SB 1421: Modifies provisions relating to public safety

CCS/SS/SB 1421 - This act modifies and creates provisions relating to public safety. INVESTIGATORS APPOINTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (SECTION 27.020) This act authorizes the Attorney General to appoint commissioned and noncommissioned investigators. Commissioned investigators shall take an oath of office, shall comply with all peace officer standards, and shall receive a certificate of appointment, a copy of which shall be filed with the Secretary of State, providing for the same powers of arrest of peace officers in any matter in which the Attorney General is appointed or assigned. Additionally, commissioned investigators may assist law enforcement agencies. This provision is identical to SB 1008 (2026). CRIMINAL RECORDS IN THE CENTRAL REPOSITORY (SECTIONS 43.500 AND 43.530) This act modifies the definition of "administration of justice" to include the discretion of the superintendent of the Highway Patrol to disclose closed mobile video recordings. Currently, the maximum fee paid by an entity requesting records is $15. This act increases the maximum fee to $20. Upon the establishment of a fingerprinting system within the central repository, the superintendent shall collect the current vendor fee for device usage by a requesting entity. The fee may be increased as provided in the act. PROSECUTING ATTORNEY SALARY (SECTION 56.265) This act provides that a full-time prosecuting attorney of a charter, first or second class county, or of a city not within a county, shall receive compensation equal to one hundred percent of the compensation of a circuit judge. A full-time prosecuting attorney in a third or fourth class county shall receive compensation equal to one hundred percent of the compensation of an associate circuit judge or ninety-five percent of the compensation of a circuit judge if such salary is approved by the county commission. Under this act, a part-time prosecuting attorney shall receive between thirty and sixty percent of the compensation of a circuit judge. The county salary commission has the discretion to determine the salary of part-time prosecuting attorney. The act provides that the salary of a prosecuting attorney shall not be lowered during the tenure of such attorney. Any county with a vacancy in the office of the prosecuting attorney for more than sixty days may consolidate with one contiguous county with a sitting prosecuting attorney if the county commission of each county votes unanimously to establish a cooperative regional prosecuting attorney's office. The sitting prosecuting attorney shall then be the prosecuting attorney of the region for the remainder of their term, or until the Governor appoints a prosecuting attorney to fill the vacancy. Regional prosecuting attorneys shall be full-time prosecuting attorneys and shall be compensated the same as a prosecuting attorney in a third or fourth class county. This act establishes the Missouri State Prosecutorial Services Grant Fund. The money in this fund shall be allocated to counties of the third and fourth classification on the basis of need to assist counties to be in compliance with prosecuting attorney compensation provisions. This provision is identical to a provision of CCS/SS/SCS/HCS/HBs 2637 & 3155 (2026). SCHOOL BUS SAFETY (SECTIONS 160.3300, 302.302 AND 304.070) School districts may install and operate school bus safety cameras on school buses to be used for the detection of violations of current law, provided that such use is approved by a vote of the school district board of directors. Any image or video recorded by such cameras that is not used for the purpose of enforcing violations shall be deleted no later than one hundred eighty days from the date of capture. No image or video captured by such camera shall be used by a political subdivision for violation detection or enforcement as part of any automated camera system designed to detect traffic violations and issue citations. Prosecuting attorneys may introduce any image or video captured by a school bus safety camera as evidence in a judicial proceeding. Conviction of failure to stop for a school bus that is receiving or discharging students will result in five points on a driver's license. Any driver who fails to stop for a school bus while it is receiving or discharging children and whose driver has in the manner prescribed by law given the signal to stop, and the failure to stop results in the physical injury of a child shall be guilty of a class E felony. If the failure results in a serious physical injury, the driver shall be guilty of a class D felony. For a first offense, any person found guilty is subject to a fine of at least five hundred dollars but not more than one thousand dollars. For a second offense within a five-year period, any person found guilty is subject to a fine of at least one thousand dollars but not more than two thousand dollars. For a third or subsequent offense within a five-year period, any person found guilty is subject to a fine of at least one thousand five hundred dollars, but not more than three thousand dollars. No court shall suspend any portion