SCS/HCS/HB 87 - This act modifies provisions relating to public safety.COLLEGE TUITION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL (Sections 173.2655 and 173.2660)
This act establishes the "Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act" to provide college tuition awards for certain public safety personnel and their legal dependents. The act defines "public safety personnel" as including any police officer, firefighter, paramedic, telecommunicator first responder, emergency medical technician, or advanced emergency medical technician who is trained and authorized by law or rule to render emergency medical assistance or treatment. Subject to appropriation, public safety personnel with at least six years of service shall be entitled to an award worth up to 100% of the resident tuition charges, including fees, of a public institution of higher education located in Missouri if they present to the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (DHEWD) verification of their current, valid license in a profession specified in the act, along with a certificate of verification signed by their employer verifying that they are employed full-time as public safety personnel. Such individuals shall also meet all admission requirements of the public institution of higher education and pursue an associate or baccalaureate degree in an academic subject specified in the act. Individuals who have already earned a baccalaureate degree are ineligible to use the tuition award to earn another degree. Each year an individual applies for and receives a tuition award, he or she shall file with DHEWD documentation showing proof of employment and proof of residence in Missouri. Additionally, an applicant for a tuition award shall first apply for all other forms of federal and state student financial aid, including filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid and, if applicable, applying for financial assistance under the G.I. Bill. (Section 173.2655)
The legal dependent of public safety personnel with at least ten years of service is also eligible for a tuition award if he or she executes an agreement with the public institution of higher education outlining the terms and conditions of the tuition award, including the legal dependent's commitment to reside in Missouri for the next five years, as well as a commitment to provide a copy of his or her state income tax return annually to DHEWD in order to prove residency in Missouri. The agreement shall also include a provision that if the tuition award recipient fails to provide proof of residency in Missouri for the five-year period following the use of the tuition award, the tuition award shall be treated as a loan to such recipient, with the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority as the loan servicer, as provided in the act. Finally, the agreement shall provide that any residency, filing, or payment obligation incurred by the tuition award recipient under the act is canceled in the event of the tuition award recipient's total and permanent disability or death.
The five-year residency requirement for a legal dependent who receives a tuition award begins once the legal dependent applies for and receives the tuition award and continues until the tuition award recipient (a) completes the five-year tuition award eligibility period, (b) completes a baccalaureate degree, (c) completes an associate degree and notifies DHEWD that he or she does not intend to pursue a baccalauareate degree or additional associate degree using tuition awards, or (d) notifies DHEWD that he or she does not plan to use additional tuition awards.
The legal dependent shall satisfy certain other criteria to be eligible for a tuition award. The legal dependent shall not have previously earned a baccalaureate degree, and he or she shall meet all admission requirements of the public institution of higher education he or she wishes to attend. The legal dependent shall also file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid and, if applicable, apply for financial assistance under the G.I. Bill, as well as providing verification of the public safety personnel's eligibility for the tuition award to DHEWD, as provided in the act. (Sections 173.2655 and 173.2660)
Public safety personnel and their legal dependents may receive a tuition award for up to five consecutive years if they otherwise continue to be eligible. The five years of eligibility starts once the individual applies for and receives the tuition award for the first time. DHEWD shall grant an award worth up to 100% of the individual's tuition remaining due after subtracting awarded federal financial aid grants and state scholarships and grants. An application for a tuition award shall include a verification of the public safety personnel's satisfaction of the requirements of the act, including proof of full-time employment and residency status. Public safety personnel shall include such verification when they or their legal dependents are applying to DHEWD for a tuition award.
The death of public safety personnel in the line of duty shall not disqualify an individual's otherwise eligible legal dependent from receiving the tuition award. In such a case, in lieu of submitting verification of the public safety personnel's employment, the legal dependent shall submit a statement attesting that, at the time of death, the public safety personnel satisfied the requirements of the act, and such individual died in the line of duty, as described in the act.
DHEWD shall provide a tuition award to an eligible applicant for the award who applies for an "open seat", defined in the act as a vacant position in a class, course, or program that is available for enrollment. DHEWD shall not provide a tuition award if doing so would require a public institution of higher education to create additional seats exceeding program capacity.
Applications for tuition awards shall be submitted to DHEWD no later than December 15th annually. No later than March 1st annually, DHEWD shall send written notice of the applicant's eligibility or ineligibility for the tuition award and state whether the application has been approved or denied. If the applicant is determined not to be eligible for the tuition award, the notice shall include the reason or reasons for such determination. If the application is denied, the notice shall include the reason or reasons for the denial.
The Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Fund is created for purposes of granting tuition awards as provided in the act. In the event that funds are insufficient to provide tuition awards for all eligible applicants, public safety personnel shall be in the first class of applicants to receive the awards, and dependents shall be in the second class, in a priority order specified in the act.
