Priority: High (NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice)
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HB134 - Rep. Mike Costlow (R) - Establishes the "Missouri Task Force on Nonprofit Safety and Security"
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| Summary: |
This bill establishes the "Missouri Task Force on Nonprofit Safety and Security" within the Department of Public Safety.
The Task Force is tasked with studying and making recommendations on the security needs of nonprofit organizations at elevated risk of terrorist attacks in Missouri. Members of the Task Force will be appointed by the Director of Public Safety, as specified in the bill. The Task Force must report at least annually to the Office of Homeland Security of its findings and recommendations with respect to terrorist attacks in Missouri.
The bill establishes the "Supplemental Nonprofit Safety and Security Fund". The Fund can be used to defray costs of security enhancements or measures, as specified in the bill, for eligible nonprofit organizations. Eligible nonprofit organizations are those organizations whose applications for funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Nonprofit Security Grant Program have been approved by the Department of Public Safety Office of Homeland Security. An eligible organization may receive a grant from the Fund of up to 5% of the available grant pool.
This bill has an emergency clause.
This bill is the same as HB 1557 (2024) and HB 1063(2023). |
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Support (NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice)
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HB742 - Rep. Ben Baker (R) - Prohibits state departments from spending money on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
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HB 742 -- EXPENDITURES BY STATE DEPARTMENTS (Baker)
COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN: Standing Committee on Emerging Issues
This bill prohibits funds from any State department being used for intradepartmental programs, staffing, or other initiatives related to "diversity, equity, and inclusion" or similar initiatives that promote preferential treatment based on certain characteristics, concepts such as oppression as the sole cause of disparities, collective guilt ideologies, intersectional or divisive identity activism, and the limiting of freedom of conscience, thought, or speech.
State departments are not prohibited from following Federal and State employment and antidiscrimination laws, or complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
This bill prohibits State departments from mandating, requiring, or incentivizing private sector employers to implement "diversity, equity, and inclusion" programs or initiatives as a condition for receiving a State contract. |
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Oppose (NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice)
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HB1145 - Rep. Dane Diehl (R) - Modifies provisions relating to unlawful discriminatory employment practices, limiting certain civil remedies
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This bill limits the awarding of court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees to the prevailing party in human rights cases to cases not involving a public employer. The bil defines "public employer" as an entity covered under the State Legal Expense Fund. |
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Oppose (NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice)
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SB506 - Sen. Nick Schroer (R) - Amends Supreme Court Rule 15.05 relating to continuing legal education requirements for lawyers
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SB 506 - This act modifies Supreme Court Rule 15.05 regarding continuing legal education requirements for lawyers. Specifically, this act repeals the requirement of one ethics credit hour devoted exclusively to bias, diversity, inclusion, or cultural competency and provides for a total of two of the total fifteen credit hours to be devoted to ethics. KATIE O'BRIEN
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Oppose (NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice)
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SB608 - Sen. Patty Lewis (D) - Prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity
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| Summary: |
SB 608 - This act prohibits discrimination under the Missouri Human Rights Act (MHRA) based upon a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status. Such discrimination includes unlawful housing practices, denial of loans or other financial assistance, denial of membership into an organization relating to the selling or renting of dwellings, unlawful employment practices, and denial of the right to use public accommodations. Discrimination is defined to include any unfair treatment based on a person's presumed or assumed race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age as it relates to employment, disability, or familial status as it relates to housing, regardless of whether the presumption or assumption as to such characteristic is correct. The act modifies the standard for proving discriminatory claims pursuant to the MHRA. Currently, a protected criterion must be the motivating factor in any adverse decision or action. This act changes that to a motivating factor. The act changes which employers are subject to the MHRA. Currently, corporations and associations owned or operated by religious or sectarian organizations are exempt from the MHRA. This act only exempts corporations and associations owned and operated by religious or sectarian organizations. Additionally, the act repeals an exemption for individuals employed an employer. This act is substantially similar to SB 787 (2024), HB 2478 (2024), SB 60 (2023), HB 384 (2023), HB 574 (2023), SB 711 (2022), HB 1760 (2022), HB 2580 (2022), SB 81 (2021) HB 275 (2021), HB 984 (2021), HB 1527 (2020), SB 954 (2020), HB 1763 (2020), SB 172 (2019), HB 208 (2019), SB 753 (2018), HCS/HBs 1360 & 2100 (2018), HB 1782 (2018), SB 338 (2017), HB 485 (2017), SB 653 (2016), SB 237 (2015), SB 962 (2014), SB 96 (2013) and SB 798 (2012) and similar to HB 1737 (2022), HB 407 (2015), SB 757 (2014), SS/HCS/HB 320 (2013), SB 239 (2011), SB 626 (2010), SB 109 (2009), SB 824 (2008), SB 266 (2007), SB 452 (2001), and SB 622 (2000). SCOTT SVAGERA
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| Position: |
Support (NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice)
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Priority: Medium (NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice)
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HB131 - Rep. Rudy Veit (R) - Modifies provisions relating to the compensation of jurors
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| Summary: |
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Judiciary by a vote of 9 to 0.
