SB 1265 - This act modifies various provisions relating to illegal aliens. SANCTUARY CITIES (Section 67.307) The act provides that any municipality that enacts or adopts a sanctuary policy shall be subject to a fine of $25,500 for each day on which the municipality has such sanctuary policy in effect. E-VERIFY (Section 285.530) Current law requires only public employers to enroll and actively participate in a federal work authorization program, while all other employers are permitted, but not required, to enroll and participate. This act requires all employers to enroll and actively participate in a federal work authorization program. This provision is identical to a provision in SB 1038 (2026), a provision in SB 1070 (2026), SB 1373 (2024), substantially similar to provisions in SB 528 (2025) and HB 120 (2025), and similar to a provision in HB 1515 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 2489 (2024), a provision in HB 2844 (2024), and a provision in HCS/HB 188 (2023). OFFENSE OF TRANSPORTATION, CONCEALMENT, OR INDUCEMENT OF ILLEGAL ALIENS (Section 577.675) The act expands the offense of transportation of an illegal alien to include the concealment or inducement of an illegal alien. Any person is guilty of such an offense, punished as a class D felony, if he or she knowingly: • Conceals, harbors or shields or attempts to conceal, harbor or shield an illegal alien from detection in any place in this state, including any building or any means of transportation, if the person knows or recklessly disregards the fact that the alien has come to, has entered, or remains in the United States in violation of law; or • Encourages or induces an alien to come to or reside in this state. LOCAL ENFORCEMENT OF FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS (Section 590.250) The act allows any law enforcement officer or agency to enforce the provisions of federal immigration law that establish criminal penalties. This act is identical to SB 114 (2025) and substantially similar to SB 1138 (2024), SB 1373 (2024), HB 2470 (2024), SB 130 (2023), and SB 1227 (2022). SCOTT SVAGERA
HB 3522 requires that the written portion of Missouri's driver's license examination be administered exclusively in English, with no translators permitted for applicants taking this section. The bill directly affects all Missouri driver's license applicants who must complete the written test, including those renewing licenses or applying for new licenses. It specifically mandates that the written exam (covering traffic laws and sign comprehension) be given in English only, though vision tests and practical driving demonstrations remain unaffected. This policy change applies to all applicants except those covered under existing exemptions, such as active military personnel or those with reciprocal license agreements.
HB 3158 modifies Missouri's driver's license application rules for non-citizens by requiring them to present proof of lawful presence (like immigration documents) for each new, renewal, or duplicate application, except for non-commercial licenses that are not REAL-ID compliant. The bill mandates that the state offer both REAL-ID compliant licenses (valid for federal purposes like air travel) and non-REAL-ID licenses (only for state use), and prohibits keeping copies of documents for non-REAL-ID applications. It also clarifies that the Department of Revenue cannot retain source documents for non-REAL-ID licenses, except in specific cases like fraud investigations or commercial license applications. The law ensures applicants are informed about the federal limitations of non-REAL-ID licenses during the application process.
SB 1616 restricts access to Missouri's SNAP food assistance and MO HealthNet medical benefits for non-U.S. citizens, requiring applicants to prove citizenship, national status, or specific federal immigration eligibility. It mandates documentary proof (like driver's license documents or federal status verification) at application, with temporary benefits allowed via sworn affidavit for up to 90 days or until citizenship documentation is provided. The bill explicitly excludes emergency medical care, prenatal services, children's benefits (when applied for by a citizen parent), and certain other non-cash aid like unemployment or postsecondary education. It also requires state agencies to verify immigration status through federal systems like DHS's SAVE program but prohibits denying benefits based solely on data matching.
HB 3240 redefines "sanctuary policy" to include municipal actions that hinder federal immigration enforcement, such as restricting officials from sharing information about individuals without legal immigration status or blocking federal enforcement efforts. The bill prohibits municipalities from adopting such policies, making them ineligible for state grants until the policy is repealed. It also requires municipalities to provide written notice to law enforcement officers about their duty to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. This law, effective January 1, 2009, directly affects all cities, towns, and counties in Missouri.
HB 3192 establishes regulations for law enforcement use of Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) systems in Missouri. It restricts ALPR use to specific purposes like criminal investigations, missing persons cases, and stolen vehicle alerts - banning general surveillance, immigration enforcement, or monitoring lawful activity. The bill requires law enforcement to destroy ALPR data within 30 days (unless tied to an active investigation or alert) and mandates annual reporting on system use, including scan counts, alerts, and outcomes. These rules directly affect all Missouri state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies operating ALPR systems.
HB 1798 requires that the written portion of Missouri's driver's license examination be administered exclusively in English, prohibiting the use of translators during this test. This change directly affects applicants for new or renewed driver's licenses who do not speak English fluently, as they must now complete the written test without language assistance. The bill does not alter other components of the licensing process, such as vision tests, practical driving tests, or exceptions for military members or license holders from reciprocal states. It specifically targets the written exam's language requirement, ensuring all applicants must demonstrate understanding of traffic laws in English. This policy change applies to all applicants taking the written test, regardless of prior license status or background.
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.
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.
HB 2468 changes eligibility for Missouri's SNAP (food assistance) and MO HealthNet (medical assistance) by requiring applicants to prove U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or lawful immigration status under federal definitions. Applicants must provide documentary evidence (like a driver's license or federal immigration documents) at application, or use a sworn affidavit for temporary benefits while gathering proof. State agencies must verify lawful presence through the federal SAVE program, with temporary benefits limited to 90 days or until proof is submitted. The bill excludes emergency medical care, prenatal services, and certain other benefits from these restrictions.
