Missouri · Senate Bill 1391 · 2026 Regular Session (103rd General Assembly)

Modifies provisions relating to the appointment of counsel for postconviction relief of sentences of death

SB 1391 Sponsored by Nick Schroer Died in committee

  1. Introduced Dec 1, 2025
  2. In committee Jan 27, 2026
  3. Died  
  4. Passed the House  
  5. To the governor  
  6. Became law  

What it does

The legislature's own summary of the bill, or its official long title.

SB 1391 - This act modifies provisions relating to the appointment of counsel for postconviction relief of sentences of death. Current law provides that when a motion to set aside a sentence of death is filed, the court shall find on the record whether the movant is indigent and if so, the court shall appoint two counsel. This act instead provides that when a circuit court imposes a judgment and sentence of death…

Read the full title (246 words)

SB 1391 - This act modifies provisions relating to the appointment of counsel for postconviction relief of sentences of death. Current law provides that when a motion to set aside a sentence of death is filed, the court shall find on the record whether the movant is indigent and if so, the court shall appoint two counsel. This act instead provides that when a circuit court imposes a judgment and sentence of death, the circuit court shall find on the record whether the defendant is indigent. If finding so, the court shall appoint two counsel for the preparation and litigation of a defendant's motion under Rules of the Supreme Court of Missouri. Furthermore, if the court finds that the defendant is not indigent, the court may enter an order denying the appointment of counsel. Additionally, this act adds three years of litigation experience in the field of postconviction law and five years as a member of the Missouri Bar to the qualifications of one of the counsel. The court may also appoint other counsel whose background, knowledge, or experience would otherwise be proper representation of the defendant for postconviction relief. Finally, the state shall comply with any additional requirements of federal law and regulation relating to appointment of counsel for capital sentences and certification by the United States Attorney General. This act is identical to SB 741 (2025), and to a provision contained in HCS/HB 2254 and is similar to HB 1169 (2025). TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

Every action

6 steps, oldest first, as the legislature records them.

  1. SenatePrefiled
  2. SenateS First Read
  3. CommitteeSecond Read and Referred S Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee · Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence
  4. CommitteeHearing Cancelled S Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee · Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence
  5. CommitteeHearing Conducted S Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee · Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence
  6. CommitteeVoted Do Pass S Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee · Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

Roll calls

1 recorded vote: 0 on the floor, 1 in committee. Each shows how every member voted.

Committee votes

DateWhereQuestionResult
Apr 15, 2026 Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence: To pass the bill out - Regular
Members

Yes · 4

Absent · 3

 4–0

Sponsors

The member who introduced it.

From Missouri's official records (www.senate.mo.gov), checked Nov 2, 2026. Text links go to the official versions; LegiList does not copy bill text.