SB 1649 modifies Missouri's juvenile detention procedures to ensure faster court review and stricter criteria for holding minors. It requires that juveniles taken into custody be immediately brought before juvenile court or a juvenile officer, and mandates that courts review detention reasons within 24 hours. The bill limits detention to 24 hours without a hearing (with a 3-day deadline for the hearing), and specifies that continued detention is only permitted if the court finds probable cause for an offense and that detention is necessary to protect the juvenile, others, prevent flight, address lack of supervision, or handle fugitive status. This directly affects minors in custody, their families, and juvenile court processes.
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 3313 establishes court-ordered outpatient mental health treatment for adults with severe mental disorders who cannot make informed treatment decisions and face a risk of serious harm. It directly affects individuals meeting strict criteria: aged 18+, suffering from a mental disorder, unable to seek voluntary treatment, and at risk of deterioration or harm due to past non-compliance or violent behavior. The law creates a process where mental health providers, guardians, or health agencies can petition a court for treatment, requiring a hearing within two days, clear evidence of eligibility, and appointed legal representation for the affected person. Key provisions include defining "assisted outpatient treatment" (covering case management, therapy, medication, and crisis services) and mandating that courts approve such treatment only when less restrictive options have failed.
SB 1625 prevents leftover money in two specific state funds from being moved into the general state budget at the end of each two-year budget cycle. It applies to the Highway Patrol Academy Fund (used for training non-patrol peace officers) and the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund (funded by court surcharges and felony judgments). The bill requires that any remaining funds in these accounts must stay dedicated to their original purposes - such as academy operations or victim compensation services - rather than being redirected to general state spending. This ensures these funds continue supporting targeted programs without being absorbed into the broader state budget.
SB 1274 removes the requirement for notarization of applications and supporting documents for emergency mental health detentions in Missouri. It allows any adult (not requiring legal representation) to file a sworn application alleging a mental health crisis and imminent risk of harm, based on personal observations. The bill simplifies the process by replacing notarization with sworn statements under penalty of perjury, while maintaining the 96-hour detention limit for evaluation. This directly affects individuals seeking emergency mental health evaluations, their family members filing petitions, and peace officers executing detentions. The change aims to streamline access to urgent mental health care without altering the underlying criteria for detention.
HB 3046 makes it a minor violation (infraction) for parents or caregivers of children under 15 to fail to supervise them when the child: (1) commits an act bringing them before juvenile court, (2) violates a curfew, or (3) skips school without a valid reason. It specifically excludes foster parents and child-placing agencies from this requirement. For first offenses, the law requires up to 250 hours of community service instead of criminal penalties, and allows defenses if the caregiver was a victim of the child’s act or reported it to authorities. The bill focuses on holding caregivers accountable for supervision failures while providing limited legal defenses and avoiding criminal charges.
HB 2699 replaces Missouri's existing laws about interfering with judicial officers and proceedings with new, clearer definitions. It makes it a crime to threaten, harass, share personal information (like home addresses or Social Security numbers), or offer benefits to judges, court staff, jurors, or their families with the intent to influence their work. Violating these provisions is a class D felony (or class B if injury occurs), and offenders cannot receive parole, probation, or conditional release. The bill directly affects judicial personnel, their families, and anyone attempting to intimidate them during court proceedings.
HB 2781 adds a $17.50 fee to most criminal court cases and a $7.50 fee to certain juvenile cases, with all funds directed to two new funds. It creates a dedicated "Victims of Domestic Violence Fund" to support services for domestic violence victims, while splitting remaining funds 50/50 between this new fund and the existing Crime Victims' Compensation Fund. The bill also allocates $250,000 annually to state forensic labs for drug and evidence analysis, and requires monthly reporting plus biennial audits of all funds. These changes directly affect court systems, crime victim service providers, and domestic violence support organizations in Missouri.
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.
HB 2831 modifies Missouri's good time credit system for inmates, allowing eligible individuals to earn time off their sentences by participating in approved programs. Inmates can earn up to 360 days total (capped at 90 days annually) for completing high school/GED equivalents, vocational training, alcohol/drug treatment (excluding court-ordered programs), or 1,000 hours of restorative justice. Credit is revoked for major rule violations, parole revocation, or excessive minor violations, and excludes those sentenced to death or life without parole. The bill also permits retroactive petitions for programs completed between 2010 and 2026, with applications accepted in 2027.
