HCS/SB 982 - This act modifies provisions relating to the sex offender registry. Instead of listing certain sexual offenses, this act provides that any person who, since July 1, 1979, has been or is adjudicated for a tier I offense, tier II offense, or tier III offense in this state or in any other state, territory, the District of Columbia, foreign country, or federal, tribal or military jurisdiction shall be required to register as a sex offender. (Section 589.400) Offenders shall be classified as a tier I, tier II, or tier III offender. To the extent more than one tier definition applies, the highest tier shall be applicable tier for the offender. This act also provides that certain juvenile offenders and certain offenders who live or work in Missouri with registration requirements by other jurisdictions shall be assigned a tier, which shall be only for the purposes of registration visit frequency and removal eligibility. The initial determination as to the tier shall be made by the registration official and the Missouri State Highway Patrol ("Patrol") shall analyze the tier designation for accuracy. (Sections 589.400 and 589.414) This act additionally provides that any sex offender with primary residence outside Missouri who has a temporary residence in Missouri and who resides for more than a part-time period shall register for the duration of such person's temporary residency. This act also provides that nonresident sex offenders who works or is a nonresident student in this state shall register in the county where the status requiring registration occurs for the duration of such person's employment or attendance at any school of higher education as long as the status requiring registration remains active. (Section 589.400) The jurisdiction, in addition to the Attorney General, may certify appropriate sex offender treatment program for purposes of reductions of registration periods. Additionally, if records of program completion are unavailable, and completion of such program was required as a term of probation, then an order discharging the sex offender from probation or other record acknowledging satisfactory completion of probation shall constitute evidence of successful competition. (Section 589.400) This act modifies provisions relating to removal from registration for persons required to register because of an offense adjudicated in another jurisdiction. Such person shall file the petition or complaint for removal, termination, or relief from registration, or the declaratory judgment providing for removal, termination, or relief, instead of filing petition for removal, according to the laws of the adjudicating jurisdiction. Upon the entry of a judgment, rather than a grant of a petition for removal, providing that the person is no longer required to register, such judgment may be registered in this state by providing the information required by current law. Additionally, such persons may file a petition for removal from this state’s sexual offender registry and satisfy the requirements for removal based on adjudication in another state if: (1) The offense did not require the person to register as a sex offender in the adjudicating jurisdiction at the time the offense was adjudicated; or (2) The person never resided, worked, or attended school in the adjudicating jurisdiction and was never required to register in the adjudicating jurisdiction. (Section 589.401) Currently, if a petition for removal is denied, no successive petition shall be filed for at least five years from the judgment date of such petition. This act provides that if the denial was based on a statute or law that has since been amended, repealed, or invalidated, a person may file a petition within the five-year period. In addition to the current requirements of petitions for removal, such a petition shall contain the case number and court of the prior petition along with identification of the applicable change in the law. (Section 589.401) This act repeals the provisions relating to persons removed from the sex offender registry for certain offenses with a nonsexual nature as detailed in the act. Additionally, this act modifies the list of offenses, which exempts offenders who meet the other requirements provided in current law from registration, as follows: (1) Sexual conduct where no force or threat of force was directed toward the victim, the victim was at least 14 years of age, and the offender was not more than four years older than the victim at the time of the offense, unless the victim was under the custodial authority of the offender at the time of the offense; (2) Sexual conduct where no force or threat of force was directed toward the victim or any other individual involved, if the victim was 18 years or older, unless the victim was under the custodial authority of the offender at the time of the offense; (3) Promoting obscenity in the first degree; (4) Promoting