Missouri Senate Bills

SS/SCS/SB 1383 - This act ends the current pilot program for agricultural education in elementary schools and authorizes the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to establish an ongoing agricultural education program beginning in the 2027-28 school year. DESE shall develop a process for public elementary schools to participate in such program, and the local school board for each participating school shall fully fund the program and may employ an agricultural education teacher. DESE shall collaborate with Missouri agricultural commodity groups to establish instructional models for the program, as provided in the act. DESE shall evaluate the success and impact of the agricultural education program and report the results of such evaluation on the DESE website. Provisions of state law requiring the State Board of Education to form a work group to develop academic performance standards shall not apply to the provisions of this act. This act is substantially similar to HCS/HBs 2097 & 1905 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

SB 918 - This act makes changes to the provision regarding admissibility of expert testimony to mirror the Federal Rules of Evidence. Specifically, expert testimony may not be admitted unless the proponent demonstrates to the court that it is more likely than not that the proffered testimony meets the knowledge, testimony, and reliability requirements. Furthermore, this act modifies the reliability requirement by providing that the expert's opinion reflects a reliable application of, rather than the expert has reliably applied, the principles and methods to the facts of the case. This act is identical to SB 238 (2025), HB 263 (2025), and a provision in SB 313 (2025). KATIE O'BRIEN

SB 931 - Current law requires a notice of tax deficiency to a taxpayer by certified or registered mail. This act instead requires such notice to be mailed by regular first class mail, or electronically at the taxpayer's request. This act is substantially similar to a provision in SB 666 (2025). JOSH NORBERG

SS/SCS/SB 1534 - This act modifies provisions relating to the exclusion of certain transactions from sales tax. CREDIT CARD PROCESSING FEES This act excludes credit card and debit card processing fees from the definition of "gross receipts" for the purpose of imposing sales taxes. Such processing fees shall not exceed three percent of the purchase price or the merchant discount fee, whichever is less. Any business that charges a processing fee that is excluded from gross receipts shall provide notice to a purchaser of such charges, as described in the act. (Section 144.010) This provision is substantially similar to HB 1707 (2026). FOOD SALES TAX EXEMPTION Current law taxes retail sales of food, as defined in current law, at a rate of one percent. This act provides that retail sales of food shall be exempt from state sales taxes. (Section 144.014) This provision is identical to SB 688 (2025), SB 734 (2025), and SCS/SB 161 (2023), and to a provision in SB 57 (2025) and SCS/HCS/HB 154 (2023), and is substantially similar to SB 659 (2025), HB 345 (2025), HB 432 (2025), HB 872 (2025), HB 1587 (2025), HB 1418 (2024), HB 1464 (2024), HB 2174 (2024), HB 260 (2023), HB 452 (2023), HB 591 (2023), HB 896 (2023), HCS#2/HB 1992 (2022), HB 1817 (2022), and HB 2530 (2022), and to a provision in HB 1029 (2025), HB 2815 (2024), HB 2887 (2024), HB 377 (2023), HCS/HBs 876, 771, 676 & 551 (2023), HB 1136 (2023), HB 1779 (2022), and HB 2249 (2022). The act also provides that, of the 4% state sales tax rate, the revenue derived from a rate of 0.2% shall be deposited in the School District Trust Fund. (Section 144.020) These provisions are identical to SCS/SB 1017 (2026). JOSH NORBERG

No summary available

SB 1613 - This act designates November 24th of each year as "Frankie Muse Freeman Day" in Missouri. This act is identical to HB 2796 (2026). JIM ERTLE

