In pursuit to reorganize Missouri’s criminal code, SB 491, which would modify provisions to criminal laws, was passed this week in the Missouri Senate and sent to the House.

It’s been 35 years since Missouri’s criminal code has been revised. Since then, numerous amendments and additions were introduced, which often led to confusion, uncertainty and inconsistency when it came to charging and punishing for crimes.  With the new updated code passed by the Senate this week, crimes were consolidated, revised and repealed in order to create more clarification to the criminal code. This enforces harsher penalties for repeat offenders of violent crimes, as well as a stricter code in association with sexual offenders.

This bill seeks to promote a safer environment for those not only in the 16th District, but throughout the state, and provide a judicial system with more efficiency and strength. The reconstruction of the criminal code ensures that the right criminals are off the streets and are held accountable for their actions, while receiving the appropriate punishment.

Senate Bill 491 would provide more concise tools for our judicial system and law enforcement to utilize. However, the changes would not take effect until Jan. 1, 2017, to ensure any updates necessary to the bill may be implemented before it becomes law.

Always feel free to contact me throughout the year with any comments, questions, or issues by calling my office at (573) 751-5713 or by visiting my website at www.senate.mo.gov/brown.

Thank you for reading this and for your participation in state government.