Bill > HB1872

This bill establishes the "Missouri Survivors' Act", which provides legal protections and sentencing considerations for individuals who have been victims of domestic abuse. The act defines domestic abuse as physical harm or imminent threat of harm committed by an intimate partner or family member, and includes provisions for both sentencing and potential resentencing of individuals who have been victims of such abuse. During sentencing hearings, courts must consider domestic abuse as a mitigating factor and can reduce sentences for defendants who can provide documented evidence of abuse, such as court records, hospital records, or expert testimony about posttraumatic stress disorder. For individuals already serving sentences, the act allows those convicted of certain felonies to request resentencing if they can demonstrate that domestic abuse was a significant contributing factor to their criminal behavior. The bill requires detailed documentation and provides a comprehensive process for reviewing such requests, including hearings where both the applicant and prosecuting attorney can present evidence. Sentences can be reduced by one felony class level depending on the original offense, with specific guidelines for each class of felony. The provisions of this act will become effective on November 1, 2026, and apply to offenses committed prior to that date.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1872&year=2026&code=R