Criminal justice reform package, including Carter provision, headed to governor

(From Sen. Jill Carter, R-Granby)

The Missouri General Assembly has passed Senate Bill 888, a comprehensive criminal justice reform package that incorporates key provisions from State Sen. Jill Carter, R-Granby’s Senate Bill 894, enhancing protections for victims of violent crime, human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The bill is now awaiting action by the governor.

Senator Carter has long been a leading advocate for measures that defend the most vulnerable. The inclusion of her SB 894 in this wide-ranging criminal justice reform bill underscores her ongoing commitment to keeping Missouri families and communities safe.

“Missouri families have demanded real accountability for violent crime, human trafficking and sexual predation,” said Senator Carter. “Senate Bill 888 answers that call by ensuring dangerous criminals serve the overwhelming majority of their sentences behind bars. This is smart, tough-on-crime policy that protects our communities, supports victims and uses taxpayer dollars more effectively.”

Senate Bill 888 strengthens protections for victims while delivering tougher penalties for violent offenders, sex traffickers and repeat sexual predators, all while promoting smarter use of prison resources. The legislation includes several major provisions designed to enhance public safety. Serious crimes such as abuse through forced labor, trafficking for slavery or involuntary servitude, sexual trafficking through force, abduction or coercion, sexual trafficking of a child, and third-time violations of sex-offender registration are now classified as dangerous felonies, with offenders required to serve 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

The bill also establishes clear minimum prison terms for other felony classes to ensure consistent sentencing. Class A felonies require 70% of the sentence to be served before parole eligibility, Class B felonies require 50%, Class C felonies require 40% and Class D and E felonies require 25%, while dangerous felonies remain at the 85% threshold. Conditional release will be phased out for offenses committed on or after January 1, 2028, ensuring offenders serve the full term imposed by the court.

In addition, SB 888 reforms the parole process to prioritize victims’ rights. The parole board must use validated risk-and-needs assessments, publish performance data publicly and provide victims with enhanced notice and input at hearings, keeping the focus on incarcerating the most serious and violent offenders.

By closing early-release loopholes and expanding the list of offenses requiring lengthy prison terms, SB 888 strengthens public safety across Missouri.

For more information on Sen. Carter’s legislative actions, visit her official Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Carter.