Criminal Justice

in committee · Missouri · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 2904: Modifies and establishes provisions relating to animal abuse

HB 2904 modifies Texas law defining animal abuse by clarifying three specific prohibited actions: intentionally killing an animal without legal exemption, causing intentional injury or suffering, or failing to provide adequate care resulting in substantial harm. It maintains animal abuse as a misdemeanor offense but elevates it to a felony (class E) for repeat offenders or cases involving torture/mutilation causing suffering, or starvation causing harm. The bill directly affects individuals who own or care for animals and commit these specific violations. The key change is updating the legal definition and penalty structure to explicitly address severe cases like torture, mutilation, or starvation.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeElevates penalties for repeat animal abuse to felony, increasing severity of punishment per CRIMES AND PUNISHMENT subject.85% confidence

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in committee · Missouri · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 1834: Modifies the offense of enticement of a child

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.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates 5-30 year prison sentences with no parole for enticing minors under 18, expanding criminalization and increasing mandatory sentences.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2552: Establishes the offense of false imprisonment

HB 2552 defines false imprisonment as unlawfully restraining or blocking someone's movement without consent, directly affecting anyone who restricts another person's freedom of movement. It classifies basic false imprisonment as a class A misdemeanor, escalating to a class E felony if the victim is moved out of state. Key provisions include linking false imprisonment to third-degree assault if physical contact occurs, and establishing specific scenarios where fear for one's life is presumed (e.g., within 7 feet of an aggressive person or 75 feet while objects are thrown). The law also covers blocking access to occupied vehicles or buildings during felony offenses, with "willful blocking" explicitly including actions like gripping someone or forming groups that obstruct sidewalks or roadways.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by defining false imprisonment with escalating penalties, increasing legal consequences for restricting movement without consent.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · Missouri · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 1338: Creates new provisions relating to illegal immigrants

SB 1338 creates a new state criminal offense for entering Missouri while violating federal immigration law (specifically, 8 U.S.C. § 1325, which prohibits unauthorized entry into the U.S.). If convicted, individuals face a $100,000 fine and a mandatory order of removal from the state. The bill also allows courts to dismiss charges and issue removal orders without a full trial upon request. This law directly affects non-citizens who enter Missouri without federal authorization under U.S. immigration law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of immigration violations and reduces defendant rights via expedited removal without trial, contradicting reform principles.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationCreates state criminal penalties for immigration violations, increasing enforcement and mandatory removal without full trial95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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signed · Missouri · House May 6, 2026

HB 1866: Allows the director of the department of public safety to deny a peace officer license if an applicant has had a license permanently revoked or suspended

HB 1866 changes Missouri's peace officer licensing rules by requiring the director of the Department of Public Safety to deny a license application if the applicant is not a U.S. citizen, had a previous peace officer license permanently revoked or surrendered, or has other issues that would lead to disciplinary action if licensed. The director may instead grant a license with conditions or deny it, and must provide written notice of the decision. Applicants denied a license can appeal to an administrative hearing within 30 days, but the hearing will not reconsider the severity of the issue or rehabilitation efforts. This bill replaces the existing licensing criteria with these specific denial conditions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts peace officer licensing by requiring U.S. citizenship and denying licenses for revoked/suspended past licenses, limiting who can serve in law enforcement.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRequires U.S. citizenship for peace officer licenses, restricting non-citizens from state law enforcement roles, directly limiting immigrant employment access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Driver Licenses & IDs

in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 2462: Prohibits certain sexual offenders from using or loitering around an apartment or condominium complex pool or establishing a residence at an apartment or condominium complex with a pool

HB 2462 prohibits convicted sexual offenders (specifically those convicted under certain state or out-of-state sex offenses involving minors or exploitation) from using, loitering within 500 feet of, or residing in apartment or condominium complexes with pools. Starting August 28, 2026, offenders found guilty under this law cannot establish residence in complexes containing pools. Violating these restrictions is a class E felony for a first offense and a class D felony for subsequent violations. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of specified sex offenses, limiting their access to and residency in housing with pool facilities.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands restrictions on sex offenders' housing and access, increasing criminalization rather than promoting reform or rehabilitation.95% confidence

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in committee · Missouri · House Mar 4, 2026

HJR 123: Proposes a constitutional amendment relating to certain sexual offenses involving children

HJR 123 proposes a constitutional amendment to Missouri's Constitution that would require life imprisonment without parole for anyone convicted of first-degree sexual trafficking of a child. This amendment specifically targets the sentencing for this offense, mandating that "imprisonment for life" means confinement for the offender's natural life. The change would take effect only if approved by Missouri voters in the 2026 general election. It directly affects individuals convicted under Missouri's first-degree sexual trafficking of a child statute, removing judicial discretion for parole or probation in these cases. The amendment would be added as Section 38(e) to Article III of the Missouri Constitution.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates life without parole for child trafficking, increasing mandatory sentences and reducing defendant rights per criminal justice indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Missouri · House May 15, 2026

HB 1806: Creates the offense of unlawful use of a firearm by a minor

HB 1806 creates a new offense for minors under 18 who knowingly carry a concealed firearm, directly affecting young people in Missouri. The bill classifies this as a class D misdemeanor and requires courts to immediately confiscate any firearm involved upon conviction. It also incorporates existing legal procedures for handling confiscated weapons, as outlined in section 571.095 of Missouri law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new offense for minors carrying firearms, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties under criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Missouri · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 1990: Establishes the offense of gift card fraud

HB 1990 creates a new criminal offense for gift card fraud in Missouri by defining "closed-loop gift cards" (cards issued for personal use at specific merchants) and establishing penalties for fraudulently obtaining or using them. The bill directly affects individuals who commit this fraud and provides clearer legal definitions for law enforcement and courts. Key provisions include defining terms like "adulterated" and "deceive" to clarify the offense, while focusing specifically on closed-loop gift cards rather than general payment methods. This replaces an existing statute to address gaps in current law regarding gift card theft and fraud. The bill does not alter penalties for other fraud types but creates a distinct legal framework for gift card-related offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for gift card fraud, expanding criminalization without reform elements or protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Missouri · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 1171: Creates the offense of community endangerment due to unsafe storage of a firearm

SB 1171 would create a new criminal offense for storing firearms in a manner that endangers the community, such as leaving them accessible to children or in unsecured locations. This bill directly affects individuals who store firearms unsafely in their homes or vehicles, making such storage a punishable violation. The key provision defines "community endangerment" as unsafe storage that creates a substantial risk of injury or death to others. As a newly prefilled bill (first read on 2026-01-07), it has not yet been enacted into law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for unsafe firearm storage, expanding criminalization per indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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