This bill specifies that each grand and petit juror will receive at least $6 per day for every day the juror actually serves and a mileage reimbursement rate as provided by law for state employees. Each county and the City of St. Louis may authorize additional compensation for its jurors. Alternatively, a governing body, as specified in the bill, may, by a majority vote, vote to restructure juror compensation so that grand and petit jurors do not get paid for the first two days of service but thereafter will receive $50 per day, as well as mileage reimbursement at the rate provided by law for state employees for necessary travel from the juror's residence to the courthouse and back, to be paid by the county.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this bill has been heard for several years, but it stalls every year. This bill allows the county commission to choose an alternative payment scheme for jurors. Under the alternative, jurors would get paid $50 a day for the third or subsequent day but they would not get paid for the first two days of service. This has been tried in Greene County and it has worked out really well for the better part of ten years. The bill took the amount used in Greene County and made it applicable statewide. It is meant to accommodate the lengthy trials. It is also a Supreme Court priority bill. This also makes the mileage reimbursement dynamic and in line with what is reimbursed for state employees.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Veit; Eric Jennings, Judicial Conference of Missouri; Jon Beetem; The Missouri Bar; Arnie Dienoff.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website. |
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Support (NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice)
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HB443 - Rep. Sherri Gallick (R) - Modifies provisions governing the preemption of local ordinances involving employment law
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| Summary: |
Currently, the state minimum wage law preempts political subdivisions from establishing or enforcing a minimum or living wage or requiring employment benefits that exceed State laws, rules, or regulations. This bill adds that political subdivision policies, ordinances, and resolutions may not be enacted on those topics, and extends the topics to include:
(1) Regulating the information an employer or potential employer can require or exclude on an employment application from an employee or prospective employee;
(2) Requiring an employer to provide paid or unpaid leave time to an employee;
(3) Regulating employee hours and scheduling that an employer is required to provide; and
(4 ) Restricting or prohibiting an employer's utilization of contractor work as defined in Section 285.525, RSMo.
A political subdivision may regulate employment discrimination.
This bill is similar to HCS HB 2866 (2024). |
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Oppose (NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice)
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SB227 - Sen. Jill Carter (R) - Prohibits public entities from entering into certain contracts
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| Summary: |
SB 227 - Under this act, public entities are prohibited from entering into certain contracts with a company unless the contract includes a written certification that the company is not currently engaged in, and agrees for the duration of the contract not to engage in, any kind of economic boycott, as that term is defined in the act. Any contract failing to comply with the provisions of this act shall be void against public policy. Provisions are included allowing the Attorney General to enforce this act. A company that enters into a contract with a public entity that is subject to this act and engages in any economic boycott during the term of the contract shall be obligated to pay damages to the state in an amount equal to three times all monies paid to the company under the contract. Additionally, any person injured as a result of any violation or threatened violation of this act may bring a cause of action in Cole County Circuit Court and shall be entitled to injunctive relief as well as damages, including costs and attorney fees. This act does not apply to contracts with a total potential value of less than $100,000 or to contractors with fewer than 10 employees. This act is substantially similar to a provision in SB 980 (2024), SB 430 (2023), and SB 1061 (2024). SCOTT SVAGERA
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| Position: |
Oppose (NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice)
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SB272 - Sen. Rusty Black (R) - Creates new restrictions on certain business practices of entities doing business in this state related to economic boycotts and DEI initiatives
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SB 272 - This act creates new provisions relating to the business practices of entities doing business in this state. ECONOMIC BOYCOTTS (Section 34.650) Under this act, public entities are prohibited from entering into certain contracts with a company unless the contract includes a written certification that the company is not currently engaged in, and agrees for the duration of the contract not to engage in, any kind of economic boycott, as that term is defined in the act. Any contract failing to comply with the provisions of this act shall be void against public policy. Provisions are included allowing the Attorney General to enforce this act. A company that enters into a contract with a public entity that is subject to this act and engages in any economic boycott during the term of the contract shall be obligated to pay damages to the state in an amount equal to three times all monies paid to the company under the contract. Additionally, any person injured as a result of any violation or threatened violation of this act may bring a cause of action in Cole County Circuit Court and shall be entitled to injunctive relief as well as damages, including costs and attorney fees. This act does not apply to contracts with a total potential value of less than $100,000 or to contractors with fewer than 10 employees. This provision is identical to SB 430 (2023) and substantially similar to SB 1061 (2024). UNLAWFUL BUSINESS PRACTICES - DEI CLASSIFICATIONS (Section 431.205) The act also creates unlawful business practices relating to DEI classifications. A DEI classification is defined as race, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity. Pursuant to the act, it is an unlawful business practice for any private business, in entering into, maintaining, or seeking to establish contractual relations with any other private business to: • Fail or refuse to enter into a contract, maintain a contract, or entertain bids or offers to contract, based, in whole or in part, on the fact that the other private business: (a) does not provide information or data, or does not provide sufficient information or data, about the extent to which its workforce or ownership exhibit particular DEI classifications; or (b) Fails to satisfy any rule, standard, policy, goal, aspiration, or preference, whether express or implied, regarding the extent to which its workforce, managers, executives, or ownership exhibit or claim to exhibit particular DEI classifications. • Consider: (a) Whether the owners, controllers, officers, or employees of another private business exhibit or claim to exhibit particular DEI classifications; or (b) Whether another private business has adopted or endorsed any