of the fines established under this act. Violations under this act shall not be disposed of through the state fine collection center or by payment of a fine without an appearance in open court. The defendant shall appear in person or by attorney for disposition. The driver's license of any person found guilty of a first violation of current law may be suspended by the Director of Revenue, with such suspension a the discretion of the court. For persons found guilty of a second offense within a five-year period, the Director of Revenue shall suspend their driver's license for ninety days. For a third or subsequent offense within a five-year period, the Director shall suspend their driver's license for one hundred eighty days. Such suspensions shall be mandatory and shall be in addition to any other driver's license suspension or revocation required or authorized under current law. These provisions are identical to provisions in HCS/HB 2742 (2026). LIMITS ON SELLING OR PURCHASING CERTAIN DRUGS (SECTION 195.417 & 579.060) Current law prohibits the sale, purchase, or dispensation of ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, or pseudoephedrine to the same individual in a 12-month period in an amount greater than 43.2 grams. This act changes that yearly limit to 61.2 grams. The act requires, beginning on October 1, 2026, any manufacturer of compounds, mixtures, or preparations specified in the act to pay monthly fees to the administrator of the real-time electronic pseudoephedrine tracking system. The fee levels are to be set by the administrator. No manufacturer will be assessed fees based upon transactions attributable to the compounds, mixtures, or preparations of any other manufacturer. This act provides that a manufacturer commits the offense of unlawful sale, distribution, or purchase of over-the-counter methamphetamine precursor drugs if the manufacturer knowingly fails to pay the fees required by this act. These provisions are identical to SCS/SB 1069 (2026). BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR OVERNIGHT AND RESIDENTIAL CAMP STAFF (SECTION 210.1700) This act requires each staff member and volunteer of a overnight or residential camp to receive a qualifying criminal background check. This provision is similar to HCS/HB 3142 (2026). MASON'S LAW (SECTION 301.287) This act establishes "Mason's Law". At the time of motor vehicle registration, a resident of this state with a health condition or disability that limits or impairs the ability to effectively communicate with law enforcement may apply to the Department of Revenue for a designation that shall be associated with the person's motor vehicle license plate number and be available to law enforcement. Upon approval of the application, the Department shall notify the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Highway Patrol shall prepare an entry in the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES). Such entry shall remain active for five years, unless the applicant requests such designation be removed from the system. Upon expiration of the five year period, a renewal form may be filed with the Department to renew the designation. This provision is identical to SB 1658 (2026), HS/HCS/HBs 3068 & 3049 (2026), and HB 3175 (2026). FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY STANDARDS (SECTION 320.405) Under this act, the Missouri Division of Fire Safety shall adopt standards that establish minimum requirements for fire protection, means of egress, fire-resistance, detection and alarm systems, suppression systems, emergency operations, and related safety measures for state-inspected facilities. The Division may incorporate nationally recognized fire and building safety standards, but shall not adopt in whole any model code. The Division shall review the Missouri fire and life safety standards at least every five years and may update such standards. Beginning January 1, 2028, the standards adopted by the Division shall apply to state-inspected facilities under the following conditions: • Initial construction of a state-inspected facility; • Major renovation affecting means of egress, detection, alarm, or suppression systems; • Transfer of ownership, including sale, conveyance, merger, or change in controlling interest; • Construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or installation work where the total cost or scope of work equals or exceeds fifty percent of the facility's preimprovement market value. Any existing state-inspected facility shall be considered lawfully nonconforming and shall not be required to comply with the standards adopted by the Division. This provision is identical to a provision contained in HS/HCS/HB 3068 (2026). PROFESSIONAL SURETY BAIL BOND AGENTS (SECTIONS 324.1100 - 374.051) This act transfers the licensing of professional surety bail bond agents from the Department of Commerce and Insurance to the Board of Private Investigators, Private Fire Investigators, and Professional Surety Bail Bond Agents ("Board"). The Board shall increase from seven members to ten members with three new members being actively engaged in the general bail bond business or surety recovery