The tuition awards provided for in this act are subject to appropriation. If there are no moneys in the Fund, no tuition awards shall be granted. (Section 173.2655)
These provisions are identical to the truly agreed to and finally passed HCS/SS/SCS/SB 71 (2025), the truly agreed to and finally passed SS#2/HB 419 (2025), and the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SCs/SB 225 (2025), and similar to HB 496 (2025) and provisions in HCS/HBs 1514, 1525 & 1527 (2025).
LINE OF DUTY COMPENSATION ACT (Section 287.243)
Currently, a claim for compensation for a public safety officer killed in the line of duty is $25,0000. This act changes the amount to $100,000 and provides that beginning in 2025, the amount of compensation shall be adjusted annually by the percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.
This program shall automatically sunset on December 31, 2030.
These provisions are identical to provisions in SB 143 (2025), SS/SCS/HCS/HB 1659 (2024), HB 1732 (2024), and SCS/HCS/HB 2700 (2024) and substantially similar to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed HCS/SS/SCS/SB 71 (2025), the truly agreed to and finally passed CCS/HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 81 & 174 (2025), HB 365 (2025), and HB 1584 (2025), HCS/SS#2/SCS/SB 10 (2025), SB 143 (2025), HCS/SB 189 (2025), SCS/SB 669 (2025), HCS/HB 72 (2025), SS/SCS/HB 225 (2025), HCS/HB 497 (2025), SCS/HCS/HBs 971, 293 & 978 (2025).
IGNITION INTERLOCK REQUIREMENTS FOR INTOXICATION-RELATED TRAFFIC OFFENSES (Sections 302.304, 302.440, 302.525, and 302.574)
Currently, a person who has his or her driver's license suspended or revoked as a result of assessment of points for conviction of an intoxication-related traffic offense and who has a prior alcohol-related enforcement contact, as defined by law, must file proof with the Department of Revenue that any motor vehicle operated by the person has been equipped with a certified ignition interlock device as a condition of driver's license reinstatement. The act makes this requirement applicable only if the person is found to have had a blood alcohol content of .08% but less than .15%, and specifies that an ignition interlock device shall also be required if the person is found to have had a blood alcohol content of at least .15% regardless of whether there is a prior alcohol-related enforcement contact.
The act also requires a certified ignition interlock device with regard to the grant of a limited or restricted driving privilege for persons convicted of an intoxication-related traffic offense in which the person's blood alcohol content was at least .15%.
These provisions are identical to provisions in SCS/HCS#2/HB 495 (2025), provisions in HCS/HB 117 (2025), HB 645 (2025), HB 1476 (2024), substantially similar to provisions in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 56 & 61 (2023) and HB 110 (2023), and similar to HB 1680 (2022).
SURRENDER OF DRIVER'S LICENSES UPON SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION (Sections 302.520 and 302.530)
This act repeals requirements that a person surrender their driver's license prior to being issued a temporary driving permit under the Department of Revenue's administrative driver's license suspension and revocation procedures.
These provisions are identical to provisions in HCS/HB 273 (2025).
DWI CAUSING THE DEATH OF A PARENT (BENTLEY'S LAW) (Section 454.1050)
This act establishes "Bentley's Law". Under this act, if a person is convicted of the offense of driving while intoxicated, such offense caused the death of a parent or guardian, and a surviving parent or guardian files a petition to receive child maintenance from the convicted person, such person shall pay, pursuant to a court order, child maintenance to the child of the deceased parent or guardian in an amount and duration as specified in the act.
If the person ordered to pay child maintenance is unable to make maintenance because such person is imprisoned or otherwise confined, then the person shall have up to one year after release from incarceration to begin payment, including any arrearage.
If the surviving parent or guardian brings a civil action and obtains a judgment against the convicted person prior to any child maintenance order under this section, no maintenance shall be ordered. If the surviving parent or guardian brings a civil action after maintenance is ordered, the maintenance order shall offset the judgement.
These provisions are identical to SB 235 (2025) and HB 1958 (2024), and similar to provisions in SB 143 (2025), SB 1375 (2024), provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 2700 (2024), HCS/SS#2/SB 862 (2024), and HB 1954 (2022).
BASIC CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FUND (Section 477.650)
Currently, the provision of law establishing the Basic Civil Legal Services Fund, which provides funding to legal services organizations in this state to provide civil legal services and representation to eligible low-income persons, is set to expire on December 31, 2025. This act repeals the expiration date.
These provisions are identical to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed HCS/SS/SB 218 (2025), SS#2/SCS/SB 10 (2025), HCS/HB 83 (2025), HB 124 (2025), SCS/HCS/HB 176 (2025), HCS/HB 179 (2025), HB 181 (2025), HCS/SS/SB 221 (2025), SCS/SBs 391 & 355 (2025), SCS/HCS/HB 615 (2025), SCS/HCS/HB 1259 (2025), HB 1838 (2024), and SCS/HCS/HB 2064, and HCS#2/HB 1886 (2024), and substantially similar to SB 946 (2024) and provisions in SCS/HB 2719 (2024).