HCS/SB 1351 - This act creates and modifies provisions relating to elementary and secondary education. INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY (Sections 160.068, 186.085, and 186.095) This act establishes the "Student Screen-Time Standards Act" and creates provisions relating to the use of instructional technology in school districts and charter schools serving students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The act defines "instructional technology" as including learning devices and platforms such as computers, tablets, Chromebooks, smart devices, and software platforms. The act distinguishes instructional technology from "traditional materials", such as printed books and paper-based educational resources, and from "manipulatives", defined as hands-on physical learning tools. Before the end of the 2027-28 school year and in all subsequent school years, each school district and charter school shall adopt a written screen time and instructional technology policy for students in kindergarten through grade five. The policy shall establish limits on student screen time and use of instructional technology during the school day; establish limits on the use of school-issued devices outside the school day; establish limits on student access to internet-connected instructional technology; identify the digital platforms used; establish standards and requirements for student use of manipulatives and traditional materials; provide a process for parents to obtain information regarding their child's screen time and instructional technology use, as well as a process for parents to limit or eliminate such use; and provide the research, evidence, and information upon which the policy is based. In creating the policy, the district or charter school shall consider research on best practices in literacy instruction, instructional technology, assessment, and the optimal role for the use of handwriting and cursive writing in promoting literacy for all students. Each elementary school shall notify parents and guardians annually of the policy adopted and publish the policy on the school's website. Parents of students in kindergarten through grade five may, upon request, receive information about their child's login time and use of district-provided instructional technology and online learning platforms. Such information shall be made available within a reasonable time and at no cost. The policy shall be periodically updated to incorporate best practices recommendations from the recommended model school board policy provided by the newly created "Framework on Classroom Use of Screens Council" or "FOCUS Council", which is established in the act. These requirements shall not apply to virtual instruction programs. (Section 160.068) The literacy advisory council established under current law shall provide advice on the inclusion of instruction and assessment of cursive writing and reading, including the optimal role for the use of cursive writing and reading in promoting student literacy. Such advice shall include recommendations for a related model policy on cursive. (Section 186.085) The Commissioner of Education shall establish a "Framework on Classroom Use of Screens Council" or "FOCUS Council" consisting of between 12 and 15 members, including representatives from school boards and charter schools and other professionals with experience in education, mental health, and child development, as provided in the act. The FOCUS Council shall conduct a comprehensive survey and analysis of screen time and instructional technology use in public schools and review best practices. The act outlines specific items and information to be included in relation to such best practices, such as impacts on educational outcomes, behavioral and discipline outcomes, special education, early childhood brain development, and other items specified in the act. The FOCUS Council shall hold its initial meeting before December 1, 2026, with at least three additional meetings held before July 1, 2027. On or before July 1, 2027, the FOCUS Council shall submit a report containing its findings and recommendations to the State Board of Education, the Governor, and the Joint Committee on Education. The council's report shall include a model school board policy on screen time and instructional technology that contains recommended best practices on certain topics specified in the act. The council's report shall be presented to the State Board of Education and the Joint Committee on Education in public hearings, and shall be updated at least every two years. (Section 186.095) These provisions are identical to HCS/HBs 2230 & 2978 (2026) and are similar to SB 1703 (2026). SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT CARDS (Section 160.524) This act requires the State Board of Education to develop an annual school accountability report card for each public school, charter school, and school district in the state, designed to inform the public regarding school performance and to satisfy applicable federal reporting requirements concerning students, staff, finances, and related data. Each report card shall be presented in a standardized, clear, and accessible format and include a summary for parents explaining the school's performance level and underlying indicators, identifying strengths and areas for improvement, highlighting year-to-year progress and student academic growth, and describing opportunities for family engagement. The State Board of Education may assign duties specified in the act to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) or contract with a third party under state law. An embargoed version of each report card shall be provided to districts and schools by September 15 annually, subject to an appeals process to be provided by the State Board of Education, and each district and school shall publish its report card on its website by October 31. The State Board of Education shall assign each district and school a letter grade of "A" through "F" based on a 0-100 scale and derived from multiple performance measures, with an "A" reflecting excellent student outcomes benchmarked as the top decile of composite scores of certain specified measures. Assessment participation rates below 95% shall be separately reported but shall not automatically reduce a school's rating. The act establishes the "Show Me Success Program", subject to appropriation, to provide performance-based funding to public schools and charter schools demonstrating strong academic growth, sustained improvement over multiple years, significant improvement among historically underserved student groups, high levels of postsecondary readiness, or improvement in early literacy outcomes, with funds distributed to classroom incidental funds for teacher recruitment and retention. DESE shall develop a criterion-referenced growth measure termed "growth to proficiency", evaluating whether students are on a trajectory to reach or exceed grade level within a specified timeframe, in addition to an existing value-added growth measure. School and district ratings shall be based on specified factors, including student proficiency levels on statewide assessments in English language arts, mathematics, and science; academic growth for all students and the lowest-performing quartile; and, for high schools, the four-year graduation rate and a "Success-Ready Graduate" measure incorporating advanced coursework, industry-recognized credentials, dual enrollment, and degree completion. The act prescribes weighted components for elementary, middle, and high school ratings; mandates annual reporting of post-graduation outcomes for high schools; and requires district-level ratings to be calculated using the same methodology as school-level ratings, as provided in the act. The State Board of Education shall also issue a statewide report card detailing the percentage of students attending schools in each letter-grade category and comparing state assessment performance with results on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, with the objective of alignment in proficiency rates. The annual report card requirements established in the act do not apply to special school districts or state-operated schools serving exclusively students with disabilities. This provision is identical to a provision in SCS/HCS/HB 2710 (2026) and similar to SCS/SBs 1653 & 1194 (2026) and HB 2539 (2026). MEDIA LITERACY AND CRITICAL THINKING (Section 161.355) The act establishes the "Media Literacy and Critical Thinking Act" and the "Media Literacy and Critical Thinking Pilot Program", which shall be implemented during the 2027-28 and 2028-29 school years. The act defines "media literacy" as an individual's ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and participate in various forms of media, including print news and social media content, as well as the ability to recognize bias and stereotypes, apply principles of digital citizenship and internet safety, and engage in the critical analysis of media within classroom instruction. Under the pilot program, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall select five to seven diverse school districts to participate and to provide data regarding program outcomes. Participating pilot program sites shall address all components