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 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 2678 creates a process for parole hearings for offenders who were adolescents (18-21 years old) when they committed their crimes and are serving 25+ year sentences. It requires the parole board to grant a hearing after 15 years of incarceration, mandating an institutional parole officer to investigate rehabilitation efforts (including work, programs, and behavior) and prepare a report. The bill also requires 12 months' written notice to victims or their families about the hearing, including their right to attend and provide input. If parole is granted, offenders face 3-10 years of supervised release (depending on offense type), and denied parole applicants must wait 3 years for a second hearing.
HB 2788 would have modified Missouri's unlawful firearm possession law by creating time-based exceptions for people with prior felony convictions. It would have allowed firearm possession after 10 years for violent felony convictions and 3 years for nonviolent felony convictions, following full sentence completion (including probation). The bill exempted antique firearms from these restrictions and defined "violent felony" as involving force/threat against others. However, the bill was introduced in January 2026 and withdrawn the same month without becoming law.
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 2834 would restore voting rights to Missouri residents on felony probation or parole by removing the current disqualification from voting while under supervision. Currently, individuals convicted of felonies cannot vote while on probation or parole until their supervision ends, but this bill eliminates that restriction. The key change amends state election law (sections 115.133 and 561.026) to delete the provision barring voting during probation or parole. This directly affects thousands of Missourians with felony convictions who are under community supervision but not incarcerated. The bill is pending in the House Corrections and Public Institutions committee after its introduction in January 2026.
HB 2695 modifies Missouri's correctional credit system by creating two distinct types of credit for offenders: "good time" for behavioral compliance and "earned time" for participation in rehabilitation programs. Offenders serving sentences longer than one year (excluding death penalty or life without parole) can earn up to 54 days of good time credit annually for exemplary conduct and up to 10 days of earned time credit for every 30 days in approved programs like education, job training, or substance abuse treatment. The bill requires the Department of Corrections to publish policies on these credits, notify inmates about eligibility, and allows petitioning for earned time credit for programs completed after 2010 starting January 1, 2027. Offenders sentenced to death or life without parole are excluded from credit but their program participation is still documented.
HB 2876 modifies Missouri's trial process for first-degree murder cases where the death penalty is sought but not waived. It requires a two-stage trial: first, the jury determines guilt only; second, if convicted, the jury decides sentencing based on specific aggravating circumstances and mitigating evidence. The bill mandates that juries must find aggravating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt to impose the death penalty, or sentence to life without parole if they find intellectual disability, insufficient mitigating evidence, or choose not to impose death. This directly affects defendants charged with first-degree murder in Missouri and changes how capital sentencing is conducted. The law applies to offenses committed on or after August 28, 2001.
HB 2880 increases mandatory minimum prison terms for certain felony offenders in Missouri. It requires non-dangerous felony offenders with prior prison commitments to serve 80% of their sentence (up from 40-50% under current law), while those without prior commitments must serve 75% (up from 70%). Dangerous felons must serve 85% of their sentence. The bill also creates a Sentencing Advisory Commission to study sentencing disparities and alternative programs like probation and work release. It directly affects repeat felony offenders sentenced under the specified statutes.
HB 1834 changes Missouri's law on enticing children by raising the age of protected minors from 17 to 18 years. It makes it a felony for anyone 21 or older to persuade, lure, or communicate with a person under 18 for sexual purposes, including online. Convictions require mandatory prison sentences of 5 to 30 years with no parole, probation, or early release for five years after sentencing. This law directly affects adults who target minors under 18 for sexual conduct.