obscenity in the second degree; (5) Furnishing pornographic materials to minors; (6) Public display of explicit sexual material; and (7) Coercing acceptance of obscene material. (Sections 589.400 and 589.401) An offender shall have the burden of proving the requirements for exemption are met. For exemptions, a court may look beyond the offense of conviction and consider the underlying facts and conduct of the offense when evaluating the noncategorical exemptions. If a petition for exemption is filed before a person is required to register, the requirements of registration shall be automatically stayed pending the outcome of the petition for exemption. If the petition is denied, the registration requirements shall be in effect three business days following the exhaustion of all appeal rights. (Section 589.401) This act also provides that a petition for removal due to the offense being reversed, vacated, or set aside shall be the exclusive remedy for removal and shall include a certified copy of the action reversing, vacating, or setting aside the offense requiring registration. (Section 589.401) Furthermore, no declaratory action shall be filed for relief from registration requirements, except where registration is the result of an offense never requiring registration. (Section 589.401) The following offenses are modified or included as tier I offenses: • Kidnapping in the first degree with sexual motivation if the victim is 18 years of age or older; • Kidnapping in the second degree with sexual motivation if the victim is 18 years of age or older; • Kidnapping in the third degree with sexual motivation if the victim is 18 years of age or older; • Sexual conduct in the course of public duty if the victim is 18 years of age or older; • Promoting obscenity in the first degree if the victim is less than 18 years of age; • Promoting pornography for minors or obscenity in the second degree if the victim is less than 18 years of age; • Furnishing pornographic material to minors; • Public display of explicit sexual material if the victim is less than 18 years of age; and • Coercing acceptance of obscene material if the victim is less than 18 years of age. The following offenses are modified or included as tier II offenses: • Sexual abuse in the first degree if the victim is 13 to 17 years of age; • Sexual conduct in the course of public duty if the victim is 13 to 17 years of age; • Patronizing prostitution if the person patronized is 18 years of age or older; • Promoting prostitution in the first degree if the victim is 18 years of age or older; • Promoting prostitution in the second degree if the victim is 18 years of age or older; and • Promoting prostitution in the third degree if the victim is 18 years of age or older. The following offenses are modified or included as tier III offenses: • Kidnapping in the second degree if the victim is under 18 years of age, excluding kidnapping by a parent or guardian of a nonsexual nature; • Kidnapping in the first degree if the victim is under 18 years of age, excluding kidnapping by a parent or guardian of a nonsexual nature; • Sexual conduct in the course of public duty if the victim is under 13 years of age; and • Patronizing prostitution if the offender is a persistent offender or if the person patronized is less than 18 years of age. (Sections 589.404 and 589.414) This act additionally provides that the offender registration form shall include information regarding any temporary residences. If an offender has a guardian, the guardian may sign affirming the accuracy of the offender registration form. (Section 589.407) Regular in-person appearances to the registration official following initial registration shall be required: (1) Annually for tier I offenders; (2) Every six months for tier II offenders; and (3) Every ninety days for tier III offenders. (Section 589.407) Additionally, registrants shall appear in person to the registering official and complete all forms required by the United States Marshall's Service no less than 21 days before travel outside of the United States. (Section 589.414) The chief law enforcement registration official shall enter, rather than forward to the Patrol, the completed offender registration forms and related updates into the online sex offender registry within three days. The Patrol shall enter ensure the information entered into the registry is accessible through the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System and forwarded to the National Crime Information Center. The Patrol shall also regularly update the web page to remove persons who have been removed or exempted, persons deceased, or persons who have moved out of state. Lastly, this act modifies certain information related to sex offenders and the metadata of the sex offender registry that is considered as an open or closed record under Missouri Sunshine Law. (Sections 589.410 and 589.417) TRISTAN BENSON, JR.