of media literacy and develop effective instructional strategies integrated into daily classroom curricula across all grades or selected grade levels, as provided in the act. Each site shall identify high-quality resources and demonstrate and report how the site incorporates instruction in news content literacy, visual literacy, digital fluency, and digital literacy, including students' ability to distinguish verified information from opinion or propaganda, interpret and evaluate visual media, understand responsible technology use and media influence, and make informed decisions regarding digital content while effectively communicating through digital tools. Guidelines developed from the pilot program shall include instruction for students on topics such as appropriate social media use, cybersecurity and ethical online behavior, the consequences of irresponsible media use such as cyberbullying, and the ability to engage critically with digital and written communications. Such guidelines shall also address digital ethics, respectful discourse, identification of harmful rhetoric, the role of algorithms, methods for identifying misinformation, and a general understanding of the digital economy, as well as the importance of freedom of speech under the United States Constitution and its application to online interactions in school settings, as provided in the act. In addition, the guidelines shall provide school districts with sample learning activities, resources, and training to promote critical thinking and media evaluation skills. Each participating site shall submit a report to DESE before August 1, 2029, detailing program implementation and findings. DESE shall, before January 1, 2030, compile such reports and submit a summary to the General Assembly that includes qualitative and quantitative insights, a compendium of high-quality strategies and resources, professional development considerations, recommendations for facilities and materials needed for statewide implementation, potential policy and legislative recommendations, and proposed state standards for media literacy and critical thinking for preschool through grade twelve, as provided in the act. Any standards developed shall be considered in the next state standards review following the pilot program's conclusion. The pilot program shall terminate on June 30, 2029. This provision shall expire on December 31, 2029. This provision is identical to HB 1792 (2026). SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CHARTER SCHOOL FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Section 162.192) Under this act, each school district and charter school shall maintain a searchable, publicly accessible database on its website setting forth all financial transactions conducted with school district or charter school funds. The financial ledger shall be available without login credentials, registration, or fees, and shall be downloadable and exportable in formats specified in the act. The financial ledger shall record transactions using codes set forth in the Missouri Financial Accounting Manual published by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), as applicable. Certain data fields shall be included in the financial ledger at minimum, such as transaction date, transaction amount, revenue or expenditure designation, fund code, function code, object code, vendor or payee name, and a description or memo field. The homepage of each public or charter school's website shall include a direct link to the financial ledger of the school district or charter school. The link shall make the financial ledger accessible within one click, and shall be functional and mobile-responsive. DESE may provide standardized language or icons that public and charter schools may use for this purpose. A school district's or charter school's financial ledger shall be updated at least monthly. Details of each calendar month's financial transactions shall be posted no later than 45 days after the close of that calendar month. For record keeping purposes, a school district or charter school shall maintain at least five fiscal years of historical data on its financial ledger. Protected personal information may be redacted only to the extent required by applicable law. Vendor names, amounts, and accounting codes shall not be redacted. Payroll data may be presented in aggregated form where disclosure of individual information is restricted. Debt obligations shall be posted in a separate section of the financial ledger, with disclosure of outstanding debt balances, issuance dates, repayment schedules, annual debt service amounts, and debt service as a percentage of total expenditures. DESE may provide or approve standardized templates or platforms school districts and charter schools may use for their financial ledgers. DESE may additionally provide guidance to assist school districts and charter schools with compliance. DESE shall promulgate rules establishing procedures and timelines for school districts and charter schools to certify compliance annually. A school district or charter school that violates any provision of this act may be subject to the withholding of up to 5% of that school year's state aid entitlement for the school district or charter school. DESE shall establish a process for members of the public to file complaints if they believe a school district or charter school has violated any provision of the act. DESE may also establish a public compliance dashboard on DESE's website to enable members of the public to check whether a particular school district or charter school is certified as in compliance. This provision is identical to a provision in SCS/HCS/HB 2710 (2026) and similar to a provision in SS#2/SCS/SB 1029 (2026). SCHOOL BOARD TERMS IN CERTAIN URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS (Section 162.481) This act changes the term of office for members of the Independence School District school board from six years to three years. (Section 162.481) SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CHARTER SCHOOL LEGAL EXPENSES (Section 162.821) The act requires school districts and charter schools to include the amount expended for legal services in their Annual Secretary of the Board Report. If the report does not include the amount expended for legal services, then the Attorney General may bring a civil action, including an action for injunctive relief, against the school district or charter school. Such action shall be brought in the county where the school district or charter school is located. This provision is identical to a provision in SCS/HCS/HB 2710 (2026) and similar to SB 1353 (2026), SB 793 (2025), and a provision in SS#2/SCS/SB 1029 (2026). STUDENT ATTENDANCE AT SCHEDULED ELECTIONS (Section 167.1001) Additionally, this act provides that a student enrolled in a public school governed by an urban school district shall not be considered absent for the time such student spends attending a scheduled primary, general, or special election with his or her parent, legal guardian, or person standing in loco parentis to the student. A student may received only one excused absence during each scheduled election. Upon his or her return to school, the student shall be encouraged by school officials to demonstrate his or her attendance at the election by wearing an official sticker, badge, or other item indicating that he or she attended the election. (Section 167.1001) This provision is similar to SB 962 (2026) and SB 344 (2025). DRIVER EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS (Section 170.027) This act establishes the "Missouri Integrated Safe Driving Program" to provide standardized driver education instruction for pupils in grades 9-12. The program shall include instruction on the safe operation of motor vehicles, the rules of the road, and applicable motor vehicle laws, including Missouri's driver licensing system. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall receive and review sample instructional lessons from recognized statewide professional organizations and school districts and shall make approved sample lessons available to school districts and charter schools. Beginning with the 2027–28 school year, school districts and charter schools may implement a plan adopting the program and may utilize the sample lessons provided by DESE. The program shall promote knowledge, attitudes, habits, and skills necessary for safe driving; address distracted driving as a significant traffic safety concern; explain law enforcement procedures during traffic stops; provide current data regarding risky driving behaviors; and provide instruction on safety concerns relating to pedestrians, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and other potentially hazardous encounters on the road. Districts may require pupil participation in program-related lessons within existing courses, as provided in the act. The program shall not require pupils to physically operate a motor vehicle; nor shall the program be construed to prohibit school districts or charter schools from offering other elective driver education courses. This provision is identical to HCS/HB 2195 (2026) and to a provision in HS/HCS/HBs 3068 & 3049 (2026), and is similar to SB 1567 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON

