Criminal Justice (Policing)

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1953: Contains provisions relating to law enforcement officer accountability

HB 1953 revises Missouri's law enforcement accountability standards by replacing existing statutes with five new sections. It clarifies that officers may only use force they reasonably believe is necessary to make an arrest, with deadly force permitted only in specific situations like when a person is committing a violent felony or threatening serious harm. The bill requires officers to intervene and report excessive force by colleagues during arrests or crowd control, and prohibits retaliation against officers who report misconduct. It also mandates immediate dismissal and license revocation for officers using respiratory choke-holds outside of specific exceptions. These provisions directly affect all Missouri law enforcement officers and their agencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens police accountability through force limitations, mandatory intervention/reporting of excessive force, and prohibits retaliation against whistleblowers, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1860: Establishes a task force on gun violence in St. Louis City

HB 1860 creates a 15-member "Task Force on Gun Violence in the City of St. Louis" to address local gun violence. The task force includes four state legislators (appointed by chamber leaders), a public safety director, and eight community members representing police, schools, parents, students, and residents. It will form specialized teams to analyze gun violence data, build community partnerships, develop reduction strategies, and measure progress through monthly meetings. The task force must submit annual reports to the governor and legislature and expires on December 31, 2028 (or extended to 2030). This bill directly affects St. Louis City residents and local institutions by establishing a formal structure for collaborative violence prevention efforts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates task force to analyze gun violence data and develop community-based reduction strategies, aligning with criminal justice reform efforts to address root causes of violence.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2432: Authorizes the city of Richmond to levy a sales tax whose revenues are dedicated to public safety upon voter approval

HB 2432 allows eligible cities meeting specific population and county criteria (e.g., cities with 3,000-3,300 residents in certain counties) to impose a 0.5% sales tax on retail purchases, but only after voter approval in a general or special election. All revenue from this tax must be used exclusively for public safety services, including police, fire, and emergency medical equipment, salaries, and facilities, and must be deposited in a special trust fund. The tax is in addition to existing sales taxes and requires a majority "yes" vote to take effect, with no re-submission allowed for 12 months if rejected. Cities must meet one of 21 defined population thresholds to qualify for this tax authority.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes dedicated 0.5% sales tax for public safety services (police/fire/EMS), directing all revenue exclusively to essential program funding per bill language.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes dedicated sales tax revenue for public safety services including police, fire, and emergency medical equipment, directly funding law enforcement within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Sales Tax Tax Incentives Policing

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in committee · Missouri · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 1868: Establishes the offense of impeding, threatening, or harassing a first responder

HB 1868 creates a new class D misdemeanor offense for intentionally approaching within 25 feet of a first responder after being verbally warned not to, when the person intends to impede their duties, threaten them with physical harm, or harass them. It directly affects individuals who engage in such behavior toward police officers, firefighters, or emergency medical personnel (including hospital staff in emergency settings) while they are lawfully performing their duties. The bill defines "harass" as causing serious emotional distress with no legitimate purpose. Violators face misdemeanor penalties under Missouri law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates new misdemeanor to protect first responders from harassment, strengthening law enforcement safety and operational capacity under Criminal Justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · Missouri · Senate Jan 8, 2026

SB 845: Authorizes a tax credit for contributions to certain youth police initiatives

SB 845 authorizes a tax credit for businesses and individuals who contribute to certain youth-focused police initiatives. Donors would receive a state income tax reduction equal to their contribution amount. The credit applies only to contributions made to specific programs defined in the bill, such as community outreach or mentorship efforts. This policy change directly affects taxpayers who fund these community safety programs by reducing their tax liability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes tax credit reducing taxpayer liability for contributions to youth police initiatives, providing direct tax relief per summary.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides tax credit funding for youth police initiatives (community outreach/mentorship), directly advancing community safety programs aligned with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives Policing

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in committee · Missouri · House May 7, 2026

HB 2431: Authorizes certain political subdivisions to levy local taxes, upon voter approval

HB 2431 authorizes qualifying cities (based on specific population and county size criteria) to impose a citywide sales tax of up to 0.5% on retail sales, with all revenue dedicated exclusively to public safety. The tax requires voter approval through a general election ballot question before implementation, and funds must be used solely for police, fire, and emergency medical services equipment, salaries, and facilities. Cities must establish a special trust fund for these revenues, and any remaining funds after tax termination must continue supporting public safety. This bill applies to numerous specific city classifications across Missouri, not just Lexington.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes new local sales tax specifically for public safety funding, dedicating all revenue to police/fire/EMS services without broad tax increases.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds police, fire, and EMS equipment/salaries via dedicated sales tax, directly supporting public safety infrastructure within criminal justice framework95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Policing

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in committee · Missouri · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 1882: Authorizes a tax credit for certain youth police initiative programs

HB 1882 creates a state tax credit allowing taxpayers to claim 100% of contributions made to eligible non-profit organizations running youth police initiatives in urban areas (as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau). The credit applies to tax years starting January 1, 2027, and is non-refundable but can be carried forward for up to five years or transferred/sold. The total annual credit amount is capped at $500,000, and the Missouri Department of Public Safety must maintain an annual list of eligible organizations on its website. The program expires automatically six years after enactment unless reauthorized by the legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for contributions to youth police initiatives, providing tax relief to incentivize private funding of public safety programs through tax policy.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTax credit funds youth police initiatives, promoting community engagement and prevention programs aligned with criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives Policing

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1955: Establishes provisions relating to civil actions brought against peace officers

HB 1955 (Missouri House Bill 1955) changes how civil lawsuits against police officers for violating constitutional rights are handled. It removes qualified immunity as a defense for officers who act under color of law, requires courts to award attorney fees to winning plaintiffs, and mandates that an officer's employer must cover most legal costs (except if the officer acted in bad faith or was convicted of a crime). The law also sets a two-year deadline for filing such lawsuits. This directly affects peace officers, their employers, and individuals seeking legal remedies for alleged police misconduct.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves qualified immunity for officers, mandates attorney fees for plaintiffs, and requires employer legal cost coverage - enhancing police accountability in civil suits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Tags Civil Liberties

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2237: Modifies provisions relating to civilian review boards

HB 2237 establishes detailed procedures for administrative investigations of law enforcement officers that could lead to disciplinary action, economic loss, or other employment consequences. It requires agencies to provide officers with written notice of investigations 24 hours in advance, allow attorney presence during questioning, explain Garrity rights (that answers can't be used criminally), and complete investigations within 90 days (with limited 60-day extensions). The bill directly affects law enforcement officers facing disciplinary reviews by guaranteeing specific procedural rights, including access to complaint details, reasonable interview durations, and a full due process hearing for suspensions or terminations. Key provisions include confidentiality for complaint filers, restrictions on off-duty questioning, and requirements for agencies to maintain complete, confidential records of investigations. The title mentioning "civilian review boards" is inaccurate; the bill focuses solely on internal administrative investigation procedures for officers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes fair procedures for law enforcement investigations including notice, attorney access, and Garrity rights, directly enhancing police accountability and due process in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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