HB 3292 creates Missouri's "Motivational Boot Camp Incarceration Program" within the Department of Corrections, targeting individuals aged 17-22 with two prior nonviolent convictions who receive a third nonviolent conviction (excluding serious offenses like murder or rape). The program requires a two-year commitment involving rigorous physical activity, counseling to address criminal behavior, and strict discipline, with successful completion leading to expungement of the criminal record. Failure to complete the program results in the original jail or prison sentence being imposed. The program is set to expire six years after implementation unless renewed by the legislature.
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 3481 modifies Missouri's Supreme Court Rule 33.01 to clarify conditions for releasing defendants before trial in criminal cases. It requires courts to prioritize non-monetary conditions (like reporting or electronic monitoring) over monetary bail whenever possible, and prohibits setting bail amounts higher than necessary to ensure court appearances or community safety. The bill also mandates courts to consider a defendant's ability to pay when imposing monetary conditions and to waive costs for indigent defendants. This directly affects people charged with bailable offenses who may face pretrial detention or restrictive release terms. The law aims to reduce unnecessary pretrial incarceration while maintaining public safety.
HB 3380, titled the "No More Jail Deaths Act," establishes rules for visitor access to jails in cities not located within a county. It automatically allows specific officials (like city leaders, state officers, judges, and clergy) to enter these facilities at any time, while requiring all other visitors to get permission from the jail’s chief administrator. Cities must create or update visitor rules by March 1, 2027, to comply with the law. The bill directly affects city-operated jails in non-county cities and their visitors, focusing on structured access without changing jail operations.
HB 3414 creates new criminal penalties for fraud involving access devices (like credit cards, phone numbers, or account credentials) and telecom identifiers. It prohibits specific acts such as using counterfeit or stolen devices to obtain $1,000+ in value, trafficking in device-making equipment, intercepting telecom data, or illegally modifying devices to access services without authorization. Violations carry fines or up to 20 years in prison, depending on the offense and whether it’s a repeat violation. The law directly affects individuals committing these fraud schemes, while financial institutions, telecom carriers, and law enforcement (via the Missouri Attorney General) are key stakeholders. It does not impact legitimate business practices or ordinary consumers.
HB 3272 modifies visitation rules for county and municipal jails by specifying who may enter these facilities without special permission. It authorizes state/local officials (like governors, judges, and elected leaders), clergy, and their designated staff to visit at reasonable times, subject to security rules. The bill explicitly grants religious leaders access to administer faith practices upon request, while allowing facilities to deny entry for safety reasons. This directly affects jail visitors, facility administrators, and incarcerated individuals seeking authorized visits.
HB 3339 requires Missouri parole board members to visit state prison facilities at least four times annually starting January 1, 2027. This directly affects parole board members, who must conduct these in-person facility inspections as part of their duties. The bill adds this specific requirement to existing rules governing the board’s operations. It does not change parole decision-making processes but mandates regular on-site oversight of correctional facilities. The bill is currently in committee after its introduction on February 18, 2026.
HB 2784 requires the Missouri State Highway Patrol to conduct an independent investigation whenever a person under 55 dies in a state Department of Corrections facility. This applies directly to deaths occurring in correctional facilities, ensuring an external review of such incidents. The bill mandates that the Highway Patrol must have full access to all autopsy records and findings from investigations conducted under existing law. It does not alter sentencing or facility operations but establishes a specific procedural requirement for death investigations in prisons. The bill is currently in its early legislative stages, having been introduced in January 2026.
HB 2669 increases Missouri's daily reimbursement rate for counties and cities holding inmates from $37.50 to $40 per day. It directly affects local governments that house individuals sentenced under specific laws, including probation/parole revocations or pretrial detention. The bill requires counties to submit reimbursement claims within two years of eligibility, with the state paying for eligible custody days. This change applies to cases where the state is legally liable for costs under existing statutes, such as sentences under Chapter 558 or detention under Section 559.026.
