Recent Legislative Updates

RSS feed - Recent Legislative Updates (opens in new window) View all headlines - Recent Legislative Updates
Earlier news
More recent news
09
February
2024
|
09:10 AM
America/Chicago

State of the Judiciary Address delivered

Legislative update - Feb. 9, 2024

Supreme Court of Missouri Chief Justice Mary R. Russell presented the State of the Judiciary Address to a joint session on Feb. 7. She stressed the importance of the treatment courts, and the juvenile justice system. Watch the full speech here.

On Feb. 6, Maor Elbaz-Starinsky, consul general of Israel, presented an address to the House and Senate. A copy of his address is found beginning on page 448 of the House Journal.

More than 1,357 bills and resolutions have been filed in the Missouri House of Representatives. More than 743 bills and resolutions have been filed in the Missouri Senate.

2024 introduced legislation

To see legislation that has been introduced, organized by subject matter or practice area, visit The Missouri Bar’s Legislative Engagement Center. The bills automatically update with the latest status of the bills listed and provide links to the individual bill webpages. If you have questions or comments about specific legislation, contact The Missouri Bar’s government relations staff at 573-659-2280 or govrel@mobar.org.

Bar-initiated legislative proposals (2024 introduced legislation)

Committee hearings of interest

Senate

The Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee met on Feb. 5 and held public hearings on the following:

SB 1070 (McCreery): Creates a cyber crimes task force

  • Studies to stop cyber stalking
  • In support: Angela Vories; Mark Kurkowski; and Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
  • In opposition: none

SB 1200 (Trent): Creates a DWI diversion program

  • In support: Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Coalition of Ignition and Interlock Manufacturers
  • In opposition: Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • For information: AAA Missouri

SB 1266 (Luetkemeyer): Modifies provisions relating to witness protection programs (consent)

  • Allows prosecuting and circuit attorneys to access pre-trial witness protection services fund
  • In support: Missouri Department of Public Safety and Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys
  • In opposition: none

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

  • SCS SBs 744 and 1026 (Arthur): Modifies provisions relating to child custody arrangements
    • Do Pass by a vote of 7-0
  • SCS SB 767s and 1342 (Thompson Rehder): Modifies provisions relating to the age of marriage
    • Do Pass by a vote of 7-0
  • SB 1098 (Roberts): Creates provisions relating to inmate phone call fees
    • Do pass by a vote of 7-0
  • SCS SB 1115 (Schroer): Modifies provisions relating to criminal laws
    • Do Pass by a vote of 5-2

The Senate Appropriations Committee met on Feb. 7 and heard a presentation on the Office of the State Public Defender’s proposed budget.

The Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee met on Feb. 7 and held public hearings on legislation including the following:

SBs 820 and 901 heard together. SB 820 (McCreery): Creates the offense of aggravated fleeing a stop or detention of a motor vehicle; SB 901 (Schroer): Creates the offense of aggravated fleeing a stop or detention of a motor vehicle

  • In support: St. Louis County Police Association; St. Louis County Police Department; Law Enforcement Legislative Coalition; Missouri Police Chiefs Association; and St. Louis County
  • In opposition: none

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

  • SB 755 (Luetkemeyer): Modifies provisions relating to detention on arrest without a warrant
    • Do Pass by a vote of 4-0

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee met on Feb. 7 and held public hearings on the following:

SB 899 (Black): Modifies provisions relating to child care provider licensing requirements for certain providers

  • Increase before and after school programs; applies only to school age children
  • In support: Eldon R-1 Schools LEAP; Campfire Heartland, North Missouri Center for Youth and Family; Missouri Park and Recreation Association; Missouri Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs; and Missouri State Alliance of YMCAs
  • In opposition: none
  • For information: Missouri After School Network

SB 1111 (Black): Creates a prescribed pediatric extended care facility license issued by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

  • Assist families with Medicaid-eligible children with medical complexities
  • In support: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services; Special Learning Center; and Arnie Dienoff
  • In opposition: none

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

  • SCS SB 779 (Eslinger): Creates a human trafficking task force
    • Do Pass by a vote of 3-1
  • SB 862 (Thompson Rehder): Modifies provisions relating to money held by the Children’s Division of the Missouri Department of Social Services for the benefit of a child
    • Do Pass by a vote of 5-0
  • SB 863 (Thompson Rehder): Modifies provisions relating to medication-assisted treatment and child placement
    • Do Pass by a vote of 5-0

House

The House Committee on Children and Families met on Feb. 6 and held public hearings on the following:

HB 2183 (Hausman): Authorizes a property tax exemption for certain property used for child care, contingent upon passage and approval by the voters of a constitutional amendment permitting a property tax exemption

HB 2596 (Farnan): Modifies provisions relating to child care facilities

Archived video of committee hearing

The House Committee on General Laws met on Feb. 6, 2024, and held public hearings on the following:

HB 1484 (Christ): Modifies provisions relating to tobacco product regulations

  • In support: Missouri Petroleum and Convenience Association; Warrenton Oil Company; and City of Eureka
  • In opposition: Council for Drug Free Youth; Missouri Association of Local Public Health Agencies; Muhammadali Alrubaye;  American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; Missouri State Medical Association; City of Kansas City; Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce; Stan Cowen; American Heart Association; American Lung Association; and Arnie Dienoff
  • For information: Missouri Municipal League
  • Electronic witness forms