for the previous five years. The Board of Private Investigator and Private Fire Investigator Examiners shall be abolished upon the appointment by the Governor and confirmation of the Senate of the professional surety bail bond agent members of the Board. The rules of the former Board of Private Investigator and Private Fire Investigator Examiners shall be deemed adopted by the newly created Board until revised, amended, or repealed. Any person licensed under current law as a bail bond agent prior to the appointment and confirmation of the professional surety bail bond agent members of the Board shall be considered licensed by the Board. This act repeals the cap on the cost of the initial training and biennial continuing education for bail bond agents. This act also modifies the remedies available following a finding by the Administrative Hearing Commission resulting from a complaint for causes of a refusal to issue or renew a license or in lieu of filing such a complaint. Specifically, this act repeals the provision allowing for agreements for a monetary penalty or forfeiture payable to the state. Additionally, this act repeals the provision allowing the Director of the Department of Commerce and Insurance ("Director") to issue a cease and desist order or to seek injunctive relief whenever it appears that any person is acting as a bail bond agent or surety recovery agent without a license or otherwise violating the law. Furthermore, this act repeals the provision allowing for the Director to conduct investigations. These provisions are identical to HCS/HB 3111 (2026). BENTLEY AND MASON'S LAW (SECTION 454.1050) This act establishes "Bentley and Mason's Law". Under this act, if a person is convicted of, pled guilty to, or entered a plea of nolo contendere to the offense of driving while intoxicated or driving with excessive blood alcohol content, such offense caused the death of a parent or guardian, and a surviving parent or guardian files a petition to receive child maintenance from the convicted person, such person shall pay, pursuant to a court order, child maintenance to the child of the deceased parent or guardian in an amount and duration as specified in the act. If the person ordered to pay child maintenance is unable to make maintenance because such person is imprisoned or otherwise confined, then the person shall have up to one year after release from incarceration to begin payment, including any arrearage. If the surviving parent or guardian brings a civil action and obtains a judgment against the person prior to any child maintenance order under this section, no maintenance shall be ordered. If the surviving parent or guardian brings a civil action after maintenance is ordered, the maintenance order shall offset the judgement. No funds received from the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund shall result in a reduction of a child maintenance order under this act. This provision is substantially similar to SS/SB 1135 (2026) an to provisions in SB 235 (2025), SCS/HCS/HB 87 (2025), and HB 1958 (2024) and similar to provisions in SB 143 (2025), SB 1375 (2024), a provision in SCS/HCS/HB 2700 (2024), HCS/SS#2/SB 862 (2024), and HB 1954 (2022). OFFENSE OF MASKED INTIMIDATION (SECTIONS 557.035 AND 565.097) A person commits the offense of masked intimidation if the person intentionally harasses, intimidates, or threatens any other person while hiding or concealing their face with a mask, hood, or any other article or device for the purpose of concealing their identity and with the intent to place another person in reasonable fear for their physical safety. The offense is a class E felony unless it is a second or subsequent offense, in which case it is a class D felony. This offense shall also be considered a hate offense punishable as a class E felony when the state believes that the offense was knowingly motivated because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or disability of the victim. This act shall not apply to any person wearing a mask or otherwise covering one's face in certain cases, including for holidays, the occupation of the person, weather, artistic or theatrical production, emergencies, or religious purposes. Additionally, nothing in this act shall be construed to diminish or infringe upon any right protected under the First Amendment. These provisions are identical to SCS/SBs 1150 & 1043 (2026). DAMAGE ON CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES (SECTIONS 569.086, 569.117 AND 569.119) The act modifies and creates new provisions relating to telecommunications infrastructure. The act modifies the definition of "critical infrastructure facility". The act repeals certain provisions relating to committing the offense of trespass on a critical infrastructure facility. This act creates the offense of damage of a critical infrastructure facility. A person commits the offense of damage of a critical infrastructure facility, as defined in the act, if he or she: (1) Purposely damages, destroys, or tampers with equipment in a critical infrastructure facility, or (2) Recklessly damages, destroys or tampers with a critical infrastructure facility, or removes