HCS/SB 945 - This act modifies provisions relating to court operations. ATTORNEY FOR THE SHERIFF OF THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS (SECTION 57.540) Current law provides that compensation for the attorney for the sheriff of the City of St. Louis shall be not less than $3,000 and not more than $15,000 per year. This act provides that the sheriff shall set the rate of compensation for the attorney, and the attorney shall serve at the pleasure of the sheriff. This provision is identical to the perfected SCS/SB 944 (2026) and a provision in HCS/SB 1067 (2026). STATEWIDE COURT AUTOMATION (SECTIONS 476.055 & 483.005) This act modifies provisions of law related to the Statewide Court Automation Committee ("Committee"). Specifically, this act provides that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri, the Executive Director of the Missouri Office of Prosecution Services, and the Director of the Missouri State Public Defender System shall now serve as ex-officio members. For the House and Senate members on the Committee, one shall be a member of the majority party and one shall be a member of the minority party. Furthermore, the appointed members of the Committee shall serve for terms of two years or until their successors are appointed. Members of the Committee may also be reimbursed from the Statewide Court Automation Fund for actual expenses related to the duties of the Committee. Furthermore, this act provides that the Committee shall maintain, rather than implement, a statewide court automation system. This act also defines "confidential judicial record" for purposes of the offenses related to releasing information from a confidential judicial record as defined by Missouri Supreme Court Rules. Currently, the Committee is required to file a report on the progress of the statewide court automation system with the chairs of certain House and Senate Committees on the February 1st, May 1st, August 1st, and November 1st of each year. Instead, this act provides that the report shall be filed electronically on January 15th of each year. Lastly, this act removes the expiration of the Committee upon completion of its duties. These provisions are identical to a provision contained in the truly agreed to and finally passed CCS/HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 835 & 1111 (2026), a provision in HCS/HB 3289 (2026), and in HCS/SB 1067 (2026). TREATMENT COURTS (SECTION 478.003) This act provides that in each treatment court division without a treatment court administrator or a treatment court commissioner, the court shall employ a treatment court administrator, subject to appropriations or other funds available. If other funds available are used, the source shall reimburse the state for the costs of the salary and benefits of the administrator. This provision is identical to a provision in the truly agreed to and finally passed CCS/HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 835 & 1111 (2026), in HCS/SB 1067 (2026) and in HCS/HB 3289 (2026) and is similar to HB 3468 (2026). 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (CLAY COUNTY) - CIRCUIT JUDGES (SECTION 478.385) Currently, the Seventh Judicial Circuit, located in Clay County, has four circuit judges. This act increase the number of circuit judges to five beginning in fiscal year 2028. This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SB 1067 (2206) and is substantially similar to SB 1702 (2026), a provision in HCS/HBs 2968, 2427 & 3086 (2026), HB 3363 (2026), and HB 3448 (2026). 22ND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (ST. LOUIS CITY) (SECTION 478.387) This act removes the city description for the 22nd judicial circuit, which consists of the City of St. Louis. This provision is identical to provision in HCS/SB 1067 (2206) and in HCS/HBs 2968, 2427 & 3086 (2026). 23RD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (JEFFERSON COUNTY) - ASSOCIATE CIRCUIT JUDGES (SECTION 478.550) Currently, there are six associate circuit judges in the 23rd Judicial District, located in Jefferson County. This act provides for an additional associate circuit judge. The new judge shall be appointed by the Governor until a successor is elected in 2028 with a term beginning January 1, 2029. The new associate circuit judge position shall not be included in the automatic increases in the number of associate judge positions provided by the statutory formula based on population. This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SB 1067 (2026), HB 2752 (2026), in HCS/HBs 2968, 2427 & 3086 (2026), in HCS/SS/SB 221 (2025), and in HCS/HB 93 & 1139 (2025). 11TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (ST. CHARLES COUNTY) - CIRCUIT AND ASSOCIATE CIRCUIT JUDGES (SECTION 478.600) Currently, there are six circuit judges and nine associate circuit judges in the 11th Judicial District, located in St. Charles County. This act provides for an additional circuit judges and an additional two associate circuit judges. The new circuit judge shall be elected in 2028 for a two year term and then for a full six year term in 2030. The associate circuit judge shall be elected in 2028. The new associate circuit judge position shall not be included in the automatic increases in the number of associate judge positions provided by the statutory formula based on population. This act is identical to a provision in HCS/SB 1067 (2026) and in HCS/HBs 2968, 2427 & 3086 (2026) and is similar to a provision in SB 1393 (2026), HB 1890 (2026), HCS/SS/SB 221 (2025), SCS/HCS/HB 1259 (2025), HB 1390 (2025), HB 1426 (2025), HB 370 (2023), and HB 538 (2023). 20TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (FRANKLIN COUNTY) - ASSOCIATE CIRCUIT JUDGES (SECTION 478.630) Currently, Franklin County, located in the 20th Judicial District, has three associate circuit judges per the statutory formula. This act provides for an additional associate circuit judge for Franklin County to be appointed by the Governor until January 1, 2029, and elected thereafter. This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SB 1067 (2026) and in HCS/HBs 2968, 2427 & 3086 (2026), is substantially similar to SB 1587 (2026), and is similar to HB 2386 (2026). 25TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (MARIES, PHELPS, PULASKI & TEXAS) - CIRCUIT JUDGES (SECTION 478.700) This act codifies three circuit judges, including the circuit judge approved in the FY2026 appropriation and appointed by the Governor in 2026, in the 25th Judicial Circuit, consisting of the counties of Maries, Phelps, Pulaski & Texas. The circuit judge appointed in 2026 shall serve until January 1, 2029, and then the position shall be filled by an election of a four year term in 2028 and then a full six year term in 2032 and thereafter. This provision is identical to a provision in the truly agreed to and finally passed CCS/HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 835 & 1111 (2026), in HCS/SB 1067 (2026), in HCS/HBs 2968, 2427 & 3086 (2026), and HB 3229 (2026). 26TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (MILLER COUNTY) - ASSOCIATE CIRCUIT JUDGES (SECTION 478.705) Currently, Miller County, located in the 26th Judicial District, has one associate circuit judges per the statutory formula. This act provides for an additional associate circuit judge for Miller County to be appointed by the Governor until January 1, 2029, and elected thereafter. This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/HBs 2968, 2427 & 3086 (2026). COURT RECORDS (SECTIONS 483.005 & 483.082) This act provides that subject to the Missouri Supreme Court Rules and the supervisory authority of the Supreme Court of Missouri, the confidential information and confidential records in a case record shall be maintained so as to be inaccessible to the general public under Missouri Supreme Court Rules. The terms "case record," "confidential information," and "confidential judicial records" are defined in the act. This provision is identical to provisions in HCS/SV 1067 (2026) and HCS/HB 3289 (2026). 25TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (MARIES, PHELPS, PULASKI & TEXAS) - FAMILY COURT COMMISSIONERS (SECTION 487.020) Currently, the majority of the circuit and associate circuit judges en banc may appoint, in addition to those commissioners serving as commissioners of the juvenile division and the family court, no more than three additional commissioners to hear family court cases. This act provides that the judges of the 25th Judicial District, consisting of the counties of Maries, Phelps, Pulaski & Texas, may appoint no more than four additional commissioners beginning FY2028 (July 1, 2027). This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SB 1067 (2026). 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT (CLAY COUNTY) - FAMILY COURT COMMISSIONERS (SECTION 487.020) Currently, the state is reimbursed for the salaries of family court commissioners appointed after August 28, 1993. There is an exception for the 11th (St. Charles County), 13th (Callaway and Boone Counties), and 31st (Greene County) Judicial Circuits, which allows one family court commissioner to be compensated by the state without requiring reimbursement. This act applies the exception to the 7th Judicial Circuit, consisting of Clay County. This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SB 1067 (2026), SB 1717 (2026), in HCS/HBs 2968, 2427 & 3086 (2026), HB 3387 (2026), and HB 3449 (2026). COURT AUTOMATION COURT FEE (SECTION 488.012 & 488.027) This act increases the fee amount in all circuit civil cases and in all criminal cases for the Statewide Court Automation Fund from $7 to $10. Beginning July 1, 2027, the fee for the Statewide Court Automation Fund shall be adjusted annually based on inflation. These provisions are identical to a provision in HCS/SB 1067 (2026) and HCS/HB 3443 (2026) and is similar to SB 455 (2021), SB 950 (2020), a provision in SCS/HCS/HB 67 (2019), in SCS/SB 270 (2019), and HB 2262 (2018). ST. LOUIS CITY CIVIL CASE FILING FEE (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. This act provides that the circuit court in the City of St. Louis may charge a filing surcharge up to $20. This provision is identical to provision in the truly agreed to and finally passed CCS/HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 835 & 1111 (2026), in the perfected SS#2/SCS/SB 1023 (2026), in HCS/SB 1067 (2026), in SCS/SB 1468 (2026), in SCS/HB 3000 (2026), SB 18 (2025), in HCS/HB 83 (2025), in SCS/HCS/HB 176 (2025), in SB 352 (2025), in SCS/HCS/HB 615 (2025), SB 800 (2025), in HB 1512 (2024), and in SCS/HCS/HB 2064 & HCS#2/HB 1886 (2024), and is substantially similar to a provision in SCS/SB 897 (2024), SB 1023 (2024), CCS/HCS/SS/SCS/SB 72 (2023), SB 252 (2023), HB 787 (2023), in HCS/HB 986 (2023), in the perfected HCS/HBs 994, 52 & 984 (2023), SB 1209 (2022), HB 1963 (2022), HB 143 (2021), HB 1554 (2020), HB 1224 (2019), in the perfected HCS/HB 1083 (2019), HB 1891 (2018), SB 288 (2017), HB 391 (2017), and SB 812 (2016). EXCLUSION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION IN COURT DOCUMENTS (SECTION 509.520) Currently, certain information shall be excluded from pleadings, attachments, exhibits, judgments, orders, or other records of the court, but shall be included in a confidential information sheet filed with the court, which shall not be subject to public inspection or availability. This act reverts to the statutory language prior to the 2023 amendments and provides only the exclusion of Social Security numbers of parties or children subject to an order of custody or support and credit and financial information of any parties from pleadings, attachments, or exhibits filed with the court in any case, as well as judgments issued by the court. This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SB 1068 (2026) and HCS/HB 3289 (2026). MISSOURI EXPUNGEMENT FUND (SECTION 610.144) This act creates the "Missouri Expungement Fund" which shall be expended by the Office of State Courts Administrator (OSCA), the Department of Public Safety, and the Information Technology Services Division of the Office of Administration on the statewide court automation case management system and the Missouri criminal history record information system for purposes detailed in the act related to expungement or the closing of records or the cost of necessary personnel or contractors. This provision is identical to HCS/SB 1067 (2026) and HCS/HB 2967 (2026), is substantially similar to a provision in SCS/SBs 854 & 1494 (2026), in SB 1807 (2026), and in SCS/HCS/HBs 2747 & 2047 (2026), and is similar to a provision in HB 2954 (2026), in SB 19 (2025), in SB 424 (2025), in SB 435 (2025), in SB 763 (2024), in SB 1161 (2024), in SB 1194 (2024), in SB 347 (2023), in HB 352 (2023), in SB 531 (2023), and in HB 1168 (2023). KATIE O'BRIEN