particular policy or practice that promotes the hiring and promotion of employees based on the fact that those employees or prospective employees exhibit or claim to exhibit particular DEI classifications. It is a violation of this provision if any of the foregoing criteria is considered as one criterion among many other criteria, treated as a dispositive criterion in making a decision, or is part of an express or implied scoring or grading system; • Require or suggest that individuals exhibiting particular DEI classifications, because of their DEI classifications, work on the contract or have particular roles in performing the contract, or to require or suggest that a particular quota or percentage of individuals working on the performance of a contract exhibit one or more particular DEI classifications; and • Require or suggest that any other contracting party provide data regarding the extent to which its workforce, managers, executives, or ownership exhibit or claim to exhibit particular DEI classifications. A civil action for violation of this provision may be brought within two years after the alleged unlawful business practice occurred or after its reasonable discovery by the alleged injured party. In any civil action brought pursuant to this act, the plaintiff shall bear the burden of proving the alleged unlawful practice was the direct proximate cause of the claimed damages. Any party to such an action has a right to a trial by jury. The court may award certain fees, damages, and court costs as described in the act. The act additionally empowers the Attorney General to issue a civil investigative demand or bring a civil action in the Cole County Circuit Court seeking appropriate remedies if there is reasonable cause to believe that any private business or group of private businesses is engaged in an unlawful business practice prohibited by this provision. This act contains various exemptions. This act is identical to SB 980 (2024). SCOTT SVAGERA
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Oppose (NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice)
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SB338 - Sen. Mike Moon (R) - Prohibits giving preferential treatment or discrimination based upon ESG scores
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| Summary: |
SB 338 - This act creates new provisions relating to public contracts. This act is identical to SB 1142 (2024). BANKING CONTRACTS - RESTRICTED FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS The act requires the State Treasurer to create a Restricted Financial Institutions List, containing the names of financial institutions that are engaged in a boycott of companies, as that phrase is defined in the act. The list is to be used by the Treasurer for the purpose of determining which financial institutions to enter into banking contracts with. The list must be updated annually and is required to be posted on the Treasurer's website and delivered to the Governor, the President Pro Tem of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The act requires a notice period for financial institutions prior to being included on the Restricted Financial Institutions List. Specifically, 45 days prior to including a financial institution on the restricted financial institution list, the Treasurer shall send a written notice to the institution notifying it that it has the opportunity to demonstrate that it is not engaged in a boycott of companies. Following inclusion on the list, the financial institution may be removed upon demonstration to the Treasurer that it has ceased all boycotts. The act permits the Treasurer to disqualify restricted financial institutions from the competitive bidding process or from any other official selection process for any banking contract. The Treasurer may refuse to enter into a banking contract or an extension of any banking contract with a restricted financial institution based on its restricted financial institution status. The Treasurer may require, as a term of any banking contract, an agreement by the financial institution not to engage in a boycott for the duration of the contract. With respect to actions taken in compliance with this act, a public body, public official, public employee, or member or employee of a financial institution shall be immune from any liability. No party may take action to penalize or threaten to penalize any financial institution for compliance with this act. Furthermore, any contract subject to this act may be enforced by the Attorney General who shall have the same investigatory authority as permitted under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act. In addition to any other remedies available at law or equity, a company that provides false information to the Treasurer and later receives state monies, or violates a contractual agreement with the state not to engage in a boycott, is required to pay damages to the state in an amount equal to three times all monies paid to the company by the state for the company's goods or services. PUBLIC CONTRACTS - TREATMENT BASED ON ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE SCORE This act requires public bodies to ensure that bidders, offerors, contractors, or subcontractors, when engaged in procuring or letting contracts for any purpose, are not given preferential treatment or discriminated against based on an environmental, social and governance score, as defined in the act. This provision is similar to SB 1350 (2024), SB 1518 (2024), SB 50 (2023) and SB 1171 (2022). This act contains a severability clause. SCOTT SVAGERA
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Oppose (NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice)
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SB447 - Sen. Curtis Trent (R) - Modifies provisions relating to the compensation of jurors
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| Summary: |
SB 447 - Currently, a juror shall receive seven cents per mile to and from his or her place of residence and the courthouse. This act modifies the mileage rate of jurors to the mileage rate of state employees, which is currently provided at sixty-five and half cents. Current law also provides that grand or petit jurors in certain counties, including in Clay and Greene, shall not receive compensation for the first two days of service, but shall receive fifty dollars with seven cents per mile for the third and any subsequent days that the juror actually serves. This act provides that the governing body of the county or the City of St. Louis may adopt a system of juror compensation that provides grand or petit jurors to receive no compensation on the first two days of actual service, but receive fifty dollars with the state employee mileage rate for the third and any subsequent days of actual service. This act is identical to provisions in SCS/SB 897 (2024), SCS/SB 1220 (2024), and in SCS/HCS/HB 2064 & HCS#2/HB 1886 (2024), is substantially similar to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2700 (2024), and is similar to HB 1457 (2024). KATIE O'BRIEN
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| Position: |
Support (NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice)
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Priority: Low (NAACP: Opportunity, Race, and Justice)
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HB83 - Rep. Rudy Veit (R) - Modifies provisions relating to civil jurisprudence
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| Summary: |
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass with HCS" by the Standing Committee on Judiciary by a vote of 8 to 0.
