l) to the definition, clarifying that a sports official must be trained, certified, or registered by a recognized sports organization to qualify under this provision.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim protections to sports officials, strengthening legal safeguards for specific victim groups under criminal justice reform framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights

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in committee · Missouri · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 2047: Creates provisions relating to expungement

HB 2047 creates an "automated expungement" system in Missouri, allowing eligible criminal records to be closed without requiring individuals to file court petitions. It applies to people convicted of non-violent offenses (infractions, misdemeanors, or certain felonies) who have completed their sentence, paid all restitution, and had no new felony/misdemeanor convictions (excluding traffic violations) for 1-3 years after completion. Records will be automatically closed by the state's central repository system starting August 28, 2029, for qualifying cases, but excludes juvenile records, traffic violations, and cases with pending charges. This policy change directly affects Missouri residents with eligible convictions who meet the time and offense-free criteria, removing public access to their records while maintaining court access for legal purposes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomated expungement for non-violent offenses reduces barriers to rehabilitation, aligns with criminal justice reform goals, and decreases recidivism risk per bill's intent.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Victims' Rights

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