PRETRIAL WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM (Section 491.641)
Under current law, any law enforcement agency may use funds from the "Pretrial Witness Protection Services Fund" to provide for the security of witnesses and immediate family members during criminal proceedings. This act adds that prosecuting and circuit attorney offices may also use such funds.
This act also repeals certain application requirements for reimbursement of costs for witness protection and provides that law enforcement agencies and prosecuting and circuit attorney offices shall submit an application to the Department of Public Safety.
These provisions are identical to provisions in HCS/SS/SB 66 (2025), HCS/SS/SCS/SB 60 (2025), SB 143 (2025), HCS/HB 224 (2025), SB 284 (2025), SB 755 (2025), SCS/HCS/HBs 971, 293 & 978 (2025), SCS/HCS/HB 1464 (2025), SS/SCS/HCS/HB 1659 (2024), and SCS/HCS/HBs 1706 & 1539 (2024), and substantially similar to SCS/SB 1266 (2024).
DWI DIVERSION PROGRAM (Section 557.520)
This act establishes a DWI diversion program for criminal cases involving intoxication-related traffic offenses. A defendant may request diversion to the program by submitting a request to the prosecutor within 15 days of arrest, and the prosecutor may divert the case into the DWI diversion program if the defendant meets certain criteria specified in the act. Diverted cases may be continued by the prosecutor for up to 24 months. The diversion plan shall be in writing and for a specified period, with requirements to be specified by the prosecutor and the court, except that the plan shall include installation of an ignition interlock device for at least 1 year, and shall require the defendant to participate in a victim impact panel. The Department of Revenue shall continue any proceeding to suspend or revoke the defendant's driver's license, and shall dismiss the proceeding upon successful completion of the diversion program.
Defendants participating in the diversion program shall install a functioning ignition interlock device on each vehicle the defendant operates, with requirements as laid out in the act. The act further outlines how the diversion program conditions may be extended or terminated, and how the underlying charges may be prosecuted or dismissed.
The act further describes treatment of diversion program participants with regard to enhancement of penalties for repeat offenses.
Lastly, the act requires the providers of certified ignition interlock devices to adopt a discounted fee schedule such that offenders with incomes at or below 150% of the federal poverty level will pay only 10% of the cost of the device, with additional costs of complying with the diversion program to be the sole responsibility of the defendant.
These provisions are similar to provisions in SB 143 (2025), HCS/HB 273 (2025), SCS/SBs 353 & 434 (2025), SS/SCS/HCS/HB 1659 (2024), SCS/SB 1200 (2024), and SS/SCS/SB 74 (2023).
OFFENSE OF DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED (Section 577.010)
This act modifies the offense of driving while intoxicated:
• The penalty for driving while intoxicated and acting with criminal negligence to cause physical injury to another person is increased from a class E felony to a class D felony.
• The penalty for driving while intoxicated and acting with criminal negligence to cause serious physical injury to another person is increased from a class D felony to a class C felony.
• The penalty for driving while intoxicated and acting with criminal negligence to cause the death of another person is increased from a class C felony to a class B felony.
• The penalty for driving while intoxicated and acting with criminal negligence to cause the death of two or more persons, or the death of any person while the defendant had a blood alcohol content of at least .15%, rather than at least .18%, is increased from a class B felony to a class A felony.
Lastly, the act provides that a person convicted of driving while intoxicated and acting with criminal negligence to cause the death of another person shall not be eligible for probation or parole until serving at least 5 years' imprisonment; and a person convicted of driving while intoxicated and acting with criminal negligence to cause the death of two or more persons, or the death of any person while the defendant had a blood alcohol content of at least .15%, shall not be eligible for probation or parole until serving at least 10 years' imprisonment.
CRIME VICTIMS' COMPENSATION FUND (Section 595.045)
This act adds that a person who pleads guilty to a class E felony shall pay a fee of $46 payable to the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund.
These provisions are identical to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed HCS/SS/SB 43 (2025), SB 143 (2025), HCS/HB 83 (2025), HCS/HB 615 (2025), HCS/SB 189 (2025), SB 352 (2025), SS/SCS/HCS/HB 1659 (2024), SCS/SB 897 (2024), HCS#2/HB 1886 (2024), HCS/HB 2700 (2024), HCS/SS#3/SB 22 (2023), CCS/HCS/SS/SCS/SB 72 (2023), and HS/HCS/HBs 1108 & 1181 (2023).
CYBER CRIME INVESTIGATION FUND (Section 650.120)
This act extends, from December 31, 2024, to December 31, 2034, the sunset date of the grant program created under the Cyber Crime Investigation Fund.
These provisions are similar to provisions in SCS/HCS/HB 1259 (2025), SCS/HCS/HB 615 (2025), SS/HCS/HB 1464 (2025), HCS/SS/SCS/SB 60 (2025), and HCS#2/SS#2/SCS/SB 10 (2025).
ERIC VANDER WEERD