The following is a summary of the House Committee Substitute for HB 83.
BIRTH, DEATH, AND MARRIAGE RECORDS (Section 193.265, RSMo)
The bill waives any required fees for the issuance or copy of a birth certificate if the request is made by a prosecuting or circuit attorney or the Attorney General.
MISSOURI UNIFORM FIDUCIARY INCOME AND PRINCIPAL ACT (Sections 214.330 and 469.399 to 469.487)
This bill specifies that the income and principal of the Endowed Care Trust Fund is determined under the laws applicable to trusts with an exception that the trustee has no power: of adjustment; of conversion; to determine or modify the unitrust rate or to determine applicable value to compute the unitrust amount beyond that granted by law. A unitrust definition of income must be determined by the cemetery operator in the terms of the Endowed Care Trust Fund Agreement and not by the trustee. Further, no principal from the Trust Fund will be distributed except if a unitrust amount is required under the Agreement. The cemetery operator may instruct by record for the trustee to distribute less than all the income distributable for the year if the cemetery operator determines that the money is not needed.
The bill establishes the "Missouri Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act" (MUFIPA). Certain provisions of the current Principal and Income Act (PIA) are updated to achieve compliance with the MUFIPA.
This bill modifies certain definitions and adds definitions. It also removes reference to current definitions of "income beneficiary", "qualified beneficiary", and "remainder beneficiary".
The bill provides that the MUFIPA applies to a trust or estate and a life estate or other term interest in which the interest of one or more persons will be succeeded by the interest of one or more other persons, except as otherwise provided in the terms of a trust or in MUFIPA. In addition, the MUFIPA applies when Missouri is the principal place of administration of a trust or estate or the situs of property that is not held in a trust or estate and is subject to a life estate or other term interest.
This bill details the fiduciary's duties including the power to adjust or convert an income trust to a unitrust and vice versa. In addition, the bill specifies the business or other activity conducted by the fiduciary that the fiduciary may account separately, as specified in the bill. This bill calls for the application of MUFIPA to a trust or estate existing or created on or after August 28, 2025, with exceptions.
The bill defines "unitrust" to mean a trust for which net income is an amount computed by multiplying a determined value of a trust by a determined percentage, including a trust for which under the terms the income or net income must or can be calculated in such way.
The provisions that apply to unitrusts do not create a duty to take or consider action or to inform a beneficiary about the applicability of the provisions. A fiduciary that in good faith takes or fails to take an action under the unitrust provisions is not liable to a person affected by the action or inaction. The bill details the actions that the fiduciary can take without court approval.
The bill specifies determinations, considerations, and procedures required of a fiduciary in taking actions. The requirements include sending a notice in a record, describing and proposing to take the action, to certain persons all as detailed in the bill. The MUFIPA includes provisions allowing these persons to object to a proposed action, where the fiduciary or a beneficiary may request the court to have the proposed action taken as proposed, taken with modifications, or prevented. The bill contains requirements relating to the unitrust policy and unitrust rate.
This bill provides for uniformity in the interpretation and application of the MUFIPA; contains a severability clause; and explains MUFIPA's interaction with the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 7001 et Seq.
CHANGES OF ATTORNEYS IN WORKERS' COMPENSATION CASES (Sections 287.200 and 287.470)
The bill permits the Labor and Industrial Relations Commission to change the name, information, or fee arrangement of the attorney or law firm representing a claimant upon the filing of a written agreement, signed by both the claimant and the attorney, with the Commission. Additionally, a lifetime payment for permanent total disability will be suspended during the time in which an employee is restored to his or her regular work or its equivalent through the use of glasses, prosthetic appliances, or physical rehabilitation.
COMPLAINTS, DISCIPLINE, AND REMOVAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES (Sections 287.610 and 621.045)
Current law requires a retention vote be taken by the Administrative Law Judge Review Committee with respect to each workers' compensation Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Additionally, the Committee is required to conduct performance audits periodically and make recommendations of confidence or no confidence with respect to each ALJ. This bill repeals these requirements and instead creates new provisions for filing complaints against and removing ALJs.
Prior to filing a complaint, the Director must notify the ALJ in writing of the reasons for the complaint. Special provisions are included if the reason for the complaint is willful neglect of duty or incompetency.