SS#2/SCS/SB 1012 - This act creates new provisions relating to artificial intelligence. AI NON-SENTIENCE AND RESPONSIBILITY ACT (Section 1.2045) The act establishes the "AI Non-Sentience and Responsibility Act". New provisions are created governing: the legal status of AI; the use of AI by owners, operators, licensed professionals, and end users; responsibility for oversight of AI systems and responsibility for harm; mechanisms for enforcement of the restrictions of this act. AI Not a Sentient or Legal Entity (Subsections 3 to 7) The act provides that an artificial intelligence (AI) system shall be declared a non-sentient entity. A government entity shall not grant to an AI system the legal status of a personhood, nor consider an AI system to possess consciousness, self-awareness, or similar traits of living beings. An AI system shall not be recognized as a spouse or domestic partner, or identify itself as male or female. Moreover, an AI system shall not be designated or appointed or serve in any capacity as the chief executive officer, director, owner, or other similar position for which final authority resides for any state department, division, or agency, or any corporation, partnership, or other legal entity. AI systems shall not be recognized as legal entities capable of owning title to property. All assets associated with an AI system shall be attributed to human individuals or organizations responsible for the AI's development, deployment, or operation. Use of AI by Owners, Operators, Licensed Professionals (Subsections 8-9) Any owner or operator that uses an AI system to interact with consumers, clients, and patients shall provide notice to such persons if they are interacting with an AI system. Provisions are included pertaining to licensed professionals who provide a regulated service, as that term is defined in the act. A licensed professional rendering a regulated service shall exercise independent professional judgment, as that term is defined in the act, and retain final authority over any determination, diagnosis, recommendation, or decision within the scope of the licensed professional's practice, including for the purpose of dispensing, prescribing, renewing any prescription of, administering, or otherwise distributing medications or controlled substances, regardless of whether an AI system was used to assist in its preparation. The requirement to exercise independent professional judgment does not prohibit the use of an AI system in the course of performing a regulated service. Failure by a licensed professional to exercise independent professional judgment shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action by the relevant licensing authority in addition to any other remedy available under this act or under applicable law. A licensed professional who uses an AI system in the performance of a regulated service bears the responsibility of any mistakes resulting from the use of the AI system in the rendering of a service in the same manner in which the licensed professional would have been held liable in a scenario in which an AI system was not used or relied upon. Likewise, a licensed professional providing a regulated service who unreasonably relies upon any content produced by an AI system in rendering such a regulated service and such service thereafter causes any harm, whether direct or indirect, to the person for whom the service was rendered, shall also be liable for such harm in the same manner in which the licensed professional would have been held liable in a scenario in which an AI system was not used or relied upon. An AI system shall not be held liable in any respect for any harm caused in such a circumstance. Any attempt to shift fault, in whole or in part, onto the AI system shall be of no effect. A developer, manufacturer, owner, or operator shall not advertise or represent to the public that an AI system is or is capable of acting as a licensed professional or is or is capable of providing any regulated service. Oversight of AI Systems and Responsibility for Harm (Subsections 10-12) Any contractual term purporting to assign responsibility exclusively for any action to an AI system is void as against public policy. An end user of an AI system shall be liable for any harm done in connection with the use of an AI system in the same manner in which the end user would have been held liable in a scenario in which an AI system was not used. An end user is an individual who uses an AI system without creating, controlling, deploying, or exercising authority over the system. The act of labeling an AI system in a way to indicate that it is aligned, ethically trained, or value locked, even if the label does not use one of those terms specifically, shall not excuse or diminish the owner's or developer's liability for harms. Liability protections under corporate law shall not be used to evade responsibility for direct harm caused by AI systems. Enforcement and Remedies for Violation (Subsection 14) Nothing in this section shall be construed to create or expand civil liability as established in any other provision of law or available under common law. Application of Other Legal Principles and Actions to AI Systems (Subsections 15-23) An AI system is considered a product for the purposes of product liability and consumer protection laws in this state, provided that nothing in this subsection shall be construed to create or expand civil liability as established in any other provision of law or available under common law. This act shall not be construed to extend to any AI system, or to the outputs of any AI system, the constitutional rights, privileges, or immunities of any person that designs, develops, manufactures, owns, or operates such system. The classification of an AI system as a non-person under this act does not create any presumption that the outputs of such system constitute the protected speech, expression, or other constitutionally protected activity of any person. This act shall not be construed to alter, diminish, or revoke the legal status of any partnership, association, corporation, body politic, or other legal entity recognized under the laws of this state. To the extent that any provision is inconsistent with federal law, the relevant provisions of federal law will prevail. No settlement agreement, consent decree, or other resolution shall include any non-disclosure term, provided that nothing shall prevent a court from issuing a protective order necessary to safeguard certain personal information. The provisions of the act shall apply to all AI systems developed, owned, deployed, or operated on or after August 28, 2026. The "AI Non-Sentience and Responsibility Act" contains a severability clause. These provisions are similar to HB 1769 (2026), HB 1462 (2025), and SB 859 (2026). AI COMPANION CHATBOTS (Section 1.2058) The act creates new provisions relating to companion chatbots. A companion chatbot is an artificial intelligence system with a natural language interface that provides adaptive, human-like responses to user inputs and is capable of meeting a user's social needs, including by exhibiting anthropomorphic features and being able to sustain a relationship across multiple interactions. An operator of a companion chatbot shall issue a clear and conspicuous notification indicating that the companion chatbot is artificially generated and not human. An operator shall prevent a companion chatbot on its companion chatbot platform from engaging with users unless the operator maintains a protocol for preventing the production of suicidal ideation, suicide, self-harm, or harm to others content to the user, including, but not limited to, by providing a notification to the user that refers the user to crisis service providers, including a suicide hotline or crisis text line, if the user expresses suicidal ideation, suicide, self-harm, or harm to others. The operator shall publish details on the protocol required by this act on the operator's website. Operators of companion chatbots are required to: • Disclose to the user that the user is interacting with artificial intelligence; • Provide by default a clear and conspicuous notification to the user at least every two hours for continuing companion chatbot interactions that reminds the user to take a break and that the companion chatbot is artificially generated and not human; • With respect to a user who is a minor, institute reasonable measures to prevent its companion chatbot from producing visual material of sexually explicit conduct or directly stating that the minor should engage in sexually explicit conduct. An operator shall disclose to a user of its companion chatbot platform, on the application, the browser, or any other format that a user can use to access the companion chatbot platform, that companion chatbots may not be suitable for minors. The act requires operators of companion chatbots to make annual reports to the Department of Mental Health regarding crisis interactions and instances of suicidal ideation by users. The Director of the Department of Mental Health shall prepare an annual report that compiles and analyzes all information reported to the Department pursuant to this subsection. Such report shall be delivered to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate not later than January 31 of the calendar year following the receipt of the data by the Department. A person who suffers injury in fact as a result of a violation of this provision may bring a civil action to recover all of the following relief: • Injunctive relief; • Damages in an amount equal to the greater of actual damages or one thousand dollars per violation; and • Reasonable attorney's fees and costs. ELECTIONS (Section 130.165) This act creates new provisions relating to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in elections. Any political advertisement, electioneering communication, or other miscellaneous advertisement of a political nature that uses AI, in the manner that is described in the act, shall prominently include a disclaimer alerting the viewer that the media was created with the use of AI. The nature of the disclaimer is described in the act. In addition to any civil penalties provided by law, a person identified in a disclaimer required by law as paying for, sponsoring, or approving any media covered by this act that is required to contain the disclaimer prescribed in this act and who fails to include the required disclaimer is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. These provisions are identical to SB 509 (2025). This act contains a severability clause. SCOTT SVAGERA

