New Laws in Missouri (2026): Full List of Changes That Affect You

Most people don’t follow what their state legislature is doing. Honestly, that’s fair. It can be confusing. But some of these new Missouri laws will directly affect your paycheck, your kids’ school, and even how you drive. Let’s break it all down.

Missouri passed dozens of new laws in 2025. Many took effect on August 28, 2025. A handful more kicked in on January 1, 2026. This guide covers the big ones you actually need to know about.

What Are “New Missouri Laws”?

Missouri lawmakers meet each year to pass new bills. When the Governor signs a bill, it becomes law. Most Missouri laws take effect on August 28 each year, right after the legislative session ends. Some laws, however, are set to start on January 1 of the following year.

Pretty straightforward, right? Now let’s get into what actually changed.

Minimum Wage: Workers Get a Raise

Okay, this one’s a big deal. Missouri’s minimum wage jumped to $15 per hour starting January 1, 2026. That’s up from $13.75 in 2025.

Voters actually approved this increase back in November 2024. Proposition A passed with nearly 58% of the vote. So if you earn minimum wage, your paycheck just got bigger.

Here’s the catch though. The new law removes the automatic yearly increase that was supposed to keep pace with inflation. Future raises won’t happen automatically anymore. The legislature or voters would have to act again to push wages higher.

Paid Sick Leave: Gone

This one stings for a lot of workers. The same Proposition A that raised the minimum wage also required employers to offer paid sick leave. One hour for every 30 hours worked.

The legislature passed HB 567 and repealed that requirement. It took effect August 28, 2025. So Missouri employers are no longer required to offer paid sick leave.

Many people assumed this benefit was safe. They were wrong. Don’t be caught off guard if you were counting on it.

School Cell Phone Ban: Put It Away

Hold on, this one’s important if you have kids in school. Missouri passed a statewide cell phone ban for public and charter schools through SB 68.

Students cannot use their phones from the start of the school day until the end. That includes lunch, passing periods, and study halls. Schools must post their policies online. There must be clear consequences for violations.

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There is an exception for emergencies. The ban is set to expire on August 28, 2032, unless renewed.

Wondering if private schools are included? They are not. This applies to public schools and charter schools only.

“Stop the Bleed” in Schools

Also part of SB 68 is a new school safety requirement. All Missouri public schools must now have a “Stop the Bleed” program in place.

This trains school staff to help someone who is severely bleeding. The idea is to keep someone alive until paramedics arrive. It’s similar to how schools teach CPR. Simple, practical, and potentially life-saving.

Personally, I think this is one of the smartest laws in the whole package.

Danny’s Law: Hazing Is Now a Crime

A University of Missouri student named Danny Santulli went to a fraternity party in 2021. He was forced to binge drink. He ended up with permanent brain damage. He is now in a wheelchair and cannot speak or care for himself.

Missouri passed Danny’s Law through SB 43. It took effect August 28, 2025. Hazing is now a criminal offense in Missouri.

The law defines hazing as knowingly forcing someone into activities that could cause harm or death. It applies to public and private universities. There is limited immunity for people who call 911 and stay at the scene.

Homeschool Students Can Join School Sports

This one surprised a lot of people. SB 63 now allows homeschooled students to try out for extracurricular activities at their local public school. They still have to earn a spot. But they get a fair shot.

This had been attempted in the Missouri legislature several times before. It finally passed in 2025.

Capital Gains Tax Deduction: Big News for Investors

HB 594 took effect August 28, 2025. Missouri residents can now deduct 100% of their capital gains from state taxable income. This is a major change for people who sell property, stocks, or a business.

Sound complicated? Here’s what it means in plain terms. If you make money selling an investment, that money will no longer be taxed at the state level in Missouri. That’s a significant benefit for higher-income residents and investors.

Trust Tax Reform

Another tax change started January 1, 2026. Missouri stopped taxing income earned by certain resident irrevocable trusts when that income is not sourced inside the state.

This matters for people doing long-term financial or estate planning. It aligns Missouri more closely with other states that compete for trust-related business. If you use a trust as part of your financial plan, talk to a financial advisor about how this change affects you.

Changes to Driver’s Licenses

HB 206 made changes to how Missouri handles driver’s license suspensions. These changes took effect January 1, 2026.

