House Committee Passes Measures that Could Impact Prison Population

On Thursday, the House Special Committee on Criminal Justice passed two bills that could impact prison population. By a vote of 8-0, the committee passed HB 113, sponsored by Cody Smith (R-Carthage) that would give judges the discretion to deviate from mandatory minimum sentencing if certain requirements were met. The bill could prevent young offenders from going to prison.

This committee also passed, by a vote of 6-2, HB 352, sponsored by Rep. Tom Hannegan (R-St. Charles). HB 352 would grant a parole hearing to a group of offenders who were previously sentenced to life plus 50 years, as this law is no longer in effect in Missouri. Approximately 80-100 offenders could benefit from this legislation.

The bills now go to the Rules Committee for approval.