SB 977: Establishes the "No Foreign Laws Act" which prohibits the application and enforceability of foreign law, legal codes, and systems

SS/SCS/SBs 977 & 1011 - This act provides that certain international organizations or bodies, such as the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and the World Economic Forum, shall have no jurisdiction or power within the state of Missouri. No rule, regulation, policy, or mandate of any kind from such organizations shall be enforced or implemented by any state or local public body. However, international organizations or bodies shall not include the Hauge Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) and nothing in this act shall prohibit the Department of Social Services from enforcing or implementing any provision of any convention, protocol, or instrument issued by the HCCH. This act establishes the "No Foreign Laws Act" which prohibits the application and enforceability of any foreign law that denies the parties the fundamental liberties, rights, and privileges guaranteed under the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of Missouri. Additionally, the act provides that no court shall enforce or apply: (1) A judgment, decree, or arbitration decision if it relies on any foreign law that violates the fundamental rights of any party; (2) A contract or contractual provision choosing foreign law which would result in a violation of fundamental rights; or (3) In certain family law matters, foreign law if inconsistent with fundamental rights or public policy. This act shall not be construed to disapprove or abrogate existing precedent of the Supreme Court of Missouri, to limit adjudication of ecclesiastical matters of a religious organization, to apply to those corporations, partnerships, or associations that voluntarily subject themselves to foreign law or foreign courts, and apply where federal law preempts state law. Additionally, this act provides that no state court, arbitration panel, tribunal, or administrative agency shall transfer any civil action if the transfer would result in the application of foreign law prohibited by this act. This act is substantially similar to HB 3338 (2026) and HB 3346 (2026) and is similar to SB 1372 (2026), SB 1456 (2026), HB 2106 (2026), HCS/HBs 2139 & 2175 (2026), HB 2327 (2026), HB 2507 (2016), SCS/SB 619 (2014), the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SB 267 (2013), HB 757 (2013), SB 676 (2012), HB 1512 (2012), SB 308 (2011), and SCS/HB 708 (2011). KATIE O'BRIEN