Courts now have more flexibility in how they handle traffic violations. For minor traffic violations, if you fail to appear in court or pay a fine twice, your license could be suspended. You get a 33-day notice period before the suspension kicks in.

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Think of it like a warning system. Miss your obligations twice and you lose driving privileges. So keep track of any court dates or fines.

Beer Tax Cut: Good News for Craft Brewers

Missouri has a long history as a beer state. A new law reduced the state excise tax on domestically produced beer and malt beverages starting January 1, 2026. Inspection fees on American-made beer dropped to just 62 cents per barrel.

This helps local craft breweries stay competitive. It may also eventually mean lower prices for consumers, though that depends on each business. Either way, the brewing industry in Missouri got a win.

Baby Safe Haven Fund

HB 121 created the “Safe Place for Newborns Fund.” It went into effect August 28, 2025. The law helps Missouri add more temperature-controlled “baby safe haven” drop boxes at fire stations and other locations.

Parents in crisis can anonymously drop off a newborn at these sites. No questions asked. The fund will help cover costs to install and maintain these life-saving stations.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Veterans

HB 262 creates a fund to help cover the costs of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for Missouri military veterans. This therapy uses pressurized chambers with pure oxygen to help heal brain damage. It has shown promise for veterans with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.

This law shows the state is trying to expand support for veterans dealing with service-related health issues.

Utility Rate Changes

SB 4 changes how utility rates are set in Missouri. It lets utility companies use projected future costs when setting rates. That means rates could go up based on what a company expects to spend, not just what it already spent.

The law also protects customers during extreme weather. Utility companies must wait 72 hours before cutting off service for nonpayment if temperatures are expected to drop below 32 degrees or rise above 95 degrees.

Landlord Rights Expanded

HB 595 bans cities from requiring landlords to accept Section 8 vouchers. Section 8 is a federal program that helps low-income renters pay for housing. Previously, some cities required landlords to participate. Now they cannot be forced to.

This one has been controversial. Supporters say it protects property rights. Critics say it could make it harder for low-income families to find housing.

Phonics-Based Reading in Schools

Also through SB 68, Missouri schools must now teach reading using phonics as the primary method. Phonics means learning to connect letters and sounds to decode words.

The law specifically bans the “three-cueing” model. That’s an older approach that encouraged kids to guess words using context clues or pictures. Research has shown phonics-based instruction to be more effective for most students.

Hearing Aids for Low-Income Adults

HB 177 expands access to hearing aids and cochlear implants for low-income adults in Missouri. It took effect August 28, 2025. This helps close a gap for people who needed hearing devices but could not afford them.

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Tuition Help for First Responders

HB 419 provides school tuition assistance for eligible first responders and their families. It also took effect in August 2025. This is part of a broader effort to support people who work in public safety.

STEM Career Awareness Program

Starting in 2026, Missouri high schools can offer a new teacher-led STEM Career Awareness Program. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is collecting applications from program providers.

The goal is to connect students with career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math while still in high school.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did most new Missouri laws take effect? Most took effect August 28, 2025, following the regular legislative session. Several others started January 1, 2026.

Is Missouri’s minimum wage really $15 now? Yes. Starting January 1, 2026, Missouri’s minimum wage is $15 per hour for both private and public employers.

Does the school cell phone ban apply to all Missouri schools? No. It applies to public schools and charter schools. Private schools are not included. The ban runs through August 28, 2032.

Is paid sick leave still required in Missouri? No. The legislature repealed the paid sick leave requirement that voters approved in 2024. It ended on August 28, 2025.

Can homeschooled kids play sports at public schools now? Yes. SB 63 allows homeschooled students to try out for extracurricular activities at their local public school district.

What is Danny’s Law? Danny’s Law makes hazing a criminal offense at Missouri universities. It is named after Danny Santulli, a Mizzou student who suffered permanent brain damage during a 2021 hazing incident.

Does the capital gains deduction apply to everyone? It applies to Missouri residents who earn capital gains income, such as from selling property, stocks, or a business. Talk to a tax professional to see how it affects your situation.

Final Thoughts

Missouri made a lot of changes in 2025 and 2026. Some benefit workers, some help families, and some shift power toward employers and businesses. Now you know what changed.

Stay informed. If any of these laws directly affect your job, your kids, or your finances, look into them more deeply or talk to a professional. And when in doubt, you can always check the official Missouri legislature website for the full text of any bill.