HBs 1993, 1426, 1855 and 2157 were heard together. HB 1993 (Gallick): Establishes provisions relating to civil liability for publishing or distributing material harmful to minors on the internet (electronic witness forms); HB 1426 (McGirl): Establishes provisions relating to civil liability for publishing or distributing material harmful to minors on the internet (electronic witness forms); HB 1855 (Banderman): Establishes provisions relating to civil liability for publishing or distributing material harmful to minors on the internet (electronic witness forms); and HB 2157 (Hurlbert): Establishes standards to promote the safety of minors using the internet and social media (electronic witness forms)

  • In support: Vicky Hartzler (HB 1993); NetChoice (HBs 1993, 1426, and 1855); American Principles Project (HB 1993); and Missouri Catholic Conference (HBs 1993, 1426, and 1855)
  • In opposition: NetChoice (HB 2157) and PROMO (HBs 1993, 1426, 1855, and 2157)
  • For information: Arnie Dienoff and Beth Ailen

Archived video of committee hearing

The House Judiciary Committee met on Feb. 7 and held public hearings on the following:

HB 1969 (Riley): Establishes the “Civil Liability for Employers Hiring Ex-Offenders Act,” which provides liability protections for employers hiring those convicted of certain offenses

  • In support: Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Associated Industries of Missouri
  • In opposition: none
  • Electronic witness forms

HB 1617 (Seitz): Modifies provisions relating to civil actions for childhood sexual abuse

  • In support: Elizabeth Phillips; Chris O’Leary; Joe Ellercon; Keith Driver; John Hobbs; John King; City of Branson; Ryan Fraser; Grant Boyd; Missouri KidsFirst; and Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
  • In opposition: Missouri Civil Justice Reform Coalition; Missouri Insurance Coalition; and Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
  • Electronic witness forms

HB 1654 (Roberts): Establishes provisions relating to diversion for criminal cases involving driving under the influence of alcohol

  • In support: Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Coalition of Interlock Manufacturers
  • In opposition: Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Electronic witness forms

HB 1639 (Terry): Establishes the “Motivational Boot Camp Incarceration Program” in the Missouri Department of Corrections and allows certain individuals to be sentenced to the program

HB 2411 (Parker): Adds endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree to the definition of dangerous felony and modifies the offense of endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree

  • In support: Missouri Department of Social Services; Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services; Missouri KidsFirst; Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys; and Office of the Missouri Attorney General
  • In opposition: none
  • For information: Missouri Office of Prosecution Services
  • Electronic witness forms

HB 1942 (Sharpe): Modifies provisions relating to domestic relations

Archived video of committee hearing

The House Emerging Issues Committee met on Feb. 7 and held public hearings on legislation that included the following:

HB 2402 (Aune): Allows the court to enter a judgment of dissolution of marriage or legal separation if a person is pregnant

  • In support: Missouri Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence and Synergy Services
  • In opposition: none
  • Electronic witness forms

Archived video of committee hearing

The House Committee on Crime Prevention and Public Safety met on Feb. 8 and held public hearings on the following:

HB 1481 (Christ): Modifies provisions relating to the operation of certain law enforcement agencies

  • Applies to St. Louis Metro Police Department and puts it under a state appointed board
  • In support: St. Louis Police Officers Association; Ethical Society of Police; and Missouri Fraternal Order of Police
  • In opposition: St. Louis Metro police chief; chief of staff to the St. Louis mayor; and Keith Rose
  • Electronic witness forms

HB 1652 (Roberts): Establishes the offense of organized retail theft

  • In support: Missouri Retailers Association; Missouri Grocers’ Association; Associated Industries of Missouri; Walgreens; Schnucks Markets; and Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
  • In opposition: none
  • For information: Missouri Office of Prosecution Services
  • Electronic witness forms

HB 1692 (Sparks): Establishes the offense of aggravated fleeing a stop or detention of a motor vehicle

  • In support: St. Louis County Police Association and St. Louis County Police Department
  • In opposition: none
  • For information: Missouri Office of Prosecution Services
  • Electronic witness forms

HB 1748 (Haffner): Modifies and creates offenses involving arrests, stops, and detentions

  • In support: Cass County sheriff
  • In opposition: none
  • For information: Missouri Office of Prosecution Services
  • Electronic witness forms

HB 1781 (Perkins): Creates provisions relating to intoxicating cannabinoids

  • In support: The American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp; Trish Herverd; SSM Health; SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital; BJC Healthcare; Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; Dr. Dianna Coates; Midwest Natural Fiber; and MoCannTrade
  • In opposition: Missouri Petroleum and Convenience Association; Plift Company; John Grady; Missouri Smoke Free; CBD Kratom Company; CBD American Shaman; Jade Owens; South Point Hemp; Sacred Leaf; Slap Happy Beverage Company; former Rep. Ron Hicks; Hemp and Beret Company; and Missouri Hemp Trade Association
  • Electronic witness forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

  • HCS HB 1946 (Shields): Modifies provisions governing school safety
    • Do Pass by a vote of 15-3, with three voting present
  • HB 1510 (Murphy): Modifies and establishes offenses involving motor vehicles
    • Do Pass by a vote of 18-4

Archived video of committee hearing