any component of a critical infrastructure facility, excluding equipment. Subject to the exceptions described in the act, the offense of damage of a critical infrastructure facility is subject to certain penalties described in the act. If the damage to a critical infrastructure facility causes interruption, impairment, or degradation of service, the offense shall be a class C felony regardless of value. The value of damages under the act shall be determined pursuant to current law, as described in the act. Any person who violates these provisions shall be required to make restitution and perform community service, as specified in the act. This act creates the offense of unauthorized possession of certain metals used in telecommunications infrastructure. A person commits the offense of unauthorized possession of certain metals used in telecommunications infrastructure if the person: (1) Knowingly possesses copper, brass, aluminum, fiber, or telecommunications material; and (2) Is not a person authorized to possess such material. Certain persons are authorized to possess copper, brass, aluminum, fiber, or telecommunications material, as specified in the act. Such authorization does not apply to a person who knows that such materials were unlawfully obtained. Classifications of the offense are described in the act. If conduct constituting an offense under these provisions also constitutes an offense under any other provision of law, the person may be prosecuted under either or both provisions subject to certain provisions of current law. These provisions are identical to SS/SCS/SB 903 (2026). OFFENSE OF GIFT CARD FRAUD (Sections 570.010 and 570.137) This act creates the offense of gift card fraud. A person commits this offense if he or she alters or tampers with a gift card or its packaging; devises a scheme to obtain a gift card or gift card redemption information from a gift card holder, issuer, or seller by means of deceit; or uses a gift card or gift card redemption information that has been obtained in violation of this provision for the purpose of obtaining money, goods, services, or anything else of value. The offense is a class C felony if the value of the gift card, gift card redemption information, or money, goods, services or other thing of value is $25,000 or more. The offense is a class D felony if the value is at least $750 but less than $25,000. If the value is less than $750, the offense is a class A misdemeanor. These provisions are identical to HCS/HB 1990 (2026) and HS/HCS/HB 3068 & 3049 (2026). OFFENSE OF UNLAWFUL USE OF WEAPONS (SECTION 571.030) This act adds the Attorney General and any assistant attorney general to exemptions from certain violations of the offense of unlawful use of a weapon. This provision is similar to SCS/SB 1078 (2026). UNMANNED AIRCRAFT (SECTION 577.800, 589.900, & 589.902) This act modifies provisions relating to the unlawful use of unmanned aircraft in certain areas. Under current law, it is a criminal offense to operate an unmanned aircraft over an open-air facility. This act modifies this offense by also making it unlawful to operate an unmanned aircraft within the boundary of any critical infrastructure facility, as defined in the act, or within a vertical distance of four hundred feet from the ground and within the boundary of such facility. The definition of "open-air facility", as used in this provision, is modified by decreasing the requisite capacity from 5,000 or more people to 500 or more people. Under current law, any delivery of a gun, knife, weapon, or other article by an unmanned aircraft over an open-air facility shall be punished as a class B felony. This act adds delivery of any explosive device or material, and adds critical infrastructure as a location where such deliveries are prohibited. Law enforcement officers are authorized to take necessary mitigation measures, as described in the act, against an imminent threat posed by an unmanned aircraft system to public safety. This act provides that any unmanned aircraft seized pursuant to this act shall be subject to forfeiture under the criminal activity forfeiture act. This provisions contain an emergency clause. OFFENSES RELATED TO DRUG TRAFFICKING (SECTION 579.022, 579.065, & 579.068) Under current law, one of the elements of the offense of delivery of a controlled substance causing death is knowing that the substance is mixed with another controlled substance. This act repeals that element. Currently, the offense of trafficking drugs in the first degree is a class B felony if the person knowingly distributes, delivers, manufactures, or produces, or attempts to distribute, deliver, manufacture, or produce more than ten milligrams of fentanyl or carfentanil. Under this act, more than three grams of fentanyl or any amount of carfentanil is a class B felony. Under current law, the offense of trafficking drugs in the first degree is a class A felony if the amount of fentanyl or carfentanil is twenty milligrams or more. This act provides that fourteen or more milligrams of fentanyl or more than five hundredths of a milligram of carfentanil is a class A felony. Currently, the offense of trafficking drugs