SB 1697 - This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Anti-Epstein Child Protection Act". This act provides that the death penalty may be sought for the offenses of statutory rape in the first degree and sexual trafficking of a child in the first degree. If the death penalty is not waived by the state, the trial shall proceed in two stages before the same trier of fact. In the first stage, the trier shall determine whether the defendant is guilty. In the second stage, if the trier found the defendant guilty of statutory rape in the first degree or sexual trafficking of a child in the first degree, the trier shall assess and determine the punishment. If the trier finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant is intellectually disabled, there is a mitigation of punishment, or the trier decides not to declare a punishment of death, then a punishment at life imprisonment without eligibility for parole shall be declared. If the trier is a jury and it is unable to decide upon the punishment, the judge shall determine the punishment. This act shall only apply to offenses committed on or after August 28, 2026. This act is identical to SB 196 (2025) and SB 951 (2024). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.
SB 1215 - This act authorizes the sentencing court to reduce a sentence of life without eligibility for probation or parole or reduce a sentence of 30 years or greater to a sentence of life with eligibility for probation or parole if the convicted person has served at least 30 years, was under 20 years of age at the time of the offense, made reasonable efforts towards rehabilitation, and has exhibited model citizen behavior. Any offender receiving such reduction shall be granted a hearing before the Parole Board. Furthermore, an offender receiving a reduction shall provide the Parole Board the following in order to be eligible for supervised release: (1) At least 5 statements from current or former Department of Corrections employees attesting to the offender demonstration of institutional adaptability and conduct in the correctional center; (2) At least 20 signed statements from residents of the community where the offender will reside upon release that commit to providing assistance with the offender's reentry; and (3) A safe and secure home plan. This act is identical to HB 2663 (2026), SB 582 (2025), HB 1151 (2025) and is similar to HB 2127 (2024), HB 907 (2023), and contains a provision similar to HB 1799 (2022), HB 2232 (2022), HB 2254 (2020), HB 195 (2019), and HB 2072 (2018). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.
HB 3527 would allow certain individuals convicted of homicide stemming from domestic violence or trafficking to become eligible for parole after serving just five years (or one-third of their sentence, whichever is shorter), instead of the current 15-year minimum. It applies specifically to people who: (1) pleaded guilty or were convicted of a homicide directly linked to their history of abuse by a spouse, partner, or trafficker; (2) have no prior violent felony convictions; (3) can prove ongoing domestic violence or trafficking through evidence like medical records or police reports; and (4) have no remaining legal claims. The parole board must consider factors like rehabilitation efforts, corroborated abuse evidence, and community support when deciding parole, while requiring written reasons for denials and allowing reapplications every two years. This bill aims to adjust parole eligibility for a narrow group of offenders whose crimes were tied to their own victimization.
SB 1681 creates a new pathway for specific inmates to request parole after serving 30 years. It applies to individuals sentenced to life without parole for offenses committed before October 1, 1984, who are 60+ years old, have no prior dangerous felony convictions, are not sex offenders, and have served at least 50 years of their sentence. To qualify, they must demonstrate good conduct, self-rehabilitation, a workable release plan with community support, and meet assessed risk and mental health criteria during a parole hearing. If granted parole, they would face a minimum five years of probation supervision, while existing parole rules and clemency powers remain unaffected. This bill is currently in early legislative stages (first reading filed February 19, 2026).
SB 1650 makes it a class D felony to threaten, harass, or influence a judicial officer (including judges, prosecutors, probation officers, and their families) through specific actions like threats, deception, offering benefits, stalking, or sharing personal information (such as addresses, phone numbers, or Social Security numbers). The bill explicitly prohibits online dissemination of a judicial officer's personal details, expands the definition of "judicial officer" to cover broader court staff, and defines "family" to include spouses, children, and ancestors. If the offense causes death or injury, it becomes a class B felony. This bill directly affects individuals who target judicial personnel and aims to strengthen legal protections for them.
This bill would allow certain incarcerated individuals convicted of homicide to become eligible for parole after serving five years (instead of 15), if they meet strict criteria. Specifically, it applies to people who: (1) were victims of ongoing domestic violence or trafficking directly linked to their crime; (2) have no prior violent felony convictions; (3) have no legal recourse; and (4) can provide documented evidence (like medical records or police reports) of their victimization. The parole board must review these cases using specific guidelines, including the offender's prison record, rehabilitation efforts, and corroborated evidence of abuse, and must provide written reasons if parole is denied. The bill does not change current parole eligibility for others and is pending legislative action.
HB 3339 requires Missouri parole board members to visit state prison facilities at least four times annually starting January 1, 2027. This directly affects parole board members, who must conduct these in-person facility inspections as part of their duties. The bill adds this specific requirement to existing rules governing the board’s operations. It does not change parole decision-making processes but mandates regular on-site oversight of correctional facilities. The bill is currently in committee after its introduction on February 18, 2026.