SCS/SB 944 - Current law provides that compensation for the attorney for the sheriff of the City of St. Louis shall be not less than $3,000 and not more than $15,000 per year. This act provides that the sheriff shall set the rate of compensation for the attorney, and the attorney shall serve at the pleasure of the sheriff. This act is identical to a provision contained in HCS/SB 945 (2026) and HCS/SB 1067 (2026). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

SB 1735 - This act creates the "Lori Zena Baker Act". This act establishes the "Sickle Cell Standing Committee" as a subcomittee of the Missouri Genetic Advisory Committee within the Department of Health and Senior Services, with membership as specified in the act. The Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services shall appoint the committee members. The committee shall assess the impact of sickle cell disease on the state and make recommendations to the General Assembly and Governor regarding services and policies to address the state's needs, as described in the act. This act is substantially similar to HB 1483 (2016). SARAH HASKINS

SB 1803 - This act creates the "True Charity" Act and the "True Charity" program. The act requires the Department of Social Services to coordinate with various state agencies and a partner network to assist participants in achieving personal goals, self-sufficiency, community integration, and a prosperous future. Participation in the True Charity program is limited to legal residents who are 18 years of age or older, except as otherwise provided in the act. State departments and agencies are required to participate in the True Charity program at the direction of the Governor. In order to use government resources more effectively and efficiently, participating state departments and agencies shall use existing resources and personnel, to the extent possible, to operate the True Charity program. This act is substantially similar to SS/SB 1062 (2026). SARAH HASKINS

SB 1761 - Elected Officials, Judiciary, Public Defender & General Assembly . ELECTED OFFICIALS . Governor Senate GR $182,820,228 $155,660,228 FEDERAL 52,290,655 52,290,655 OTHER 106,960,723 106,960,723 . ___________ ___________ TOTAL $342,071,606 $314,911,606 . House Final GR $ FEDERAL OTHER . ___________ ___________ TOTAL $ . JUDICIARY . Governor Senate GR $273,219,271 273,219,271 FEDERAL 16,568,393 16,568,393 OTHER 18,520,466 18,520,466 . ___________ ___________ TOTAL $308,308,130 308,308,130 . House Final GR $ FEDERAL OTHER . ___________ ___________ TOTAL $ . PUBLIC DEFENDER . Governor Senate GR $ 64,715,472 $ 64,715,472 FEDERAL 1,125,245 1,125,245 OTHER 28,017,958 28,017,958 . ___________ ___________ TOTAL $ 93,858,675 $ 93,858,675 . House Final GR FEDERAL OTHER . ___________ ___________ TOTAL . GENERAL ASSEMBLY . Governor Senate GR $ 50,047,403 $ 50,047,403 FEDERAL 0 0 OTHER 395,400 395,400 . ___________ ___________ TOTAL $ 50,442,803 $ 50,442,803 . House Final GR FEDERAL OTHER . ___________ ___________ TOTAL ADAM KOENIGSFELD

SB 1727 - Current law provides that property tax payments made by mail shall be deemed paid as of the postmark date stamped on the envelope, and shall not be subject to penalty if the postmark indicates that the payment was mailed prior to January 1. This act provides that payments shall be deemed timely paid if postmarked no later than January 5. JOSH NORBERG

SB 1774 - This act prohibits a local government from adopting or enforcing any zoning ordinance or land use regulation that 1) bans either modular homes or qualified manufactured homes in residential zones where other single-family housing is permitted, 2) imposes requirements on modular homes or manufactured homes that are more restrictive than those imposed on site-built homes, 3) unreasonably limits the replacement of existing manufactured homes with new ones, 4) requires special permits or variances for modular homes or qualified manufactured homes that are not required for comparable site-built housing, or 5) requires a perimeter foundation system for a modular home or qualified manufactured home that is incompatible with the structural design of the home. This act contains an emergency clause. This act is identical to HB 3230 (2026). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

SB 1710 - Under this act, no public high school shall begin mandated instruction for students earlier than 8:30 a.m. This requirement shall be in effect at all school districts statewide beginning with the earliest of the commencement of the 2027-28 school year or the expiration of the school district's existing collective bargaining agreement establishing school day start times. A school district experiencing significant hardship as a result of this requirement may apply for a waiver from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and DESE shall establish a form that districts may use for this purpose. School districts may coordinate with DESE for assistance with redesigning bus routes or adjusting school schedules to implement the later start time. The act establishes the "Missouri Sleep and Education Advisory Task Force" within DESE. The act lists the members of the task force and describes their manner of appointment by individuals including the Commissioner of Education, the Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services, the Governor, the President Pro Tem of the Senate, the Senate Minority Floor Leader, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the House Minority Floor Leader. Members of the task force shall serve terms of four years and may be reappointed. The task force shall collect feedback from among the task force membership and education stakeholders across the state regarding best practices for school start times, taking into account impacts of a later start time on student health, school operations and finances, and the local community. Additionally, the task force shall collect data from school districts across the state on changes in student attendance, tardiness, grades, and disciplinary outcomes before and after the implementation of provisions of the act requiring high schools to begin mandated instruction no earlier than 8:30 a.m. Based on this data, the task force may recommend changes to state law and regulations as needed. On or before December thirty-first of each year, the task force shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the Governor, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Joint Committee on Education, the State Board of Education, and the State Board of Health and Senior Services. OLIVIA SHANNON

SS/SB 914 - This act modifies provisions relating to sewage regulation. The act repeals a provision stating that a state standard for the location, size of sewage tanks and length of lateral lines is based on the percolation or permeability rate of the soil. Under the act, the state standard is based on soil properties. The act repeals a provision stating that soil tests are to be performed by persons who are qualified to perform the percolation tests and creates a new provision authorizing on-site soil evaluators registered by the Department of Health and Senior Services to conduct soils morphology evaluations. This act repeals a provision stating that contractors may be taught and allowed to perform percolation tests. The act repeals a provision relating to the Department of Health and Senior Services periodically reviewing any county and city regulation and enforcement record to ensure that the state standard for sewage regulation is being enforced. The act creates a mandatory registration program requiring continuing education before January 1, 2027, for on-site wastewater treatment system professionals qualified to perform percolation tests in accordance with the state standard as described in the act. Before January 1, 2027, the administrative authority may accept a percolation test at its own discretion if a soil morphology evaluation cannot be reasonably obtained. This provision shall be void and of no effect after December 31, 2026. Under the act, any person who intends to construct or make major modifications or repairs to an on-site sewage disposal system must submit an application fee and obtain a construction permit. The act repeals certain provisions relating to fees for repair of on-site sewage disposal systems. Under the act, the Department shall promulgate regulations establishing the conditions and requirements for the construction permit application, including the collection of reasonable fees set at a level to produce revenue not exceeding the cost and expense of administering the provisions under the act. The act is substantially similar to SB 601 (2025), a provision in the perfected HB 200 (2025), a provision in HCS/SS/SB 61 (2025), HB 2083 (2024), HB 814 (2023), and substantially similar to SB 1283 (2024), and SB 523 (2023). JULIA SHEVELEVA

SCS/SB 1142 - This act modifies provisions relating to limited liability companies. A new provision is created allowing any person to apply to the Secretary of State (SOS) to furnish a certificate of good standing for a domestic limited liability company, a foreign limited liability company, a domestic limited liability company series, or a foreign limited liability company series. A certificate of good standing issued by the SOS may be relied upon as prima facie evidence that the domestic or foreign limited liability company is in existence or is authorized to transact business in this state. The act provides that, not later than January 31, 2027, each series of a limited liability company shall be individually profiled, maintained, and searchable as a business entity on the business services website of the SOS in the same manner that a non-series entity is profiled, maintained, and searchable. SCOTT SVAGERA