SB 1509 - This act establishes the "Office of State Ombudsman for Inmates in the Custody of the Department of Corrections" ("Office") within the Department of Corrections ("Department") for the purpose of ensuring the adequacy of care and improving the quality of life of inmates. The Office shall establish and implement procedures for receiving, processing, responding to, and resolving complaints made by or on behalf of inmates in the custody of the Department as well as establish procedures for the resolution of complaints. The Office shall be directed by an Ombudsman, who shall be appointed by the Governor and serve a 6-year term. The Ombudsman shall not be a current or former Department employee or have a spouse, child, or parent as a current or former Department employee. This act provides that the Office shall have the authority to: • Provide information to inmates, family members and representative of inmates, and others regarding the rights of inmates; • Monitor conditions of confinement and assess whether the Department is in compliance with federal, state, and Department regulations; • Establish a state-wide reporting system to collect data related to complaints received by the Department; and • Monitor all decisions of the parole board. The Office shall have reasonable access to all Department facilities, including all areas which are accessible to inmates, and access to programs for inmates at reasonable times. The Office shall have the authority to interview any inmates, Department employees or contractors, or any other person. The Office shall have the authority to copy documents in the possession or control of the Department that the Office considers necessary in an investigation of a complaint and the Department shall provide such documents no later than 30 days after the Office's written request. If the records relate to an inmate death, threat of death, sexual assault, or the denial of necessary medical treatment, the records shall be provided within 5 days, unless a waiver is provided by the Office to the Department. The Office shall establish confidentiality rules and procedures for all information maintained by the Office to ensure that the identity of a complainant is not known to Department employees or other inmates. The Office shall conduct at least one inspection each year of each Department facility and at least two times each year for each maximum security facility to monitor the status of all covered issues as defined in this act. The Office shall release a public report of each inspection. An inspection of a Department facility shall include an assessment of the following: • All policies and procedures related to the care of inmates; • Conditions of confinement; • Availability of educational and rehabilitative programing, drug and mental health treatment, and inmate job training; • All policies and procedures related to visitation; • All procedures and policies of medical facilities; • Review of lock-downs at the facility in the time since the last inspection; • Review of staffing at the facility; • Review of physical and sexual assaults at the facility; • Review of any inmate or staff deaths; and • Review of staff recruitment for the Department. Upon completion of the inspection, the Office shall produce a public report, with information as provided in the act, on its website, and deliver the report to the Governor, Attorney General, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Director of the Department of Corrections. The Department shall then submit a report to the Office within 30 days of the Office's inspection report which shall include a corrective action plan for each recommendation of the Office. This act also provides that the Office may initiate and attempt to resolve an investigation upon its own initiative or upon receipt of a complaint from an inmate, the inmate's family or representative, or a Department employee, regarding violations as provided in the act. The Office may decline to investigate any complaint and shall decline a complaint if the inmate has failed to first utilize Department grievance policies. The Office shall notify the complainant if it does not investigate a complaint. The Office may not investigate any complaints relating to an inmate's underlying criminal conviction and may refer any complaint to another state or federal agency. At the conclusion of an investigation, the Office shall render a public decision within 90 days of the filing of the complaint, except that the documents supporting the decision are subject to the confidentiality procedures established by the Office. The Office shall give a decision in writing to the inmate and to the Department. The Office shall give its recommendations for further action if needed. The Department shall give a report upon request to the Office within thirty days of any action taken on the Office's recommendations or the reasons for not complying with the recommendations. If the Office finds that there has been a significant inmate health or safety issue, the Office shall report such findings to the Governor, the Attorney General, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Director of the Department of Corrections. Finally, the Department and its employees shall not discharge, retaliate against, or in any manner discriminate against any person because such person has filed any complaint or instituted any proceeding under this act. A complaint may be filed with the Attorney General, within 30 days after a violation occurs, for any alleged discharge or retaliation against a complainant. There shall be a rebuttable presumption of retaliation if the complainant has suffered abuse or any other violation after he or she filed a complaint under this act. This act is identical to SB 378 (2025), SB 798 (2024), SB 327 (2023), SB 899 (2022), and SB 471 (2021). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.