Upon a finding by the Administrative Hearing Commission (AHC) that the grounds for disciplinary action are met, the Director may, singly or in combination, issue the disciplinary actions against the ALJ, as specified in the bill, including removal or suspension from office. If there are no grounds for disciplinary action, the ALJ will immediately resume duties and receive any attorneys' fees due under current law.
The bill repeals a requirement that the Committee's members not have any direct or indirect employment or financial connection with a workers' compensation insurance company, claims adjustment company, health care provider nor be a practicing workers' compensation attorney. The bill additionally repeals a requirement that all members of the Committee have a working knowledge of workers' compensation.
PAYMENT AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES (Sections 287.615, 287.812, and 287.835)
The bill provides that the compensation for an ALJ and chief administrative law judges will be determined solely by the rate outlined in law and will not increase when pay raises for executive employees are appropriated.
The bill furthermore repeals reference to the position of Chief Legal Counsel. The bill repeals a prohibition on the payment of any retirement benefits under workers' compensation law to any administrative law judge who has been removed from office by impeachment or for misconduct, or to any person who has been disbarred from the practice of law, or to the beneficiary of any such persons.
COURT DISSOLUTION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY (Section 347.143)
Currently, a limited liability company (LLC) may be dissolved involuntarily by a decree of the circuit court located in the county of the registered office of the LLC upon application by or for a member of the LLC when it is not reasonably practicable to carry on business in conformity with the operating agreement.
This bill expands the circumstances under which an LLC may be dissolved to include when a court determines that:
(1) Dissolution is reasonably necessary for the protection of the rights or interests of complaining members;
(2) The business of the LLC has been abandoned;
(3) The management of the LLC is deadlocked or subject to internal dissension, or
(4) Those in control of the LLC have been found guilty of, or have knowingly allowed persistent and pervasive fraud, mismanagement, or abuse of authority.
UNIFORM UNREGULATED CHILD CUSTODY TRANSFER ACT (Sections 453.700 to 453.742)
The bill establishes the "Uniform Unregulated Child Custody Transfer Act", which specifies that a parent or guardian of a child or an individual with whom a child has been placed for adoption may not transfer custody of the child to another person with the intent, at the time of the transfer, to abandon the rights and responsibilities concerning the child. That type of transfer is only allowed through the methods specified in the bill.
A person may not receive custody of a child, or act as an intermediary in a transfer of custody of a child, if the person knows or reasonably should know the transfer violates any provision in the bill. The person must notify Children's Division within the Department of Social Services of the transfer violation as soon as practicable. A violation of this matter is a class B misdemeanor.
If the Children's Division has a reasonable basis to believe that a person has transferred or will transfer custody of a child in violation of the provisions in this bill, the Children's Division may conduct a home visit as provided by law and take appropriate action to protect the welfare of the child. Law enforcement agencies may also investigate a possible violation of the provisions in this bill.
If the Children's Division conducts a home visit for a child adopted or placed through an inter-country adoption, the Children's Divisions must:
(1) Prepare a report on the welfare and plan for permanent placement of the child; and
(2) Provide a copy to the United States Department of State.
A person may not solicit or advertise to find a person or child in violation of the provisions in the bill nor to act as an intermediary in violation of the provisions in this bill. A violation of this matter is as class B misdemeanor.
Within a reasonable time before a child-placing agency places a child for adoption with a prospective adoptive parent, the agency must provide or have provided to the prospective adoptive parent general adoption information, which should address the information as described in the bill, as well as information specific to the child that is known to or reasonably obtainable by the agency and material to the prospective adoptive parent?s informed decision to adopt the child, which must include information as specified in the bill. Also, a child-placing agency must provide or have provided to the prospective adoptive parent guidance and instruction specific to the child to help prepare the parent to respond effectively to needs of the child, which must address issues as specified in the bill. If new information is discovered by the child-placing agency at any point in the adoption process, it must provide that information to the prospective parent.
Upon request from the child or the adoptive parent, the child- placing agency or the Children's Division will provide information about how to obtain financial assistance or support services:
(1) To assist the child or parent to respond effectively to adjustment, behavioral health, and other challenges; and
(2) To help preserve the placement or adoption.
The Children's Division and law enforcement can initiate proceedings to determine whether a child-placing agency has failed to comply with the provisions in the bill, which can result in either law enforcement filing for injunctive relief or initiating an administrative proceeding, or Children's Division suspending or revoking the agency's license.
The provisions in this bill do not apply to custody of an Indian child, as defined in Section 4(4) of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, 25 U.S.C. Section 1903(4), as amended, to the extent custody is governed by the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, 25 U.S.C. Sections 1901 through 1963, as amended.
CLASSIFICATION OF MINORS FOR ORDERS OF PROTECTION (Sections 455.010, 455.035, and 455.513)
This bill modifies the definitions of "adult" and "child" in provisions relating to orders of protection. An "adult" is any person 18, instead of 17, years of age or older and a "child" is any person under 18, instead of 17, years of age unless he or she is otherwise emancipated.
