Abolishes the death penalty and specifies that any person sentenced to death must be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Boyko and 2 co-sponsors

The bill abolishes the death penalty in Missouri, replacing it with life imprisonment without parole for first-degree murder and related offenses, including converting existing dea

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)

#courts #crimesandpunishment #criminalprocedure

Overview

Missouri HB 2521, introduced in the 2026 session, proposes to abolish the death penalty in Missouri. The bill would repealing existing death-penalty provisions and replace them with a requirement that any person currently sentenced to death or subsequently sentenced for first-degree murder or other qualifying offenses must be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of probation, parole, or release, except by act of the governor.

Main purpose and intent

Eliminate the punishment of death for murder and other specified offenses.

Ensure that all individuals convicted of first-degree murder (and related offenses) receive life imprisonment without parole, replacing death sentences.

Provide a mechanism to convert any existing death sentences to life without parole if the death penalty has previously been imposed.

Key provisions and changes

Repeals and replaces several statutory sections related to capital punishment (death penalty procedures, execution protocols, and related conduct).

Establishes that, for offenses defined outside of the code or within the code, the penalty classification would emphasize life imprisonment without parole for qualifying felonies (including first-degree murder).

For murder in the first degree:

The punishment for adults would be life imprisonment without eligibility for probation, parole, or release, except by act of the governor (removing any death option).
If the offender is a juvenile (under 18 at the time of offense), punishment rules align with existing juvenile provisions.

Maintains structured trial and sentencing processes:

Two-stage trial framework remains for murder cases, but the death-penalty option would be removed; the second-stage sentencing would result in life without parole.
Retains appellate review by the Missouri Supreme Court of any death-sentence cases, now focusing on life-without-parole outcomes where applicable.

For any death sentence previously imposed but not executed, the trial court would convert the sentence to life without parole (subject to governor’s act).

Changes to specific sections (565.004, 565.020, 565.032, 565.040, 557.021, etc.) to reflect the death-penalty repeal and codify life-without-parole as the standard punishment.

Who would be affected

Individuals currently on death row or facing death-penalty sentencing for first-degree murder and related offenses.

Defendants in homicide prosecutions moving forward, who would be sentenced to life without parole rather than death.

District and circuit courts handling homicide trials, which would adjust sentencing and post-conviction procedures accordingly.

The Missouri Supreme Court, which would continue to review death-sentencing decisions (now in a context where death is no longer an option).

Procedural and timeline aspects

The bill provides a framework for converting existing death sentences to life without parole if death sentences were imposed but not executed.

It preserves juries’ role and trial structure, but with death penalties removed from potential outcomes.

Revisions would take effect upon enactment, with immediate impact on new homicide prosecutions and a retroactive path for converting pending or unexecuted death sentences.

Note: The bill text includes extensive amendments to multiple sections governing homicide, sentencing, and execution procedures, all oriented toward abolishing the death penalty and instituting life imprisonment without parole as the standard punishment for qualifying offenses.