Bills
End qualified immunity in Missouri
Case Studies
Bills and Legislation
HB 30
Introduced in 2020
Failed
This is the first QI bill introduced in Missouri in 2020, but this legislation did not address many of the concerns outlined in our grading system. It was reintroduced in 2021, 2022, and 2024 with significant improvements.
end
(2/4legislation passed)
- ✓
Ends Qualified Immunity for all law enforcement officers
Yes, section 506.450 of the bill states, "(1) A plaintiff who prevails in a lawsuit against a peace officer, as defined under section 590.010, who is charged with violating the plaintiff's constitutional rights shall be entitled to reasonable attorney's fees. 2\. Notwithstanding any provision of law, because a person has a constitutional right under the bill of rights of both the United States and Missouri Constitutions, **qualified immunity shall not be a defense to liability under this section**.”
- ✗
Ends Qualified Immunity for all public employees
No, the bill does not meet the standard.
- ✓
Ends Qualified Immunity for all state constitutional violations
Yes, section 506.450 of the bill states, “(1) A plaintiff who prevails in a lawsuit against a peace officer, as defined under section 590.010, who is charged with violating the **plaintiff's constitutional rights** shall be entitled to reasonable attorney's fees… 2\. Notwithstanding any provision of law,** because a person has a constitutional right under the bill of rights of both the United States and Missouri Constitutions**, qualified immunity shall not be a defense to liability under this section.”
- ✗
Ends monetary caps on all public liability amounts
No, the bill does not meet the standard.
start
(1/5legislation passed)
- ✗
Implements a failure-to-intervene clause
No, the bill does not meet the standard.
- ✗
Guarantees that victims are compensated the full amount awarded
No, the bill does not meet the standard.
- ✓
Starts attorney fees
Yes, section 506.450 of the bill states, "(1) A plaintiff who prevails in a lawsuit against a peace officer, as defined under section 590.010, who is charged with violating the plaintiff's constitutional rights shall be entitled to reasonable attorney's fees..."
- ✗
Starts holding individual employees accountable
No, the bill does not meet the standard.
- ✗
Starts disclosing public records
No, the bill does not meet the standard.
HB 956
Introduced in 2021
Significantly Improved
Failed
The first QI bill introduced in Missouri was HB30 in 2020, but this legislation did not address many of the concerns outlined in our grading system. Reintroduced in 2021 (HB956) with significant improvements (including provisions for indemnification and personal liability of officers), the bill did not gain much traction. It has been reintroduced in 2022 (HB1850) and 2024 (HB1602), but has never made it beyond committee.
end
(3/4legislation passed)
- ✓
Ends Qualified Immunity for all law enforcement officers
Yes, section 506.450 of the bill states, "**A peace officer, as defined under section 590.010, who, under color of law, deprives any individual of his or her constitutional rights shall be liable to such individual for legal or equitable relief or any other appropriate relief.** 2. (1) Statutory immunities and statutory limitations on liability, damages, or attorney fees shall not apply to claims brought under this section. (2) **Qualified immunity shall not be a defense to liability under this section.**
- ✗
Ends Qualified Immunity for all public employees
No, the bill does not meet the standard.
- ✓
Ends Qualified Immunity for all state constitutional violations
Yes, section 506.450 of the bill states, "A peace officer, as defined under section 590.010, who, under color of law, **deprives any individual of his or her constitutional rights shall be liable to such individual for legal or equitable relief or any other appropriate relief**."
- ✓
Ends monetary caps on all public liability amounts
Yes, section 506.450 of the bill states, "Statutory immunities and **statutory limitations on liability, damages, or attorney fees shall not apply to claims brought under this section.**"
start
(3/5legislation passed)
- ✗
Implements a failure-to-intervene clause
No, the bill does not meet the standard.
- ✓
Guarantees that victims are compensated the full amount awarded
Yes, section 506.450 of the bill states, "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a peace officer's employer shall indemnify its peace officers for any liability incurred by the peace officer and for any judgment or settlement entered against the peace officer for claims arising under this section; except that, if the peace officer's employer determines that the officer did not act upon a good faith and reasonable belief that the action was lawful, **the peace officer is personally liable and shall not be indemnified by the peace officer's employer for five percent of the judgment or settlement or twenty-five thousand dollars, whichever is less.** Notwithstanding any provision of this section, if** the peace officer's portion of the judgment is uncollectable from the peace officer, the peace officer's employer or insurance shall satisfy the full amount of the judgment or settlement. A public entity is not required to indemnify a peace officer if the peace officer was convicted of a criminal violation for the conduct from which the claim arises."**
- ✓
Starts attorney fees
Yes, section 506.450 of the bill states, "In any action brought under this section**, a court shall award reasonable attorney fees and costs to a prevailing plaintiff**. In actions for injunctive relief, a court shall deem a plaintiff to have prevailed if the plaintiff's suit was a substantial factor or significant catalyst in obtaining the results sought by the litigation."