SS#3/SB 888 - This act modifies provisions relating to the criminal and juvenile justice system. FINGERPRINTING OF JUVENILES (SECTION 43.503) Under current law, an arresting officer is required to take fingerprints to be sent to the central repository if an individual under seventeen years of age who is not currently certified as an adult is taken into custody for an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult. This act requires that an officer take fingerprints from an individual under eighteen years of age for certain felony offenses. This act also repeals a provision that requires fingerprint cards to be made in a manner that does not reveal the juvenile's name to the central repository. Records of a juvenile that has been fingerprinted shall be closed records. This provision is similar to HB 2498 (2026). CERTIFICATION OF A JUVENILE AS AN ADULT (SECTION 211.071) Under current law, if a petition or motion to modify alleges that a child between fourteen and eighteen years of age has committed a felony offense, the court may, upon its own motion or motion by the juvenile officer, the child, or the child's custodian, order a hearing, and exercise its discretion to dismiss the motion or petition to modify and order the child to the court of general jurisdiction. This act modifies the provision so that it applies to offenses that are a class A or B felony, a felony sexual offense, or three felony offenses arising from distinct acts committed within one hundred eighty days of each other. Under this provision, the office of the prosecuting or circuit attorney shall also have the authority to make a motion and present evidence on their motion. Further, this act provides that where a juvenile officer forwards to the prosecuting attorney a class A or B felony that is not certified, the prosecuting attorney must notify the juvenile officer within fourteen days of the decision to certify the case. Under current law, the juvenile officer may consult with the prosecuting attorney concerning any offense for which the child could be certified as an adult. This act requires the juvenile officer to consult with the prosecuting or circuit attorney. Additionally, the prosecuting or circuit attorney shall be provided with a copy of the completed Missouri Juvenile Detention Assessment Form (JDTA) that was used in determining detention. Use of the JDTA to determine that a child may be held shall be used as a guideline and shall not be mandatory. Under this act, the juvenile officer shall consider all legally sufficient charges submitted by law enforcement when utilizing the JDTA form and shall provide a copy of the form to the law enforcement agency once a determination has been made. Juvenile officers shall share criminal history data with the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System to create a juvenile criminal history database that shall be accessible by criminal justice and law enforcement agencies. Such records maintained by the central repository shall be closed. JUVENILE DETENTION (SECTION 211.021, 211.331, 211.341, 211.342, & 211.436) Currently, circuit judges of a judicial circuit may establish a place of juvenile detention for the counties within the circuit court. This act provides that the governing body of a county may provide for juvenile detention in coordination with all other counties within the same circuit court or with all counties of the same circuit court and all counties of an adjoining circuit court. The county governing body shall approve an ordinance, order, or resolution authorizing a place of detention, shall approve an agreement as specified in this act between the counties, and shall notify the presiding circuit judge. The operation and support of a juvenile detention facility authorized pursuant to this act shall be regulated in accordance with the rules and standards of the Supreme Court of Missouri under the governance of the circuit judge. If two or more counties of adjoining judicial circuits have authorized a place of detention, the circuit judges shall jointly govern the affairs of the place of detention. Furthermore, the counties authorizing a place of detention pursuant to this section may impose, by order, a sales tax up to one percent on all retail sales. This act provides that a child shall not be placed in leg restraints unless they are charged with a class A or class B felony, or they are determined to be an immediate safety or flight risk. These provisions are similar to SB 1189 (2026) and SB 809 (2025). JUVENILE COURT PROCEEDINGS (SECTION 211.319) This act provides that all juvenile court proceedings for a criminal offense shall not be open to the general public. LONG-TERM PROGRAM TREATMENT (SECTION 217.362 & 559.115) The act repeals provisions that do not consider an offender's first incarceration in a Department of Corrections long-term substance abuse program or 120-day program as a previous prison commitment for the purpose of determining a minimum prison term. PRISON TERMS (SECTION 217.690, 217.760, 557.011, 557.021, 558.011, 558.016, 558.019, 558.026, 558.046, 566.125) Under current law, any felony offense that is defined outside of this code without a penalty provision is a class E felony. This act adds that any such offense shall also be subject to the imprisonment terms of chapter 558. Under current law, when a person is found guilty of a felony and sentenced, there is a certain percentage range of the sentence that must