Bill > HB258

This bill establishes new legal provisions for civil actions against peace officers in Missouri, creating a pathway for individuals to sue law enforcement officers who violate constitutional rights. Specifically, the bill allows individuals to seek legal or equitable relief against a peace officer who, while acting under color of law (official authority), deprives someone of their constitutional rights. The legislation eliminates qualified immunity as a defense and removes statutory limitations on liability, meaning officers can be more easily held accountable for misconduct. The bill mandates that courts award reasonable attorney's fees to prevailing plaintiffs and provides that a peace officer's employer must generally indemnify (pay) any judgment against the officer, with a limited exception: if the employer determines the officer did not act in good faith, the officer will be personally liable for up to 5% of the judgment or $25,000, whichever is less. Additionally, the bill establishes a two-year statute of limitations for bringing such civil actions and specifies that an officer cannot be indemnified if they are criminally convicted for the conduct underlying the civil claim. This legislation represents a significant shift in holding law enforcement accountable for potential constitutional violations.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB258&year=2025&code=R