Bill > HB2315

This bill enacts new provisions related to investigating suspicious deaths where there is a history of domestic violence. The bill establishes new guidelines for coroners and law enforcement agencies when dealing with potential domestic violence-related deaths. Specifically, it requires law enforcement to make determinations about whether a homicide or suicide is related to domestic violence, mandates additional investigative steps when there is an identifiable history of domestic violence, and requires specific reporting to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The bill defines key terms like "domestic violence" and "family or household member" and outlines ten specific conditions that may trigger a more thorough investigation, such as premature death, suspicious death scene circumstances, or a history of coercive control. The legislation also restricts the dissemination of post-mortem photographs and requires law enforcement personnel to be current in domestic violence training. Additionally, the bill provides protections for family members, including access to victim services and the right to request investigation records. The goal is to ensure more comprehensive and sensitive investigations of deaths potentially linked to domestic violence, with an emphasis on understanding the context and history of domestic violence in these cases.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2315&year=2026&code=R