HB 2669 increases Missouri's daily reimbursement rate for counties and cities holding inmates from $37.50 to $40 per day. It directly affects local governments that house individuals sentenced under specific laws, including probation/parole revocations or pretrial detention. The bill requires counties to submit reimbursement claims within two years of eligibility, with the state paying for eligible custody days. This change applies to cases where the state is legally liable for costs under existing statutes, such as sentences under Chapter 558 or detention under Section 559.026.
SB 1509 - This act establishes the "Office of State Ombudsman for Inmates in the Custody of the Department of Corrections" ("Office") within the Department of Corrections ("Department") for the purpose of ensuring the adequacy of care and improving the quality of life of inmates. The Office shall establish and implement procedures for receiving, processing, responding to, and resolving complaints made by or on behalf of inmates in the custody of the Department as well as establish procedures for the resolution of complaints. The Office shall be directed by an Ombudsman, who shall be appointed by the Governor and serve a 6-year term. The Ombudsman shall not be a current or former Department employee or have a spouse, child, or parent as a current or former Department employee. This act provides that the Office shall have the authority to: • Provide information to inmates, family members and representative of inmates, and others regarding the rights of inmates; • Monitor conditions of confinement and assess whether the Department is in compliance with federal, state, and Department regulations; • Establish a state-wide reporting system to collect data related to complaints received by the Department; and • Monitor all decisions of the parole board. The Office shall have reasonable access to all Department facilities, including all areas which are accessible to inmates, and access to programs for inmates at reasonable times. The Office shall have the authority to interview any inmates, Department employees or contractors, or any other person. The Office shall have the authority to copy documents in the possession or control of the Department that the Office considers necessary in an investigation of a complaint and the Department shall provide such documents no later than 30 days after the Office's written request. If the records relate to an inmate death, threat of death, sexual assault, or the denial of necessary medical treatment, the records shall be provided within 5 days, unless a waiver is provided by the Office to the Department. The Office shall establish confidentiality rules and procedures for all information maintained by the Office to ensure that the identity of a complainant is not known to Department employees or other inmates. The Office shall conduct at least one inspection each year of each Department facility and at least two times each year for each maximum security facility to monitor the status of all covered issues as defined in this act. The Office shall release a public report of each inspection. An inspection of a Department facility shall include an assessment of the following: • All policies and procedures related to the care of inmates; • Conditions of confinement; • Availability of educational and rehabilitative programing, drug and mental health treatment, and inmate job training; • All policies and procedures related to visitation; • All procedures and policies of medical facilities; • Review of lock-downs at the facility in the time since the last inspection; • Review of staffing at the facility; • Review of physical and sexual assaults at the facility; • Review of any inmate or staff deaths; and • Review of staff recruitment for the Department. Upon completion of the inspection, the Office shall produce a public report, with information as provided in the act, on its website, and deliver the report to the Governor, Attorney General, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Director of the Department of Corrections. The Department shall then submit a report to the Office within 30 days of the Office's inspection report which shall include a corrective action plan for each recommendation of the Office. This act also provides that the Office may initiate and attempt to resolve an investigation upon its own initiative or upon receipt of a complaint from an inmate, the inmate's family or representative, or a Department employee, regarding violations as provided in the act. The Office may decline to investigate any complaint and shall decline a complaint if the inmate has failed to first utilize Department grievance policies. The Office shall notify the complainant if it does not investigate a complaint. The Office may not investigate any complaints relating to an inmate's underlying criminal conviction and may refer any complaint to another state or federal agency. At the conclusion of an investigation, the Office shall render a public decision within 90 days of the filing of the complaint, except that the documents supporting the decision are subject to the confidentiality procedures established by the Office. The Office shall give a decision in writing to the inmate and to the Department. The Office shall give its recommendations for further action if needed. The Department shall give a report upon request to the Office within thirty days of any action taken on the Office's recommendations or the reasons for not complying with the recommendations. If the Office finds that there has been a significant inmate health or safety issue, the Office shall report such findings to the Governor, the Attorney General, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Director of the Department of Corrections. Finally, the Department and its employees shall not discharge, retaliate against, or in any manner discriminate against any person because such person has filed any complaint or instituted any proceeding under this act. A complaint may be filed with the Attorney General, within 30 days after a violation occurs, for any alleged discharge or retaliation against a complainant. There shall be a rebuttable presumption of retaliation if the complainant has suffered abuse or any other violation after he or she filed a complaint under this act. This act is identical to SB 378 (2025), SB 798 (2024), SB 327 (2023), SB 899 (2022), and SB 471 (2021). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.
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.