be served prior to parole eligibility. This act repeals such provisions and provides that offenders shall serve the following percentage of the imposed term prior to eligibility for parole based upon the felony classification as follows: 1. Class A: 70% 2. Class B: 50% 3. Class C: • 40% for an offense that requires registration as a sex offender; • 30% for a first offense; • 35% for a second offense; and • 50% for a third or subsequent offense 4. Class D: • 25% for an offense that requires registration as a sex offender; • 20% for a first offense; • 25% for a second offense; and • 50% for a third or subsequent offense 5. Class E: • 25% for an offense that requires registration as a sex offender; • 15% for a first offense; • 20% for a second offense; and • 50% for a third or subsequent offense This act also removes references to the minimum percentage ranges and replaces them with references to the eligibility percentages established in these provisions. Where a person is sentenced to concurrent sentences, such person shall serve the eligibility percentage of the longest sentence prior to parole eligibility. A person that is sentenced to consecutive sentences shall serve the minimum percentage for each felony prior to parole eligibility. Under current law, there are certain offenses that contain higher parole eligibility percentages. These provisions allow these higher percentages to be unaffected by the new eligibility percentages. Where a person is sentenced to the term of imprisonment for a higher class than the one for which they were found guilty due to their status as a prior or persistent offender, they shall serve the parole eligibility percentage of the higher class. Any person found guilty of a dangerous felony shall be required to serve eighty-five percent of the given sentence prior to parole eligibility. This act provides that a sentence of life imprisonment shall be calculated to be thirty years. Any sentence that is over seventy-five years shall be calculated to be seventy-five years. Under current law, a court may sentence a person to an extended term of imprisonment if certain conditions are made. This bill requires that they court sentence a person to an extended term of imprisonment if certain conditions are met. Sections 558.011 and 558.019 have a delayed effective date of January 1, 2028. DANGEROUS FELONIES (SECTION 556.061) This act modifies the definition of "dangerous felony" to include statutory rape in the first degree and statutory sodomy in the first degree. The requirement that the victim of statutory rape in the first degree or sodomy in the first degree be under 12 for the offense to be a dangerous felony is removed. A person found guilty of a "dangerous felony" is required to serve eighty-five percent of their sentence prior to eligibility for parole. Additionally, the act includes the following offenses in the definition of "dangerous felony": • Abuse through forced labor; • Trafficking for the purposes of slavery, involuntary servitude, peonage, or forced labor, or the attempt of such offense; • Trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation, or the attempt of such offense, when the offense was effected by force, abduction, or coercion; • Sexual trafficking of a child in the first degree; • Sexual trafficking of a child in the second degree; • Third offense of failing to register as a sex offender; and • Endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree. CONDITIONAL RELEASE (558.011) This act provides that conditional release terms shall not apply to any person that commits certain class A or B felony offenses after January 1, 2028. Under this act, conditional release provisions are removed from certain sexual offenses and offenses involving children. This provision is similar to SCS/SB 882, 894, & 1294 (2026) and HB 2637 & 3155 (2026). JAIL TIME CREDIT (SECTION 558.031) This act modifies jail time credit. This act requires the form developed by the Office of the State Courts Administrator for offenders committed to the Department of Corrections to include a sentencing calculation, including jail time credit supplemented by a certificate of a sheriff or custodial officer. The act further requires the court, when pronouncing a sentence, executing a suspended sentence, or suspending the imposition of a sentence, to record as part of the judgment, the number of days before the pronouncement of the sentence that the person was in custody related to the offense. Time in custody related to an offense means the time in which the offense was charged in a criminal proceeding, an arrest warrant was issued and served upon the person, and includes time served on house arrest. Time when a person was out on bond or otherwise released is not to be included. Under this act, the court may take judicial notice of any time the defendant has served in custody by comparing arrest warrant service dates with files of release. Any defendant that was held in a juvenile detention facility prior to adjudication to stand trial as an adult may make a motion to receive credit for time served in such facility. Under this act a person may challenge any jail time credit awarded or not awarded by filing a petition for a writ of habeas corpus. Section 558.031 has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2028. CRIMINAL OFFENSES (SECTION 566.030, 566.032, 566.060, 566.103, 566.203, 566.209, 566.210, 566.211, 568.045, 568.060 & 589.425) Currently, the offense