HB 2009 is Missouri's fiscal year 2026-2027 appropriations bill specifically funding the Department of Corrections. It allocates $7.5 million for the Office of the Director (including Family Support Services), $3.1 million for Professional Standards, $3.8 million for Offender Reentry, and other specific programs like community treatment services ($3 million) and restitution payments ($58,400). The bill allows limited budget flexibility (e.g., 10% between sections, 3% to other sections) but requires strict adherence to fund sources and purpose. It directly affects Corrections operations, staffing, facility maintenance, and specific initiatives like the foster care dog program funded through a trust fund.
HB 2708 updates rules for prohibited items in prisons and jails. It specifically bans controlled substances (except prescribed), intoxicating liquor, weapons, unauthorized electronic devices (like cell phones), and other items banned by facility rules. Violations carry penalties ranging from misdemeanors to class B felonies, depending on the item. The bill also adds a new rule: people convicted of bringing certain drugs (alkaloids) can have their records cleared through a specific expungement process, but only if they haven’t previously violated these rules. Facilities must post clear lists of prohibited items for visitors.
HB 9 appropriates $6.48 million from the General Revenue Fund for the Missouri Department of Corrections' Office of the Director (including $18,060 for salary adjustments) and $8.26 million for reentry programs during fiscal year 2025-2026. Key provisions include $6.3 million for a new offender management system, $2.5 million for a recidivism-reduction pay-for-performance agreement with private programs, and $1.3 million for county re-entry navigators. The bill also allocates $7.12 million for Family Support Services and $3.29 million for Professional Standards, all subject to specific spending flexibilities. These funds directly support corrections operations, offender reentry services, and system improvements across Missouri's correctional facilities.
HB 2836 modifies minimum prison sentence requirements for Missouri offenders. It sets minimum terms based on prior prison commitments: 40% for one prior commitment (or until age 60, with a minimum 20% served), 50% for two prior commitments (minimum 30% served), and 80% for three or more prior commitments (minimum 30% served). Dangerous felony offenders must serve 85% of their sentence. The bill also establishes a Sentencing Advisory Commission to study sentencing disparities and alternatives, applying only to offenses committed after August 28, 2019.
HB 2805 modifies Missouri's correctional records policies to protect offender privacy while enabling necessary access. It designates medical records and certain security documents as protected (not public), requires the department to provide offenders with free electronic copies of their medical records within 30 days of request, and establishes rules for sharing records with treatment agencies, law enforcement, or researchers under confidentiality agreements. The bill also creates a new hospice care training program within state prisons, allowing inmates to earn certification through joint programs with health and licensing departments. These changes directly affect incarcerated individuals, correctional staff, healthcare providers, and agencies handling offender records.
HB 2637 revises Missouri's criminal justice system by requiring detailed documentation for offender transfers to correctional facilities, including sentencing specifics, health records, and victim information. It establishes a new 12-24 month treatment program for nonviolent offenders with substance abuse issues (excluding those convicted of dangerous felonies), allowing courts to suspend incarceration pending program completion. The bill also mandates parole board guidelines prioritizing serious offenders, using risk assessments, and publishing transparency data on release and recidivism rates. These changes directly affect nonviolent offenders, correctional departments, courts, and parole boards by altering transfer procedures, treatment eligibility, and parole decision-making processes.
HB 2779 changes who reimburses counties for housing inmates with mental health issues. It shifts responsibility from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Mental Health (DMH) for cases where a person lacks mental fitness to stand trial (per Section 552.020). Counties will now receive $150 per day (up from $40) for each day an inmate remains in custody due to mental fitness concerns, subject to DMH approval. The bill requires sheriffs to certify days spent in custody and submit claims within two years for DMH to process.
HB 2663 allows Missouri courts to reduce life sentences without parole or 30+ year sentences to life with parole eligibility for specific inmates. It applies to those who served at least 30 years, were under 20 when convicted, and completed rehabilitation programs (like substance treatment or vocational training) while demonstrating good behavior in prison. To qualify for parole after a sentence reduction, inmates must provide five statements from prison staff, 20 community support letters, and a safe housing plan. The parole board must hold a hearing, and supervision continues for life after release.
HB 3155 creates a new program for nonviolent offenders with serious substance abuse issues who haven't been convicted of violent crimes. It requires courts to refer eligible offenders to a 12-24 month treatment program in correctional facilities, with suspended incarceration during participation. The bill also mandates detailed information sharing when transferring offenders to correctional facilities, including health records, sentencing details, and victim impact statements. Additionally, it updates parole board guidelines to prioritize releasing lower-risk offenders, use risk assessments, and publish data on parole outcomes and recidivism.
HB 2868 requires certain individuals - including those convicted of specific felonies (like burglary or offenses under Chapters 565-566), sex offenders, and sexually violent predators - to provide DNA samples at defined legal milestones, such as jail booking, entry into correctional facilities, or sex offender registration. The law mandates collection without refusal at designated sites, with no additional samples needed if already in the state DNA database. It strictly prohibits unauthorized use of DNA records, requiring confidentiality for all stored data and outlining clear procedures for expungement if convictions are reversed or expunged. The bill applies to all Missouri law enforcement, correctional facilities, and agencies handling DNA collections under state and federal systems.
