Bill > SB1379

This bill establishes new provisions for how criminal justice agencies in Missouri can share criminal justice data with bona fide researchers. A bona fide researcher is defined as an individual or organization that agrees to use data only for research purposes, has received institutional review board approval, and has security controls to protect confidential information. The bill requires criminal justice agencies to share various types of criminal justice data, including information about law enforcement stops, arrests, criminal charges, sentencing, and correctional programs. Specifically, agencies must share all data that is already subject to public disclosure and may share additional data upon request. The bill mandates that the attorney general issue guidance to help agencies comply with these requirements by February 28, 2027, and allows agencies to charge reasonable fees for data retrieval. Importantly, sharing data with researchers does not constitute a public release and does not waive the agency's ability to keep certain information confidential in the future. The goal appears to be increasing transparency and facilitating research on criminal justice processes while maintaining protections for sensitive information.

Justice

https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=351