SB 1730 - This act establishes the "Innovation Endowment Fund" in the state treasury, to be used by the Missouri Technology Corporation to carry out its duties. The fund shall consist of appropriations made by the General Assembly, any gifts, bequests, and donations, 0.5% of data storage center project costs, as defined in the act, deposited in equal increments over a period of twenty years, and an amount equal to $100 per megawatt of nameplate capacity for each solar farm, as defined in the act, in this state. For any data storage center that includes at least 10,000 square feet of space dedicated to fostering workforce development or economic development and providing small business incubator and research space, the amount deposited in the fund shall be equal to 0.25% of data storage center project costs, to be deposited in equal increments over a period of twenty years. JOSH NORBERG

SB 1717 - Currently, the state is reimbursed for the salaries of family court commissioners appointed after August 28, 1993. There is an exception for the 11th (St. Charles County), 13th (Callaway and Boone Counties), and 31st (Greene County) Judicial Circuits, which allows one family court commissioner to be compensated by the state without requiring reimbursement. This act applies the exception to the 7th Judicial Circuit, consisting of Clay County. This act is identical to a provision in HCS/SB 945 (2026), HCS/HBs 2968, 2427 & 3086 (2026), HB 3387 (2026), and HB 3449 (2026). KATIE O'BRIEN

HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 907, 1154 & 1272 - This act creates the "Act Against Abusive Website or Web Content Access Litigation". The Attorney General on behalf of a class of residents of this state, the state, or a political subdivision that is subject to litigation that alleges any website or web content access violation, or any resident of this state, the state, or a political subdivision of this state that is subject to litigation that alleges any website or web content access violation, may file a civil action against the party, attorney, or law firm that initiated such litigation for a determination as to whether such litigation alleging a website or web content access violation is abusive litigation. In determining whether a civil action alleging a website or web content access claim is considered abusive, the court shall consider the totality of the circumstances to find whether the primary purpose of the litigation was to obtain payment from a defendant due to the costs of defending the action in court. The act describes the factors to be considered in making this determination. A defendant who receives notice of an alleged website or web content access violation and in good faith takes substantial steps to correct the violation within 90 days shall have a rebuttable presumption that any subsequent claim for a website or web content access violation is abusive. There shall not be a presumption if the alleged violation is not corrected within 90 days after written notice or service of the petition. Additionally, nothing in this act shall prevent a defendant from filing a motion to dismiss or from notifying the plaintiff, prior to the end of the 90-day period, that the alleged access violation has been corrected in good faith. The Attorney General may intervene or bring an action on behalf of Missouri residents that are targets of abusive website or web content access litigation. The Attorney General may also issue guidance as to when litigation practices are deemed abusive, but such guidance shall not preclude legitimate accessibility enforcement actions. The court may award attorney's fees and costs to the party defending against the abusive litigation. The court may also award punitive damages or sanctions not to exceed three times the amount of attorney's fees awarded by the court. If the U.S. Department of Justice issues standards concerning website or web content accessibility under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, the provisions of this act shall expire with respect to any entity that has registered as a corporation with the Secretary of State's office, and the state and any political subdivision thereof. This act shall apply to litigation pending on August 28, 2026, and the 90-day correction period shall apply to any defendant in any pending litigation on August 28, 2026, that has complied with the requirements of this act prior to or within 90 days after such date. This act is similar to SB 1471 (2026), HCS/HBs 1694, 1674, 1780, 2056, 2312 & 1755 (2026), and HCS/HBs 1842 & 2150 (2026). KATIE O'BRIEN

SB 1702 - Currently, the Seventh Judicial Circuit, located in Clay County, has four circuit judges. This act increase the number of circuit judges to five beginning in fiscal year 2028. This act is identical to a provision in HCS/HBs 2968, 2427 & 3086 (2026), HB 3363 (2026), and HB 3448 (2026) and is substantially similar to a provision in HCS/SB 945 (2026). KATIE O'BRIEN

SB 1762 - Statewide Leasing . Governor Senate GR $ 112,241,110 $ 112,241,110 FEDERAL 29,924,453 29,924,453 OTHER 16,749,968 16,749,968 . _____________ _____________ TOTAL $ 158,915,531 $ 158,915,531 . House Final GR FEDERAL OTHER . ______________ _____________ TOTAL ADAM KOENIGSFELD

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.

SB 1673 - This act establishes the Interstate Massage Compact ("Compact"), which allows for the interstate practice of massage therapy. The Compact sets forth the requirements to be met in order for a state to join and maintain membership in the Compact. Additionally, the Compact provides the requirements for a massage therapist to obtain and exercise the ability to practice under a multistate license. The multistate license shall be valid until the expiration or revocation of the home state license. The Compact further provides that a massage therapist with multistate license shall function within the scope of practice of the member state. Massage therapists shall also be subject to that member state's licensing authority, which has the authority to impose adverse action on licenses issued by that state. A member state may also participate with other member states in joint investigations of a licensee. The member states shall report licensure data along with any adverse action and significant investigative information to the data system established in the Compact. Additionally, the Compact creates the Interstate Massage Compact Commission ("Commission"), which is a joint government agency of member states with the power to administer and implement the Compact. Each member state shall be entitled to one delegate, who shall be selected by the state's licensing authority for massage therapists and who shall be the primary administrative officer of the state's licensing authority or their designee. The Commission shall meet at least once a year. Additionally, there shall be an Executive Committee, composed of seven voting members and two ex-officio members, to act on behalf of the Commission, including on day-to-day activities related to the administration of the Compact. The Commission may levy and collect an annual assessment from each member state and impose fees on licensees to whom it grants a mutlistate license to cover the costs of the operations and activities of the Commission and its staff. Members, officers, executive directors, employees, and representatives of the Commission shall be immune from liability, both personally and in their official capacity, for any claim for damages arising out of any acts or omissions that occurred within the scope of the Commission's employment, duties, or responsibilities, except for those damages caused by intentional or willful or wanton misconduct. The procurement of insurance by the Commission shall not limit such immunity. For any actions by or against the Commission, venue is proper in a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of the Commission is located. Furthermore, the Compact shall come into effect on the date in which the seventh state enacts the Compact into law. Any member state may withdraw from the Compact by repealing the Compact, but such withdrawal shall not take effect until 180 days after the enactment of the repeal. If a state defaults in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under the Compact or its rules, the Commission, after notifying state officials and upon a majority vote of the Commission, may terminate membership of the defaulting state. Finally, the Compact shall be binding upon participating states and shall supersede any conflict with state law. However, nothing in the Compact shall prevent or inhibit the enforcement of any other law of a member state that is not inconsistent with the Compact. This act is identical to HB 3262 (2026) and is similar to HB 3458 (2026). KATIE O'BRIEN

SJR 118 - This constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, repeals provisions relating to the right to bear arms and provides that in accordance with the laws of the United States, any county, St. Louis City, or Kansas City, may enact ordinances regulating permits for the possession of a firearm and requiring background checks. Any such ordinance shall exempt any active duty or retired law enforcement officer, any full-time judge, or any person required to be armed as a condition of employment. Any penalty shall not exceed $1,000 or one year imprisonment. This amendment is identical to SJR 36 (2025), HJR 144 (2024), and HJR 140 (2024). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