MISSOURI ELECTRONIC WILLS AND ELECTRONIC ESTATE PLANNING DOCUMENTS ACT (Sections 474.540 to 474.564 and 474.600)
The bill establishes the "Missouri Electronic Wills and Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act", which specifies that an electronic will is considered a will for all purposes of the law of this State and that any written estate planning document may be executed electronically. An "electronic will" is defined in the bill as a record that is readable as text at the time of signing, is signed by the testator or another individual in the testator's name, and is signed in the physical or electronic presence of the testator by at least two individuals after witnessing the signing of the will or the testator's acknowledgment of the signing of the will or acknowledgment of the will itself. Types of estate planning documents include a power of attorney or durable power of attorney, an advance directive, an irrevocable trust, and a beneficiary deed, as well as other types of documents. The bill establishes a process by which an electronic will may be made self-proved as well as how all or part of an electronic will may be revoked.
If there is evidence that a testator signed an electronic will and neither an electronic will nor a certified paper copy of the electronic will can be found after the testator's death, there will be a presumption that the testator revoked the electronic will even if no instrument or later will revoking the electronic will can be located. A person may create a certified paper copy of an electronic will or an electronic estate planning document by affirming under penalty of perjury that a paper copy of the electronic will is a complete, true, and accurate copy of the electronic will or the estate planning document. The provisions of this bill apply to the will of a decedent who dies on or after August 28, 2025, and to each other written estate planning document signed or remotely witnessed on or after August 28, 2025.
The bill also specifies that certain estate planning documents that were executed during the period between April 6, 2020, and December 31, 2021, during which a state of emergency existed due to COVID-19 and there was a temporary suspension of physical appearance requirements, will be deemed to have satisfied the physical presence requirements if certain requirements, specified in the bill, were met.
CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN CASES IN COURT CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (Section 476.1025)
This bill provides that a parent, spouse, child, or personal representative of a person who was convicted of a misdemeanor offense may file a motion with a copy of the death certificate in the court of conviction to have the record made confidential on any automated case management system if the person has been deceased for six months or more. Prior to making the conviction confidential, the court must determine whether any person would be unfairly prejudiced by the confidentiality of the conviction.
FUNDING OF BASIC CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FOR CERTAIN PERSONS (Section 477.650)
Currently, the provision of law establishing the Basic Civil Legal Services Fund, which provides funding to legal services organizations in this state to provide civil legal services and representation to eligible low-income persons, is set to expire on December 31, 2025. This bill repeals the expiration date.
MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT COURTS (Section 478.001)
The bill adds mental health courts to the list of treatment court divisions, defined as a court focused on addressing the mental health disorder or co-occurring disorder of defendants charged with a criminal offense. This bill specifies that a mental health treatment court may be established by any circuit court to provide an alternative for the judicial system to dispose of cases that stem from a mental health disorder or co-occurring disorder.
REFERENCES TO THE CHILD CUSTODY JURISDICTION AND ENFORCEMENT ACT (Section 487.110)
The bill modifies references to the title and sections of law of Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act, which was repealed in 2009, to the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act for the provision relating to child custody proceedings in family courts.
COMPENSATION OF JURORS (Sections 488.040 and 494.455)
This bill specifies that each grand and petit juror will receive at least $6 per day for every day the juror actually serves and a mileage reimbursement rate as provided by law for State employees. Each county and the City of St. Louis may authorize additional compensation for its jurors. Alternatively, the court of a judicial circuit may, by a majority vote, vote to restructure juror compensation so that grand and petit jurors do not get paid for the first two days of service but thereafter will receive $50 per day, as well as mileage reimbursement at the rate provided by law for State employees for necessary travel from the juror's residence to the courthouse and back, to be paid by the county.
CIVIL CASE FILING SURCHARGE (Section 488.426)
Currently, any circuit court may collect a civil case filing surcharge of an amount not to exceed $15 for the maintenance of a law library, the county's or circuit's family services and justice fund, or courtroom renovation and technology enhancement. If the circuit court reimburses the state for salaries of family court commissioners or is the circuit court in Jackson County, the surcharge may be up to $20. The bill provides that the circuit court in the City of St. Louis may charge a filing surcharge up to $20.
EXCLUSION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION IN COURT DOCUMENTS (Section 509.520)
Currently, certain information must be excluded from pleadings, attachments, exhibits, judgments, orders, or other records of the court but must be included in a confidential information sheet filed with the court, which will not be subject to public inspection or availability. This bill modifies the provision to include information concerning a witness in a criminal case that is confidential as otherwise provided by law or rule and any other information redacted for good cause by order of the court.
UNIFORM INTERSTATE DEPOSITION AND DISCOVERY ACT (Sections 510.500 to 510.521)
The bill establishes the "Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act". This bill provides procedures and processes for when a subpoena for discovery or a deposition is submitted in Missouri by a party in a foreign jurisdiction. UNIFORM PUBLIC EXPRESSION PROTECTION ACT (Section 537.529)
The bill establishes the "Uniform Public Expression Protection Act".
