SB 281 - This act provides that the offenses of rape in the first degree and enticement of a child shall not be subject to the general provisions of law relating to minimum prison terms and such offenses shall have their own separate minimum prison terms.

Additionally, this act modifies current minimum prison terms for certain offenses other than dangerous offenses. If an offender has had no previous prison commitments, he or she shall serve 75% of the sentence. If an offender has one previous prison commitment, he or she shall serve 80%, rather than 40%, of the sentence. If an offender has two previous prison commitments, he or she shall serve 80%, rather than 50%, of the sentence. All other offenses committed prior to August 28, 2025 shall no longer be subject to minimum prison terms.

This act also repeals provisions that offenders who have committed a dangerous felony and who have reach 70 years of age and have served 40% of his or her sentence shall be eligible for parole.

Finally, this act modifies the minimum prison terms for the offense of armed criminal action. If an offender commits the offense of armed criminal action or any subsequent offense of armed criminal action, he or she shall be required to serve 100% of his or her sentence, rather than be eligible for parole after a certain amount of years.

This act is identical to HB 2299 (2024).

KATIE O'BRIEN

Statutes affected:
Introduced (0098S.01): 558.019, 566.030, 566.151, 571.015


Senate Committee Minutes:
SENATE COMMITTEE MINUTES Bill No.: SB 281
Sponsor: Carter
Hearing Date: 2/26/2025


COMMITTEE: Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

CHAIRMAN: Schroer

DATE REFERRED: 2/13/2025 DATE HEARING REQUESTED: 2/20/2025



STAFF:
Eric Michael
Katie O'Brien


WITNESSES GIVING INFORMATION:
Trevor Foley - MO Dept of Corrections


WITNESSES FOR:
Jay Schroeder - Missouri FOP
Steve Pelton - Missouri Sheriffs United


WITNESSES AGAINST:
Jeff Stack - Mid-MO Fellowship of Reconciliation
Brian Burnskocher - Self
Felicity Rose - Self
Alex Eaton - Action Now Initiative/FAMM
M L Smith - Missouri Justice Coalition-Advocacy Org
Gwen Smith - Empower Missouri