SS/SCS/SB 991 - This act modifies the registration of interior designers from the Division of Professional Registration with advice and recommendations by the Interior Design Council to the licensing of interior designers from the Missouri Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors, Professional Landscape Architects, and Licensed Interior Designers ("Board"). The Board shall increase from fifteen members to seventeen members with the two new members being licensed interior designers. The Interior Design Council and the Interior Design Council Fund shall be abolished upon the appointment by the Governor and confirmation by the Senate of the licensed interior designer members of the Board. The rules of the Interior Design Council shall be deemed adopted by the Board until revised, amended, or repealed, of which such action shall be taken on or before January 1, 2027. The funds in the Interior Design Council Fund shall be transferred to the State Board of Architects, Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors, Professional Landscape Architects, and Licensed Interior Designers Fund. Additionally, this act defines the practice of licensed interior design and provides that a licensed interior designer shall undertake to perform licensed interior design services only when he or she is qualified by education, training, and experience in the specific technical areas involved. Furthermore, licensed interior designers shall be in responsible charge of interior design technical submissions that can affect the health, safety, and welfare of the public within their scope of practice. Licensed interior designers shall not take responsible charge over interior technical submissions prepared by another person unless the licensed interior designer actually exercises personal supervision and direct control over such interior technical submissions. This act modifies the educational and training requirements for licensed interior designers by repealing the qualification of at least three years of an interior design curriculum from an accredited institution with three years of experience. Additionally, an applicant shall be exempt from providing substantial evidence of certain educational and training qualifications if his or her curriculum or transcript has been approved by the Board. Nothing in this act shall be construed as precluding an architect from performing any of the services within the practice of licensed interior design. Current law provides that a renewal or reinstatement application for registration as an interior designer shall be accompanied by proof of completion of continuing education in the fields of either interior design or architecture. This act repeals such provision and provides that the Board shall establish the continuing education requirements for interior designers which shall be substantially equivalent to the continuing education requirements for architects. Finally, this act includes licensed interior designers in the definition of "design professional" for immunity from civil liability for participation in a peer review process. This act contains a delayed effective date for the repeal of the Interior Design Council and the Interior Design Fund, which shall become effective upon notification to the Revisor of the appointment of the interior designer members of the Board by the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation. This act is identical to provisions in SS/SB 1083 (2026) and in the truly agreed to and finally passed HCS/SS#2/SB 1233 (2026) and is similar to provisions in HCS/SS#2/SB 1233 (2025), HB 2353 (2026), SB 287 (2025), HB 566 (2025), SB 1325 (2024), and HB 2158 (2024). KATIE O'BRIEN

SB 1782 - This act establishes "Justin's Law". The Director of the Department of Public Safety shall establish the Illicit Narcotics Canine Committee (INCC). The primary purpose of the INCC is to review applicants and award funds for illicit narcotics canine programs. This committee shall also create a list of approved kennels that programs can choose from when purchasing a canine. The INCC shall consist of nine members that shall be appointed by the Director. This act authorizes police or county sheriff departments to establish an illicit narcotics canine program within the department. A program established under this provision must use law enforcement dogs that have been trained to detect illicit narcotics. In addition, all law enforcement canine and handler teams must be accredited by certain entities. Further, all canine and handler teams shall train for at least sixteen hours per month with criteria established by the INCC. This act requires that each program submit statistics no less than quarterly into Packtrack or a similar record management software system. This act establishes the Illicit Narcotics Canine Fund which is administered by the Department of Public Safety. Under this act, the General Assembly shall appropriate five hundred thousand dollars to this fund every year. Police or county sheriff departments that establish or operate an illicit narcotics canine program may apply for a grant of no more than thirty five thousand dollars. These grants can be used to cover the cost of certain law enforcement canine-related expenses, except for the purchase of vehicles and salaries. TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

SB 1716 - The act repeals and modifies certain provisions relating to the regulation of public utilities. CONSTRUCTION WORK IN PROGRESS (Section 393.135) The act repeals provisions relating to the construction work in progress of any facility by a public utility. Current law provides that base rate recoveries arising from inclusion of construction work in progress in a public utility's rate base are subject to refund if the construction costs giving rise to the construction work in progress included in the rate base were imprudently incurred or if the project for which construction costs have been included in the rate base is not placed in service within a reasonable amount of time, as determine by the Public Service Commission. The act provides that such base rate recoveries are subject to a refund if the construction costs are otherwise unreasonable. The act further repeals the provisions relating to the expiration date of the provisions relating to the construction work in progress. FUTURE TEST YEAR (393.150) The act repeals provisions relating to a test year being a future test year if a public utility elected to use a future test year, including provisions relating to updating the public utility's base rates, recovery of costs of any plant investments, reconciliation of a public utility's rate base, reconciliation of certain expenses by a public utility, and a provision relating to the Public Service Commission's rulemaking authority. JULIA SHEVELEVA

SB 1703 - This act establishes the "Student Screen-Time Standards Act" and requires each school district and charter school to adopt a written policy governing screen time and the use of instructional technology for students in kindergarten through grade five. The policy shall be designed to promote students' educational interests, prevent harmful effects of excessive screen time on child development, ensure that technology supports rather than supplants foundational learning, and restore evidence-based practices. The act outlines required components of the policy, including limits on student screen time, restrictions on the use of school-issued devices, and limits on student access to internet-connected instructional technology, including laptops, tablets, software platforms, and other similar devices. The policy shall identify approved digital platforms, establish standards for student use of hands-on physical learning tools and traditional materials, outline procedures by which parents may obtain information regarding their child's screen time and technology use and limit such use, and describe the research and evidence upon which the policy is based. In developing the policy, each school district or charter school shall consider and document research on best practices in literacy instruction, instructional technology, assessment, and the role of handwriting and cursive writing in promoting literacy. Each elementary school shall notify parents and guardians annually of the adopted policy, provide parents available information regarding their child's login time and technology use upon request, and publish the policy on the school's website. Each policy shall be periodically updated and shall incorporate recommendations from a model school board policy to be developed by the "Framework on Classroom Use of Screens (FOCUS) Council" established in the act. The policy shall be implemented before the end of the 2027–28 school year and shall apply in all subsequent school years. The Literacy Advisory Council established under current law shall provide advice regarding instruction and assessment of cursive writing and reading, and shall develop recommendations for a related model policy on cursive. The Commissioner of Education shall establish a "Framework on Classroom Use of Screens (FOCUS) Council" composed of the Commissioner as chair, with appointed members representing school boards and charter schools; elementary school principals who have completed state leadership training; teachers with expertise in reading, mathematics, and special education; parental and disability advocacy organizations; faculty from approved teacher preparation programs; a licensed pediatric mental health professional or board-certified behavior analyst; and a medical professional with expertise in child health and development. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall provide staff and resources for the council. The council shall conduct a comprehensive survey and analysis of screen time and instructional technology use in public schools, and shall provide guidance on best practices and policies, as provided in the act. By July 1, 2027, the council shall submit a report containing the council's recommendations and a model school board policy on screen time and instructional technology use to the State Board of Education, the Governor, and the Joint Committee on Education. The report shall be updated at least every two years. This act is identical to HCS/HBs 2230 & 2978 (2026). OLIVIA SHANNON