of rape in the first degree has a penalty of five years unless certain factors are present. This act modifies this provision by classifying it as a class A felony and increasing the penalty to ten years but not more than thirty years. Under current law, if rape in the first degree is an aggravated sexual offense the authorized term of imprisonment is life imprisonment or a term of years not less than fifteen years. This act removes "a term of years not less than fifteen years" and add "life imprisonment without eligibility for probation or parole. Under current law, a person that was found guilty of rape in the first degree when the child was less than twelve years old, was not eligible for probation or parole until the offender has served at lease thirty years of their sentence or has reached the age of seventy-five years and served at least fifteen years of their sentence. This act repeals this provision. The authorized term of imprisonment for statutory rape in the first degree, under current law, is life imprisonment or a term of years not less than five years. This act replaces five years with ten years. Under current law, if statutory rape is an aggravated sexual offense the penalty is life imprisonment or a term of years not less than ten years. This act increases the ten years to fifteen years. Under current law, a person that is found guilty of sodomy in the first degree when the child was less than twelve years old, shall be sentenced to life imprisonment and is not eligible for probation or parole until the offender has served at least thirty years of their sentence or has reached the age of seventy-five years and served at least fifteen years of their sentence. The provision relating to release is repealed. Under this act, the penalty for sodomy in the first degree when the child was less than twelve years old is life imprisonment with or without parole. Where a person commits the offense of sodomy in the first degree and the victim is less than twelve years of age, current law states that "life imprisonment" shall mean imprisonment for the duration of the offender's life. This provision is repealed. The offense of promoting online sexual solicitation shall be a class E felony, and shall be punishable by imprisonment, fine, or both. Under current law, the offense of abusing an individual through forced labor carries a penalty of five years to life imprisonment. This act increases the penalty to ten years to life imprisonment. This act adds "intoxicating or inhibiting substances" to the list of means a person can use to commit the offense of trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation. Under current law, the offense of sexual trafficking of a child in the second degree if effected by force, abduction, or coercion, carries a penalty of life imprisonment without eligibility for parole until the defendant has served at least twenty-five years. This act modifies that provision by requiring that the defendant serve at least eighty-five percent of a life sentence. Under current law, a person commits the offense of endangering the welfare of a child if the person commits certain acts to a child that is less than seventeen years old. This act provides that a person commits the offense of endangering the welfare of a child if they commit certain acts to a child that is less than eighteen years old. Currently, the offense of abuse or neglect of a child is a class D felony with eligibility for probation, parole, or conditional release after serving no less than a year of their sentence. This act repeals the provision allowing for release from imprisonment after serving one year. This act classifies failing to register a sex offender as a third offense as a class A felony. Currently, a person convicted of failing to register a sex offender as a third offense is eligible for conditional release of parole after serving at least two years of imprisonment. This act repeals that provision. This act contains a severance clause. These provisions are similar to SB 1189 (2026), and SB 809 (2025) and contains provisions similar to SB 894 (2026), and SB 882 (2026), and HCS/HB 2637 & 3155 (2026). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.
SB 981 - This act modifies the requirements for filing a claim for compensation under the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund. Currently, the claim shall be filed no later than two years after the occurrence or the discovery of the crime eligible for compensation. This act provide that a claim shall be filed no later than two years after the later of: (1) The occurrence of the crime; (2) The discovery of the crime; (3) The filing of criminal charges; or (4) The conviction of the crime. This act provides that certain sexual offenses may be filed at any time. Currently, the amount of compensation excludes pain and suffering. This act provides that the compensation shall exclude pain and suffering for those claimants other than the victim of a crime. Furthermore, the surcharge for the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund shall be $10, instead of $7.50, in each court proceeding filed in all criminal cases and in juvenile court delinquency proceedings. Additionally, this act modifies payments upon a plea or finding of guilt for certain crimes as follows: (1) Class A or B felony: $100 from $68 (2) Class C, D, or E felony: $80 from $46 (3) Misdemeanors unless exempted: $40 from $10. TRISTAN BENSON, JR.
