This bill changes Missouri's trial process for first-degree murder cases when the death penalty is not waived. It requires a two-stage trial: first, a determination of guilt (without punishment), followed by a separate stage to decide sentencing. A life sentence without parole becomes mandatory if the jury finds intellectual disability, no aggravating factors exist, or mitigating factors outweigh aggravating ones. The law applies to cases filed after 2001 and mandates resentencing for some prior death-sentence cases before August 2026.
HB 2323 establishes Missouri's "Domestic Abuse Offender Registration and Accountability Act," requiring high-risk domestic abuse offenders (those with two prior convictions or a high-risk assessment) to register with the Department of Public Safety. Offenders must provide detailed personal, residential, employment, and vehicle information within 72 hours of conviction or release, update details within 10 days of changes, and maintain registration for five years post-sentence. The law mandates court hearings before registration orders, restricts database access to law enforcement for victim safety (not public disclosure), and requires victim notification before sharing offender data. Violations carry civil fines for first offenses and misdemeanor penalties for repeat failures, with biennial reports to the legislature on registry effectiveness.
This bill would make delivering drugs that cause death a Class A felony, the most serious criminal charge. It removes the defense that the person who died contributed to their own death or consented to the drug use. The law applies specifically to high-risk drugs (like opioids and cocaine) and covers cases where the offense occurs in another state. It aims to strengthen penalties for drug-related deaths by closing legal loopholes that previously allowed certain defenses.
HB 1678 requires hotels, motels, vacation rentals (including those listed on platforms like Airbnb), and similar lodging establishments with five or more guest rooms to provide human trafficking awareness training to all employees. The training must cover identifying trafficking signs, distinguishing labor/sex trafficking in hospitality settings, reporting procedures to the national hotline or local law enforcement, and contact information for support. Operators must provide initial training within 180 days of hire or listing, conduct annual refresher training by December 31st, and maintain training records for one year after employment ends. This bill directly affects all lodging businesses and short-term rental operators in the state, aiming to equip staff to recognize and report potential trafficking incidents. The bill is currently pending (prefiled and read first/second time in 2026).
SB 1103 (Missouri Senate Bill 1103) creates a new legal provision requiring courts to automatically issue lifetime protection orders at sentencing for defendants convicted of dangerous felonies (as defined in Section 556.061). These orders immediately restrict contact between the defendant and the victim and remain in effect for the defendant's lifetime unless the victim dies, the conviction is overturned, or the victim submits a written request for termination. The bill mandates that law enforcement agencies enter these orders into Missouri's MULES system within 24 hours and forward them to national databases (NCIC/NICS), including any child custody details specified in the order. This directly affects victims of dangerous felony convictions, convicted defendants, and law enforcement agencies responsible for implementing the orders.
HB 2520 requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents operating in Missouri to reveal their identity during enforcement actions, prohibiting masks or face coverings that obscure their face. Exceptions include transparent face shields, medical masks for health protection, safety gear like helmets or respirators, and motorcycle helmets during vehicle operation. The law applies to all ICE agents in Missouri during routine operations, with violations punishable as a class A misdemeanor, though it excludes undercover agents and Special Response Team members during active duties.
HB 2623 abolishes the death penalty in Missouri by repealing all existing statutes that allowed for capital punishment. The bill mandates that anyone convicted of a crime previously punishable by death - such as first-degree murder - must instead receive a sentence of life imprisonment without parole. This change affects all individuals currently on death row or convicted of capital offenses under prior law. The bill replaces death penalty provisions with new sentencing rules that classify such offenses as class A felonies and eliminate the death penalty as a possible sentence.
HB 2320 removes time limits for civil lawsuits and criminal prosecutions related to child sexual abuse. It allows victims to file civil claims for damages at any time (replacing a previous 10-year or 3-year rule), and permits prosecutors to file criminal charges for sexual offenses against minors at any time. The bill also voids nondisclosure agreements in such cases, making them unenforceable. These changes apply to cases arising on or after August 28, 2026.
HB 2344 protects tenants, landlords, and residents who contact law enforcement or emergency services to address abuse, crime, or emergencies. It prohibits local governments from penalizing these individuals through eviction, license revocation, fines, or other penalties for making such requests when done with a reasonable belief that intervention was necessary. The bill allows affected individuals to sue local governments for violations and seek remedies like court orders halting penalties, compensation for damages, and reinstatement of rental licenses. This directly affects people in housing situations who report safety concerns, ensuring they cannot be punished for seeking help.
HB 2339 is a definitional bill that clarifies terms used in Missouri's protective order system. It establishes specific meanings for terms like "abuse" (including pet abuse, harassment, and coercive control), "domestic violence," "coercive control" (e.g., isolating a person or controlling finances), and "petitioner" to ensure consistent application of protective orders. The bill does not create new offenses or change existing protections - it only standardizes language to help courts and legal professionals apply existing laws correctly. This summary focuses solely on the bill's purpose as stated in its text.