in the second degree is a class C felony if the person knowingly possesses or has under his or her control, purchases or attempts to purchase, or brings into this State more than ten milligrams of fentanyl or carfentanil, and is a class B felony if the amount is twenty milligrams or more. This act provides that more than three milligrams of fentanyl or any amount of carfentanil shall be a class C felony. Fourteen milligrams or more of fentanyl or more than five hundredths of a milligram of carfentanil shall be a B felony. This provision is similar to HB 1625 (2026). MISSOURI RANGERS PROGRAM (SECTION 590.100) This act requires the POST Commission to establish a training program to be known as the "Missouri Rangers", and shall establish minimum standards for training instructors, training centers, and training programs that focus on preventing and responding to emergency or violent crisis situations in school settings. The arrest powers granted to any person who successfully completes the Missouri Rangers training program shall be limited to weapons offenses and any trespass offense involving school property, provided that such provision shall not apply to any person who is an active law enforcement officer. The training program shall be established by the POST Commission. The program shall not be longer than one hundred sixty hours, and shall consist of state and federal constitutional and statutory law; firearms training; close quarter combat; implicit and racial bias; active shooter training; defensive tactics; and any other related training deemed necessary by POST. The POST commission is granted the authority to promulgate rules for continuing education training for the Missouri Rangers. A certificate of Missouri Ranger training program completion and a Ranger badge shall be issued to any person that successfully completes the training program. A copy of such certificate shall be provided to the director of the Department of Public Safety. Under this act, the outermost garment of the Missouri Ranger uniform must display the title "RANGER" in capitalized block letters. This act also requires that each Ranger use a level three retention holster while on duty. Finally, for the purpose of liability, workers' compensation, and any other employment-related matter, each Ranger shall be an employee of the school that hires them, and shall have qualified immunity. This provision is similar to SS/SCS/SB 905 (2026). EXPUNGEMENT (SECTIONS 610.141, 610.143, AND 610.144) This act provides that all eligible offenses, as defined in the act, shall automatically be expunged as a matter of law upon eligibility. These provisions shall apply retroactively to any arrest, charge, trial, or conviction for which there is an electronic record. The result of the expungement shall be a closure of the record and restoration of rights, as described in the act. The central repository shall, at least once a week, automatically screen criminal history records for eligible offenses. All eligible offenses shall be automatically expunged by the central repository, according the process outlined in the act. Any agency releasing investigative reports shall treat such information as a closed record where it related only to an expunged offense under this act. An offender shall be limited to three misdemeanor and two felony expungements under this act and current law provisions for expungement. Beginning January 1, 2028, the Highway Patrol shall submit a report to listed legislative committees with statistical information regarding expungements under this act. This provisions of this act shall be effective when technically feasible for both the Office of State Courts Administrator and the central repository. Records of arrest, indictments pending trial, and convictions of crimes shall no longer be reported if at any time after conviction it is learned that a full pardon or expungement has been granted for that conviction or at any time after arrest or indictment it is learned that a conviction did not result. The Attorney General is granted authority to seek injunctive or other relief if there is a violation of this provision. An employer, volunteer organization, or landlord shall be immune from liability under this provision for any misconduct by an individual whose record was expunged if the misconduct relates to the criminal history record that was expunged. The act creates the "Missouri Expungement Fund". The Office of State Courts Administrator and the Department of Public Safety shall expend money from the fund on the statewide court automation case management system and the Missouri criminal history record information system for purposes outlined in the act. DEPUTY BOILER INSPECTORS (SECTION 650.240) This act repeals the appointment experience requirements for deputy boiler inspectors and requires deputy inspectors to meet the requirements as set forth by the most current Codes/Standards of the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspector for an Inservice Inspector at the time of appointment. This provision is identical to a provision in SCS/HS/HCS/HBs 3068 & 3049 (2026). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.