This bill relates to causes of action filed against individuals who exercise certain Constitutional rights. The bill specifies that, when a person, defined in the bill as "an individual, estate, trust, partnership, business or nonprofit entity, governmental unit, or other legal entity", has a cause of action filed against them based upon their communication in a governmental proceeding or on an issue under consideration in a governmental proceeding, or when they exercise their right of freedom of speech or of the press, the right to assemble, or the right of association, that person may file a special motion to dismiss the cause of action.
This bill establishes procedures for such special motions to dismiss. The bill specifies under which circumstances a court may award costs, reasonable attorneys' fees, and reasonable litigation expenses. The provisions of the bill apply to civil actions filed on or after August 28, 2025.
INFORMATION RECEIVED BY PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICERS (Section 559.125)
This bill modifies provisions relating to privileged information received by probation or parole officers which must not be receivable in any court except for criminal proceedings.
CRIME VICTIMS' COMPENSATION FUND (Section 595.045)
This bill adds that a person who pleads guilty to a class E felony must pay a fee of $46 payable to the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund.
The following is a summary of the public testimony from the committee hearing. The testimony was based on the introduced version of the bill.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that all the language in this bill passed out of committee last year but died late in the session. The sponsor explained the various provisions in the bill. This bill has taken many forms over the years related to administrative law judges, but the ultimate goal is to ensure citizen service and to ensure due process provided in law, but the status quo is outdated. The removal process with no confidence votes takes too long so it makes it challenging to remove judges who are not doing their jobs, and it makes it more difficult for Department of Labor cases to be handled efficiently. The juror pay alternative structure has been used successfully in Greene County for the better part of 10 years. It is optional and it is up to the governing body of a county to choose whether to implement the alternative pay structure. Because Legal Aid has been working, the sunset clause for that section should be repealed to ensure a continued funding mechanism. Multiple witnesses were particularly supportive of the anti-SLAPP language because of the need to ensure citizens? right to free speech is preserved. There are 31 states that currently have something similar on the books. Current statute does not provide how a court is meant to decide a SLAPP case. The fix for the crime victims? compensation fund to include E felonies is necessary because it was inadvertently left out of the section during the criminal code revision. It was accidentally forgotten in the criminal code revision in 2017. The language allowing for video testimony for minor victims and witnesses is also crucial to preserve the safety of children and to protect them from re-traumatization. Right now it includes minors under 14, but it should include minors up to 18, since they are considered minors in the State.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Veit; Missouri Bankers Association; Eric Jennings, Judicial Conference of Missouri; Parke Stevens; Missouri Network of Child Advocacy Centers Inc.; Associated Industries of Missouri; The Missouri Bar; Institute for Free Speech; Legal Services of Eastern and Southern Missouri; Missouri Press Association; Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Locke Thompson, Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys; Missouri Retailers Association.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website. |
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HB124 - Rep. Rudy Veit (R) - Repeals the expiration date of funding of basic civil legal services for certain persons
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Currently, the "Basic Civil Legal Services Fund" is set to expire on December 31, 2025. The money in the Fund is used to provide legal representation to eligible low-income persons in civil matters. This bill repeals that expiration date. The bill also corrects an incorrect reference to a provision in the Missouri Constitution.
This bill is the same as HB 1838 (2024). |
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HB182 - Rep. Cameron Parker (R) - Modifies provisions relating to fees and expenses for an interpreter or translator in certain proceedings
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COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Judiciary by a vote of 9 to 0.
Currently, an interpreter's or translator's fees and expenses in a criminal proceeding are payable by the State from funds appropriated for that purpose. This bill allows such fees and expenses in any civil, juvenile, or criminal proceeding to be paid by the State from the appropriated funds.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this revises the section related to interpreters and translators. Translators are allowed in all cases but they are paid for in criminal cases, so this would allow them to get paid in all cases. They want people who have limited English skills to have the same rights afforded to them and to have the same fair trials. This is especially important for juveniles who are standing trial. This is meant to start a conversation to figure out how much the interpreters should be paid.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Parker; Missouri Catholic Conference; Eric Jennings, Judicial Conference of Missouri; and Arnie C. Dienoff.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website. |
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HB650 - Rep. Mark Sharp (D) - Designates February twentieth each year as "John Donaldson Day" in Missouri
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This bill designates February 20th of each year as "John Donaldson Day".
