Missouri Senate Bill SB981

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/7/26
• Refer: 1/8/26

Caption

SB 981

Summary

SB 981 revises Missouri’s crime victims’ compensation statutes, which govern financial assistance to victims of violent crime and their families. The bill changes the filing deadline for compensation claims so that a claim may be filed within two years of the crime, discovery of the crime, the filing of criminal charges, or the conviction related to the claim, whichever occurs later. It also creates an exception allowing claims for certain sexual offenses and related crimes to be filed at any time. The bill also updates how the Department of Public Safety evaluates claims and calculates awards. It clarifies that the department does not need to wait for an arrest, trial, or criminal conviction before deciding a claim, but a conviction is conclusive proof that the crime occurred. It preserves the department’s ability to reduce or deny compensation based on the victim’s conduct, allows attorney’s fees up to 15% of an award, and requires supporting medical documentation when available. The bill further states that compensation payments are exempt from creditor collection and must be paid to guardians or conservators when the claimant is legally unable to receive them directly.

Impact

SB 981 would amend sections 595.025, 595.035, and 595.045 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, affecting the administration and funding of the Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund. It increases the court surcharge from $7.50 to $10 in criminal and juvenile proceedings, raises certain criminal conviction assessments paid into the fund, and continues the fund’s allocation structure for victim services and forensic laboratory support. The bill also reinforces the fund’s role as a payor of last resort by requiring offsets for payments from offenders, insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, workers’ compensation, and other sources, while excluding Social Security disability or retirement benefits from reduction calculations.

Sentiment

The available context shows no recorded committee debate or vote history, so there is no documented opposition or support from transcripts or roll calls. Based on the bill’s content, the measure appears aimed at strengthening and stabilizing victim compensation funding while expanding access for certain victims, suggesting a generally pro-victim policy approach. The absence of recorded votes or hearing discussion means sentiment cannot be measured directly from the provided materials.

Contention

The main policy tensions in the bill are likely to center on the higher court surcharges and conviction assessments, which increase costs on criminal defendants and court proceedings, and on the expanded filing window for certain sexual offense victims, which broadens eligibility and may increase claims. Another possible point of contention is the bill’s continued treatment of the fund as a payor of last resort, including offsets for public benefits and insurance, which can limit award amounts. The statute also preserves the department’s authority to reduce or deny claims based on victim conduct, a provision that can be controversial in individual cases.