Governor Kehoe Signs Public Safety, Military, and Government Bills

Jefferson City, Mo. (KFMO) - During a bill signing ceremony at the Missouri State Capitol Thursday, Governor Mike Kehoe signed House Bills 1740, 1839, and 2593, along with Senate Bills 975, 1421, and 1572 into law.

Kehoe said the legislation reflects his administration’s focus on protecting Missouri families, supporting first responders and military service members, and strengthening public safety.

"The legislation I signed today strengthens the laws that protect our families, supports the men and women who serve our country and communities, and gives our state stronger tools to keep dangerous criminals off our streets," Kehoe said. "Public safety will always be this administration's top priority."

Several of the bills signed Thursday include measures sponsored or co-sponsored by Senator Mike Henderson.

House Bill 1839, sponsored by Representative Sherri Gallick and Senator Mike Henderson, creates new requirements for age verification on adult websites that contain sexual material considered harmful to minors.

The law requires those websites to verify users’ ages and authorizes the Missouri Attorney General’s Office to enforce the requirement through civil penalties against websites that do not comply.

Senate Bill 1572, sponsored by Senator Mike Henderson and Representative Barry Hovis, modifies provisions relating to the public employee retirement system.

The governor also signed House Bill 1740, which strengthens Missouri’s DWI laws.

The bill, sponsored by Representative Dave Griffith and Senator Mike Bernskoetter, establishes Bentley and Mason’s Law, creating a court-enforceable process that places long-term financial responsibility on intoxicated drivers whose actions result in the death of a child’s parent or guardian.

The measure also increases penalties for criminally negligent DWI offenses, clarifies probation and parole rules for fatal DWI cases, and requires minimum prison sentences for certain convictions involving deaths caused by intoxicated drivers.

House Bill 2593, sponsored by Representative Bill Hardwick and Senator Adam Schnelting, updates provisions related to military affairs.

The legislation changes eligibility rules for Missouri Military Family Relief Fund grants, creates additional military medal and ribbon programs, and establishes the Cybersecurity Mission Act. The act allows the Missouri National Guard to enter agreements to provide cybersecurity assistance when requested by the Missouri Department of Public Safety director.

Senate Bill 1421, sponsored by Senator Nick Schroer and Representative Mike Jones, modifies public safety provisions, including directing the Missouri Division of Fire Safety to establish consistent statewide fire standards for state-inspected facilities, including childcare facilities.

The bill also updates requirements related to drug trafficking charges.

Governor Kehoe also signed Senate Bill 975, sponsored by Senator Rusty Black and Representative Jeff Farnan, which modifies provisions related to ambulance districts.

The governor says the collection of bills represents continued efforts to strengthen Missouri’s laws while supporting families, first responders, and those who serve the state and nation.