- ✓
Starts holding individual employees accountable
Yes, the bill allows the employer to make the employee financially liable, but there are no other material professional consequences. Section 506.450 of the bill states, "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a peace officer's employee shall indemnify its peace officers for any liability incurred by the peace officer and for any judgment or settlement entered against the peace officer for claims arising under this section; except that, if the peace officer's employer determines that the officer** did not act upon a good faith and reasonable belief that the action was lawful, the peace officer is personally liable and shall not be indemnified by the peace officer's employer for five percent of the judgment or settlement or twenty-five thousand dollars, whichever is less. **Notwithstanding any provision of this section, if the peace officer's portion of the judgment is uncollectable from the peace officer, the peace officer's employer or insurance shall satisfy the full amount of the judgment or settlement. **A public entity is not required to indemnify a peace officer if the peace officer was convicted of a criminal violation for the conduct from which the claim arises.**"
- ✗
Starts disclosing public records
No, the bill does not meet the standard.
HB 1850
Introduced in 2022
Significantly Improved
Failed
The first QI bill introduced in Missouri was HB30 in 2020, but this legislation did not address many of the concerns outlined in our grading system. Reintroduced in 2021 (HB956) with significant improvements (including provisions for indemnification and personal liability of officers), the bill did not gain much traction. It has been reintroduced in 2022 (HB1850) and 2024 (HB1602), but has never made it beyond committee.
end
(3/4legislation passed)
- ✓
Ends Qualified Immunity for all law enforcement officers
Yes, section 506.450 of the bill states, "**A peace officer, as defined under section 590.010, who, under color of law, deprives any individual of his or her constitutional rights shall be liable to such individual for legal or equitable relief or any other appropriate relief. 2. (1) Statutory immunities and statutory limitations on liability, damages, or attorney fees shall not apply to claims brought under this section. (2) Qualified immunity shall not be a defense to liability under this section."**
- ✗
Ends Qualified Immunity for all public employees
No, the bill does not meet the standard.
- ✓
Ends Qualified Immunity for all state constitutional violations
Yes, section 506.450 of the bill states, "A peace officer, as defined under section 590.010, who, under color of law, deprives any individual of his or her constitutional rights shall be liable to such individual for legal or equitable relief or any other appropriate relief."
- ✓
Ends monetary caps on all public liability amounts
Yes, section 506.450 of the bill states, "**Statutory immunities and statutory limitations on liability, damages, or attorney fees shall not apply to claims brought under this section.**"
start
(3/5legislation passed)
- ✗
Implements a failure-to-intervene clause
No, the bill does not meet the standard.
- ✓
Guarantees that victims are compensated the full amount awarded
Yes, section 506.450 of the bill states, "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, **a peace officer's employer shall indemnify its peace officers for any liability incurred by the peace officer and for any judgment or settlement entered against the peace officer for claims arising under this section; **except that, if the peace officer's employer determines that the officer did not act upon a good faith and reasonable belief that the action was lawful, the peace officer is personally liable and shall not be indemnified by the peace officer's employer for five percent of the judgment or settlement or twenty-five thousand dollars, whichever is less. **Notwithstanding any provision of this section, if the peace officer's portion of the judgment is uncollectable from the peace officer, the peace officer's employer or insurance shall satisfy the full amount of the judgment or settlement.** A public entity is not required to indemnify a peace officer if the peace officer was convicted of a criminal violation for the conduct from which the claim arises."
- ✓
Starts attorney fees
Yes section 506.450 of the bill states, "In any action brought under this section, **a court shall award reasonable attorney fees and costs to a prevailing plaintiff.** In actions for injunctive relief, a court shall deem a plaintiff to have prevailed if the plaintiff's suit was a substantial factor or significant catalyst in obtaining the results sought by the litigation."
