Bill > HB3046

This bill establishes new provisions for the offense of failing to supervise a child, specifically targeting parents, lawful guardians, or anyone else responsible for a child under fifteen years of age. The bill defines this offense as occurring when such a child commits an act that would bring them under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court (meaning they've done something that could be considered delinquent or in need of supervision), violates a local curfew, or fails to attend school as legally required. Importantly, the bill exempts child-placing agencies and foster parents from these provisions. It also outlines affirmative defenses for those accused of failing to supervise, including being a victim of the child's act, reporting the act to authorities, or having taken reasonable steps to control the child's conduct. For cases where a child's actions bring them under juvenile court jurisdiction, the court is mandated to order community service, not exceeding two hundred fifty hours, for the supervising adult. The juvenile court will handle first offenses of this nature, and violations are classified as infractions, which are minor offenses typically punishable by fines or other non-criminal penalties.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB3046&year=2026&code=R