Bill > HB3159

This bill, known as the "Children's Due Process Protection Act," establishes provisions for providing legal representation to undocumented minors in immigration matters within the state of Missouri, subject to available funding. The Department of Social Services will be responsible for contracting with qualified nonprofit legal services organizations or the office of the public defender to provide this legal counsel. Eligibility for representation begins when a child under eighteen is identified as unaccompanied by a federal or state agency or an immigration attorney, and continues through state court proceedings, federal immigration proceedings before agencies like the Department of Homeland Security or Department of Justice, and any related appeals. This access to legal counsel will not be provided if the child already has independent legal representation, and children remain eligible even if they turn eighteen during the pendency of their immigration proceedings. An "immigrant child" is defined as an undocumented minor as described in federal law or any person under eighteen with no lawful immigration status who arrived in the U.S. without a parent or legal guardian, or whose parent or legal guardian is unavailable to assist with their immigration case.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB3159&year=2026&code=R