2025 MISSOURI GENERAL ASSEMBLY: LEGISLATIVE NEWS
Bill signed with four major provisions championed by Missouri Appleseed
Missouri Governor Kehoe signed a bill on Wednesday with three major provisions championed by Missouri Appleseed! In partnership with Keyway Center for Diversion & Reentry, through research, education, and advocacy, we helped pass legislation that will strengthen Missouri families.
Incarcerated pregnant women will receive better prenatal and postnatal care.
Banning the Practice of Shackling Pregnant Women in Missouri Jails
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Ensuring Adequate Nutrition for Pregnant Incarcerated Women
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Families will be able to stay in touch with incarcerated loved ones without going into debt.
Banning the Practice of Shackling Pregnant Women in Missouri Jails
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Research shows that one of the most effective ways to reduce recidivism is to allow individuals the ability to stay in touch with loved ones while they are incarcerated.
The Missouri Incarceration Reimbursement Act (MIRA) is repealed, allowing individuals to successfully return home.
Repeal Missouri’s Incarceration Reimbursement Act
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Repealing MIRA alleviates financial burden, supports successful reentry, and helps reduce recidivism—creating safer, stronger communities.
Together we are creating a healthier, stronger, safer Missouri. Thank you to our supporters for standing with us!
More initiatives Missouri Appleseed is advocating for this legislative session:
Restoring Voting Rights to Individuals on Parole or Probation
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On March 26th, Rep. Stinnett’s HB 617 was unanimously voted out of the House Corrections and Public Institutions Committee. This is the first year a Voting Rights Restoration bill has unanimously passed out of committee.
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Eliminating Missouri’s Regressive Sales Tax on Feminine Hygiene Products and Diapers
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Missouri taxes diapers and feminine hygiene products at 4.225%, while other necessities and groceries are taxed at 1.225%.
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Through research and policy reform, Missouri Appleseed advances initiatives designed to have a lasting, systemic impact on justice-involved Missourians, their families, and the greater community.
EDUCATION: CLE SPOTLIGHT
Each year Missouri Appleseed presents a full-day, free Continuing Legal Education event on issues related to our work. On March 7th, over 150 people attended Parent Representation in Missouri Child Welfare Cases: Emerging Issues in the Field. Six nationally recognized speakers presented on a variety of topics related to parent representation and family preservation. Thank you to our speakers and attendees for making this year’s CLE our most successful event ever!

“Having attended CLE programs for nearly 30 years, I found this to be one of the most impressive. The speakers were of the highest caliber. I learned so much from their clear and concise deliveries. Thank you for bringing such first-rate material to all of the participants.” — CLE Participant

Parent Representation in Missouri Child Welfare Cases: Emerging Issues in the Field
Missed the webinar? Watch the full recording and download materials below:
IMPACT: ESTABLISHING A PRISON NURSERY IN MISSOURI
A Warm Welcome to the First Baby in the New Nursery Wing
Missouri’s first prison nursery at the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic & Correctional Center (WERDCC) has welcomed its first baby! Born on March 11, the newborn and mother are settling in with care and support from staff and resident caregivers. Since the wing opened on January 30th, seven mothers and mothers-to-be have moved in, with more babies on the way.
Established through bipartisan legislation in 2022, Missouri’s prison nursery program allows eligible mothers with 18 months or less remaining on their sentences to care for their newborns, fostering bonding and enabling them to leave prison together.
Read > New prison nursery program helps incarcerated moms bond with their babies, learn parenting skills and access programming.
SAVE THE DATE: GOOD APPLE RECEPTION
Save the Date
Good Apple Reception
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at the Clayton Winehouse
Missouri Appleseed is excited to host our 6th Annual Good Apple Reception. The celebration brings together community members, partners, supporters, and lawmakers to celebrate Missouri Appleseed’s impact in 2024 and 2025. More details coming soon!
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Proceeds from sponsorships will directly benefit Missouri Appleseed’s work to improve the systems and policies at the intersection of public health, criminal justice, and child welfare. For information, email Liza Weiss or download the Sponsorship Opportunities flyer below.

By planting the seed for policy reform, we advocate for systemic and sustainable change that builds stronger families, reduces recidivism, and creates safer communities. To support our work, make a donation.