- ✓
Starts holding individual employees accountable
Yes, the bill allows the employer to make the employee financially liable, but there are no other material professional consequences. It states, "4. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a peace officer's employer shall indemnify its peace officers for any liability incurred by the peace officer and for any judgment or settlement entered against the peace officer for claims arising under this section; except that, **if the peace officer's employer determines that the officer did not act upon a good faith and reasonable belief that the action was lawful, the peace officer is personally liable and shall not be indemnified by the peace officer's employer for five percent of the judgment or settlement or twenty-five thousand dollars, whichever is less. **Notwithstanding any provision of this section, if the peace officer's portion of the judgment is uncollectable from the peace officer, the peace officer's employer or insurance shall satisfy the full amount of the judgment or settlement**. A public entity is not required to indemnify a peace officer if the peace officer was convicted of a criminal violation for the conduct from which the claim arises.**"
- ✗
Starts disclosing public records
No, the bill does not meet the standard.
HB 1602
Introduced in 2024
Significantly Improved
Failed
The first QI bill introduced in Missouri was HB30 in 2020, but this legislation did not address many of the concerns outlined in our grading system. Reintroduced in 2021 (HB956) with significant improvements (including provisions for indemnification and personal liability of officers), the bill did not gain much traction. It has been reintroduced in 2022 (HB1850) and 2024 (HB1602), but has never made it beyond committee.
end
(3/4legislation passed)
- ✓
Ends Qualified Immunity for all law enforcement officers
Yes, section 506.450 of the bill states, "**A peace officer, as defined under section 590.010, who, under color of law, deprives any individual of his or her constitutional rights shall be liable to such individual for legal or equitable relief or any other appropriate relief.** 2. (1) Statutory immunities and statutory limitations on liability, damages, or attorney fees shall not apply to claims brought under this section. (2) **Qualified immunity shall not be a defense to liability under this section.**
- ✗
Ends Qualified Immunity for all public employees
No, the bill does not meet the standard.
- ✓
Ends Qualified Immunity for all state constitutional violations
Yes, section 506.450 of the bill states, "A peace officer, as defined under section 590.010, who, under color of law, **deprives any individual of his or her constitutional rights shall be liable to such individual for legal or equitable relief or any other appropriate relief.**"
- ✓
Ends monetary caps on all public liability amounts
Yes, section 506.450 of the bill states, "Statutory immunities and **statutory limitations on liability, damages, or attorney fees shall not apply to claims brought under this section**."
start
(3/5legislation passed)
- ✗
Implements a failure-to-intervene clause
No, the bill does not meet the standard.
- ✓
Guarantees that victims are compensated the full amount awarded
Yes, section 506.450 of the bill states, "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a** peace officer's employer shall indemnify its peace officers for any liability incurred by the peace officer and for any judgment or settlement entered against the peace officer for claims arising under this section;** except that, if the peace officer's employer determines that the officer did not act upon a good faith and reasonable belief that the action was lawful, the peace officer is personally liable and shall not be indemnified by the peace officer's employer for five percent of the judgment or settlement or twenty-five thousand dollars, whichever is less. **Notwithstanding any provision of this section, if the peace officer's portion of the judgment is uncollectable from the peace officer, the peace officer's employer or insurance shall satisfy the full amount of the judgment or settlement. **A public entity is not required to indemnify a peace officer if the peace officer was convicted of a criminal violation for the conduct from which the claim arises."
- ✓
Starts attorney fees
Yes, section 506.450 of the bill states, "In any action brought under this section, **a court shall award reasonable attorney fees and costs to a prevailing plaintiff.** In actions for injunctive relief, a court shall deem a plaintiff to have prevailed if the plaintiff's suit was a substantial factor or significant catalyst in obtaining the results sought by the litigation."
- ✓
Starts holding individual employees accountable
Yes, the bill allows the employer to make the employee financially liable, but there are no other material professional consequences. Section 506.450 of the bill states, "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, **a peace officer's employer shall indemnify its peace officers for any liability incurred by the peace officer and for any judgment or settlement entered against the peace officer for claims arising under this section**; except that, if the peace officer's employer determines that the officer did not act upon a good faith and reasonable belief that the action was lawful, the peace officer is personally liable and shall not be indemnified by the peace officer's employer for five percent of the judgment or settlement or twenty-five thousand dollars, whichever is less. **Notwithstanding any provision of this section, if the peace officer's portion of the judgment is uncollectable from the peace officer, the peace officer's employer or insurance shall satisfy the full amount of the judgment or settlement.** A public entity is not required to indemnify a peace officer if the peace officer was convicted of a criminal violation for the conduct from which the claim arises."
- ✗
Starts disclosing public records
No, the bill does not meet the standard.
Case studies in Missouri
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