HB 3265 eliminates court-imposed fines and fees for minors involved in juvenile court cases. It specifically repeals provisions allowing courts to assess up to $10 toward the clerk of court for juveniles, removing this financial burden. The bill directly affects children and families navigating juvenile court proceedings, particularly in cases involving delinquency or dependency. Key mechanisms include removing fee assessments from court orders and updating procedures to prioritize child welfare services over financial penalties. This change aims to prevent economic barriers from impacting juvenile justice outcomes.
HB 3417 defines and establishes specialized treatment courts (including adult, DWI, family, juvenile, mental health, and veterans courts) to address substance use or mental health disorders among defendants. It requires circuit courts to create these divisions by a specific deadline, mandating referrals to state-certified treatment programs unless none exist locally. The bill specifies that successful completion of treatment can lead to dismissed, reduced, or modified charges, with fees paid to treatment providers not classified as court costs. It directly affects defendants with substance use or mental health disorders in criminal cases, as well as courts and treatment providers operating within the system.
HB 3413 modifies Missouri's juvenile justice system by establishing clear criteria for when a child aged 12-18 may be transferred to adult court for serious offenses. It requires courts to hold a hearing and consider specific factors - such as the offense's severity (including murder, drug manufacturing, or violent crimes), prior offenses, and community safety - before transferring a case. The bill directly affects juveniles charged with certain felonies (like first-degree murder or drug distribution) or repeat offenses, and juvenile courts handling these cases. Key provisions include mandatory hearings for specified offenses, allowing evidence obtained during age misrepresentation to be used, and requiring written reports detailing rehabilitation prospects before transfer decisions.
SB 1649 modifies Missouri's juvenile detention procedures to ensure faster court review and stricter criteria for holding minors. It requires that juveniles taken into custody be immediately brought before juvenile court or a juvenile officer, and mandates that courts review detention reasons within 24 hours. The bill limits detention to 24 hours without a hearing (with a 3-day deadline for the hearing), and specifies that continued detention is only permitted if the court finds probable cause for an offense and that detention is necessary to protect the juvenile, others, prevent flight, address lack of supervision, or handle fugitive status. This directly affects minors in custody, their families, and juvenile court processes.
HB 3046 makes it a minor violation (infraction) for parents or caregivers of children under 15 to fail to supervise them when the child: (1) commits an act bringing them before juvenile court, (2) violates a curfew, or (3) skips school without a valid reason. It specifically excludes foster parents and child-placing agencies from this requirement. For first offenses, the law requires up to 250 hours of community service instead of criminal penalties, and allows defenses if the caregiver was a victim of the child’s act or reported it to authorities. The bill focuses on holding caregivers accountable for supervision failures while providing limited legal defenses and avoiding criminal charges.
HB 2954 creates an "automated expungement" process in Missouri, meaning eligible criminal records will be closed by the state without requiring individuals to file court petitions. It directly affects people convicted of certain infractions, misdemeanors, or felonies (excluding traffic violations, juvenile cases, or offenses with pending charges) who have completed their sentences and met specific waiting periods (1 year for misdemeanors, 3 years for felonies) without new offenses. Key provisions include automatic closure of records after these waiting periods, a lifetime limit of two felony expungements or four misdemeanor/ordinance expungements, and special eligibility for those aged 65+ with clean records. The law takes effect on August 28, 2029, and does not apply to cases with unresolved charges or certain offenses.
HB 3124 requires most criminal cases involving children under 17 to be handled in juvenile court instead of adult court. The bill only allows transferring a case to adult court if a judge certifies the child as an adult, typically for serious offenses. This directly affects minors accused of crimes in Missouri, keeping them in the juvenile system unless certification occurs. The bill modifies existing juvenile justice procedures to strengthen this default jurisdiction, without specifying certification criteria.
