HB2322

Missouri HB2322 establishes the "Youthful Offender Sentencing Reform and Accountability Act," limiting life sentences for offenders under 20.

Missouri HB2322, the "Youthful Offender Sentencing Reform and Accountability Act," prohibits courts from imposing life sentences without parole on offenders under 20 unless exceptional circumstances exist. The act defines "exceptional circumstances" as cases involving multiple victims, extreme cruelty, or adult-level planning. It also mandates that courts consider youth, maturity, background, and rehabilitation potential when sentencing. The act applies retroactively to sentences imposed before, on, or after August 28, 2026, unless retroactive application would cause manifest injustice.