This bill is the same as HB 2684 (2024). |
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SB110 - Sen. Karla May (D) - Designates January 5 of each year as "Kappa Alpha Psi Week" in Missouri
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SCS/SB 110 - This act designates January 5 of each year as "Kappa Alpha Psi Day" in Missouri. This act is similar to provisions in HCS#2/SS#2/SB 964 (2024), and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024). ERIC VANDER WEERD
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SB173 - Sen. Stephen Webber (D) - Creates provisions relating to grants for nonprofit organizations at risk for terrorist attacks
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SB 173 - This act establishes the "Missouri Task Force on Safety and Security for Nonprofit Organizations" within the Department of Public Safety. The Task Force shall study and make recommendations regarding security needs of nonprofit organizations at risk of terrorist attacks in Missouri. The Task Force shall issue a report to the Department of Public Safety of its recommendations, including standards for determining security grant recipients. Such report shall be issued annually and shall also be provided to the Senate Committee on Appropriations and the House Budget Committee. The Department of Public Safety shall develop a grant program and administer funds to eligible nonprofit organizations. This act also establishes the "Supplemental Nonprofit Safety and Security Grant Program Fund" which shall consist of moneys appropriated for eligible nonprofit organizations for security measures as provided in the act. This act is identical to SB 1192 (2024) and SB 690 (2023). KATIE O'BRIEN
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SB348 - Sen. Travis Fitzwater (R) - Enacts provisions relating to state designations
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SCS/SB 348 - This act enacts provisions relating to state designations. JOHN DONALDSON DAY (Section 9.005) This act designates every February 20th as John Donaldson Day in Missouri. This provision is identical to SB 303 (2025) and SB 1417 (2024). LINKS, INCORPORATED DAY (Section 9.171) This act designates every November 9th as "Links, Incorporated Day" in Missouri. This provision is identical to SB 433 (2025). OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH (Section 9.234) This act designates September every year as "Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month" in Missouri. This provision is identical to SB 111 (2025). EDDIE GAEDEL DAY (Section 9.292) This act designates every August 19th as "Eddie Gaedel Day" in Missouri. This provision is identical to SB 799 (2025) and SB 1465 (2024). CHRIS SIFFORD DAY (Section 9.367) This act designates August 6 each year as "Chris Sifford Day" in Missouri. This provision is identical to SB 156 (2025), provisions in HCS#2/SS#2/SB 964 (2024), HB 1924 (2024), provisions in HCS/HB 1619 (2024), and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024), and substantially similar to SB 584 (2023). MICHAEL COLLINS DAY (Section 9.385) This act designates every October 16th as "Michael Collins Day" in Missouri in honor of Michael Collins, an Irish revolutionary, soldier, and politician. This provision is identical to SB 798 (2025). EMMETT KELLY DAY (Section 9.386) This act designates the last Saturday of April of each year as "Emmett Kelly Day" in Missouri. This provision is identical to SB 580 (2025), HB 310 (2025) and SB 1144 (2024). CELIA DAY (Section 9.388) This act designates the second Tuesday of April of each year as "Celia Day" in Missouri. The teachers and students of the schools of this state are encouraged to observe the day with age-appropriate instruction regarding Celia and her story. These provisions are identical to provisions in SB 1512 (2024), provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024), and provisions in HCS#2/SS#2/SB 964 (2024). HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS WEEK (Section 9.389) This act designates the week in which the second Tuesday of April falls each year as "Human Trafficking Awareness Week". Citizens of this state are encouraged to participate in appropriate events and activities to promote awareness of human trafficking, victim remedies and services, trafficking prevention, and the history of slavery in our state. AMYLOIDOSIS AWARENESS DAY (Section 9.402) This act establishes May 8 each year as "Amyloidosis Awareness Day" in Missouri. This provision is identical to SB 304 (2025), SB 1490 (2024) and HB 2591 (2024). KAPPA ALPHA PSI DAY (Section 9.409) This act designates January 5 of each year as "Kappa Alpha Psi Day" in Missouri. This provision is identical to SCS/SB 110 (2025) and similar to provisions in HCS#2/SS#2/SB 964 (2024), and provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024). END NEIGHBORHOOD GUN VIOLENCE DAY (Section 9.416) This act designates June 17th of each year as "Neighborhood Gun Violence Prevention Day" in honor of Preston Ja'mon "Tink" Jones, Sr. This provision is identical to SB 777 (2025) and HB 1403 (2025). CELIA MEMORIAL HIGHWAY (Section 227.840) This act designates "Celia Memorial Highway" in Callaway County. Costs for the designation shall be paid by private donations. This provision is identical to provisions in SB 1512 (2024), and substantially similar to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2797 (2024) and provisions in HCS#2/SS#2/SB 964 (2024). ERIC VANDER WEERD
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SB355 - Sen. Rusty Black (R) - Repeals the expiration date for the Basic Civil Legal Services Fund
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SB 355 - Currently, the provision of law establishing the Basic Civil Legal Services Fund, which provides funding to legal services organizations in this state to provide civil legal services and representation to eligible low-income persons, is set to expire on December 31, 2025. This act repeals the expiration date. This provision is identical to HB 1838 (2024) and a provision in SCS/HCS/HB 2064 AND HCS#2/HB 1886 (2024) and is substantially similar to SB 946 (2024) and a provision in SCS/HB 2719 (2024). KATIE O'BRIEN
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SB391 - Sen. Nick Schroer (R) - Repeals the expiration date for the Basic Civil Legal Services Fund
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SB 391 - Currently, the provision of law establishing the Basic Civil Legal Services Fund, which provides funding to legal services organizations in this state to provide civil legal services and representation to eligible low-income persons, is set to expire on December 31, 2025. This act repeals the expiration date. This provision is identical to HB 1838 (2024) and a provision in SCS/HCS/HB 2064 AND HCS#2/HB 1886 (2024) and is substantially similar to SB 946 (2024) and a provision in SCS/HB 2719 (2024). KATIE O'BRIEN
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